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Dundalk Leader 19th August 2026
30th Anniversary film on lifting of Safer school route planned for Castle Road the Dundalk Central Signal Cabin
IN 1996, after many years of dedicated service, the Dundalk Central Signal Cabin was retired from operational use as it was no longer required. Recognising its historical importance, the then Station Master, Brendan McQuaid, arranged for the cabin to be carefully relocated from its original working location to its present position on the main station platform, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Today, it stands as a lasting reminder of Dundalk’s rich railway heritage and the vital role signal cabins once played in the safe and efficient operation of the railway. According to then stationmaster Brendan McQuaid the operation was no easy task with the cabin having to be lifted by a crane over the main Dundalk Carrickmacross Road bridge beside the station. “*Myself and Tom Devoy who was District Manager at the time decided that we would keep the cabin as we knew it was a wonderful piece of history. We had to get permission from the
A PROPOSED raised table crossing on Dundalk’s Castle Road could make the journey safer for children attending Réalt na Mara National School, St Vincent’s School and seven other nearby schools, according to Cllr Ciarán Fisher (Ind). Following discussions involving council engineers and
stakeholders of other schools, Cllr Fisher said plans were underway “to put in some safe school interventions which should make it safer and easier to drop kids to school”, with interventions being extended as far as the crossing at Seatown Castle. The raised table should also
help with “an outlying speeding issue” on the busy residential Castle Road, Cllr Fisher said, adding plans are expected to be circulated later this year. “I’m very pleased to see movement on this,” he said. Louth County Council has been contacted for comment.
New MrPRICE store and 30 new Jobs for Dundalk The Signal Cabin is lifted across the bridge on teh Carrickmacross Road. Gardaí to get the road closed. The Signal Box was retired in 1996 and it was put on a trailer and brought to the CIE freight yard on the Ardee Road. On St Patrick’s Day of 1997 we put the signal box on to a wagon and pulled the wagon down beside the tracks. “We had a crane in the car park of the train station and we lifted the cabin over the bridge and put it back on the wagon over the other side. We then relocated the cabin to where it is today on the Railway Platform. It was something we were determined to do as we knew it was of great his-
torical value and would add to the station and I think it has done that and it has got plenty of compliments from plenty of people down through the years. “I have to congratulate Bernard McMahon for putting the video together of the operation. I have watched it and it’s a fantastic look back into an important part of our local railway station history,” stated Brendan. Today, it stands as a lasting reminder of Dundalk’s rich railway heritage and the vital role signal cabins once played in the safe and efficient operation of the railway.
As part of the National Heritage Week the Dundalk Railway Heritage Society are showing a film of the transfer of the Central Railway Signal Box to its present position on Clarke Railway platform. The 40 minute video shows the Service Box being lifted from the southern approach side of the bridge to the northern approach. The video will be shown at 3pm on Saturday the 22nd of August in Forresters Hall, Market Street A91x(KH. Free Admission. More info at dundalkrailwayhs@ gmail.com. Refreshments served.
IRISH discount retailer MrPRICE is bringing even more value to Dundalk with the opening of their brand new store in Longwalk Shopping Centre. The exciting announcement was revealed exclusively to MrPRICE’s 251,000+ Facebook followers, with local customers reacting with huge enthusiasm ahead of opening day. The new store will officially open on Thursday, 20th August at 12 noon. The new store offers a huge range of branded bargains across cleaning, party supplies, stationery, back to school essentials and everyday branded bargains, making it a true one stop shop for bargain hunters. The opening provides a wel-
come boost to employment in the area creating 30 new jobs and brings new life to the previously vacant Penney’s unit within the shopping centre. The announcement has already generated a strong reaction from local customers, with one commenting, “It’s about time someone brought life into Longwalk” while another said, “It will be great to see a bit of light and life into that dark corner of the shopping centre.” The new MrPRICE Longwalk store will be open seven days a week, with opening hours of: Monday–Wednesday: 8.30am–7pm Thursday–Friday: 8.30am– 8pm
Saturday: 8.30am–7pm Sunday: 10am–7pm To celebrate the opening on Thursday 20th August at 12pm, there is Golden Tickets for the first 20 customers, Free balloons, Giveaways, instore DJ and lots more. Fully Irish owned and operated, MrPRICE employs more than 1,700 people nationwide and continues to expand its store network while growing its online offering. Customers can also shop online at www.mrprice.online, bringing MrPRICE’s best value bargains straight to their doorstep.
Hosepipe Ban in Ireland: What It Means for Households in Dundalk By Darren Crawley AFTER several weeks of warm, dry weather, many people across Ireland have been enjoying sunshine that is more commonly associated with southern Europe than the north-east of the country. Lawns have turned brown, gardens have needed regular watering and paddling pools have become a familiar sight in many back gardens. However, prolonged dry spells can place significant pressure on Ireland’s water supply. When reservoirs, rivers and treatment plants come under increasing strain, Uisce Éireann may introduce a hosepipe ban, formally known as a Water Conservation Order, to help protect essential water supplies. For many people, the announcement of a hosepipe ban raises immediate questions. What exactly is prohibited? Who does it apply to? What happens if someone ignores the restrictions? Understanding how these measures work can help households avoid confusion while playing their part in protecting water supplies. A hosepipe ban is introduced when water demand significantly exceeds the available supply or
when prolonged dry weather creates a risk to public water services. The aim is not to inconvenience households unnecessarily but to ensure that enough treated drinking water remains available for essential daily needs such as drinking, cooking, washing and sanitation. Under a typical Water Conservation Order, the use of a hosepipe for non-essential domestic purposes is prohibited. This generally includes watering gardens and lawns, washing private cars, filling ornamental ponds or fountains, cleaning patios and driveways, and topping up domestic swimming pools using a hose connected to the public water supply. Many people are surprised to learn that the restrictions relate specifically to the use of a hosepipe or similar device connected to the mains water supply. Watering plants with a watering can or using stored rainwater is generally unaffected. Likewise, businesses operating under specific exemptions or carrying out essential activities may continue certain water uses where permitted. The reason for these restrictions is straightforward. A garden hose can use hundreds of litres
of treated drinking water in a relatively short period. During periods of exceptionally high demand, this additional consumption can place enormous pressure on treatment plants and distribution networks that are already operating close to capacity. Ignoring a hosepipe ban is not simply discouraged; it can have legal consequences. Water Conservation Orders are made under the Water Services Acts, and failing to comply may constitute an offence. While Uisce Éireann’s primary focus is on encouraging voluntary compliance through public awareness and education, enforcement powers do exist where necessary. Fortunately, most people understand the importance of con-
serving water during periods of prolonged dry weather. Small changes, such as taking shorter showers, fixing leaking taps, collecting rainwater for gardens and only running dishwashers or washing machines with full loads, can collectively make a significant difference. From a local perspective, water conservation has particular importance in Dundalk and across County Louth. Like many communities throughout Ireland, the area relies on a complex network of reservoirs, treatment plants and pipelines to provide safe drinking water every day. During extended periods of dry weather, demand often increases significantly as households spend more time outdoors, gardens require
additional care and businesses experience greater water usage. Dundalk has experienced water supply challenges on a number of occasions in recent years, whether through planned maintenance, burst water mains or temporary supply interruptions. These incidents serve as a reminder of how important it is to protect the water infrastructure that communities rely upon every day. Conserving water during dry periods helps reduce pressure on the network and supports a more reliable supply for everyone. The impact extends beyond individual households. Local businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and emergency services all depend on a secure and consistent water supply. By reducing unnecessary water use, residents contribute to protecting these essential services, particularly during periods when demand is at its highest. It is also worth remembering that climate patterns are changing. Experts have noted that Ireland is experiencing more frequent periods of prolonged dry weather alongside more intense rainfall events. While Ireland remains a country with relatively high annual rainfall, longer dry
spells can still create significant pressure on water resources, particularly where infrastructure is already under strain. Ultimately, a hosepipe ban is about protecting a shared resource rather than preventing people from enjoying the summer. The temporary inconvenience of putting away the garden hose helps ensure that sufficient drinking water remains available for homes, hospitals, businesses and emergency services when it is needed most. As Dundalk continues to enjoy the summer weather, the message is a simple one. Make the most of the sunshine, support local parks, cafés and businesses, and enjoy spending time outdoors, but remember that water is one of our most valuable resources. Using it responsibly today helps ensure that there is enough for everyone tomorrow. By making a few sensible changes and understanding why restrictions are introduced, households across Dundalk can play their part in protecting local water supplies while helping the community weather the dry spell together.
Ancillary report funded by Coimisiún na Meán’s Courts Reporting Scheme