Irish immunology award for Prof Teresa Lambe

Professor Teresa Lambe OBE, formerly from Kilcullen, has won the Irish Society for Immunology Annual Award for Immunology 2023, for her contributions to Immunology research and education, writes Brian Byrne.

Professor Lambe is Principal Investigator and Associate Professor at the Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research in Oxford and a key member of the team that developed the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19. She is the daughter of Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown, and a former student of CPC Kilcullen. 

The award was presented in Trinity College Dublin last night.

Teresa was also a recipient of the 2022 Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad, presented to her by President Michael D Higgins last December. She was presented with an honorary OBE in June 2021 for her services to science and public health in the UK.

A Teresa Lambe Bursary Fund has been established in Kilcullen, intended for girls at CPC going on to study science and technology subjects at third level.

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Teresa receives award from President

Kilcullen-born Professor Teresa Lambe was one of a number of people who were presented with the 2022 Presidential Distinguished Service Awards last week, by President Michael D Higgins at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin.

Teresa works at Jennings Institute at Oxford University, a key member of the team that developed the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19. Her parents and Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown. 

The Awards are presented by the President every year, in recognition of the service given to this country, or to Irish communities abroad, by those who live outside Ireland.

They were created in 2011, as a means to recognise the contribution of members of the Irish diaspora.

The 2022 recipients are —

Arts, Culture and Sport: Morgan Bullock (US), Katie-George Dunlevy (Britain),, Joseph M. Hassett (US), Fergus Linehan (Britain).

Business and Education: Wang Zhanpeng & Chen Li (China).

Charitable Works: Ciarán Staunton & Orlaith Staunton (US).

Irish Community Support: Josephine O’Driscoll (Britain).

Peace, Reconciliation and Development: Mary Ellen McGroarty (Afghanistan), Fr. Richard (Dick) O’Riordan (South Africa).

Science, Technology and Innovation: Teresa Lambe (Britain). 

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Covid explainer update from RTE

While Covid continues to sweep through the community, its generally milder impact on individuals who contract it has probably helped to move it away from the main general consciousness. This update by RTE's Fergal Bowers is a clear and useful explainer of where we stand in Ireland with the virus. 

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Nominate a pandemic volunteer for recognition event

Kildare County Council is inviting nominations for recognition of volunteers who helped their community during the pandemic.

The initiative is a partnership between local authorities, Volunteer Ireland, and the Department of Rural and Community Development.

There's a web nomination portal here at Volunteer Ireland. 

Nominees will be entered into a lottery for an invitation to a special event recognising COVID-19 volunteers. It will take place in Kildare during National Volunteering Week (16-22 May 2022).

The nomination portal closes on Wednesday 13 April 2022.

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Covid Booster Vaccination in Kilcullen Thursday, Friday

A reminder that Covid Booster vaccination clinics for anyone over 16 will be held in Kilcullen Family Practice tomorrow Thursday 13 January and Friday 14 January.

All are welcome. You do not need to be already registered as a patient of the Practice. 

Please click on the following link to book an appointment: https://calendly.com/kilcullen_family_practice/covid-19-booster-clinic-1

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Kilcullen Christmas Market cancelled

The Kilcullen Christmas Market planned for 4 December has been cancelled because of the level of covid infections nationally, writes Brian Byrne.

The Market's event page on Facebook is showing the cancellation, which is officially announced this evening. The individuals, community groups and enterprises which had booked stalls are being notified by email. More than 60 stalls had been booked for the event, and all booking payments will be refunded.

It's a big disappointment for all concerned, as last year's market was a great success despite the ongoing covid situation at the time. The organisers — Katrina O'Connell, Lorna Brophy and Antoinette Buckley — say the the current situation means they wouldn't be able to provide a safe market for everyone to enjoy.

The move is just one of a growing number of events small and larger which are being cancelled as the covid situation puts the country's hospitals under increased pressure.

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Carols concert cancelled by Covid

The Carols by Candlelight Concert by Kilcullen Gospel Choir planned for 15 December has been cancelled.

The organisers say the cancellation is due to the rising Covid infections numbers. "It's a terrible shame, but we must all be safe," Lorna Brophy said.

The Concert would also have featured singer Megan O'Neill from Ballymore.

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Kildare-Newbridge MD meeting to revert to online tomorrow

In light of the growth in Covid infections, Mayor of Newbridge Cllr Rob Power has requested that tomorrow's meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District be convened online instead of the in-person meeting scheduled.

Cllr Power says it had been expected that the in-person meetings would resume tomorrow for the first time since the start of the pandemic, but 'in anticipation of a call from Government to encourage those of us who can work from home to do so, it is prudent to take this step'.

"We are again at a critical stage in this pandemic," he said this afternoon, "where each of us must consider whatever actions we can to reduce the spread of Covid19 and protect our healthcare workers and systems from being overburdened."

Members of the public who may wish to monitor the meeting online can contact KCC corporate services at meetings@kildarecoco.ie and every effort will be made to accommodate those requests.

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Tess Lambe Bursary Fund launch in Kilcullen tonight

A reminder that a Bursary Fund to celebrate the pioneering work of a Kilcullen-born woman in the development of a key Covid vaccine, AstraZeneca, will be launched in Kilcullen Heritage Centre tonight, writes Brian Byrne.

Professor Teresa (Tess) Lambe who comes from Nicholastown, where her parents Anthony and Mary still live, was one of the joint team leaders in the project.

The Bursary will benefit female students in Cross and Passion College who go on to study a Science-related course in third level after completing their Leaving Cert in CPC.

It will be launched in Kilcullen Town Hall on Friday 22 October at a meeting to which everybody is invited, beginning at 7.30pm. Covid precautions will be observed.

The first Bursaries will be payments of €500 to each of two successful applicants from the Leaving Cert class of 2021. Further Bursaries will depend on the level of support for the fund. The students will also travel to Oxford to see some of the great work being done there by Teresa and her colleagues, both in developing AstraZeneca and vaccines for other diseases.

“These are marvellous people and their work should be celebrated,”, said well known author Adam Kay on a recent RTE interview. Teresa has already  received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth and a special award was presented by Boris Johnson as part of the Who Cares Wins Awards in the UK.

"Now we are asking everyone in Kilcullen to join in celebrating Teresa’s great work," says Noel Clare, one of the directors of the Bursary Fund along with CPC teacher Denis Dennehy, Ray Kelly and Frances Clare. "It's not only about developing the Covid Vaccine, but also her work in many other vaccines as part of the research in the Jenner Institute at Oxford."

Following on from the launch, people can contribute to the Fund which is being administered through Kildare Credit Union in Kilcullen. (Account details: Tess Lambe Bursary Fund; IBAN: IE02KIRI99217910400892)

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Walk-in Vaccination Clinic at Punchestown today

Due to the success of the Walk-in Vaccination  Clinics, another such clinic will be held at Punchestown Racecourse today, Sunday 29 August.

The times are from 10am to 2pm and the clinic is open to people 12 years and older. Children aged 12 to 15 must attend with their parent or guardian.

The clinic is for the first or second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

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Walk in vaccination on Sunday at Punchestown

There will be a walk-in vaccination clinic at Punchestown this Sunday, 22 August, from 10am-12.30pm.

It is for 16 years and older who want the 1st or 2nd dose of the Pfizer BioNTech Vaccination

There must be a minimum of 18 days between 1st and 2nd dose of the vaccinations.

Photo ID is required if possible, otherwise birth certificate or school ID also accepted.

It's advised to have a good breakfast and be well hydrated.

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Walk-in vaccinations at Punchestown

Walk-in vaccination clinics will again be in operation this weekend at Punchestown Race Course.

They are open today and tomorrow from 9.30am to 12.30pm, for anyone aged 16 and over.

The clinics are open to registered and non-registered people, and no appointment is necessary. Photo ID and PPS number will be required.

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Walk-in vaccination clinics for weekend

There will be a walk-in vaccination clinic at Punchestown this weekend for anyone aged 16 and over.

It is open to registered and non-registered people, and no appointment is necessary.

Photo ID will be required. The clinic times are Saturday July 31st, 9am to 12.15pm; Sunday August 1st, 1pm to 4pm; and Monday August 2nd, 9.15am to 12.15pm.

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O'Connell's stay with outside service 'for the time being'

Images: O'Connell's Bar.

O'Connell's Bar have decided not to reopen for indoor service from tomorrow, as Government guidelines are 'unmanageable'.

In a Facebook post this afternoon, O'Connell's say they will continue with outdoor service for everyone for the time being. "Our outdoor areas have proved a massive success and are a huge hit with our valued customers."

The decision is also in order to protect the team operating the bar. Management will monitor the situation closely and hope to resume normal service in due course.

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River Cafe to stay with outdoors service

The River Cafe has decided not to offer indoor dining from Monday despite the planned lifting of restrictions then.

In a Facebook post this afternoon, Paul says they are going to continue to operate 'on the side of caution', and will continue to welcome customers to outdoor seating.

There are 60 outdoor spaces which he says 'are working very well'. "Hopefully the weather will remain pleasant," he adds, urging everyone to stay safe.

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