It Says in The Bridge - November 2025
There's a definite sense of celebration in this issue of what is believed to be the longest-running continuously published community magazine in the country, writes Brian Byrne. The lead story marks Kilcullen's first gold medal in the Supervalu Tidy Towns competition, while the centre colour spread features the celebrations at The Spout for young Jack Courtney's gold medal in the World Cup of Darts in Seoul. How both events intersected is illustrated in the front-page picture, with Jack congratulating the tidy towns group on the day of their win.
The publication of a book is also cause for celebration, and the story of Dorly O'Sullivan's book, Damien: a life for my son, is reported in the news section, along with one about the upcoming final Red Hot Music Club gig of 2025. There's also news of a planned twinning trip to Kilcullen's twin town in Normandy for 2026.
A preview of the Kilcullen Drama Group's coming Night of One-Act Plays includes some lively rehearsal photographs, and, staying with the arts, a report on the recent Open Mic Night for writers in Woodbine Books also features shots of some of the participants. There's an artistic spin, too, on this month's A Bit of Business, where Gillan Rea interviews artist Cian Mekatarian, whose work can be found around Kilcullen and other places in the county. Another business feature highlights a fragrance enterprise set up by Eileen Tan Farnan that looks set for significant growth.
As always, there are reflections from various contributors about places of heritage interest and historical memory. Daithà de Róiste writes about the River Greese, Sean Landers explores the now-disappeared Gilltown House and the Borrowes family, and John Duffey goes walking on the Hill of Allen. Billy Redmond ponders the tradition of open house sessions and his 45 years of participation. Mary Orford revisits lessons in pulling pints in her family's Knockaulin Bar. For his Out and Away series, Noel Clare visits Birr Demesne. There's a special look back on 51 years of working in Berney Bros Saddlers from Benny Clifford on the occasion of his retirement.
On the Animal Lovers page, there are thanks to the staff of Dunlea's for raising €8,000 through recycling cans for KWWSPCA, as well as some appeals relating to rescue dogs and Christmas. Kilcullen Bridge Cinema is encouraging patrons to its November offering, The Ballad of Wallis Island, and the Kilcullen Photography Club shows off pictures on the theme of Autumn.
All those and more in the November Bridge, on sale from today in the usual outlets.
