Kilcullen public asked to sign endorsement of Oakway submission

An opportunity to sign an endorsement of a town residents' submission on the proposed New Abbey Road LRD by Oakway Homes will be available at Kilcullen Town Hall tomorrow, Thursday, and on Friday.

The submission expresses concern at what the organisers say is a failure by the developer to address issues raised by initial submissions to Kildare County Council about the proposed development.

A Request for Further Information was sent to the applicant by Kildare County Council in February, raising 18 points of concern by the planners.  Responses to that RFI were returned earlier this month. 

Because of the level of changes suggested, further submissions have been allowed, which must be in by 6 May.

The key points being made by the organisers in this endorsed submission are:

• Objection to pedestrian access through existing estates

• Removal of hedgerow not acceptable

• Proposed boundary weldmesh fence not acceptable

• Lack of plan to address traffic capacity constraints on the R413 & R448 junction

• Lack of a construction management plan for residents to review and comment not acceptable

• Lack of clarity in terms of the capability of the sewage infrastructure

• Developer has failed to address many of the issues raised in the 118 submissions from the public.

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen and Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 29 April 2025 were 7, 10, 19 and 20. 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 €13,200.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Susan Coyne (Promoter May Coyne), Gavin Coyne (May Coyne) and Miriam McDonnell (Miriam McDonnell).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were The Parish Office and Miriam McDonnell and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Mick Dunne.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Skate park spaces evaluation

Skate park in Newbridge.

A number of spaces in Kilcullen are currently being evaluated by Kildare County Council for a skate park for the town, writes Brian Byrne. Several locations have been identified and are being assessed for size and safety.

A recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action heard that funding has been put aside for three skate park facilities in the Kildare-Newbridge MD, but that Kilcullen’s case is advanced enough to give a good chance of it being the first to get the green light.

Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer told the meeting that the cost would be €100,000. She cautioned that she didn’t see the project being in place during this year. “We’re working through the steps to get to the design stage and tender, and if we get that far, it’s as much as I’d expect to be delivered this year.”

She said a skate park would be a great facility for older youngsters who don’t play sport and need a space in which to hang out.

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Playground closed for maintenance

The Kilcullen Community Playground will be closed today, Monday, for essential maintenance. Apologies for any inconvenience.

 

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Joe Mallon guest speaker at summer school

Kilcullen's Joe Mallon was a guest speaker at Saturday's Roger Casement Summer School, held in Dun Laoghaire, writes Brian Byrne. He was among Post 11 (Curragh) UN Veterans attending and spoke about his two tours of duty in the Congo.

Joe was a member of the first ever Irish battalion to serve overseas, in 1960, and returned to the Congo in 1962.

A number of Congolese were also hosted at the summer school, pictured above with Joe and his fellow veterans. Below are HQ Company 32nd Battalion marching off McDonagh Square, Curragh to the church prior to starting the journey to the Congo on 27 July, 1960.

(Photos courtesy Joe Mallon.)

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Field of Dreams will become a 'fortress' for Kilcullen GAA

Kilcullen's Field of Dreams will be turned into a 'fortress' of GAA games power in coming years, club chairman Trevor Schwer said last night, writes Brian Byrne. He was speaking at a presentation in the clubhouse where four teams received their medals for last season.

The presentations were made to the Ladies Second Team by Kildare Ladies player Roisin Byrne, and by former Kildare Seniors Men’s captain Johnny Doyle to Kilcullen's U16, U18 and U23 teams.

Trevor Schwer said that as he was involved in the coaching of the Ladies, he knows that their future is bright. For the three Men’s teams, he emphasised that they are 'the next Senior team'. But he warned that it's important the club 'keeps these guys playing football together'. "If we can't do that, continuing on we will fail as a club," he said. "The facilities are going to be there, and we will turn the Field of Dreams into a fortress of dreams. This is our long-term ambition, to start really building on the success of underage, bringing it on to Senior level."

Joe Dooley noted that he had worked with the Ladies Seniors Second Team for the last two years and complimented them for the hard work and dedication they had shown and winning their league competition.

On behalf of the U18s, Liam Cronin paid particular tribute to coaches Brendan Duffy and Terry Donnelly who had done 'amazing work' with the team to achieve their league win. "I also want to thank James Burke for coming in to work with us this year," he added. "If you want a blueprint for training, James is the man."

Recalling that he was relatively new working with the minor U16s, James Burke described them as having 'potential all over the place'. He remarked that winning the summer league had boosted the team's confidence and helped them believe in themselves. 

Jim Buckley noted that this year with the U23s was when they had decided they were going to 'give it everything'. "We got it together and we won the county championship, and that was a great achievement," he said, and also acknowledged all the club people who had played a part in supporting the team.

Concluding the evening, Trevor Schwer thanked the large crowd present for coming out to support the event.

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Dowling Property: 3 Lui Na Greine, Kilcullen

A spacious 4-Bed Semi-Detached Property in Highly Sought-After Estate. Nestled within this quiet cul-de-sac estate comprising only 22 houses, is where you’ll find this spacious 4-bedroom semi-detached property for sale. Renowned for its exceptional location on the Naas Road, Lui na Greine offers unparalleled access to Kilcullen’s extensive amenities.

The accommodation, characterised by its bright and airy ambiance, comprises an entrance hallway, guest WC, utility room, sitting room, and kitchen/dining room. The upper floor has four bedrooms, including three double bedrooms and a single bedroom, with a master bedroom featuring an en-suite, and a family bathroom. The heating system is gas-powered, and the Building Energy Rating (BER) is C2.

The large sitting room with bay window is a highlight feature, complemented by the generously sized kitchen/dining room. The rear garden is fully landscaped with low-maintenance in mind, incorporating a decking area and shed. The front garden has a cobble-lock driveway, providing off-street parking for two cars.

Dublin commuters will find this property ideal, as Naas is approximately a 7-minute drive away. Newbridge, with its train station, is also conveniently located nearby. Direct access to the M9/M7 motorway is just 2 km away, facilitating excellent access to the airport.

All amenities are conveniently located within walking distance of Kilcullen town, which offers a wide range of leisure facilities, shops, schools (Scoil Bhride Primary School and the Cross & Passion College Secondary School), public transportation, and major road networks.

AMV: €415,000; Contact: dowlingproperty.ie; Call: Kildare Office 045 482189

Thinking of selling? Contact us to discuss your property’s potential and receive a free sales appraisal during our busy spring season. We eagerly look forward to hearing from you.

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Lions lifting litter, and locking up their ducks

Kilcullen Lions Club bagged a big haul of litter during a clean-up along the Athy Road this morning, writes Brian Byrne. In all, 16 rubbish bags were collected, four of which were bottles and cans (people throwing away their Re-turn money?).

Then, not even out of breath, they got to work sorting out their ducks for the Valley Family Fun day on 17 May.

Security is tight in the ducks’ corral — no doping will be tolerated and they're all subject to random testing. They'll go on sale a day or so before the race, the actual date to be confirmed. All proceeds from the race will go to local charities and childhood cancer support.

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Don't forget the Plant Swap

The Plant Swap is in full swing at the former bank building opposite Market Square. 

Bring your own if you like; if you don't have any, you're welcome to bring some away anyhow. 

Also, those old gardening books that you think might be good knowledge to recycle to someone else are welcome. A KCA initiative.

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Charity Race jockeys visit dialysis unit

Jockeys (front) Sarah Costello, Sara Leahy, Ella Budds and Rob Harrison with (back) Tallaght University Hospital Arts and Health Manager Ali Baker Kerrigan and James Nolan.

Four amateur jockeys taking part in the 34th Punchestown Festival Charity Race visited the Vartry Renal Unit at Tallaght University Hospital this week to meet patients on dialysis and staff caring for them, writes Brian Byrne. For Ella Budds, Sarah Costello, Sarah Leahy and Rob Harrison, it was a firsthand experience of the impact their efforts have on those with kidney-related illnesses. 

Twenty-two amateur jockeys who have raised the required sponsorship and met the fitness criteria will take part in the “Have the conversation - Say Yes to Organ Donation“ event next Saturday, bringing to over €2 million the total amount raised by the race since its inception.

The group visiting TUH included CEO of Punchestown Racecourse Conor O’Neill, race director Richie Galway, and Kilcullen businessman James Nolan, the founder of the Charity Race and of the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund which administers the money raised by those taking part. The Vartry Renal Dialysis Unit, along with similar facilities at University Hospital Waterford and Wexford General Hospital, hosts PKRF-supported Art and Music programmes aimed at easing potential boredom for patients spending four hours a day three times a week on dialysis machines. 

At TUH, these include Art at the Bedside sessions led by artists in residence Lucia Barnes and Olivia Hassett. The Soothing Sounds live music programme, a project of the State Man Arts Programme in the Vartry Unit, features professional musicians in residence, Dr Sophie Lee and Justin McCann on piano, and Dr Mary Louise O’Donnell on harp.

James Nolan outlined the work of PKRF, which over the years has provided a holiday home in Kerry for dialysis patients and their families, funds for a renal unit at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, and ongoing support for a range of kidney research. Other initiatives include a pilot Peer Support programme for dialysis and transplant patients, and the James Tracy/PKRF/Kidney Beam Exercise programme offering free exercise classes to dialysis and transplant patients. James emphasised that he wouldn't be there talking to the group if it weren’t for the fact that his sister Catherine had donated one of her kidneys to him in 1987. 

This year’s Charity Race features riders from eight counties on the island of Ireland as well as participants from England, Wales, Italy, and Poland. 

The Tallaght University Hospital Vartry Renal Dialysis Unit has been operational for five years, and serves about 170 patients weekly with a dedicated staff of 25-30 people.

James Nolan speaking to the group.

Richie Galway and Conor O'Neill talking with the jockeys.

Richie Galway, race director at Punchestown Racecourse; James Nolan, chairman of PKRF; Tallaght University Hospital Arts and Health Manager Ali Baker Kerrigan; CEO of Punchestown Racecourse Conor O'Neill; with dialysis patient Anthony Jones.

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Plant Swap today in Kilcullen

A reminder that KCA will be holding a Pop Up Plant Swap Shop this morning (Saturday 26 April) from 10am to 12 noon, just outside the former bank building (beside the Easter Bunny!). 

There are over 100 perennial plants to be given away for free, and people are encouraged to bring surplus plants from their gardens to share. 

This includes seeds, bulbs, gardening magazines, and books.

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Ballyshannon Action Golf Classic

Ballyshannon Action Group will host a Golf Classic on Friday 6 June, at Rathsallagh Golf Club. 

It’ll be a fun day with prizes for winners, longest shot, and nearest to pin. There’ll also be food and refreshments. 

Team of four costs €250. To book your tee, sponsor a tee, or buy a raffle ticket, visit this link, call 083 4329714 or email ballyshannonaction@gmail.com.

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