2023 in review - Looking back on April in Louth

April 4th 2023

After months of hard work and negotiations, Dundalk Men’s Shed were in the process of setting up a new home at Muirhevnamor in April.

They had been told that they had to move from their original base in Seatown to accommodate a new St John of God day service at the location.

With the help of Louth County Council, local politicians, the Muirhevnamor Community Gardens Committee and the members themselves, the group will now have a new home on the community gardens site at Hoey’s Lane, Dundalk.

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Four state/semi state owned sites in Dundalk were identified as potential locations for affordable and social housing in a report published by the Land Development Agency (LDA).

The report said that if the sites were developed, up to 1,070 new homes could be delivered in Dundalk.

Saturday 1 April saw a moment of Irish Railway Preservation history when the Q Class 4-4-0 No. 131 steam engine carried passengers out of Dundalk.

Withdrawn from service in 1963, the train sat for years on a plinth at Dundalk station throughout the 70s and early 80s.

Clark Station was thronged with eager onlookers and passengers who turned out to see the engine despite the bad weather.

April 11th 2023

The worst kept secret in Louth was out, as it was officially confirmed that US President Joe Biden was to visit the Wee County.

Excitement was building throughout the week as rumours abounded of Secret Service agents at King John’s Castle in Carlingford and plain closed gardai taking notes on Clanbrassil Street.

The industrial dispute between over 200 workers at the Cargotec (formerly Moffett Engineering) facility in Dundalk over a “TUPE” (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) process was resolved.

Following a vote by members, the Unite union accepted proposals put forward by an independent mediator.

Local councillors were given a presentation at the Dundalk Municipal District April meeting, of design plans for the planned regeneration of Carlingford, which would see a major transformation of the north Louth village, should planning permission be granted and funding sourced.

April 18th 2023

A banner reading “Dundalk welcomes President Biden” greeted the presidential cavalcade as it wound its way through Clanbrassil Street, and the town certainly delivered a memorable céad míle fáilte that neither the president or locals will ever forget.

Earlier in the day, President Biden’s first engagement in Louth was a trip to Carlingford on the Cooley Peninsula.

Next stop for the president was McAteers Food House on Clanbrassil Street,

After spending nearly half an hour talking with staff, the president exited to further cheers and waving before the presidential motorcade crawled further down the newly power washed street into Dundalk, stopping this time at The Windsor Pub and Restaurant.

A reception was held inside with President Biden making a speech in front of his distant relatives before meeting with a number of dignitaries, including Oireachtas members, Louth County Council elected representatives, and Louth County Council officials.

April 25th 2023

A proposal to invite a delegation from New York to Dundalk next year, to celebrate St Brigid's Day and showcase Louth, was put to councillors at the Louth County Council April meeting, with the idea receiving support from members present.

A number of councillors had voiced their opposition to a suggestion that Louth County Council invite New York dignitaries to Dundalk for St Patrick's Day next year, instead of Louth representatives travelling to New York for its St Patrick's Day parade, but an idea that they be invited to Dundalk for St Brigid's Day was welcomed.

The current Housing Adaptation Grant system, “has collapsed” according to Sinn Fein councillor Pearse McGeough.

Councillor McGeough said that he had previously warned that grants specifically designed to aid vulnerable citizens were being underfunded and that it was unacceptable for these citizens to have to wait in excess of three years for this emergency funding.