Dr Connell’s talk on Sinn Fein and the 1918 election

CONSTRUCTION work on the new long-awaited Duleek/Bellewstown and District community facility will get underway within the next couple of weeks.

The state-of the art facility just outside the village at the GAA grounds on the Navan road will cost close on €1.4 million.

The two-storey building and car park will include changing rooms, a sports hall and meeting rooms.

According to the Management Committee Chairman Oliver Cudden, “It’s great to finally get this project started. Many thanks to the Management Committee for their hard work so far.

“We will need a lot of help to get this project completed but the first key milestone is now behind us.

‘ The new centre will facilitate all community groups in the Duleek/Bellewstown area.

“Preparatory work on planning for the new Centre commenced 18 months ago to drive the project and was backed by a dedicated fund-raising plan.

“Duleek/Bellewstown GFC with the support of Duleek & District Athletic Club and the community at large undertook an ambitious fundraising plan with a very popular ‘Oskars’ show at the City North Hotel Gormanston in 2017,” he said.

Local company Croft Construction have been chosen as the preferred bidder following an extensive tendering process.

Irish Cement donated €100,000 while Indaver Ireland contributed €300,000 under the Community Grants Scheme.

Further fundraising will continue for the project which is expected be completed on a phased basis over the next 18 months. A lecture on the 1918 General Election, Sinn Féin’s victory, the meeting of the First Dáil in January 1919 and the setting up of the Free State in 1922, will take place in Drumconrath Parish Centre on Sunday November 18th at 3 p.m.

Dr Peter Connell, editor of Riocht na Midhe and The Land and People of County Meath, 1750 – 1850, will deliver the talk.

Organised by Drumconrath Cultural and Heritage Society, there will be light refreshments served. Subscription €5.

The general election of December 1918 marked a critical turning point in the country’s history. Sinn Féin’s victory led to the meeting of the First Dáil in January 1919 and set in train developments that would lead to the setting up of the Free State in 1922.

This talk will explore the lead up to the 1918 election as Sinn Féin emerged as the dominant force in Irish nationalism, the importance of the anti-conscription campaign and the new electoral franchise, including votes for women.