Happy Christmas all

Background image by Valeria Vinnik, via Pexels.

Winding down for Christmas ...

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Gospel Choir in Nolans Butchers

 

A taster of what the Christmas atmosphere was like today in Nolans Butchers with the Kilcullen Gospel Choir helping get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

A Rough & Ready Production by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Podcast: On this day, Downfall of a Dictator

On This Day: The president of Romania, Nicolae Ceaușescu, was overthrown on the 23rd of December 1989 after more than two decades as head of a state widely regarded as a dictatorship. 

Produced by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Nolan’s Butchers Opening times

NOTICE: Nolan Butchers are open from 8am to 6pm today Sunday 22nd. We are also open from 8am to 6pm tomorrow Monday 23rd. On Christmas Eve Tuesday the 24th we are open from  8am to 3pm.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

December Whist results

The results of the Lions Club December Whist are as follows. 

Top score: B. Gannon; Top lady: M. Hendy; Top gent: J. Fleming & J. Hanbidge; 1st half lady: N. Mahon; 2nd half lady: R. Bardon &; S. O’Reilly; 1st half gent: M.Davis; 2nd half gent: R. Fisher; Best quarter: P. Bardon & J. Tutty.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Appleton Property – Information for Property Buyers and Sellers, December 2024

At the end of another busy property year we are taking a few minutes to summarise the current situation locally and nationally, writes Austin Egan of Appleton Property, with a few hopes thrown in for next year …

Well it's hard to be brief when speaking about property after such a busy year. We are about to see a change of government and after a plethora of election promises never before seen, we are looking forward to seeing what changes the new regime will bring forward. 

In 2024 residential property prices are reported to have risen in the order of 10%. The rise in prices has continued since the sharp elevation immediately after the Covid lockdowns. There are many factors that have contributed to this continuous rise in property values. Savings built up over the pandemic and pent up demand caused the initial post covid jump in prices. Since then we have seen lowering interest rates with three more cuts coming before next summer, a loosening of Central Bank rules in 2023 and, to some extent, wage growth. 

In Kilcullen for example, the most recent three bedroomed semi detached home we sold was €389,000. The last two four bedroomed semi detached homes we sold were both €460,000. These sales represent the highest price paid for these house types to date in Kilcullen. These three examples were particularly well presented, had good BER ratings and all three were properly presented for sale and had been substantially improved since the time of build. We have seen the same level of elevation in values across the board on smaller homes, apartments, country homes and property in the rural villages surrounding the town. We expect a further elevation in property prices in 2025. 

We all know for sure the principal factor driving house prices is the low level of supply and the high level of demand. This has been a repetitive theme in the media for some time now.

We effectively have two residential property markets, New Build Homes and Second Hand Homes.

When a first time buyer purchases a new build home there is no linked transaction. A house is built and someone in need of housing purchases it with no subsequent effect on the overall market. Whereas, when someone sells a second hand home it is most often the case that they then buy a larger, or smaller, home. This seller in turn buys another home and the transaction is replicated up and down in the market. This ripple effect provides an opportunity for people to ‘right size’ their homes. The additional benefit here is that people are then not hoarding larger homes with empty bedrooms they don’t need. They are not then paying to heat and maintain these unused spaces and are not burdened by the maintenance of large gardens, higher LPT etc. These properties are then released to people at a different stage of life who need the space for their younger families etc. The only incentive currently for people to sell their family home is the fact that the sale of a principal private residence is completely tax free. Stamp Duty is 1% up to 1 million euros and is therefore not a barrier to exchanging residential property. We would like to see people further assisted to sell their family home when they no longer need the space. Perhaps a scheme similar to the Help to Buy Scheme for first time buyers could be introduced for down sizers to encourage and assist people making their move.

Incentivising builders to build retirement friendly smaller homes would also facilitate this movement in the market. By incentivising, I mean writing a cheque - financially compensating builders to produce what may be less profitable but highly sought after homes. We consistently assist people in making this move and are familiar with the challenges and how they can be overcome. 

Across the country this year there has been a significantly lower level of second hand sales transactions than in previous years. While all individual sales transactions are strong, there has been less movement in the market due to this low level of supply. We don’t need to refer to statistics to illustrate this point. Everyone in the market knows that the surge in volume particularly at the back end of this year did not happen. What we now have are many people waiting to identify a suitable property to purchase prior to putting their home on the market. 

We would encourage all these people to enter the market. Property sales are subject to contract. In this tight market we are seeing a greater level of co-operation between buyers and sellers in terms of time frames allowable for closing. Once agreed up front, this can allow a person additional time to identify a suitable property to move to. It is also the case for those selling their home to buy another that they will need to be Sale Agreed to be considered. In this competitive market, when competing with cash buyers and loan approved buyers who are not selling a property, we would strongly advise that a person has their home sale agreed. This puts them in a ready position and makes their offer more attractive to a vendor. If you are sitting on the fence, you may find that fence to be your permanent position. We would suggest that you make the move, advise any potential purchaser up front of your circumstances through your agent and arrange that flexibility from the outset. Despite the challenges in the market people tend to navigate successfully through it and get where they want to go. We are here to assist with this process. For us, agreeing the terms of the sale properly at the outset leads to a successful sale in the end. 

We look forward to providing our services into our 15th year in business in Kilcullen. I have been involved in property now for 30 years. I am available to advise and assist those thinking about selling. Get in touch and we can have a free of charge, no obligation conversation about the value of your property and the sales process.

Austin Egan is a member of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers since 2004. He is a Recognised European Valuer and the owner of Appleton Property Kilcullen. 045 482 759, 087 131 1133, info@appleton.ie

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Adoration Chapel open in Parish Church

Image: Fr Gary.

The new Adoration side chapel is now open in Kilcullen Parish Church. All are welcome to use it for some quiet contemplation.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Bowls Club Christmas night out

These pictures provided by Betty Lambe are from the Bowls Club night out in The Hideout. And she reminds us that the club is always open to new members.

There's an article on the club by Gillian Rea in the current, Christmas issue, of The Bridge magazine.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

CE employment at Childcare Centre

Several positions are open as Community Employment opportunities at the Kilcullen Community Childcare & Education Centre. They include Assistant Childcare Support Worker (Job Ref: #CES - 2368232) and Assistant Cook (#CES - 2371695), and are operational through the KARE Community Employment Scheme.

KCCEC provides a caring, progressive and inclusive environment for the children who attend, and the staff who work there. 

The Community Employment Scheme enables participants to gain a funded, recognised qualification whilst they gain valuable on the job experience. 

No experience is necessary. The jobs are advertised on JobsIreland.ie.

For anyone interested or with any informal questions, contact: Mairead or Deirdre 045 448700.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Lumville mooted as potential Curragh Visitor Centre

Lumville image: Ray Cooke Auctioneers.

The possibility of the state buying the former Lumville House Hotel for use as a Visitor Centre for the Curragh Plains has been raised by Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, writes Brian Byrne. She made the comment while welcoming the publication of the Curragh Plains Conservation Management Plan, unveiled earlier this week by Fianna Fáil Leader and Defence Minister Micheál Martin.

The plan is the result of years of work by Kildare County Council and the Department of Defence on the Curragh Consultancy Project, and identifies suitable future management methods to allow various stakeholders on the Curragh exercise their rights while at the same time allowing public access and encouraging adherence to environmental restrictions.

The establishment of a dedicated agency to be responsible for the Curragh, or assigning responsibility to an existing agency with the necessary skillset and expertise to maximise the area's potential, is another of the issues identified in the plan.

Senator O'Loughlin says acquisition of Lumville, which is for sale, would make an ideal Visitor Centre once renovated, with ample space and plenty of parking. The property was run as a bar, restaurant and functions room for more than four decades by Michael and Nuala Lambe, and was very popular with Kilcullen groups and organisations for social events. Michael retired from the business in 2016, two years after the death of Nuala. Michael himself died in 2019.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Happy Christmas to Scoil Bhride litter pickers

Martin Sheridan and the gang at Kilcullen Community Action would like to thank all the litter pickers from Scoil Bhride who helped keep Kilcullen clean during 2024. Happy Christmas all.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Scoil Bhride pupils enjoy Christmas Dash

The Second classes

More than 600 children in Scoil Bhride took part in a Christmas Daidí na Nollag Dash this morning around the school's running track, writes Brian Byrne. Many were dressed in some form of Christmas costume.

The event gave them an opportunity to showcase their running skills developed through the term. "All classes have scheduled track time every day, but this is a more fun time," says the school's principal, Sarah Fitzpatrick. "Our two organisers today are assistant principals Shelley O'Brien and Muiris Ó Raoghaill, and we have Santa's helper here as well."

Each class had a 15-minute slot today to do as many laps as they wanted in whatever way they wanted. Our Diary pictures of the Second classes show they were very much enjoying being out in the sunshine as the school winds down for Christmas.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Six options identified for Thompson's Cross - but 'no design resources'

Six options have been identified to make the Thompson's Cross junction safer, writes Brian Byrne. However, lack of resources in Kildare County Council means that necessary further design work can't be progressed. Cllr Tracey was informed of this at the December meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, where officials said the results of a feasibility and options report on the intersection will be reviewed by the Council 'in due course'.

The report to her motion seeking detail of the survey results said the Roads Project Team are managing several large capital projects at present which are at a critical phase, and the lack of 'internal resources' is unfortunate.

Responding, Cllr O'Dwyer said she still hadn't got the answers she's looking for and asked why details of the completed survey project have not been shared with members? "I'd like to see this shared before any further design work is carried out," she said.

The junction has been dangerous for many years, since the realignment of local roads with the completion of the M9 in the Kilcullen area. With a long history of crashes there since then, attempts to make the intersection safer have failed and are widely considered to have been 'tinkering' with the problem. The last of these, carried out under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Scheme in 2016, included a controversial removal of a run-off lane on the turn towards Kilgowan. In October 2017, Council engineers told councillors that issues raised at works in 2016 had 'been resolved'. 

Cllr O'Dwyer has been working in association with local Garda to try and have something substantial done. In February of last year, Kildare County Council announced that a consultant would be appointed to investigate how to best deal with the dangerous nature of the junction — along with nine others in the county. Clandillon Consulting Engineers were appointed earlier this year to carry out the survey work and make recommendations.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy