The ‘water crisis’ effecting Fermoy town was reported to be so bad, that a newly opened advance factory located at Cork Road, was only provided with ‘a household supply’. The revelation came at a meeting between Fermoy UDC councillors and a deputation from Uplands, who had been critical of the lack of water supply which had continued to blight their quality of living in the estate. Water pressure was as low as 10lbs in Uplands during the day, rising to 29lbs at night – with new storage tanks being installed by the council to help combat the problem. However the news regarding the commercial supply which broke in the course of the meeting came as a ‘real stunner’, being a ‘complete source of embarrassment’, which was ‘damaging job creation in the town’, according to UDC chairman, Michael Hanley.
Catherine Cremin, Glanworth and Frank O’Halloran, Fermoy combined their singing/song writing talents to win the Castletownroche Song Contest, taking the TP Keenan Perpetual Cup in the process. Runner-up in the 1994 competition, two of Frank’s songs made the final, namely ‘Think Of Her Now’ sung by Mike Hayes and the winning entry, ‘Don’t Fall In Love’.
Filming was under way of the well known American TV series ‘Murder She Wrote’ in scenic Ballyduff and Lismore. A crew of 15 were staying at the Blackwater Lodge Hotel for the 3 days of filming. Scenes would include shots of Lismore Castle and some of the town’s streets, while the garda station in Ballyduff was also the focus of attention, as well as a particular focus on Phillie’s Pub.
A well organised ‘all night rave music party’ came on the radar of gardai, the event being held ‘in a secluded field surrounded by forestry at Knockananig, approximately 3 miles southwest of the town’ (of Fermoy). Attended by upwards of 300 people, all of whom were believed to have come from outside the area, the intelligence gathered by gardai led to a well coordinated search of persons and vehicles being undertaken, with ‘a significant quantity of cannabis resin, ecstasy and amphetamines’ seized.
GAA followers in Ballyporeen were on a high following the performance of young Alan Fogarty, who had helped the Tipperary minor footballers reach the All-Ireland minor semi-final, having beaten ‘smug favourites’ Cork in the Munster final. Hailing from Carrigavisteal, Alan had been playing football with the local club since age seven, an area known more for its fine hurlers. A proud recipient of a Munster championship medal having played his part as a substitute at corner forward in victory over Cork, the 18 year old, who had just competed his Leaving Cert, helped his county reach the All-Ireland semi-final.
A Galbally girl was crowned the 1995 Queen of the Suir in Cashel, hosted by RTE personality Gerry Ryan. Sylvia Fitzgerald, daughter of Edward and Kathy, automatically qualified for both the International Darling Girl From Clare and the Pride Of Tipperary contests in 1996. Employed at the famous Belleek Potteries in county Fermanagh, she had also won the decorative and architectural ceramics section at the ESB’s national crafts competition.
Donnacha Roche from Brigown, Mitchelstown outclassed competitors from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, France, Spain and Ireland to take first place in the 1995 World Irish Coffee championship final, held in Foynes, Co Limerick. He was presented with a crystal trophy by Irish born film actress, Maureen O’Hara.
A one-page feature in The Avondhu in August 1995, highlighted the official opening of the Mountain Barracks pub, a well known landmark set to reopen its doors under new owners Bill and Maureen Hutchings. Former proprietor was Joanna Daly.
Galtee Gaels U16s captured the club’s second Limerick county football shield following an exciting but low scoring replay over Banogue. With Brian Mullins having ‘the game of his life’ and Eric Cleary ‘inspirational’ in the role of full back, Banogue went into a half-time lead of 0-3 to no score, and registered the first point of the second half, before Gales kicked into top gear and scored six points on the trot to take victory.
