Below is a transcript of an article in the Peoples Press from 23rd January 1960. See a copy of the notes of the inaugural meeting....
NEW PARISH COUNCIL
There was a very large attendance of representatives of all parts of the parish at a Public meeting in the Kilcar Parocial Hall where a new parish council was established.
Mr Hugh Hegarty N.T. Kilcar who presided said that the parish council could do more valuable work in the promotion of the interests of all sections of the community, as well as bringing to the attention of the authorities the various needs of the parish.
Officers elected were President - Very Rev. Canon McGinley P.P., the Very Rev. Logue C.C., Chairman Mr Daniel O’Doherty Kilcar, Vice Chairman James Cronin do., Treasurer Mr Arthur McLaughlin do., Secretary Mr Dan Gillespie N.T. Coguish. All the school areas of the parish were represented. Kilcar Town School areas Messrs. D. Doherty and A. McLaughlin. Coguish School area Messrs Francis McNulty and Hugh Gillespie. Muckross School area Messrs John Carr and Patrick O’Gara. Shalvey School area Messrs M. A. O’Donnell and Hugh Gallagher. Straleel School area Messrs Micheal and Gerry Hegarty. Derrylaghan School area Messrs Patrick McBrearty and Neil Sweeney. Crove School area Messrs Francis Cannon and Edward Molloy. All other sections of the community of Kilcar were represented as follows: Gaeltarra Eireann Tweed Factory workers Mr D. Byrne and Patrick Gallagher. Forestry workers Messrs Edward McCahill and James Cronin. Fishermen Messrs James McNeilis and Dominic Murray. Road workers Mr John Campbell. Hand-loom weavers - working from their home: Mr Cara Byrne. Traders and Business Section: Messrs Aodh O’Gara and John Byrne. G.A.A.: Messrs Frank Gillespie and Prioncias Carr.
FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW BODY (Parish Council)
There was a full attendance of all members at the first meeting of the Council held in the Parish Hall. Mr Daniel Doherty, Chairman said he hoped that the future of the council in furthering the interests of the community would bring satisfactory results. He appealed for the full co-operation and advise from the members in the task they had set before themselves. The gradual improvement of the lot of the community in all its aspects.
Members of the council representing various school areas drew attention to the following problems in their respective districts.
Kilcar Town Area:
Poor conditions of the pavements (sidewalks) and the lack of pavements everywhere in the town except the main street. Lack of sewage in the town. When members were given to understand that some years ago Kilcar headed the County Council’s priority list and it was now placed fourth, much resentment was voiced at this retrograde steps in regard to the villages claim.
Need for a loading bank for cattle on fair days and attention to the fair green.
A playground for the children, in the village or in close proximity to it.
It was decided to have the village entered for Board Failte’s 1960 Tidy Towns competition.
Extension of Kilcars Water Scheme to Cashelcarn townland and distance of approximately half a mile from Kilcar School. It’s being stated that an acute water shortage exists in the townland........
