Town Hall exhibition marks 100 years

Cavan Town Hall is to undergo a major refurbishment to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the building, which will include extending the hall and stage as well as restoring it to its former glory. The announcement was made by the Mayor of Cavan town, Paddy O"Reilly, at the opening of an exhibition to commemorate the centenary of the hall in the Johnston Central Library on Monday afternoon last. The exhibition will run for twelve days and concludes on Saturday, May 2. Cavan County Manager, Jack Keyes, members of the Town Council as well as members of the Cullen and Smith families, who have long associations with the Town Hall were present for the occasion. Philip Walshe from Rathfarnham in Dublin was also in attendance and he had with him the original key of the Town Hall and trowel used in the construction of the hall. His great grand mother Henrietta Smith laid the foundation stone in 1908 and also opened the hall in 1910. Philip told the Anglo-Celt this week that his father, Patrick, had been guardian of the key and trowel for the past 40 years. 'They have been kept in a glass cabinet in my father"s house. He would have been here today but he took ill last Thursday and I"m representing him.' It was just by pure chance that they happened to 'Google' the Town Hall recently and saw that an exhibition to commemorate the 100th anniversary was being organised. They decided to bring the key and trowel to the exhibition. Speaking at the launch of the exhibition, Cllr. O"Reilly said the erection of the Town hall was one of the most historic events to take place in the early years of the last century and 'subsequently enriched all our lives'. The first attempt to provide the people of the town with a Town Hall was made in 1976. Due to financial constraints the building of the Hall was shelved until 1888 when after much frustration and objection a loan of £3,000 was sanctioned. 'On Wednesday, November 11, 1908, the foundation stone was laid of Mrs. Smith, wife of the Mayor L. C. P. Smith. Cavan Town Hall was formally declared open on Wednesday, January 19, 1910, the opening having been deferred because of the Christmas rush of December 1909,' added Mr. O"Reilly. Patrick E. Sollans was appointed caretaker on February 3, 1910, and the current caretaker is Brigid Duffy. 'There have been very few caretakers of the Town Hall during the last 100 years because of the long outstanding service of Packy Cullen and family who occupied the position for well over 60 years.' Following Packy"s early death in 1960, the burden fell on his wife May Cullen who filled the role with distinction up to her retirement. Cllr. O"Reilly added that in recent years because of Health and Safety regulations the capacity of the hall had been reduced and some of the earlier features were no longer in use. Cavan Town Council intended to rectify the situation with a large expenditure in extending the hall and stage, refurbish the building and facilities to restore the hall to its former glory. 'We salute this wonderful building on its 100th birthday and we look forward confidently to another century of top class entertainment in the unique homely atmosphere that is the Cavan Town Hall,' he concluded.