Memorial park to honour the Kettles opens in Kinsealy

A LARGE crowed attended the official opening of the new Kettles Memorial Park in Kinsealy in honour of Tom Kettle and his father Andrew. 

The park is certain to be of major interest to local history lovers and visitors to the area.

Eamon Madden, secretary of the Feltrim Hill Residents’ Association, told Northside People how the idea for the new park memorial came about.

 “About two years ago myself, Myles Reilly, from Cloghran Historical Society, and Mick Kelly, from the Feltrim and Kinsealy Historical Group, met to discuss how we would celebrate the 100-year anniversary of both the deaths of Andrew Kettle, one of the founders of the Land League with Parnell and Davitt, and Tom Kettle, poet, writer, MP, soldier and one of the original founders of the Volunteers who was killed at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. 

“We thought how appropriate that the local park on Kettles Lane in Drynam, Swords, which was part of the original land of Andrew Kettle, be named Kettles Park. 

“We approached Fingal County Council with our proposal and luckily we realised we were pushing an open door and the plaque was installed by Fingal County Council on the Lord Mayor's (Cllr Darragh Butler) final day of duty on June 16. 

“On September 10 we took part in a walk down Kettles Lane, passing part of the original homestead of the Kettles and then had a small commemoration in the park. 

“We had two speakers – Tom Bourke, founder of the Dublin Fusiliers Association, and Declan Kettle representing the Kettle family. 

“Also, Thomas Kettle, a son of Declan Kettle, read out the poem ‘The Gift of God’, which Tom Kettle wrote in 1916 to his daughter Betty shortly before his death.” 

Mr Madden added: “There were more than 40 people in attendance. We intend that this will be an annual commemoration in early September from now on.”