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Now as we come to the end of 1998 we can look back on a year that has brought many changes to our parish. The building boom continues unabated. Many new houses have been built and we welcome many new inhabitants into our parish. At long last we have a one-way system in our town which works very well. The placing of the E.S.B. wires underground has improved the appearance of the square and we look forward to seeing many more improvements in the coming year.

Mr. Seamus Cullinane, the most respected Principal of the Vocational School, has retired and is now enjoying a well-deserved rest. We wish him and his wife Ann many years of happiness. Ms. Ann Ruane has been appointed principal. We wish her the best of luck.

The Vocational School won the All – Ireland Senior Hurling Championship for the fourth time and completed a memorial year by winning the Ryan Cup for the first time ever. The Presentation College won the All – Ireland Tráth na gCeist on Radio na Gaeltachta for the second year in a row with the first prize of £5,000.

Father J .J Cribbon has been transferred to Milltown as parish priest. Our best wishes go with him. We welcome Father John O’Gorman to the parish and we congratulate Father Tony King on being elevated to Canon.

Work on the former Protestant Church is now almost complete. A new Town Plan has been drafted and published we look forward to your comments and suggestions on how it can be improved. Pride of place this year must be given to our hurling club who have purchased a new playing field to safeguard our games in the future. The club has won both The County Senior and Intermediate  hurling championships, a feat that has never been achieved before. We look forward to more success in the All – Ireland in the new year.

I wish to express my gratitude to the editorial and distribution committee for their Trojan work in getting our Journal published this Christmas. Our gratitude also to the many people who contributed articles and photographs. We regret that we were unable to publish some due to lack of space but we look forward to publishing them in future editions.

Our gratitude also to Martin Burke our very patient typesetter and Corrib Printers for their expertise and professionalism. Our thanks also to Des Glynn and all the staff at the ADC office.

Nollaig Shona dhíobh go léir agus aith bhliain nua fé mhaise díobh.

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Written by Conrad Byrnes

Published here 21 Apr 2023 and originally published Christmas 1998

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