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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.