Residents and traders in Ballyporeen held a special meeting, to discuss the use of funds by Tipperary County Council in implementing traffic calming measures for the village. Given the width of the main street and ‘dangerous driving practiced by some motorists who refused to comply with the rules of the road’, the works were a necessity, however locals were objecting to the construction of ‘waiting bays’ in the centre of the main street. Following a ‘frank and full discussion’, it was agreed that all works would be suspended until an ‘acceptable system’ could be hammered out with council engineers.
Formed in 1992, Ballyhooly Tennis Club reached a milestone occasion in October 1996, with the official opening of their tennis court facility, performed by Minister for Sport, Bernard Allen TD. Club chairperson Catherine Hickey marked the occasion with the presentation of a painting of Ballyhooly Castle to the minister, who was loud in his praise for the community spirit and determination of locals, in delivering phase one of their development. Project costs to this point were in excess of £14,000.
Fermoy triplets the Scannell brothers – Sean, Andy and Barry – celebrated the big 3 0; the trio made national headlines in 1966 when they were born.
‘Bertie goes walkabout in Mitchelstown and Fermoy’ – leader of Fianna Fail, Bertie Ahern TD paid a flying visit to North Cork in October 1996, on his way to a special Comhairle Ceanntair dinner in Cobh, in honour of long serving party member Pakie O’Mahony. The ‘whirlwind tour’ of the area, in the company of local TD Ned O’Keeffe, saw him meet with local cumann members, business owners and members of the public.
October 1996 saw chairman of Fermoy Business Association, David Ryan, issue a call for Fermoy UDC to ‘get off the fence and make a decision’ on the provision of additional off-street parking in the town. Stating ‘little or no progress’ had been made in the previous 12 months and claiming the UDC were no nearer to purchasing a suitable site for parking, Mr Ryan was aware of three sites which were ‘on the table’, two of these being ‘extremely attractive propositions’. Cllr Richard O’Leary, chairman of Fermoy UDC, refuted the suggestion that no progress had been made, stating it as ‘not unfair – but untrue’, and with money available, hoped the purchase of a site could soon be closed.
A group of 22 people from Shanballymore and surrounding areas were making final arrangements for a trip to the US, where they would be guests of honour at the Shanballymore-New York reunion in October 1996. Prior to their departure, the group held a ‘warm up’ event in the Green Acres Lounge, where a number of special guests from New York were in attendance. Here, a special presentation was made to Ray Bermingham, proprietor of St James Gate Tavern in Woodside, Queens, New York, the venue where the US reunion would take place. Mr Bermingham was president of the Corkman’s Association. A ‘very special night was on the cards’ in the US, where a large number of people from Shanbally’, Killavullen, Doneraile, Castletownroche and Kildorrery, resident in the US, were set to attend.
Christy’s Hotel in Blarney was the venue for Glenville Macra’s 30th anniversary dinner dance celebrations in October 1996. Special guests included the club’s first chairman, Pat McHugh and first secretary, Anne Cashman. With over 100 revellers in attendance, those present danced the night away to The Diamonds.
In an effort to promote environmental awareness amongst its students, St Colman’s College, Fermoy initiated an anti-litter programme. A working group was set up, consisting of a small group of staff members, with the brief of cleaning up the school and its environs, as well as promoting greater environmental awareness amongst the student body. Cleaning rotas were in place in each classroom and a can recycling programme initiated. As a further measure, two students were employed (and paid) daily at 4pm to collect litter, both within the school grounds and on the streets surrounding the college. A poster competition was organised, with student Alan Hamilton announced as overall winner.
Two points in the dying minutes saw Athea snatch a draw against Ballylanders in the Limerick county U21 football championship final in Ballingarry. Opening with the wind, Bally’ were in front at the interval 0-7 to 0-5, however missing some scoreable kicks allowed Athea draw level with the final two scores, to force the final to a replay.
