Winning Gold Medal 'defining moment' for Kilcullen

ATTAINING a gold medal in the 2025 SuperValu National Tidy Towns Competition was a defining moment for Kilcullen, the recent AGM of Kilcullen Community Action (KCA) heard.

KCA is an umbrella voluntary organisation that includes Tidy Towns work and other initiatives for the enhancement of the town.

Chairperson Ann Cashman described winning gold as a major milestone for the town, following achieving the bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024.

She said the success reflected sustained collaboration across the community and the impact of the Kilcullen Town Design Principles, which helped raise standards and guide long-term improvements recognised by adjudicators.

She thanked KCA directors and members, the CE team led by Noel Clare, treasurer Bridget Ryan, and company secretary Tony O’Sullivan, for their ongoing work and leadership.

Appreciation was also extended to local representative cllr Tracey O’Dwyer for her invaluable ongoing commitment and support, local businesses for their generosity and partnership, and the Gahan family for their continued support of the planting programmes in KCA's polytunnel located on their land.

She also highlighted the importance of community events and creative projects, including the annual library garden family event, the provision of further street art, gatherings in the Valley, and the return of the community awards night in Kilcullen Town Hall.

Looking ahead, she said Kilcullen Community Action is planning new heritage and public art initiatives and continuing its search for a permanent base.

Concluding her final report as chairperson — she is stepping down from the role after eight years — Ann said she was proud of all that had been achieved and she is confident KCA will continue to shape the next chapter of Kilcullen’s story.

On behalf of the other members of the group, Eoin Houlihan thanked Ann for a “fantastic job” over her eight years in the chair.

"You've done extraordinary, amazing work over that time," he continued. "I think a lot of people don't see the work that you put in, keeping everything in check. It's not something that one just fires together in two or three minutes."

Meanwhile, KCA is in a good financial position. Treasurer Bridget Ryan said in her report. The group, which is a registered charity, recorded a total income last year of €51,930 and total expenditures of €46,818.

She observed that the surplus and bank balance should be regarded as working funds for planned annual projects, which typically exceed €40,000. These include expenses related to Tidy Towns, the Kilcullen in Bloom street flowers programme, Christmas Lights, and various other event outgoings.

She also noted that the insurance fees amounting to €3,000 represent a high-cost relative to the total funds managed by KCA.

Grants received from Kildare County Council in 2025 totalled slightly over €27,000, representing approximately 53 per cent of KCA's income. The treasurer acknowledged this as very significant support from the council.

Other major funding sources included the golf classic and its associated raffle, as well as street collections. Contributions also came from the public, local businesses and other organisations, such as Kildare Credit Union.

"However, the goodwill of the community and the voluntary work that's done by people in the group, you can't show that in figures," Bridget noted.

Following the formal AGM proceedings, updates on current projects and concerns were discussed.

These included the ongoing struggle to spread volunteering beyond the “same few people”, and the need for continuing fundraising through the year so that projects and events are pre-funded.

Traffic, parking, and public space issues also came up. Noel Clare noted that the current improvement work on the downtown Kilcullen footpaths and Market Square by Kildare County Council is one of the most transformative things to have been done in the town.

Eoin Houlihan raised concerns that even before it is finished, there have been instances of cars parking on the new footpaths, and he suggested additional bollards near the pedestrian access areas to prevent some motorists from doing this.

Cllr O'Dwyer noted that the traffic warden is active on a regular basis and fines are being issued.