Kilmessan village begins bid to regain county Tidy Towns title

For years, Kilmessan village was top of the tidy towns in Meath, before Moynalty's long run of success. The village at the foot of the Hill of Tara won the county title eight times before construction sites and infrastructure developments made it impossible to maintain the aesthetics of the place. Now, most of that work is complete and Kilmessan is looking to reviving community development and activities in the village, which includes reviving the local Tidy Towns (TT) effort and providing other facilities for the community. The impetus for all of this came about with the formation of the Skane Valley Action and Development Association, formed after the area was left isolated during last winter's heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures. Businesses and community organisations have joined forces to put Kilmessan back on a solid footing after this neglected period, and have put forward a plan to Meath Partnership as part of its Ten Villages project. As part of its fundraising, a Skane Valley Fun Day is taking place this Sunday, 21st August, in the old school field from 1pm, with proceeds going towards the development fund. Events include a dog show, pony rides, bouncing castle, pets corner, barbecue, hurling shoot, novelty events for adults, vintage tractor display and a gladiator contest, followed by a kiddies' disco at 5pm in the village hall. The community development group hopes to provide a children's playground in the village, establish a youth café and carry out enhancements to recreational areas and the streetscape, in conjunction with Meath County Council. The group welcomed the inclusion of the village on the Boyne Drive literature, and an information board at Bective Abbey's new car park. They hope to capitalise on Kilmessan's status as a 'railway village' as it was once the junction where the Athboy and Navan lines changed. Recent improvements to the water scheme, the source of ongoing problems, was carried out by Meath County Council, and a realignment of the junction at the Dunsany Road, at the Skane Bridge, is currently taking place, removing the trianglur junction which has been the source of widespread confusion for motorists, particularly those unfamiliar with the area.