Forms for joining the Kilcullen Garda District Text Alert scheme are available from The Grocery in Calverstown, Kilcullen Garda Station, Kilcullen Credit Union, and scheme committee members. Please encourage neighbours and friends to join.
Have you a toddler to look after, and would really like some social company of people in your similar situation?
Well, Kilcullen Community Carer & Toddler Group meet every Wednesday from 10am-12 noon, in Kilcullen Parish Centre.
All are welcome, and further information is available from kilcullentoddlers.com or on their Facebook page at KilcullenCarers.
Juvenile Registration at Kilcullen GAA is today, Saturday 28 February, at 2pm in the club house.
Fees this year are €55 per child, or €135 for a family, which includes minors.
If you cannot make it today contact either Jacinta Sully (087) 668 9028, or Albert Keenan (087) 216 8045.
Tuesday 24 February turned out to be a busy night for KBC as we played three matches two at home and one away, writes Enda O'Neill, PRO of Kilcullen Badminton Club.
Our first home fixture saw Kath's Division 10 Mix side host Danum. Kath’s team had just suffered their first league defeat the week previous and were missing their trusted team mate Ben Phelan for this game, however the performances of the night went to their super sub Clive Cole who helped the team to a fantastic 6-0 victory winning both his games. This win cements Kath's top spot once more and ensures a Quarter Final spot. Well done to Kath, Margaret, Dave and super sub Clive on another flawless preformance.
On the center courts Sarah and her Division 6 Mix team who were out to make it four out of four wins against second placed PSLC. Again it was the mix pairings that won the night, taking the four out of four mixed games to clinch the match 6-2. This win means Kilcullen's Mix 4 team sit proudly at the top of the table with 12 points with second placed PSLC on 8 points and level on matches. Barring a disaster the KBC outfit are sure of a Quarter Final place, but they did say that the Titanic was unsinkable, so we won't count our chickens yet! With two league matches to go Sarah and the Division 6 team need a draw to put them safely through.
Our final match on Tuesday night saw Caroline's Division 3 Mix team play Dunboyne, in their fifth league fixture. Going into the second mix KBC were 3-1 down and had it all to do to get a draw, but the team dug deep and got a 3-3 draw. Well done to Caroline, Annette, Niall and Darren.
Sinead's Division 3 Mix 2 were away to Kadka on Thursday 26 February in their DDL match. Again in a close match Sinead, Lynsey, Dave and Murt came away with a 3-3 draw, this solid away draw keeps them in the hunt for that second place spot. The team are now in third place in the group just two points behind second place An Caislain Nua. It’s still all to play for going into the last few matches. Well done and good luck to Sinead and the gang.
Finally John's Division 5 men were home to run away table toppers Lucan on Friday 27 February and needed a least a point to keep them in prime position to take that second place spot. Lucan are definitely the team to beat and are cruising in this Division 5 league yet to be beaten. The KBC lads put up a brave fight but were beaten 3-1 in a close match. Second to fourth is still tight but the lads still hold second spot on 12 points with PBAI in second on 8 points but with a match in hand. PSLC are in third on 7 points but level on matches. Thankfully PBAI’s game in hand is against Lucan so hopefully Lucan will keep up their current form… for now!.
There was a big attendance at the Lost Buses Protest and Campaign meeting yesterday in Athy Library, writes Sean Cleary.
Kavanaghs have reduced their bus service to Dublin Airport and Bus Eireann were about to do the same but following a meeting that attracted nearly 200 last week, attended by the Minister for Transport, the National Transport Authority CEO and Bus Eireann, it was agreed to postpone this until the end of June.
The Kavanagh services on the N9 have been reduced to three in the morning, all before 7am and from Dublin one at midnight, one at 4.30am. and one at 6.30 in the morning and a 5.15 evening bus. Bus Eireann has not served Castledermot, Moone, Timolin, Ballitore and the N9 to Kilcullen, Naas and onwards, for years.
The object of the N9 committee is to restore a State Subsidised Service that should be provided by Bus Eireann. The Athy, Castlecomer and N9/Castledermot Committees have now joined with other Bus Action committees right down to Kilkenny.
There will be a major meeting next Thursday at the Assembly Hall in Athy Community College organised by the Joint Committees and it is essential that there be an overflow attendance. The National Transport Authority will be in attendance again. All public representatives are expected to attend.
This must be a show of the strength of public opinion about the straw that has broken the Irish rural camels' backs. They have taken Garda Stations, and Post Offices, reduced the Eligibility Ceiling for Medical Cards for married and cohabiting couples by €5,000, piled on Water and Property Taxes, but they said they would not touch the Free Travel Pass. They didn't, but, as one speaker proclaimed — 'They took the buses instead!'.
It will be a peaceful meeting. No demonstration please, that's the best way of losing now. Come to Athy College on Thursday at 8 o'clock, you may not use buses today, but students, workers, hospital visitors and patients need them, and we are all getting older and the day may soon come when it might be better to take the bus.
If there is one!
A reminder that Newbridge Gospel Choir and Dolce will be performing in St Conleth's Parish Church, Newbridge tonight, Friday 27 February, to raise funds for the Maintain Hope Building Fund in Kenya, writes Brian Byrne.
'Raising the Roof' starts at 8pm. The subscription for what should be a very enjoyable evening of music and song is €10.
The MC for the event is Lisa Nagle, and tickets for it are available from Newbridge Parish Centre, or from Berneys Chemists Kilcullen, and will also be available on the door.
On Monday next, from Cork, folk/indie/pop/jazz singer/songwriter/guitarist, Cormac O'Caoimh returns to play BAG at Mick Murphy's, Ballymore, writes Roy Thompsone of the Ballymore Acoustic Gigs.
Last time Cormac played, he went down a treat; I'm hopeful that this time even more of you good folks will come out and hear one of the most original Irish acts I've heard in a long time.
Spread the word, and come on out! Doors 8:30pm; showtime 9:15pm. See ye in Mick's!
The Achieve Learning and Assessment Centre, currently located on the Curragh Road, is moving to a new home within Kilcullen Community Childcare and Education Centre from March 1st.
The Centre offers a full education psychology and tutorial service and was established in Bradfield House in 2013 by Pat Devenney.
Pat, Marcia and Siobhán are looking forward to meeting all their clients in the Centre's now location.
A 3k wheelchair-friendly route has been added to the 5k Fun Run organised by Grainne McGrath, scheduled for four weeks' time.
There is again great interest in the event, first run and walked last year.
The funds raised from training and entry to the event itself help St Joseph's NS, Halverstown, and St Anne's Special School on the Curragh.
Training evenings are Tuesdays and Thursdays.
We will have a Clothes Recycling Day at St Brigid's NS, Ballysax, on Wednesday 4 March 2015, writes Margaret Harte. Please donate all your new and used men's/women's/children's clean unwanted clothing, shoes, belts, handbags, ties, household textiles, stuffed toys and similar. Mobile phones can also be donated and placed in a separate bag.
Clothes can be left in the PE hall on Tuesday 3rd March between 2-3 pm and again between Wednesday morning 9-10 am.
This is a great way to raise money for the school as we are paid per weight of items donated. So please support by clearing out your unwanted clothes! Thank you.
Also, to celebrate World Book Day and raise funds for the school the PTA are hosting a Monster Book Sale in the school hall on March 8 from 11am-2pm. There will be a huge selection of books for young and old. All books €1. It was a huge success last year. Everyone was amazed with the fantastic selection and terrific value.
If you are Spring cleaning and want to recycle and help the school at the same time please send in your books to the school any day from Monday 2 to Friday 6 March.
The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw on Tuesday 24th February 2015 were 6, 12, 16 and 24. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €9,400.
The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Tommy Walsh (Promoter Kilcullen Credit Union), Joe Robinson (Joe Robinson), and Joe O’Farrell (Anne Brennan).
The winners of the Promoters Draw were Rose McMahon and Adrienne Byrne and the winner of the draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night Marie Shanahan.
The Parish thanks all those who continue to support the Lotto.
Motorists using the N9 are asked to be aware of a loose pony near Halverstown.
The warning came through the Kilcullen Garda District Text Alert System.
Four Dublin District League matches to report on this week and first out were Kath's Division 10 Mix team, writes Enda O'Neill, PRO of Kilcullen Badminton Club.
After such a great run in the season so far Kath's team hosted a very well organised and experienced Skerries side. In this tough match Skerries handed Kath and her team their first league defeat, beating them 5-1. On speaking to the team afterwards this defeat has only strenghtened their resolve to win the league and to be a champion you have to taste defeat. Good luck to the team in their next match and hard luck to Kath, Mags Ben and Dave.
John's divison 5 Mens had two away outings this week the first on Thursday February 19 away to PBAI. This match didn’t go to plan and John and the lads suffered only their second defeat this year in a closely fought game, PBAI coming out victors 3-1. Friday 20 February John's team were again away this time to PLSC in Portmarnock, the defeat the previous night had to be put right as the second, third and fourth place positions are very close. In another hard match (even with one game been decided in the third set with a 29-30!) and in front of coach Paddy, KBC came away with a big 3-1 victory. This win puts the Division 5 Mens team second in the league with only 3 points between second and fourth, its looking like this group could go right down to the final match. John's next outing is at home on Friday 27 Februray against table toppers Lucan and the men will need to get at least 1 point out of that game. Good luck to John and the lads.
Our final match this week was a home fixture on Friday 20 February with Nicoles Division 9 Mix hosting Dunboyne. Nicole and the team had an impressive 4-2 victory and keeps them on top of the league table. It's been a great run for Nicole, Maeve, Kasi and Olivier this season so far who also made it to the Division 9 Cup Final. Unfortunately they were beaten 3-1 in the Final against Clontarf, but making any final is a great acheivement. Good luck to all the teams in their upcoming matches.
Pictured are Kasi, Nicole, Maeve and Olivier.
It is with great relief and delight that I welcome the measures announced in support of small schools recently, writes Marion Sherlock, Principal of St Joseph's NS, Halverstown.
As announced by TD Martin Heydon in his recent press release, 'Small schools play an essential role in rural life and I welcome the package of measures announced this week as they provide security and protection for our small schools'.
Small school are a cornerstone in so many small town lands in rural Ireland and have become the life and soul of these communities. In recent years, grandparents and the wider community members have become more integrated into the daily life of these schools. The recent measures to reduce the necessary pupil enrollments to retain a teacher in a one, two, three or four teacher school is heartening and for some schools threatened with the prospect of losing a teacher next September a lifebuoy. However for many other schools it does not go far enough.
These reductions in enrollment figures are for retention of teachers only. Five years ago a school had to have 81 pupils on roll to both retain and acquire a fourth teacher. Today (after reductions) a school still needs 83 pupils to retain a fourth teacher and 86 to gain a fourth class teacher. Similar differences remain for schools wishing to retain or gain a second or third class teacher. These reductions sound great and are a welcome stepping stone on the journey to reversing the destructive measures inflicted on small schools over recent years. If we are to believe that our government is serious about supporting small schools in rural Ireland and the communities they support and serve, then all these cuts must be reversed in total.
In addition to these staffing issues, all schools including small schools are struggling with numerous other cuts to education over recent years. The reduction in capitation grants over successive recent years is forcing schools and consequentially parents to fundraise to pay basic school bills. While the return of the annual Minor Works Grant last school year is more than welcome, we should not be backslapping the government for returning a grant that is so essential to the upkeep and maintenance of a school building. All schools have a backlog of repair and maintenance needs lined up for attention following the absence of this grant for some years. Furthermore we have been given no guarantee that this grant is here to stay. How can a school plan effectively with such ad hoc arrivals of essential funding? In recent years, the most vulnerable children in our schools, those with special educational needs have been robbed of a basic entitlement - resource hours which have been granted to them. Only 90% of any hours granted to a pupil with specific diagnosed learning, physical or emotional needs is awarded to them. This cut needs to be reversed immediately to ensure all children a fair access to education. These are but a few of the major cuts that schools and children have had to suffer in recent times.
I truly hope that this positive step announced by our government is a sign of brighter days to come. I live in hope.
Fourth Class pupils of Scoil Bhride NS have started a 10-week programme of learning the guitar.
In the sessions so far they have learned some basic chords, and how to apply them in a number of popular songs.
A concert for parents will feature at the end of the course, which is being given by Don Nea.
A Festival training event will be held in Kildare town on Tuesday 10 March, writes Brian Byrne.
Aimed at organisers of festivals around the county, it is being run by the Walled Towns Network in partnership with Kildare County Council, in the new Solas Bhride Centre.
Topics on the course will include identifying and working with key project stakeholders; planning, co-ordinating, management and marketing of events; finance, branding and PR; and running the festival in the most environmentally friendly manner.
Places are limited; if you wish to attend please book through Kildare Town Heritage Centre by phoning 045 530672 or by email info@kildareheritage.com. Last booking Wednesday 5 March.
The 'Little Gnomes' weekly Parent & Toddler Group at the Kildare Steiner School has resumed.
It operates on Wednesdays between 10am-12.30pm at the school's Rathargid campus in Gormanstown.
As a meeting place for children from infant to three years and their parents, it has a designated room and garden space at the School.
Information from the school office at 045 401919 or info@kildaresteinerschool.org.
A reminder that Cross & Passion College TY students will be performing 'Grease' as their annual musical presentation, on 10-12 March.
Tickets will cost €10 and will be available from the School Office from 2 March. They always sell out, so book early if you want to go.
A €40 donation as a Patron will provide two tickets, two raffle tickets, and a programme.
There are has been a very strong support from local businesses by way of spot prizes for the show. These include Hair by Eilis, Frosty Moon Jewellery, Purity Belle, Shelly's Barbers, Deasy Photographic, Happy Faces Face Painting, Irish National Stud, National Leprachaun Museum, Stonebrook Pet Farm, West Wicklow House, Lily O'Briens, MusiCo, Newbridge Silver, Irish Fairy Door Company, J&A Shabby Chic, Hazel Lawlor Hairstyle, Pixy Natural Skincare, Rosso Solini, and The Steam Museum.
The Diary has learned of the death of Michael Fitzpatrick, Moanbane Park, and formally of Templemore, Co Tipperary.
Michael will be sadly missed by his loving wife Nancy, his son Shane and daughters Karen, Louise and Lorraine, as well as his brother John and all the extended family, especially his grandchildren.
Michael is reposing at his residence from 12 noon on Monday, and prayers will be said there at 8pm. Removal will take place on Tuesday at 10.30am to Kilcullen Parish Church for 11 o'clock Requiem Mass. His funeral will be afterwards to St Brigid's Cemetery.
Family flowers only. If desired, donations may be made to Tallaght Hospital, for which purpose there will be a donation box in the church.
May he rest in peace.
The mid-term break is being taken advantage of to get the rough work done on new gardens in the grounds of CPC, writes Brian Byrne.
The work is being carried out by local contractor Michael Murphy, and contributions to the cost have been made by a Kildare County Council grant and Kilcullen Development Association.
The plan includes the provision of new paths across re-landscaped parkland to a central hard-top area with seats. A planting schedule will be devised in the coming week or so.
Four trees had to be taken down unexpectedly prior to the landscaping work, when they were found to be badly rotted and dangerous. They included a beech tree that might have been up to a hundred years old.
"They found that one of them had apparently been struck by lightning," says Noel Clare of KCA/Kilcullen Tidy Towns, which is monitoring the work. "A large bough at the top was all blackened and ready to fall."
For a later stage of the garden development, there are plans to have a feature installation in the central hard-top area.
From handling the logistics of a workforce of 400 men on the Corrib gas project to setting up a gifts and flowers shop on Kilcullen's Main Street sounds like a long journey, but for Liz Curran Downes it's actually quite a short distance from her home area of Milltown, writes Brian Byrne.
Although to some extent, she has come about it in an even more circuitous way, via several visits over recent years to family in Australia. To be able to do that, she worked exceptionally long hours on her previous job.
"But now they've come back, and they're living in Kildare, so I don't have the reason to work so hard to be able to go and see them, and anyway to get the same kind of work that I had in Belmullet, I'd have to travel abroad myself."
'Easy Living Gifts & Flowers' was thought by some to be merely a pop-up shop for Valentines weekend when Liz opened her doors a couple of weeks ago. But it isn't, she's here for the long haul.
"I'd been looking at Caragh or Kilcullen, and a friend advised Kilcullen and especially this end of town," she says. "A key thing was that I wouldn't be competing directly with anyone else."
Well, there's always crossover in small retail business, but the 'Easy Living' operation has a number of individual items in gifts for men and women that make it worth a browse for those on such an errand. Jewellery and cosmetics are part of her stock in trade, too, and in addition to fresh flowers she also has a range of silk artifical ones.
There's a big selection of cards, and party items, trinkets and things that you mightn't think of looking for but be glad you found them when you did.
Most of all, though, it's really nice to see another shop open in town. Let's all do our best to help keep it here. Remember the truism, keep your town in business by keeping your business in town.
Welcome, Liz.
Cross & Passion TY students are hosting a Coffee Morning on 26 February to raise funds for the Senior Citizens Group.
It's being held in the Parish Centre from 10am and everybody is invited to attend.
The event will include music and a raffle. Save the date.
A Vintage pop-up shop Clearance Sale will be held in Kilcullen on Saturday 28 February.
It will be located in The Cottonwood Tree between 11am-4pm.
Phone Denise on 086 2151054.
A Blood Donor Clinic will be held in Kilcullen Community Centre on Thursday next, 26 February, writes Brian Byrne.
The clinic runs from 4.30-8pm, and all regular donors are asked to attend.
New donors are also welcome. The blood donor phone line is 1850 731137.
Potential donors should be feeling fit and healthy, be aged between 18 and 65 years (but not including 65th birthday), and weight over 50kg in weight.
Just a reminder the annual Kilcullen Lions Club Table Quiz will take place tonight, Friday 20 February, in The Hideout.
The funds raised will be used to support local clubs, charities and other associations.
The cost is €40 for a table of four.
A number of fundraising events are planned by the Kildare West Wicklow SPCA over coming months, writes Brian Byrne.
They include a Dog Walk on the Curragh Racecourse on Sunday 1 March, beginning at 2pm.
There will be a prize for the best dog and owner appropriately dressed for Dt David's Day (patron saint of Wales).
On Friday 2 April, Good Friday, an Easter Egg Hunt and Dog Walk will be held at Punchestown Racecourse.
The event will be between 2-4pm, and children are especially welcome.
There is no charge for either event, but all donations on the days will be welcome.
The KWWSPCA helpline is 087 1279835.
The annual Kilcullen Parish Feis will be held in the Kilcullen Community Centre on Sunday 1 March.
This event has been running for more than four decades by the Landers family in aid of Kilcullen Parish Funds. Last year's Feis brought in over €5,600 to the cause.
Competitions will begin at 9.30am, and bookings can be made by phoning Jenny at 087 2028141, Mary at 087 2236133, or Tracey at 087 6533706.
The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 17th February 2015 were 1, 11, 13 and 27. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €9,200.
The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Jim Keogh (Promoter Leanne Clifford), Daniel O’Sullivan (Trish Byrne), and Joan Gosling (Friday Bridge Club).
The winners of the Promoters Draws were Nancy Fitzpatrick and Miriam McDonnell, and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Robert Archbold.
The Parish thanks all those who continue to support the Lotto.
A full local assessment of how best to provide a safe crossing to Scoil Bhride from the Castlemartin and Cnoc na Greine estates is to be undertaken by Cllr Rob Power in conjunction with the school and residents, writes Brian Byrne.
This follows the matter being raised today at the monthly meeting of Naas MD, where the councillor had asked that Kildare County Council provide such a crossing.
There are currently two roads to be crossed from the estates, the one entering the estates area themselves, and a parallel one to the Kilcullen Community Centre and GAA Club.
In a report, the Council responded that any proposal to upgrade the junction to a controlled one or to have access to a school warden would 'be subject to need and to availability of resources'.
Cllr Power told the Diary afterwards that he will now consult with the residents and the school with a view to deciding what would be the most suitable form of crossing, especially taking into account the expansion of the school currently under way.
Nancy Poulain's Petits Pets Boutique is reopening this morning after a major renovation.
"I'm looking forward to seeing my customers again," she says. "I thank them for their patience.
Nancy set up Les Petits Pets in Kilcullen in 2012, and from very small beginnings now has a business which offers just about everything for the care of pets, as well as an extensive range of pets for sale.
A fundraising Table Quiz organised by the Brannoxtown NS PTA is being held in the Stray Inn on 27 February, questions kicking off at 8.30pm.
A bit of a bargain at €30 per table of four, there will also be a raffle and refreshments on the night.
Definitely a social event for your diary.
Kilcullen people will welcome news that plans are progressing for a new 100-bed unit at St Vincent's Hospital in Athy, which will include dementia-specific beds and a day-care facility.
The Hospital has traditionally looked after many Kilcullen people who need such care in old age.
According to Martin Heydon TD, it is estimated that the design process will take 18 months with a further 18 months required for construction.
“New HIQA guidelines mean that facilities such as St Vincent's will need significant investment to comply with the standards," he said today. "Confirmation from the HSE and the Minister that plans for this investment are progressing is great news for Athy. This will be an investment in the provision of health care for the ageing population of South Kildare and will also secure an institution that is one of the largest employers in the town."
