Killester Garden Village Committee
The Killester Garden Village is the largest Irish WW1 ex-servicemen housing estate in Ireland.
The Killester Garden Village Committee wishes to remember the Irish WW1 ex-servicemen of the Killester Garden Village and in remembrance of the Killester men who died in WW2.
ABOUT
The Killester WW1 Memorial Campaign was founded in 2013 by local residents of the Killester Garden Village in initial efforts showcase and make awareness of the unique and interesting history of Killester.
The campaign then went on to campaigning to the save the old Legion Hall of Killester from being demolished by developers in 2014.
In 2022 we officially formed the Killester WW1 Memorial Campaign.
Today the Killester WW1 Memorial Campaign holds an annual Remembrance Ceremony in Killester in honour and in memory of the Irish soldiers, sailors and airmen who lived here in the Killester Garden Village with their families after WW1.
Our campaign is also to honour the men from Killester who died in WW2, many were the son's of the original Killester ex-servicemen.
The Killester Garden Village is the largest military ex-servicemen housing estate in Ireland built from 1920-1923 by the Irish Soldiers and Sailors Land Trust a UK trust established by the Irish Land Act(Provisions for Soldiers and Sailors)Act of Parliament in 1919.
Our current project is to create a community garden as a permanent memorial garden for the benefit of all in the Killester community and wider afield as a place of reflection, reconciliation and inclusion.
We are proposing the site of the community garden to be at the green at Abbeyfield adjacent to the Legion Hall.
Our second project is in researching the Killester ex-servicemen and families to create a single compiled resources or booklet of all the original Killester ex-servicemen and families.
The Killester Garden Village Committee has three main aims:
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To create a community garden at the green in Abbeyfield adjacent to the Legion Hall in honour of the Irish WW1 ex-servicemen who lived in Killester and in recognition of the Killester ex-servicemen housing estate itself. We will also honour the Killester men who died in WW2 and the families themselves.
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To protect and preserve the Legion Hall in Killester, to refurbish it into its original state and return the Legion Hall into public ownership and to set it up as a community centre -named the ‘Killester Community Centre’ which was its original purpose since its foundation by the Royal British Legion in 1932.
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To promote and make awareness of Killester’s unique hidden history and heritage and advocate its importance to the community and wider afield in relation to social history, military history and peace and reconciliation. We have ongoing research into the Killester ex-servicemen and families and can also organise walking tours.
OUR CAMPAIGNS
What We Believe In
REMEMBRANCE
Honouring the sacrifice the Irish soldiers sailors and airmen made in WW1 and WW2 who lived in the Killester Garden Village with their families.
Recognising the unique history and heritage of the 'Killester Colony'.
PEACE AND RECONCILIATION
Being inclusive and respectful as the Killester Garden Village has ex-servicemen of different religions, beliefs and politics.
Killester veterans and families included both Catholics and Protestants, Nationalists and Unionists and of all walks of life, but had one thing in common all being ex-servicemen.
COMMUNITY
Supporting the community by creating the Killester Community Garden for as a much needed amenity for the community for both old and young.
The green space at Abbeyfield , Killester beside the old Legion Hall in the site for the Killester Community Garden which will be a huge benefit for the community.
GET INVOLVED
We Need Everyone
JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN
If you are interested in joining the Killester Garden Village Committee, whether you be a local resident, descendent of an original ex-servicemen, local buisness, community group or sports group or a currently serving or veteran of the military, please do get in touch to join us and support the campaign.
HELP US RESEARCH
If you are interested or have some experience or expertise in researching etc
We would be happy to get your help in researching the lives and stories of the individual Killester ex-servicemen.
289 ex-servicemen houses were built consisting of Abbeyfield (for lower ranks e.g. Privates/Sailors), Middle Third (non-commissioned offciers e.g. Sergeants) and The Demsne (Offciers e.g. Captains). The Orchard and Royal British Legion Hall were added on in 1932 to the estate.
The Community Garden.
These are artists illustrations of what could be possible for our community garden at Killester.
Thanks to Damien Meade of Octagon Simulations for the designs.
Project - The Killester Ex-servicemen Centenary Booklet.
The Killester Garden Village Committee has commissioned two experienced WW1 researchers Mr Michael Nugent and Mr Nigel Henderson to compile a full list of all the Killester ex-servicemen with a brief biography and short history.
We hope to create a booklet by the summer of 2023 were we hope to launch the publication in the centenary year of the completion of the Killester Garden Village.
We can not do this work with out your support, if you could please donate via our Go Fund Me page or if you an assist us with funding or grants.
Gallery
Upcoming Events
Sat, 26 AugKillester26 Aug, 12:00Killester, Memorial Garden, Abbeyfield, Clontarf West, Killester, Co. Dublin, 5, IrelandIn August 1923 the first Irish WW1 ex-servicemen and their families moved into the new community of the Killester Garden Village. These 'Homes for Heroes' were built from 1920-1923 consisting now of 289 ex-servicemen houses for these Irish veterans and their families after the Great War.
Sat, 11 NovKillester
CONTACT
0830444313
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