Unsurprisingly, The Avondhu had a world exclusive (nothing new there!), as Sixties pop legend, Donovan, gave a detailed account of his work on a ‘major new album’ as well as a planned ‘extravaganza’ to celebrate his 30th anniversary in the music business. Based in Kanturk, The Avondhu met up with the musical icon in La Bigoudenne French Restaurant on MacCurtain Street, Fermoy, who was in the company of the town’s ‘Mr Music’, Brian O’Reilly. Donovan revealed that he was recording a new album in Los Angeles, featuring a host of new songs, including material recorded in Ireland. Also, to celebrate his landmark 30 years in the music business, a spectacular show was being planned for the Globe Theatre, London in 1995.

Good news for Tallow and environs - West Waterford Language School was being set up in the town’s Enterprise Centre, catering for up to 13 students at a time, from Spain, Italy, France, Germany and Libya. It was expected that demand for local accommodation would increase as a result, with a resultant economic spin-off to the community.

Cork city based criminals were ‘targeting the area’, with householders and business people in Mitchelstown warned by gardai to ‘stay on full alert’. According to gardai, the North Cork town was seen as ‘easy pickings’, with the city based criminals moving further afield as they were receiving a ‘hard time of it from the serious crime squad in Cork’. Their ‘peak striking times’ appeared to be between 7pm and 9pm and they were suspected of carrying out a recent break-in at Mitchelscourt - though fleeing empty-handed having been disturbed.

Blackwater Region Development Company had chosen a new design for its letterhead, following a competition which was open to the three secondary schools in Fermoy. The winning entry was designed by Colaiste an Chraoibhin student, Joseph Coughlan (which featured a growing plant with the initials B.R.D.C. underneath). Company secretary Jim O’Connell commented on the ‘high standard of entries’ received. Second place was a joint entry from Kieran Groarke and Cathal O’Meara of St Colman’s College, with third awarded to Ann Marie Barry, Loreto.

Araglin Community Council was up and running, with the group’s formation seeing 18 people elected to represent their respective townlands. The inaugural meeting saw Bill Carey elected as chairperson, Elizabeth Reidy vice chair; Bridie Fitzgerald secretary; Bob Allen treasurer and Nora Shanahan as PRO. The 18 area reps were: Lyre - Nora Shanahan; Lyrebarry - Elizabeth Reidy; Castlecooke Macroney - Michael Kearney; Glencullen, Liss, Knockbawn - John O’Gorman; Propogue - Ml Lyons; Gortnaskehy - Bridie Fitzgerald, Bill Leddy; Billeragh - Mary Rice, Paul Colbert; Ballinalukena, Ballyheaphy - John Finn; Doon - Ml Kearney; Barnahown - Tom Feeney, Jimmy O’Donovan; Ballinamodock - Julia Rice; Coolmohan - Pat Buckley Snr; Cronohill - Pad Aherne; Ballard - Bill Carey, Bob Allen.

The country was cracking up, literally - Cork County Council were forced to close off a bridge at Ballyhooly South, ‘when a local reported seeing a huge split in the tarmac on top of it’. The bridge, which links Laught Cross and Glanworth, caused locals to make a 1.5 mile diversion, however one local farmer told The Avondhu that ‘some people had been seen removing the warning cones and driving through, regardless of the risk’. It was thought the cause could be linked to ‘sluggaraghs’ - with several having occurred in the area down through the years.

An incident of desecration of religious property, namely Corrin Cross, was reported to gardai in Fermoy. One of the light fittings was torn from the cross, which had been erected on the Marian Year of 1954. Members of the Corrin Cross committee were very upset following the vandalism, at a loss to understand the motive behind the attack.

While the legendary potholes in the Galbally area made national headlines, with the 2FM Gerry Ryan Show visiting the South Limerick village to highlight the plight of local motorists.

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