Our Senior
Camogie Team played their first home league game on Monday evening against
Broadford in difficult weather conditions.
Playing
against a very strong wind in the first half Kill managed to clock up 3 points
and with Broadford scoring 5 points they had all to play for in the second
half.
Kill came
out in the second half determined to use full advantage of the wind and within
minutes had levelled with Broadford and continued to pop over points to take
the lead. Kill’s dominance continued with some well taken goals when the
opportunity arose.
Every player
on the Kill Team played their hearts out and fully deserved the great win.
Fascinating article in the Leinster Leader 12 December 1925 on the compensation tribunal investigating the burning of Palmerstown House during the Irish Civil War. Lord Mayo’s testimony revealed a rather telling if unusual remark considering he knew the assailants, ‘It is only right to say, declared his lordship, that the raiders were excessively polite.’
spellings and grammar retained as in original e.g. standstone = sandstone; htose = those; withness = witness; witness aid = witness said
LORD MAYO’S VIVID DESCRIPTION.
At the Naas Circuit Court on Saturday before Judge Doyle K. C. the claim was heard of Senator The Right Hon. The Earl of Mayo for compensation for the burning of Palmerstown House on January 29th, 1923.
On the date in question it will be remembered a party of men
entered Palmerstown House and proceeded to sprinkle petrol on the
furniture. In a few minutes the entire building was in flames and was
completely gutted before any attempt at extinction could prove
effective. Lord May who with Lady Mayo were staying at Palmerstown House
at the time was, together with members of his staff, held up at the point of
the revolver while the work of destruction was carried out. In the course
of his evidence Lord Mayo paid a high tribute to the services of his groom and
members of the Free State Army on the occasion.
Mr. Phelps, K.C., and Mr. Meyers, B.L. (instructed by
Messrs. White and White) for applicant ; Mr. Lupton, K. C., and Mr. Sheehy,
B.L., (instructed by Mr. R. Brown, State solr.) for the State.
Counsel for the applicant having described in detail the
dimensions and architectural style of Palmerstown House as it existed before
the burning, said that an agreement had been reached with the State that the
amount of compensation for furniture be fixed at £15,000. If, he went on,
they were going to make a proper reconstruction it would be necessary to use
Rosenallis standstone and that would involve extra expense by reason of the
fact that they would have to go to the quarry where the stone was originally
got. What they aimed at was the restoration of a house worthy of the
occupants, and not more extravagant or better than the one which was destroyed. Mr.
Orpen had prepared plans of the necessary reconstruction and had submitted
these plans to Mr. Clayton and Mr. Clayton had submitted the bill of
quantities. Messrs. Harvey and McLoughlin had the quantities priced and
had duly forwarded an estimate for reconstruction and their actual figure was
£35,128 4s 6d. Over and above that, of course, there were other items
which would amount to about £3,000. There were, firstly, the architects’
fees of 5 per cent. and travelling expenses, fees of building and quantity
surveyors and clerk of works. There should also be added a sum of £300
which Lord Mayo had expended in removal of debris and which in the ordinary
course of events would go into the bill for reconstruction. The total
cost, therefore, of reconstruction would be £38,378 6s 2d.
Lord Mayo giving evidence said-I am the owner of Palmerstown
House. I have lived my life there since I became entitled to it. The
original building was finished in 1877. The house was lived in by my
mother before that in order to superintend the finishing of the
interior. I and my family have always used it as a residence and were
using it on January 29th as a residence.
Mr. Phelps: Is it your wish to have it reconstructed on the
lines I have explained to his Lordship?
Lord Mayo: Yes.
Mr. Phelps: Would you describe to the court exactly in your
own words what occurred about 10.20 on the night of the 29th January, 1923?
Lord Mayo: Two lads came to the front door and
knocked. The door was opened by my butler. One of them made a snatch
at his watch chain. The men were disguised. The butler shut the door
and came and reported to me that there were two men outside looking for
me. The postman arrived from Naas shortly afterwards and came to deliver
the letters at the back door. I guessed what was up and I ordered the back
door to be locked. That was not done. I then went upstairs for a
moment and when I came down the butler informed me that the two men had entered
the house and said they were going to burn it. As I had put out the light
I asked to have it re-lit so that I could see these two men. One of them
appeared to be disguised and I doubt if he were armed. The other man was
fully armed with a service rifle. He covered him and me while this
individual spoke to me. Lady Mayo then came out of the drawing room and
this man was who was covered by the armed man said, “Lord Mayo, I believe is a
Senator?” Her ladyship said, “Yes,” and then she went back to the
drawing-room. The man then said, “We have come to burn the house.” I
said, “Surely you would not burn this house full of beautiful things?” and he
said, “We have our orders, my lord.” I then said, “Are you going to shoot
me?” and he replied “No, my lord: we are not going to shoot you, but we have
our orders to burn the building.” “I suppose at all events you will give
me twenty minutes for the servants and ourselves to get some wearing apparel
while the house is burning?” He said he would. At the end of twenty
minutes the place was set on fire. I managed to save pictures that are
mentioned in the details of the contents, including three Sir Joshua’s, two
Titian’s and most of my hunting clothes. By that time the incendiaries had
entered the dining-room and saturated the thick carpet with petrol and the room
was in blazes in a moment. I went and opened the door of the dining-room
and I found it a flaming furnace. Nobody has any conception of the fumes
from that room-I shall never forget it. I didn’t get my throat right for
18 months afterwards. I shut the door and returned to the back
hall. There was not a soul there, all had gone outside. Then we were
ordered outside ourselves. We went to the garage where we were held up by
two raiders. One of the men had an automatic which had the catch down-I
asked him to put it up in case a shot would go off- the other had a
revolver. The house was then beginning to blaze.
I went into the house again and attempted with a hand-pump
to extinguish the fire in the hall but the raiders had done the job excessively
well, because not only did they use petrol but also htose little pastiles which
the Germans used during the war and which are impossible to put out with
anything whatsoever. It is only right to say, declared his lordship, that
the raiders were excessively polite.
By this time I thought it better to call some of my men
up. My groom accompanied me to my study which contained important private
papers as well as all the bills of the old house. Every scrap that was in the
room was saved by myself and my groom, and also with the help of four very fine
looking Free State soldiers who, when they saw the glare in the sky, motored as
hard as they could from Newbridge barracks. Things were so bad that I was
giving up hopes of saving a piece of furniture that was given to me as a
wedding present when my groom said he would fetch it. The soldiers knocked
the casement out of the window, which was a rather dangerous operation
considering that the rifles were loaded and some of them had the catches
down. I have been a soldier six years myself and I told them to put up the
catches. The casing was knocked out and eight minutes afterwards my groom
left the room having secured the article. A moment later the ceiling fell
in and the room was in flames. That is the whole story of what occurred
that night.
Replying to Counsel, withness said it was a very stormy and
wet night. A South-westerly gale was blowing. The old house was very
exposed, situated almost like a lighthouse on top of a hill. One could
imagine the extreme heat that came from it when the fire was at its height:
“That is all I have to say in the matter,” declared the witness.” I know
perfectly well who was engaged locally in burning my house.’
Mr. Phelps: Did you employ Mr. Orpen to come down? Yes.
He had been your guest before? Yes.
All the servants’ accommodation was contained
overhead? Yes. The house also contained rooms for my brothers and
sisters before I was married and before they went away into the world.
By taking away the old roof and substituting therefore a
flat roof you are depriving yourself of all this accommodation? Yes.
Richard Orpen deposed in reply to Counsel, that he knew
Palmerstown house very well. He prepared the plans for the new building,
and they were in every way satisfactory and economical. He took into consideration
the fact that they would be using the old walls. The red marks on his
plans indicated those walls that would have to be newly constructed. Most
damage had been sustained by windows, cornices and stonework. The interior
walls which were lined with brick, had not suffered as much. He had
provided for a reinforced concrete roof for the whole building and had
submitted detailed plans to the Quantity Surveyor.
Cross-examined: Witness said his plans provided for a
house of the most up-to-date character, embodying all the most recent
improvements in building. The house would be exactly on the lines of the
old building except for the roof. The concrete roof was based on the most
modern pattern, and its upkeep would be much less than the original one built in
1877.
Judge: I am always in doubt in these cases on one
point. Will the new building as planned be less valuable than the original
building?
Witness said the building would be less valuable in so much
as it would contain less accommodation.
Judge: I cannot attach a full reinstatement condition
to a building less valuable than the original building.
Mr. J Clayton stated he had been acting as a Quantity
Surveyor in connection with a number of claims in Sackville St., on behalf of
the State. He had prepared the Bill of Quantities for the work of
reconstructing this house. His quantities were prepared in accordance with
the plans submitted. He had provided, inter alia, for the particular
limestone from Rosenallis. He had calculated that the extra cost of putting
up the old roof would be £8,500. That roof contained 13 bedrooms and had
suitable accommodation for guests.
Judge: Will the concrete roof set off against this
£8,500?
Witness: No.
Continuing witness aid he got instruction from Messrs
Orpen to draw up the Bill of Quantities and he submitted them to Messrs. Harvey
and McLoughlin.
Mr. Phelps: Can you form any opinion of the
prices? Yes, I am quite sure Messrs. McLoughlin and Harvey have priced
them.
Cross-examined by Mr. Lupton: I expect you have no doubt the
new building is of a character suitable to the neighbourhood? Yes.
And the market value would be as good as the old
house? I don’t go into market values.
Do you think the new building will be less valuable than the
old? Yes.
John Cleary deposed he was employed by the firm of Messrs,
Harvey and O’Loughlin. This Bill of Quantities drawn up by Mr. Clayton
came to him for pricing. He submitted that these prices were fair,
reasonable and proper and as far as he could estimate they were the current
prices put upon them by builders in his position. The total to complete
the house would be £35, 128.
Mr. Lupton, cross-examining: When you prepared the
plans you were not told they were on a competitive basis? They were not
prepared on a competitive basis, but they were prepared on the basis of current
prices.
Mr. Judd, Valuer, said he thought the old house was more
valuable than what the new would be.
For the state, Mr. John Good swore that he was instructed to
make an estimate for the building of Palmerstown House and received for that
purpose a copy of the Bill of Quantities with no prices. He was not aware
of the individual items on the tender of Messrs. Mcloughlin and
Harvey. Witness visited Palmerstown House on Friday and made an estimate
of the prices on the basis of the present day prices and was prepared to carry
out the building under Mr. Orpen’s directions on the basis of that
tender. His gross total which would include Architects’ Litographers,
Quantity Surveyors’ and Clerk of Works fees would be £39,902.
Mr. Frederick Hayes gave evidence that on behalf of the
Government he made an assessment as to what he thought the proper prices for
the reconstruction of the house would be. He made two assessments, his original
being £29,600, and subsequent one, £31,401. He said certain items in the
estimate of McLoughlin and Harvey’s were not contained in the original
building.
Mr. T. Byrne said he was principal architect for the Board
of Works. He thought a 2 ½ per cent deduction from the Assessments made by
the Board of Works, was reasonable in the case of a new building because the
outlav with the upkeep and maintenance with the building as restored would be
less for a period of years than was the case before the reconstruction.
This concluded the evidence of value.
His Lordship said he would adjourn the further hearing of
the claim until Tuesday, when he would make his award.
Giving judgment on Tuesday, his Lordship said:-The
circumstances out of which this claim arises are briefly stated in the
declaration made by the applicant on 8th Mary, 1923, and were briefly detailed
in this court on Saturday last. The declaration runs as follows-“On
Monday, the 29th January, 1923, a number of armed persons surrounded the house
and premises, ordered out the inhabitants and maliciously set fire to the
building which was completely gutted and the contents destroyed. The
evidence shows that the reason assigned for this destruction by those who
carried it out was the fact that the applicant held the office of Senator in
the Constitution of the Irish Free State.
The claim naturally falls into two parts-(1) for the
buildings, and (2) for the contents.
The claim for the contents has been arranged between the
representatives of the State and of the applicant at the sum of £15,000 which
will form portion of this decree.
Before dealing with the figures of the claim arising out of
the destruction of the building, it is right to draw attention to the fact that
the applicant is not claiming as he might have claimed, the restoration of his
former house. He has limited his claims to the cost of the erection of a
substituted and much less expensive house. A house which will still be as
is plain from Mr. Orpen’s plans, a stately residence, but one the erection of
which will cost less by many thousands than the reinstatement of the original
would have cost. By this patriotic action the applicant has relieved the State
from a very large sum of money.
In return for this relief given to the State the applicant
is entitled to be met as he has been met, with every consideration by the
representatives of the State. The evidence which has been submitted to me
shows at once the care and the fairness with which the experts on behalf of the
State have examined the claim, and shows too the moderation with which the
claim itself has been prepared.
In these circumstances I hold that it is the duty of the
State and of the tribunal to which the State entrusts the decision of the
claim, to accord to the applicant the following rights:-He must be allowed to
choose his own architect, surveyors and contractors; he must be allowed to
exercise, at the expense of the State, the same discretion in respect of
accepting or rejecting their suggestions as to prices and otherwise, which he,
acting as a reasonable and prudent man, might be expected to have exercised in
that respect, if he was dealing with his own private moneys; he must not be required
to accept the lowest tenders or to run any serious risk by adopting, as of
necessity, the cheaper of two competing methods of working-this last
observation has special reference to the “bottening” which was so fully
observed on during the hearing of the claim.
Applying these principles to the figures put before me and
bearing in mind that the figures of Mr. Hayes’ original and revised assessments
are not the figures of a tender at all, that Mr. Hayes in fact holds, in a
sense, the position of Advocatus Diaboli in regard to all contractors, both
applicant and respondent, I have come to the conclusion that there are two
respects and two respects only in which I should reduce the amount of the claim
made for “total building costs” which stands in Mr. Cleary’s revised figures at
the sum of £33,928. The first reduction will be by a sum of £600 which is
50 per cent in excess of Mr. Cleary’s reduction from his firm’s original figure
of £35,128, and is intended to meet as fairly as I can meet by anticipation,
the continued drop in the price of materials, which I gather to be still
proceeding; the second reduction of which I have spoken will not be a formal
lessening of the figures at all; it will take the form of a note or addendum to
the decree which will make it clear that there are, as there always are, items
and groups of items expressed in “provisional” figures, and that, while these
provisional figures are included in the decree, the balance or balances not
required shall fall back into the coffers of the State; it is of course
impossible to forecast the amount of such “provisional” savings; they will in
all probability be of considerable amount.
This £600 reduction in the “total building cost”
necessitates some minor changes in the dependent percentage figures which will
now stand at the sum of £2,803. The total on this head of claim worked
out at £36,331 to which must be added the agreed sum of £15,500 for the
contents of the building, making a combined total of £51,831 which will be the
figure of the compensation decree. To the sum of £36,131 I add the
“partial reinstatement condition” which Mr. Phelps asked for and which is
clearly the proper condition, having regard to the substitution of a building
of a different nature from, though of the same character as, the former
building. The remaining sum of £200 is in the nature of a repayment to the
applicant and is not affected by the condition.
I have fully considered the suggestion of the State expert
that a sum of about £600 to £800 should be deducted from the decree by reason
of the fact that the new building will tend to effect a saving in upkeep on
account of its newness and of its being of a more manageable nature than the
former building. I am satisfied that the provisions of section 10
(6) (a) of the Damage to Property (Compensation) Act, 1923, make any such
deduction impossible; that sub-section directs that the compensation in the
present case shall be “not less than the probable cost of the erection of the
substituted building;” the object of the proceedings has been to ascertain the
amount of that probable cost; the same sub-section excludes any deduction for
increased value or appreciation such as would apply if the case fell under
sub-section (4).
The decree is made of course with costs and expenses. I
allow the sum of £147 claimed for expenses and I certify for 24 guineas
Counsels’ fees and for an additional special allowance of £20 for the
applicant’s solicitor.
The note to appear on the face of the decree will be as
follows:-“This decree is to stand reduced by such portions (if any) of the
contract charges, for “provisional” items or group items, as are found by the
applicant’s architect, in the exercise of his discretion as such, not to be
necessary for the completion of the work.”
To meet the requirements of Section 10 (1) the building now
to be erected will be described in the decree as “of the same residential
character as the injured building but of a less costly nature.”
[compiled and edited by Mario Corrigan; typed and edited by Breid on behalf of Cill Dara Historical Society – Kildare Town]
After nearly two years not won, we had a winner on April 1st, 2019
If you were to get a call on April 1st to say you
won the Weekly Lotto, what would you think? April Fools?
Well, I’m sure that was going through Jim Fuery’s mind when he received a call on April Fool’s day @ 10pm. Jim had all four numbers that were drawn that night. 10, 12, 24, 25. and even luckier to be the only one, so not having to share the win.
It was a pleasure to meet Jim in the Club on Monday last where
he received his winning Cheque by our Club Chairman, Gary Ryan.
All the best Jim and thank you for supporting our Weekly Club
Lotto.
Where does our Weekly Club Lotto stand at present?
Every week that our Lotto is not won, our Jackpot increases. But because our Lotto is capped at €10,000, our reserve Jackpot builds at the same time, and we are delighted to say we are starting again at a whopping €6,800
This week’s Club Lotto Jackpot is €6,800
We would like to thank everyone who supports this fundraiser,
that helps our club keep going.
Good Luck Everyone
#itcouldbeyou
Image from left to right: Gary Ryan; Club Chairman, Christina Gobbet; Online Lotto Sales, Pat Reid; Club President, Jim Fuery; Jackpot winner
Well done to Kill U12 girls on a great first outing in the Spring
League today away to Raheens.
A great result and thanks to all 18 players for putting in a
fantastic team effort and to the parents for turning up to cheer the girls
on in what was a very wind-swept morning in Raheens.
Kill U12 camogie team played Naas on Friday last in Kill GAA
Club.
This was a very competitive match and while our girls put in a very strong performance on the day they were unfortunately beaten by a strong Naas side.
Our girls are training well and the effort they are putting
in is really showing through in their performance, and that wouldn’t be
possible without the help and guidance of the coaches who are nurturing this
team.
Their next match will be after Easter. Check our Facebook page for details. Looking forward to your next match girls.
What a huge success for girls football today, Saturday 13th April in Kill GAA Club with their first ever U10’s Blitz.
There were over 85 girls playing 9
matches this morning in the Club Ground.
31 of these girls were from our own Club. Girls football are packing in the
numbers. The way it is looking now it
bodes very well for the future of Girls Gaelic football in our club.
Our visitors Raheens, Sarsfield and Eadestown
played excellent football and it was a pleasure to have them take part. The games were played in great spirit and
plenty of fun was had by everyone.
Big thank you to Alan Jordan for the goodie bags and the parents for all the sambos, cakes and goodies and not to mention the help with serving out teas and coffees to all the away teams. The three away teams were very impressed and very complimentary to us.
A final big thank you to Derek,
Ronan, Conor, Yvonne, Jackie & Sinead. Fantastic coaching and super encouragement
to our girls. May it long continue into
the future.
We appreciate and applaud you for your time and effort.
Busy day up in Kill GAA on Saturday and we would like to take the opportunity to thank
Noel Flood
James Cocoman
John Flood
for giving up their time and keeping our grounds maintained.
If it wasn’t for the help of these
guys and their machinery, our grounds wouldn’t be as good as they are.
Great to have people like this around giving up their precious time.
If you have some time to spare over
the summer months and would be interested in helping out on various jobs, please
WhatsApp Michael Behan 087-617 3831 your details and what way you could help
out. I’ve no doubt he will revert back
to you asap 😊
Our Senior Camogie Team travelled to Rathcoffey on Monday evening to play the
second round of the league.
Kill had a
lot of possession in the first half but unfortunately could not convert into
scores, leaving the half-time score at 3 points to 2 to the home side.
The start of the second half saw Rathcoffey/Straffan go further ahead from frees converted but Kill battled back to come within a point after a great goal was scored by Kaitlyn Miley followed by a point from Michaela Kavanagh.
Despite a hard-fought
match and a great team fight back Kill were beaten by 3 points.
Scorers for Kill:
Louise Dunne 0-01
Michaela Kavanagh 0-02
Kaitlyn Miley 1-0
Best for Kill were:
Jenny Cahill
Aoife Mangan
Laura Cahill
Jenny Flood
The girls are playing at home to Broadford next. (Sunday or Monday) Check our Facebook page for date and time.
Our senior footballers recorded their third defeat of the league campaign when defeated by Rheban on Saturday.
Kill started the game well, aided by a strong breeze and lead by 0-06 to 0-02 after 15 minutes with scores from Alan Wren 0-04, Paul Kirwan 0-01 and Eoin Finneran 0-01.
Rheban chipped away at the lead and with 5 minutes remaining in the first half they hit the front with a goal after a mix up in the home sides defence, a lead they would never relinquish.
Three more Rheban points before the break meant the visitors lead by 1-09 to 0-06.
Kill took the game to Rheban early in the second half however we could not convert the possession into scores and the visitors built on their lead.
Kill kept trying until the end with scores from Kirwan 0-2, Matthew Ryan 0-01 and James Lawlor 0-1.
Kill Under 16s girls took on Sallins in their Div 2 match on
Saturday morning at home. Most of the
girls from the 2 sides go to school together so this added to the atmosphere.
Sallins started brightly and where 4 points up after 5mins. Kill soon settled in their rhyme and started to play some great football. They went in to half time 6 points ahead and continued to play strong football after the break eventually winning 6-11 to 4-5
Paul Donnelly from Kill received his refereeing qualification today from the President of the GAA John Horan in Croke Park today .
Well done Paul, looking forward to seeing you on the pitch.
How do you become a Referee?
The first thing to do, is to contact your local Referee Administrator or Recruitment Officer who will give you details on upcoming GAA Referee Foundation Course in your local area, which you will have to complete before you can referee games. GAA Club Referee Course will take 3 nights to complete and will be delivered by GAA Referee Tutors.
Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Schools ‘A’ Football Final (Hogan Cup)
St Michaels, Enniskillen v Naas CBS
Croke Park
Saturday 6th April 2019
TV coverage – 2.45pm (TG4)
Best of luck from all @ Kill GAA Club to Naas CBS who will make history when they become the first Kildare School to play in the All Ireland Post Primary Hogan Cup Football Final.
On Tuesday evening, 40 young boys braved the cold elements in what was described as one of the most talked about event of their session.
They had heard whispers of who was coming with an atmosphere that can only be described like Christmas Eve and the boys couldn’t sleep with excitement.
Alan Brogan, one of Dublin’s top players, kindly gave his time to
come the and share his wealth of knowledge to the under 11&12 Boys on the
greatest amateur sport in the world (OK I’m being biased here).
He spoke about this experience and training, having mastered “All
Ireland Titles” with the Dublin team. The pride he had in his club is
evident through his passion for the sport.
He gave his free time to the boys, sharing his experiences within the
sport and how he developed into the player and coach he became. Each boy proudly showed him what they were
made of. Coaches beamed with delight as the Kids performed for him.
Alan brought the kids through some drills on passing and catching and
all in all the team focused on team work
and working with each other.
To have someone as experienced as Alan join in a training session for
the kids was remarkable. I’m sure some people would question why have a Dublin
player come to a Kildare club. Experience
and coaching come from all levels and all counties. To raise awareness within
children that the GAA holds no bounds. That talent must be recognised with players from
other counties while hold pride in the Jersey you wear. That respect
comes in all forms and you can gain knowledge and experience from everyone (not
just people in your county).
Alan was once a child with dreams and ambitions but though dedication,
focus and hard work his dreams became a reality. This is what we are hoping for. Kids
aspire to become their idols. They dream to be on the same playing pitch as
them. Tuesday evening their dream was reality.
Parents stood proud on the side-lines (frozen to the bone) but the kids
put on a great performance with Alan commenting on how great the bunch of lads
they are. To be honest, I think he is
right. Each child turns up for training come hail, rain or shine.
The commitment they put into their club is truly outstanding and not to be
questioned. Our club are proud of all our outstanding talented young
players (not just on our team).
The GAA is about bringing people together. I guarantee one day we will see the same bunch of lads lining out in Croke Park, representing the Lilly Whites (and taking on the Dubs 😂)
If you have some spare time and could help in coaching please contact us today. No experience necessary as coaching courses will be arranged. Please email your interest to killgaareg@gmail.com