The selection of the route for the Mitchelstown bypass drew huge interest, following the publication of the proposed routes. The “Orange” route was emerging as the clear favourite, with Kilworth and Glanworth residents particularly against an alternative ‘Red’ route, which would disturb wildlife in Glenseskin Wood, as well as lead motorists into an area ‘constantly affected by fog and with ice and snow a regular feature’.
Minister of State Ned O’Keeffe shook off calls for his resignation, after it transpired that pigs at his farm in Ballindangan were being provided with feed that was linked to the spread of BSE in cattle.
More flooding hit Fermoy in December 2000, just three weeks after the Blackwater burst its banks for the first time that winter. As local residents saw that Mallow was ‘under water’, they made preparations, but to little avail. Coverage showed people who lived north of Fermoy being diverted through Ballyhooly to get to Cork.
On dry land, Fermoy UDC honoured the Fermoy Karate Club with a civic reception to mark the club’s 30 years in existence. Amongst the dignitaries and club members was the founder and chief instructor, Bill Hammond.
A CD and tape production of a Millennium Mass celebrated at Glenroe Church was launched. The initiative came about after the Glenroe/Ballyorgan choir sang on Mass one Sunday on RTÉ. The recording featured organist Anne Cox, flautist Eoghan O’Sullivan and singer John Murphy, amongst others.
Loreto Secondary School in Fermoy were in on the game too, as they released their first CD featuring their choir. ‘A Time for Remembering’ was the culmination of the foundation of the choir in 1992 by Marjorie Moran, Sr Nuala Reidy and accompanist Colette Roche-Barry.
Residents of Bartlemy were to regain their Post Office for just one hour in December 2000, as the local Foróige club arranged for Santa to visit, and the club would take official pictures of visitors with the man himself, who would deliver the letters to the North Pole. The same group were very busy, launching their first CD, holding a Christmas sale and producing a variety show, all on the same night, for just £3.
Kildorrery primary school pupils took part in a World record attempt to plant as many trees as possible over 3 days. When The Avondhu visited, the 6th Class pupils planted an oak tree under the supervision of principal David O’Flynn.
Over in Glanworth, the poor state of the footpaths led to a local deputation visit Council chambers to demand repairs.
Co-Op Superstores were just one company to take out a full-page advert in The Avondhu for Christmas 2000. Their ‘Gift List’ included a vacuum cleaner, a gas heater and a tumble dryer. Meanwhile, AIB offered a car loan with no minimum or maximum loan amount, and a free WAP mobile phone – APR was 9.8%.
The N72 and N73 were hot topics of discussion, as the NRA confirmed that £675,000 had been spent on the two roads in 2000, a similar amount to 1999, amidst calls for yet more investment.
The Agri pages in The Avondhu included a call from the Department of Agriculture for all farmers to register all births and deaths of cattle, in order to accurately calculate the numbers of the national herd.
Mitchelstown’s Kathleen and Sean Dennehy were the winners at the Diamond Jubilee Senior Ballroom Dancing Championships in Dublin. Also relating to Mitchelstown, the death occurred of one of the town’s most famous sons, former Chief Justice Liam Hamilton.
At Castletownroche GAA Club, over 200 people gathered in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow to honour the “heroes” of 1960 and 1964. Club president John McHugh presented 39 bronze statuettes to worthy recipients, with the Hall of Fame award going to Joe O’Donoghue.
At Castlelyons Pitch & Putt Club, Donal Burke was proud to have received the 2000 Juvenile Player of the Year prize, while lady captain Joan O’Connor received her trophy for Player of the Year.
Killavullen men recorded an historic win at “rain-swept” Charleville, securing their first ever Junior A football win. They defeated Kiskeam to “exorcise the defeat of 1998.” Captain Edmond O’Connor accepted the cup, while James O’Mahony received the ‘Man of the Match’ award.
A bitter end for Shanballymore followers however, as their team were denied a chance of victory following an ‘unsavoury end’ to the North Cork U21C final in 2000. Taking on Churchtown and with only a point in it, the game was abandoned five minutes from the end because of “a bit of an altercation”. At the time of writing, the outcome wasn’t known, but with Brian Murphy lining up a free as the whistle was blown, they weren’t out of the game “by a long chalk”.
