Longford neighbours work together to restore a piece of history

The team behind the restoration. L-R: Paul Kennedy, Alo Kelly, Pat Jones, Eamonn Kiernan, Gerry Donohue, James Reilly Tutor, and inset David Barter | Leebeen Park Committee

placeholder image — The team behind the restoration. L-R: Paul Kennedy, Alo Kelly, Pat Jones, Eamonn Kiernan, Gerry Donohue, James Reilly Tutor, and inset David Barter | Leebeen Park Committee

Leebeen Park Committee worked on the cart in conjunction with Dromard Men’s Shed.

A traditional donkey’s cart in North Longford’s Leebeen Park has been beautifully restored to its former condition thanks to the efforts of Leebeen Park Committee and Dromard Men’s Shed.

The cart, which has been a feature in Leebeen Park for several years, was originally designed and built by Eddie Hawkins of Glenmore and subsequently donated to the park.

Its condition however deteriorated over the years due to exposure to the weather, leaving the Leebeen Park Committee looking for a voluntary group to take on the restoration project.

Fortunately, the committee’s “near neighbours” Dromard Men’s Shed agreed to take on the task.

Over the summer months, members of the group worked hard to restore the cart before presenting their impressive work to Paul Kennedy of the Leebeen Park Committee.

The beautiful cart has now been returned to its original location in Leebeen Park.

The committee said it was extremely grateful to the Dromard Men’s Shed for the excellent craftsmanship they had carried out and specifically thanked Gerry Donohue, Pat Jones, Alo Kelly, David Barter, Eamonn Kiernan and woodwork tutor with Longford/Westmeath ETB, James Reilly, for their work in bringing the cart back to its original condition.