Picnic on the Green at Old Kilcullen

A reminder that Old Kilcullen is hosting its annual community Picnic on the Green on Sunday next, 16 August, starting at 2pm. 

There will be cream teas, ice cream, a fun sports raffle, tug of war, and egg & spoon races. The day will also feature great live music, a magician, face painting, and a special heritage event. 

All proceeds from the picnic, which is supported by Kildare County Council, will go towards local community projects. For more information, follow the Old Kilcullen Community on Instagram.

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Picnic on The Green date

This year's Picnic on the Green at Old Kilcullen will be held on Sunday, 16 August 2026, writes Brian Byrne. The free community event, which begins at 2pm, will feature live music, fun sports, raffles, and traditional games including tug of war and egg-and-spoon races. 

Families can also enjoy cream teas, ice cream, a magician, and face painting. A special heritage segment will highlight local history, and all proceeds from the raffle will go towards community projects. 

The event is supported by Kildare County Council and Kildare Credit Union.

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Brazil families celebrate in Kilcullen garden

My name is Roberta, and I am from São Paulo, Brazil. My little one, Lorenzo (4 years old), and my husband, Tivadar, have been living in Kilcullen since 2023. 

I have been living in Ireland since 2017. Although the Irish people are very friendly, I am still searching for fellow Brazilians to help me cope with homesickness and to pass on our culture, language, and traditions to our little one. 

To my knowledge, there are around 23 Brazilian families in Kilcullen. Today [Saturday], at our party in the library, we met [Brazilian] people from Kilcullen, Kildare, Newbridge, and Monasterevin.

I owe a great deal to the Kilcullen community. I truly feel at home here and am very grateful to you all. I especially want to thank Martín and Ita today, who were very kind to let us meet up in the library.

The Festa Junina celebrates the bountiful harvest and honours three Catholic saints: Saint Anthony (13th June), Saint John (24th June), and Saint Peter (29th June). The tradition also has origins in ancient European summer solstice celebrations, blending religiosity, bonfires, square dances, and typical foods.

Brought by Portuguese colonisers, the celebration gained a strong national identity by mixing Catholic faith with elements of indigenous and Afro-Brazilian cultures, as well as emphasising rural life and cuisine.

The event has become one of the most vibrant cultural festivals in the country, renowned for its checkered costumes, colourful flags, fairs, and dishes made with corn and peanuts.

Nowadays, the religious aspect is less prominent, but the festivities still continue.

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Tracey O’Dwyer outlines her community priorities

In a newsletter update circulating in the Kildare-Newbridge MD, Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer has detailed her local agenda focused on roads, safety, community facilities, and planning across Kilcullen, Athgarvan, Newbridge, and related areas, writes Brian Byrne. The Kilcullen-based councillor was recently elected as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Kildare County Council.

For Kilcullen, the Fine Gael councillor says a major priority has been securing the future of Teach na nDaoine. She notes the building, which she hopes will become a dedicated space for senior citizens’ groups, was secured from the HSE for a nominal fee, with €180,000 in Local Property Tax funding allocated for essential repairs and works expected to begin before the end of this year. She also highlights progress on the Old Kilcullen Heritage Trail, saying she worked with the Old Kilcullen Committee and Kildare County Council to propose amendments after public consultation.

Road safety remains another major focus. She said she continues to push for improvements at Thompson’s Cross in Old Kilcullen, where work is hoped to commence this year, road widening in Athgarvan, and safety upgrades at several junctions, including Corbally, Mile Mill, Grangebeg, Baroda, and Kennel Bridge. Traffic calming on Kilcullen approach roads is a priority concern, and works are due to begin later this year on a €50,000 traffic calming project on the Curragh Road in Athgarvan. 

Cllr O’Dwyer has also been working with KCC to deal with parking pressures in Kilcullen — including in Kilcullen estates Bishop Rogan, Cnoc na Greine, and Riverside — on road and path upgrades, and on better bus stops and shelters for Two Mile House, Kilcullen, and Kinneagh Cross, and those recently provided in Athgarvan. She is also seeking improved access from the M9/M7 to Newbridge.

On community services, the councillor said she is addressing the lack of medical card dental services in Kilcullen and the shortage of childcare and after-school places. She also confirms €100,000 has been secured for a skatepark in Kilcullen, with a suitable site now being sought.

In Newbridge, she is working towards achieving a swimming pool, a municipal sports hub and a cultural centre, while in Athgarvan, she is supporting a new community space. She is also seeking a columbarium wall in St Brigid’s cemetery in Kilcullen.

The update also covers estate taking-in-charge projects, with work ongoing in locations including Hillcrest and Riverside in Kilcullen, Moorehill Wood in Brannockstown, and Walshestown Abbey and The Meadows in Newbridge. Cllr O’Dwyer says the adoption of the Kilcullen and Newbridge settlement plans in 2025 gives the area a roadmap for balanced development, and she points to zoning wins for school capacity in Kilcullen, and a new swimming pool and a sports hub for Newbridge.

She says her overall aim is to support safer communities and to keep local development aligned with infrastructure, accessibility and the needs of residents.

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Local Enhancement Programme awards

A total of €18,396 has been allocated to Kilcullen groups under the Local Enhancement Programme, writes Brian Byrne. The LEP has been around under various names since 2018, providing capital support for many small community groups and organisations.

The programme is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

The local allocations for 2026 are Kilcullen Scouts €1,554, Ballyshannon Community Hall €9,754, Camphill Communities of Ireland €2,317, and Kilcullen Community Action €4,771.

The funds have been welcomed by Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon TD, who said local groups and clubs across the country are vital to Irish community life, and these grants will go a long way in supporting them in their work.

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Home security warning for hot nights

A reminder that people should make sure their doors and windows are locked at night has been issued by the Cnoc na Gréine Residents Association. Cars and sheds should also be secured.

This follows reports in the estate that doors are being 'checked' at night, as well as attempts made to take plants from the front of houses.

The warning comes against the background of hot nights, when residents may leave windows open to cool down. The association also encourages people to check in with neighbours, and to report any issues to local Gardai.

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Baptist community to host two hope-focused evenings

Brannockstown Baptist community will host two special evenings at the end of May exploring the theme of hope in today’s world. The events on Thursday, 28 May, and Friday, 29 May, both start at 7:30pm at the church in Brannockstown (W91 K004).

The evenings will include songs, personal stories, short Bible talks, and free refreshments, with all welcome to attend. The events are aimed at anyone asking where real hope can be found in uncertain times.

More information is available at brannockstownbaptist.com.

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Cnoc na Gréine AGM

A reminder that the Cnoc na Greine Residents Association will hold its Annual General Meeting on Monday, 27 April 2026, at 8pm in the Carter room at the Community Centre. 

The meeting is open to all residents to voice their opinions and share their ideas for the estate. 

Residents interested in joining the committee or contributing suggestions are invited to participate in the meeting or contact the association via message. 

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Solar farm plan public meeting

A community meeting has been organised for Thursday night in St Laurence's Old Clubhouse building to discuss the planning application that has just been lodged for the Ballindrum/Mullasmast Solar Farm Project. 

The organisers would very much appreciate and welcome attendance from residents in Ballindrum, Mullamast, Old Grange, Burtown, Glassely and all surrounding areas.

The event begins at 8pm and local area representatives will be in attendance. 

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Narraghmore community meeting

Narraghmore Development CLG will host a public community meeting later this month to update residents on local initiatives and to gather ideas for future projects in the village. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, 30 March, at 8pm in The Old Hardware, Narraghmore. 

Everyone in the community is invited to attend, to hear about recent and ongoing work in the village and have an opportunity to share their views on priorities for future community projects and initiatives.

Following the community meeting, a short AGM of Narraghmore Development CLG will be held.

A strong turnout will help shape the future development of Narraghmore.

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Cnoc na Greine seeks grass cutting tenders

Cnoc na Greine Residents Association is seeking quotes for grass cutting as it re-applies for a maintenance assistance grant from Kildare County Council. The contract includes the collection and removal of cuttings. 

The work covers 5 acres of land, with the first cut scheduled for April. Full cutting operations would occur every two to three weeks from late May or early June, continuing through September. Interested contractors are invited to walk the site with association members. Additionally, the association manages the wild meadow areas, which contractors may consider as part of the job. 

Please email cnocnagreineresassoc@gmail.com by 10 March 2026. 

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Talk on value of community collaboration

County Kildare Leader Partnership CLG is hosting an event for social enterprises, local businesses, and community groups on Wednesday, 4 March, at 12.30pm at The Old Hardware in Narraghmore. The speaker on the theme of The Value of Collaboration is Angelina Foster.

Known for forging partnerships across libraries, county councils, and the corporate world, Foster will share insights into building meaningful connections and successful contracts.

The session will offer practical advice for strengthening partnerships and expanding opportunities. 

Limited spaces available — early booking is recommended.

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Community textile exhibition in Town Hall

A community textile exhibition has opened in Kilcullen Town Hall, featuring the results of workshops on a community quilt project organised by Dúlra Cill Dara, writes Brian Byrne. Threads of Connection is part of First Fortnight 2026, a programme that links art and mental health.

The exhibition brings together nature, memory, and community, honouring older people’s memories and traditional skills, and highlights the mental health benefits of time spent in nature and creative making.

The display includes digital and printed reflections, béaloideas (oral traditions), and participants' words of wisdom.

Threads of Connection will run until Saturday, 17 January, and opening times are from 10am weekdays, except Thursdays when it's open from 5pm-8pm. It is closed on Sundays.

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For 2026, a salute to Kilcullen's women

Some of the Kilcullen women who made the news in 2025.

Looking back through the highlight stories of 2025 on the Diary, one cannot help but be struck by how many of them focus on Kilcullen women, writes Brian Byrne. The reports cover, inter alia, science, literature, politics, business, and local leadership.

Nicholastown woman Professor Teresa Lambe, co-designer of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, addressed the Graduate School Class of 2025 at the University of Notre Dame in the USA, where she spoke about the "superpower" of global collaboration in science. Teresa also delivered the inaugural Fr Sheil People for Others Honorary Address at Clongowes Wood College. Ellen Kelly, Senior Technical Officer in Molecular Virology at the National Virus Reference Laboratory, also from Nicholastown, was a featured speaker at the prestigious BioMedica 2025 conference in Dublin. Kilcullen Neurodevelopment and Behavioural optometrist Nichola Kennedy launched her book, See The Change, which is designed to help teachers identify vision problems in pupils.

Several local women featured prominently in the creative and literary arenas. Hazel Gaynor saw her 12th book, Before Dorothy, published. CPC student and solo vocalist Olivia Lambert won the 2025 JBforever27 music bursary, established by Louise Kelly in memory of her son Jeremy. Cliona Kelliher contributed to an anthology exploring the experiences of autistic adults in Ireland, Wired Our Own Way. Dorly O’Sullivan published Damien: A life for my son, documenting her family’s journey with Down Syndrome and Autism.

In the new business sector, Eileen Tan launched her portfolio of handcrafted wearable fragrances during National Women’s Enterprise Day at Keadeen Hotel, and Dearbhaile Donagh opened Byron Pilates at the Link Business Park.

In the Kilcullen Community Awards, Brona Dooley won the Youth category for her work with the Kilcullen GAA Healthy Clubs initiative. Eilis Philips received one for her contributions to the arts and local theatre, and three women on the Kilcullen GAA Field of Dreams committee — Teresa O’Loughlin, Debbie O’Brien, and Emma McLarnen — were an integral part of the project winning the Community Initiative of the Year award.

Brannockstown woman Annette Aspell, as the Deputy Chief Executive of Kildare County Council, represented the county at the New York St Patrick’s Day Parade. She was a guest of the Kildare Association of New York, the Recording Secretary of which is Sandra Kunzle, née Shortt, also from Kilcullen. Another Brannockstown woman, Aline Fitzgerald, was appointed general manager of the new Shackleton Experience in Athy, following a stellar career in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Dr Emma Birchall, former CPC student and a highly active community Scout during her teens, was elected Chairperson of the National Board of Macra na Feirme. Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer is a regular Diary news subject, advocating for community services and infrastructure; among her achievements this year, she secured €100,000 for a skatepark for the town’s young people. Even that is a small part of her broader work for Kilcullen and its residents.

Though not from Kilcullen, Dr Susan Johnston from George Washington University certainly merits honorary status, having led the summer archaeological excavations at Dún Ailinne for most of the last decade. The project concluded this past summer.

These listed represent only a small part of a larger truth: if we examined all the local sports, cultural, social, and educational organisations, as well as many local businesses, we would undoubtedly find many, many more women's names to add, who underpin Kilcullen in ways not always fully appreciated.

As we step into 2026, the Diary salutes you all on behalf of the entire community.

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