Local Faces: Tricia Kellet

THIS week, we feature Tricia Kellett, manager of Rathcoole Community centre as our ‘Face of the Community.’

Tricia is currently celebrating her twenty year anniversary of working for the people of Rathcoole and we were delighted to sit down with her recently to talk about her life and work.

First things first, we had to address the point of how I referred to the estimable local heroine Ms Kellett.

I was introduced to Tricia as Trish and after a bit of back and forth, we eventually plumped for Tricia.

Although many people know her as Trish, she likes Tricia very slightly better, so Tricia it is.

But it’s also Trish, if you follow me.

Tricia, is originally from Gurteen Road in Ballyfermot where she and her sister Val Daly grew up.

Tricia Kellet in Rathcoole Community Centre

Although sadly her dad Dominic passed away in 2020, she’s delighted to tell me that her mum Theresa O’Connor is still going strong.

Like many Ballyer people, Tricia comes from a long line of strong Ballyfermot women.

In fact she recalls a scene from the days when everyone in Dublin came from an enormous family.

“I remember my Granny O’Connor’s 80th birthday party.

“There was so many relatives and generations represented that we had to have it in Liberty Hall.

Tricia Kellet working in the office at Rathcoole Community Centre

“There was actually a picture in The Herald of all of us on the steps of Liberty Hall!

“She was a great woman and sadly she died about a week later.

“On the day of my communion coincidentally.”

She’s now a Clondalkin lady though, having moved to Palmerstown Woods some years ago.

Regular readers might know that a Ballyfermot education is the first step to greatness in life, and I should know, I had one myself.

It’s not a surprise to me that Tricia went on to become such a success.

As the lady herself tells me, “I went to St Louise’s for primary and then to Caritas College on Drumfinn Road.

“I left school at fifteen and went straight into work.”

“My first job was in Dunnes Stores on Henry Street back in the early eighties.

“I worked there for a couple of years and then went into the rag trade.”

In the succeeding years, Tricia worked for various sewing and dressmaking companies all over the city, before landing a job she really enjoyed at Helly Hansen in Cherry Orchard Industrial Estate.

Like many overseas companies at the time, Helly Hansen soon closed it’s Irish facility and Tricia went to work for 3Com in Blanchardstown.

“By then my sons Jonathan and Eric had come along and my life was becoming more hectic all the time.

“Once I left 3Com I took a bit of time out to raise the boys and give them a proper start in life.”

Soon enough, Jonathan and Eric were happily settled in school and Tricia found herself at home twiddling her thumbs during the day, something she really wasn’t used to.

“I started going on courses and really enjoyed them. I did my ECDL at the Bawnogue Enterprise Centre and that gave me a lot of confidence. I became completely computer-literate and knew that was a skill I could use in the future.”

“I then applied for a CE scheme in Rathcoole Community Centre and I had an interview with Mary Maguire.

“I’m forever grateful that Mary took me on and I’ve been here ever since.”

In those early days, Tricia worked closely with a man who would become a mentor and great friend Sean Reid, the then manager of the centre.

“I learned so much from Sean in my first few years there and when I found out he was leaving and the centre would need a new manager, he was completely supportive when I put my name forward to take over.”

“I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Sean.”

Soon, it became a matter of ‘Be careful what you wish for,’ for Tricia.

“I soon found out that there was a lot to manage. A lot.”

Day to day, the centre runs every activity you can imagine, including Maths Grinds, Bridge, Karate, and all manner of dance and activity groups for all ages, as well as many more, too numerous to list here.

“One event we’re particularly proud of is the ‘Golden Years’ tea party for our older residents, which is a big part of our calendar.

“This year’s was held last month and it was a great success.”

“On top of keeping all of our groups ticking over, and dealing with clients and staff and so on, we’re always organising big events and then there’s always fundraising to be done.”

“Obviously we’re a non-profit organisation and funds are always tight.

“We’ve got a great relationship with local businesses and the SDCC have been a huge help.

“It’s still constant work just to keep the lights on and the doors open.”

“I still love my job, hard as it is sometimes.

“The people are fantastic and I’ve felt at home in Rathcoole from day one.”

“It’s a team effort though and the team of staff I have around me are great.

“Also, Christy McDonnell the chairperson, and all the board have been a great source of support to me.”

At home in Palmerstown Woods, is another great source of support to Tricia, her husband Peter.

She’s also a proud mum to Jonathan and Eric, the youngest, who’s now in the Army and stepmum to David and Dara.

The family’s ranks have just been bolstered actually, as Jonathan and his wife Ciara have just had the latest grandchild, a boy who will have reached a strapping four weeks old by the time you read this.

We’re delighted to honour Tricia for all the hard work she’s done for Rathcoole, to make it a better place to live.

But it all comes back to that Ballyfermot education. Trust me.