‘Will Aldi move into Fermoy?’ – a front page headline in August 2005, as rumours circulated that the store had plans to come to Fermoy town. Aldi representatives, however, declined to comment on the speculation.
Another jobs boost was in the pipeline for Mitchelstown, as Ballyhoura Development were planning to build two new industrial units at Coolnanave, with plans for the units – totalling 10,000sq ft – to be under construction before year end.
A new psychiatric day care unit for Fermoy Hospital was delayed due to the land transfer process to be completed by the HSE to Cluid Housing. An executive of Cluid informed The Avondhu that they hoped the new facility, on a quarter acre site in the hospital grounds, could open as soon as possible.
Near tragedy was averted on the August bank holiday Monday in 2005, at the Top petrol station at Kilcoran, when a lorry ploughed into the petrol pumps at around 5pm. The incident involved two lorries. Thankfully, no life-threatening injuries were reported on the three occupants of the vehicles and the potential severity of the incident was contained by the emergency services.
Kilworth man, Ray O’Sullivan, was due to travel to Helsingor in Denmark for the European Fishing Championships in early August 2005. Ray was due to defend his title in the individual senior championship, and was a member of the Irish international fishing team that won a gold in the international team event in 2004.
A decision to have opening hours at Kilworth’s Junior and Senior primary schools brought back to 8.50am from 9.20am, was withdrawn due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’. A petition had been set up to reverse the decision.
Interest in the curate’s house in Ballyporeen was expected to be high, as the period residence hit the market. The house was built on the same site as the former old Protestant church. It had been home to the last two parish priests until the new parochial house was built.
A ‘good level of interest’ was also reported in the old Presentation Convent in Mitchelstown, as the property was allegedly sold some months previous and the deal on the verge of being finalised. No progress was reported at the end of July 2005, however, the prospective new owners were reported to have paid in the region of €1.5 million for the buildings and grounds.
Mitchelstown was seeing plenty of hubbub about the new ‘port-a-cabin toilet facility’ to be opened in New Square, however, one letter-writer, a ‘disappointed pensioner’ asked why the town couldn’t have an ‘ordinary toilet’ like Tipperary Town and Fermoy. The author said it looked ‘horrible’ and declared that the toilet would cost ‘€30,000 a year to run’.
Clogheen held their annual Homecoming Festival. Natives of the south Tipperary village, now living across the water in England, Australia and elsewhere, returned home for the occasion, which kicked off with dinner and dancing into the small hours.
Festivals were in full swing in the region; activities at Ballysaggart festival, held in the local GAA field, included tug-of-war, a dog show, baby show, bouncy castle, vintage display and threshing.
Mitchelstown Good Food Festival was launched at Mitchelstown Credit Union, with the third year of the event set to ‘build on the tradition of Mitchelstown as a good food town’. Some 50 exhibitors were anticipated, with celebrity Derek Davis to open proceedings.
Two Fermoy festivals were also nearing; the Fermoy Fun-Fish Festival boasting fishing, family fun day and vintage vehicles, also incorporating ‘Art on the Park’, an initiative where artwork was displayed along the railings outside Fermoy Town Park. Proceeds were to be put towards the purchase of a wheelchair accessible boat for use on the River Blackwater.
There would be no lack of butter in Ballylanders, organisers of the annual Pattern Day confirmed, as John and Kathleen Flynn of Ballyduff were due to make plenty of homemade butter on the big day in south Limerick, after disappointment was expressed at the lack of the popular fundraising stand in 2004.
Fermoy Minors were crowned the North Cork A hurling champions, overcoming Kilbolane 0-14 to 1-6. Scorers for the Fermoy side included Fergal Ryan, Alan O’Connor, Ronan O’Callaghan, John McDonagh, Alan Bargary and Darren Murphy.
While in the MBHC final, Ballygiblin and Doneraile drew, with a late comeback from Doneraile earning a replay – final scoreline, Ballygiblin 0-16 Doneraile 2-10.
