November 24th-30th 1916

The first meeting of the amalgamated unions of Fermoy and Mitchelstown was held at Fermoy on Saturday, 25th November. Mr Thomas O’Mahony, presided. Mr O’Neill (Mitchelstown) stated that the hour for holding the meetings of the Guardians was rather inconvenient for the members from Mitchelstown. The train, which was the only mode of conveyance, did not reach Fermoy until 12.30pm and he asked that the hour of meeting be put back until 12.45. The chairman suggested that the hour be changed to 1pm to meet the convenience of the members from Mitchelstown and this was unanimously agreed to. At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr O’Mahony requested that the members would adjourn downstairs as they wished to give their friends from Mitchelstown a hearty greeting. Later the, Medical Officer (Dr Magnier) showed the Mitchelstown members over the hospitals and grounds.


At Cappoquin Sessions, Sergeant H.T. O’Neill charged Michael McGrath of Coolagartboy with assaulting an unknown man in his presence on the 2nd of November (Fair Day). The defendant, who had been bound to the peace in September 1916, was now fined 5s and costs.


A most successful concert in aid of that most popular institution, the Christian Brothers’ Schools, was held in the Town Hall, Mitchelstown on St Fanahan’s Night. The performance attracted a record attendance resulting in the spacious hall being absolutely packed. The Rev. Brother Cronin, who on coming forward was heartily applauded, thanked the audience most sincerely for their support.


The death after a short illness of Miss Minnie Glanville, the courteous, popular and obliging bookkeeper and barmaid attached to the Blackwater Vale Hotel, Lismore, for the past nine years, came as a great shock to all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. She died at the North Infirmary, Cork where she had been sent to undergo an operation. She did not undergo the operation.


It was confirmed that Sergeant William Riordan was killed in action in the Great War. He was the son of Mr Michael Riordan of Mitchelstown and had already distinguished himself in the South African War. When WW1 broke out, he instantly responded to the call of duty. He won the Distinguished Conduct Medal and promotion to corporal and afterwards to sergeant on the field for his gallantry in action.


R. Ginn from Castlelyons, advocated the growing of sugar beet. Eight years previous, he and a Mr Bunbury, attended some meetings of the Cork Corn Exchange for the purpose of trying to start the growing of sugar beet and were supplied with samples of seed, which they distributed to eight farmers. They found that the beet grown in Ireland could produce more than double the amount of tonnage per acre than either Austria or Germany. He argued that Ireland should grow its own and be independent of foreign nations. The soil and climate was suitable. All that was needed was enterprise and capital.