From the Archives
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Pictured at the presentation of awards at the County Cavan Scor na nÓg finals in January 1979 were (from left) Frank Leddy, who were runners up in the competition; Paddy Maguire, Cornafean, Chairman of Scor Committee and Tony Gorby, Belturbet, who were overall champions.Image 2 of 3
Our picture shows the first baby on January 1, 1979, at Lisdarn Hospital, Cavan. The new arrival, a boy, to be christened Thomasie, is seen here with his mother, Mrs M. Kaldaris ( centre ). Also in picture were (from left) Dr Pallai, Senior Maternity House Officer, Lisdarn; Nurse Ruth Mulligan, Dr Louis Courtney, Regional Consultant Gynacologist, Sister Elizabeth Smith and Nurse Maureen Crotty. The baby’s father, Mr Spirideen Kaldaris, was a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering in University College, Galway, Mrs Kaldaris, who was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Leddy, Corr, Cornafean, had one other daughter at the time, Lukia, who was born in 1976.Image 3 of 3
Crowd gathered around upturned car in Belturbet following the bomb in late 1972. This photo was first published in January 1973.25 Years Ago
2001
A massive year for Cavan business
The year 2000 had been a landmark one for Cavan business, according to IDA Regional Manager Michael Logan. Commenting on the IDA’s end-of-year statement, he said the securing of Teradyne - a flagship multinational in the electronics sector - represented a major leap forward for the region’s economic development. The IDA reported that its new regional strategy had begun to make an impact, with half of all negotiated jobs from new greenfield projects located in the Objective One region.
Frank Conlon, the IDA’s Area Director, told The Anglo-Celt that the strategy had proven its worth over the previous 12 months. Key developments included three new investments creating more than 1,000 jobs across the Border region; the IDA’s success in bringing Teradyne’s £50 million investment and 94-acre campus to Cavan; and employment in IDA-backed companies increasing by 9.4% to more than 5,200 jobs. He also noted progress on Drogheda’s new 60-acre Business Park and a new 24,000-square-foot advance factory in Monaghan.
Conlon emphasised that securing Teradyne had required extensive collaboration. He praised companies such as Quinn Direct, Pauwels Trafo and Boxmore for meeting potential investors, and acknowledged the pivotal support of FÁS, the Institutes of Technology and Cavan College of Further Studies in supplying skills. He also commended Cavan County Council, then County Manager Brian Johnston, and local TDs Brendan Smith and Andrew Boylan for their roles in planning, infrastructure and political backing...
Cavan firm world leader in flooring sector
Kingspan’s acquisition of the US-based Tate Global Corporation made the Kingscourt firm, along with its UK counterpart Hewetson, the largest raised-access-flooring company in the world. Tate, which operated factories in Maryland, Pennsylvania and the UK, controlled 60% of the US raised-flooring market and employed 900 people. Kingspan stated that
Tate provided the ideal platform for further US expansion, especially since raised-flooring penetration there was only around 10%. Kingspan chairman Eugene Murtagh described the acquisition as a perfect fit for the company’s strategy of building market share in high-growth construction segments...
Appointment for Gowna woman
Karen Coyle of Loch Gowna was appointed Marketing Manager for Cuisine de France, becoming responsible for marketing activities in both Ireland and the UK. A Trinity-educated BBS graduate, she brought experience from Ballygowan, Premier Dairies and Waterford Foods...
Cull puts pressure on Monery
A major EU cattle cull introduced to combat BSE placed significant pressure on Monery By-Products 2000 Ltd, the State’s only licensed plant for rendering specified risk material such as brain and spinal tissue. With cull numbers rising rapidly, industry sources warned that at least one—possibly two—additional rendering plants would soon be necessary, though it would take several months for any facility to meet the strict licensing criteria.
50 Years Ago
1976
Cattle hi-jacked at Clones
A dramatic incident occurred near the Cavan–Fermanagh border when cattle seized by customs officers at Clones were subsequently hijacked.
Customs officials had stopped a lorry near Swanlinbar, forcing it onto a grass margin and unloading the animals before removing the vehicle to the road.
The driver, however, fled across the border into Northern Ireland. The 17 seized bullocks, worth about £3,000, were transported to an enclosed feeding unit at Clonavilla, owned by Tunney Meat Packers, where they were to be slaughtered the following morning.
Overnight, however, the animals disappeared. With no guard placed on them, smugglers were believed to have retrieved the cattle during the night, and gardaí launched an investigation...
Exclusion of Cavan and Monaghan
At a meeting of the Cavan Committee of Agriculture, members discussed continuing frustrations over the exclusion of Cavan and Monaghan from the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
Mr B. Donohoe argued that political differences should be put aside and that both counties—and much of the West—should stand together on the issue.
Chairman P. Conaty reported on a recent meeting in Cootehill between local agricultural committees, the IFA and Oireachtas members, all of whom were seeking an interview with the Minister for Agriculture.
The case for inclusion, Conaty explained, rested on several factors: Both counties had been designated congested districts in 1973; farming was essential for population retention and environmental management; and the drumlin landscape, heavy soils, sloped fields and short growing season reduced productivity. Poor roads, limited water infrastructure, underdeveloped tourism and industry, and restricted educational facilities added to the argument.
Senator S. Dolan agreed that Cavan and Monaghan were disadvantaged by terrain, drainage needs, lack of transport—including no railway—and lower average farm incomes.
Despite these limitations, the counties exported significant volumes of agricultural-based manufactured goods and deserved inclusion in the scheme...
Opening of Ballybay school
In Ballybay, children enjoyed an important milestone when they moved into their new boys’ and girls’ national schools on the Castleblayney Road. The modern joint complex, built on an elevated site, housed both schools under one roof while retaining separate identities.
The building contained 12 carpeted classrooms, a shared library that would double as a remedial room, and a large general-purpose hall with a polished hardwood floor.
Classrooms opened onto this central space, which could be divided when necessary for physical education, arts and crafts, or other activities. Although the playground and football field were still being developed, the school featured landscaped grounds and high-quality tarmacadam access routes.
100 Years Ago
1926
Arrests after hotel raid
A raid took place at the Bush Hotel in Glangevlin, owned by James McGovern.
At around 2am, intruders knocked at the door, and when the owner refused to open, they forced entry, stealing whiskey valued at £2. McGovern chose not to report the matter, but a Cavan Guard, having heard rumours, informed Sergeant Hever, who began inquiries. Witnesses reported that a motorcar from Drumkeerin had been seen passing through the area shortly before the incident.
Ultimately, four arrests were made, including that of a doctor.