By Joe Hanratty

A SPECIAL new piece of sculpture was recently erected at McGrath Way which has attracted much favourable comment from the local residents. The new piece of sculpture which is appropriately a harp design will add to the new development. The piece was made by local artist Yoram Drori who is based at the Castleblayney Enterprise Centre. The piece was commissioned by Castleblayney Town Council. A special commemorative plaque will be attached to the monument.

The McGrath Way  has been named after a famous local resident, the late Willie McGrath, who was a founding member of the Castleblayney Faughs Club back in 1905. Willie McGrath was Castleblayney’s first town clerk taking up the post in 1906  and holding it until 1926.

He was also  an outstanding athlete at the turn of the century and was involved deeply in athletics and the local hockey and soccer team. With some persuasion from the then Curate Fr Mark Clinton McGrath and his sporting colleagues turned moved en mass to the GAA and founded the now famous Monaghan club, Castleblayney Faughs, which holds the record for winning the greatest number of senior club championships.

His son Liam went on to play a prominent role in the club and was deeply involved the winning of a number of these titles as player and later manager, managing the Faughs to the first five in a row back in the 1960s. Liam,  like the other family members was delighted that his father should have been honoured with the naming of the new road after him.