There was laughter, song and the sharing of cherished memories in Kells on Thursday, 17 July, as former residents and descendants of Coopers Park, also known as “the Croghan”, came together to commemorate a special piece of the town’s history.

More than 60 people gathered behind the Railway Bar for a special commemorative event organised by Kells Local Heroes.  A specially commissioned sign was unveiled marking the location of the old terrace of eight houses that stood there for over a century. Built in the 1870s and home to generations of Kells families, the houses were gradually vacated in the 1970s and ultimately demolished in the 1980s.

Coopers Park was a close-knit community. On Thursday, that spirit was very much alive as representatives from seven of the eight families returned to the site, many with children and grandchildren.

The commemorative sign forms part of the Kells Type Trail, a celebrated local initiative led by community artist and committee member of Kells Local Heroes, Mark Smith, who was on hand to share the significance of the project. “This isn’t just about a row of houses,” Smith said. “It’s about honouring the people who lived here, their stories, their resilience and their love for this town.” The project has now been entered into the Meath Pride of Place competition. Adding to the atmosphere, local studies librarian at Meath County Council,  Tom French, read Old Houses, a reflective poem by Robert Cording, while Jim Maguire – whose family once lived on the Croghan, performed a moving ballad he wrote about his uncle, Jack Rusty Maguire.

Kells Local Heroes is delighted to help revive this wonderful part of our local history.