Arvagh
{{short description|Village in County Cavan, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Arvagh
|native_name = {{lang|ga|Ármhach}}
|native_name_lang = ga
|settlement_type = Town
|image_skyline = Market House, Arvagh - geograph.org.uk - 1301295.jpg
|image_caption = Market House
|pushpin_map = Ireland
|pushpin_label_position = right
|pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ireland
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Ireland
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_name1 = Ulster
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = County Cavan
|subdivision_type3 = Barony
|subdivision_name3 = Tullyhunco
|established_title =
|established_date =
|unit_pref = Metric
|area_footnotes =
|area_total_km2 =
|population_as_of = 2022
|population_footnotes = {{cite web | title = Census Interactive Map – Towns: Arvagh | url = https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C04160V04929&guid=67cb3522-368c-4a85-bb8e-309f82eaa041 | work = Census 2022 | publisher = Central Statistics Office | access-date = 17 July 2024}}
|population = 419
|coordinates = {{coord|53|55|N|7|35|W|region:IE_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|website =
|footnotes =
|area_code_type =
|area_code =
}}
Arvagh ({{Irish place name|Árṁaċ/Ármhach|division or place of slaughter}}),{{cite web | url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/4348 | title = Ármhach/Arvagh | work = Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie) | publisher = Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Dublin City University | access-date = 1 October 2020}} or Arva, is a town in County Cavan, Ireland, on the shores of Garty Lough and overlooked by Bruse Mountain.{{cite book | last=O'Neill, Kevin| year=2003 |title=Family and Farm in Pre-Famine Ireland | publisher=University of Wisconsin Press | pages=29–30 |isbn=0-299-09844-3}} It is located on the junction of the R198 and R203 regional roads.
It is situated in the centre of the drumlin belt on the border of Counties Longford and Leitrim. Its location is about 3 km southeast of the tripoint where the three provinces of Ulster, Leinster and Connacht meet.{{cite web|title=Arva |work=Cavan Tourism |url=http://www.cavantourism.com/html/towns_villages/arva.asp |access-date=9 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430052747/http://www.cavantourism.com/html/towns_villages/arva.asp |archive-date=30 April 2009}}
Toponymy
Árṁaċ, or Ármhach (meaning "Battlefield" or "Place of Slaughter"), was brought about because Arvagh is on the borders of 3 counties and provinces, Leitrim, Longford and Cavan (Connaght, Leinster and Ulster). The royal families of these counties would battle in Arvagh and as a result many died, Hence "Place of Slaughter".{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
In 1836, Arvagh was recorded by John O'Donovan as Airbheach, 'a division'. Under descriptive marks it was recorded that "The town of Arvagh is small...The word Arvagh is derived from a rocky spot in the adjoining townland and on which the despensary is built, which signifies the place of blood or slaughter"{{Cite web|url=https://www.logainm.ie/en/4348|title = Ármhach/Arvagh}}
Local folklore, recorded in the Dúchas Schools’ Collection, supports this interpretation, associating the name with historical battles in the surrounding area. However, as is common with early Irish toponyms, there is no definitive historical record of a specific event giving rise to the name, and it may also refer more broadly to a territorial or symbolic landscape feature. Another entry from the Schools’ Collection records that "the real name for the town is Drumalt," implying that this may have been the original name before it became known as Arva.{{cite web |title=My Home District |url=https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5070734/5058375/5091299 |website=Dúchas.ie |publisher=National Folklore Collection, UCD |access-date=16 April 2025}}
History
= Early History =
Arva (Irish Ármhach, “battlefield”) lies at the western edge of the barony of Teallach Dhúnchadha (Tullyhunco) in County Cavan. Archaeological surveys have recorded over twenty ringforts (ráth) in and around the townland, indicating continuous settlement from the 6th to the 10th centuries.{{cite book|last=O'Kelly|first=Patrick|title=Archaeological Inventory of County Cavan|publisher=The Stationery Office|year=1995|isbn=9780101710921}}
In the early medieval period the area formed part of the over‑kingdom of Bréifne, ruled by the Uí Briúin Bréifne dynasty. From the 11th century the local túath of Tullyhunco was governed by the Mág Tighearnán sept, whose chiefs administered Brehon law and collected tribute from their crannóg at Cruachan O’Cúbhrán.{{cite book|last=O'Reilly|first=J. J.|title=History of Breifne: An Account of the Settlement, Rulers, Ecclesiastical Writings, and Antiquities of Ancient Breifne|publisher=Sealy, Bryers & Walker|year=1895}}
Between the 8th and 12th centuries Bréifne consolidated into West Bréifne (under the O’Rourke kings) and East Bréifne (under the O’Reilly kings). Tullyhunco, including Arva, was absorbed into East Bréifne by the mid‑13th century, a division confirmed by conflicts such as the Battle of Magh Slécht in 1256.{{cite book|last=MacCotter|first=Paul|title=Medieval Ireland: Territorial, Political and Economic Divisions|publisher=Four Courts Press|year=2008|isbn=9781846820690}} This Gaelic lordship remained until the Tudor conquest of Ireland in the 16th century.
= Plantation and Foundation of the Town =
Gaelic control began to collapse during the late 16th century, particularly following the Nine Years’ War (1594–1603) and the Flight of the Earls (1607). These events paved the way for the Plantation of Ulster, a policy of land confiscation and colonisation carried out by the English Crown. Arva, along with much of southern Ulster, was granted to British settlers. The modern town was likely established during this plantation period in the early 17th century.{{cite book |last=Perceval-Maxwell |first=M. |title=The Scottish Migration to Ulster in the Reign of James I |publisher=Routledge |year=1973 |isbn=9780710075387}}
= 18th and 19th Century Development =
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Arva developed further under the control of the Gosford estate, which was held by the Acheson family, later the Earls of Gosford. Surviving estate maps from 1822 and 1845 show a formally planned town layout centred around a market house and fair green.
In 1841, at which time the 1841 Census recorded a population of 69, there were four pubs in the village and the monthly fairs were of considerable local trade importance.{{cite web|title=Arvagh - County Cavan |work=Discover Ireland |url=http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-places-to-go/placefinder/a/arvagh-cavan/ |access-date=9 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718211118/http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-places-to-go/placefinder/a/arvagh-cavan/ |archive-date=18 July 2011}}
= Early 20th Century Life =
File:Arva in pre 1940s farmers market.jpg
A valuable snapshot of life in Arva during the early 20th century is preserved in the Schools’ Collection, compiled in the 1930s by local schoolchildren as part of a nationwide folklore project.
A snapshot of life in Arva during the early 20th century is preserved in the Schools’ Collection, compiled in the 1930s by local schoolchildren as part of a nationwide folklore project. One account, written by Joy Scott of Arva National School on 18 March 1938, describes how the town was transitioning into the modern era, with the arrival of electricity:
:"There is electric light in the town which brightens it very much at night, there are lights along the streets and in nearly every house. Long ago there was only oil lamps on the street which did not show much light but now that is replaced by the electricity."{{cite web |title=Arvagh |website=Dúchas.ie |publisher=The Schools’ Collection |url=https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5070734/5058382/5091357 |access-date=16 April 2025}}
The same contributor described the town’s layout and social life during the 1930s:
:"There are four streets in the town namely: Main Street, Pound Street, Broad Road and Longford Street. There are a few fine buildings in the town. There are three large dances halls namely 'St. Patrick’s Hall', 'Moonlight Pavilion' and 'Memorial Hall'. The guards barrick, the post office, three banks, a chapel and a church. There is a fair held once a month in the town and a market each week. In the summer evenings the young people play tennis, camogie, football and lots of other games and in winter there are many amusements such as pictures, dances, and concerts."{{cite web |title=Arvagh |website=Dúchas.ie |publisher=The Schools’ Collection |url=https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5070734/5058382/5091357 |access-date=16 April 2025}}
Governance
=Local=
Arva is located within the jurisdiction of Cavan County Council, the local authority responsible for delivering services in areas such as housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning, environmental protection, and local enterprise development. The town lies within the Ballyjamesduff Local Electoral Area, one of the three electoral areas used for local governance within the county.
In the 2024 local elections, six councillors were elected to represent the Ballyjamesduff LEA:{{cite web |title=Local Election Results 2024 – Ballyjamesduff LEA |url=https://www.cavancoco.ie/services/elections-voting/local-elections-2024/local-election-results-liveblog/ |website=Cavan County Council |access-date=16 April 2025}}
- Shane P. O’Reilly (Independent Ireland)
- Trevor Smith (Fine Gael)
- T.P. O’Reilly (Fine Gael)
- Winston Bennett (Fine Gael)
- Philip Brady (Fianna Fáil)
- Noel Connell (Sinn Féin)
=National=
For national representation, Arva is part of the Cavan–Monaghan constituency in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas, Ireland’s national parliament. The constituency elects five Teachtaí Dála (TDs) using the proportional representation-single transferable vote (PR-STV) electoral system.
As of the 2024 general election, the five sitting Teachtaí Dála (TDs) representing the constituency are:{{cite web |title=Cavan–Monaghan General Election 2024: Full Results |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/elections-2024/cavan-monaghan-general-election-2024-updates-marathon-count-ends-as-fianna-fail-take-final-two-seats/a831523871.html |website=Irish Independent |date=10 June 2024 |access-date=16 April 2025}}
- Matt Carthy (Sinn Féin)
- Cathy Bennett (Sinn Féin)
- David Maxwell (Fine Gael)
- Niamh Smyth (Fianna Fáil)
- Brendan Smith (Fianna Fáil)
=Europe=
At the European level, Arva falls within the Midlands–North-West constituency, which elects five Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). As of the 2024 European Parliament elections, the MEPs representing this constituency are:{{cite web |title=European Election 2024: Midlands–North-West Results |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/elections-2024/2024/0609/1449970-european-elections-midlands-north-west/ |website=RTÉ News |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=10 June 2024 |access-date=16 April 2025}}
- Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (Independent)
- Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil)
- Nina Carberry (Fine Gael)
- Maria Walsh (Fine Gael)
- Ciarán Mullooly (Independent Ireland)
= Historical representation =
== County Cavan (Irish Parliament constituency, 1585–1800) ==
Prior to the Act of Union 1801, County Cavan returned two MPs to the Irish House of Commons. The county franchise was originally limited to forty‑shilling Protestant freeholders; the Catholic Relief Act 1793 extended the vote to qualifying Catholics; Catholic Emancipation (1829) and later UK Reform Acts (1832, 1867) further expanded the electorate.{{cite web |title=Members of Parliament for County Cavan |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Cavan_(Parliament_of_Ireland_constituency)#Members_of_Parliament |website=Wikipedia |access-date=17 April 2025}}
class="wikitable" | ||||||
Election | colspan=3|First MP | colspan=3|Second MP | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1585 | Philip Reilly | Edmund Reilly{{Cite thesis|url=http://www.tara.tcd.ie/handle/2262/77206|title=A biographical dictionary of the membership of the Irish House of Commons 1640-1641|first=Bríd|last=McGrath|date=24 October 1998|publisher=Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland). Department of History |hdl=2262/77206 }} | ||||
1613 | Sir Oliver Lambart | Sir John Fishe | ||||
1634 | Sir Stephen Butler | Lucas Dillon | ||||
1639 | Colonel Philip O'Reilly (expelled 1642) | Robert Bailey | ||||
1661 | Sir Francis Hamilton, 3rd Baronet | Thomas Coote{{cite book|title=Parliamentary Papers, Volume 62, Part 2|page=607}} | ||||
1689
| style="background-color: white" | | | style="background-color: white" | | | ||||||
1692
| rowspan="4" style="background-color: white" | | rowspan="4" | Sir Francis Hamilton, 3rd Bt | rowspan="4" | | style="background-color: white" | | Robert Saunderson{{efn|Expelled in 1696.}} | | ||||||
1697
| style="background-color: white" | | | ||||||
1703
| style="background-color: white" | | | ||||||
1713
| style="background-color: white" | | | ||||||
1715
| style="background-color: white" | | | style="background-color: white" | | | ||||||
1727
| style="background-color: white" | | | rowspan="2" style="background-color: white" | | rowspan="2" | John Maxwell | rowspan="2" | | ||||||
1751
| rowspan="4" style="background-color: white" | | rowspan="4" | Hon. Brinsley Butler{{efn|Styled as Lord Newtown-Butler from 1756.}} | rowspan="4" | | ||||||
1756
| style="background-color: white" | | | ||||||
1761
| style="background-color: white" | | | ||||||
1766
| style="background-color: white" | | | ||||||
1768
| style="background-color: white" | | | rowspan="3" style="background-color: {{party color|Irish Patriot Party}}" | | rowspan="3" | George Montgomery | rowspan="3" | Patriot | ||||||
1780
| style="background-color: white" | | | ||||||
1783
| rowspan="3" style="background-color: white" | | rowspan="3" | Charles Stewart | rowspan="3" | | ||||||
1788
| style="background-color: white" | | John Maxwell{{efn|Declared not duly elected in 1788.}} | | ||||||
1788
| rowspan="3" style="background-color: white" | | rowspan="3" | Francis Saunderson | rowspan="3" | | ||||||
1793
| style="background-color: white" | | | ||||||
1800
| style="background-color: white" | | | ||||||
1801
| | colspan="5" | Succeeded by the Westminster constituency Cavan |
== Cavan (UK Parliament constituency, 1801–1885) ==
From 1801 until its division in 1885, County Cavan elected two MPs to the UK House of Commons. The Act of Union retained the forty‑shilling county franchise; the Reform Act 1832 and later acts expanded it further.{{cite web |title=Members of Parliament for Cavan |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavan_(UK_Parliament_constituency)#Members_of_Parliament |website=Wikipedia |access-date=17 April 2025}}
class="wikitable" | ||||
Election | colspan="2"|1st Member | 1st Party | colspan="2"|2nd Member | 2nd Party |
---|---|---|---|---|
1801
|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Whigs (British political party)}}" | |rowspan="2"| Francis Saunderson |rowspan="2"| Whig |rowspan="8" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Tories (British political party)}}" | |rowspan="8"| Nathaniel Sneyd |rowspan="8"| Tory | ||||
1802 | ||||
1806
|rowspan="5" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Tories (British political party)}}" | |rowspan="5"| John Maxwell-Barry |rowspan="5"| Tory | ||||
1807 | ||||
1812 | ||||
1818 | ||||
1820 | ||||
1824
|rowspan="5" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Tories (British political party)}}" | |rowspan="7"| Henry Maxwell |rowspan="5"| Tory{{cite book |last1=Stooks Smith |first1=Henry |title=The Register of Parliamentary Contested Elections: Containing the Uncontested Elections Since 1830 |date=1842 |publisher=Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. |location=London |pages=218–219 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VQgHAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA218 |via=Google Books |access-date=10 May 2020}} | ||||
1826
|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Whigs (British political party)}}" | |rowspan="2"| Alexander Saunderson |rowspan="2"| Whig{{cite web |last1=Farrell |first1=Stephen |title=SAUNDERSON, Alexander (1783-1857), of Castle Saunderson, co. Cavan |url=https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1820-1832/member/saunderson-alexander-1783-1857 |website=The History of Parliament |access-date=10 May 2020}} | ||||
1830 | ||||
1831
|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Tories (British political party)}}" | |rowspan="12"| Sir John Young, Bt. |rowspan="2"| Tory | ||||
1832 | ||||
1835
|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" | |rowspan="2"| Conservative |rowspan="7" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" | |rowspan="7"| Conservative | ||||
1837 | ||||
1839
|style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" | | ||||
1840
|rowspan="3" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" | |rowspan="3"| Henry John Clements |rowspan="3"| Conservative | ||||
1841 | ||||
1841 | ||||
1843
|rowspan="7" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" | |rowspan="7"| James Maxwell |rowspan="7"| Conservative | ||||
1847
|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Peelite}}" | |rowspan="2"| Peelite | ||||
1852 | ||||
1853
|style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Peelite}}" | | Peelite | ||||
1855
|style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" | | ||||
1857
|rowspan="4" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" | |rowspan="4"| Hugh Annesley |rowspan="4"| Conservative | ||||
1859 | ||||
1865
|style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Liberal Party (UK)}}" | |rowspan="2"| Edward James Saunderson | ||||
1869
|style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" | | ||||
1874
|rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Home Rule League}}" | |rowspan="2"| Charles Joseph Fay |rowspan="2"| Home Rule League |rowspan="2" style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Home Rule League}}" | |rowspan="2"| Joseph Biggar |rowspan="2"| Home Rule League | ||||
1880 | ||||
1885
|colspan="8"| constituency abolished: see Cavan East and Cavan West |
== West Cavan (UK Parliament constituency, 1885–1922) ==
This table lists every Member of Parliament (MP) for West Cavan from its creation in 1885 until its abolition in 1922.{{cite web |title=Members of Parliament for West Cavan |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Cavan_(UK_Parliament_constituency)#Members_of_Parliament |website=Wikipedia |access-date=17 April 2025}}
class="wikitable" | ||
Election | colspan="2"|Member | Party |
---|---|---|
1885
|style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Nationalist Party (Ireland)}}" | | ||
1890(b)
|style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Nationalist Party (Ireland)}}" | |rowspan="2"| Edmund Vesey Knox | ||
1892
|style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Irish National Federation}}" | |Irish National Federation (Anti-Parnellite) | ||
1895(b)At the 1895 general election, Knox was elected for both West Cavan and for Londonderry City. He chose to sit for Londonderry, triggering a by-election in West Cavan.
|style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Irish National Federation}}" | | Irish National Federation (Anti-Parnellite) | ||
1900
|style="color:inherit;background-color:{{party color|Nationalist Party (Ireland)}}" | | ||
1904(b)
|style="color:inherit;background-color:{{party color|Nationalist Party (Ireland)}}" | | ||
1918
|style="color:inherit;background-color: {{party color|Sinn Féin}}" | | ||
1922
|colspan=3| Constituency abolished: See Cavan (Dáil constituency). |
== Cavan (Dáil constituency, 1921–1977) ==
{{Irish TD table begin
|constituency = Cavan
|maxTDs = 4
|start = 1921
|end = 1977
|Clann na Poblachta
|Clann na Talmhan
|Cumann na nGaedheal
|Farmers' Party (Ireland)
|Fianna Fáil
|Fine Gael
|Independent politician (Ireland)
|National Centre Party (Ireland)
|Republican (Ireland, 1923)
|Sinn Féin
|Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty)
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 2
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Arthur Griffith
|elections = 1
|party = Sinn Féin
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Paul Galligan
|elections = 1
|party = Sinn Féin
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Seán Milroy
|elections = 1
|party = Sinn Féin
}}
{{Irish TD table seats dropped
|seats = 1
|elections = 2
|comment = 3 seats
1921–1923
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 3
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Arthur Griffith
|elections = 1
|party = Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty)
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Walter L. Cole
|elections = 1
|party = Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty)
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Seán Milroy
|elections = 1
|party = Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty)
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 4
|byelections = 1
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Patrick Smith
|elections = 2
|party = Republican (Ireland, 1923)
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = John James Cole
|elections = 2
|party = Independent politician (Ireland)
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Seán Milroy
|elections = 1
|party = Cumann na nGaedheal
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Patrick Baxter
|elections = 3
|party = Farmers' Party (Ireland)
}}
{{Irish TD table by-election
|constituency = Cavan
|year = 1925
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = John Joe O'Reilly
|elections = 5
|party = Cumann na nGaedheal
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 5
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Paddy Smith
|elections = 16
|party = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = John O'Hanlon
|elections = 3
|party = Independent politician (Ireland)
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 6
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = John James Cole
|elections = 1
|party = Independent politician (Ireland)
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 7
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Michael Sheridan
|elections = 10
|party = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 8
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Patrick McGovern
|elections = 1
|party = National Centre Party (Ireland)
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 9
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Patrick McGovern
|elections = 2
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = John James Cole
|elections = 3
|party = Independent politician (Ireland)
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 10
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 11
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Patrick O'Reilly
|elections = 2
|party = Clann na Talmhan
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 12
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Tom O'Reilly
|elections = 1
|party = Independent politician (Ireland)
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 13
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = John Tully
|elections = 4
|party = Clann na Poblachta
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Patrick O'Reilly
|elections = 1
|party = Independent politician (Ireland)
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 14
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Patrick O'Reilly
|elections = 4
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 15
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 16
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 17
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Séamus Dolan
|elections = 1
|party = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Irish TD table seats dropped
|seats = 1
|elections = 4
|comment = 3 seats
1961–1977
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 18
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = John Tully
|elections = 1
|party = Clann na Poblachta
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Tom Fitzpatrick
|elections = 3
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 19
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Patrick O'Reilly
|elections = 1
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 20
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = John Wilson
|elections = 1
|party = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Irish TD table end
|dailnum = 21
|maxTDs = 4
|comment = Constituency abolished. See Cavan–Monaghan
}}
== Cavan–Monaghan (Dáil constituency, 1977–present) ==
{{Irish TD table begin
|constituency = Cavan–Monaghan
|maxTDs = 5
|start = 1977
|end =
|Anti H-Block
|Fianna Fáil
|Fine Gael
|Independent politician
|Sinn Féin
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 21
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Jimmy Leonard
|elections = 1
|party = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = John Wilson
|elections = 6
|party = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
|elections = 5
|party = Fine Gael
|refs = {{efn|group=tdlist|Fitzpatrick served as Ceann Comhairle in the 24th Dáil from 1982 to 1987 and was returned automatically at the 1987 general election.}}
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Rory O'Hanlon
|elections = 10
|party = Fianna Fáil
|refs = {{efn|group=tdlist|O'Hanlon served as Ceann Comhairle in the 29th Dáil from 2002 to 2007 and was returned automatically at the 2007 general election.}}
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = John Conlan
|elections = 4
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 22
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Kieran Doherty
|elections = 1
|party = Anti H-Block
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 23
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Jimmy Leonard
|elections = 5
|party = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 24
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 25
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Andrew Boylan
|elections = 4
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 26
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Bill Cotter
|elections = 1
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 27
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Brendan Smith
|elections = 8
|party = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Seymour Crawford
|elections = 4
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 28
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
|elections = 5
|party = Sinn Féin
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 29
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Paudge Connolly
|elections = 1
|party = Independent politician (Ireland)
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 30
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Margaret Conlon
|elections = 1
|party = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 31
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Heather Humphreys
|elections = 3
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Joe O'Reilly
|elections = 1
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Seán Conlan
|elections = 1
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 32
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Niamh Smyth
|elections = 3
|party = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Irish TD table seats dropped
|seats = 1
|elections = 1
|comment = 4 seats
2016–2020
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 33
|refs = {{cite web|title=General election 2020: Cavan–Monaghan|url=http://www.electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2020&cons=38|work=ElectionsIreland.org|access-date=12 November 2023}}{{cite news |title=Cavan-Monaghan Results 2020|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/election2020/cavan-monaghan|access-date=11 February 2020|work=Irish Times|archive-date=10 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210153435/https://www.irishtimes.com/election2020/cavan-monaghan|url-status=live }}
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Matt Carthy
|elections = 2
|party = Sinn Féin
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|name = Pauline Tully
|elections = 1
|party = Sinn Féin
}}
{{Irish TD table Dáil
|dailnum = 34
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|elections = 1
|name = David Maxwell
|party = Fine Gael
}}
{{Irish TD table TD with party link
|elections = 1
|name = Cathy Bennett
|party = Sinn Féin
}}
{{Irish TD table end}}
{{notelist|group=tdlist}}
Demographics
Historical population data for Arva often refers to the wider **civil parish of Arvagh**, which encompasses the town and surrounding rural area, rather than the town alone. The parish historically covered approximately 17,074 statute acres. {{Citation |title=Marriages, Births, and Deaths Registered in Ireland 1891 |date=1892 |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/1891.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512140009/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/1891.pdf |publisher=Registrar-General (Ireland) |archive-date=12 May 2021}}In 1837, the population of the **parish** was recorded as 4,580, of whom 422 resided in the **town** itself.{{cite book |last=Lewis |first=Samuel |title=A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland |year=1837 |publisher=S. Lewis & Co. |location=London |url=https://www.libraryireland.com/topog/A/Arvagh-Tullyhunco-Cavan.php |access-date=16 April 2025}} Throughout the 19th century, the parish population declined significantly, reflecting trends in rural depopulation, famine, and emigration.
= Language Proficiency =
The 2022 Census reported the following language proficiency among Arva residents:
- English only: 96.2%
- Irish speakers: 28.5%
- Other languages: 3.8%
Of those who spoke Irish, a small percentage used it daily outside the education system.
Events
Each year the Arvagh Agricultural Show takes place in the village.{{Cite web |url=http://breffnichallenge.com/ |title=The Breffni Challenge |date=14 April 2012 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414111225/http://breffnichallenge.com/ |archive-date=14 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web| url = http://www.arvashow.com/| title = Arva Show - Arva Agricultural Show Society| access-date = 8 August 2021| archive-date = 15 February 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210215174327/http://arvashow.com/| url-status = dead}} The "3 Province Festival" also takes place here over 10 days from the last weekend in July until the first weekend in August. The festival includes music, theatre, comedy, art, competitions and other events.{{Cite web|date=2018-08-26|title=Arva 3 Province Festival {{!}} Arva 3 Province Festival is a GO!!! Starts with the Arva Show & finishes August Bank Holiday.|url=http://www.3province.com/|access-date=2021-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826011644/http://www.3province.com/|archive-date=26 August 2018}}
Transport
=Bus=
Whartons Travel operate bus route 975 on behalf of the National Transport Authority. It serves the village six times a day (not Sundays) providing services to Longford via Drumlish and Cavan.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/route-975-cavan-arvagh-longford-bus-service-commences/ |title=Route 975 Cavan - Arvagh- Longford Bus Service Commences - National Transport AuthorityNational Transport Authority |access-date=2014-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218175855/https://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/route-975-cavan-arvagh-longford-bus-service-commences/ |archive-date=2017-12-18 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.whartonstravel.com/longford-bus.html |title=Whartons Travel - Cavan to Longford Bus - Longford to Cavan Bus |access-date=2015-12-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209080718/http://www.whartonstravel.com/longford-bus.html |archive-date=2013-02-09}} Bus Éireann route 465, (Carrigallen-Killashandra-Cavan) serves the village on Tuesday.
=Rail=
Arva Road railway station on the erstwhile Killashandra branch was the nearest station to Arvagh. Nowadays bus route 975 provides a link to Longford railway station.
Angling
The Arvagh area has numerous angling sites such as Garty Lough, Hollybank Lake, Gulladoo Lake, Guiniken Lake and Rockfield Lake.{{cite web | url = https://fishinginireland.info/coarse/north/cavan/arva/ | title = Angling Ireland – Arva | date = 19 April 2018 | publisher = Inland Fisheries Ireland | access-date = 1 October 2020 | archive-date = 26 October 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201026103059/https://fishinginireland.info/coarse/north/cavan/arva/ | url-status = live}} The Arvagh International Fishing Festival takes place in Arvagh every September.
Sport
Arva St Patrick's is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club.