The Festival of the Galtees was celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2000. The five-day event would see the selection of a new queen and a jam-packed schedule of events. Open air cabarets were to be hosted over the five days featuring ‘Sundance’, ‘Oliver and Tony’, ‘Mitchelstown Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Group’, ‘The Galtee Stompers’ and ‘Charlie and Brendan’.
Cappoquin was rocked by the sudden announcement that AIB bank was to close its branch in the town with just two weeks notice, moving all accounts to Lismore. Locals rallied and called a public meeting to discuss fighting the closure.
Ballindangan local Dave Ryall kept the pressure on with Bus Eireann in an attempt to secure a bus service linking Ballindangan with Mitchelstown and Glanworth, as he claimed many people were ‘stranded’ for a service in getting to the nearest town. Bus Eireann claimed that the road was not suitable for their buses.
A Sheela-na-Gig returned home to Glanworth after six hundred years, drawing a two-hundred strong crowd to witness the event. The event coincided with the launch of the brochure ‘Glanworth: a Medieval castle, friary and town in County Cork’ written by Con Manning, the man who rescued Sheela from an archaeological dig in the early eighties. Following the excitement, a campaign was launched for the permanent return of the Sheela-na-Gig to Glanworth with locals refusing to accept a replica, which the Department of Monuments had offered.
Rathcormac bypass plans went on exhibition and while most agreed the development was needed, a number of concerns were raised, particularly regarding the impact on those living in close proximity to the preferred route. Landowners also raised concerns, such as farmers who would have their livelihoods ‘taken away’.
There was disquiet in Mitchelstown as a public advertisement appeared for 8 acres of land at the same location proposed for Mitchelstown’s Leisure Centre. According to the Leisure Centre Committee, it was their intention to sell off 5.5 of the 8 acres available, however, town locals still queried the advertisement asking why the entire 8 acres would be advertised.
Fire crews in Fermoy responded to three calls for assistance which turned out to be hoaxes. Brigade personnel said they were ‘furious’ at the incidents, where they were dispatched to deal with ‘blazes’ at various locations in Beechfield Estate.
18-year old Paula O’Sullivan from Kildorrery was preparing to embark on the trip of a lifetime as a crew member aboard the replica famine ship, the Jeanie Johnston. The ship was to set sail in July 2000 on its Millennium voyage, visiting over twenty US and Canadian cities.
A number of requests were made by locals in Glocca Maura to have their postbox reinstated after it was removed. Following representations made at council level, a new postbox was requisitioned and put in place.
In entertainment, local band ‘Deuces Wild’ was playing Mac’s Bar in Fermoy, as well as ‘Grass Marjin’, ‘Spengo’ and ‘Da-Ja-Vu’. Master McGrath’s in Castlelyons would host ‘Shenanigans’, while Spratts in Mitchelstown announced ‘Handipak’ and ‘Workstation’ in their entertainment line-up.
The FBD Milk Rás closed out stage 6 in Mitchelstown with hundreds of people lining the streets to cheer on competitors from all over Europe, as they pedalled their way into town following a 146.3km cycle from Kenmare in Ireland’s premiere cycling event. David McCann was the first to make his way over the finish line shortly after 2.30pm, followed by Welsh cyclist, Julian Winn who claimed the yellow jersey as overall leader.
Fermoy bid farewell to an army of anglers, as Brian Webb was announced the overall winner of the local Coarse Angling Association’s Millennium Festival with his catch totalling 45lbs 10oz. All those who competed were presented with a piece of Cork Crystal as a memento of their time fishing the Blackwater.
West Waterford Autograss resumed racing on the Ballysaggart track in the second round of the Driver of the Year Championship. Class 1 saw a joint first place between Jason Cunningham and Mike Carey, with class two ending in a three-way tie between Mike Kelly, John Cashel and Cork’s Stephen O’Donovan.
Doneraile claimed the U12 B football championship title against Glanworth, on a scoreline of 4-7 to 4-3. Scorers for Doneraile included Killian Good, Keith Sweeney, and Kevin Cotter, while Glanworth’s scorers included Liam Brennan, David Leahy, David Breeney and Stephen Baker.
Tallow and Lismore hurlers took home Town and Country titles, with Tallow announced as winners of the Town and Country U11B Hurling League, while Lismore were announced winners of the U11A League.
