The proposed development of a bio-diesel plant in Kildorrery brought divided opinions at a public meeting in the village 21 years ago. The plant would be the first of its kind in Ireland if it were to go ahead and would use raw materials like cooking oil, animal fats and recycled oils to process biodiesel, that could be used in vehicle engines producing no emissions. The development was proposed for Bowenscourt, Farrahy.
A new sculpture was unveiled in the Millennium Park, Lismore, created from a 30ft tall stump which remained after a 100 year old beech tree was felled due to safety reasons, after it had died as a result of a fungal disease. Wood carver Nansi Hemming, from Wales, was commissioned to transform the base section of the tree, and using a chainsaw, the artist depicted the town’s founding saint, Carthage Mochuda.
Debate continued in Fermoy regarding a proposed 100-bed hotel and 73 house development in the town. While a local ‘Concerned Residents’ Association’ voiced their opposition to the project, those in favour of the development claimed that the lobby group were ‘scaremongering’ and making statements that were ‘completely unfounded’. Fermoy Enterprise Board had taken out two full page adverts in The Avondhu in May 2005, highlighting ‘Fermoy without a hotel… a town without a heart!’.
A €20 million contract was signed at the Northern Divisional offices of Cork County Council, to commence the Stag Park housing development in Mitchelstown. Machinery had recently moved on site to begin preparations to deliver 116 units across two phases, located to the west of the town. Four commercial units, a communal facility and a creche were also to be developed.
In Watergrasshill, a taxi driver was stabbed by a lone passenger in the early hours one Sunday morning in May 2005. The stabbing took place after an altercation, when the driver had dropped the passenger in Watergrasshill, having picked up the fare in Cork city. Gardaí were investigating the incident.
Removal of the central N8 Fermoy bypass interchange, which was proposed on the N72 Tallow Road near Fermoy hospital onto the motorway, was decried. The interchange was removed from the plans by An Bord Pleanála, and a report published just over a year later claimed it would lead to increased fatalities on the local road network over the following 20 years. Cunnane Stratton Reynolds, who were commissioned by Fermoy Enterprise Board to carry out the report to review the rationale of the decision, also found that businesses would suffer and traffic congestion would increase without the central bypass interchange. Sadly, these are all too evident in the town today.
Roads, sewerage, water, parking, traffic volumes, public lighting, footpaths, dereliction, loading bays, litter, broadband, plans for the courthouse and planters, were among the issues discussed at a public meeting organised by Tallow Traders’ Association 21 years ago. The meeting was called on foot of the town’s perceived infrastructure deficit.
Local TD, Ned O’Keeffe, dispelled rumours that he was planning on stepping down from office before the next election. The Ballindangan man confirmed to The Avondhu that such speculation was unfounded and that he had no such intention.
History repeats itself, as while this year (2026) a planning application by Mari Mina to develop properties in Rathcormac was submitted, a similar application by Akram Hanna, Lismore businessman and owner of the Mari Mina Pharmacy chain, was made 21 years ago. At the time, the plan was to develop main street buildings into two surgeries, four commercial and retail units, and six apartments. The present-day application seeks a new coffee shop or restaurant and residential units.
Lismore Business and Traders Association received a letter of thanks, personally handwritten by Prince Charles, expressing ‘heartfelt gratitude’ from himself and Camila for the wedding gift of a Waterford Crystal lamp, sent by the association prior to the couple’s wedding in Windsor Castle in April 2005.
Residents of Ballyhooly continued to raise concerns about the proposed location of a sewerage treatment plant in the village, particularly regarding its proximity to the Church of Ireland and the negative permutations of the elevation of the tanks on the visual landscape.
Crews from every major rowing club in the country descended on Fermoy for the annual regatta, where the Galway rowers emerged with the biggest haul of prizes on the day.
Former Cork County Council employee, Jackie Walsh, celebrated his 100th birthday at the Firgrove Hotel in Mitchelstown, some 30 years after retiring from the council’s roads section. A native of Rockmills, Jackie moved to Ballylough where he lived with his wife, Alice.
