November 2000 saw the opening of Watergrasshill’s Credit Union. The event was celebrated with a four-piece string quartet playing in the parish hall, while the opening was concluded with a speech from chairman of the Watergrasshill CU Committee, Charlie Maher. Elsewhere in an issue of The Avondhu, an advert promoted the benefits of the Credit Union IQ ATM Card, and urged members to order them ASAP.
The people of Clogheen welcomed the Archbishop of Taranto, Benigno Luigi Papa, to the village. Taranto and Clogheen are linked by their common patronage of St Cathaldus, who left his home in Tipperary for the south Italian town of Taranto in the 13th century. A plaque at Shanrahan graveyard was unveiled to mark the occasion.
Lismore entered into a sisterhood arrangement with their Aussie sibling city, also named Lismore. Elsewhere in Waterford, Ballyduff Craft Fair was a resounding success, as people turned out in their hundreds for the affair. The main organiser of events, Pat Condon, was happy with the attendance and welcomed the money raised, which went to the school.
In Tallow, Minister Martin Cullen was on hand to open the Tallow Multimedia Centre, a computer and IT training facility.
Kilworth Pitch and Putt Club were looking forward to their social dance, with music by Larry O’Hara. The price (£15) would get you a four-course meal. Meanwhile, 19 years of dedicated service to Galtee Foods were celebrated with the retirement of Jim Nolan in Walsh’s Bar, Mitchelstown.
Tributes were paid to Fermoy’s Mrs Margaret (Babe) O’Donovan, a prominent member of the Fianna Fáil Cumann, who had passed away.
A major fire in a warehouse in Barnetstown, Watergrasshill caused thousands of pounds worth of damage. The building’s roof collapsed, destroying most of the contents.
Fermoy’s Natalie O’Sullivan returned victorious from the British Open Karate Championships, bringing home a silver medal to record her second international win over a number months.
There was much drama in the district, literally. Ballyduff Drama Group presented their rendition of The Playboy Of The Western World for an eager audience, with Frances Foley and Michael Lovett taking the roles of Pegeen Mike and Christy. Fermoy Choral Society performed Guys & Dolls in Fermoy Community Youth Centre, while over in The Village Arts Centre in Kilworth, the duo of Fr Damo and Eoin McLove (Joe Rooney and Patrick McDonnell) would entertain the crowds in ‘Further Ted’.
The job advertisements page was busy in November 2000, with a festive opening for a ‘Person to ice Christmas cakes’.
An auction of antique VI regency furniture was advertised for Kilcoran Lodge, with the contents of a Kildorrery estate up for bidding.
Park United AFC in Mitchelstown celebrated their 25th anniversary with a dinner dance in The Firgrove Hotel. The Avondhu feature reminisced on the club’s first match against Brideview United in Lismore, in 1975. In a new blue and white strip, the team drew 3-3. The committee in 2000 was chaired by Tom O’Keeffe, while the schoolboys committee headed by Paddy Lane.
It was a busy week for sports in early November, despite bad weather being the cause of many a match to be called off. Watergrasshill celebrated receiving the Best Club award at the East Cork Scór na nÓg finals, held in Lisgoold Community Centre. Peggy Barry, Marion Healy and May Cahill were on hand to receive the trophy.
Mitchelstown Badminton Club presented the winner of the Junior Scratch Cup, Linda Hogan, with the winning cup.
The Templetenny NS (Ballyporeen) boys senior footballers won the South Division of their football league, defeating Ballylooby NS. In the same week, the Templetenny girls’ team had a win over Rathkeevin and the match was refereed by Fr Flynn.
Over in Glenroe, the men’s junior hurling team had an “easy” win over Fedamore, in new jerseys, sponsored by Ballylanders Credit Union.
The Fermoy and District Trout Anglers Association lost out to the Headford group in the West of Ireland, where 30 of the Cork crowd travelled for the annual trip to Lough Corrib. However, Fermoy’s Paddy Fitzgerald came home with the prize for the heaviest trout.
The Killavullen boys, captained by Tommy O’Brien, won their fourth Division 1 football league title in late 2000, with a comfortable win over Kilworth, while Bride Rovers men were set for a clash with Killeagh in the East Cork Junior B Championship final to contest the Eamon Fleming Memorial Cup.
Finally, St Catherine’s GAA Camogie Club were U14 champions, with a win over Watergrasshill on a wet and windy day. Captained by Noreen Mulcahy, the article highlighted the performances of Marie and Denise Twomey.
