Peter Fitzgibbon proudly returned from the Skills Olympics in Taiwan, to his homestead in Araglin, having secured gold in the food and beverage section of the competition. Beating off stiff competition from 15 other competitors, he arrived home at Cork Airport to a great family welcome.

Concern’s education programme in Somalia was being headed by Mitchelstown man, Jim Sheehan. Due to the civil war and the devastating famine of 1992, the education system in Somalia had virtually collapsed, with one of the charity’s main priorities being to re-establish formal education structures within the country. A graduate of the CBS in Mitchelstown, Jim originally joined Concern’s team of volunteers in the country in February 1993, then progressing to take responsibility for the education programme. He also co-ordinated an education committee, comprised of locally trained headmasters and former Ministry of Education officials.

Fermoy was set to benefit from a £5,000 sporting project - with a three rink bowling green to be developed at the rear of the CYMS Hall. With much of the work being undertaken on a voluntary basis, the development was being orchestrated by the local Catholic Young Men's Society. An increasingly popular sport in Ireland at the time, CYMS secretary, Francis Hanrahan, told The Avondhu that when finished, “there would be little change out of £5,000”. Ten to twelve individuals were involved in the project, with voluntary labour from the like of Paul Ahern, Anthony Fox, Noel O’Callaghan, Timmy Murphy, Burt Henley, Kenneth Butterworth and others seeing the project progress. Thanks were also expressed to John Murphy for his ‘free technical assistance’!

The Mitchelstown Business Association organised 1993 Business Frontage Awards, saw Jim Hyland, Educational Bookstore announced as overall winner. Organised in order to promote improvement to business frontage, along with adding to the attractiveness of the town as a shopping and tourist centre, winner of the Most Improved Business Premises went to Paki Fitz’s Bar, while the Most Attractive Business Premises award went to Annie Lyons, Grocery.

One Avondhu headline on August 5th 1993 read ‘Kilworth man in lifesaving drama’. 19 year old Niall O’Connor from Kilworth had his skills as a beach guard put to the test in Ballybunion, Co Kerry when he helped save a drowning man. Employed at the seaside resort for the summer months, he was first to assist a 16st male in difficulty in ‘choppy’ waters, before being helped by 2 other beach guards in bringing the man to safety.

In brief - Lismore’s mayoral contest in 1993 brought in £11,000, two thirds of which went to the community centre, with the remainder divided between participating clubs in the area. For the record, Patsy Quinn defeated Tommy Carey to be elected mayor. Rumour was rife that Deputy Ned O’Keeffe could be in line for a European seat, following news that Munster MEP, Gene Fitzgerald may relinquish his seat in Brussels; it was reported that the ‘two obvious front runners’ were thought to be Gerry Collins, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Ned O’Keeffe. The ‘Song of Peace’ winner for 1993 was announced as Geraldine Walshe from Kilworth, with her own song titled ‘All Our Children’. Residents in Ballylanders were set to mark the centenary of the local national school in summer 1993, coinciding with their hosting of the annual Pattern Festival. Ballylanders Macra representative, John Hourigan was getting set to represent Limerick in the national final of the Ideal Bachelor competition in Castlepollard.

Glanworth minor B hurlers were crowned North Cork champions in Killavullen, defeating Doneraile impressively, on a scoreline of 0-15 to 1-4. Glanworth led at half-time by 0-10 to 1-2, thanks to ‘James Condon being a revelation’ and ‘Patrick O’Brien getting into his stride’. Clement Leonard proudly accepted the cup from Tom Dorgan, following a second half where Glanworth kept control of matters. Team and scorers: E Coughlan, P Carroll, V Fahy, B Hannon, K Barry, P Walshe, G Browne, P Quane 0-1, G Hanrahan, D Walshe 0-1, P O’Brien 0-5, P Lynch, B Cotter 0-1, C Leonard, J Condon 0-7.

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