Kilkenny memories: Roadworks, explosives and jobs on this week in 1976
A look back through the Kilkenny People archives to July 1976, when new IDA-backed investment and manufacturing projects helped the South-East emerge as one of Ireland's strongest regions for job creation
Front Pages of Yesteryear
Kilkenny People – Friday, July 30, 1976
The South-East region is gradually winning the war for the creation of new jobs according to a report issued this week by the Industrial Development Authority.
The report points out that 6,735 jobs were created in the South-East in the period 1973-75.
However, 5,738 jobs were lost during the same period. This represents a net gain of 997 jobs. When this is compared with the overall nationwide loss of 6,594 jobs, the South-East region is shown to be coming out well in the fight for new employment and for economic survival.
And there is good news too for Waterford with the announcement by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, Mr Justin Keating TD, that the IDA has approved grants for the location of two new industries at the Waterford Industrial Estate which will provide jobs for 165 people at full production.
One of the firms approved is a US public company, Milton Bradley, a leading manufacturer of games and toys.
Construction of a factory for this project will start immediately, and the company plans to be in operation next February. As many as 140 jobs will be provided within a year of start-up.
The second industry, Revo Engineering, will start production very shortly in a completed factory on the Estate. The project, which will manufacture slate and tile cutters, is being promoted by a Dutch company, Nemaco Bouwmachines BV.
In Co Kilkenny, Tube Rollers Limited at Callan commenced production during 1975. Forty new jobs were created in Kilkenny by an expansion at Mahon and McPhillips while in Castlecomer, Corner International was approved a major reequipment grant.
Explosives find — no arrests yet
Extensive Garda activity has continued since the finding of the huge explosives dump at Clara last week.
To date no arrests have been made but Gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry and they are confident that charges will be made.
Street to remain open during closure
John Street, Kilkenny is to be open when it is closed.
It is expected that Kilkenny Corporation will shut down the street this week as they have to rip up the roads to lay sewerage pipes.
However, the message from the John Street Traders Association is that the street will be open for business as usual during all the work.
The Association points out that although there will be no through traffic there will still be ample space for motorists to go into the street, collect shopping and drive out again.