Articles in the General News Category

Muineachán Le Gaeilge have called for the establishment of a centre for the Irish Language Community in Monaghan. There are now four Gaelscoileanna in the county, as well as Coláiste Oiriall at secondary school level, making Monaghan the county with the highest percentage of children attending Irishmedium education on the island, outside of the Gaeltacht. With such schools and the continued growth of Irish language activities in the English medium schools, Monaghan is now considered one of Athbheochan na Gaeilge’s ongoing success stories. See inside for I dtreo Cultúrlainne – ...

PETER HUGHES A cloud of uncertainty has descended on the future rate of progress of both the Clontibret to the Border and the Ardee to Castleblayney road upgrades on the N2. Both schemes were included in the national road allocations announced by Transport Infrastructure Ireland last month, but there was a furious reaction at Monday’s meeting of Monaghan Co Council – including threats to kick down the door of Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD if he refused a meeting – when what one councillor referred to as “the devil ...

Ballinode-based heavy lift equipment manufacturer Megalift has announced a significant expansion of its operations which will lead to the creation of ten new jobs. The company, which currently exports to 30 countries, is to embark on a substantial 30,000 sq ft development alongside its existing manufacturing facility in Ballinode. Work is expected to commence in June. The new jobs, which will come on stream over the next 12 months, will encompass a diverse range of roles including fabricators, fitters and design engineers. “These new skilled jobs, which are due to ...

Ballinode-based heavy lift equipment manufacturer Megalift has announced a significant expansion of its operations which will lead to the creation of ten new jobs. The company, which currently exports to 30 countries, is to embark on a substantial 30,000 sq ft development alongside its existing manufacturing facility in Ballinode. Work is expected to commence in June. The new jobs, which will come on stream over the next 12 months, will encompass a diverse range of roles including fabricators, fitters and design engineers. “These new skilled jobs, which are due to ...

There is a great chance of seeing a rail connection brought to the county and opening up the entire Border region including Monaghan, according to local Deputy Niamh Smyth. However, she warned that the all-island Strategic Rail Report needs to be “swiftly taken off the Minister for Transport’s desk” and immediately published. “The draft report on an expanded All-Ireland rail plan has been completed but the fact that there is no Minister for Transport in Northern Ireland, due to the suspended Assembly, has halted its publication,” the Fianna Fáil TD ...

A breakthrough deal between Britain and the EU to regulate trade in Northern Ireland has been generally welcomed in Co Monaghan and the wider Border region. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the outcome of the protracted negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol as “a decisive breakthrough”. He was speaking at a joint press conference on Monday with EU President Ursula von der Leyen, who said that the deal struck would allow a stronger EU-UK relationship “standing as close partners, shoulder to shoulder now and in the future”. The British ...

Artist Vincent Devine (pictured above) created the triptych artwork of Vicky Phelan, which was exhibited in St. Joseph’s Pastoral Centre last weekend. The artist is a conceptual painter and described the work as a collaboration between himself and the late CervicalCheck campaigner. The setting is Doonbeg beach in County Clare, Vicky’s favourite place. The three canvas painting represented Vicky’s past, present and future. The portrait is packed with symbolism and Vicky thoroughly endorsed the artist and her portrait. A life-long friend of hers, David Brennan, bought the portrait at a ...

PETER HUGHES A warning to the public to ensure that their homes were secured before attending Mass emanated from Co Monaghan Joint Policing Committee on Tuesday. Garda Superintendent Pat O’Connell told a meeting of the JPC at the M:TEK building in Knockaconny that some recent burglaries in the Monaghan area had occurred while people were out at Mass and it appeared that houses, particularly those of elderly people, were being targeted by criminals at these times. Referring to recent incidents in the Clontibret area, Superintendent O’Connell called on the public ...

PETER HUGHES Displaced Ukrainian people who have found a refuge in Monaghan embarked on a poignant procession through the county capital last Friday to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of their country. Accompanied by Dzintra McConnon of the Monaghan Immigrant Support Group, between 20-30 Ukrainians, mostly women and young people, assembled in the Peter’s Lake area of the North Road and made their way through the park and down Glaslough Street to The Diamond, where candles were lit to remember loved ones who had lost their lives ...

Born on February 27 2020, Maggie celebrated her 103rd birthday this week, receiving her third centenarian medal and letter of congratulations from President Michael D Higgins. When the Norther Standard called to see her Maggie was all smiles, and was delighted to have members of her family and visitors there to share her great achievement. Née Kelly from Drumarell, Mullan, Maggie worked in Mullan Mills and met her future husband James McQuillan at a dance on the dancing deck at Ballagh Bridge. They were married in Ballyoisin and purchased a ...