Anglo-Celt sold to Celtic Media

THE Anglo-Celt weekly newspaper has been purchased from the O’Hanlon family by the Dunfermline Press in a €15 million deal.

Last night, Anglo-Celt managing editor Johnny O’Hanlon confirmed that Celtic Media Group have acquired the Anglo-Celt and its associated contracting printing works, Celtrim printing.

Celtic Media is the Irish arm of Scottish group Dunfermline Press Group and Clyde & Forth Press where Irish-born Deirdre Romanes is chief executive.

Commenting on the sale of the paper, which dominates the Cavan media market and has an ABC audited circulation of 15,144, Mr O’Hanlon said he expects the acquisition to strengthen the paper’s position as one of the country’s leading regional newspapers.

The Anglo-Celt’s current management have been contracted to stay with the company and no job losses are anticipated.

“The Celtic Media Group will bring to the Anglo-Celt expertise gathered from their experience in running other newspapers, enhanced management systems and access to investment capital for future investment and modernisation,” added Mr O’Hanlon.

In December 2002, Dunfermline paid almost €30m for the Meath Chronicle.