INFORMATION WORKSHOP ON HOME ENERGY GRANTS AND IMPROVEMENTS

With so many changes and updates on SEAI grants for energay upgrades, Kilcullen Community Action is hosting an information session in Kilcullen Town Hall on Saturday next, 14 November from 2pm to 4pm. Kildare SEAI ambassador Emer Conway will be in attendance to give advice and information. 

One exciting idea that will be floated is the possibility of having a ‘Solar Meitheal’ in Kilcullen – where a group of people, perhaps in one housing estate or area, will come together to collectively install solar panels.  

This would reduce costs and share the administrative work involved with any application.  

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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS STREET COLLECTION

A reminder that the annual street collection for Kilcullen's Christmas Lights is being held TODAY AND TOMORROW, Friday and Saturday 6/7 November, writes Brian Byrne. Organised by KCA, the lights cheer up Kilcullen each Christmas season at the otherwise darkest time of the year.

They are paid for through the donations of individual residents, support from businesses, and a grant from Kildare County Council.

The first Christmas Lights in Kilcullen were switched on in 1989 by Kilcullen Community Development, the forerunner of today's Kilcullen Community Action.

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KILCULLEN ADVANCES TO 400 MARKS IN 2026 TIDY TOWNS

Kilcullen achieved a milestone score of 400 marks in the SuperValu National Tidy Towns Competition 2026, writes Brian Byrne. It's an 11-point increase from the 2025 total of 389. 

Competing in the Small Town Category D, with populations between 2,500 and 5,000, the 2026 result marks 30 consecutive years of Kilcullen participation in Tidy Towns. The adjudicator praises the town's 47-page detailed submission as an 'excellent example for many other towns to follow'.

The work under Nature and Biodiversity in the extensive tree, native hedge and bulb and flower planting undertaken to protect the ecosystems in the town is noted, as is the significant task of removal of invasive species including Himalayan Balsam from the river banks and Dogwood from the Valley Park. The children’s workshops with Dulra Forest School for Biodiversity Week is also marked. The long-term work of reclaiming Pinkeen Stream is singled out for praise, and the 5,000 trees planted in the last three years across the Community Centre, GAA, and schools campus are commended. Under Tidiness and Litter Control, a high standard in all of the public areas visited is commented on. Takeaway littering is described as a scourge.

There is praise for the pedestrianisation of Lower Main Street and Market Square, and for shopfronts including Kilcullen Opticians, The Little Brew Cafe, 5 A Day, An Tearmann, Woodbine Books, The Hideout Gastro Pub, and McTernans. The art installations on utility boxes, and the 'outstanding' butterfly installation in the Valley, are praised, while the Library Garden is described as 'a great refuge'. 

Under Sustainable Action & Community Collaboration, the report highlights the Cross and Passion College students’ repurposing of old metal lockers into plant containers, the KCA polytunnel, the seed-swapping network, and the orchard in the Camphill Community.

In the area of energy transition, credit is given to the Lions Club Sheltered Housing retrofit insulation across four homes with SEAI and Kildare County Council backing, and the installation of rooftop solar panels on premises such as The Spout Bar.

Other observations include the Green School programmes at Scoil Bhríde and Cross and Passion College, while housing estates such as Nicholastown (winners of the 2025 KCA Best Biodiversity Impact award) and St Brigid’s Avenue receive top marks for community care.

The contribution of the volunteers, CE workers, sports and community organisations, and the support from businesses and Kildare County Council are all acknowledged in the report.

(NOTE: In an earlier version of this story I misread the notes and consequently the commentary on Nature and Biodiversity and Tidiness and Litter Control was incorrect.)

THE FULL ADJUDICATOR'S REPORT CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE.

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KILCULLEN TOWN WEBSITE BEING UPDATED

KCA has started work on upgrading the information on the Kilcullen Town website. Anyone who runs a business or provides a service in the locality is welcome to submit details for inclusion. 

There is no charge. Details should include Business/Service Name, address, email, website, other social media sites (as relevant). 

Information should be emailed to kilcullencommunityaction@gmail.com before 31 October. 

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APPEAL TO PARENTS: 'SUPERVISE YOUR TEENAGERS'

Image: KCA.

The possibility of installing CCTV cameras in The Valley is being explored following new instances of extensive damage to facilities in the community-owned park, writes Brian Byrne. Gardaí have also been informed and are investigating.

The picnic area on the top path has been closed off until further notice, following a second bout of serious vandalism of the seats and table area.

In addition, a picnic table located at the riverbank was thrown into the Liffey and had to be recovered by Kilcullen Community Action CE workers yesterday. A bin is missing, and a lifebuoy and its rope also disappeared during the last month. KCA, who voluntarily maintain the park, say further damage has been done over recent weeks in other areas. 

The ongoing vandalism and anti-social behaviour was discussed at a recent KCA meeting, where 'great anger and disappointment' was expressed. "It's not just the expense, but the great amount of voluntary effort that is put into maintaining the area," one member of the group told the Diary.

A KCA post notes that the damage has coincided with large groups of young teenagers gathering in The Valley at night. The organisation has appealed to parents to play a greater role in the supervision of their children, and asks that any observed instances of anti-social behaviour be reported directly to the Gardaí. 

The anger of many in the wider Kilcullen community is also evident, with the situation roundly condemned as 'disgraceful carry-on’. "Nothing better to do, but ruin it for everybody else," is one of many similar comments on social media about the latest incidents. 

In March of this year, a full refurbishment of the picnic area was carried out by KCA workers and volunteers. Just weeks later, the table, first installed in 2020 and made of recycled plastic, was set on fire, and had to be sent away for repair.

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EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IN THE VALLEY

Due to extensive damage caused over the past week or two, the picnic area in The Valley has been closed off and is not available for use until further notice.  

Further damage has also been done in other areas of the valley over the same period. The picnic table thrown into the river was recovered by the KCA CE team.  

One of the bins missing from the area has not been found.

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A BIT OF EVENING COLOUR

With a definite drawing in of the evenings, KCA thought it a nice idea to put in a bit of nighttime colour downtown. 

These lights in the Heritage Centre Lane represent the first part of a plan to decorate the space in a number of different seasonal styles. 

For now, they offer a little cheer against the thought of coming colder times.

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TIDY TOWNS EFFORT APPRECIATED AT KCA GATHERING

A presentation was made last evening to Ann Cashman at a gathering of Kilcullen Community Action volunteers, CE workers, and supporters to mark recent years' Tidy Towns successes in winning bronze, silver and gold medals, writes Brian Byrne. Ann retired as KCA chair earlier this year after serving in the position for eight years.

Current chair Noel Clare paid tribute to all who have previously led KCA, including Kieran Forde, Niall McDonnell, Ray Kelly, and Esther Kiely. "The foundations of what has been achieved was laid down over those years, with those people," he said, adding that the key to success is 'having good people around, to do things'. "It does take a lot of energy, a lot of effort from a lot of people. And the more successful you are, the bigger you get, the more it demands."

Thanking all who had helped achieve major improvements to Kilcullen through the years, he expressed particular appreciation for the Community Employment teams, currently comprising Wayne Aspell, Ilona Brede, Joe Winder, and Michael Haslam. "We have been extremely fortunate, because their dedication and their skills are quite incredible."

Noel outlined some of the key projects undertaken this year, including the new Heritage mural, the revitalisation of the 'Fish' area at Hillside, refreshing of the Dun Ailinne Interpretive Park, and improvements in the Valley including new picnic tables recently installed. He specifically recalled the KCA input for the public realm work recently completed in downtown Kilcullen. "That's one of the most fantastic things that has happened in a long time in Kilcullen," he said, noting that the impetus had come from KCA's promotion of an overall plan for the Market Square area several years ago.

The table decorations at last night's event in Fallons were flowers grown by KCA's gardening crew, Black-eyed Susans, or rudbeckia. The particular variety was Goldstrum. With the judging for the 2026 Supervalu Tidy Towns completed a while ago, it was a reminder to the gathering that Kilcullen's hopes are high for another good performance at the upcoming results event.

Wayne Aspell, Ilona Brede and Joe Winder.

Derek Hoey presenting Ann Cashman with a bouquet — flowers all grown by KCA.

All about gold.

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Artwork completed

There's now something to look at to pass the time for those stuck in traffic on the Newbridge Road entrance to Kilcullen, with the completion of the new artwork on these two gables.

The KCA-commissioned artwork is located there courtesy of Mick Heavey of Fitzpatrick & Heavey Homes.

It was produced in the last few days by artist Steve O'Donnell of the artistic team that won the commission tender, All Out Design.

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Heritage wall artwork in progress

It's certainly Kilcullen's biggest piece of street art so far, and the Heritage Wall piece is well under way and could be finished tomorrow, depending on the weather, writes Brian Byrne. Taking up two gable ends facing down the Newbridge Road, the KCA-commissioned artwork is located there courtesy of Mick Heavey of Fitzpatrick & Heavey Homes.

Artist Steve O'Donnell of the artistic team that won the commission tender, All Out Design, is spending three days working on the specially developed theme, incorporating local history, heritage, nature, and the environment. The design includes motifs of Kilcullen bridge, a horse, a stylised waving hand of welcome, the Liffey, swans, badgers, and wildflowers. Funding for the project has been supported by public contributions, a St Patrick's Day swim by patrons of The Spout, a table quiz, donation from the Community Centre, and from other sources.

"This landmark initiative is bringing an inspiring new piece of public art to Kilcullen," says KCA's Ann Cashman, who has led the project for the group. "We’re delighted to be working with an incredibly talented artist to create a mural that celebrates our heritage, community, and identity."

The artist has been working in this field for 20 years, and set up a business with two friends when they were still in art college. "It just ended up working, and we've never stopped," he told the Diary today, adding that they have worked for city and county councils, corporate clients, and also some private commissions. He says it seems to be a good spot for the project, as there's always traffic. "A lot of people have already stopped and complimented the project, or beeping and shouting encouragement as they drive by, so it's certainly getting attention."

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Swimming project is 'long-term'

Swimming in the Liffey and (inset) Tony Gahan.

The project to provide a dedicated swimming area for Kilcullen will be long-term before it comes to fruition, the July meeting of KCA heard, writes Brian Byrne. "We're at the bottom rung of the ladder and can only keep climbing," project leader Tony Gahan said.

He noted that, following representations from Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, Kildare County Council had already appointed an assessor to report on the Liffey areas where such an area might be located. He said the consultant had been in touch with him, but he expressed concern at the meeting that the survey was being carried out just upstream of the bridge. 

Near the bridge is 'too shallow'.

"That's too shallow for swimming," he pointed out. He added that there were lots of steps and 'hoops to go through' in progressing the project, even though traditional swimming places at what's now the Riverside estate and New Abbey across from there had been used for eighty-plus years.

"We're just going to have to soldier on, and it's my intention to keep at it.”

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New tables ordered for the Valley

Image: KCA.

Four new picnic tables have been ordered for the Valley and will be in place in September, writes Brian Byrne. The July KCA meeting in the Heritage Centre heard that the cost has been fully funded by donations from Applegreen and Nuala Collins.

The tables are made from recycled plastic and will last a very long time. Noel Clare noted that the wooden tables, which they are replacing, had been repaired prior to recent repainting and remain 'fairly functional'. 

"They are usable until the new ones are installed," he said. 

Since 2020, several new seats have been installed in the Valley by KCA, most of them made from recycled plastics.

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New downtown planters-seats coming soon

Five new planters with seats for the new footpath areas in downtown Kilcullen will be delivered at the end of July, the recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action heard, writes Brian Byrne. Their positioning will be decided by the Kildare-Newbridge MD Area Engineer.

Each planter is large enough to hold a tree, and will have seats on both sides, meeting chair Noel Clare said, adding that it was 'great' that they will arrive shortly.

Their placement will involve managing sightlines and also their position in relation to the bus stop and the upcoming pedestrian crossing.

There was some further discussion on the need to meet with businesses in the area on the kind and placement of their own, more casual street furniture.

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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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Kilcullen in Bloom 2026

Some views of the Kilcullen in Bloom flowers installed for summer 2026 throughout the town, by the volunteers and community workers of Kilcullen Community Action. A Rough & Ready Production by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary. Music: After Sunset by Alex Jones.

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Hillside art space upgrade

KCA CE crew Ilona Brede, Joe Winder and Wayne Aspell, working on the Hillside space.

A major upgrade to the Hillside 'fish and canoe' street art area is currently in progress, and will include information about the Kilcullen Canoe Club, writes Brian Byrne. The wall art has been refreshed by the original artist, Kieran Behan, and Ray Kelly, and a new decorated canoe will be a centrepiece.

The July meeting of Kilcullen Community Action heard that the replacement canoe was supplied by Sabina Reddy and has been decorated by artist Cian Mekitarian, whose work can also be found in other locations in Kilcullen, including the Valley Park, residential estates, and the public realm. 

Project leader Antoinette Buckley said local businessman Jonathan Keogh has had supports made for the canoe, which will be elevated from the ground, unlike the previous one, which rested on stones.

"We also have new stones and two new planters for the area," Antoinette told the meeting. After some discussion, it was decided to leave the existing metal planters in place until the flowering season is over, and possibly use them in another part of the town. 

The prospect of continuing the canoe-river visual theme at an edge-of-town location was also mooted.

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