Buzzing town with housing, digital hub and history to explore

Local councillor Trevor Smith would like to focus on the good news in town, and to him, many mills have been turning with pleasing results for Ballyjamesduff.

The council acquiring dilapidated buildings at the Rassan Road junction, hit “two bolts with one stone,” the Fine Gael man comments.

“For years these buildings were an eyesore and now the council is at the planning stages for a new housing scheme.”

Another housing development is under way now at the woodlands and will provide 30 houses, which he is “delighted” to hear, given the general housing situation.

Another refurbishment in the town centre will add to the vibrancy of Ballyjamesduff, when the Percy French Hotel will invite guests again – not in beds, but at hot-desks and meeting facilities. If all goes to plan, from 2027 onwards, this new town hub will be open for remote working and also to offer the various social clubs in town a base to convene.

After a year in operation, Cllr Smith is proud to report that the 186 local link bus is busier than anticipated, proving the demand: “The regular numbers of people travelling from Ballyjamesduff to Virginia or Cavan are much higher than expected. It’s going well,” he says about the service running six times each way on weekdays and eight times on Fridays and Saturdays.

All of these amenities are adding to the attractiveness of Ballyjamesduff, says Cllr Smith who is keen to mention a focal point of Cavan’s history reopening: “We really have to thank Savina Don0hoe [former curator] and Michael Finnegan [historian] of the Cavan County Museum for having the foresight to drive the trenches project initially.”

The replica of the World-War-1 trenches have been refurbished and are now accessible for the public again.

“A huge attraction, which will draw crowds again to Ballyjamesduff,” Cllr Smith is certain.