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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CULTURE NIGHT A SPLENDID VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT

Last night's Culture Night 2026 presentation in the Town Hall Theatre was a wonderful mix of dance, drama, humour, poetry and song that kept an almost-capacity audience entertained for more than two hours. Prior to the show, a performance in the foyer by the Kilcullen Gospel Choir warmed up all arrivals for the splendid evening that was to come.

The opening demonstrations by members of Angel's Gymnastics and Dance Theatre set the tone with some exceptional lyric dance talent, and a later performance by Roxy & Bianca continued in a similar vein. Irish dancing from the Landers and O'Dwyer schools kept the traditional forms to the fore.

The event was organised by Kilcullen Drama Group, so it was appropriate that a humorous sketch about parish life in past times should provoke appreciative chuckles. Performed by Dick Dunphy and Esther Reddy, the sketch had originally been co-written by Dick and the late stalwart of the group, Bernard Berney and has certainly stood the test of time.

The poetry standard was flown by Paddy Martin, who read a children's poem written by his late father, John, while Sean Corrigan's 'Don't Call Me A Poet', conjured up in a clever almost-rap the angst of being viewed literary in a male sports ecosphere. Mary Orford's memoir tribute to a nurse in her family who died while tending to soldiers in WW1 was a timely reminder of the individual costs of nations' conflicts.

Vocals were from Maurice O'Mahony, and, at the finale, Pat Kelly and Canice Keane, between the two acts maintaining a balance for traditional Gaelic and modern country.

In the year that it is, local people who filled in their census forms a century ago were recalled by Nessa Dunlea, Sabina Reddy, Brian Byrne, Esther Reddy and Maurice O'Mahony. The Lamha Choir from Camphill, directed by Lorraine Nolan, preceded the finale act with verve, enthusiasm, fun and their own tuneful interpretations of gospel favourites.

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.

Another Kilcullen night of entertainment when everyone left in great humour.

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CULTURE NIGHT IN KILCULLEN TOWN HALL

Join Kilcullen Drama Group and friends TONIGHT for Culture Night 2026, Friday 18 September from 6.30pm.

Enjoy an engaging evening filled with live music, storytelling, and artistic expression, reflecting the unique spirit of our community. 

Admission: Free.

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RED HOT MUSIC CLUB RESUMES IN OCTOBER

The Red Hot Music Club in Kilcullen resumes with its 2026 Autumn Series on October 29th with Susan O’Neill performing at Fallon’s Back Room. 

The lineup continues with Mike Hanrahan & Eleanor Shanley in November, Luka Bloom in January, and Leevy in February. 

The club continues to offer quality music in a unique venue, with tickets available soon on Eventbrite 

For ticket information and updates on future gigs, please visit and follow the Club's Facebook page or text 087 1732287. A Membership option covers all four gigs.

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KILCULLEN SINGER'S ORIGINAL SONG ON KFM TONIGHT

Caitlin O’Sullivan, a promising country singer from Kilcullen, daughter of Lisa Mitchell and granddaughter of Barney and Angela Hillis, is having her original song Too Young featured on KFM tonight. 

The song will be played during Emma O’Connor’s Irish Music Scene. 

Caitlin is actively seeking opportunities to perform at gigs, weddings, and parties, and her appearance on KFM marks a significant step in gaining recognition.

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CPC PANTO IS COMING BACK

The CPC Panto is returning in November with an enchanting production of Cinderella and the Apprentice Fairy Godmothers. 

Following two sold-out performances last year, the show is set to captivate audiences for three spectacular nights this November.

Mark your calendars for 24-26 November and stay tuned to CPC's social media channels to be the first to know when tickets go on sale. This is a show you won’t want to miss!

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NEW TG4 SERIES PRODUCED IN ALLENWOOD

TG4 has launched a new 15-part current affairs series, Mo Thír Mo Thuairim, presented by Cormac Ó hEadhra and produced by Dundara Television & Media in Allenwood, Co Kildare.

The series focuses on younger voices, featuring discussions with emerging campaigners, experts, and politicians on issues like housing, climate, and digital life. It aims to give younger generations a platform to challenge decision-makers and explore deeper questions of identity and culture. 

The series began last Monday, 7 September, at 10pm and will run for 15 weeks.

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WERE YOU IN 'CROSSROADS' IN 1976?

This one is a difficult challenge for recognising faces, as the reproduction in the Leinster Leader of July 3rd 1976 is pretty poor. But there may be some in the picture who remember themselves as playing their part in the Orford's Knockaulin Bar production of 'Crossroads' for the Kilcullen Capers that year. Contributed by Joe Murray.

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KILCULLEN SISTERS' MEDALS HAUL IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS OF PERFORMING ARTS

Photos courtesy Liam Raftery.

Three Kilcullen sisters who took part in the World Championships of Performing Arts in Las Vegas brought home a total of 23 world medals across solo, trio and group dance, vocals and variety acts. Sofia (12), Nicole (10) and Lara (8) Raftery also won the overall Junior Ethnic Dance Division Award.

The three were proud members of 29 talented performers representing Team Ireland during an unforgettable 12-day trip in July. In total, the Irish team brought home 197 medals. WCOPA is the premier global talent competition, often cited as the official ‘Talent Olympics’ of the performing arts world. Managed by Worldstars International, it is where elite performers from over 70 countries compete in front of top industry judges, talent scouts, and producers. 

Among the Raftery sisters' medals haul were Sofia's Gold for Dance Acro and Bronze for Dance Ethnic, Nicole's Gold for Dance Open, and Lara's Golds for Variety Act Contortion and Dance Musical Theatre. As a trio they also won Golds for Vocal World, Dance Ethnic, and Variety Act Contortion, as well as scoring a semi-final medal in four different acts, and several invitations for meetings with professional agents. As members of the overall Team Ireland they contributed to wins of Silver for Vocal Open Group and Bronze for the Grand Final Group Vocal.

The Raftery sisters were coached by Katie and Niamh Conlan of the KNC Performing Arts Company, which led Team Ireland. Their family has expressed their gratitude to the coaches for helping the girls achieve remarkable success. They also thanked sponsors and supporters Glanbia, Marsh, Align Advisory, Moreton & Company, Kildare Credit Union Kilcullen, and Eurospar Kilcullen.

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