Kildorrery Set Dancers were setting their sights on Manchester, for the 1994 World set dancing championships. The set, consisting of dancers Helena O’Connell, Margaret Kenneally, Helen Moriarty, Trudy Roche, Margaret Butler, Siobhan Dunne, Eileen Kenneally and Marie Moriarty, along with teacher Denis Butler, gave an exhibition at Sheahan’s Hilltop Lounge prior to their departure.

‘A totally new concept in local thefts’ struck in Fermoy, when ‘an astonished local eye-witness looked on in horror as a car rammed the front door of Domina’s Boutique’, located at MacCurtain Street. The early morning ‘ram raid’ saw the occupants of a stolen vehicle enter the premises, helping themselves to approximately £800 worth of ladies clothing, consisting of racks of jumpers, skirts and blouses. The raiders fled the scene before gardai arrived.

A survey was to be undertaken in Mitchelstown by Bord Gais, to ascertain the potential of both industrial and commercial customers in the town. Deputy Ned O’Keeffe confirmed the news to The Avondhu, saying it would be ‘a major boost’ for the town should the extension of the natural gas grid be realised. He said it would ‘help make the area a smoke-free zone’, thus making Mitchelstown ‘more attractive as a residential town’.

A special press reception at Murphy’s Brewery, Cork in October 1994 saw plans revealed for a revamped production of Brian O’Reilly’s Celtic folk musical ‘The Children of Lir’. First staged in 1973, the new production was being directed by Cathal McCabe of RTE fame, with the cast to include Hugh Moynihan (Lir), Maxine Lenihan (Aoife) and Kevin Lynch (Bodh Dearg), while 60s music legend, Donovan, would feature, with ‘state of the art sound and lighting effects’. Fermoy’s Youth Centre theatre and the Everyman Palace, Cork would play host in November 1994.

An ambitious idea was mooted by Cllr John Dunlea at the October 1994 Fermoy UDC meeting - namely the opening of the old railway line between Beechfield and Clondulane, to be made operational as a ‘vintage railway line’. The motion was met with interest, with the councillor seeing the potential spin-off for the area, as a result of such a tourist attraction. Saying that ‘it was from the Viaduct that our emigrants got their final glimpse of Fermoy as they left their homes via Rosslare for foreign shores’, Cllr Dunlea could see no major problem in raising finance for the project, with grant aid available under the heading of ‘heritage and tourism’ through LEADER II. The venture could even be even be expanded, he suggested, to continue the line to Ballyduff, Lismore and Cappoquin ‘with the goodwill of those concerned’.

A 2 page Avondhu feature in 1994 highlighted yet another chapter in the history of Fermoy Soccer Club. The October bank holiday weekend would see the club officially open its new dressing room complex, while an exhibition game would see League of Ireland side Waterford United provide opposition for the club’s senior side, who played in the Munster Senior League. Costing in the region of £50,000, the complex consisted of 2 adult and schoolboy dressing rooms, a large kitchen area, toilets and showers, along with a referee’s room.

In brief - American Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith visited the South Limerick village of Galbally, having been invited by Ballyhoura Failte to view at first hand why the village had won the national Tidy Towns title; she had opened a new theatre at the Lough Gur Centre the day previous to her visit, which was dedicated to her grandfather, Honey Fitz. The Corner House in Galbally, won a hat-trick of titles in the annual Tidy Towns awards, scooping the award in the ‘best house/business premises’ category – originally a staging post for Bianconi coaches, the beautifully preserved house was owned by the O’Donovan family.

Kilworth junior hurlers secured their third league title in a row, defeating Fermoy in a keenly fought final. A Pat Shanahan green flag saw Kilworth ‘fortunate’ to lead at half-time 1-4 to 0-3, having played with a strong breeze. A goal from Noel O’Brien in the closing minutes secured the title for Kilworth on a scoreline of 2-5 to 0-9. Team and scorers: John Joe Shanahan, Simon Lenihan, John Kiersey, John Keane, Ollie Sheehan, Brian Sheedy, Michael Dunne, John Sheehan (0-1), Cyril Johnson, Aidan Kenny (0-1), Noel O’Brien (1-0), Ml O’Brien, Ml Gowen, Pat Shanahan (1-0), Sean Carey (0-3).

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