W2C-015 Kilkenny People-4.txt
CALLAN Ð The future looks bright

CALLAN is getting its best ever Christmas present this year with confirmation that the new bridge for the long awaited by-pass will start construction early in the new year.
And people of Callan are in buoyant mood according to successful businessman and local public representative, Cllr. Jimmy Brett who said he was delighted with the news and feels that it will act as a catalyst for further development in the town.
"My main political since I was first appointed to Kilkenny County Council has been to secure the by-pass for Callan." He said that it was great satisfaction that the long years of suffering endured by the people of Callan, truck drivers and motorists was at an end. He told the 'People that the contract for the first stage of the multi million development had been awarded to John Craddock & Company, Naas. This has been approved by the National Roads Authority. He thanked the management of Kilkenny Co Council for their work on bringing the project to fruition, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Michael Smith T.D. and the National Roads Authority. "Most of all I want to thank the people of Callan for their patience and support," Cllr Brett said. Local industries continue to blossom with S.F.L. Engineering continues to forge new contracts in previously untapped markets.

The Callan Bacon company is also trading extremely well while the small but hugely independent Callan Co-operative Society trading better than many of its bigger neighbours.

Callan acts as a magnet to shoppers from Kells, Kilmoganny, Windgap and Mullinahone who are happy to give their business to tried and trusted traders who have been with them through good times and bad.

Business woman Mrs Breda Somers of Adelphi House, Bridge Street has noticed an increase in heavy goods vehicles using Callan in the last few months.

It is thought that the drivers of these articulated lorries coming from Waterford and Tipperary have a better run to and from Dublin since the Kilcullen by pass opened.

Two new books on Callan have just been published. Volume one of Callan's Pictorial Past is available at £ 5 per copy.

This is a must for anybody interested in their own place or in local history. It was produced by John O'Keeffe and Sean Holden.

The second is a detailed account of the goings on in the "Callan Tenant Protection Society." This excellent work was launched by Bishop Laurence Forristal in the town on Friday evening.

Callan has a fine academic record with both St Brigid's College and the CBS Secondary School recording excellent results and adding to the reputation of the town.
