Kilcullen Diary

The Irish Civil War only lasted eleven months, ending in May 1923, but it left a terrible legacy in death and economic destruction. The conflict is said to have cost up to £50m, in actually waging the war and in dealing with subsequent compensation claims. But it's the local claims which give an insight into the real money. Produced by Brian Byrne.

On the first morning back to Scoil Bhride since the March coronavirus lockdown, we talk to parents as they leave their children to the school. Produced by Brian Byrne.

Four Kilcullen area primary school principals talk about the imminent return to school for their pupils after a disrupted last term and rocky summer. Produced by Brian Byrne.

Shoeboxes were important to us youngsters growing up in Kilcullen in the early 1950s. For their original purpose they had no interest to us at all. It was what they could become. Produced by Brian Byrne. Graphic by Don Davis, courtesy NASA and JPL.

On this day in 1922, a shot from a sniper at an ambush in County Cork killed Michael Collins, revolutionary, soldier and politician. Produced by Brian Byrne.

“At last more or less free. Am writing this two days after we were informed of the Armistice and we ceased our work in slavery, as it might have been called.” These were the opening words in a letter my Uncle Barney began to his aunts in Kilcullen, Peg and Nora, on the 17th of August 1945. The context was the surrender of Japan after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in WW2. Produced by Brian By...

It was in the building at the back of the yard in the family pub, over which was the 'loft' where coffins were stored, and the Boxing Club had space for training and a ring to spar in. But to us children the 'factory' was the most curious and interesting place when it was in action. Produced by Brian Byrne.

On 15 August 1998, a man with a child on his shoulders posed for a photograph in Omagh, Co Tyrone. Shortly afterwards the car beside them exploded, killing 29 people and wounding hundreds. The man and child survived, the photographer did not. Produced by Brian Byrne.

Cllr Rob Power of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District discusses how progress is being made, and might be further improved, on facilities for cycling in mid-Kildare. Produced by Brian Byrne.

The internet, social media, the now almost old fashioned newspapers, and ever-present TV chat shows, make becoming a celebrity, or instantly promoting a business, available to everybody. But back at the turn into the 1950s that wasn't at all the case. Produced by Brian Byrne.

An eight-minute film produced by three college friends and premiered recently on Youtube highlights the harassment regularly experienced by young women in Ireland's nightclub and dance scene. 'Guy' was produced by the Luna Collective, which comprises Rachel O'Sullivan from Kilcullen and her friends Ryan O'Donnell and Graham Butler Breen. In this episode they tell how the film was made. Podcast pro...

When Jim Collins gave me a printout of the 'Irish Motor Directory and Motor Annual 1914-1915', I remembered a red Indian. Nope, not a native American. Nor even a person from the sub-continent. It was a motorbike. I never saw it, but my grandad often talked about it. When I saw the registration number IO 91 in front of James J Byrne's name in the IMD, it kind of came to life. Produced by Brian Byrn...

On this day in 1975, an attack in County Down by members of the UVF paramilitaries left three members of the Miami Showband dead and two injured. Produced by Brian Byrne. Photograph of Parnell Street memorial by UtDicitur, from Wikipedia via Creative Commons licence.

Writer Hazel Gaynor's latest book launches in Ireland on 6 August 2020, in advance of launches in the UK and America. Hazel's books have made it to the Best Seller lists of publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, and the Irish Times. Her latest, published by HarperCollins, is The Bird in The Bamboo Cage, based on the true story of a group of English and American schoolchildren and thei...

That Was The Week, a reminder of some of the main news stories on Kilcullen Diary to the week ending Sunday 26 July 2020. Produced by Brian Byrne.

On Saturday 25th of July 2020, a new milestone was added to the history of motorsport in Ireland. More than a score of vintage and veteran cars completed the original 1903 Gordon Bennett course twice in a day, the first time that had been done since the actual seven laps race itself. Produced by Brian Byrne.

The first Kilcullen Saturday Market hosted at the Community Centre this morning was a busy affair. Lots of customers for those stalls which were kicking off what looks to have the potential of a very successful weekly event. It was opened by the presenter of Eco Eye, Duncan Stewart. Produced by Brian Byrne.

Thursday 19 April 1934 started as a quiet day in Naas, Co Kildare. But a putative Sheriff's Sale of seized cattle led to what were later described as 'Wild Scenes' and resulted in a series of court cases against local farmers for 'The Naas Cattle Drive'. Produced by Brian Byrne. Photo: a clipping from the Daily Sketch shows the scene at an attempted sale of seized cattle at Dublin Cattle Market in...

Hazel Gaynor's latest book, The Bird in the Bamboo Cage, will launch in Ireland on 6 August 2020. The novel is based on the true story of a group of mainly English children and their teachers, caught up in the Japanese invasion of part of China during the Pacific War. Once again, the author brings a story from history back to life for today's readers. Produced by Brian Byrne.

On this day in 1938, a small monoplane landed at Baldonnel Aerodrome outside Dublin. The plane and the pilot were supposed to be in California, according to the flight plan he had filed before leaving an airfield in Brooklyn, New York. 'Wrong Way Corrigan' would become a long-lived catchphrase. Produced by Brian Byrne.

On this day in 1799, an inscribed stone which had been uncovered in the wall of the Fort of St Julien at Rashid in the Nile Delta was brought to the attention of the French Army officer in charge of the fort. The discovery of the 'Rosetta Stone' was to lead to a re-understanding of an Egyptian hieroglyphic script which had effectively died out by the 4th century AD. Produced by Brian Byrne. Photo...

A look at some of the main stories covered on Kilcullen Diary to the week ending 12 July 2020. Produced by Brian Byrne.

In the early 1950s, from Naas to Shannon was a long way to go for a drink after hours ... unless you knew a friendly aviator. Written and produced by Brian Byrne.

A cycleway for Kilcullen Community Centre is being called for by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer. Report by Brian Byrne.

That Was The Week - A look back at some of the main stories on the Kilcullen Diary for the week ending 5 July 2020. Produced by Brian Byrne.