From the Archives

25 years ago

2001

Planning for new facilities at Cavan General

There was a warm welcome from Cavan members of the North Eastern Health Board for plans to bring the original design team back to Cavan General Hospital.

The team was to prepare plans for fitting out a fourth operating theatre and providing additional ward accommodation for ENT and ophthalmology services.

The Board’s CEO, Paul Robinson, also outlined plans for upgraded A&E facilities and ward improvements at Monaghan General.

Fiona wins North American dance title

Fiona Smith of Kingscourt, a member of the Jackson-Kelly School of Dancing, celebrated after winning the Under-14 North American Irish Dance Championships in Toronto.

Lakeland announces £10m expansion

Lakeland Dairies announced a £10 million expansion of its UHT processing facilities at Killeshandra, on the site of the former McCormack plant.

The project included a 91,000 sq ft UHT processing and research facility, trebling output by 2005 and making Lakeland the largest UHT milk processor in Ireland and the UK.

Production was due to begin in January 2002, with the new plant capable of processing more than 10 million gallons of milk annually.

Week in numbers:

Cavan rated 20 points better than Carlow for early mortality, according to a major new report. The county ranked sixth nationally, although the figures showed a marked difference between rural and urban Cavan, with better rural longevity offsetting higher premature mortality in the urban district.

Labour selects Cullen

Des Cullen, a teacher at the Royal School, Cavan, was selected unopposed as the Labour Party candidate for Cavan/Monaghan at a convention in the Hotel Kilmore.

Westmeath TD Willie Penrose urged party members to repeat Labour’s strong campaign of 1992, while Cullen pledged to go “all out” with a committed team.

Success for Cootehill man

Cootehill man Cecil Kinkade returned from Seoul with a Diploma of Excellence after finishing fifth in the Sheet Metalwork category at the World Skills Competition.

The 22-year-old earned his place on the Irish team by winning the national apprentice competition earlier that year. Ireland finished seventh overall among 36 countries.

Phil Kiernan and the ‘piano fiddle’

Irish traditional music was being given an unusual twist by Ardleny, Kilnaleck native Phil Kiernan, now living in Coventry.

Kiernan had spent 30 years playing a “piano fiddle” - one of only seven made by a German inventor.

He travelled around England performing with accordion player Don Dunne, originally from Ballinagh.

What’s on?

- Minnies in Killeshandra was bringing back its early Sunday evening gigs, with Big Generator lined up, while the Lavey Inn had Johnny Loughrey and The Original Mighty Avons on the bill.

- Laragh/Lavey Parish was also holding a dance with music from Ian Pickens.

- Meanwhile, Belturbet was building a reputation for its young bands, including The Significant Seven and Grand Daddy & The Cool Cats.

The Quivvy School of Samba, was offering workshops in Brazilian percussion under the guidance of Brendan Perry of Dead Can Dance fame.

50 years ago

1976

Three killed in plane crash

A Leitrim solicitor and two Longford men were killed when their single-engined aircraft crashed in the Galtee Mountains between Cork and Tipperary.

The plane was piloted by Tom Gannon of Dromod, who was returning to Abbeyshrule Airfield after a flying trip to Kilbrittain, Co Cork.

Also on board were farmer James Byrne and garage proprietor Dick O’Reilly, both from Longford.

All three were leading members of Abbeyshrule Aero Club.

Mr Gannon had purchased the French four-seater aircraft earlier that year for £11,000.

Massive bomb in Newtownbutler

Almost the entire population of Newtownbutler was evacuated after a bomb weighing an estimated 500lb was discovered in a towing caravan in the centre of the town.

The explosives had been packed into five metal milk churns. The caravan belonged to the British Customs authorities and was being towed by local contractor Norman Patterson when four armed and masked men hijacked it.

Future of Cross of Kells

The future of the 1,000-year-old Cross of Kells was uncertain after the monument was struck by an articulated truck.

Kells Urban Council debated whether the cross should be moved from its position in the town centre. There were strong arguments on both sides, and councillors agreed to refer the matter to the National Monuments Advisory Committee.

Fire outbreak at Clones factory

An alert Clones man prevented a potentially devastating factory fire after spotting flames spreading through the bacon-curing factory owned by Joseph Reinhardt.

Firefighters had to break into the building and use breathing apparatus to reach the source.

Week in numbers:

400

There were 400 applicants for eight teaching posts advertised by the Cavan Vocational Education Committee. The committee had received 86 applications for a single post at Cootehill Comprehensive School.

What’s on?

Internationally acclaimed Swarbrigg Brothers Band appeared in Carrickmacross, while Glangevlin Hall had Carol and the Amazon was to feature Margaret Rourke, followed by a dance to Gerry Reynolds and the Hi-Lows.

Aspiring performers were also being invited to enter the first heat of the Carling All-Ireland Stairway to Stardom talent competition, with £500 and other prizes.

At the Percy French Arms in Ballyjamesduff, the Mexican Trio were providing the music, with no supper until after 11pm and a bar extension adding to the occasion.

100 years ago

1926

Minister refuses to remit surcharge

Belturbet Urban Council was informed that the Minister had refused an appeal against a £30 3s 7d surcharge arising from a payment for damage connected with the reconstruction of a footpath.

The dispute centred on whether the council’s engineer had given proper instructions to the workman carrying out the job. The council argued that the engineer was responsible, while the auditor found that the work had been carried out contrary to the agreed specification.

The auditor concluded that the council had given instructions, which resulted in the work being carried out in a manner contrary to the specification.