HAVING experienced semi-drought conditions in the summer of 1982, a large number of residents from the locality met that September in Cuilmore National School to discuss the possi- bility of establishing a group water scheme for the area.
Micheal McNally, Paddy Mulchrone and Jimmy Langan were elected chairman, treasurer and secretary respectively of the scheme and with promises of help ringing in their ears, they were left to get on with the job.
The primary aim was to secure a gravity feed source for the scheme. Eventually. ..the upper region of the Black Oak River, situated in Upper Skirdagh, met with engineering and County Council approval.
Tenders were invited and a local contractor Mr. Tommie O'Donnell was successful. Work commenced in the spring of 1989, to lay pipes to 119 dwelling houses which were scattered over a distance of eighteen miles. This work was completed in the spring of 1992.
Each householder paid a contribution of £520.00 to the group and the overall cost of the scheme was £280,000.00.
The secretary of the scheme would like to avail of the opportunity to express thanks to the Minister of the Environment, Mr. Padraig Flynn, T .D. for his vital and critical support when help was needed.
Nowadays, the Trustees are waiting for drought conditions to see if their scheme can stand the test.