A lightning storm hit The Avondhu area, with the Castlelyons, Conna and Curraglass areas reported to have been worth effected. Over 2,000 ESB customers were left without electricity, some for up to 16 hours, with ESB area supervisor, Colm Murphy informing The Avondhu that ‘his men needed to work flat out and around the clock to keep pace’. In Glanworth, a transformer was hit, with locals reportedly making light of the situation to ‘be drinking a pint in the local by candlelight’, while others stated that ‘their phones were actually blown off the wall’. Lines were also brought down in Ballyporeen. The resulting deluge, following humid conditions, also caused major flash flooding and signalled ‘the end of one of the century’s prolonged hottest spells’ in the country.
‘Bridge jumpers were not breaking the law’, according to Fermoy District Superintendent Eamon Carey in July 1995, in relation to concern raised by locals with youngsters jumping into the River Blackwater, possibly endangering themselves. While the teenagers in question were not breaking any laws, or causing any public inconvenience or annoyance, gardai were asking those concerned to act in a responsible manner to ensure their future safety.
A group of 100 scouts from several local units received high praise for helping restore a historic site in the village of Glanworth. St Dominic’s Well, once a place of worship with its waters still said to ‘possess curative powers’, was situated only yards from the River Funcheon and just below the castle. Although the pathway to the well was in good order, the well itself was ‘completely overgrown, as was the stone covering’. Project co-ordinator Attie Wilson said the site was ‘now almost back to its former glory’ and well worth visiting.
The community of Doneraile bade farewell to the remaining Christian Brothers in the town, with their 125 year educational association with the town finally coming to an ‘emotional’ end. A function organised by the CBS Past Pupils’ Union, saw a special thanksgiving Mass in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin celebrated by His Lordship, the Bishop of Cloyne, John Magee, along with local Parish Priest Canon Michael O’Connell, as well as ‘many clerical past pupils’. The last three Brothers to leave were Br Gerard O’Shea, Br Louis McHale and Br Con Cotter.
Some entertainment of note in the area in July 1995 – ‘Dumb and Dumber’ was on show in Fermoy Community Youth Centre Cinema; tickets were on sale for Mary Black, who was set to take to the stage in the Deer Congress Hall in Mitchelstown in early August; Brendan O’Carroll (Mrs Brown’s Boys fame), was coming to The Grand Hotel, Fermoy; ‘Stuttering Bum’ performed at the Piper’s Inn, Mitchelstown, while Araglin Carnival was preparing for the appearance of the headliners Wolfe Tones.
Mitchelstown man Martin Clancy defeated three opponents to become the newly elected president of the Students’ Union at UCC in 1995. Receiving an astounding 70% of the first preference votes, it was the first time in 25 years at the College that a second count was not required to fill the position.
The final of the Sean O’Hagan/Trevor McDonagh Cup took place at Fermoy Soccer Club, with ‘Norwich’, captained by Adam Barry, defeating ‘Arsenal’ (captain Liam Hughes) in the final 4-3. The annual tournament for local schoolchildren saw a thrilling final, with Norwich holding a slim interval advantage, 2-1, Brian Harty and Steve McCarthy the scorers, with Stephen Aherne replying for Arsenal. Two second half strikes from Arsenal’s Tommy Murphy wasn’t enough however, as Norwich, through strikes from Richard Kelleher, sealed the title. Winning Norwich team: Steven Maher, Justin Ahern, Barry Noonan, Martin Doran, Barry Morrison, Pa white, Steve McCarthy, Adam Barry, Richard Kelleher, Sonya Donnelly and Brian Harty.
In brief – It was reported that £3,000, all in £1 coins and contained in 2 bags, had been stolen from Fermoy Post Office – an investigation was being carried out by both the gardai and An Post. Lorraine Flynn from Carrigane, Mitchelstown, along with Mark Sexton, Ballyphehane, were announced as overall winners of the annual Cook Electric competition. The board of management and parents associated with Glenahulla National School, Mitchelstown gathered to bid farewell to Fr Browne, who after 4 years in the locality, was departing to take up his position of PP of Aghabullogue.
