Memorial bench at Bog Meadow for the late Lily

ENNISKERRY Community Games welcomed the family of the late Lily Kavanagh to the Bog Meadow for the unveiling of a memorial bench in Lily’s name.

The bench as well as being a tribute to Lily will provide a peaceful resting and meeting point for the young and old for many years to come.

‘In grateful memory of Lily Kavanagh whose Community Spirit lives on in the Bog Meadow... Enniskerry Community Games,’ reads the inscription.

Lily was one of a small group that started Community Games in Wicklow in 1972. With no money and much fundraising, Lily and her friends staged the first Wicklow County Community Games athletic finals in Bray in the summer of 1973. For the next 46 years, Lily gave unfailing service to Community Games, rarely missing a meeting, a competition, an awards night or indeed any opportunity to fly the flag for Enniskerry and for Wicklow Community Games. In recognition of the pivotal role she played in the development and continued success of the organisation Lily was honoured as Life President of Wicklow Community Games in 1991 and then in 2017 shee

was awarded the Community Games Golden Jubilee Volunteere Award.

Lily passed away in 2019 at the th age of 91 but will never be forgotten. fo She was a woman who understood the importance of strong community bonds in maintaining a healthy happy society.i As grandmother and great grandmother g to 27 children she was w passionate about promot

ing Community Games for the benefit of children of all ages. ‘Her continued involvement in Community Games even in her 92nd year is an example to us all,’ said a spokeswoman for the games.

‘Lily’s bench will serve as a constant reminder to our community of what a wonderful and inspirational lady Lily Kavanagh was.’

Above: The Kavanagh family at the seat dedicated to their late mother, Lily, which was donated by Enniskerry Community Games and inset left: The late Lily Kavanagh.