Camphill Grangebeg Open Day today

Camphill Grangebeg in Dunlavin, is hosting an Open Day today, Saturday, 22 August, from 12pm to 4pm. 

The event offers a family-friendly atmosphere with a BBQ, €5 meal deals, music, craft stalls, sports, games, and a raffle. 

Entry is free, with all proceeds supporting Camphill Grangebeg, part of Camphill Communities of Ireland, which aids adults with intellectual disabilities. 

The community is located at Grangebeg Camphill Community, Park Lane, Dunlavin, W91 WN96.

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Camphill celebration of achievements

Participants in the My Dream Job programme with their certificates.

An event on Thursday to present certificates to Camphill clients participating in the My Dream Job programme was "a celebration of how far everybody has come", according to the programme manager, Emma Jane Meredith, writes Brian Byrne. A total of 79 certificates were presented to 21 participants in the project, designed to provide work experience and personal development opportunities for Camphill clients.

Adding that the programme "opens doors and empowers and supports the dreams of everyone taking part", Emma Jane noted that the initiative during the past year had involved eight workshops, several work experience opportunities, and 12 weeks of social farming. The workshops included sessions on confidence building, effective communications, and first aid and CPR training. 

Four of the local service users of Camphill took part in work experience opportunities during the year, in JYSK in Naas, St Brigid's NS in Kildare town, An Post, and Mr Price. 

Farmer Fergal Byrne with Emma Jane Meredith of My Dream Job, and participants in the Social Farming segment.

With the support of Social Farming Ireland, four of the Camphill group did a 12-week stint working at Fergal Byrne's farm in Calverstown. It was the second year for some of them, and in addition to the certificates presented to the participants, a special presentation was made to Fergal in appreciation of his support.

Annie Shiffer, presenting the Employer of the Year award to Caroline Nash of Russborough House, with project manager Emma Jane Meredith.

A presentation to mark the Employer of the Year was made to Russborough House & Gardens, represented at the event by Caroline Nash. Annie Shiffer, making the presentation, related how she had initially undertaken work experience at the popular Blessington visitor attraction, and afterwards was offered paid employment, a transition she said has made "a huge difference" to her life and confidence. On behalf of the group, Annie also thanked Emma Jane Meredith for her work on the My Dream Job programme.

Those who received certificates were Karolina Karolak, Eimear Ryan, Lukasz Cisowski, Liam Dermody, Tavian Dolan, Lynden Healy, Evan Bowes, Karen Bourke, Annie Shiffer, Stuart O’Neill, Holly Pallister, Laura Dunne, Maggie Ellison, Christine Malone, Paula Kelly, Liam Mc Donnell, Jack O’Callaghan, Michelle Hughes, Alan Beale, David Moore, and Esther Loakman.

Among those present were last year's recipients of the Employer of the Year award, David Hogan and his wife, Salima, who operate the nearby An Tearmann café, and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon TD.

Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon with Stuart O'Neill and his certificate.

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Camphill Open Day in Kilcullen

Camphill The Bridge in Kilcullen will host a community Open Day on Thursday, 2 July 2026, from 12pm to 4pm. 

The event will feature BBQ meal deals, a bake sale and craft stall, live entertainment, face painting, bingo and children’s games. 

The afternoon will celebrate the work of Camphill The Bridge while bringing together families, staff, supporters and local residents. 

Entry is free, and funds raised will go towards developing further opportunities, activities and experiences for the people supported by the service.

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Christine in Sunday's VHI Women's Mini Marathon

Christine, a member of Camphill The Bridge in Kilcullen, is taking part in this Sunday’s VHI Women’s Mini Marathon to raise funds for the wonderful people supported by the community.

All money donated to her challenge will go towards opportunities, activities, and experiences for those who use Camphill The Bridge’s residential and day services, which focus on community, inclusion, creativity, and meaningful living. Supporters can contribute via her fundraising page on iDonate. 

Best of luck to Christine in the Mini Marathon.

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Special visitor to An Tearmann

Image: An Tearmann.

An Tearmann had a very special customer yesterday in Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly, with her husband Brian McEnery. 

She graciously posed for photographs with staff members, in support of the Camphill Community.

Bhí custaiméir an-speisialta in An Tearmann inné, Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly, lena fear céile Brian McEnery. Ghlac sí grianghraif go cineálta le baill foirne, mar thacaíocht do Phobal Camphill.

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Busy Camphill Coffee Morning

There was a very supportive turnout this morning at Camphill The Bridge for their Easter Coffee Morning, writes Brian Byrne. 

Families and children also came out for the event, which included an Easter Egg Hunt around the nature trail.

Pictured are Lucy Coade, Roisin O'Dea, Jane Bonnar, and Audrey Leavy, who kept everyone full of baked treats and tea.

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Coffee Morning for Camphill today

An Easter Coffee Morning today, Good Friday, will raise funds for the Bridge Camphill Community in Kilcullen. The event, from 10am to noon, will include a scavenger-style Easter egg hunt. 

There will be tea, coffee, and delicious baked treats as well as the opportunity to take part in the Easter egg hunt on the community's nature trail. This is a family-friendly event with fun for all ages, featuring a puzzle to solve along the way and a special Easter treat at the finish line. 

All proceeds will support Camphill The Bridge, with donations welcome in cash, card, or online.

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Kilcullen skydivers for Camphill

Image: Tom Fisk via Pexels.

Two staff members from Camphill The Bridge, Kilcullen, will take part in a charity skydive on 2 May to raise funds for Camphill Communities of Ireland.

The pair are stepping outside their comfort zone with the high‑adrenaline challenge to support the people they work alongside every day. The fundraiser will boost vital resources for the organisation’s services.

People can contribute to their campaign at this link.

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First aid training at Camphill

Images: CCOI.

Participants in the My Dream Job programme at the Camphill Communities of Ireland recently enjoyed a highly successful First Aid Training day in Kilcullen. The training was provided by Curragh First Aid Training Ireland, and the session was professional, informative, and engaging. 

The practical, hands-on approach helped participants develop vital life-saving skills and boost their confidence throughout the day. 

The My Dream Job programme aims to support people in gaining training, education, and employment opportunities, and fostering confidence and independence.

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Camphill Recruitment Fair

Camphill Communities of Ireland are hosting a Kildare Recruitment Fair and Interview Day on Saturday, 24th January. The event will run from 11am to 3pm at Camphill The Bridge in Kilcullen (R56 R744) and at The Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge (W12 T925). 

You can reserve your place by calling 087 9913524 or simply walk in. Meet the Camphill Communities of Ireland team and discover various social care roles. You can also attend an interview on the day or arrange a one-to-one chat to find out more about starting a career with purpose. 

This is an opportunity to transform lives.

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Story of a 'gentle hero' for Kilcullen cinema

A film screening in Kilcullen Town Hall on Wednesday, 3 December, is about Patrick Lydon, described as 'the spirit and engine' behind the growth and development of the Camphill Communities in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. Born That Way tells his story. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.

Patrick Lydon was born in Massachusetts to an Irish family and came to Ireland in 1972 to avoid being sent to fight in Vietnam. With his wife, Gladys, he established the innovative Camphill Community for children in Ballytobin, Co Kilkenny. The initiative provided people with special needs with dignity and fulfilment in their lives, and over the following three decades, growing out of the community in Ballytobin and steered by Patrick and Gladys, seventeen more communities and inclusive social initiatives were established for children and adults in Ireland, including three in Kildare alone, The Bridge in Kilcullen being one.

Patrick Lydon was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021 and died on 18 January 2022.

Born That Way was the winner of the Dublin Film Critics Circle prize for Best Irish Documentary at the Dublin International Film Festival last February. When it was released in cinemas earlier this month, Irish Times reviewer Donald Clarke described it as 'a desperately moving and beautifully made documentary about a gentle hero who deserves greater recognition'. He awarded it his maximum five stars. 

Born That Way was directed by Éamon Little, who will attend the Kilcullen screening with Patrick’s widow, Gladys. There will be a Q&A with them afterwards, hosted by the writer John MacKenna.

A trailer to the film can be seen here.

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An Tearmann in new video about We Are Here: MyDreamJob Programme

An Tearmann in Kilcullen features in this video about the Dream Job initiative, which is part of the Inclusion Innovation: Bridging Gaps with Technology project, operating in Camphill Communities of Ireland. It's an inspiring watch.

Christmas market vendors invitation

Vendors are being sought for the Bridge Camphill Christmas Market, planned for Friday, 5 December.

If interested, contact the organisers, Lucy Coade or Sandra Quigley.

lucy.coade.thebridge@camphill.ie or sandra.quigley.thebridge@camphill.ie.

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Camphill Dunshane celebrating 40 years

A craft market, live entertainment, and a raffle and stalls will all feature at the Camphill Dunshane Open Day on Thursday, 23 October, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the community. The event will run from noon until 4pm.

Weavery, basketry, candle making, ceramics, art, baked goods, and more will all be on sale, and included in the entertainment, there will be a special show from Dunshane’s own drama group.

With a barbecue and sports games, it promises a day full of creativity, fun, and celebration. A family-friendly event, all are welcome to help celebrate 40 years of empowering lives and enriching communities.

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Camphill Choir in Culture Night

Members of the Camphill Choir in rehearsal for their debut last Christmas.

The Camphill Choir will make a special appearance in the Town Hall for Culture Night tonight, writes Brian Byrne. They will be among up to 20 performances in the variety show organised by Kilcullen Drama Group. 

The choir comprises members from both the Bridge Community and Camphill Grangebeg and gave their public debut last Christmas at Kilcullen Parish Church with the Carols by Candlelight concert. 

The theme of this evening is celebrating diversity, and there will be dancing, singing, music, poetry, and storytelling in the programme. The show features acts from all age groups and abilities. 

The show starts at 7pm and is free. All are welcome.

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Vendors invitation for Bridge Christmas Market

An invitation has been issued by the Bridge Camphill Community for vendors for their planned annual Christmas Market, this year on 12 December. The event will run from 2pm until 6pm.

Anyone interested in setting up a stall at the event should contact Lucy Coade at 097 435196.

They can also email their interest at lucy.coade.thebridge@camphill.ie for further details.

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