KILCULLEN: 25 April 2001: by Brian Byrne. Kilcullen lost an important, and probably unique, part of its built heritage last week.
The ‘stop’ sign stuck in a barrel for more than two years at the exit into Kilcullen from the M9 was turned over by vehicle or person unknown, and there’s local concern that it might not be replaced.
The sign, along with a neighbouring ‘in barrel’ one indicating no entry to the off-ramp, have long been accepted as the Kilcullen ‘motorway sculpture’ which is an integral part of all by-passes, such as the Naas ‘world roads’ ball near Concrete Pipes.
Such sculptures are provided from a special part of the EU funds which are used to build our motorways, and are intended to give each by-passed town an element of personality. The sculptures are normally commissioned by the local authority.
“We’ve grown to love our barrels,” one regular motoring local told KNN yesterday. “And for commuters coming off the ramp it indicates that they’re home, or at least close to home for those who live a little further out towards Athy. If it is not re-erected quickly, I’m afraid the barrel and sign might just disappear altogether.”
There has been talk of mounting a petition initiative to ask Kildare County Council to repair the ‘barrel sculptures’ immediately. “They might also consider planting daffodils in the barrels, as the grass growth in them shows an excellent growing medium,” another local woman suggested.