21 years ago The Avondhu carried the news that the Fermoy Enterprise Board had vowed to support Michael Flatley after he had accused Irish planning authorities of anti-Americanism, after he had been refused planning for a new entrance, a portico and permission to remove the entrance steps of his mansion in Castlehyde.
Ladies were taking photographic prominence on one front page in early December 2002; Sandra Miller, who was leaving St Patrick’s Hospital for a new job, was pictured receiving a presentation; in another snap Kate Higgins, Brigid Cotter and Aisling Cotter, were pictured at their social with the silverware won by St Catherine’s Camogie Club during the season. While in Anglesborough, Sr Carmel, daughter of Donncadh Ó hAnnagáin, was pictured attending a commemoration at her ancestral home.
Fr Gaffney’s weekly column revealed that Ireland had joined the top four richest countries in the world; also mentioned was a Concern ad that asked for the price of a half-pint – €1.75 – which would feed a starving child for a week.
Refurbishment was nearly complete at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Fermoy – AKA the ‘army church’. Parishioners would now have a choice between two churches in the town. Meanwhile, gardaí were close to revealing who was behind a spate of vandalism in Ballygiblin church; sergeant Tony O’Sullivan thanked both The Avondhu and the public for their assistance in solving the crime.
In Glenville, Fr Denis Cashman made presentations to Denis Martin and his mother Abina, who had hosted Mass in their shed while church renovations were being carried out.
A large advert from the Residential Institutions Redress Board asked those who suffered childhood abuse in a residential institution to contact them, as they may be entitled to compensation.
Cannabis and ecstasy worth €6,000 was seized in Fermoy. Elsewhere, an anonymous parent in Fermoy spoke out against bullying, where her daughter had been forced to leave a local school; she hoped that the parents and bullies would read the article and understand the harm they had caused.
In Lismore pupils were joining a world record attempt as schools across the county were going to sing the specially-written song, ‘Tell Me Why’ by Donal Gailbraith, while Conna’s Thomas Barry, a student in Coláiste an Chraoibhín, Fermoy was awarded the ‘Fish Cook of the Year’ award from the school in a competition held in conjunction with The Fish Market.
A meeting on the Fermoy Flood Relief Scheme was scheduled, where personal anecdotes and historical photos would be welcomed by OPW staff, who were gathering information for a future relief scheme. Elsewhere, Kilworth mourned the death of Garda Gerard Carey, who was tragically killed in a road traffic collision outside Rathcormac.
Johnny Batterberry of Castletownroche was pictured with his family cutting a cake on his 21st birthday, and Mitchelstown Credit Union were looking ahead to a Christmas party for their younger customers in St Fanahan’s College, and a disco in the Town Hall.
Bride Rovers new clubhouse was officially opened with a blessing by Fr Neilus O’Donell and Fr Seanie Barry; having been quoted €40,000 by a builder, they had decided to do the job themselves. In Waterford, meanwhile, the mayor of the county Lola O’Sullivan-Breen cut the ribbon at the refurbished Cappoquin Library.
Castlelyons author Francis Murray was set to launch his book, ‘Them Golden Fields I Trod’ in The Shamrock Inn in Knockanore, while in other literary news, Fermoy Bookshop opened its doors in the town. Frank Morgan’s in Fermoy announced its new one-hour photo service, and in the run up to Christmas at the Co-op, there was a free three-pack of video tapes with every TV bought and free batteries with every battery-operated toy!
Kilbehenny FC were crowned the the 2002-03 Whelan Cup champions with a win over Glanworth Celtic, under captain Thomas Noonan. In The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow the Cork 1952 Senior Hurling Championship Avondhu team was honoured at the ‘Man of the Match’ awards function and an old photo of the 1936 Fermoy senior soccer team featured; they had won the Freestate Intermediate Cup that year.
Ballyporeen’s men's Junior B footballers lifted the O’Shea Cup after winning the South Tipp title against St Martin’s in galeforce wind and rain. In Cork, St Catherines camogie player Denise Twomey was pictured in their GAA notes – in the past year, the U16 goalkeeper had won three All-Irelands, two Munster championships and a county championship. Finally, St Catherines men were set to contest the East Cork B football final against Aghada.
