Fatima Memorial Garden a real community effort

Th IS time last year the good people of Fatima breathed a large satisfied sigh after all the hard work put in throughout the year had proved well worth it following a very successful 70th anniversary celebration weekend for the area.

The tight knit community came together to celebrate and remember old friends past and the four-day celebrations proved memorable and enjoyable for all involved. Rather than rest on their laurels the hard working committee immediately set their sights on a new project which has now been concluded and which will be unveiled this weekend.

On Saturday August 5th next, the dedication and blessing of the Fatima and Castletown Memorial Garden takes place in the grounds of St Joseph’s Church.

The garden is dedicated to the memory of those who have gone to their rest from the area. The project was funded by the proceeds raised from the Fatima 70 celebrations last year. The materials used were sourced locally and contain a very important part of local history thanks to the foresight of some of the committee members.

The memorial garden’s outer wall was built using stones from the “Back of the Wall” after members of the committee asked contractors could they have them when work was being done earlier this year for the Mount Avenue Link Road Scheme. A part of local history which would have been lost to the area forever, will now take pride of place in the new Memorial Garden.

The inner wall was from stone from the old Castletown boundary wall, and the upright stones were the Gates of hamills house, the first school in the area. The work was carried out by a group of Trojan workers who saw the task as a labour of love. It is hoped that the opening shall be well attended and that the Garden would be a place to come, reflect and evoke the memories of all who gave so much to the community.

Members of the committee would like to thank all the people who helped make this project a reality whether that be by financial contributions, donations or physical labour. It was a real community effort and the all who gave their time to make it happen are much appreciated.

The garden will be blessed by a priest after 6pm mass this Saturday and everybody are most welcome to attend the event.