Kells has its own 'Operation Transformation' for Maureen

Kells will be a hive of activity next weekend as volunteers take to the streets to undertake the town's very own 'Operation Transformation' in anticipation of the visit of Hollywood icon, Maureen O'Hara. Volunteers will meet at the Kells Chamber of Commerce office at 9am on Saturday to begin the clean-up to make the streets of Kells a boulevard fit a Hollywood Queen! The' Quiet Man' actress will visit Kells the following weekend, on Saturday 26th May to receive the Freedom of Kells, and locals are hoping Kells will be looking its very best for the visit. Already some of the vacant or derelict buildings have been power-hosed by volunteers in preparation for painting. Fleetwood has generously donated paint to assist in the transformation and many of the building owners made financial contributions towards the cost of equipment and materials. The Local Heroes group has produced a leaflet, which was distributed to houses and businesses around the town encouraging them to get behind the clean-up, be that by painting and tidying up their premises, putting out window boxes or hanging baskets, or updating their window displays. The flyer also outlines Meath County Council's painting initiative whereby €100 of a grant is available for painting buildings in the centre of the town. The work is being carried out under the umbrella title of Kells Local Heroes, which comprises various groups in the town including the Kells Tourism Forum, the Pride of Place and Tidy Towns committees, the Maureen O'Hara committee, the newly formed Arts Kellective, Kells Traders and Kells and District Chamber. A meeting to co-ordinate the weekend's effort will take place tonight (Wednesday) at 7.30pm in the Kells People's Resource Centre. "If you're involved in a sporting group, club or committee who'd like to get involved, can you let us know by contacting Kells Chamber in advance of Saturday," asked Kells Chamber president Geraldine Gaughran. "This will allow us to have an idea of numbers and plan the day's work." Volunteers are asked to report to Kells Chamber's office on Carrick Street at 9am on Saturday morning to join in 'Operation Transformation'. To read the full story see this week's Meath Chronicle.