‘The tennis courts were the heartbeat of Kilberry’

Lorraine Breslin (McKeever) recalls her cherished memories of playing tennis as a child at the tennis courts in Kilberry and shares her hopes that the amenity can be brought back to life for the next generation to enjoy.

In the golden haze of my childhood, the sun-drenched tennis courts held the backdrop to some of my most cherished memories.

The story my family tells about how tennis started in Kilberry is pretty special to me. My grandmother, Kathleen McKeever, was ahead of her time and was adamant about creating an opportunity for women to get into sport too.

A mother of fourteen, her sons had hurling and football but there wasn’t much for her eight daughters. So, the McKeever family decided to use part of their farm's land to set up grass courts, and they became a hit not just locally but drew in clubs from all over.

Eventually, the courts found a new home, thanks to my grandparents and local man, Pat O'Brien. They handed over the land, Pat O Brien’s side later went to the Reilly family, who are still big players in keeping our community active and healthy.

These courts were like the heartbeat of Kilberry, alongside Wolfe Tones and Torro United, shaping how we do sports here. You can bet that most folks in this tiny village can give you a run for your money in tennis, even if they haven't picked up a racket since they were kids.

And it wasn't just a sport for us; it was a community glue. All ages used the space, playing competitively or just messing around. You could be facing off against someone way older than you, which built resilience and a drive to prove yourself.

It spanned the generations, pulling everyone together. The courts gave us youngsters a place to go, kept us on the straight and narrow, and filled us with focus and pride in our community.

It was more than tennis; it was a shared journey that connected us all, from little kids to the elders, making Kilberry feel like a big, extended family.

Amidst the laughter and competition, the memories of our combined efforts to knit damaged nets back together, try to keep unruly moss at bay and relentlessly hunt for lost tennis balls in the cypress trees that my own father helped to plant when he was just 12-years-old, lingered as testament to our unity.

Those moments of teamwork and shared purpose, mending the wear and tear inflicted by time, reflected the resilience of our community and bound us together. And so, with each repaired net, we wove not just threads of nylon but strands of memories that strengthened the bonds of our community.

When the Kilberry Amenity Group shared a post about the courts on their Facebook page, they were flooded with messages from across the world. People from far and wide shared their stories and experiences, underscoring the significance of this special place.

In an era where community ties often feel strained, the outpouring of affection for these courts serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of communal spaces. The need for such gathering places is more imperative than ever, fostering a sense of togetherness that is often lacking in our insular societies today.

Our wish now, as adults, is to tap into those blissful sunny days of our childhood and revive the courts for the next generation. We see, from experience, the need for gathering spots where our local young folks can just hang out, no stress, and really feel like they're part of something bigger than themselves, no matter who they are. It's not just about creating a cool space; it's about building a community hub where everyone can come together, old and young alike and share stories, and create new memories. We want our neighbourhood to be a place where belonging is at the heart of everything we do.