Credit Union opens new offices for 21st

January 1988

CÚCHULLAIN Credit Union, or Printers’ Credit Union as it was more popularly known, celebrates an important double milestone – an official opening of new offices, and its 21st birthday.

Formed on 5 January, 1967, the chapter marks its coming of age with a special dinner in the Derryhale Hotel.

This follows the official opening and blessing of new premises in Dublin Street.

Fr Seán McCartan, St. Patrick’s Adm.; Rev. Mark Wilson, Church of Ireland rector and Fr. Collins, Prior, St. Malachy’s are among the guests, along with Dundalk urban council, Cllr. Jimmy Callan and Mr. S. Flanagan, president of the Irish League of Credit Unions.

The Printers’ Credit Union starts with 19 members, Jimmy Shields, Jimmy Bellew, Paddy Murphy, Richard McKeown, Paddy Smith, Owen Myers, Joe Crilly, John Lambe, Brian McKeever, Brendan Tipping, Paul Myers, Brian Walsh, Kevin Ward, Pat Morrissey, Johnny McEvoy, Sean Quinn, Paddy Mee, Peter Murphy and Eugene Lambe.

They attend the inaugural meeting in the Labourers’ Hall at which it is decided to subscribe £1 each.

The first officers are chairman, Paddy Murphy; vice-chair, Owen Myers and treasurer/secretary, Jimmy Shields.

Collections, in the beginning, are held in the hall, and membership is confined to five local printing houses, W.S. Magowan, Dundalk Democrat, W.P. Tempest, E.V. Warren and The Diamond, plus relatives of members living in the same household.

Membership is later extended. Offices are acquired in Bridge Street in 1969, where business is conducted until the transfer to Dublin Street.

There are now over 2,000 members, and four officers, three working work full-time.

Chairman, Paddy Mee; vice-chair, Leo McCormack; treasurer, Tommy Mulholland; asst. treas., Frank Duffy.