Kildare's Culture Corner

Miriam Mulcahy: 'Walking To The Foot Of The Sky'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Miriam Mulcahy is a Writer, Journalist and Editor who contributes to The Irish Times. Miriam joined Tara in studio to discuss her brand new book 'Walking To The Foot Of The Sky' where she walked the Beara Breifne Way in a journey through Irish landscape, history and renewal.

Kevin Lalor-Fitzpatrick on John B. Keane's play, 'Moll'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 19 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Fourth Wall Laois Theatre Group brings John B. Keane’s MOLL to audiences as part of its 2026 tour. Director, Kevin Lalor Fitzpatrick, joined Hannah on this morning's Kildare Today to discuss what the audience can expect from this performance which ends on Saturday, May 23rd in Kilcullen. This production promises an evening of theatre filled with dramatic energy, humour, and emotional depth, delivered in the unique spirit of Irish stage tradition.

Nick Kelly on his documentary, 'The Song Cycle'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:01:17 +0000

Winner of the Best Independent Film at the 56th Galway Film Fleadh and the Audience Choice Award at the IFI Documentary Festival, The Song Cycle tells the story of Kelly’s novel attempt to travel by bicycle from Ireland to perform at the 2022 Glastonbury Festival, accompanied by his great friend and fellow musician Seán Millar who tracks his progress on public transport and performs onstage with him in venues along the route each night.

Lesley Bond on her first novel, 'Blasket Bound: Memoirs of an Island Caretaker'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:20:44 +0000

Lesley Bond, who lives in Monasterevin, joined Hannah in studio for this mornings Culture Corner. Lesley and her partner Gordon were the first couple to embark on the six-month caretaking residency on the Great Blasket Island - one of Ireland’s most remote and historically rich locations. Lesley’s book ‘Blasket Bond: Memoirs of an Island Caretaker’ reveals how the past continues to shape the present

Martin Malone on his new book 'Pike Hill: A Rath Massacre'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:35:00 +0000

KILDARE author Martin Malone, known for his works of historical fiction, has recently published a new title, 'Pike Hill: A Rath Massacre', drawing on the 1798 Rebellion while focusing on the human side of the story. The novel will be officially launched at an upcoming Irish Military Seminar on May 6th in Naas Library, introduced by Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District Cathaoirleach, Cllr Noel Heavey. A Kildare Town launch follows on May 28th, in Kildare Library.

Louise Nealon on her new book 'Everything That Is Beautiful'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:19:00 +0000

Louise Nealon, Kildare best-selling author of 'Snowflake', has just released her second novel, 'Everything That Is Beautiful'. The novel is about family, both chosen and biological, and the version of the truth we choose to tell the people we love most.

Ruth McDonnell on 'Ruairi's Dancing Rainbow', Inspired by her Son

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Kildare's Ruth McDonnell talks about her book ‘Ruairí’s Dancing Rainbow️’ which is a children’s book inspired by her son Ruairí, who she lost to a rare neurological condition in 2022. This book takes you on a journey where Ruairí’s creativity and colourful imagination shaped how he plays, and how life’s little pleasures can bring so much joy!

Dearbhla Mescal on her new book 'Finding Joy: Words to Capture the Beauty of Ordinary Life'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:43:35 +0000

With words that soothe and encourage, this book of poetic musings based on Dearbhla's practice of acknowledgement the joys in her life over twenty-eight days is the perfect comforting literary hug for anyone who wants to briefly catch their breath in their busy lives. Dearbhla joined us in the studio to chat about her debut book, and life after her cancer treatment

Sharon Sexton on her One-Woman show coming to the Moat Theatre

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:15:00 +0000

A Naas native and former St Mary’s College pupil, Sharon returns to the Moat stage for her first solo show here since her standout performances in Liza Minnelli (2011) and Girls’ Night (2012). Her solo concert from the UK, is coming to The Moat Theatre, for the first time on Feb 22nd.

Breda Reid on 'The Link' Community Magazine for Newbridge

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:29:58 +0000

Breda Reid, editor of 'The Link', joined us in studio to discuss the new 34-page, full colour community magazine being created to celebrate the people, places and stories that make Newbridge such a vibrant town

Tanya Sweeney on her debut novel, 'Esther Is Now Following You'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:27:14 +0000

Journalist and Author Tanya Sweeney was in studio for this morning's Culture Corner to discuss her book 'Esther Is Now Following You'. This book is a funny, fresh, and deeply affecting story about celebrity fandom and what happens when it all becomes a bit to real. On Thursday, January 29 The Chamber at Naas Library and Cultural Centre will host a special event at 6pm. Bestselling author, Emer McLysaght will be interviewing Tanya about her book. The event is free to attend.

Eadestown Church Choir

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:04:00 +0000

The Eadestown Church Choir is a group of local friends, neighbours and parishioners that have been together for over 25 years. After releasing their first fundraising CD sixteen years ago, they released a Christmas album on 1st December this year. The Eadestown Church Choir as of today has over 7,000 followers worldwide on Spotify. Some achievement for a local parish choir from Kildare! Siobhan Fay, Eadestown Church Choir leader, and Elaine Owens, choir member, joined us in the studio to chat about the choir and their new Christmas album.

Steffi Fennelly on her first children's book 'The World is in Our Hands'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:22:00 +0000

Athy author Steffi Fennelly has launched her first children's book 'The World is in Our Hands'. The colourful book is a magical Irish adventure that helps young readers better understand climate change and endangered species, and is catered for readers between the ages of 3-12. What starts as a game of hide-and-seek in an old library quickly turns into the adventure of a lifetime. Emilie, Harry, Jack, Jasmine, and Hee-ji are pulled into a magical book—and land in the Arctic, where the walruses William, Wanda, and Wandum ask for their help.

Mario Corrigan on 'Kildare Town Legacy'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:11:40 +0000

Mario Corrigan, Executive Librarian with Kildare Library Services, joined us to discuss Cill Dara Historical Society's new book 'Kildare Town Legacy'. It includes 3 distinct Photo sections with over 250 photos, as well as 50 historical articles relating to Kildare Town and environs with accompanying images. It completes the cycle of articles that were first published in the Kildare Nationalist from 2009-2012 by reproducing the last 50 of those 200 articles in book form and complimenting the three previous publications, Druim Criaig', 'Snapshots in Time' and 'Kildare Town in Focus'.

James Durney on his new book 'Special Powers: Civil War Internment at Newbridge Barracks and Tintown Camp, 1922-24'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 13:56:31 +0000

Historian James Durney's new book tells the untold story of Ireland's forgotten prisoners who, in the shadow of the civil war, found themselves trapped behind the wire at Newbridge Barracks and the Curragh internment camps — imprisoned by former comrades who had once fought alongside them against the British. Drawing on primary sources and firsthand accounts, 'Special Powers' reveals how the final battles of the Civil War were fought not on battlefields, but in the jails and camps where former comrades became bitter enemies — a dark chapter in Irish history that has remained hidden for too long.

Dr Shane Bergin on his children's book 'The Experimenters'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 12:47:30 +0000

Newbridge native and physicist and Associate Professor at UCD, Dr Shane Bergin, has written a new book called 'The Experimenters' — an interactive story that transforms everyday family moments in the kitchen or garden into playful science adventures. Describing it as a cosy, fun, and creative way to spend time with the kids, 'The Experimenters' hopes to helps children develop the skills scientists use on a day-to-day basis.

Liam Aungier on his second poetry collection 'Landfall'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:52:21 +0000

Allenwood resident, Liam Aungier, has had poems published in The Irish Times, Poetry Ireland Review, and other publications across Ireland and the U.K. 'Landfall' is his second poetry collection, taking inspiration from nature, and the passing of his parents, to which he dedicated the collection to.

Dr Tom Madden on his new book 'St Brigid, A Definitive Story'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:01:50 +0000

Dr. Tom Madden, a lecturer, author and theatre director discusses his book 'St. Brigid, A Definitive Story'. A portrayal of the formative years of St. Brigid, the book is illustrated with original art, maps and a photographic survey, fully immersing the reader into the history of Ireland's Patroness

Anne Kelly on her debut novel, 'The Heir'

hannahkelly607@gmail.com (Hannah Kelly) — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:36:15 +0000

Eadestown resident, Anne Kelly, discusses her first debut novel 'The Heir', a ‘romantic fictional and factual novel’ dated in 19th century South Yorkshire.