It Says in The Bridge: October 2025
The Bridge has recorded many Kilcullen milestones since the magazine's founding more than five decades ago. But, arguably, the opening of the Kilcullen GAA Field of Dreams is one of the most significant, writes Brian Byrne. This issue provides appropriate coverage of the event, with a front page headline that sums up the occasion: A dream no more! As club chairman, Trevor Schwer, says in the main story, it was all a result of 'community working together'. Most of the community seems to have come out on the day of the celebration.
Other stories of celebration abound in the pages of this month's issue. The very impressive Culture Night variety performances from Kilcullen Drama Group and friends are a talking point of reflection on talent in the town. They revived memories of the Kilcullen Capers in the 1970s, which brought disparate areas of the village together in friendly rivalry. There's a celebration of a new business in town, the very welcome 5 A Day fruit and vegetable enterprise on Main Street, courtesy of the Birchall sisters, Anne and Regina. Celebrations of no less than three 90th birthdays are recorded, as is the swinging relaunch of Fallons under the guidance of the Kelly brothers. Various back-to-school celebrations are pictured from the Community Childcare Centre, St Joseph's NS, and Scoil Bhride.
Life is a balance, though, and celebrations in this instance are tempered by the sad news of the death of Fr Cathal Price, who, among other achievements during his time in Kilcullen in the 1970s, was the driving force behind the establishment of The Bridge magazine itself. In a piece about Fr Cathal's life, Noel Clare notes the comments from those who knew him, notably as a 'passionate advocate for all ages'.
Among our regular contributors, Noel Clare and friends go from Dun Laoghaire to Dalkey in their Out and Away walks. The Bit of Business from Gillian Rea is the third year of the Pumpkin Patch Halloween attraction, brought by Amanda Lambe and Mark Donovan. Many families will make their way to the fields at Moortown over upcoming weekends. Eugene Brennan takes an engineer's look at our most important organ, the heart, which is truly a miracle of design.
The regular recording of local heritage is covered well, as usual. Sean Landers reveals the architect behind the building of Gilltown House, Daithà de Róiste explores the background to Jigginstown House, a 'residence fit for a king' that never had a royal visit, and John Duffey recalls a 'businessman of yore', Pat Cluxton, who had the important ability of being able to 'turn one pound into two'. Mary Orford 'names the ghosts' of past residents of the part of Main Street where she grew up.
Julie Felsbergs finds a spiritual destination in a hectic holiday of seven European cities in two weeks, while Fr. Gary metaphorises a spilt cup of coffee, noting that whatever spills from our souls will be whatever we carry inside us. Billy Redmond, meanwhile, spills the beans on the numbers in his life.
Other milestones this month include notes of the retirement of local garda Jon Brien after 30 years of service, and bringing home a gold medal by young CPC student Jack Courtney from the Darts World Cup in South Korea. But let's not forget one coming this month. As mentioned in this issue, Camphill Dunshane will be celebrating 40 years in Kilcullen with an Open Day on Thursday, October 23rd. Yet another day to go and shake hands and say 'well done'.
