Review of the year - October
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Ulster go over for their second try of the historic rugby game in Kingspan Breffni.Photo: Adrian Donohoe Adrian Donohoe Photography 0863716199Image 2 of 6
Orla and Tom from St Mary’s NS, Virgina, show Minister Heather Humphreys one of the many sensory toys available at the state-of-the-art new library in Virginia.Image 3 of 6
Gowna players celebrate with the Oliver Plunkett Cup after they won the Cavan County Senior Club Football Championship in fine style against Kingscourt at Kingspan Breffni in Cavan.8Photo: Sportsfile Ben McShane / SPORTSFILEImage 4 of 6
Singer-songwriter and creative director of the Drumlinia Music Week, Don Mescall at The Listening Room at Latte Da cafe with Cavan singer Claire Crehan and David McDonald on guitar.Image 5 of 6
While Cavan Town once again took the county title in the national Tidy Towns competition, local national school Gaelscoil Bhreifne was also recognised for a special recycling initiative as part of the overall Tidy Town’s effort. From left: Paul Lynch (volunteer), Ruadhàn Mc Giolla, Niamh Ní Cheallaigh Riabhaigh (principal of Gaelscoil Bhreifne), Riona Nic Giolla Riabhaigh, Erin Lynch, Marisa Goldstone (volunteer) and Martin Connelly (volunteer).Image 6 of 6
It was caps in the air after the Cavan Institute Graduation ceremony as the recently appointed Director Dr Niall McVeigh posed for a selfie with Deputy Director Karen Fitzpatrick and Deputy Director Louise Clarke as the graduates send their caps skywards. Photo: Adrian Donohoe Adrian DonohoeHistoric rugby game in Kingspan Breffni
It was a double boost for traders in the county town as Ulster’s historic rugby game against Glasgow in Breffni Park, coupled with the Ireland V Scotland World Cup match on TV later that evening, served up plenty of thirsty and hungry punters - both local and Scottish. The good natured rivalry and banter added to the lively atmosphere around town, with some publicans reporting up to 40% more customers in their establishments.
The success has led to calls for more such events being organised and hosted in Cavan.
Tesco Superstore approved
The grocery shopping market in Cavan was set for a shake-up following a decision by Cavan County Council grant planning permission to Tesco Ireland for a new superstore overlooking the county town. The 35,000 sq ft store is set to be built on a 3.86 hectare site at Cockhill.
Once completed, Tesco promised it will deliver an enhanced shopping experience, better carparking facilities including EV charging points, a drive-thru café, click and collect services for customers, a grocery home shopping hub and a filling station and car wash.
Tesco later appealed the council’s planning decision to An Bord Pleanála taking issue with one of the planning conditions imposed in relation to the amount of a “special contribution” requested towards the cost of developing the Cavan Town Eastern Access Route.
Sparks fly in pylon row
Battle lines were been drawn as representatives of EirGrid signalled their intention to proceed with the construction of the controversial 400kv North South electricity interconnector in the New Year despite resistance from many affected landowners along the 138km proposed route from Yurleenan in Tyrone to Batterstown in Meath. The semi-state company wrote to three county councils - Cavan, Monaghan and Meath - requesting a joint meeting with their respective planning departments to discuss statutory powers to access lands in order construct the high-voltage power line.
The request to sit down with council planners was sent less than 24 hours after affected landowners along the proposed route received a letter, signed by Michael Mahon, Chief Infrastructure Officer at EirGrid, alerting them of plans to begin further engagement in the near future on matters including compensation. The letter stated that it would take about three years to complete the project.
The North East Pylon Pressure Campaign (NEPPC), meanwhile, issued a letter of its own to their mailing list of affected landowners urging them to give formal authority to NEPPC to communicate with EirGrid on their behalf. They were advised that the form of authority, once sent by a landowner to EirGrid, is ‘effective immediately’ and runs until December 31, 2025.
€35K for cancer charities
The family and friends of a much-loved Stradone woman, who climbed Croagh Patrick on the tail end of Storm Betty in August, handed over funds to local cancer charities in her memory.
A group of more than 70 people undertook the pilgrimage, led by Andy Kelly, the husband of Breege Kelly who passed away in December 2022. The date of the climb [August 19] was significant as it would have marked Andy and Breege’s 43rd wedding anniversary. “She held my hand the whole way,” says Andy of his beloved wife Breege. The presentation of almost €35,000 was made to representatives of three charities - Cuan Cancer Care, Cavan-Monaghan Palliative Care, and Friends of Oncology at Cavan General Hospital - at a special night in the Cross in Stradone.
Castletara site use ‘paused’
The Department of Integration “paused” plans to house asylum seekers at a former equestrian centre in Castletara until such time as there was “further engagement” with locals “in an effort to clarify and resolve issues”.
Local residents have expressed concerns about the suitability of the Fairtown Lower facility in terms of accommodation, transport and other amenities for residents, and the potential impact in terms of security, among other issues. They were engaged in a ‘round the clock’ protest at the site on a shift system.
New jobs at Swanlinbar firm
Ten new permanent positions were created in Swanlinbar at M:Tec Engineering. Minister Heather Humphreys visited the company’s headquarters to announce the good news. Led by the Malanaphy family, the company specialises in machinery engineering with a focus on manufacturing and exporting trailers. M:Tec Engineering had grown from strength to strength since its foundation in 2020.