An oak planted next to Cavan Courthouse by Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley and CE Tommy Ryan was gifted by Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross.

Friendship between councils takes root

Symbolic of the hope to foster better and closer relations, Cavan County Council, its executive and elected members, planted a tree gifted to them by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

‘Mighty oaks from little acorns grow’, states the plaque erected next to the tree which was freshly planted next to Cavan Courthouse by Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley and Chief Executive Tommy Ryan shortly before elected members held their monthly meeting last Monday, October 10.

The sapling was presented by the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross when a deputation from Cavan visited the area the previous week, October 5.

It follows on from an exchange between the two authorities agreed back in 2019-2020 as part of the Building Positive Relations theme under the PEACE IV Cross Border Programme.

Exploring the potential of entering into a twinning arrangement with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, exchanges between Cavan County Council and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council took place until Covid put a halt to engagements in the meantime.

The meeting earlier this month signified a rekindling of that interest, and friendships, and the arrangement was praised by Cllr Feeley.

Fine Gael’s Winston Bennett, a member of the delegation which travelled on October 5, praised the input of Peace Programme Manager at Cavan County Council, Jane Crudden.

Director of Services, Brendan Jennings, said he expected to meet with executive members in Antrim and Newtownabbey council over the coming weeks.