NO DOG BAG DISPENSERS FOR KILDARE

Image: JRB Enterprises.

Kildare County Council apparently opted out of a Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment scheme aimed at funding dog waste infrastructure at popular dog walking locations, writes Brian Byrne. The money, which had more than €10,000 per local authority available, is funding bins, dog waste bag dispensers and associated infrastructure at parks, beaches, greenways and other public amenities.

KCC’s Environmental Protection office says dog waste bag dispensers had been trialled in Naas and Athy, but due to “misuse of the bags and dumping of waste on nearby areas” it is not intended to continue providing them. 

Twenty of the country's local authorities are benefiting from the funding, which was increased from €250,000 to more than €312,000 due to a ‘strong response’.

The scheme was launched in July, and according to Minister of State Alan Dillon TD, the level of demand exceeded the funding originally available. 

“While most dog owners act responsibly, it is important that adequate facilities are available to make the responsible choice the easy choice," he says. "The infrastructure funded under this scheme will help improve access to disposal facilities and contribute to cleaner and more enjoyable public spaces for everyone.”

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MATTRESS DISPOSAL DAY

A reminder that Kildare County Council, in collaboration with AES Recycling and the Circular Economy Fund, is hosting a Free Mattress Amnesty Day on Sunday, 6 September. The event will take place at AES Recycling, Silliot Hill, Kilcullen, from 8:30am to 3:00pm. 

Residents can bring up to six double, single, or triple mattresses for free disposal. The event is exclusive to household customers and does not accept commercial or charity entities, nor does it accept other waste or bulky items like divans, pillows, or couches. 

For more details, contact the Environment Department at 045 980588 or environ@kildarecoco.ie.

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PLANTER-SEATS BEING INSTALLED TODAY

It's all go in downtown Kilcullen this afternoon, writes Brian Byrne. The new planters-seats for the pavement areas are being installed by the contractors, and there's also work going on with the traffic lights installation.

One of the planters has been sponsored by Kilsaran and the others by Kildare County Council.

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LITTER FINES INCREASE FROM TODAY

Litter collected by Kilcullen Lions in April.

An increase in litter fines from €150 to €250, effective today, 1 September, aims to deter littering and promote cleaner communities. Minister of State Alan Dillon has emphasised the importance of consequences for littering, noting the financial burden it places on communities and taxpayers and said the fines increase is part of the ‘polluter pays’ principle. 

He also highlighted the ‘Bin it or bring it home’ campaign, which encourages responsible waste disposal. The initiative, supported by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, seeks to combine enforcement with education. Minister Dillon says stronger fines, investment, and awareness will enhance litter management, support circular economy goals, and improve quality of life, tourism, biodiversity, and community pride in Ireland. 

Meantime, the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System reports ongoing improvements in litter levels nationwide.

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Trees felled on convent grounds

Kilcullen's streetscape was changed a little yesterday with the felling of several trees on the former convent grounds. One on the corner was left, though substantially trimmed.

The work was deemed necessary both for safety and because of ill-health of some of the trees.

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Pond workshop drew fascinated audience

Small actions by individuals, when multiplied in neighbourhoods, towns, and beyond, can have a huge impact on the environment and biodiversity, people at a Kilcullen workshop about making ponds were told, writes Brian Byrne. The well-attended event in the Town Hall was facilitated by wildlife consultant Rob Gandola, who said ponds can be provided in balconies, gardens, and public spaces.

The workshop was sponsored by the River Basin Management Service, formerly the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO). A fascinated audience absorbed the three basics of setting up a pond, which are that it be functional, "It has to be able to hold water", that it has an amenity value, "or looks great", and that it has a 'wildlife value'. "If you've designed it right, the wildlife is going to come in anyway."

The core message of the evening was to keep things simple, at a time when a resurgence of interest in ponds means that people are being overloaded with information. "A pond is something that's going to go into the ground or be raised, and is going to hold water for about eight months of the year and offer a clean habitat." 

The water source is the most important consideration, he said, with rainwater being the 'gold standard'. The heatwaves of this summer have highlighted the advantages of a water butt system to harvest rainwater and have it available. "This is going to be so important in the future for people who invest in these aquatic habitats. You don't want river water in your pond because the wildlife from the river doesn't like still water, and if somebody does something extreme upstream it can be dangerous. Canal water is a big no-no, because if there's something in that, it can destroy your pond over a few years."

Justin Ivory, Rob Gandola, and Ruth Gaj McKeever.

Construction of ponds has been enjoying something of a revival in Ireland, after a hiatus since the 1970s. Renewed interest is coming through various sources, including schools and community groups. Gandola suggests interest was sparked during Covid, as people developed a greater appreciation for their environment and realised the need to address air quality, habitats, and the current direction in their protection. "It's all now about habitat provision. It's diversity of habitats, irrespective of whether it's a community space or your own garden or something far bigger. Aquatic habitats have a greater concentration of species and species diversity compared to rivers, lakes, and other aquatic habitats. It's incredible what they do."

Ponds become home to invertebrates like aquatic beetles, dragonflies, damselflies, water scorpions, water stick insects, freshwater snails, and aquatic lice. They host a variety of mayflies which are more tolerant of nutrient influx than their river cousins. Amphibians such as frogs and newts, and the native Irish lizard, are commonly found near water bodies. "They'll move in quickly."

The presenter emphasised that once installed, the pond owner shouldn't have to do anything for years except enjoy it. A pond should be low-maintenance, without need for pumps or aerators. "Our native aquatic plants are perfectly good at doing all that for free."

Generational memory in Kilcullen will recall several local ponds and wetland spaces that have disappeared over short decades, in many cases through development. Gandola believes there's a regulatory shortfall here. "In the UK they have biodiversity net gain. They've got more protected species, like great crested newts, where they say: we acknowledge that you have to remove these ponds to build housing. But you have to replace them with a similar habitat, elsewhere on-site or at another location that we deem to be appropriate. We don't have that here."

The situation is better in relation to farmland, where several nature enhancement schemes encourage Irish landowners to reinstall ponds that may have been removed through intensive farming. "They may have a bit of neglected land, and they have funding streams available for, like, doing a mini orchard, making a biodiversity plan for the site, with money then to install a pond."

But for individuals at home, as the meeting heard, it can all begin for the simple cost of the price of a bucket.

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Pond Workshop in Kilcullen tonight

A workshop on the importance of ponds for biodiversity and habitats is taking place tonight at Kilcullen Town Hall, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. 

Led by wildlife consultant Rob Gandola, the session will explore various types of ponds. 

Interested participants can book a place via this link or by emailing rgmckeever@riverbasin.ie. Or just turn up.

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Coillte highlights local forest destinations

Coillte is urging Kildare residents to rediscover the forests on their doorstep this summer through its new “Start at Your Local Coillte Forest” initiative, writes Brian Byrne. The campaign highlights local forest destinations such as Donadea Forest Park, Moore Abbey and Mullaghreelan Wood, which offer scenic walks, family activities, cycling routes and accessible trails. 

Coillte, Ireland’s largest provider of outdoor recreation, manages more than 260 recreation sites, 12 forest parks and 3,000km of waymarked trails nationwide, welcoming an estimated 20 million visits each year.

Outdoor content creator Nollaig Butler and broadcaster-psychotherapist Daniella Moyles are backing the initiative, encouraging families to swap long journeys for nearby adventures and to use time in nature to support their wellbeing. 

Coillte plans to expand its recreation network to 500 sites and further develop world-class forest destinations in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development.

More information is available at Coillte.ie.

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New mural in August

Gable 'canvas' ready for art.

The new mural planned for the gable end of a recently refurbished property facing the Newbridge Road will be painted in August, the recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action was told.

Sponsored by KCA and costing almost €9,000, the artwork will be located on the gable end of the development of a formerly derelict building, which has been refurbished by Fitzpatrick Heavey Homes. They finished the double gable to be ready for the artwork. The piece, commissioned by tender from All Out Design, will incorporate local history, heritage, nature, and the environment and will include motifs of Kilcullen bridge, a horse, a stylised waving hand of welcome, the Liffey, swans, badgers, and wildflowers.

Several fundraising initiatives have been undertaken for the project, including a St Patrick's Day sponsored swim by patrons of The Spout Bar. A table quiz, coffee promotion, and an iDonate page have also brought in funds.

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'Huge' support and goodwill for summer flowers

The recent KCA street collection for the Kilcullen in Bloom flowers was very well supported, with more than €4,200 donated by individuals and businesses, writes Brian Byrne. The July members meeting of KCA heard that it represents a record in donations since the initiative began. 

While the total cost of the summer flowers programme is substantially more, supported by grants and other fundraisers, the street collection represents a 'huge' contribution towards it, meeting chair Noel Clare said. “It is our biggest ongoing project, and it would be very difficult to do it without this support,” he added. He also commented on the level of goodwill shown by those donating during the collection, an experience that was echoed by several of those at the meeting who had carried out collector shifts. A remark by one donor was related to the meeting, who had said, “Twenty years ago, the town was a dump. Now it's gorgeous.”

That remark elicited some amusement, but Noel Clare said that when one looked back at older photographs from then, “they would shock you, sometimes.”

There was a discussion about watering the various planters around the town, the chair noting that there were lots of volunteers who had committed to doing it. In light of the current efforts to conserve water, he suggested that the spout in the Valley is an ideal source and an easy place to fill containers.

He concluded the item by thanking all concerned with getting the flowers prepared and positioned, especially the CE scheme workers who did the “heavy lifting” with the project.

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Kilcullen fishing closed due to heat

File photo: Kilcullen Diary.

The committee of Kilcullen Trout and Salmon Anglers wishes to advise members and the wider community that, due to the prolonged period of extreme heat and the resulting increase in water temperatures, all angling on club waters has been temporarily suspended with immediate effect and until further notice.

Current river conditions are placing significant stress on trout and salmon. When water temperatures rise above approximately 18°C–19°C, dissolved oxygen levels fall and fish can struggle to recover after being caught. Even when careful catch-and-release practices are followed, the physical strain of being played in these conditions can be fatal.

As custodians of our local waters, the committee believes that the welfare and long-term survival of our fish stocks must take priority. This temporary suspension is therefore considered necessary to protect the river and its fish population during the current warm spell.

Members are asked to refrain from all angling on club waters until an official notice confirming that fishing may resume is issued.

The committee will continue to monitor water temperatures and river conditions closely and will provide a further update when conditions improve.

Anyone who observes distressed fish, fish mortalities or other environmental concerns is encouraged to report them promptly to Inland Fisheries Ireland.

We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of our members and the local community. By acting responsibly now, we can help protect our river and ensure that it remains healthy for future seasons.

Yours sincerely, The Committee

Kilcullen Trout and Salmon Anglers

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Public consultation on CCTV for St Brigid's Cemetery

Image: KCC.

Kildare County Council has opened a public consultation on a proposal to install CCTV at the entrance to St Brigid’s Cemetery in Nicholastown, Kilcullen, to tackle repeated illegal dumping, writes Brian Byrne. The site has experienced ongoing fly-tipping in recent years, with household waste and other refuse affecting the amenity and dignity of the area. 

Under the proposal, the installation would include an overview camera, a licence plate recognition camera, a decoy camera and supporting infrastructure such as poles and signage.

The live monitoring period would run for six weeks if approved. The council said the plan is designed to deter dumping, identify offenders and support enforcement under waste and litter laws.

Submissions can be made through the council’s consultation portal until 5pm on Friday, 17 July 2026. 

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'No budget' for paint amnesty this year

Kildare County Council says there is currently no budget provision for a countywide paint amnesty this year, but the last event it ran in September 2024 cost €38,000, writes Brian Byrne. At that event, the council collected 37.3 tonnes of waste paint. 

The amnesty was delivered in partnership with the Regional Waste Management Planning Office and received contributory funding under the Anti-Dumping Initiative from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.

The council says that if funding becomes available for a future paint collection event, it would support the recycling centre in Athy, with the issue possibly to be considered again in the 2027 revenue budget.

The matter was raised at the June full meeting of the council by Cllrs Mark Leigh, Kevin Duffy, and Rob Power, who asked that the council establish a countywide paint amnesty and enter into a formal agreement with the paint recycling scheme at the Circular Economy Centre in Athy to support the recycling of water-based waste paint into reusable paint.

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Monday deadline for forestry scholarship

Coillte has reminded students interested in a career in forestry that applications for its Forestry Scholarship Programme close on Monday next, July 6.

The programme offers up to €20,000 in support over the course of a forestry degree, along with paid summer placements and possible future job opportunities with Coillte. It is open to students beginning full-time undergraduate forestry courses at UCD or SETU from September 2026.

Mark Carlin, Managing Director of Coillte Forest, said the scholarship aims to support the next generation of forestry professionals at a time when the sector is becoming increasingly important to climate action, biodiversity and rural development.

Applications can be made through coillte.ie/careers.

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National plan for Invasive Species needed - Kilcullen scientist

Dr Jan-Robert Baars with Brian Browne.

The lack of a national plan to deal with invasive species is leaving Ireland open to ever-increasing threats to the country's biodiversity, writes Brian Byrne. That was emphasised last night by Dr Jan-Robert Baars of the School of Biology and Environmental Science in UCD, at a talk in Kilcullen Town Hall for Invasive Species Week.

The event — which is being repeated tonight — was supported by Kildare County Council and included live exhibits and information panels on several invasive species which are currently problematic in Ireland and locally to the upper Liffey. There was also a demonstration on the physical control of Himalayan Balsam, which the Ballymore community has helped to eradicate from several locations along the Liffey in its area.

Dr Baars, who lives in Kilcullen, noted that while certain funding streams have been available for several years for individual invasive species monitoring and control, they are small-scale. "We have a national biodiversity plan that mentions invasives, but we really need a specific national plan to target and deal with them, and integrate it with other conservation plans."

Public awareness also needs to be ramped up. There's general awareness of invasive species such as the grey squirrel, mink, and Japanese knotweed, but there are many others which are already adversely affecting our national ecosystems. Dr Baars believes those in Ireland's waterways are probably the most dangerous. "In both freshwater and marine environments, they are difficult to monitor and control. Unless we're regularly monitoring, we don't pick them up until it's often too late. By the time we actually discover them, they are super-abundant and widespread."

Other things which people need to be aware of include plants for their gardens, as the garden trade can often offer plants which are actually on the invasive species list. Among these are variations of the flowering plant Hydrocharitaceae. "There are 16 species of these in the world which are invasive, and some of these are advertised and sold in Ireland, often misidentified. They are a disaster waiting to happen." Another common purchasable invasive is Lemna minuta, or duckweed. There are issues, too, with the implementation of the EU invasive species regulations here. "If things are on the EU list, they are not allowed to be distributed or sold. Whether that's being enforced here, I think, is questionable."

Pets are another issue, a specific example being the Alpine Newt, which arrived in Ireland through the pet trade. "We need to be careful and know what such pets are likely to do if they get released and out into our environment." The Alpine Newt consumes frogspawn, directly affecting the frog populations in Ireland. It doesn't have a natural predator here and is toxic to anything that tries to consume it. Dr Baars and his team have been conducting pilot eradication efforts at two sites, a bog in the Midlands and in Galway, the first such research in Europe. 

Among several other species discussed at last night's talk was the Quagga mussel colonisation of lakes and rivers, which was described as a 'serious problem' that will, among other effects, result in more and more intense algae blooms. 

A new invasive crustacean, native to eastern Europe and first detected in Ireland last September, has now spread through the Shannon system, probably via boats, and to the canals. "It did trigger a national alert, but there should then have been a national response. If we had a better system in terms of treating boats, we could have reduced the likelihood of the spread. But it just shows that when we have found something has come in, it's almost too late."

Especially in the absence of a national invasive species plan, local authorities play a key role in current efforts of monitoring and control. Kildare County Council has funded work for the last six years to deal with both Himalayan Balsam and American Skunk Cabbage along the Liffey to Celbridge. The effort is arduous and time-consuming, and Dr Baars highlighted the dedication of the Ballymore Eustace community, who put in some 500 hours in 2024 to manually remove Himalayan Balsam, resulting in an 85 per cent reduction of the species in the area. "We have secured further funding, and this year our target is to clear about eight or nine kilometres downstream from Ballymore."

This evening's repeat of the exhibition and talk starts at 6pm.

Leah O'Donoghue who created an illustrated knowledge board during the event.

Kildare CC Biodiversity Officer Méabh Boylan, Damian Bannon, and Maria O'Neill.

Emer Gaj McKeever, Anne-Marie Gaj McKeever and Ethan Bannon.

Quagga mussels.

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