Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 30 September 2025 were 3, 8, 14 and 18. 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 €17,600.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were  May Coyne (Promoter May Coyne), Kitty McCreevy (Wednesday Bridge Club) and Clare & Miriam (PJ Lydon).

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

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto. 

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Kilcullen News Update

Childcare crisis in Kilcullen ... Coimisiún Pleanála is re-examining the Ballyshannon case ... Grants open for Brigid Festival 2026 ... Creative Writers Open Mic ... Drama Group AGM ... Stephen Clayton is the new Newbridge College Union President ... Tai Chi retreat day ...

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

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An Coimisiún Pleanála re-examining Ballyshannon case

The first Ballyshannon public meeting was held in 2019, on the proposed quarry.

The Ballyshannon Action Group has been informed that An Coimisiún Pleanála is re-examining their case against the planning permission granted to Kilsaran for a quarry by the commission (then An Bord Pleanála), writes Brian Byrne. This follows the overturning of that 2021 decision by the High Court this past summer. 

This judgment came after An Coimisiún Pleanála advised the court that it could no longer stand over or defend the original decision. Their legal team has assured Ballyshannon Action that this is an expected and normal part of the process.

The move does offer the group the opportunity to make a further submission, which it will be doing. The submission will reiterate concerns raised in previous submissions in 2021, as well as include further up-to-date relevant information.

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Writers Open Mic night planned

Jo Doyle reading at last year's event.

The Kilcullen Creative Writers Group is hosting an Open Mic Night on Wednesday, 22 October, as part of Irish Book Week.

The event begins at 7.30pm. All performers and spectators are welcome.

Last year's Open Mic Night was a full-house event with no less than 16 contributions from fiction, poetry, memoirs, and music. So we'd suggest you get there early. 

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Grants for 2026 Brigid of Kildare Festival open

Applications for grants for the Brigid, Spirit of Kildare Festival 2026 open tomorrow and can be applied for until the end of October, writes Brian Byrne. The funding from Kildare County Council is open to communities, groups, creatives, clubs, and other relevant organisations that deliver projects in partnership with local communities.

Projects should be inclusive and reflect the cultural richness of Kildare and the diversity of all communities living in the county.

Full information is available online or by calling 045 980653. 

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Newbridge College Union news

Stephen Clayton (Class of 1988) has taken up the role of President of the Newbridge College Union. At the recent AGM, he took over the mantle from Morgan O’Callaghan. Stephen owns Daybreak in Newbridge and Daybreak Kilcullen (currently leased). 

Stephen says he is privileged and honoured to take on the role and to be part of the continuing commitment of the past pupil body to the school.

Meanwhile, the Class of 1995 had a wonderful night of catching up and reminiscing at their recent 30-year reunion, held in The Silken Thomas, Kildare. Over 60 people attended, and former classmates travelled from all over the map, including the US and Australia. Class Ambassadors Leanne Cross, Brian Flanagan, Caitriona Ross, and Barry Reidy supported this event.

Were any in that class from Kilcullen?

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150 Kilcullen children need childcare places - survey

More than 150 children in Kilcullen need an early years or after-school place, according to responses to a survey of parents in the town, writes Brian Byrne. One hundred and ten parents responded to the study, carried out during July and August.

Almost half of those who responded said they have considered giving up employment because of the lack of childcare places in the town. Deputy Mark Wall conducted the survey with a community group, Kilcullen Needs Childcare. Deputy Wall says it's a crisis reflected across the whole county of Kildare.

"This is all going on while we have purpose-built facilities lying vacant across Kildare," he said today. "Many small-to-medium-sized childcare settings are struggling to break even. We need to see the State stepping into places like Kilcullen that have become a childcare desert, we need publicly funded, State-led childcare facilities set up, and we need to finally recognise early years education as a vital investment in our children’s future and a key part of the education system.”

He noted that the majority of those affected are women in jobs in high demand, such as education, healthcare, construction, and finance. "The lack of childcare is also having a negative impact on the careers of these parents, as one in five have already given up their careers."

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Kilcullen News Update

Jon Brien retires from An Garda ... Irish Darts final world tally ... AGM of Kilcullen Drama Group ... An Tearmann knitting group ... Deaths of Paul Smith and Margaret McDonnell ...

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

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Kare is looking for Bus Escorts

The Kare organisation is looking for Bus Escorts to join the Kare team in the Curragh, Newbridge, Athy and Kilmeade areas.

Bus Escorts do important work of supporting children with intellectual disabilities on their journey to and from school each day. 

It's 18-20 hours of work each week, and full training is provided. The rate is €15.66 per hour.

For more information, contact damian.carroll@kare.ie. 

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An Tearmann knitting group

A knitting group is resuming after the summer and is open to anyone who would like to join to knit or crochet. 

Meet upstairs in An Tearmann on Monday afternoons from 2:30 to 3:45pm, starting TODAY, Monday 29 September.

All levels of experience welcome.

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The passing of Margaret McDonnell

The Diary has learned of the death of Margaret (Madge) McDonnell (née Jevens), Newberry, Castlemartin Lodge, Kilcullen, on 26 September 2025, peacefully in the loving care of the staff at Craddock House Nursing Home, Naas.

Beloved wife of the late Christy, Madge's passing is deeply regretted by her loving children Elizabeth, Garry, Christine and Sarah, sons-in-law Michael, Lance and Jan, daughter-in-law Andrea, grandchildren Ellen, Sarah, Matthew, Daniel, Christopher, James and Robert, relatives and friends.

Reposing at her daughter Sarah's residence in Sunnyhill, Castlemartin Lodge, Kilcullen (eircode R56 N624) on Monday 29 September from 4pm until 8pm with prayers at 7.30. Removal from there will be on Tuesday, 30 September, to the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Brigid, Kilcullen, arriving for the 11am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in St Brigid's Cemetery, Kilcullen.

Missing bike

UPDATE: FOUND. Has anyone seen this orange bike?  It was left outside the Scoil Bhride pitch and forgotten after training. Now missing. An 8-year-old girl is looking to get it back.

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The passing of Paul Smith

The Diary has learned of the death of Paul Smith, Kilcullen, and formerly of Ballyfermot, Dublin, on September 25, 2025, (after a long illness), in the company of his loving family, at St Brigid’s Hospice, The Curragh.

Beloved father of Amy, Sean, Abbie and Katie, Paul is sadly missed by his loving son, daughters and their mother Jackie, partner Christina, sisters Suzanne and Sharon, son-in-law David, daughter-in-law Mona, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren Mia, Max and Jordan, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Paul will be reposing at his daughter Amy’s residence (R56 Y627) today, Sunday, from 1pm to 4pm. Removal will be tomorrow, Monday, to the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Brigid, Kilcullen, arriving for the 11am Mass. Funeral immediately afterwards to Newlands Cross Crematorium. 

Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, can be made to St James Hospital and St Brigid’s Hospice, The Curragh. 

Rest in peace.

Mattress recycling opportunity

Just a reminder that here's a free mattress recycling day TODAY, Sunday 28 September, at the Silliot Hill Recycling Centre.

The event is hosted by Bord na Móna Recycling in partnership with Kildare County Council and will run from 8.30am to 3pm. 

This event is for domestic customers only and allows a maximum of six mattresses per customer. 

Bed bases, divans, and other waste are NOT accepted — only mattresses will be taken for free.

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Happy retirement, Gda Jon

Sabina Reddy, chair of Halverstown NS, makes a presentation to Gda Jon Brien to thank him for all his contributions to the school community over the years. 

Garda Jon Brien will be doing his last shift in Kilcullen Garda Station tomorrow, Sunday 28 September, before retiring after 30 years with An Garda Síochána, writes Brian Byrne. If you're passing, maybe call in and wish him farewell.

As a Community Garda based in Kilcullen for many of his recent years of service, Jon was a familiar figure at many public events and in schools and meetings of various community and sports organisations. He was never known to be without a smile in all his interactions with people. At AGMs of Text Alert, crime and safety talks, speaking with TY students about life choices — and maybe a career in the Guards — he was informative, reassuring, and, above all, empathetic to people's concerns and needs.

He leaves An Garda with a legacy of outstanding commitment and friendship. We wish him every health and happiness in his retirement. Our photos here are just a small representation of his time in Kilcullen.

At a crime and safety talk in Kilcullen last year.

Speaking to seniors about home safety in Kilcullen last May.

With a new shaved haircut to honour health workers during Covid.

Delivering the groceries to vulnerable people during the pandemic in 2020.

Above and below, with a new best French friend during the Kilcullen twinning visit earlier this year.

With Ireland's youngest garda, Ceejay, in 2018.

Meeting the late rally ace, Rosemary Smith, during a veteran car run in 2019.

Talking to Scoil Bhride pupils in 2023.

Speaking to students in the Just One Life programme earlier this month.

A small presentation after speaking with CPC TY students last May.

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Final Irish tally in Seoul darts: 2 gold, 1 silver

The Irish Darts Team in the WDF Darts World Cup in Seoul, South Korea, have finished up with two gold and one silver medal, following the winning of the Ladies Team final by the Irish four. Derek Courtney of The Spout in Kilcullen has sent his final report from Seoul — click above to hear it.

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Ladies team face Australia in final in Seoul

In advance of the Ladies Team Final at the WDF Darts World Cup in Seoul, South Korea, Derek Courtney spoke with team captain Robyn Byrne and the team manager Kevin Devanney. Click above to hear his report.

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