It now looks like 1760s built and one -time TB sanatorium Edenburn House is to be the latest venue for the kind of anti migration peaceful protest which is sweeping the country at present.
Castleisland Corca Dhuibhne Electoral Area independent local election candidate and Knocknagoshel native, Michelle Keane is calling on all elected representatives to join her at the gates of Edenburn for what she stresses will be “a very peaceful protest” on the coming Sunday morning May 5th at 11am.
Having been in touch with government and local agency offices in recent days and not receiving satisfactory replies to what are, in her opinion, pertinent and specific questions on the future plans for Edenburn.
Its Very Name Struck Terror
Whatever happens to the fine old house now, the very mention of its name once struck terror into the hearts of people and families during the TB ravaged Ireland from the 1930 and for decades thereafter.
In February 2023 Michael Healy Rae TD called on the HSE to explore the possibilities of purchasing the old Edenburn Hospital – which was on the market then – for use as further public residential care for older people. That call has, needless to say, fallen on deaf ears.
The site, which was previously used as a convalescent home and hospital closed in 1988 and it’s located just ten minutes from Tralee and a few minutes less from Castleisland.
Deputy Healy Rae and his brother Danny are now among the public representatives being called on by Ms. Keane to join her at the gates of the building on Sunday morning.
Government Ministers Invited
Minister for Education, Norma Foley, her government colleagues, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are also on her invitation / wish list.
Her outspoken and daily broadcasts on social media platforms are not for everyone but her messages are resonating with a sizable chunk of the population here and by the people worried about the direction the country is being taken by current government policies on a range of issues.
‘She’s Afraid of No One’
A local man said that a lot of people will vote for her because she’s afraid of no one and people agree with a lot of what she’s saying.
However, he said he’d advise her that she should tone down the name calling of the people coming here as it isn’t their fault they’re here – that’s the government issued open invitation that’s at fault.
“People mightn’t admit it but they will vote for her on the basis of what they’ve seen of her so far. She seems to be the kind of person who’d stand up for you and by God don’t we need that now more that ever,” he said.
Opinion on Edenburn Development from Cáit Ní Ríordáin, Aontú Chiarraí
Meanwhile, Castleisland woman and Aontú Chiarraí local election candidate, Cáit Ní Ríordáin is meeting people on her canvass who ‘are desperate for housing and a roof over their heads.’
“It was stated by the owners in January that it was their intention that Edenburn would be developed for private letting,” said Ms. Ní Ríordáin is a statement issued today.
“This was welcome in that just two days ago it was announced that almost 1,000 people are awaiting social housing in the Castleisland-Corca Dhuibhne area.
Offered to the Department
“They have now announced that it will be offered to the Department of Integration.
“On the canvass trail, I am meeting people who are desperate for housing and this announcement is a blow to those seeking a roof over their heads,” said Cáit.
See Michelle Keane’s invitation to the gates of Edenburn with a click on the link here:
https://www.facebook.com/michelle.keane.752/videos/7667526259936825
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