Heritage Group delighted with the turnout for ‘walk and talk’
By Maurice Garvey
THERE was a good turnout for the Ballyfermot Heritage Group’s ‘walk and talk’ on July 4, which uncovered a range of interesting local nuggets, including the Stew House, Khyber Pass, and the Builders Hut.
Organised by the heritage group as part of the Ballyfermot Festival, approximately 50 people enjoyed a free tour guide of the area’s local history.
Enjoying the Heritage Walk in Ballyfermot
Starting at Ruby Finnegan’s Inn at 6.30pm, the group took in multiple locations over the course of two-and-a-half hours.
Ken Larkin, from Ballyfermot Heritage Group said they were “delighted” with the turnout, which included some new residents who bought homes in the area and wanted to learn the local history.
“David Mangan from Ballyfermot Heritage Group, who is doing a degree course in Maynooth University, was the guide. We took in the Ranch, Sevenoaks House, Khyber Pass, Markievicz Park, and the Builders Hut, which served as a Church while they were building Our Lady of the Assumption.
“This also served as the Stew House, nicknamed because the Sisters served food to people from there. It then became Our Lady of Victories Youth Club. We also saw De La Salle Monastery and school, the Dominican school, Our Lady of the Assumption church, Kylemore College, California Hills Park, Johnstown House – which is the Monastery for the De La Salle Brothers at St Johns College – Grange Cross, The Lawn, and the Castle and Graveyard.”
Ken continued: “On behalf of the Ballyfermot Heritage Group, we would like to thank the vast number of people that turned up and for sharing their memories, especially David Mangan for giving us a comprehensive guided tour.
“Thanks to David Lynch from Ballyfermot Youth Services and St John Ambulance for driving the minibus. Thanks also to Vincent Jackson and Gerry McCarty from BYS for supplying us with a much-needed megaphone.
We hope all enjoyed the walk and talk, and that it brought back some nice memories.”
TAGS Ballyfermot
