The local community became involved through Tir na Mona, who are a
democratically elected group of local community representatives.
Specifically, it was their working group, Friends of Donadea Forest Park
that became involved in the development of the future plan for the
park. It was agreed to have three formal meetings each year to discuss
plans and issues, in addition to having as many informal meetings as
required.
The earlier stages of the project were mostly taken up with three
main tasks: upgrading the existing facilities at the park; consulting
with the local community on their recreational needs; and planning for
development of new facilities to be completed by the year 2000. Some of
the upgrading included: repair and upgrading of all furniture and roads
in the park; erection of new signage; and renovation of the shop
facilities. Consultation with the public took place in the form of a
questionnaire that contained eight questions, in which a total of 200
visitors were surveyed between June and July, 1999. Much effort was also
made during 1999 into sourcing funding to help achieve the objectives
set out in the Management Plan and to help realise the dreams of the
local residents. Thankfully, help arrived from KELT, who recognised the
potential that the park offered as an amenity, and they backed up
Coillte and the local community's vision with support from LEADER II and
Kildare County Council.
With the security of funding, work began in earnest during 2000 on
the development of three Walks - The Aylmer Walk, The Nature Trail, and
the Lake Walk. The Aylmer Walk is very aptly titled in that it is the
longest of the three walks at 5km, and incorporates Lime Tree Avenue.
The Nature Trail, as the name suggests, focuses on the flora and fauna
and history of Donadea Park. The Lake Walk is a special walk that has
been designed so that it is fully accessible for people with special
needs.
The official launch of the new walks took place on September 3rd
2000, to coincide with the Community Celebration of Donadea Forest Park
2000. Charlie McCreevy, local TD and Minister for Finance, was the guest
of honour at the celebrations, where he officially launched the three
walks. Also present at the launch were Martin Lowery (Coillte Chief
Executive), Pat Hanrahan (Coillte Midlands Region Manager), and
descendants of the Aylmer Family. Following the launch, a Millennium
Pageant "The Aylmers through the Ages" was conducted at the Castle
(Donadea Castle was the home of the Aylmer family from 1550 to 1935).
Other events that day included a music recital by the Kildare County
Orchestra, poetry readings, and performances by local artists.
This day was jointly organised by Coillte, Tír na Mona, Friends of
Donadea Forest Park, KELT and Kildare County Council. Greater than 2000
people came to witness the celebrations, which was the perfect climax to
almost two years of hard work and effort by the different
organisations. Mr McCreevy stated that the project was "an excellent
example of partnership between a State owned Company, local Agencies,
and the Community." The huge turnout demonstrated the community's
satisfaction in the new recreational facilities and that all the effort,
cooperation, and dedication to the cause was well worth it!
9/11 Memorial unveiled at Donadea
On September 11th 2001, along with 343 members of the New York
emergency services, a young Irish American, Sean Tallon, lost his life
in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre. Sean was a fire fighter
with the New York Fire Department. Sean's father was born in Donadea,
Co. Kildare, and the Tallon family had always kept close connections
with their relatives and friends who still live in the community. In the
year prior to his death, Sean had travelled to Donadea where he visited
the park.
Following the death of Sean Tallon and the tragic events of
September 11th, George Hipwell, Forest Manager was approached by locals
to consider what could be done at Donadea Forest Park to convey the
sympathy of the community and to commemorate Sean Tallon. George
organised a ceremonial planting of an oak tree to which representatives
of the New York Police Department and the New York Fire Department were
invited. This event was attended by approximately 5,000 members of the
public which highlighted the need for a more formal and permanent
memorial to those who lost their lives in New York, Washington DC and
Pennsylvania.
As a result, the Donadea 9/11 committee was formed involving
representatives of Coillte, Kildare County Council, KELT, Tir na Mona
and Friends of the Forest. This group worked together to develop a
permanent memorial at Donadea Forest Park which was unveiled on 21st
September 2003, in commemoration of all who died in the attacks in the
U.S. and especially dedicated to the memory of Sean Tallon.
The ceremony was led by the Mayor of County Kildare, Councillor
Michael Fitzpatrick and was attended by a huge gathering of people
including many from the New York emergency and rescue services, as well
as other dignitaries, all of whom paid tribute to those who lost their
lives. The ceremony was followed by a parade to the memorial site which
was led by the pipe band of the Dublin Fire Brigade. A pair of doves
were released to represent the wish for peace.
The memorial itself is a scaled replica of the Twin Towers, carved
in blocks of limestone. It was designed by Brian Swan, Senior Architect
with Kildare County Council and crafted under the supervision of Bernard
Groome, a local stonemason and sculptor. The memorial is erected on a
specially prepared plinth, with carved crests inlaid in stone flags. The
twin blocks carry the names engraved of all the men and women of the
New York Fire Department, Police Officers and Port Authority officials
who died in the Twin Towers.
The memorial is set in a specially prepared plot of native oak trees in the serene and tranquil setting of the park.
Since the erection of the 9/11 memorial many tours of American
visitors have visited Donadea Forest Park. The initiative has generated
enormous good will among local people and has also helped to further
develop strong partnerships with local tourism and other organisations.
In acknowledgement of the work that has been done locally by the
9/11 committee, the New York Fire Department invited the group to New
York for St. Patrick's Weekend during which they attended mass at St.
Patrick's Cathedral in New York and took part in the St. Patrick's Day
Parade in New York. The parade made its way down 5th Avenue which took
over an hour during which time the Donadea 9/11 committee was warmly
applauded. George Hipwell describes his participation in the parade as
'one of the most moving moments in his life', where he was representing
his country, his county and his company.
Following the parade the committee was introduced to
representatives of the Fire Department, the Police Department, and
family members and taken on a tour of the siIte of Ground Zero.