Nominations open for KIldare Garda Youth Awards 2026

The Kildare Garda Division has announced the opening of nominations for the eighth annual Kildare Garda Youth Awards, celebrating young people aged 13–21 across County Kildare. 

The awards recognise youth contributions in various categories, including six individual awards (three from North Kildare and three from South Kildare), a Special Achievement Award for overcoming difficulties, an overall winner, a Voluntary Group Achievement Award, and a Community Safety Award. 

Winners will represent the division at the National Garda Youth Awards in November 2026. Nominations are open until March 20, 2026, and can be submitted via an online form or the QR code above. 

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Council asked to buy site for youth, community facility

The derelict site at the bend of the Newbridge road, which is now for sale, could be turned into a suitable space for youth and community use in Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne.

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer has asked Kildare County Council to buy the site, which has an asking price of €175,000, for such a development. She suggest the funds could come from a recent scheme announced by Minister Heather Humphreys under Town and Village Renewal.

"We need to consider the needs of young people who don't have an interest in sports or other activities," Cllr O'Dwyer told the Diary today, saying that the requirement for a safe space where young people could 'hang out together and chat' has been made clear to her by teenagers themselves, their parents, and the Garda.

Part of the site was formerly a two-storey building divided into four maisonettes, which is currently roofless and derelict.

Acknowledging that the Council would have to assess whether available funding would be enough to buy and restore the site to the needed standard, Cllr O'Dwyer said that it could also be used for other community purposes.

She says the Council is in principle favourably disposed towards the purchase of a building for such community use in Kilcullen. She had previously asked that they buy the former Bank of Ireland building, but that opportunity has now passed. "The timing, and funding availability, didn't work out," she said.

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Many young people activities in Cruinniú na nÓg 2022

There is a wide range of activities planned in County Kildare to celebrate the Cruinniú na nÓg 2022 – a day of free creative activity for young people.

The event, devised by Creative Ireland and a number of partners, takes place at various venue on Saturday 11 June 2022.

They include a celebration of the recent discovery of Kildare born explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance, with young people bringing Antarctica to Athy in collaboration with printmaker Angelina Foster and writer Oisín Kenny, at the Shackleton Museum. 

Ta Tum Tum! is an educational music performance, designed for children to explore popular music with a Brazilian twist in a creative, integrative and fun way takes place in Riverbank Arts Centre.

The Day the Race Came to Town features Griese Youth Theatre and Children’s Drama. STEAM and MAKER workshops will coincide with the Gordon Bennett Vintage Rally in Ballitore on 5 June, followed by a Cruinniú workshop and display on 11th June.

An interactive robotics workshop with Professor Peter Redmond will be held at Newbridge Library.

Up, Up and Away with Go Fly Your Kite are online workshops.

Wildlife Illustration Workshop — Maynooth Library will host author and illustrator Aga Grandowicz, who will demonstrate the technique of drawing and illustrating, with a focus on endangered Irish wildlife.

Travelling marionette theatre Moon and Sixpence comes to Celbridge Library, presenting a cheeky version of Red Riding Hood featuring the classic fairy-tale characters and a talking dustbin, that encourages children to pick up litter. 

More on the Kildare programme here. 

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Drama Dynamics scores well in Féile Luimnigh 2020

Pic: Drama Dynamics.

On their first external competition outing, the young students of Drama Dynamics have achieved second place in the Féile Luimnigh 2020, in the U18 Group Drama category.

Their teacher Evelyn O'Sullivan says on their Facebook page that 'it was a great day out, full of fun and friendship'.

"I was so proud of each and every cast member for their team work and wonderful performance," she says, expressing thanks also to the organisers for their warm welcome, and for the support from the parents. "Till the next time ..."

They're not finished, looks like they're targeting a full win the next time they hit the road.

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Jimmy's well adds serenity to CPC garden

A Third Year student at CPC spent some of his summer holidays building an ornamental Wishing Well for a courtyard garden in the college, writes Brian Byrne.

Jimmy Behan, from Suncroft, worked out all the details with a cousin and then produced the wooden ornament, beside which a temporary bench has been placed so pupils or staff members can relax in a quiet environment. Jimmy is now considering making a proper bench, and it is suggested that a water fountain element could be incorporated into the well.

He built it as part of the Civic, Social & Political Education (CPSE) citizenship course that's part of Junior Cycle. A section of this is learning how personal wellbeing is connected to the wellbeing of others, and how to contribute to making a better space for everyone.

"I like woodwork, and I thought the idea of a wishing well would help people relax," Jimmy said last week, the day after the well had finally been installed ... though he does admit that there were non-relaxed, even frustrating moments when working on some of the smaller elements. Now that it is in place, though, he's very satisfied.

And what did he personally learn from the project? "Oh, a lot of things about getting the correct angles and cuts with the timber pieces. And if I was to do it again, I'd now make it a lot quicker."

The CSPE module is taught by Ms Mary Quinto, who says this particular element is related to the mental health area of the curriculum. "I wanted the students to pick their own projects for this, instead of telling them what to do. I thought Jimmy's idea of a wishing well nicely represents serenity."

Other students are working on renovating the garden, which has become somewhat overgrown, to bring it back to its normal state.

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CPC students become MEPs for a day this week

Pic: Noel Clare.

A group of Cross & Passion students will be at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday, following their winning of the Parliament's Euroscola Competition last autumn, writes Brian Byrne.

The one-minute video on 'Why young people should vote in European Elections' produced by the 5th Year Business Class won them the trip to represent Ireland at Euroscola, where young people live the life of an MEP for the day.

The main purpose of the competition was to get students thinking about European democracy and active citizenship as some of them will vote for the first time in the European Elections in 2019.

The group are led by their Business Studies teacher John Tynan. Noel Clare will be reporting for the Diary and The Bridge on the trip.

The group were addressed last month by the Vice President of the European Parliament, Mairead McGuinness MEP, as part of the preparation for the event.

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Irish Red Cross youth group for Kilcullen

The Irish Red Cross is establishing a youth group which will be based in Kilcullen.

The group is open to members aged ten and upwards, and members will be taught how to administer first aid and will take part in camps and competitions.

They will also learn community and team building skills and be part of an organisation recognised for its humanitarian work all over the world.

The new group will need adults prepared to commit to about two hours each fortnight, who will have access to all Red Cross courses and supports for free.

All interested in registering are invited to attend a meeting on Wednesday evening this week, 28 March, in the Parish Centre at 7pm.

Contact 086 8719388 for more information.

All Irish Red Cross Youth leaders have received Safeguarding Training and are Garda Vetted.

Spring/Summer Brannockstown YC meetings

Brannockstown Youth Club is to amalgamate its Junior and Senior sessions from Friday 12 January, following smaller numbers taking part in the Junior Club so far this year.

The fortnightly Club will meet between 7.30pm-9pm on the Friday nights, catering for 5th Class up to Secondary School leavers.

Most of the Leaders from each section will be there each night, so that the needs and preferences of all age groups can be accommodated.

A new Coffee/Hot Chocolate machine has been installed, along with sofas and a table-tennis table.

The Club meeting dates planned between now and summer are 12/26 January, 9/23 February, 9/23 March, 13/27 April, 11/25 May, and 8/22 June.

Leadership training awards presented

Youth Leadership Training Certificates were presented to Kilcullen Youth Club (KiYC) members at an enjoyable event at the weekend, writes Brian Byrne.

The Certificates acknowledged the completion of courses under the auspices of the Erasmus+ project, jointly undertaken by KiYC and Western Education & Library Board's Youth Service in Northern Ireland, under the banner of the Aspirations (North & South) Exchange Project.

The northern group organised the OCN Leadership training, while the southern contingent provided workshops in Bully Busting and First Aid.

The programme involved NI participants spending a week as guests of KiYC, and Kilcullen young people visiting their counterparts in Strabane, last summer.

Recipients of OCN Certificates were Sarah Byrne, Caoimhe O Callaghan, Jade Bennett, Peter Truman, Arran Collins and Clare Murphy. Minor Leadership awards were presented to Robbie Green and Niamh Byrne.

Conor Patrick received a Gaisce Bronze Award, and Basic Junior First Aid awards were presented to Brandon NG and Emma Dunleavy, both of whom also received Youthpass awards.

(Pictures courtesy KiYC.)

Vote for CPC girls' junk fashion

Local CPC students Chloe Scott, Georgia Markham, and Aisling Bolton Dowling are looking for your votes this week, writes Brian Byrne.

Nope, they're not late candidates for Friday's General Election, but their 'The Ice Queen' fashion creation is a runner in the regional final of the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture 2016 competition.

The main material in the dress is newspapers, with sweet wrappers, old CDs and a hula hoop making up some of the decorative elements. Out of more than 1,100 entries, they're facing off against 319 others at the finals, in The Helix on 7 March.

Meantime, though, until midnight on Friday, you can also vote for them at a special Facebook page set up by Bank of Ireland (https://goo.gl/IVIg3c). Those will count in the final shakeout, which will be before judges Lorna McGee, Rob Condon, Tracy Fahy and Louis Walsh.

Get voting. You can cast one ballot a day through Friday.

Sunday morning refreshments

Members of Kilcullen Youth Club (KiYC) organise tea after mass on Sundays in Kilcullen Parish Centre.

NI youth leaders in Kilcullen

Ten youth leaders from Northern Ireland are in Kilcullen on an exchange visit organised through the Erasmus+ Programme, writes Brian Byrne.

Led by Richard O'Neill, Senior Youth Worker with the Education Authority Western Region based in Strabane, and Area Youth Worker Orlaith McGinn, the group are guests of Kilcullen Youth Club's KiYC2 section.

They are spending the week participating in a number of workshop sessions with KiYC2 leaders, which have included wound management in a sports setting, general first aid, relationships leadership, and looking at the Halo Project on adolescent substance abuse issues based in Naas.

The group are staying in the Curragh Plains B&B, and a number of social events have been organised for the evenings.

The KiYC2 leaders will make a return visit to Strabane next month.

Pictured above are Richard O'Neill, Sarah Byrne of KiYC2, and Orlaith McGinn.

Survival Course in Brannockstown

Brannockstown Youth Club members will be having a Survival Course on 25 April, starting at 3pm.

Participants will need parental permission to do the course.

Permission forms can be collected at the Club's next meeting on 17 April.

New No Name Club mooted for Kilcullen

A No Name Club is being proposed for Kilcullen during this new year, and a Brannockstown man with a strong interest in the welfare of young people will be gauging interest in it over the coming months, writes Brian Byrne.

Declan Stokes has already organised a successful No Name club in Hollywood, Co Wicklow, which has also become the first such club in the county to initiate a no-smoking policy, as well as the core element of providing an alternative for young people to the 'drink culture' in Ireland.

It is one of three proposed clubs in County Kildare, to join the current one in Naas and bring to four the number in the county. The other two proposed locations are Newbridge and Kildare.

Declan doesn't see the No Name Club movement as a competitor to existing youth clubs, suggesting that it provides an extra service, for 15-18 year-olds who might be growing beyond some of the other groups, or in some cases will parallel them. "I'd envisage that we would have members feeding into our clubs from other clubs and even sports clubs."

No Name Club as a national organisation was founded in 1978 and currently serves some 15,000 young people in some 42 clubs all over the country. The idea is that the members can come together in a safe and lively environment for fun, friendship and enjoyment without the pressure of alcohol or other drugs. The organisation receives funding through the Office of The Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, and Population Health Promotion within the HSE.

Clubs are based on having organised events, such as outings and participating in the regional and national events that are part of the organisation. These include table quizzes, talent competitions, the organisation's National Youth Awards, and taking in whatever local opportunities there are in an area.

The national organisation provides training for volunteers, including the mandatory course in child protection. Declan Stokes says, though, that volunteering is 'not necessarily for everyone'. "Every community organisation has some kind of volunteer input, and without them it would collapse," he says. "But for our clubs, they have to be volunteers who can communicate with young people. In our Hollywood club, we have eight parents involved, and their input is fantastic."

Financially, each club has to be self-sufficient. VEC club grants, grants for the club’s Health Promotion activities, and local initiatives like bag-packing at supermarkets are all possibilities for funding.

Declan used to work in the construction industry, and when that collapsed he went on a short-term VTOS course while waiting to see how things would turn out. While there he got an opportunity to do social studies as a mature student, and is currently developing a programme for young people based around mental health. "There are a lot of organisations offering youth services, but many of them shy away from the two main issues of mental health and sexual health. Down the years, lots of things change in the youth area, but some things remain the same — substance abuse, relationships, and ... the biggest ... knowing who they are."

He attended a recent international conference on youth issues, in Turkey, which had representatives from more than 70 countries. "One of the things we were told there related to young people dying by suicide, and it appears that in 80 percent of these incidents, alcohol is involved. That's scary."

In discussion with delegates from our neighbouring island, he also found that there's likely to be a serious under-estimating of the level of youth drinking here. "Hard figures are difficult to gather, but in Scotland, for instance, they use the level of alco-pop sales as an indicator. That's not really accurate enough ... in Ireland I could name ten events in the year where there would be a spike in youth drinking, so it's a culture thing."

A culture thing that resonated amongst the many Muslim delegates at the Turkey conference. "Two decades ago it wasn't an issue in many of their countries because of the no-alcohol part of their culture, but they can see a new generation of young people who aren't staying with that. So this is not just peculiar to Ireland."

A previous effort to set up a No Name Club in Kilcullen was made in 2010, but didn't lead to a permanent club. After the success of the Hollywood one which Declan organised from 2011, maybe 2015 will have a more positive outcome.

This article was first published in The Kildare Nationalist.

Brannockstown Youth Club resumes Friday

The new Brannockstown Youth Club is back in action on Friday night, writes Brian Byrne.

All who attended the inaugural meeting before Christmas are encouraged to come back, and also tell their friends that they're welcome.

There will be a music/band competition on Friday, so anyone who plays a musical instrument is asked to bring it along. Prizes.

Youth Club initiative for Brannockstown

A new Youth Club is being set up in Brannockstown, located in the community hall behind the Baptist Church, writes Brian Byrne.

An inaugural meeting kicks off on the evening of 5 December and will offer a number of activities for young people between 12-15. Fun and food are the order of the evening.

The time is 7.30-9pm and all local young people in the age range are welcome.

The Diary understands that the organisers will evaluate the level of interest and feedback and then decide on continuing it from January.

"We really want the teenagers themselves to decide what they'd like in a club, and take ownership of it," says David Sandall, one of those behind the idea. He said an organiser from a existing No Name Club has offered advice.

The community hall building comprises former Portacabin school buildings donated to the community by Brannoxtown NS when the new school building was completed. A number of regular activities take place there, including a Parent & Toddler Group, and the Youth Club is the latest suggestion to help make the most use of the facility.

Great presentations from Teen Theatre group

If anyone doubted the abilities of today's young people to communicate, those doubts would have been completely erased at the Drama Dynamics Studio on Hillcrest last night, writes Brian Byrne.

In a change from their usual mid-term show, some members of the Teen Theatre group gave 3-minute presentations on subjects of their choice to parents and friends, and showed how to communicate their themes to an audience in short order, invariably enthralling their listeners.

Those presenting were Melissa Byrne, Bonnie O’Halloran, Kia O’Brien, Cathal McMahon, and Alice O’Toole. Their themes ranged from the very serious topic of homophobia, through personal passion, music, foreign culture, and an hilarious piece on shoplifting ('how to avoid ridiculous prices'), which won Melissa Byrne the prize for best presentation.

"It's much more difficult to stand up and give a presentation like this on your own," Evelyn O'Sullivan of Drama Dynamics noted. "When you appear on a stage you're acting a part from a script, and you have a team behind you. With something like this, you're out there on your own. It can be a tough place."

The five young people who entered that tough place last night (for one, in advance, it was her 'worst nightmare' ... but she came through it) are great examples of the clever and articulate cohort who will go on as adults to help build the future of Kilcullen and the country. Well done, all.

Pictured above are Teen Theatre presenters Melissa Byrne, Bonnie O’Halloran, Kia O’Brien, Cathal McMahon, and Alice O’Toole; Judges Peter O'Sullivan and Siobhan Tutty-Bardon with John Martin of Kilcullen Drama Group; and Evelyn O'Sullivan (second from right) with some of the parents and friends who were included in the audience.

Youth groups should apply for grants — TD

Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon is urging youth projects in Kildare to apply for capital grant funding which has been announced this week. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly TD, has announced the availability of €500,000 in capital funding for small to medium youth projects in disadvantaged communities in 2014.

“The funding announced by Minister Reilly will be extremely useful in allowing youth projects in disadvantaged communities in Kildare to upgrade or replace equipment," Deputy Heydon says. "Youth projects will be able to buy new computers, sports equipment, multi-media equipment or furniture."

The capital funding scheme for small to medium grants is open to applications from Department of Children and Youth Affairs funded projects under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme (SPY), Youth Information Centres (YICs), Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF) and Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF). As a once-off, exceptional measure the scheme is also open to a number of national youth organisations.

The grant scheme also calls for applications in early 2015 for capital projects related to health and safety improvements to premises such as improved access for young people with disabilities and upgrade or refurbishment of premises. Details of the scheme and how to apply are on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs website at www.dcya.gov.ie.

Class of 2014 Graduation Mass

For the second time in a week, Kilcullen Parish Church was full to the doors with young people and parents, this time for the Graduation Mass of the Class of 2014 from CPC, writes Brian Byrne.

In a moving ceremony which reflected the six years the students had spent with their teachers in the College, there was prayer, reflection, readings, flowers and music, to mark the leaving of another group of young people into the hopes, uncertainties and contradictions of an adult world.

That their parents had done a very good job in preparing them for this next stage of their lives was acknowledged by Ardine O'Neill, Year Head, who noted how quickly the last six years had gone by. "You have taught them well, and you must be very very proud of them, and rightly so," she said. "They have grown into fine young men and women, and that is very much down to you."

Saying that some teachers will have been involved with the group since their very first year in the College, while others joined in along the way, she said that for all a very special relationship had been formed. She thanked the staff for their own tireless efforts over the time. For the students themselves, a very united group, 'you had good times together, you had great times together, remember them'. "But now it is time to move on. Endless opportunities lie ahead. I know you have the skills to meet any challenges that come your way."

When she had finished speaking, Ardine joined Assistant Principal Noel Clare with the musicians to surprise the gathering with a duet rendering of 'Feet of a Dancer' ... to applause which almost brought the house down.

And, wondering how she could follow that, Principal Catherine Moynihan gave the final address of a 'very special occasion'. She told the class they had been, and are, part of a 'proud heritage' of the school, which has an educational legacy of excellence bequeathed to it by the Cross & Passion sisters and by all those who had served the College for the past 127 years.

"I love the springtime. The brightness, the long evenings, the richness of colour and the real sense of possibility," she said. "I think it's no accident that we celebrate your graduation night at this time of the year. I'm also conscious that as spring comes, it comes very quickly." To the parents present, she acknowledged that the evening must also be a little sad, with another cycle of their children's growth coming to an end. "But I also know that you are justifiably proud of what they have become."

Commenting on the economic difficulties of the six years during which the students had been learning at CPC, she said light always follows darkness. "Our hope for you as you leave us, and enter College and eventually the world of work, that there will be many opportunities for you all. You leave Cross & Passion College where your talents have been nurtured this far, but you have so many wonderful experiences ahead of you. You have strengths that you may not have tapped into yet, but they are there for when you need them."

Quoting the late Nelson Mandela's dictum, that 'the significance of the life you lead is determined by the difference we make to the life of others' she also referred to Seamus Heaney's 70th birthday thought that we should always keep our feet firmly on the ground to signify that nothing is beneath us, but that likewise we lift our eyes to say that nothing is beyond us. "That is my wish for you. We are all very proud of your achievements, of what you have become."

Reception for Silicon Valley CPC students

Members of Team Adapt (Godwyn Jalanga was unavoidably absent) pictured at a reception in Cross & Passion College for them on Tuesday evening, with Noel Clare, deputy principal CPC; Glenda Groome, TY coordinator CPC; Joe O'Connor, Kilcullen Lions; Darragh Fitzgerald (back centre), president Kilcullen Lions; Terri O'Sullivan, Sixth Year head, CPC; and Clodagh Kavanagh, Kilcullen Lions.

In early October Robyn Kenny, Aaron McLoughlin Sutherland, Wayne Donoghue, Bevan Murray, Godwyn Jalanga, and Caoimhe O'Fearghaill attended the Intel Global Challenge hosted by the University of California at Berkley's Entrepreneurship Faculty.

The team won the trip to Silicon Valley in the Intel Ideation national competition earlier this year. CPC principal Catherine Moynihan said at the reception that they had made their school and their parents proud with their achievement, which, she said, had been 'the essence of teamwork in action'.

The next Intel Ideation Camp in CPC takes place on January 9/10, with new teams from Transition Year squaring up to try and repeat what is very much a hard act to follow. The competition in Ireland is organised by the country's Lions Clubs.

There will be a full report on the reception in next Tuesday's Kildare Nationalist.