An essay competition for national school children, run in June 1994 by The Avondhu to co-incide with the ‘Year of the Family’, saw some revealing entries! It was quite clear from the entries received that all families have their differences, but in the vast majority of cases, ‘these differences were usually overcome to reach a happy conclusion.’ We received stories ‘of saucepans being thrown in a fit of rage; of the father who tried his best to be a farmer, and of the mother who was ‘good at dodging the housework’’! While one entry saw a 9 year old say of his mother, ‘she tries to give up fags, but really she smokes like a chimney’. Winners included Carmel Casey (4th class), Curraghagalla NS; 2nd Patricia Collier (6th class), Ballyhooly NS and 3rd Holly McGrath, Ballinvarrig, Castlelyons.

Evidence was uncovered of a famine hospital in Glenville, with the local community council hopeful of developing several such features evident from that era. Having spent 2 years researching sites within the parish, a scheme was already under way to refurbish the Manor Wall, being well over 100 years old and up to a mile long. While a famine walk was noted near to Doonpeter Well, leading up through the old Mass rock site at Carrig an Aifreann. It was now hoped to undertake a study with the aid of the Social Employment Scheme and third level archaeology students.

Glencairn woman, Avril Kingston made history, being the first locally born woman to be ordained in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. The ordination to the auxiliary ministry in the Church of Ireland took place in St Finbarres Cathedral, Cork. The non-stipendiary ministry, got under way in 1988 when she was commissioned as a lay reader in Fermoy’s Christ Church. Avril undertook study in the local diocese as well as at Theology College, Dublin to realise her ambition, something which was truly ‘in her blood’ - her ‘late father, Moutray Taylor was a rector for 34 years in Crookstown, while her grandfather, Wallace Taylor had a ministry at Errigal Trough in the Diocese of Clogher’.

Young Darren Dennigan from Labacally, Glanworth ‘created somewhat of a stir by making a magnificent scaled model of Fermoy’s St Patrick’s Church’. The Leaving Cert student at Colaiste an Chraoibhin, Fermoy completed the feat as part of his year end Construction Studies project, which received much favourable comment at the school’s awards night, where it was on display. It took some three weeks of ‘intricate graft’ to complete the work, an idea which he got from his father, George, a teacher at the school. Made from plywood and faced with red deal, the trickiest part of the project, Darren told The Avondhu, was copying the stain glass windows.

News in brief: Building had begun on the new Kildorrery Garda Station on the Mallow Road, with Araglin-based contractor Mick Lyons undertaking work; 9 year old Gavin Lenihan, Castletownroche won the EBS/INTO handwriting award, coming out top in the 3rd and 4th class category from over 4,000 contestants. Loreto Secondary School student, Joanna Fitzgerald from Waterpark, Fermoy was as one of six youngsters given the honour of carrying out the Mars ‘Fair Play’ flag at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, for the final match which the Irish soccer team played prior to their departure for the World Cup in the USA, where they were defeated by the Czech Republic 3-1. Siobhan Donegan was announced as winner of the Queen of the Galtees, Mitchelstown in 1994, by just 3 votes, ahead of Anna Finn.

Araglin was a hive of activity in early June 1994, when the parish came out to welcome home the jubilant U12 footballers, who secured the North Cork league title. The Pat O’Connor Shield was proudly transported around the village, with songs being sung, including ‘We’re all part of Martin’s army’. Team and subs: P Browne, Ailish O’Gorman (c), L Leddy, T Lyons, P Hyland, F Finn, D Browne, M Allen, N Kearney, J Allen, T O’Donovan, J Kenneally, T Drislane, P Corbett, D Kenny, S Cahill, P Kenneally, S Cahill, S Russell, C O’Keeffe.

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