CHANGES TO BATTERY PROJECT 'REDUCE SOME HAZARDS BUT INCREASE OTHERS'

A public meeting about the project in Kilcullen in 2023.

The community campaign against a battery energy storage system at Dunnstown says changes made to the project have reduced some hazards but increase others, writes Brian Byrne. Two Mile House Says No were responding to the news that the BESS project has received planning permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála, following a resubmitted appeal.

The campaigners say that the changes to the Strategic Power Projects Limited plan prove the original concerns identified by the community — thermal runaway, toxic gas release, explosion, and contaminated firewater running off into the Curragh aquifer — had been valid. "When the proposal first came forward in 2021, the developer's position was that it posed no risk to the surrounding community," TMHSN's response says. "Five years of residents' work has shown otherwise."

The changes include a switch in battery chemistry from lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) to lithium iron phosphate (LFP), a halving of the battery storage area, purpose-built battery modules instead of adapted shipping containers, and an on-site water supply and containment of contaminated runoff to protect the aquifer. There's also improved access for emergency vehicles.

But TMHSN notes that while LFP batteries are harder to ignite, University of Sheffield studies found that such cells can release more than ten times as much hydrogen fluoride per unit of stored energy as NMC, and concluded that LFP is the more toxic of the two. LFP vent gas also becomes explosive at lower concentrations and is more likely to escape unburned, raising the risk of a vapour cloud explosion.

A continuing and major concern of the campaign is that no statutory body in Ireland is responsible for the operational safety of grid-scale BESS. There is no requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment, the COMAH regulations do not apply, and neither the EPA nor the Health and Safety Authority has jurisdiction.

"Communities across the country are now facing the same questions we faced in 2021," says TMHSN spokesman Hugh Dillon. "If the Government set mandatory safety standards and gave one body responsibility for enforcing them, communities would be protected and developers would face far fewer objections and delays. Good regulation works in everyone's favour."

The project was originally rejected by Kildare County Council in 2021, a decision overturned on appeal by An Bord Pleanála in September 2022. That decision was subsequently quashed by order of the High Court in March 2024.

The case was reactivated and lodged again on 16 April 2024, and the latest permission was granted on 15 September. A proposed substation related to the project is currently the subject of a strategic infrastructure development pre-application consultation with ACP.

READ: Dunnstown battery energy storage granted planning permission 

READ: Lack of BESS regulation and responsibility highlighted at Kilcullen meeting 

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ART AND CRAFT MEETUPS AT RIVERBANK

The Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge is hosting several art and craft meet-ups this season.

The Sketchbook Club with Kate Escolin returned for its sixth season on 24 September, and will continue on 22 October, 19 November, and 10 December. This monthly event fosters a community of artists in a relaxed setting.

A new addition, Co-Working Café, will be held on 7 October, 4 November, and 2 December, led by Roseanne Lynch. This meet-up offers a space for creative projects and community connection.

Craft Hook-Up will take place on 15 October, 12 November, and 3 December, providing a welcoming environment for crafters to share techniques and enjoy each other’s company.

Booking is available through the Box Office or online at riverbank.ie. Co-Working Café is free, while Craft Hook-Up and Sketchbook Club offer Pay What You Can options. 

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THE PASSING OF MARIA DOWLING

The death has occurred of Maria Dowling (née Dowling), Hillcrest, Kilcullen, on 25 September 2026, peacefully in the wonderful care of the nurses and staff of Curragh Lawns Nursing Home. 

Predeceased by her beloved husband Pat, Maria is sadly missed by her sons Patrick and Emmet, daughter Elaine, daughters-in-law Carol and Jennifer, son-in-law Noel, grandchildren Bronagh, Odhran, Emily, Niall, Rona, Lily, Patrick and David, extended family, relatives and friends.

Removal from her home on Tuesday morning at 10.15am to arrive at the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Brigid, Kilcullen, for 11am Mass, which can be viewed on this link. 

Burial afterwards in St Brigid’s Cemetery, Kilcullen.

House Private please.

May Maria rest in peace.

LOOKING BACK ON CULTURE NIGHT 2026

 

A lookback at the Culture Night 2026 presentation in Kilcullen Town Hall Theatre organised by the Drama Group, with Kilcullen Gospel Choir, Angel's Gymnastics and Dance Theatre, Roxy & Bianca, Irish dancing from the Landers and O'Dwyer schools, Dick Dunphy, Paddy Martin, Sean Corrigan, Mary Orford, Maurice O'Mahony, Pat Kelly and Canice Keane, Nessa Dunlea, Sabina Reddy, Brian Byrne, Esther Reddy, and the Lámh Choir from Camphill, directed by Lorraine Nolan. 

MCs for the evening were Letitia Hanratty and Ray Kelly, and the show was officially opened by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council.

A Rough & Ready Production by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary.

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CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL PUBLIC LIBRARIES DAY

Kilcullen Community Library will celebrate National Public Libraries Day TODAY, 26 September, with tea, coffee, and biscuits available. 

The event takes place through Saturday morning.

Everybody welcome.

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KWWSPCA MASSIVE BOOK SALE

A reminder that the Kildare and West Wicklow Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (KWWSPCA) is holding its next Massive Book Sale in Kilcullen Town Hall, the final day TODAY, Saturday, from 11am to 4pm. 

Patrons can browse a wide selection of books, with most adult titles priced at just €1 each and children’s books available for only 50 cents apiece.

All proceeds go towards supporting the animals in the care of the KWWSPCA.

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WOODBINE BOOKS CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

Just a few of the many events recorded at Woodbine over the decade.

Dawn Behan and all the team at Woodbine Books are celebrating the 10th anniversary today of the opening of their shop, writes Brian Byrne. Make sure to drop by and congratulate them on a decade of providing Kilcullen with not just a bookshop, but a hub of writing, crafts, games and social enjoyment.

Book clubs, book launches, readings, theatrical presentations, open mic evenings for writers and musicians, all have been part of Kilcullen life over the last ten years thanks to the constant efforts at Woodbine to be more than just a shop. Most especially, though, Woodbine Books is a place where a smile is guaranteed when you walk through the door on even the most dismal of days. 

In the last two years, grant awards from the Books at One Community Fund have allowed Woodbine to expand the social engagement aspect of an enterprise that should be cherished by all in the community. Among these are the monthly Sketchbook Club sessions where people can travel their own artistic roads in a non-competitive space. Involvement in children's reading and writing is another passion for all in the shop.

Support for local authors and craftspeople has been a key part of the Woodbine crew's activity, along with partnering for local drama and film club ticket sales.

The bookshop was the Irish Region winner in the Independent Bookshop of the Year competition in the British Book Awards 2018. 

The impact of Woodbine Books on Kilcullen over the decade has been so much more than we can tally here in a few short words. So, all we'll finish with is, Happy Tenth!

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STEINER SCHOOL CERAMIC CLASSES

Kildare Steiner School offers Monday and Tuesday afternoon ceramic classes from 3:30pm to 5pm at the Le Ceile building Library, Rathargid, Gormanstown. 

These open workshops allow participants to follow projects or pursue personal ideas, creating items such as seasonal gifts, kitchen utensils, and jewellery. Participants will learn clay shaping, decorating, and glazing techniques, with the option to use a potter’s wheel. 

Classes can be attended once or multiple times, costing €30, which includes guidance, materials, and firing. 

Sign up with Grazyna at 085 7071143.

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TODAY IS WORLD LUNG DAY

On World Lung Day, today, the various organisations that support those with respiratory difficulties are calling for a phased introduction of free Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART) inhalers, starting with children aged 12 to 17.

Representatives of these groups met with members of the Oireachtas yesterday, ahead of Budget Day, to push for further investment in lung health.

The event was organised by the Asthma Society of Ireland as a collaborative initiative, giving each participating organisation a platform to speak to the issues facing its own patient community. Together, the organisations highlighted the gaps in access to timely diagnosis, standardised and evidence-based care and specialist services. They also called for sustained investment in respiratory research and disease registries, alongside action to address preventable risks to lung health, including air pollution, climate change and smoking. 

Participating organisations included the Asthma Society of Ireland, the Irish Thoracic Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland, COPD Support Ireland, Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland, the Climate and Health Alliance, the Tobacco Free Generation Alliance, Pulmonary Hypertension Ireland, and representatives from the Paediatric Severe Asthma Registry.

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TOWN BUS SERVICE PLANNED FOR NEWBRIDGE

A new Town Bus service is being planned for Newbridge by the National Transport Authority (NTA). A public consultation process will take place during October, which will include in-person public information sessions with NTA personnel.

The initiative, which is part of a national Town Bus Programme, has been welcomed by local Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, who says the nature of the town means that people living on the large edge estates can be several miles from the centre and the railway station, and need cars to get to the station.

"There is a serious lack of connectivity within the town itself," she says. "The small travel distances of just a few miles are congesting our roads and streets. It makes absolute sense to have a commuter bus to link the train station, our places of education and work and our shopping and health facilities."

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LIGHTS AND LINING COMPLETED

More work completed on the public realm downtown. 

The new pedestrian lights have been activated, and the lining of the spaces in the car park completed.

The last includes the first accessible parking space on the other side of the bridge.

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PILGRIMAGE TO MALTA

Illustration of St Paul's Island in 1881.

A pilgrimage to Malta is being led by Fr Gary on 28 February 2027. The cost for the 5 nights is €1,185 pps, including flights, transfers, accommodation and meals.

The trip will follow in the footsteps of St Paul, who is said to have been shipwrecked on Malta around 60 AD while being brought to Rome as a prisoner. Having healed the sick father of the chief official on the island, he spent three months there preaching and establishing Christianity on the island.

The key sites associated with the saint are Paul’s Grotto and the Catacombs in Rabat, the Church of St Paul’s Shipwreck in Valletta, and St Paul’s Island.

Further information and booking from Marian Shrines at 01 8788159 or visit marian.ie.

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RUGBY CLUB QUIZ NIGHT

Newbridge Rugby Club is hosting a Quiz Night on Friday, 23 October 2026, at 7:30pm at the NRFC Clubhouse. The event will raise funds for the U16 Girls Rugby Tour to Italy in 2027. 

Tickets are €40 for a table of four, with a bar open on the night and raffle prizes available. 

Prebooking is encouraged by contacting Afton at 085 1644451 or Welmie at 085 8003775.

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PARISH LOTTO DRAW RESULTS

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 22nd September 2026 were 9, 15, 18 and 22. There was no Jackpot winner, and next week's main prize will again be €20,000. The value of the follow-up draws is €20,000 and €9,600.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are Tracey O’Dwyer (Promoter Adrienne Byrne), Caroline McCarton (Tom McCarton) and Marie Brennan (Kay Dixon).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Vivienne Clifford and May Coyne, 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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A HISTORIC FIRST FOR HALVERSTOWN CRICKET

After 141 years, women have taken to the field in the colours of Halverstown Cricket Club for the first time, writes Des Drumm. On a historic day on Sunday last, as the sun shone brightly on the beautiful grounds of Harristown Estate, Halverstown Women took on North Kildare CC Women. 

The men of Halverstown have been playing at this wonderful location since the mid-1990s, but on Sunday, it was the women's turn. Providing the opposition was an experienced North Kildare side, a club with over 20 years of women's cricket. They now have a county rival and, more importantly, the beginning of a new chapter in Halverstown’s story. 

North Kildare captain Naomi Scott-Hayward won the toss and elected to bat. They made a steady start before Síle Conroy became the first player in Halverstown history to take a wicket in women's cricket. North Kildare quickly regrouped and looked assured, as expected from such an experienced team. 

It was only in the final over that Michaela Langford claimed Halverstown's second wicket of the innings. After 15 overs, North Kildare had posted an impressive 100 runs for the loss of two wickets. 

Halverstown got off to a strong start in reply with Michaela Langford and captain Leah Egar playing important roles. However, North Kildare's Melissa Miering and Jessica Swartz bowled superbly, restricting Halverstown's momentum and demonstrating the benefit of experience. For many Halverstown players, this was their first-ever competitive match, having only completed a handful of training sessions. 

Despite their best efforts, Halverstown fell 34 runs short, scoring 66. This did not take away from the sense of occasion surrounding the match. 

Perhaps the most heartwarming aspect was seeing mothers and daughters take to the field together. For years, Halverstown has celebrated fathers and sons sharing the cricket pitch. Today, it was the turn of the Langford, Mahady and Dobson families to create their own special memories, batting alongside one another and making history together. This was more than just a cricket match. It was the beginning of something — a very special moment in the history of Halverstown Cricket Club and hopefully the first of many years of women's cricket, friendship and family memories at Halverstown. 

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DUNNSTOWN BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE GRANTED PLANNING PERMISSION

A TMHSN meeting in 2023.

Planning permission for a battery energy storage system (BESS) at Dunnstown has been granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála, writes Brian Byrne. The project was previously rejected by Kildare County Council in 2021, a decision overturned on appeal by An Bord Pleanála in September 2022, and that decision subsequently quashed by order of the High Court in March 2024.

The case was reactivated and lodged again on 16 April 2024, and the latest permission was granted last week, on 15 September. The applicant is Strategic Power Projects Limited. A proposed substation related to the project is currently the subject of a strategic infrastructure development pre-application consultation with ACP.

A campaign against the original proposal, Two Mile House Says No, included residents, community groups, and agriculture and equine business interests in the area. They have major concerns on environmental and biodiversity grounds, and risks of fire and explosion. 

The group put together an extensively researched opposition to the plan that included details of over 50 instances of fire incidents in such installations around the world. They also showed the unsuitability of the project's design and location in the event of a battery fire incident requiring access by emergency services and possible evacuation of the local community. The inadequacy of the county's current fire service resources in dealing with such an incident was also noted.

KCC had refused permission on the basis that the proposed development was premature pending the outcome of a related application for a 220kV sub-station which had not yet been determined, that fire safety aspects of the proposed development had not been adequately addressed, and that there had been inadequate details for dealing with waste-water as well as lack of information in relation to noise and vibration.

On that second reason, the ABP Inspector had overturned the fire safety concerns of KCC on the basis that they were 'matters of technical detail better left to the certification system managed under the Building Control Act' and did not give rise to reasons for refusal of planning permission in this case.

There were 170 submissions from locals to the original application to KCC, including a 500-signature petition attached to the TMHSN submission.

The relodged submission proposed changes to the original project, including using Lithium Iron Phosphate rather than Lithium Ion batteries to store energy at the site. The battery storage area was also reduced by circa 50 per cent due to the use of smaller battery containers. The applicant claimed that using LFP battery technology overcomes third-party fire and safety concerns expressed in a report previously lodged with the board.

The campaign argued that the proposed changes were 'substantial and material' and should not be part of an appeal, as opposed to the submission of a totally new application to Kildare County Council. But the case was reactivated anyway.

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PADRE PIO HEALING MASS

A special Healing Mass on the feast day of St Padre Pio, tomorrow, Wednesday 23 September, will be celebrated in Kilcullen Parish Church.

The mass begins at 7pm and there will be a special individual blessing with a first-class relic of the saint.

Padre Pio was an Italian Capuchin Franciscan priest and mystic, known for bearing the stigmata — the wounds of Christ.

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