It Says in The Bridge: November 2024
Achievement and the end of an era are the stuff of the front page of this issue, writes Brian Byrne. The mega-success of Kilcullen GAA’s Kroker and Back Solothon, and Kilcullen’s Tidy Towns efforts adding them a silver medal to the bronze won in 2023 are highlighted, as is Ger Peacocke reaching the end of a family 67 years of shoe-making and repairs on Main Street, 48 of them with himself at the last.
The cover ledes preview full stories inside, with many pictures on the centre spread recording the enthusiastic response to the GAA fundraiser for surfacing their clubhouse car park. Full information on the Tidy Towns marking fills out the medal win, while the Peacocke story reflects two generations of a constant in craft tradition through decades of an evolving Kilcullen.
Also inside, the colour pink splashes through coverage of the recent Narrragmore fundraiser for Breast Cancer Ireland, another very successful example of community support for a cause, as is also the report on the Mac & Norman tractor warriors handing over yet another substantial cheque to the Irish Cancer Society — the 22nd time they have done so in that same number of years.
Entertainment news previews the first CPC Panto coming up in Kilcullen towards the end of the month, and also the Kilcullen Drama Group upcoming presentation of Calendar Girls — that latter already heading to sellout status. Kilcullen Bridge Cinema anticipates the November screening of Sing Sing.
For those who like to get away from it all for a day, Noel Clare's Out and Away takes the Cruagh Wood Loop in the Dublin Mountains, with wonderful views and also an interesting exercise in regenerating native woodlands from decades of commercial forestry.
Gillian Rea's Bit of Business focuses on Babogue, a local enterprise based around helping young babies — and their parents! — to get proper and enough sleep. John Duffey's contribution is also on business, the motor business of the 1960s when the to-be-ubiquitous Austin-Morris Mini arrived, with sidebar reminisces on the Triumph Mayflower, the Austin Devon and motor dealerships of the time Chapmans of Kildare and Coleborns of Dunlavin as well as his neighbour Larry.
Two well-known local women get their own stories, serial marathoner Mary Walker who retired from Fallons after more than 40 years associated with local restaurants, and CPC art teacher Lesley Kelly whose own art pieces were front and centre in a national showcase exhibition for Made Local. Also, congratulations notes to Abigail O'Leary for graduating in Law and Bronwyn Villis for making National Apprentice of the Year.
Among the regulars, Julie Felsbergs muses on the role of thanksgiving in November, between the buy, buy, buy stresses of two festive seasons, while Fr Gary gives us thoughts on the same month to remember loved ones who have finished their earthly journey ahead of us.
Billy Redmond's thoughts this month include the high-flying costs of launching billionaires into space as a counterpoint to the human problems back down on Earth which might be solved if the money was diverted to their plight. He has also been on a clear-out, recycling much of his collection of Bridge magazines with the exception of those with his own contributions (sad to see that, but fortunately there is a full collection of The Bridge in Kilcullen Heritage Centre).
Sean Landers looks back on the building of an extension to the church at Carnalway in the 19th century, and how a denominationally-shared graveyard almost scuttled the project. Places Around Us this month looks at Kilkea Castle and its more than eight centuries of history. Mary Orford brings to many of us recollections of the Carnival that's over.
From the Creative Writers, a short story by Daniel Nolan has fearful undertones. Our two local schools are back in full swing, as their busy pages reflect. KCA are equally non-stop in their activities, and there's the usual updates from KWWSPCA.
Something for everyone in the community. You know where to go.
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