Community spirit leads to Kilcullen improvements

The progress made by Kilcullen in the last year is a "true testament to the dedication and spirit" of the community, the recent AGM of Kilcullen Community Action (KCA) heard. 

Chairperson Ann Cashman was reviewing the activities of the group in 2024, including the winning of a silver medal in the Tidy Towns Competition which she described as a "well deserved recognition reflecting hard work, collaboration and community pride".

It was a remarkable achievement following the winning of a bronze medal the year before, she added.

Ms Cashman highlighted the Family Day in the Library Garden in August, the ongoing 'magic' of the Kilcullen in Bloom summer flowers, and the community day in the Valley in August during which the performance by Mr Bubbles 'captivated' local children. 

"Another proud moment was the return of the community awards night in November, held in Kilcullen Town Hall," she said. "The venue was beautifully transformed with a fitting Thanksgiving-themed decor created by Transition Year students from CPC." 

The chair thanked KCA members and the Community Employment team for their work during 2024 and local representative cllr Tracey O'Dwyer for her "vital" continued support. Appreciation was also expressed to local businesses for their ongoing generosity and partnership.

In her treasurer's Report, Bridget Ryan highlighted an income for the year of €44,335 and expenditure €44,356 for the group's 2024 activities. She noted that 69 per cent of that income was comprised of grants from Kildare County Council for various projects, with 18 per cent coming from the annual street collections and a further 11 per cent from further donations. She detailed some key expenditures including around €7,000 on Kilcullen in Bloom, some €6,000 on Christmas Lights and in the region of €5,000 on upgrading the Valley Fairy Trail.

Following the completion of formalities of the AGM, which included the required resignation of two directors who were subsequently re-elected, the AGM was closed.

This May will mark 24 years since KCA was established with a view to broadening the base of activities from just Tidy Towns — in which Kilcullen had already participated for very many years — and in the process, pull in interest and support from a wider community. 

Along with a core cohort of early stalwarts, the membership now comprises committed residents from right across a village that became a town in the intervening decades. Meetings on the first Tuesday of each month are open to the public.

A number of upcoming KCA-organised 2025 events include a fundraising Golf Classic at Rathsallagh on 23 May, the Valley Family Fun Day which this year will be held on 17 May, a Library Garden community event on 16 August and the 2025 Community Awards Night on 6 November.