November 17th-23rd, 1916
Heavy rain and storms resulted in some terrible flooding. In Lismore, the low-lying portions of the town below the bridge were several feet under water and the roads leading to Cappoquin and Fermoy were submerged.
The Lismore Gas Works and Messrs Paxman’s butter factory were extensively flooded. Families residing at Ballyin Mills had to leave their homes. In Mitchelstown, the Funcheon and its tributaries overflowed but fortunately no serious damage or loss of life was reported. In the town, a plate glass window, the property of Miss Condon, Upper Cork Street was completely blown out. In Fermoy, there was immense damage with shops on King Square, Francis Street and Queen Square amongst those completely flooded out after the Blackwater overflowed. Corporal Smith and Private Joel, both of the Leicestershire Regiment, lost their lives. A Fermoy Distress Fund was subsequently established for the purpose of providing assistance as to those affected.
At an assembly of Lismore Union, the Master reported that William Nash of Barrack Street, Cappoquin, a discharged soldier, who had been sent back from France suffering from pains, was in hospital in the house.
Mr Joseph Moylan, national teacher, Glenroe who was arrested under the Military Service Act, taken before a magistrate and committed to Limerick Prison, pending the arrival of a military escort, was released. Conditional orders of Habeas Corpus and Certiorari were granted by the king’s bench in this case.
Fermoy Traders met in the Commercial Club and it was unanimously decided to discontinue the custom of giving Christmas boxes. They also decided to organise a fund towards the relief of the destitute poor of the town. This fund would be administered by the charitable societies.
The interesting ceremony of ordination took place at St Colman’s College, Fermoy when the Rev. St John Thornhill was raised to the priesthood. The ceremony was performed in the beautiful new College Chapel, in the presence of the staff, students and a number of his immediate relatives. The young priest had been recently appointed Dean of St Colman’s. He was the son of Mr C. Thornhill, Kildorrery.
The gallery at the Ballcourt, Old Market Place, Cork was filled to its utmost capacity, for the final of the Junior Handball County Championship between T. O’Brien (Fermoy) and T. Guiney (Cork). The weather was dry but very cold and the rubber consisted of the best three out of five games, which went in favour of O’Brien, who won three to Guiney’s one.
The wedding took place at the Roman Catholic Church in Ballyhooly of Daniel Coughlan, Killeagh and Mary Agnes Lombard, Killatty, Ballyhooly. The Rev. C. Daly performed the ceremony.
At Fermoy Sessions, a summons was heard against Ellen O’Mahony, Store Lane for an offence under the Shebeen Act. When raided, the RIC discovered about 40 bottles and several persons inside, some of whom ran away. A fine of £1 was imposed and those on the premises were fined 5s each.
