Kells Local Heroes
Pride of Place
Pride of Meath
Kells Local Heroes was established in November 2011 in the midst of the economic recession with one objective, namely to re-invigorate life back into local commercial activity and improve the cosmetic look of the Town.
Following a well-attended Town Hall meeting in the Headfort Arms Hotel, a catalogue of ideas were put forward by members of the public aimed at bringing about positive change and thanks to the kind generosity of local businessman Barry Lynch who donated an office for our benefit, KLH was up and running.
The first priority was the look of the streetscape and after 66 derelict & unsightly properties were identified, a painting programme got underway to brighten up the Town's image with a major emphasis placed on creating a new colour scheme for Kenlis Place which links Farrell street and John st. The results transformed the look of Kells in the eyes of locals and visitors.
Other projects soon followed aimed at strengthening the sense of community in Kells.
The Summer Street Parties in 2014, 2015 & 2016 proved to be a popular success as well as the annual Live Crib event at Christmas not to overlook our popular fund-raising annual winter quiz league.
Subsequent conferences on developing a Town Plan and developing the arts have also proved popular. They continue to be a work in progress.
Meanwhile, the KLH bio-diversity Plan is being rolled out as is the ongoing work with Kay Deignan and the local Pride of Place team on the maintenance of the Parnell Garden adjacent to the Catherine McAuley Centre.
Our Creative Director Mark Smith is leading the project to move the old Kells printing press to a new home at the Sawmills on Church Lane and has developed the unique 'Type Trail' event which is now very much part of the Summer programme of events in the Town.
Elsewhere, the Hinterland Literary and Guth Gafa International Film festivals have added immensely to the annual local social calendar attracting thousands to Kells each Summer while helping enormously to raise the national profile of the Town.
In January 2015, Kells Local Heroes collaborated with 5th Meath Scouts, The Special Hands activity group, Kells Tennis Club and Councillor Sarah Reilly to raise funds for the reconstruction of the outdated Playground at the Fair Green. Working with Meath County Council, this joint operation delivered one of the most advanced playgrounds in the Country which has proved to be hugely popular with Kells families.
In 2016, Geraldine Walsh and Ann McEntee with the assistance of Angela Ryan rolled out the colourful Summer flower-box programme on Farrell St. which will extend to surrounding streets in the coming years.
The trojan effort put in by KLH since 2011 has paid off greatly with the awarding of a €50,000 grant by The Heritage Council in 2017, selecting the Town as a pilot project to improve and revamp the heritage look of John street and Castle street.
Kells was selected ahead of 22 other 'walled' towns for this project which in itself is a reflection on the work, commitment, and dedication put in by volunteers in transforming the Town in recent years.
This work was carried out in 2018 with the assistance of Meath County Council which has greatly supported all our endeavours since KLH was established.
The Good Friday litter pick is now an annual event with participation growing each passing year.
The publication in 2019 of "Kells-Solving our own problems" Report in association with the Irish Walled Towns Network, The National Heritage Council and Meath C.C. will see a number of projects developed in the coming years.
The creation of a 'Town Team' to ensure all community groups are represented by one Committee in all future engagement with Meath County Council and Government agencies is also evolving.
In the Summer of 2020, an initiative driven by our own Miriam Manning and Cllr. Sarah Reilly with the backing of strong local support, saw the completion of a circular N52 pathway creating a much-needed and highly popular walking & cycling route around the outskirts of Kells Town.
The objective of KLH is to make Kells a better place to visit, work and invest in. Co-operation and commitment come from civic-minded individuals and everybody in the Town benefits from the outcome.
Things can only happen through the participation of dedicated local people who care for their town and have a vision for the end result.
In time, Kells will be the envy of other towns and villages in Co. Meath but we need more volunteers and donations.
Kells Local Heroes, which is a not-for-profit group, is by the community, of the community, for the community.
If you wish to get involved, contact the office on 087-137-1508 or email us on: kellslocalheroes@gmail.com.
Alternatively, write to us at:
Kells Handball Club, Church Lane, Kells, Co. Meath A82 V9R0 or on twitter: @kellslocalheroes
Become a local hero and take pride in your home town!
Kells Local Heroes, What's it all about?
By: Ken Murray
The KLH core Committee comprises of:
(From the left)
Ann McEntee, Mark Smith, Ken Murray (Chairman), Angela Ryan, Geraldine Walsh, Kay Deignan (Secretary), Miriam Manning, and Barry Lynch (Treasurer).
KLH history.
Awards and projects:
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Pride of Place.
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2024:
- First Place: Street-scape Category.
- Kay Deignan's Tidy Town recognition.
- Initiating the Secret Garden development.
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Upgrading Michael's bed on Church Lane.
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Helping paint the Vincent Theater.
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2023:
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Biodiversity Workshop.
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"Kay Deignan" - PoP Volunteer of the Year Award.
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First Place: Street-scape Category.
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Civic Achievement Award.
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2022:
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First Place: Vacant Buildings.
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2021:
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Painting:
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Maudlin Cottage.
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MCC The Green Kilometre Initiative:
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N52 KLH's area of responsibility.
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Planted 900 pollinator bulbs.
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Planted 150 native trees & shrubs.
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2020:
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Launch of KLH's Website.
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Painting:
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Railway gate.
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Maudlin property.
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Kells N52 Walk/Cycleway.
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Kells in blue (Covid-19).
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2019:
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Gold Medal: Anti Litter League.
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First Place: Youth Project, in collaboration with Type Trail & the fifth class of the girl's Lady of Mercy Junior School.
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2018:
- Gold Medal: Anti Litter League.
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First Place: Youth Project.
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First Place: Large Towns > 2000
- 2017:
- First Place: Large Towns > 1000.
- 2014:
- Third Place: Towns - Category B.
- Meath Business & Tourism Awards: Finalists Non-Profit Organization Recognition.
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2013:
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First Place: Vacant Premises.
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Second Place: Large Towns.
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Lima Awards 2013:
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Finalists Best Community-Based Initiative.
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2012:
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First Place: Large Towns.
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2010:
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First Place: Centres from 2000 - 5000.
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Community:
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2019: Launch of the Heritage Report.
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2018: Fund approval for N52 walk & cycleway.
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2017: Kick Start initiative.
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2015: PlayGround generation on Fair Green.
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2013: Kells Cinema.
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Other initiatives:
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Free Parking.
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Dog Fouling Campaign.
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Good Friday Litter Pick.
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Living Crib.
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Kells 1200 Street Party.
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Conferences:
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2018: Green Scape Biodiversity.
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2017: Solving Our Own Problems.
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2016: The Bigger Picture:
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May: The Greening of Kells.
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December: Planning for the Future (KLH 5th Anniversary).
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Environment:
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Every Can Counts.
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Bio-diversity.
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Peat-Free Compost.
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Other initiatives:
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Maintaining the Parnell Gardens.
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Maintaining the Heritage Centre Beds.
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Summer window flower boxes.
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3, 3-Tier Planters 2019.
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2, 3-Tier Planters 2020.
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Enhancing the look of Kells
KLH added a touch of style, beauty and colour through planting, maintaining flower beds as well as placing flower boxes & planters around Kells.
It also utilised native plants and trees taking into account our bio-diversity Plan by using products that adhere to our environmental objectives to encourage and sustain wildlife.
Changing the cosmetic look of Kells
KLH enhanced the look of the Town by applying bright exteriors to unoccupied buildings using colours that emphasize our heritage.
Cosmetic work was also done to derelict buildings, improvements were made to shop fronts, front lawns were trimmed thus creating an improved colourful and positive image.
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Raising Awareness
KLH constantly carry out initiatives to raise community awareness regarding important issues that help to highlight pride in our town. Some of these include: litter picks, anti dog-fouling stencils on streets, recycling, bio-diversity, arts projects and helping community groups with their work.
KLH & the Community
KLH can only succeed with the support, encouragement and involvement of the community whether it's a litter pick (Good Friday or when called upon), a fundraiser, donation or just a good word said to our volunteers in appreciation of our efforts. It's one of the things that keep us going.
A big part of our community is Meath County Council, our local councillors and Kells Fire Brigade. Their support for what we do is also essential and greatly assists in helping us to achieve our visions for Kells.
KLH greatly appreciates the wonderful support of our sponsors be it businesses (small & big), non-profit organisations, voluntary groups and individuals.
Their kind assistance has helped us enormously to carry out our ongoing projects.
KLH always welcomes new volunteers
Contact Us Here!
Kells Local Heroes
Kells Handball Club,
Church Lane, Kells, Co. Meath.
Ph: 087 137 1508
Email: kellslocalheroes@gmail.com
