Dear Member Groups,

As we come to the end of another year, we want to take a moment to thank you for everything you’ve done throughout 2025. The work you do in your communities, often quietly, voluntarily, and always with heart, is what keeps Kildare strong and connected.

We see the effort, the care, and the time you give, and we’re genuinely grateful for it.

This time of year is a reminder of how important community really is. The projects you’ve led, the events you’ve organised, the voices you’ve brought forward, they all make a real difference.

Our network only works because of the people in it, and your involvement is what keeps it meaningful.

We hope you and your families enjoy a peaceful and happy Christmas, and that the New Year brings good health, new opportunities, and plenty of reasons to look forward with hope.

Thank you for being part of the Kildare Public Participation Network. We’re looking forward to working with you again in 2026 and continuing to support the great work happening across the county.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. From all of us at Kildare PPN

Grace and Grainne. 

Kildare County Council provides a free service to the public where they can bring their real Christmas trees to be recycled in a sustainable way.  In total, there are 7 sites across the county where this service is provided.

The Christmas trees are shredded, and the mulched trees are made available to be used on local landscaping projects. The sites are open from Monday the 5th of January till Monday the 19th of January 2026.

Naas

the following Kildare County Council car parks will be free from 15th of December to the 31st of December 2025

Celbridge / Leixlip

There will be free parking in Celbridge and Leixlip from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday to Friday in Celbridge and Leixlip from Monday,15 December to Wednesday, 31 December 2025 inclusive. 

Illegal parking will continue to be enforced as normal in all car parks.  Standard parking fees will remain at all other locations.

Athy  – Clane/Maynooth – Kildare / Newbridge 

There will be no suspension of pay-parking in any other location over the Christmas period of 2025.

We will be closed for the Christmas holidays

from 22nd Dec 2025 – 2nd Jan 2025 (Inclusive)

Reopening 

5th January 2026

Tips and tools for our mental health and wellbeing at Christmas time.

This free webinar offers practical tips and supportive strategies to help you mind your mental health during the festive season. The session will be delivered by Dee Lynch, Education and Training Coordinator at Mental Health Ireland, and will finish with a short Q&A.

This year, RTE will be broadcasting the livestream on the 21st of December, allowing viewers from all corners of the globe to experience this magical experience.

This unique astronomical event showcases the rising of the sun on the shortest day of the year through the solar alignment of the passage tomb at Newgrange. On a clear morning at sunrise, direct sunlight enters the monument to illuminate the chamber for 17 minutes through a small opening above its entrance called the ‘roof box’.

 The Be Winter-Ready campaign is here to help us stay safe and informed about the challenges that winter can bring, with essential advice in these areas:

Do you want to find out what roads are salted across the County?

Kildare County Council currently operate 10 routes within its Winter Maintenance Programme, treating approximately 705 km of Local, Regional & National Secondary Road network in the county. Download the salting route by clicking on the button below. 

Kildare County Council Community Grant Schemes Opening in January

The following Kildare County Council community grant schemes will open on January 20th 2025 and close on March 14th 2025 at 5 p.m:

KCC Arts Service Launches 2026 Creative & Arts Grants and Bursary Awards 

Kildare Arts Service are excited to announce the Art Grants, Commissions and Bursary Awards for 2026.

Inividual artists, creatives, collectives, community groups, youth groups and more are invited to apply. The closing date is Friday, 27 February at 12 p.m.

There are a number of information sessions being held in January providing information on the application process.

Ciste Spreagtha

Fógra Tábhachtach faoi Mhaoiniú

Maoiniú d’imeachtaí Sheachtain na Gaeilge (1-17 Márta)

Tá BABHTA MAOINITHE a hAON (1) den Chiste Spreagtha AR OSCAILT ANOIS

D’fhéadfaí maoiniú suas le €1,000 a fháil d’imeacht amháin nó suas le €5,000 do shraith imeachtaí.

Spreagtar grúpaí pobail le cur isteach ar an maoiniú seo d’fhonn tacú le himeachtaí Gaeilge agus dátheangacha a eagrú le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge 2026.

Níor mhór iarratais a bheith faighte faoi 11 a.m. 14 Eanáir.

Tá tuilleadh eolais agus an fhoirm iarratais le fáil ar snag.ie/cs

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Important Announcement regarding Funding

Announcement regarding funding for Seachtain na Gaeilge Events (1-17 March)

FUNDING ROUND ONE (1) of Ciste Spreagtha is NOW OPEN

Funding of up to €1,000 could be provided for one event or up to €5,000 for a series of events.

Community groups are encouraged to apply for this funding to support the organisation of Irish language and bilingual events during Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026.

Applications must be received by 11 a.m. 14 January

Community Monuments Fund 2026

The Community Monuments Fund supports the conservation, protection and presentation of archaeological monuments. It aims to fund urgent conservation works, improve resilience to climate change, and enhance public access and interpretation.

Funding Streams Available:

Stream 1: Grants up to €100,000 for essential conservation and repair works

Stream 2: Grants up to €30,000 for Conservation Management Plans and detailed specifications of works.

Stream 3: Grants up to €30,000 for improving access, infrastructure and interpretation (including digital/online).

Eligible Monuments:
Archaeological monuments listed in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) or identified in the Sites and Monuments Record under the National Monuments Act.

Collaboration and Innovation Fund 2026

2026 Community Water Development Fund

Arts Council Funding

FREE BEGINNERS CLIMATE COURSE FOR THE OVER 55’S

Course benefits include:

– Understand Climate Terminology
– Understand Barriers to Behavioural Change
– Measure Carbon Footprint
– Choose an Action to Help the Planet
– Action Implementation
– Share Progress & Enjoy the Benefits
– Climate conversations over a cup of tea

Taking place in Naas Library at 10:30am – 12:30pm from the 24th of February 2026.

Book Now By Email at naaslib@kildarecoco.ie or by phone at 045-980795

Social Enterprise Empowerment Programme 

This is designed for community groups with potential to develop into a social enterprise, individual social entrepreneurs and early established social enterprises who could benefit from the course content.

The training is being delivered by Muireann Fitzmaurice, (marketingcoach.ie / Soul Garden) who has worked with numerous LEO’s, mentors business clients and has delivered many social enterprise programmes.

The first session is scheduled to take place on Thursday January 8th from 11am-2pm in the CKLP offices in Kildare, running for eight consecutive Thursdays.

Kildare Commuter Bus Service Revisions

The National Transport Authority is proposing revisions to Kildare commuter bus services to improve capacity, reliability and punctuality, following strong passenger growth. The revised network will simplify routes across the 120, 126 and 130 corridors, introduce new connections to Luas and key employment hubs, and provide increased frequency, including a 24-hour service on route 126. The new network, representing a 10% increase in services, is planned for introduction at the end of 2026, with public submissions open until 10 January 2026.

Public Consultation on SDGs third National Implementation Plan

Monasterevin to Portarlington Greenway – Feasibility Study

Lakeside Park/Dara Park, Newbridge – Public Consultation Survey

Community and Culture, Level 7, Áras Chill Dara, Naas, Co. Kildare

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