The owners of Ballyhooly Castle, the Hirsch family, had decided to let out the castle on a weekly basis, which looked set to breathe new life into the impressive landmark venue. Set to become a major attraction for tourists, the historic building overlooking the Blackwater would be marketed by local publican and auctioneer, Jim McCarthy. The impressive venue came with ‘a full-time cook and housekeeper’, which would be ‘inclusive in the overall charge’ of rental. With salmon rights attached to the castle, it was envisaged that there would be strong interest, particularly during the February/September salmon season.

Commercial life in Mitchelstown received a timely boost in June 1993. Major reconstruction was being undertaken at Burke’s, located on Lower Cork Street, which at one time traded as the local post office - a stakehouse cum bar was set to open at the site; On Baldwin Street, Castle Park House, the town’s newest hotel, was preparing to open - offering 14 bedrooms, all en-suite. While Hyland’s Educational Bookshop opened a new book shop within their establishment on Lower Cork Street.

A new traffic calming and environmental enhancement plan for Watergrasshill village was unveiled at a special meeting. A magnificent scaled model by Timmy Lehane from Castletownroche displayed the proposed works. Three stages of works would be carried out, to ‘ensure less speeding and better road safety, but also with a view to making it (the village) prettier’. Several ‘safe havens’ would be created for pedestrians, ‘entrances to houses would be highlighted and ESB and Telecom wires all placed underground’. Acting deputy county engineer, Michael O’Brien, felt that ‘a lot had been learnt from Millstreet and felt the Hill project could become a role model’ into the future.

Deaf artist, Dermot (Derry) Howard from Kilworth, saw his one-man exhibition of photographs officially opened at the Cork Association for the Deaf headquarters on MacCurtain Street, by Peter Barry TD. Born profoundly deaf, Derry was resident in the L’Arche Community in Cork since 1990. Deputy Barry commented that “Derry has the gift of being able to see the beauty in nature - a gift that isn’t given to all of us”.

In brief - A threatened strike at Dairygold Co-Op was averted, with last minute talks between management and unions resolving the issue related to a 3% pay increase under the PESP; Kilworth’s Dan Sheedy was on the road to recovery in Harefield Hospital, London, following a lung transplant operation. Having found a suitable donor, the 4 hour operation ‘had gone better than expected’, according to specialists; Lismore were counting down to its Festival of Early Music, with radio and TV personality, Mike Murphy set to perform the official opening.

In the annual PJ Doherty Trophy competition at Fermoy FC, it was down to the business end of things. Grange Stud, following quarter-final victory over Colaiste an Chraoibhin (1-0), were set to meet Railway Rovers in the semi-final, who themselves had defeated Dairygold 3-0 in their quarter-final. At the other side of the draw, the Royal Hotel, defeating Buineann Buidh 3-0 in the quarter-final, were ready to meet Doc’s 11 in the semi-final. Doc’s advanced following a penalty shoot-out victory over Kerin’s Bar.

St Catherines footballers suffered a double championship defeat at the hands of Erins Own. At the Rathcormac venue, the junior A footballers lost out on a scoreline over Erins Own 1-10 St Catherines 2-3; while only 1 day earlier at the same venue, the same opponents recorded an emphatic 2-9 to 0-3 defeat of Catherines. Junior A team and scorers: P O’Sullivan, J Spillane, D Buckner, M Walsh, J Lynch, S O’Connell, K Barry, E Sheehan, D O’Leary 0-1, C Casey 0-1, T O’Leary 2-0, P Higgins, S Buckley, B O’Regan 0-1, B Carr. Subs: S Neville for S Buckley, S Twomey for B Carr.

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