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Save our hall

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

ANGRY Northside residents packed out a protest meeting last week to voice their opposition to plans to demolish a hall built in memory of locals who served in the First World War. Earlier this year, Northside People reported that the landmark British Legion Hall in Killester was under threat. On October 30, Dublin City Council received a planning application for the site.    The proposal consists of the demolition of the existing hall and the construction of a two-storey crèche with 10 parking spaces.  The hall was built in the 1920s as an amenity for veterans of World War 1 and is the last remaining structure of its kind in Ireland. Up to 50 people attended last Thursday night’s meeting (November 12), which was called by Clontarf ward councillor Aodhan O Riordain (Lab) and former Green Party councillor Bronwen Maher, who recently joined the Labour Party.   Artane man Noel Cullen, secretary of the local Royal British Legion branch, was among those who attended the meeting. The local branch has called for the hall to be preserved in remembrance of the local soldiers who served in World War 1. The British Legion, who provide support for ex-British servicemen and their families, believe it is time that people remembered the many men from North Dublin who served in the war. Mr Cullen said: “This site should be preserved for the use of the local community and in memory of the men who fought in the First World War. “I will be supporting the local campaign to preserve this building; it is part of our history and it is only right to commemorate men who gave their all.” Killester Garden Village was built for returning soldiers and sailors in the 1920s and the hall provided a meeting space for local families, many of whom are still living in the area. “The hall should be renovated and given over to the local community as a public amenity,” added Mr Cullen. “The role of Irishmen in the war has been receiving more and more recognition recently. Before, people weren’t really able to talk about it. “I myself served in the British Army in the ‘60s and have been with the British Legion for 40 years – there are ex servicemen on every street in this city. “It is time young people were allowed to find out about the men who served in these wars. This hall is part of that history.” Shay Nash, secretary of Killester Garden Residents’ Association, said there was a lot of local opposition to the planned demolition. “This site has a great historical significance and has served the local community well,” Mr Nash told Northside People. “It should be restored and left to locals as a public amenity; it has always been known locally as a judo hall and for its dance classes. “It is also important to remember that this is an area where 247 bungalows were built for the families of men who fought in World War 1. “Dublin City Council should now look to protect this unique development.” Cllr Ó Ríordáin and Bronwen Maher said the open space surrounding the hall has been valuable for local residents and any building on the site will remove an existing right-of-way. They pointed out that the land is zoned for amenity use and believe the area has an “adequate number of well run childcare facilities”. In 2005, Ms Maher called on Dublin City Council to include the Legion Hall on the record of protected structures. However, the local authority did not support the call. Both Ms Maher and Cllr Ó Ríordáin are currently awaiting a further report to the North Central Area Committee about the possibility of listing the building and have pledged to continue to oppose any planned demolition. A spokesman for Dublin City Council said observations to the planning application have to be submitted by December 3 and a decision is due by December 24.