School gets multi-sensory garden, courtesy Murphy International staff

A new multi-sensory garden at Scoil Bhride Athgarvan is thanks to the joint efforts of school pupils and more than 25 staff at locally-based Murphy International, writes Brian Byrne. The project was completed over the summer.

Murphy was approached by the school's Wellbeing Committee last November to sponsor the project, under the company's Giving Back Days initiative, which allows employees two paid days each year to support a community organisation, school or charity of their choice. The application was successful, and for the rest of the last school year, pupils contributed designs for the garden to the Student Council.

Murphy employees then spent over 300 hours repurposing waste and other materials during the summer, including concrete pipes, speed bumps, tree stumps, pallets and huge cable spools, into play elements for the garden, located on a previously unused patch of school land. It was officially opened last Wednesday.

Marion Sherlock, Principal of Scoil Bhríde, said it is an understatement to say that the team at Murphy has exceeded all expectations. "They took the brief the children gave them, including the focus on sustainability, and they made sure to put their needs and ideas at the heart of every element of this incredible space.” She added that the garden will, through outdoor play and exploration, support the development of motor skills for the children, aid problem-solving and spatial awareness, enhance cognitive development and focus, and help with emotional regulation.

Murphy International's Ireland operations have been headquartered in Newbridge since 1968. Managing Director John Murphy says the company is proud to have supported a variety of social value initiatives since. "What makes this particular project so impressive, however, is the fact that the creation of this garden was led by the students," he said. "The Scoil Bhríde students’ initiative and creativity made this garden happen, and they should all be very proud of what they have achieved here."

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RSA urges back to school awareness

An appeal to parents, guardians, teachers and motorists to make road safety a priority has been made by the Road Safety Authority as children return to school, writes Brian Byrne. The call is against the background of 623 children killed or seriously injured on Irish roads over the five years to the end of 2024.

Of the casualties, 39 children up to the age of 15 lost their lives, with seven in ten of those aged 10-15 years. One in seven of all casualties happened while the children were travelling to or from school, and a similar ratio occurred on urban roads with a speed limit of 60km/h or less.

Drivers need to be aware of the increased number of vehicles with the return to school and to be alert and cautious around children walking, cycling or getting on and off buses.

Also, do not allow children to travel in vehicles without being properly restrained.

The RSA’s Back to School Road Safety Guidelines are at this link. 

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Creche building at Riverside Manor offered at €1.2m

Artist's impression of the building.

A purpose-built two-storey creche building for Riverside Manor is being offered for sale at €1.2 million, writes Brian Byrne. The building will be part of the partially released final phase of the development.

The property, offered by estate agents Sherry Fitzgerald O'Reilly, will have permission to accommodate up to 58 children.

The creche is designed across two floors. The ground floor includes an office, toilet facilities, a dedicated sleeping area, and three spacious playrooms. The first floor features a staff room, additional toilets, and another playroom, providing ample space and facilities for children and staff, according to the sales brochure.

Stamp duty and VAT will be payable on the asking price.

Creche location.

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Dumpers apprehended after another incident tonight

File photos.

Another instance of dumping occurred at McGarry's Lane a short time ago, writes Brian Byrne. But gardai have since apprehended those responsible, and they were brought back to Kilcullen for questioning and to clean up tonight's mess.

Kilcullen Garda would like to thank the public for their help in tracing the culprits.

Illegal dumping has been a serious issue for several weeks, and Gardai and the Community Warden have been investigating.

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Drained Ballymore reservoir

This photograph from Frances Moloney shows the reservoir above the falls in Ballymore Eustace, which was drained to facilitate water system infrastructure repair.

By comparison, and coincidence, here's a photo taken by your editor from almost the same spot, last April. Even then, the level was quite low.

As Frances says, it will take a lot of rain to fill it again.

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Dowling Property: Bellingsfield Lawn, Naas.

Welcome to No. 19. Dowling Property is delighted to present one of the finest four-bedroom, semi-detached homes currently on the market. Maintained to show-house standards throughout, this spacious and stunning home has been carefully looked after by its proud owners.

Built in 2019 to the highest standards by Ballymore Homes, it offers approximately 145 sq m of well-designed living space. Key features include a large open-plan kitchen and sitting room with flexible interconnecting doors that allow the entire ground floor to be open plan. The bright and airy accommodation comprises an entrance hallway, a cloakroom, a guest WC, a sitting room, a kitchen/living room, and a utility room. Upstairs, there are four spacious bedrooms (three doubles and one single), with the master bedroom featuring an en-suite and a family bathroom.

This handsome home benefits from a highly sought-after location within the estate, overlooking a green area to the front, with commanding views across the countryside. The rear garden extends approximately 20 metres and features a recently added patio with a decorative pergola.

All amenities are conveniently nearby, including Piper Hill School, just a short walk away. Naas Town Centre is within walking distance, offering a top-quality selection of shops and services.

This property presents an exceptional opportunity thanks to its prime location and excellent presentation. We highly recommend this A3-rated home being at the top of your viewing list, as it is unlikely to disappoint! 

AMV €550,000. dowlingproperty.ie. Kildare Branch 045 482189.

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New floor down in Community Centre

The new floor has been installed in the Community Centre sports hall. Markings are now being put in place.

They will be for basketball, pickleball, four badminton courts, indoor soccer, and, hopefully, skootch. 

All should be finished next week, according to centre manager Enda O'Neill.

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Kilcullen News Update

Book on learning and vision issues launched ... James Nolan wins another transplant medal ... CPC students outing to Dunamase ... Sat-nav warning for Electric Picnic ... Chris Kelly Bursary reminder ... Screening of Oliver in Kilcullen tomorrow ...

Reporting since 2005 from a Village Grown Bigger. Produced by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary.

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Nichola Kennedy's See The Change launch

Raising awareness in primary schools about the importance of good vision for learning is a key next-stage strategy for Kilcullen optician Nichola Kennedy, following the launch of her book See The Change last evening, writes Brian Byrne. At the event in Woodbine Books, she said teachers are well-placed to notice the effects of hidden vision problems among their pupils before parents even realise what's happening. 

One of only three certified neurodevelopmental and behavioural optometrists in the country, Nichola has already helped over 80 patients whose learning had been impaired by undiagnosed vision issues, using suitable eyewear and eye exercises. During a Q&A session with business coach Mary Grant at the launch, she shared examples of her treatments for different issues, noting that referrals had come from as far away as Cork and Kerry. 

To support those who are far away, she has created a hybrid approach using 28 short videos of exercises, accessible via a hub called Brainsight. "This means they can come to the practice for assessment and a one-to-one session," she says. "After that, we can use the videos and discuss via WhatsApp how to continue the treatment." She said there's a 100 per cent success rate when patients do the exercises. 

Nichola stresses that hidden problems often go undetected in standard eye tests. "So I delve deeper, looking at how the eye functions with the brain, how the brain processes information, and how the child perceives the world." The issues vary. 

In one case, a patient's 3D vision was faulty, causing a 'ghosting' effect of overlapping words while reading. After receiving special glasses and exercises, she's now reading happily. "And she's reading for fun, whereas before, she avoided reading entirely. She’s delighted, and her parents are happy. And it's just taken a weight off the whole family." 

Another patient had normal eyesight, but Nichola discovered difficulty refocusing from the blackboard to his book and back. "He couldn't get the words down quickly enough. We provided him with special reading glasses and exercises so that he could see the board and see the book, and he's come on by leaps and bounds."

Nichola's interest in visual issues and learning began during her optometry training, influenced by her mentor, Margaret Barrett, who had a keen interest and researched the subject. "I've also encountered it in my practice over the years — unexplained difficulties, children not thriving or achieving what they should be. I always felt there had to be an answer." She completed a course with the British Association of Behavioural Optometrists and has been developing her expertise in this area during the last few years. 

The book was inspired by a meeting with Mary Grant earlier this year. It is deliberately a short publication, designed for parents questioning why their child struggles with learning or behaviour, possibly due to vision issues. "Sometimes you can go around in circles looking for an answer, and it's in front of us, but we don’t see it. In my work with children, Special Olympics, and autistic patients, I have seen the impact on the family unit and home and every family member."

See The Change explores why children can focus on screens but not on reading, and how poor eye coordination and visual fatigue hinder learning. It provides practical tools to improve focus and reduce frustration, and guides when to seek behavioural optometric evaluation and vision therapy. The book is available at Woodbine Books and as a Kindle edition on Amazon.

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CPC trip to Dunamase

A climb to the top of the Rock of Dunamase in Laois was the culmination of a day out for 6th Year students from CPC yesterday. It followed an orientation session on the grounds of Emo Court.

"The views were incredible, and the energy and enthusiasm from our students made the day even better," their teacher, Ms Mills, said. "This trip was about more than just fun – it was a chance to reconnect, challenge ourselves, and set a positive tone for the year ahead."

For all concerned, a fantastic start to the new school year.

(Photos: CPC.)

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"Don't use sat-nav to get to EP" - Garda

The Garda have asked motorists travelling to Electric Picnic not to use sat-nav systems in the Stradbally area, writes Brian Byrne. Instead, follow the signed routes which are part of the official traffic plan.

Using sat-nav will send cars down unsuitable roads, causing unnecessary delays, disruption to residents, and putting extra pressure on Garda resources.

Following the Garda plan is the safest and quickest way to the site.

Some 85,000 people are expected to attend the sold-out concert weekend.

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James Nolan wins bronze at World Transplant Games

Local businessman and transplant kidney recipient James Nolan won a bronze medal in individual golf at the World Transplant Games in Dresden last week, writes Brian Byrne. Unfortunately, he contracted Covid, and had to sit out the 400, 200 and 4x4 hundred metre races in the athletics.

James paid tribute to Gerry Burke at the Royal Curragh Golf Club for help and 'huge patience' in getting his golf game right.

James was among 29 Irish athletes competing in the World Transplant Games, which are a celebration of a second chance at life, demonstrating the success of transplant surgery and promoting the need to raise public awareness of organ and tissue donation. 

With over 2,000 athletes competing in over 17 sports, the Games are the sporting pinnacle of the world transplant community, catering to both high-performance and social athletes.

James had his kidney transplant in 1987, donated by his sister, Catherine Doyle.

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Kilcullen News Update

 

Autism webinar will challenge myths ... Nichola Kennedy book launch tonight ... Bus stops clarification sought ... Adult social dancing free trial ... Kildare Business Expo open for bookings ... September Bridge call ...

Reporting since 2005 from a Village Grown Bigger. Produced by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary.

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