This well-crafted object was unearthed last May by Mr. Thomas Gillic, junior, while he was cutting turf in a bog near his home at Beagh Cross, Killinkere. In a perfect state of preservation, it seems to be a sort of creel, which may have been used for carrying water or turf. The creel was used by putting the wooden part across the carrier’s shoulders and attaching the load to the chains which hang down on each side. Pictured here with his wife, Mr Gillic said that when he dug it up it was like a big lump of turf and he would have ignored it except for the fact that the chains rattled.“Judging from its depth in the bog, about 8ft,” Thomas said, “it could have been there for up to 500 years. Nothing ever rots when buried in the bog”. November 1973

From the Archives

25-years-ago

Optimism that Cavan Crystal would soon be back in production was deflated by the decision of local businessman Tommy Hewitt not to purchase the embattled enterprise.

Mr. Hewitt stated he had returned the contract to purchase the plant for £1.3m, citing a lack of interest by State agencies as his reason.

However, Enterprise Ireland, formerly Forbairt, denied there was any lack of enthusiasm on their part and said if Mr. Hewitt had come up with a fully prepared business plan they would have considered it.

Meanwhile the Receiver, Padraig Monaghan, acknowledged that as a result of Mr. Hewitt’s decision not to proceed with the purchase he would now be contacting other interested parties. He said that Cavan Crystal was continuing to operate its sales division.

Production had ceased at the plant and the staff of that section of the enterprise were laid off several weeks before.

Mr Hewitt informed the Celt he had a business relationship with Cavan Crystal for several years under which he manufactured the moulds used in the production of the glass. During the Examinership he invested £100,000 to help keep the place open and also paid the wages for one week.

He stated that Enterprise Ireland wouldn’t discuss grants in advance of purchase but a representative of the agency had told him to make the deal and that they would then consider the possibility of grant aid.

He was given the impression that grant aid could be available.

However, when his accountants spoke with the same Enterprise Ireland executive on October 28 the executive questioned whether there was a viable business there at all. All employment grants had been drawn down in the earlier ownership the Enterprise Ireland representative had added.

Mr Hewitt said that his financial advisor again spoke with Enterprise Ireland who reiterated that the IDA had paid for 40 jobs under the last ownership and if Enterprise Ireland were now to pay for more jobs at the plant the employment levels would have to be correspondingly increased...

A highly successful Fashion Show, presented by Sandra Cooney’s Sandi Modes in Bailieborough and Bernie Brady’s The Old School House of Fashion, Virginia, with shoes by O’Reilly’s Footwear, took place in the Hotel Bailie, Bailicborough.

Proceeds from the event were for the Omagh Bomb victims.

Ulster Rose Amanda Dunne was also in attendance...

Preparation was underway ahead of the installation of the new Bishop of Kilmore, Dr, Leo O’ Reilly.

Representatives from all parishes were invited including one member from each parochial organisation In this parish.

A number of clerical dignitaries were also set to attend, including Cardinal Daly, Archbishop Sean Brady, Papal Nuncio Most Rev. Luciano Storero and Dr. Francis Mac Kiernan.

Other special guests included Brendan Smith T.D., Andrew Boylan T.D, Gerard Reynolds T.D.,and Chairmen of the urban councils of the diocese.

Bishop O’Reilly’s classmates and family would also attend.

The last O’Reilly to be installed in the diocese was Bishop Farrell O’Reilly who served from 1807-1829.

The ceremony would be celebrated by Primate of Ireland Archbishop Sean Brady...

The Untouchables and Woodstock were scheduled to play the Meadow View, with the latter alternating their Saturday-Sunday weekend schedule to accommodate a show at Lavey’s Bent Elbow.

Friday night at the Bent Elbow meanwhile would see £1,000 up for grabs at a Bass sponsored Talent Show, with acts on the night to include Sonas, Emma Tracey, Lynn Murtagh, Eamon Monaghan and Samantha Reilly. Music and backing by Patrice and her band.

It would be Lucky for Some with Spidog at Hairy Ned’s in Crosskeys, followed by Empty Pockets (advertised as being ‘all the way from Kilnaleck!’) and New Sounds with Terry & Co.

Monaghan’s Diamond Cineplex would host a 25th anniversary showing of The Exorcist. Alternatively movie goers could pick up popcorn for Blade with Wesley Snipes, or There’s Something About Mary. For the kids, there would be matinee showings of Antz, Mulan, and Dr Doolittle...

50-years-ago

MR. P. J. Lalor, the Opposition Chief Whip, moved the writ for the Monaghan by-election in the Dáil.

Later the Minister for Local Government, Mr. Tully, made an order setting Tuesday, November 27 as the polling date. Nominations would close Friday, November 16.

Campaigning would begin in earnest with the Government’s effort led by Taoiseach, Mr. Cosgrave. Several Ministers of both coalition parties would also take part.

An effort of equal proportions would be made by Fianna Fáil to retain the seat vacated by the election of Mr. Erskine Childers to the Presidency.

The election would also be strongly contested too by Aontacht Éireann, who signalled they would have a candidate in the field...

An incendiary device caused the fire which completely destroyed the drapery shop of Messers. S. D. Kells, Main St., Lisnaskea.

The device was planted, and went off without warning, in a second floor department, part of a new extension which was open only 12 months previous.

A young couple, Mr. Noel Grayden, his wife and their six-month-old child, were evacuated from their second floor flat by the R.U.C. before it was destroyed, together with most of their belongings.

Another flat was unoccupied at the time. Lisnaskea Fire Brigade fought the blaze, which took several hours to bring under control.

Although all of the stock was destroyed in the fire, Mr. Roy Kells, proprietor of the shop, expressed the hope he would re-open again soon... bigger and better than ever.

Industrial trouble in the ESB, coupled with maintenance work carried out on the equipment, resulted in power cuts all over Ireland.

It had a considerable effect on the life of Cavan town. Two industries had to close and an obsolete range was used in St. Felim’s hospital to cook meat for the 330 patients.

Remarkably St. Felim’s Hospital was the only one of the three hospitals in the town affected by the blackout which lasted several hours...

100-years-ago

Patrick McTeague, merchant, Corlough, died after falling off a load of provisions when returning home from Ballyconnell.

He was found unconscious by the side of the road by a man named McGovern, and taken to the premises of Mr Richardson (Forster’s).

Dr O’Rourke and Dr Richardson were called in but Mr McTeague remained unresponsive for a period before his senses returned, telling the doctors he felt very sore about the back and shoulders.

He was thought to be recovering overnight and was about to be moved home when he suddenly became unwell and died.

Mr McTeague was well known and very popular in the community...

Buy Brady’s Bread at E Brady & Co Clones.

Best in quality, weight and value. Only first-class flour used.

To be had everywhere over Monaghan, Cavan, Fermanagh and Leitrim.