2022 MEMORIES AACHIVES
THIS WEEK 21 YEARS AGO
The front page of TheAvondhu in early November 2002 announced that (surprise, surprise) Fermoy was to have Christmas lights after all. This followed the previous week’s news article, in which it was revealed that just one Fermoy business had attended a meeting about the lights. The poor showing led to the resignation of the Business Association’s chair, Peter Merrigan, but other businesses now appeared to have come on board.
A ‘significant downturn’ in business was expected to mean the closure of Trucolor photo processing in Fermoy, likely resulting in the loss of 30 jobs. Elsewhere, Killavullen’s Amanda O’Gorman was pictured on the front page receiving her trophy from North CorkScór Na NÓg committee members after winning the solo singing category. The Hanley’s Butchers team were pictured outside their shop on Lower Cork Street, Mitchelstown, having being announced as the National Manufacturing champion for their puddings, as well as being awarded the Gold Label award.
A ten-page document, ‘The Starvation of Mitchelstown in Amenities, Development and Enterprise – Year 2002’, was on its way to Minister Martin Cullen from the chair of the Mitchelstown Business Association (MBA), Paudie Fitzgibbon. The document stated that Mitchelstown had not achieved any significant progress in the past two decades, regarding amenities, development and enterprise, as well as a litany of other shortfalls.
Meanwhile, three men were arrested following a ‘brutal attack’ in Lismore in which a man was left with stab wounds to the leg and lower body. In another attack, a man was stabbed in Fermoy, while in Kilbehenny, a 27-yearold man passed away after a collision with an articulated truck.
An ecumenical blessing was due to take place at Loreto Fermoy’s development site in advance of construction beginning on the new extension and sports complex. Fr Tony O’Brien, Rev Alan Marley and Rev Martha GrayStack, were to do the honours.
Charlie Sweeney and Brendan Cahill's long- awaited album, ‘ Nearest to Perfect’, was launched at The Central Lounge in Mitchelstown, making it the first-ever album launch in the town; it was released on both CD and tape. In the Aherlow House Hotel, meanwhile, Michael Lynch launched his book, ‘Behold Aherlow - from Bansha to Galbally’ while in Fermoy, all-round sportsman Jim Aherne was honoured with a civic reception.
Bermingham’s Pharmacy in Fermoy had a fullpage advert announcing the arrival into the town of Revlon cosmetics; the pharmacy was also due to hold a Red Cross fundraiser with Clarins in The Forge Bar. Mitchelstown’s ‘Reading for Pleasure’ group were reading native Booker-prize winner William Trevor’s works, ‘The Hill Bachelors’ and ‘ The Story of Lucy Gault’.
Doneraile remembered the late Tim Healy from the town and a fundraising dance in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association was organised for the Hazel Tree Inn in his memory. Meanwhile in Lismore, the first Remembrance Sunday would be held since a plaque had been installed in St Carthage’s Cathedral to honour the 750 Waterford men killed in the First World War.
TV3 were on their way to T.O. Park to film A Christmas Special Live from the popular venue, while in the cinema in Fermoy, ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ was showing. The first in the phenomenally popular series, it was being shown twice a day in the Youth Centre.
There was mixed blessings for local ploughing competitions, as Bartlemy were blessed with fine weather on the ‘ fertile, well drained lands of John Lane’ in Mellifontstown. Meanwhile, those in Watergrasshill got soaked the following day at John O’Connell’s land at Ballylegan.
In brief - Long-serving Garda Superintendent Kieran McGann, from Castlelyons, was promoted to the rank of chief superintendent. Ballyhooly’s sports pitch had been destroyed for the fourth time in six months by ‘mindless morons’. Despite continued opposition, it seemed likely that Glanworth’s Dairygold branch was to close on May 1st regardless. And elsewhere, Lidl in Fermoy were advertising for deputy store managers, with a starting salary of €28,008 and store assistants for €7.62 per hour.
The Bride Rovers Junior A footballers celebrated their first league title win against Carraig na bhFear. Meanwhile, St Catherines U16 footballers were the B county champions after defeating Sean Clarachs by three points. Under captain Richard O’Connell, it was the first time a county football title had come to the club.
In Fermoy Juvenile Racquetball, U11 Emma O’Hagan took gold in the recent championships, as did U13s Ruairi O’Hagan. Kildorrery’s Orla Murphy was pictured at the Cork ladies football victory dinner, where she received her All-Ireland U14 medal for ladies football.
Finally, the first holes were drilled for the goalposts, as Mitchelstown Rugby Club made their temporary home on Mick Finn’s land at ‘Curraghbowen’, Mitchelstown.