Street collection reflects support for Kildare town's flower displays

A RECORD figure of more than €4,200 donated by individuals and businesses in the recent Kilcullen In Bloom street collection was acknowledged and welcomed at the July meeting of Kilcullen Community Action (KCA). 

While the overall cost of the summer flowers programme is substantially higher — the balance covered through grants and other fundraising efforts — KCA chair Noel Clare described the street collection as a “huge” contribution to the town’s biggest ongoing project, and an affirmation of the community's appreciation. 

“It would be very difficult to do it without this support,” he said, paying tribute both to the generosity of donors and to the volunteers who took collector shifts. 

One remark, relayed from a donor, neatly captured how far the town has come: “Twenty years ago, Kilcullen was a dump. Now it's gorgeous.”

Behind the bright flowerbeds and windowboxes is a network of volunteers who water the many planters around town. 

Noel Clare thanked everyone involved in planting and maintenance, singling out CE scheme workers for the “heavy lifting” that makes the ambitious programme possible.

Concern was expressed at the meeting about debris left by people swimming or socialising at riverside access points to the Liffey in Kilcullen during the recent hot spell. Mattresses, socks, and towels have been found among the usual litter, and there have been complaints of anti-social behaviour, including the setting off of fireworks. 

These issues formed the backdrop to a wider discussion about creating a Designated Bathing Area for Kilcullen, which is likely to be a long-term effort, the meeting heard. 

“We're at the bottom rung of the ladder and can only keep climbing,” said project leader Tony Gahan. 

Following representations by Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer, Kildare County Council has appointed a safety assessor to examine possible locations. 

Tony Gahan expressed concern that initial surveys are focusing just upstream of the bridge, where the river is too shallow for swimming. 

But he remains determined: “We’re just going to have to soldier on, and it’s my intention to keep at it.”

The meeting also heard that four new picnic tables, made from recycled plastic and fully funded by donations from Applegreen and local woman Nuala Collins, have been ordered for the Valley park and are due to be installed in September. 

Existing old wooden tables, recently repaired and repainted, remain “fairly functional” and will stay in place until the new ones arrive.

In downtown Kilcullen, five new planters with integrated seating are scheduled for delivery at the end of July for the recently improved footpath areas. 

Each unit will be large enough to support a tree and will have seats on both sides. 

Their exact positioning will be decided by the Kildare–Newbridge Municipal District Area Engineer, with attention to sightlines, bus stop access, and a forthcoming pedestrian crossing. 

KCA also intends to engage with businesses in the area about the type and placement of their own informal street furniture so that the overall effect is coordinated rather than cluttered.

Progress on a major upgrade of the Hillside ‘fish and canoe’ street art area was reported. 

It features refreshed wall art by the original artist, Kieran Behan, and KCA's Ray Kelly, and a newly-provided canoe will be the centrepiece, decorated by artist Cian Mekitarian. 

It will be mounted on bespoke supports made by local businessman Jonathan Keogh. 

Additional stones and planters will complete the scene, and there are tentative plans to extend the canoe-and-river visual theme to a gateway location at the edge of town.

A new mural on the gable end of a refurbished property facing the Newbridge Road is due to be painted in August. 

Sponsored by KCA at a cost of almost €9,000, and commissioned by tender from All Out Design, the artwork will weave together motifs of Kilcullen bridge, a horse, a stylised welcoming hand, the Liffey, swans, badgers and wildflowers. 

The project has already garnered strong community backing, with fundraising ranging from a St Patrick’s Day sponsored swim by The Spout Bar patrons, to table quizzes, coffee promotions and an online iDonate campaign.

KCA holds regular meetings, which are open to members and the public. The next one will be in September.