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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'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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KARE provides new scarecrow for Library Garden

A new scarecrow has been introduced to Kilcullen’s Library Community Garden, adding a cheerful new feature. The KARE KAT in the Hat was created and installed by KARE’s Kilcullen Local Service in partnership with Kilcullen Community Action.

KARE congratulated their team for their creativity, effort, and skill in bringing the installation to life, and thanked Ger Doyle for crafting the scarecrow’s frame, along with others in the community who helped along the way.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by and see the new addition.

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Summer Flowers collection thank you

KCA members and directors were delighted with the response to the annual Street Collection for Kilcullen's Summer Flowers, writes Noel Clare.  People gave generously, and just as importantly, the messages of support for all the effort were also greatly appreciated. 

Thanks to all who donated and to everyone who helped with the collection. 

Anyone who missed the street collection can still donate online at: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/flowers

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Tidy Towns street collection today

The KCA Summer Flowers street collection is taking place in Kilcullen today, Friday, 12 June, from 9am to 4pm, and tomorrow, Saturday, 13 June, from 9am to 3pm. The collection will help support the beautiful summer flower displays throughout the town. 

Thanks to the hard work of KCA volunteers and the CE team, window boxes, hanging baskets, flower beds, planter boxes, and three-tiered planters have all been prepared, along with planting at Valley Park and the Library Garden.

A huge amount of time and effort has gone into the project, helping to bring colourful floral displays to Kilcullen once again. Following the town’s Gold Medal win in 2025, organisers are hoping for another gold in 2026 with the community’s support.

A card machine will be available at each collection point, and donations can also be made by scanning the QR code.

KCA and the CE team thank everyone for their continued support.

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Valley tables need replacing

Donations of €1,000 and €2,000 have been made towards the estimated €2,400 cost of replacing picnic tables and seats in the Valley, writes Brian Byrne. (This story is updated with news of the second donation just in.) 

Those attending the recent meeting of KCA were told that three of the units have reached their end of life. “When we were cleaning and painting the seats in advance of the Family Fun Day, we found that some of them were beginning to fall apart,” KCA’s acting chair Noel Clare told the meeting. He added that the plan is to replace these with seats made from recycled plastic, already used in many of the seats and tables, as well as flower containers around the town.

With €1,400 more needed for this project, Noel had asked everyone present who might know someone interested in sponsoring a seat to have them get in touch with the group — and with the latest donation, the cost is now pretty much covered.

The discussion noted an ‘amazing’ level of use of the seats and tables since they were reintroduced to the Valley several years ago. “It’s particularly great for the young people who want to go somewhere to just hang out,” Noel said. “If you go down there in fine weather, you’ll find every seat and every picnic table in use.”

He expressed appreciation to Paul Mullen of the Lemongrass restaurant in Carlow for his recent donation of four table sets to KCA. “Though they’re not made of recycled material, they’re very sturdy. One is now in the Valley, one at the river beside the square, and two are near the Coffee Hatch at the Community Centre.” 

The next KCA meeting, which is open to everyone to attend, is scheduled for Monday, 13 July, at 8pm.

Please note that the KCA Summer Flowers street collection is taking place today, Friday, and tomorrow. All support welcome.

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Planters-seats for new footpaths

Artist's impression for KCA of proposed planters-seats design by Omos Ltd.

High-quality planters incorporating seating have been ordered for the newly upgraded footpath areas in downtown Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne. The recent meeting of KCA heard that they are being provided by Kildare County Council, the contractor, and a sponsor.

Noel Clare, chair of the group for the next six months, said that initially it had been understood there was no public budget for street furniture, but sponsorship had been agreed for one unit, which is on order from Omos Ltd, the Naas-based company that makes award-winning public realm furnishings. "Then the council came back and said they and the contractor were going to provide four and that they were also on order."

Three of the units will be placed on the section at O'Connells and the River Cafe, and two on the McTernans section.

The meeting also heard details of discussions with the area businesses about coordinating the design of their day-to-day street tables, and that a plan will be prepared for submission to the council for a licence for these. 

The next KCA meeting, which is open to everyone to attend, is scheduled for Monday, 13 July, at 8pm.

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KCA Street Collection this weekend

The Summer Street Collection held by Kilcullen Community Action is taking place on Friday and Saturday of the coming weekend, writes Brian Byrne. Volunteer collectors will be at the usual locations, outside Nolans, Eurospar, and Centra.

The funds raised go towards the costs of KCA’s key projects, including the Kilcullen in Bloom summer flowers display.

The recent KCA meeting heard that the installation of the flower boxes for this year was almost complete. Meeting chair Noel Clare noted that many of the plants used had been propagated in KCA’s own polytunnel. 

The next KCA meeting, which is open to everyone to attend, is scheduled for Monday, 13 July, at 8pm.

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