Spring Equinox gathering this weekend

Kilcullen people are invited to gather at Dún Ailinne Interpretive Park this Saturday morning, 21 March, to mark the Spring Equinox with a sunrise event at the sculpture, writes Brian Byrne. Sunrise is at 6:27am, and if conditions allow, the rising sun will frame Noel Scullion’s artwork in a striking display.

The tradition began soon after the park opened in 2008, when people started meeting on the Saturday closest to the Spring Equinox to watch the sunrise together. Over the years, it has become a quiet and cherished community ritual, with many remarking on the shared moment of silence as the sun appears — even on mornings when cloud or mist hides the extraordinary effect.

The gathering later extended to 1060 Nicholastown, where participants shared tea, brown bread, Nolan's sausages and conversation, turning the occasion into a warm, social start to spring. The late Noel Scullion, whose spear sculpture is the centrepiece of the interpretive park, was a familiar figure at these mornings, often staying on for hours of stories and laughter.

All are welcome to attend the sunrise this Saturday and the informal get-together afterwards at 1060 Nicholastown.

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Winter Solstice at Solas Bhride

Image: Solas Bhride.

A Winter Solstice observance will be held next week at Solas Bhride Centre & Hermitage in Kildare. It's on Friday, 19 December, from 7.30pm.

The event is described as a Celebration of Stillness, Light, and Renewal, taking place on the year's longest night.

The cost is €10, including refreshments.

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Waiting for the fall

The Liffey and New Abbey lands from the top path in The Valley, before the colours start to turn. (Pic: Brian Byrne.)

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Searching for the sunshine

"Is it spring yet? Can we come out safely?"

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A very berry Autumn

It's beginning to look 'berry' like Autumn, Mary Brennan writes from her walks on the roads around her home.

She includes photographs of Sloes, Blackberries, Rosehips, berries  of the Guelder Rose, Lords and Ladies, and a fruit  of a wild  rose.

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Marking the summer solstice

Just to mark the summer solstice 2021, here's a picture I took at the Dun Ailinne monument on this day in 2013 at the time of the solstice, which is around 3pm. (Brian Byrne.)

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It's a feel-good day for a green spaces walk

On this arguably first day of feeling really summer, there's a real surge of wild growth around the town's green areas, writes Brian Byrne.

A walk through the Valley, along the river and the New Abbey mass path to the Kilcullen 700 trees, and stopping off to look at progress in the Library Garden, gives a very positive feeling.

For that alone, the walk is worth it. 

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Spring is on the Liffey

The signs of spring are popping up everywhere, including on the river. Canoeing and river life returning.

This looks like a young swan, maybe looking for territory? Our resident Sean and Siobhan Swan may have something to say about that ...

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Primrose testing the temperature

A primrose peeking out from a niche in a stone wall in Yellow Bog today. 'If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?' Photo by Mary Brennan.

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Autumn rushing on …

A nice seasonal view of the New Abbey Road this morning, by Nuala Collins.

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Magical light

Just in this magical time of the year as far as light is concerned, a few more colours I noticed as I walked through the town this afternoon — Brian Byrne.

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Burnished autumn glory

We've been showing some autumn colours over the last week or so, and the peak is close or already here, writes Brian Byrne.

Leaves are tumbling fast, the chilly nights accelerating the process, so do take the chance this weekend to walk through the area and enjoy the show while it's on.

(Shuffle the leaves, too.)

A few more pics here to encourage you.

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The fall colours are here ... and will wane fast

Walking around this morning, I couldn't help but notice just how quickly we're getting the fall colours this year, writes Brian Byrne.

I have a sense we won't have them long, as there's already a significant dropping of leaves. So if you have the chance, and especially if there's a little sunshine to enhance the colours, get out and enjoy.

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