Fr McCullen Park residents raise a glass to toast 40 years of Kells estate

Residents and former residents of Fr McCullen Park in Kells gathered together on Sunday to mark the 40th anniversary of the estate with a street party. The estate had been spruced up and decorated for the occasion and there was of plenty of food and entertainment for everyone. Local resident, Cllr Tommy Grimes, said every house in the estate got involved and the celebrations continued into the early hours of the morning. Many who had grown up in the estate but now live abroad returned from all over the world for the celebration which was described by Kells Town Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Brian Collins, as a "celebration of friendship, of community and of neighbourhood which has lasted four decades". Cllr Collins said neighbours were there to share the happier moments and to stand together through sickness and grief. "They keep an eye on us in rough patches and give us advice as we walk through life together. We lend and borrow from each other and as children, we play together. We share memories and companionship over a cup of tea and an occasional pint. We watch out for each other's children. And, as has happened here in McCullen Park when the kids grow up and move on and have children of their own, it is not regarded that someone has left but the neighbourhood clan just got bigger," he said Cllr Collins said the spirit of community that runs through Fr McCullen Park was second to none. "It is only natural that people who care for their neighbours and have a strong pride of place will branch out and become involved in their own town," he added. Cllr Collins pointed out that the Kells estate was unusual in that, in its 40 years, it has had four distinguished public servants who came from the estate. "I know the hard work over many years carried out by the late John Caffrey helped many families across the town of Kells. I know that it would have filled him with pride that his son, Peter, carried on his good work and on many cases helped the next generation of those families. "Noel Dardis was a pleasure to be around. His relaxed and calm manner, the way thoughtfully turned ideas in his head and his fairness are qualities I will always remember. I counted him a friend and I miss him greatly," he added. "Tommy Grimes has forgotten more about local government than most of us will ever know. His 37 years' service on Kells Town Council and his current chairmanship of Meath VEC are achievements we can all take pride in. Through the years, I have served with him I don't think a single council meeting has ever gone by without Tommy raising some issue relating to McCullen Park." Cllr Collins pointed said his own family moved to the nearby Cavan Road in December 1970. "In many of the family photos from the time, you can see Fr McCullen Park rising up in the background. Through all of my life you have been my neighbours. And whether you came from such far-flung places as Navan or Nigeria, on behalf of my family, I want to thank you for been such good neighbours," he said.