An attempt to replicate a human beard with over 350,000 bees in Burncourt made international headlines, as Phillip McCabe took on the challenge attempted by Galtee Beekeeping Group, in Eddie Conway’s field near Glengarra.
The bees were supplied by local beekeeper, Micheal MacGiollacoda. The attempt, while unsuccessful, lasted two hours and was broadcast on Sky News and national stations.
There was relief in Fermoy, after Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney, abandoned the Risk Equalisation Plan which would have seen BUPA pay in excess of €30 million a year to health insurer VHI, a move which would have undermined the future viability of the company and put some 220 Fermoy employees jobs at risk.
Clondulane National School was celebrating their golden jubilee, the school having opened 50 years previous, having been built in 1955 to replace a building sited a short distance away.
An application for a bio-diesel plant was withdrawn in Kildorrery. As part of their campaign against the proposed development, those opposed had held an information evening, with several articles published on The Avondhu. However, the developer said he had voluntarily withdrawn the application and was ‘considering his options’.
Down west Waterford way, despite considerable objections, Barranafaddock Sustainable Electric Ltd were granted conditional permission to erect wind turbines in the Blackwater Valley area.
In further planning related news, the proposal for a 100-bed hotel development in Fermoy, which was shot down after a majority-vote at Fermoy Town Council went against a material contravention for the project, was submitted before An Bord Pleanála in a planning appeal.
Also in Fermoy, tenders for the renovation of the courthouse, which was built in 1805, were issued. The project was expected to take 18 months to complete.
Councillor Bernard Leddy was elected as the new Mayor of Lismore in June 2005, taking over the mantle from outgoing first citizen, Peter Ahearne. This marked Cllr Leddy’s third term as mayor.
Fermoy local, Tom Fahey, was reported to be in a serious condition after being shot in London. Mr Fahey was visiting family in Streatham, a suburb in London, when he was shot during a burglary at his brother’s premises.
A man in his 20s was stopped at a checkpoint in Anglesboro at 3.30am in June 2005 and was discovered to be in possession of €2,000 worth of cannabis. The man was arrested, but later released without charge.
Many people turned out in Glenville for bonfire night, a celebration of the summer solstice that saw the main street filled with both old and young. Fuelled by timber and pallets, the bonfire was lit at 10pm and burned intensely for half an hour, before subsiding.
A ‘smell’ emanating from the sewage treatment plant in Fermoy was a cause for concern for the residents of St Patrick’s Community Hospital. The smell allegedly lingered for a day or so and was the result of upgrading works being carried out at the plant.
Ballygown National School ended the year on a high with the launch of ‘Cairde Ceol’, a CD compilation of 13 songs, tunes and rhymes by school pupils.
Husband and wife, Josie and Eddie O’Brien from Ballynoe, underwent a headshave fundraiser at Top Styles in Fermoy, in aid of Scoil Triest, the Glanmire school where their autistic son, John Joe, was enrolled.
Boats named ‘Loreto Fermoy’ and ‘My Home in Fermoy’, built with funds raised by Loreto Fermoy students, were officially operational in Sri Lankan fishing communities, following the devastation caused by the December 2024 tsunami. The boats were built from the proceeds of a singathon and CD sales in Fermoy.
Ballyduff was abuzz as an Irish Coast Guard Sikorsky helicopter landed in the village as part of an exercise. The 72ft 15 seater machine landed in the community field and was met by members of the Fermoy, Cappoquin and Tallow fire brigades for a demonstration.
In sport – Cork emerged victorious in the Munster hurling championship final in 2005, on a scoreline of 1-21 to 1-16 against Tipperary. There were top performances from Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Ronan Curran and Joe Deane. Bride Rovers clubman Brian Murphy, along with Timmy McCarthy of Castlelyons and Jonathan O’Callaghan of Castletownroche and Avondhu were also on the Cork side.
Rathcormac angler, Michael Drinan, had qualified to fish for Ireland in Sweden, after winning the All-Ireland River Championship on the Avonmore River in county Wicklow in 2004. Dave O’Donovan of Shanballymore also made the Irish team, due to set out for the international competition in August. Elsewhere, Ballyhooly’s Tom Leahy won bronze in the singles class II event at the European Boccia games in Portugal.
