Forgotten plaque sees light of day... 52 years later

A plaque commemorating the opening of Kilmessan Tennis Club over 50 years ago - and which lay hidden ever since - now takes pride of place on a new building on the village's main street. The since defunct club was based on grounds beside O'Brien's, now Maguire's Pub, in the village, which were opened in 1958. The courts were blessed and opened by Fr Peter Norris, the longtime Kilmessan parish priest, assisted by Fr Terence Caffrey, CC, and the event was commemorated by a marble plaque. However, the plaque was never erected as it couldn't be decided by members what location around the courts or pavilion would be most appropriate. Michael O'Brien, whose family owned the grounds and pavilion, and who was a member of the club, put it in safekeeping at the back of the pub, where it lay until the present proprietor of the pub and grounds, Fergie Maguire, began to redevelop the site and discovered the piece of stone, still in perfect condition. The Meath Chronicle of 28th May 1958 reported that the two hard courts, situated in grounds at the centre of the village, were opened the previous Saturday evening. Fr Norris complimented the members on the completion of their ambitious project and said they could feel justly proud of their work. The club would provide excellent recreational facilities for the young folk of the district, who, he hoped, would use the amenity to its best advantage. Fr Caffrey appealed to the younger generation to join the club. He said the courts were second to none and he hoped they would attract a large membership. The club chairman was Brendan Martin who thanked Fr Norris and Fr Caffrey for performing the opening ceremony. The contractor was Cormac Murray and his staff, Ardsallagh, Navan, and Mr Martin paid tribute to them for the magnificent job they did in laying the courts, particularly the contractor's son, Mr Donal Murray, who was engineer in charge of the work, for his courtesy towards the members at all times. The club had originally been based on grass courts nearer Kilmessan House and the hotel, previous to its move up the street. Members at the time included Marie Martin, Marjorie Hilliard, Annie Kane, Kathleen and Peg Curtis, Frank Courtney, Fintan Murray, Brendan Farrell, Terry Gorman, Micheal O'Brien, Tommy Harlin and Micheal Dunne, amongst others. When they lost those grounds, some members joined Trim before fundraising to open their own courts in Kilmessan, which cost around £1,200 to complete. The grounds hosted many tournaments and finals, as well as friendly tennis matches, and the pavilion was the venue for many socials and dances, both for local members and members of other clubs. Tennis continued for another decade or so at the club, until around 1970, but wasn't able to compete against Kilmessan's preferred sports - hurling and camogie! Fergie Maguire has commemorated the old tennis club by naming his new apartment and retail development on the site as the Tennis Court Pavilion. It has been in construction for just over a year and the old buildings knocked included the Birdie's sweetshop premises, a renowned haunt for generations of children in the village. The new development, which is tastefully stonefronted to fit in with the heritage status of the village, contains three apartments and three retail units. Two of these house Paul Fay Bookmakers and Margaret Walsh's Kilmessan Hair Studio, with a third still available for renting. The architect was Jarlath Rattigan and the old tennis club plaque has been incorporated into the new building, recalling that opening of over 50 years ago.