Picture Special: New car park opened in memory of Tadhg Culbert

written by Staff Writer May 4, 2018

The sun was shining in Letterkenny today as the new Tadhg Culbert car park was officially opened by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Gerry McMonagle and Mayor of Letterkenny MD Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh.

Family and friends of the well-respected late Cllr. Culbert gathered to honour his memory and his contribution to Letterkenny. It was a poignant day for Cllr. Culbert’s wife Hilda, his children Andrew and Lisa and his extended family and former colleagues.

Unveiling the plaque at the new Tadhg Culbert car park which was officially opened by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Gerry McMonagle and Mayor of Letterkenny MD Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh from left are Ciaran Brogan, Mr. John McLaughlin, Director of Service, Roads and Transportation, Hilda Culbert, Cllr. Gerry McMonagle, Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh, Lisa Culbert, Seamus Neely, CEO Donegal County Council and Andrew Culbert. Photo Clive Wasson

The new Tadhg Culbert pay and display car park is situated next to the Donegal County Museum on the site of the former Fire Station on the High Road in Letterkenny. It provides for 39 new car parking spaces including 5 disabled parking spaces in what is a vibrant part of the town with nearby premises including the Credit Union, the Revenue Offices and the recently opened Courthouse.

Cutting the tape at the new Tadhg Culbert car park which was officially opened by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Gerry McMonagle and Mayor of Letterkenny MD Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh. Photo Clive Wasson

Speaking at the launch Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Gerry McMonagle welcomed the opening of this much needed car parking facility saying “this new car park is a welcome addition to the infrastructure of Letterkenny. I would like to congratulate our own Council team of workers who were involved in the construction of this car park and I would especially like to say that I am delighted that this car park has been named in memory of one of our own colleagues the late Cllr. Tadhg Culbert.”

Margo Gallagher, Jimmy Kavanagh, Margaret Tonner and Gerry McMonagle enjoy a laugh and an ice cream as the new Tadhg Culbert car park was officially opened by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Gerry McMonagle and Mayor of Letterkenny MD Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh. Photo Clive Wasson

Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh also welcomed the opening of this car park and acknowledged the importance of this facility to the town of Letterkenny and said “I think it is very fitting to have the car park named in memory of the late Cllr. Tadhg Culbert. Tadhg was a native of Tipperary but he had a great love for Letterkenny, for its people and was passionate in his promotion of the town. To have this car park named in his memory is a fitting tribute to this adopted son of Letterkenny and will serve as a lasting memorial for his family, his friends and for the future generations of this town.”

Council Workers with the Culbert Family at the new Tadhg Culbert car park which was officially opened by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Gerry McMonagle and Mayor of Letterkenny MD Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh. Photo Clive Wasson

Director of Roads and Transportation John McLaughlin also spoke at the official opening and acknowledged the excellent work done by the team of Council staff involved in this project. He also paid tribute to the elected members of the Letterkenny MD for their commitment to this project which is an invaluable resource for the town and in particular for those businesses and services operating in the Port Road, Main Street and High Road areas of the town.

James McDaid, Hilda Culbert, Andrew Culbert, Lisa Culbert, Cllr Gerry McMonagle and Cllr Ciaran Brogan at the new Tadhg Culbert car park which was officially opened by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Gerry McMonagle and Mayor of Letterkenny MD Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh. Photo Clive Wasson

New Tadhg Culbert car park in Letterkenny officially opened – The sun was shining in Letterkenny today as the new Tadhg Culbert car park was officially opened by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Gerry McMonagle and Mayor of Letterkenny MD Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh. At the opening are former collegues Ciaran Brogan, Pat the Cope Gallagher and Victor Fisher. Photo Clive Wasson

Some of the crowd at the Tadhg Culbert car park in Letterkenny officiall opening by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Gerry McMonagle and Mayor of Letterkenny MD Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh. Photo Clive Wasson

The construction of the car park cost in the region of €200,000 and works were completed by the Council’s own Roads Staff. Works included appropriate surveys, demolition and removal of the Former Fire Station and Tower, construction of new retaining structure, surfacing works by local company Churchill Quarries, public lighting designed and supplied by Airtricity and works also included staff parking at the back of the County Museum.

The new ‘Fire Engine Red’ pedestrian barrier and handrails are a nod to the former tenants, the Fire Service, and were manufactured by local firm Coyle Welding based in Bonagee in Letterkenny with bespoke signage being supplied by Castit Signs based in Waterford.

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