Main Street, Virginia, Co.Cavan
A photograph of Main Street, Virginia dating from the end of the 19th century.
© National Library of IrelandMain Street, Virginia, Co.Cavan
© National Library of Ireland
© National Library of Ireland
Main Street, Virginia, Co.Cavan
A photograph of Main Street, Virginia dating from the end of the 19th century.
© National Library of IrelandCulme was only a little more successful than Ridgeway in developing a town which could be granted Borough status. He managed to build a few wooden houses and introduced a preacher and a schoolmaster to the town. However, in 1622 the lands were passed on again, this time into the hands of Lucas Plunkett, the Earl of Fingal. The Plunketts manintained ownership of Virginia and the surrounding countryside until 1746. The town had improved during the more than one hundred and twenty years that it had been held by the Plunketts but it had not developed into the important urban centre envisioned by the first Planters.
Mill Cottages, Virginia, Co.Cavan
Photograph of mill cottages in Virginia, Co Cavan, at the end of the 19th century.
© National Library of IrelandMill Cottages, Virginia, Co.Cavan
© National Library of Ireland
© National Library of Ireland
Mill Cottages, Virginia, Co.Cavan
Photograph of mill cottages in Virginia, Co Cavan, at the end of the 19th century.
© National Library of IrelandIn 1746 the Plunketts sold their lands to the Taylours of Kells, Co.Meath. They were a very wealthy family and were able to spend large amounts of money on improving the town. The town further benefited from the re-routing of the Cavan to Dublin road. Like many other towns in Cavan the linen industry brought prosperity. In 1821 Virginia had a population of 467 with about one quarter of these involved in the production of linen. In more recent times the town has grown considerably in size. In the last census (2006) the population was 3188, an increase of more than 33% on the 2002 census figure.