Brendan's Olympics blazer on display

Maybe a little lost in the summer evening reflections in O'Connell's Bar window, in the middle of a 2024 Olympic Games where Ireland is already doing well, a blazer belonging to Kilcullen Olympian Brendan O'Connell is on display for the duration, writes Brian Byrne.

Brendan participated in canoeing events in the 1972 Olympics in Munich and the 1976 Games in Montreal, and attended in official capacities at a number of subsequent Games — the blazer is from the Los Angeles event in 1984. 

He is one of five people with direct Kilcullen connections who have participated in the Olympics, the others being the late Col Bill Mullins, the late Colm McCoy, Noel Lynch, and Susan Shortt.

In addition to his competing, Brendan was also elected a board member of the Olympic Council of Ireland in 1989, and as Transport Manager for the Irish team in 1992, he was present when Michael Carruth won Ireland's first ever Olympics gold medal for boxing, and Ireland's first gold since Ronnie Delaney brought one home from Melbourne in 1956.

Kilcullen's Olympians, including those who have participated in Special Olympics, were celebrated in November 2019 as part of the Kilcullen 700  programme, when Ronnie Delaney and Michael Carruth were on hand to give out the special trophies and mementoes. 

READ: Wonderful Olympian event in Kilcullen 

READ: Absorbing talk from Brendan O'Connell on Olympics adventures 

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Go down to the woods today - you'll feel better

Skip the shopping centre at the weekend and go to the woods instead, writes Brian Byrne. That’s the advice of a Kilcullen retired community health doctor, who believes we’re genetically programmed to appreciate and be restored by nature.

Dr Liz Cullen will be pushing this message home at a talk scheduled in Kilcullen Library on Friday 30 August, starting at 7.30pm. Hosted by Kilcullen Community for Climate Action, the free event is designed to provide food for thought for those feeling stressed out by modern life, with its non-stop calls to consume, in algorithmic thrall to endlessly scroll on phone screens, and trying to cope with the pounding news cycle of bad happenings.

Liz Cullen is a medical doctor with a long-standing interest in the environment and the impact of the physical and social environment on health. She received a PhD in 2009 from NUIM for her work on the impacts of climate change on health in Ireland. In 2016 she was one of the recipients of the first BT Masters bursaries, for her work on how to assess environmental factors contributing to cancers. Her illustrated presentation will describe why taking time out in nature is beneficial from a physical and psychological perspective. 

“We evolved together over millions of years with every other living organism, and we’re naturally attuned to the natural world,” she told the Diary. “So from the earliest times of Stone Age man, our eyes and our ears were in tune with the sound of nature, for food and for danger. When we take time out to link back with natural things, and leave our phones and gadgets behind, it restores us. The natural world always delivers. On the other hand, going to a shopping centre, which promises so much and generally leaves us unsatisfied, is very deeply un-restorative. You never see a window in them, for instance.”

She cites recent research which shows the production of biogenic organic compounds from trees and plants, the soil and insects and other parts of the natural world, have a positive effect on humans who spend time in a nature environment. She also firmly believes that biodiversity is humanity’s ‘life support system’. "The benefits include decreasing stress and boosting our immune system, and these compounds just give us a lift."

“When I give this talk I’ll not be lecturing people on how they should live their lives,” she says. “It will be a two-way event, and I really want a discussion, what I hope will be the start of a conversation on how we can all build a better balance in life. We need to get out of the television and the mobile phone world for a bit. We need to let the forest into our lives.” 

Living in the Ballyshannon area just south of Kilcullen town, Liz Cullen is also an active member of that community’s fight against a plan by the Kilsaran Group to turn local farmland into a quarry, which she says would ‘industrialise a peaceful and tranquil area’. Which sounds like the absolute antithesis of her mission to help everyone live in a better balanced way. 

NOTE: This talk was originally scheduled to be given last May, but due to unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances had to be postponed.

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 30 July 2024 were 2, 15, 16 and 23. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will again be €20,000. The value of the follow up Draw stands at €5,600.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Anne Brain (Promoter Dominic Farrell), Esme Aspell (Anne Brennan) and Siobhan Thompson (The Parish). 

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Mag O'Connell and Vanessa Clarke, and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Vivian Clarke.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Ballyshannon biodiversity plan proposes 71 enhancements

A comprehensive biodiversity plan for Ballyshannon will be presented at the AGM of Ballyshannon Community Action tomorrow night, Wednesday 31 July, writes Brian Byrne. Prepared by ecologist Dr Catherine O’Connell, the plan details the status of 14 habitats and proposes 71 biodiversity enhancements for the area.

Those latter include changes to mowing practices, investing in technology to preserve the quality of local streams, planting new hedgerows and greening walls and buildings in the area with climbing plants.

Further technical surveys to establish baseline air quality, and to assess tufa features, are suggested, as is training in home composting, and the conducting of citizen science surveys.

A number of sustainability measures are also suggested, and the removal of two invasive species in the neighbourhood. 

Full details of the 105-page plan, produced with funding from the Community Foundation for Ireland, will be available at the AGM in Ballyshannon Community Hall, which starts at 8pm tomorrow evening.

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Kilcullen medals in Transplant Sports Championships

James Nolan and Robbie England.

A member of Kilcullen Badminton Club and a Kilcullen businessman were both medal winners amongst the 65 medals won by Team Ireland at the recent European Transplant Sports Championships, writes Brian Byrne. 

Robbie England from Naas won silver in his singles Badminton event, and James Nolan took gold in the Golf team event with Mick Dwyer, and a silver in the individual. Overall, the 25-strong Team Ireland's awards haul comprised 28 Gold, 21 Silver and 7 Bronze medals. The team competed in a number of disciplines including golf, swimming, cycling, tennis, darts, petanque, table tennis, badminton, tenpin bowling, and athletics. 

James Nolan told the Diary that it had been an 'incredible' week for the team, in spite of competing in temperatures where it averaged well over 35 degrees every day. "We were lucky to win quite a few medals but more importantly we all competed in a respectful manner and doing our families, our donors and Ireland proud. I was well beaten in my three athletics races but I had no complaints — just beaten by faster athletes — and I had a little luck on the golf course. We had an amazing week and it really was the time of our lives." For James it was also a special week because during it he marked the 37th anniversary of receiving a transplant kidney from his sister Catherine.

Transplant Sport Ireland (TSI) is a volunteer-run organisation where transplant recipients, and dialysis patients, can connect and support one another in a common belief that sport plays a vital part in maintaining good health. TSI is also dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of Organ Donation and continuing to remember and appreciate organ donors and their families, and to strongly promote the message - Say 'YES' to Organ Donation. 

READ: Irish transplant athletes told they have 'true grit'

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Solar storm could have aurora display tomorrow night

File image by Tobias Bjorkli via pexels.

A clear late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning could provide good local conditions to see another display of 'Northern Lights' auroras, writes Brian Byrne.

This follows a geomagnetic storm warning from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). The auroras, if the conditions are as predicted, could be visible in the latitudes below 50 degrees, comfortably lower than Ireland.

The phenomenon is caused by  solar radiation flares which are heading towards a maximum activity in an 11-year cycle. Last May a strong burst resulted in aurora displays visible across Ireland, including Kildare where many local photographers took stunning pictures on the Curragh and at Old Kilcullen.  

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Is this your dog?

UPDATE: DOG HAS BEEN REUNITED WITH ITS OWNER. This little terrier was found wandering outside Eurospar in the last hour. There's no collar or tag, and the dog can be retrieved for the moment from Naas Garda Station.

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Two AGMs this week

Just a reminder that there are two AGMs this week for local organisations.

The Ballyshannon Action Group AGM will be on Wednesday evening, 31 July, in the local community hall, starting at 8pm. A feature will be a presentation on the completed Community Biodiversity Action Plan, put together by ecologist Dr Catherine O'Connell, with the help of a €5,500 grant from Community Foundation Ireland.

And the Annual General Meeting of Kilcullen AFC will be held on Thursday 1 August in the Clubhouse.

All members, parents and players are invited.

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Podcast: Making a Difference

Charity Muthani is the ‘face’ of Maintain Hope, an Irish-based charity supporting disadvantaged children in Kenya. She is a living example to those who support the organisation of what can happen when their money or their time is invested in a child. 

Produced by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary.

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Looking Back: Parish Centre opening, 2004

President McAleese opening the Parish Centre in 2004. Were you there?

On 20 June 2004, Fr Andrew O'Sullivan escorted the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, to the altar in Kilcullen Parish Church, where she gave the First Reading at a mass, and then also read the Psalm, writes Brian Byrne. Afterwards she officially opened Kilcullen Parish Centre. 

The Centre had been developed under the supervision of Fr Andrew, and the Parish Financial Committee of Noel Bergin, Nessa Dunlea, Philomena Griffin, Liam McDonnell, Evelyn McKenzie-Smith and others.

The work of converting the former Girls School, which had been vandalised and was in bad repair, was carried out by builder Tom Byrne.

Photographs from the event, which preceded the establishment of the Kilcullen Diary, can be seen here, uploaded later. They include pictures of the prior state of the building. 

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Conroy Park planning 50th celebrations

Conroy Park 40th.

Conroy Park in Kilcullen will be celebrating 50 years since it was built, on Sunday 22 September, writes Eilis Keogh.

All residents, past and present, are invited to come along to the party, which will get going at 2.30pm.

There will be a barbecue, music, and lots of reminiscing. Bring your photos and stories of living in Conroy Park.

Save the date!

(Photos here are from the 40th anniversary celebrations, from Kilcullen Diary.)

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DP offers Penthouse Living

3 The Moorings, Riverside Manor, Kilcullen. 

Another stunning property presented by Dowling Property. Located in this highly sought-after location comes this very spacious, 3-bedroom duplex penthouse apartment for sale. This wonderful property extends to c.146 sq.mt. and enjoys uninterrupted views across the finest Kildare countryside and River Liffey. 

The feature list is very impressive and includes three double bedrooms, gas heating, high ceilings and a separate kitchen and sitting room. The accommodation, which is very bright and spacious briefly consists of entrance hallway, storeroom, hot press, kitchen, sitting room, patio, bathroom and bedroom 1 with en-suite. Upstairs are 2 double bedrooms with en-suite. A real highlight is the large patio which extends to c.25 sq.mt. and enjoys a sunny south-facing aspect. 

This fine home benefits from lots of storage space throughout and really portrays a sense of space in its comfortable surroundings. This penthouse will appeal to an array of buyers in particular, persons trading down who want a safe and low maintenance property with outside space. 

All of Kilcullen's fine amenities are located just a stone's throw off your doorstep, within walking distance of Kilcullen town which include leisure facilities, shops, schools (St Bridget’s Primary School and the Cross & Passion College Secondary School), public transport systems and all major road networks including M7/M9 Motorway. This property is "chain free" and ready to go and we strongly advise on early viewings to avoid disappointment. One Not To Be Missed!!

AMV €325,000. www.dowlingproperty.ie. Call 045 482189.

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Billy Aspell honoured at Kilcullen GAA

It was a special morning at Kilcullen GAA Club today when longtime club stalwart Billy Aspell was presented with a medal to mark his management of the 1971 team that won the Junior A Championship as well as the Murphy Cup, and Division 2 of the Senior League, writes Brian Byrne.

The medal was presented by Johnny Doyle, Kildare and Allenwood footballing legend. Billy, 94, was unable to be present at the club Dinner Dance in February when that team was specially honoured, so he had a ceremony all for himself today. Several members of the 1971 team joined in today's celebration, which concluded by Billy planting a commemorative tree on the grounds outside.

Opening the event, Nick Egan said it was very important that the club maintain connections with all the great people who had brought it on the journey to today. "We're a club that wants to be bigger in the future, but we can't forget the past," he said, before handing over to club chairman Dan Bell.

The chairman said it was a great occasion, and noted that Billy had been involved in the club's first development committee, and now a new development committee is taking it to the next level, necessary as the town gets bigger and bigger.

Saying that Billy's commitment to GAA was evident from his record of having attended no less than 74 consecutive county finals, Dan Bell thanked him for all that he has done for Kilcullen GAA through the decades, "and I hope that you'll be around for many more." He welcomed Johnny Doyle and expressed his appreciation on behalf of the club for coming along for this occasion, with the Junior Championship Cup.

Christy Howard said that he had first met Billy Aspell when he joined the Kilcullen Boxing Club at ten years of age. He noted at that time the Boxing Club and the GAA Club were virtually the same in membership and officers, and Billy alternated the training for each within their respective seasons. On the GAA side he served on many committees, and was treasurer for some 20 years including that first development committee. Christy recalled moving up through the different age divisions, with Billy as his mentor, culminating in the 1971 win. 

"As player-captain I needed all his support, and he was a brilliant mentor and selector," he said. "He loved football, he loved the club, and he loved boxing, and he was also one of the key men in the development of the John F Kennedy Hall for the Boxing Club, when that became the place in Kilcullen." He welcomed the great turnout for a 'brilliant' day to mark Billy's contribution to Kilcullen GAA, to Kilcullen community, and to Kilcullen Boxing Club. "We're thrilled to have you here."

Following the medal presentation, Johnny Doyle recalled the first time he had met Billy, which was at the John F Kennedy Hall when as a young 'very nervous' Irish Ropes Newbridge boxer he was introduced by his father. "I've met you many times down the years since, Billy, and you always encouraged people. That's the kind of person you are. And while we might have gone tooth and nail against each other, Allenwood and Kilcullen, no matter what happened you always had a kind word afterwards."

Saying that it was great to see the club arrange the special morning, and wishing Billy many more years of going to county finals, he also commented on the value of heritage in a club. "History drives the next generation," he said, adding that it was the achievements of the teams that went before 'drove us to try and be a better club'. "There's a Porky Lambe in every club, and there's a Christy Howard in every club, and it's those kind of people that makes the GAA great. When we put the jersey on our back we're representing our club, but when we get together for an occasion like this we're all GAA people."

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