Taken from Northern Standard, Friday, June 12th 1959. My thanks to Dermot for supplying the information. ‘Happy Emyvale’. We should like to offer our very sincere congratulations to the Emyvale Development Association and to the people of that area generally, on the important event which took place on Thursday of last week when the Minister for Lands, Mr. Erskine Childers, launched seven new boats on the now famed Emy Lough. There is no part of this county in which progress has been so marked in recent times as in the Emyvale area. In fact there has been a transformation in that village and district. Down to about 30 or 35 years ago it remained a poor enough village but a little later Emyvale gradually began to advance. A gentleman who did much to bring about the transformation was Mr. Charles McCluskey who established a comprehensive business there and generally pushed forward the interests of the village. Then Mr. James Boylan established the famed Mullan Mills Boot factory, a thriving and progressive concern giving substantial employment. A Saw Mill, a rake and spade making factory were established (Ed: - Corrigans). New life was infused not alone into the village but into the entire surrounding area and Emyvale is today one of the most prosperous and progressive areas in this part of the country. Moreover, the amenities have not been neglected. The village, which is the largest village in the county, has its Public Hall, its Cinema, its football and sports ground. Provision is made for all forms of recreation and amusement. New shops have been opened. It has most of the amenities of a large town. The farmers of the area are also progressive and industrious. In recent years one who has been indefatigable in the uplifting of both the village and the surrounding rural area is Rev. Peter Larkin, CC. He has certainly done great work for Emyvale and continues to do so. The ceremony on Thursday June 4th was another advance in the right direction. There are few lakes in this part of the country comparable to Emy Lough, presently being developed in the interests of the tourist traffic, which is one of the country’s greatest sources of revenue. The Emyvale Development Association are determined to continue their good work. They now aim at making Emy Lough a great trout fishing centre. Already substantial progress has been made in that direction and Emyvale has good reason to be happy about its progress. Editor – just thought that information might be of interest to some. The secretary of Emyvale Development Association at the time was Seamus McCluskey, and was still the Secretary at the time of his death. Over the years since then many other developments have come to the area through the work of the EDA. This would include the Vocational School, which used be at the top of the town, the Leisure Centre, the Enterprise Centre, the ICA, revival of Emyvale GFC in mid 70’s, Emy and District Anglers, the formation of Donagh Development Association to provide a walkway around Emy Lough, and working with Monaghan County Council and other authorities to bring many other developments to the area including the housing estates, Water and Sewerage schemes, Main Street upgrading, Telephone exchange, Public Library, developing the Heritage of the area including McKenna Country and links with Prince Edward Island and the William Carleton connection and more. By the way – also reported that week: 1. the films being shown in the Emyvale Cinema on Sunday June 14th at 8.30pm was a ‘giant double feature programme’ of Come Next Spring and Old Oklahoma Plains. The assistant- projectionist that night was yours truly. 2. Packie Hughes won the 100yds sprint in Keady and P.J. Fitzpatrick was 2nd. Both were members of Emyvale Athletic Club. 3. The Emyvale Library showed that during the previous two months a total of 372 books had been stamped out to readers in the area. 4. Emyvale defeated Aghabog to reach the Semi-final of the Coughlan Cup. 5. There was a ‘generous’ response for the Blood Transfusion Unit’s visit to Emyvale. 6. On Friday night Fianna Fail had a big dance in the Parochial Hall, music by Ken Kennedy Band. 7. John Joe Gorman, Emyvale Cycling Club, got 2nd place in the Ulster Senior 1 Mile Championship held in Dungannon. Pat Quinn was 1st. The same result was had in the 3 Mile Handicap race.