Local man details history of Legion Hall

FOLLOWING our front-page article (February 5) entitled:

‘Purchase of historic building ruled out’, Killester resident Bill Kelleher, has pointed out some inaccuracies pertaining to the article.

Mr Kelleher points out that the Irish Times accurately archives the Legion Hall (pictured) in Killester, as being built in 1932 by, and for, the British Legion.

“It was not built in the early 1920s, had no specific connection to the veterans’ housing scheme, and its pre-WW2 fate was largely a matter of indifference to many of the WW1 veterans and their descendants,

? he told Northside People.

“The original ex-servicemen’s Hall was destroyed by arsonists in 1928. That originated as a wooden structure for the builders on the Killester development who replaced the

‘inadequate’ veterans employed originally. Resentment amongst the veterans and the community followed, further aggravated by the Legion Hall’s subsequent role in rent collection from the veterans.

“The Irish Times archives many instances of impoverished veterans representing themselves in court against the Irish Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Land Trust prior to the Leggett SC Judgment in 1946. Both issues remained as open sores and directed the early community in its attitude to

‘The Hall’.

?

On housing, Mr Kelleher said that ultimately 289 homes were built, not 247 as reported, and not exclusively bungalows but including two-storey, detached, and semi-detached styles.

“The

‘cultural significance’,

‘huge historical importance to the local community’, and social role attributed to the Hall by others has been exaggerated. Neither

‘Legion Hall’ appears on the 1931 OSI map as none existed between 1928 and 1932. During those years, and up until WW2,

‘The Woods’ (now Hadden Park) and its Scout Hall primarily met the social and recreational needs of the fledgling community. This continued throughout WW2 and beyond as documented.

?

Mr Kelleher believes there was

“a more delicate reason why the disabled veterans habitually didn’t use the Legion Hall and its green space to the exagerated degree claimed

?.

“Proud mutilated soldiers do not opt to be pushed in wheelchairs or struggle on crutches when they have a better option out of public view,

? he explained.

“The Woods provided a central communal place for families well used to veterans’ disfigurements to relax together in privacy. Children need fewer explanations when everyone’s father is disfigured too.

?

With regard to commemoration Mr Kelleher added:

“Collectively, the area encompassing the original housing scheme is the war memorial that was dedicated to

‘our’ veterans, and not the Legion Hall.

“We should be conserving the homes, green spaces, paths, roads, and trees throughout their intended monument.

“These men selflessly shortened their lives and sacrificed their health to protect us.

“In all decency, we should reciprocate by keeping our promise to honour their memory and protect their descendants’ birthright.

?