The show goes on in vibrant Arva

HOPE New developments enhance the community

The market town of Arva and its resilient people have weathered the pandemic well and are hopeful for the future post pandemic.

The chairman of the Arva Development Association, Noel Lynch, said that throughout Covid businesses traded well and people supported them.

“Every premises that was fortunate enough to be left open to trade has done well. Arva has traded well and two new businesses have opened up in the town. We continue to take a positive approach in Arva and there is wonderful ongoing community effort,” said Mr Lynch, the proprietor of Lynch’s Newsagents.

He welcomed the fact the Credit Union is operating from the former Ulster Bank premises. “It is great to see them purchasing the Ulster Bank and commit to us as a community and service our financial transactions,” he said.

The association took advantage of a number of funding schemes to improve amenities in the town.

New steel seating has been installed in the Market Square.

“We were delighted with funding from Cavan County Council and we are proud to showcase the thriving town of Arva,” said Mr Lynch.

Alfie Dennany from Arva Custom Engineering made the seats and local man Raymond Brady from Breffni Landscapes planted the trees.

Alfie talked through the unique hexagonal design of the seating. “I wanted to incorporate a reference in the design to the three counties and Arva is the location where Longford and Leitrim and Cavan meet – all from a different province.

“There is an outline cut out of all three counties depicted on three of the sides of the hexagon. This is a unique location and the reference to it on the seats will create an awareness for visitors and a talking point,” he explained.

Landscaper Raymond Brady is a proud Arva man and was delighted to be involved. “I get a lot of work locally and I employ local people. We have done it in other towns and large urban towns. It was nice to be afforded the opportunity to plant the trees in the home town,” he said.

“It will brighten up the centre of the town and gives it a soft landscape,” he added.

Ray finds that local people support their own. “The people in the area are industrious and there are very few not working. There are lots of small businesses in the area and they employ locals. As a self employed landscaper, I am glad to say that a lot of local people avail of my services, which keeps money in circulation in the area. There is a socio economic benefit to all these things in a community – it is important to see that acknowledged. We are Cavan men but we are proud of this area and the hinterland and we know we are unique with the three provinces, the only other place is in the middle of the Shannon,” he remarked.

The next association project is to tar the access area to the five apartments and there is also a goal to paint the premises on the streetscape this year.

“We are working with Bernie O’Rourke in Cavan County Council to roll out a co-ordinated colour scheme for the town. We hope to be able to partially fund that plan together with assistance from Cavan County Council,” explained Mr Lynch.

Show will rise again

Organisers of the popular Arva Agricultural Show have not yet ruled out staging the show on July 25, 2021. “It is a slim enough hope at this time, unless the vaccine rollout makes a difference – I would say we are now banking on July 2022,” said Brían Cully.

He said the show always attracts a huge local following and scores of exhibitors from further afield.

“It is hard on the agricultural community and it is a good boost to the economy here and it attracts people into the town, which is great as well. Hopefully when we return, we will be bigger and better than ever,” added Brían.

David Brady is the secretary of the Arva Development Association. He said the group is endeavouring to put Arva “on the map as part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands” and maximise the unique selling point of the place where the three provinces meet.

“Hopefully when people start taking their staycations in lesser spotted places around the country, they will come to Arva, and see all around here,” he said.

David commended Cavan County Council for their support. “We have been well funded in the last few years – we got a jetty down at the lake, we also got planters for some of the walls around the town and the next project is a painting scheme like they have done in Mullagh,” he outlined.