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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Lesley Kelly to show her latest ceramics

Local artist Lesley Kelly will showcase her latest collection of handmade ceramics at Woodbine Books on Saturday, 15 August. The event will run from 7pm to 9pm.

The exhibition offers a chance to meet the artist, view her new works up close, and learn more about the process behind her creations. 

Woodbine Books is delighted to host the event, which is free and open to all.

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Concert for Aware to be streamed from Kilcullen

At last night's launch were Deirdre Ward, Canice Keane, Lorraine Nolan, Pat Kelly, Arlene Bailey, Mary Masterson and Lorraine Kelly.

A concert to be live-streamed from Bishop Rogan Park on 30 August will raise funds for the mental health charity Aware, writes Brian Byrne. It's being organised by local musician Pat Kelly and will feature top singers from the Kilcullen area and beyond.

The Anvil at Rest gig is being staged in Pat and Lorraine Kelly's front garden, running from 3pm to 5pm, and everyone is welcome to come along, bring a picnic blanket or camping chair, and enjoy an afternoon of music with friends, family, and neighbours in the surroundings of Bishop Rogan Park. The event is being live-streamed through Facebook.

Aware supports mental health through education and support services and promotes understanding of the issue across Ireland. "Very many families have experience of mental health problems, and I felt that I wanted to do something for it," Pat told the Diary at last night's launch of the event in McTernan's Bar. "When I began looking for artistes for it, I got a great response."

The performers will include Arlene Bailey, the Sallins-based country singer who has resumed her music career in country rock after a break from the business. Arlene has worked with some of the finest musicians in Nashville, including Bob Hatter, Donnie Skaggs, and Gene Rabbai. Arlene is also an ambassador for Aware.

Lorraine Nolan from Newbridge, director of the Liffey Choir and a former lead vocalist with Riverdance, as well as having an extensive portfolio of national and international performance, has also come on board.

The concert will also feature Kilkenny-born singer-songwriter Canice Keane, who lives in Kilcullen and is another member of the Liffey Choir along with Pat Kelly. Gordon Turner, musician and sound engineer, will be handling the sound quality as well as taking a turn on stage himself. Also on the card are Emma Kayaalp, Yvonne Ennis, and John and Joe Kelly. And, of course, Pat himself will take a turn or too.

When it came to a name for the event, which Pat hopes will become an annual mini-festival, he chose the anvil to reflect his father's work as a blacksmith and his late brother Ned's prowess as both blacksmith and master farrier.

Donations for Aware associated with the event can be given via a QR code and can also be made on the day for those who go along to hear the music live.

A social media campaign for Anvil at Rest is being organised by Emma Keane.

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Cannonball supercars will fuel stop at Kilcullen M9 service area

An opportunity for Kilcullen supercar fans to see Ireland's biggest gathering of iconic marques will be on Friday, 11 September, when those taking part in Cannonball Ireland 2026 will be making a fuel stop at the Circle K M9 service area, writes Brian Byrne. The stop is scheduled for 3.15pm and this year's event will raise funds for Ronald McDonald House.

Earlier, the more than 200 cars, which will include examples from Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley, Maserati, and many more, will have been driven from the starting point of the tour at the Johnstown Estate in Enfield and through the Wicklow hills via Enniskerry and back to the K Club in Straffan for lunch.

Over three days, the event participants will cover some 1,000km and be cheered on by an estimated 250,000 spectators in towns and villages through Westmeath, Offaly, Clare, Limerick, and Cork, and finishing up in Kilkenny City from around 5.30pm on Sunday, 13th. The finish line celebrations will once again feature live entertainment, music, giant screens, family attractions, colourful costumes, and the electric atmosphere that has become synonymous with Cannonball.

Since its inception in 2009, Cannonball Ireland has raised more than €2.5 million for Irish charities. The event was founded by Kildare-nased businessman Alan Bannon.

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Booking opens for Shackleton Autumn School

Image: Shackleton Experience, Athy.

Booking is now open for the 26th Annual Shackleton Autumn School, taking place from 16 to 18 October 2026 in Athy, the birthplace of explorer Ernest Shackleton. 

This event invites historians, researchers, and enthusiasts to engage in scholarship, camaraderie, and explore the significance of polar regions. The programme includes expert lectures, interactive workshops, exhibitions, cultural events, and networking opportunities. 

Early Bird tickets are available for €225 until 31 August 2026. 

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Final Kayaking course of the summer

Kilcullen Canoe Club will hold its final beginners’ kayaking course for adults this coming Saturday. 

The session will be led by instructors Dee and Ann, who also delivered the club’s recent introductory paddling day for over-50s, which all participants loved. 

The course offers a great opportunity to enjoy the local river amenity and see Kilcullen from a different perspective.

For enquiries, email secretary@kilcullencanoeclub.com or text Catherine on 085 7261185. Alternatively, register directly here. 

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 4th August 2026 were 7, 22, 27 and 28. There was no Jackpot winner, and next week's main prize will again be €20,000. The value of the follow-up draws is €20,000 and €8,200.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are Noel Dunne (Promoter Noel Dunne), Hazel Spencer (Vanessa Clarke) and Peter 'Skinner' Clifford (Vanessa Clarke).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were The Parish Office and Kilcullen Credit Union, and the winner of the draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Bernie Kirby.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Kilcullen man's grandson on Australian national cricket squad

Pat Sullivan and (inset) Jimmy and Wendy Greenway. Image: Torquay Tigers.

Most Diary readers won't know this young man, but Kilcullen friends of his grandfather, Jimmy Greenway, will raise a glass to the news that Pat Sullivan of Torquay in Victoria, Australia, has been picked for the Cricket Australia U19 squad, writes Brian Byrne. The team is set for a tour of India next month.⁣

Kilcullen-born Jimmy Greenway has been living in New Zealand for 53 years, with his New Zealand wife Wendy. Pat is the son of their daughter Anna and her husband Nigel. 

For Jimmy and Wendy and the whole extended family, it's very exciting news. "It's a great effort," Jimmy told the Diary today. "Especially in a country where cricket is the number one game." 

A member of the Geelong Cricket Club and the Torquay Tigers Cricket Club, Pat came up through the Tigers' junior programme, and a spokesperson said it is 'incredibly rewarding' to see him continue to reach new heights in his cricket journey. "To now represent Australia and achieve a childhood dream is a fantastic milestone. Everyone at Torquay Cricket Club is incredibly proud."

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Tidy morning for Narraghmore

Narraghmore Development CLG is organising a Village Tidy morning for next Saturday, 8 August, from 10am to 1pm.

Helpers are asked to meet at The Old Hardware for weeding, litter picking, and general tidying. 

Refreshments will be provided for all helpers afterwards.

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KCC Education Bursaries open for application

Kildare County Council's Education Bursary Schemes for 2026, invite applications from students in County Kildare who encounter significant challenges in pursuing third-level education. The available bursaries are:

- The William G. Carroll Bursary (Community)

- The Kildare Education Bursary for People with Disabilities

- The Kildare County Council Memorial Bursary for DEIS School Students

The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday, 18 September 2026. More details and the online application process can be accessed at this link. 

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Basketball Camp for young players

Triple Threat Academy is hosting its first Basketball Camp in Kilcullen from 17-19 August at the Kilcullen Community Centre. The camp will cater for boys and girls in two age groups, 8-10 and 11-13, and is being run by Larrie Birds Coach Ailbhe Vanhengel.

The younger age group session will run from 9 am to 12pm, and the older group from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. 

The fee is €60, and a sibling discount is available. Sign-ups can be made through a Google Form or by contacting Ailbhe at 089 2560822. 

The camp features a structured schedule with skills work, fun games, 3x3 and small-sided games, and a small tournament. Triple Threat Academy emphasises learning from mistakes, trying new things, and supporting each other to build self-confidence on and off the court. 

All levels and abilities are welcome.

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Help sought to find Michael Hogan grave

A visitor from Australia whose parents left Kilcullen in the 1940s is seeking help to find the grave of his great-uncle, Michael Hogan, a soldier killed in August 1923, writes Brian Byrne. The only pointer is a military record which states that following his death, ‘remains sent direct by rail to Kilcullen for interment’.

Sean Burton from Melbourne has physically searched New Abbey, Old Kilcullen and Gormonstown cemeteries, but understands that an inscription to confirm Michael's location may now be illegible. "So far I’ve received very kind and generous assistance from Kilcullen residents, but his final resting place remains elusive."

With the help of John and Jimmy Brady, Sean unexpectedly found the grave of Michael Hogan's parents, in New Abbey, but there's no sign of their son's last resting place.

Sean's mother, Bernadette Hogan, lived on Hillside before emigrating to England with her parents Peter and Teresa, brother Michael and sister Philomena in the late 1940s.

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Fundraiser for cancer charities remembers Kilcullen man

An upcoming fundraiser concert in memory of Paul Smith, a Kilcullen resident of 25 years who passed away from cancer last September, will help the Irish Cancer Society and St Brigid's Hospice on The Curragh.

A Night At The Theatre is being organised by his daughter, Katie, and will take place at the Moat Theatre in Naas, County Kildare, on Sunday, 20 September, starting at 7:30 pm. It will feature performances from popular musicals and songs cherished by Paul's family. 

Tickets are priced at €30, with a group rate of €100 for four. Proceeds will be equally divided between the ICS and the Hospice, both of which supported Paul's family during his illness.  

For more information, visit the GoFundMe page, ticket site,  or Instagram page dedicated to the fundraiser. 

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CPC gets green light to build

Cross and Passion College has been granted permission to commence construction on the school's extension and refurbishment project. The development will increase the school’s capacity to 1,000 students.

A key component of the project is the inclusion of six Special Educational Needs (SEN) classrooms, ensuring that the school can provide tailored support to students with diverse learning requirements. 

The expansion marks a key step in accommodating the increasing number of students in the Kilcullen area.

Deputy Sean Ó Fearghaill says the move is a very welcome development for students, staff and families.

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Enjoying the Taste of Kildare promotion at Fallons

There was a large turnout this evening in Fallon’s for the promotion of Taste of Kildare 2026, co-hosted by Into Kildare, the county tourism organisation, writes Brian Byrne. Brian Fallon is a director of the festival, which is being held at Naas Racecourse on 15/16 August.

The Kilcullen event was a barbecue in Fallon’s outside dining space, held to the background of a trio of traditional Irish musicians, Kilteel Eadestown Comhaltas. Welcoming those present, Brian Fallon said the upcoming festival will be a fantastic event, and he thanked Chloe McGroarty of Into Kildare, who lives in Kilcullen, for putting the promotion together.

Tracey O’Dwyer, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council, said she was delighted that the promotion was happening in Kilcullen, which has one of the best food producers in Nolan’s Butchers and some of the county’s best restaurants, including Fallons. “Kilcullen is the place to come to for good produce, good food and good craic,” she said, admitting, to laughter, that she might be ‘a bit biased’. 

Full details of Taste of Kildare 2026 are available on the festival's website, with news and offers detailed on the event’s social media.

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