APH
Source: Contact Magazine 1979
One of the finest playing fields in the County, Kenny Park, formerly the ‘Back Lawn, has had a long association with the G.A.A.
Origins
Originally it was part of the area belonging to the Leper hospital and adjacent doctors’ houses. With the disappearance of the Hospital the field known as the “back lawn” was left to the people of Athenry for a park. Trustees were appointed to look after the “Park”, to raise money for improvements and so on.
Legal battles
The last of these trustees tried to sell the land and actually succeeded in doing so only to end up in the courts, of law. This ended with the restoration of the lands to the people of the town. Louis O’Dea, lawyer, played a big part in the legal battles that proceeded the attempted sale. New trustees’ were appointed including James Ruane, Stephen Jordan, Michael Walsh, James Barrett, Michael Kilkelly and John Cleary. Running into financial difficulties the grounds were vested in .the G.A.A. like many of the grounds in the country. Gradually officials of the Gaelic Athletic Association replaced the local trustees. The only remaining local trustee is Richard (Dick) Mulkerns of Caheroyan.
Tom Kenny
The original Kenny Memorial Committee was set up in 1947 to honour Tom Kenny. It was a committee of leading Gaels of Co. Galway. The committee’s objective was to honour Tom: members of the same committee are still running the affairs of the pitch. Two sites were chosen as suitable for a playing field. Athenry was chosen and so the name ‘Back Lawn’, was replaced by Kenny Park as a tribute to Tom Kenny, Craughwell.
Tom Kenny was from early youth associated with the G.A.A. and participated in its games for many years. He was at a very early age, a member of the Galway County Board and later held the office of Chairman for a number of years, including the year 1925 when the Galway Senior Hurling team won its first and only All-Ireland Championship. He was also a playing member and assisted in the training of the Galway Senior Hurling team that won the Croke Cup Championship in 1909. From 1909 to 1916 he was Chairman of the Connacht Council as well as being a member of the Central Council of Ireland (G.A.A,)
‘Galway Blacksmith’
In the fight for independence he was prominently connected with every organisation that stood for freedom, so much so that a member of the British House of Commons once asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland “Was Ireland to be ruled by a Galway blacksmith?” He was the founder of Sinn Fein in his parish and helped to build up the I.R.B. He was appointed centre of the branch and later was centre for Co. Galway and Connacht, as well as a member of the Supreme Council of the I.R.B, in Ireland.
Official Opening in 1955
The present pitch was officially opened by Dan O’Rourke. Roscommon (Chairman of the Coimacht Council) on the 3rd of July 1955. Frank Kilkelly was appointed manager of the Kenny Park in 1970.
The problems facing the park at the moment are vandalism, locks and windows have been broken and over-use in wet conditions. Plans for a stand have been drawn up and it is only a matter of time before the physical appearance of the park will change once again.
Enigma
The actual history of the ‘Kenny-Park’ or ‘Back Lawn’ is not accurately known by many people. Should anyone have further details that could enlighten us on the enigma that is Kenny Park we would be grateful for the same.
