A historic step was taken for Mitchelstown Credit Union, as the contracts for the building of the new premises at the site on Upper Cork Street were signed. The building was predicted to cost £1.8 million. The institute had begun life in the town from a rented room in Red Cross Hall in King Street in 1966.
There was “chaos” in Fermoy as road workers closed the ‘White Wall’ road, but were late in putting out any warning signs to motorists. Drivers had to do a number of manoeuvres to turn back on themselves in Clancy Street and Redmond Street, against traffic, with all the drama coinciding with school traffic and people on their way to work.
Meanwhile, those protesting against the proposed tolls on the planned M8 around the town were struck a blow when the National Roads Authority refused to meet with elected representatives to discuss concerns. Representatives settled on the decision to write another letter to the transport authority.
In Ballyporeen, a new book from Dan O’Donoghue, ‘Day and Night in Shanballynewton’ promised to be an eventful read. Amongst topics were the claim that Ballyporeen residents may soon be shouting their support for Cork, at the rate new houses were being built on the Mitchelstown road. The article didn’t say if this was a good thing or not!
One front page of The Avondhu in October 2000 carried news that there would be a 3% increase in the charge for water supplies for non-domestic use, bringing the price to £2.37 for every 1,000 gallons used.
The communities of Castletownroche and Castlelyons both received cheques in reward for their successes in the North Cork Litter Challenge 2000. Congratulations were offered to John McHugh of Castletownroche and Winnie Hallihan of Castlelyons. Over in Waterford, Ballyduff and Lismore were equally commended for their tidiness. The Lismore committee, chaired by Pat Fleming, won first overall in the Inter-Towns Litter Challenge, while Ballyduff won in the Inter-Village Community Challenge, their committee was chaired by Michael Flynn.
Ballygown NS were denied their request for flashing warning lights outside the school, but succeeded in getting replacement school signs on the approach. Flashing lights were limited to schools on national roads only.
There were four prominent pubs on the market in October 2000 – The Fox’s Den in Mitchelstown was for sale with accommodation, and ‘Castle Gale House’ in Kildorrery. Also on the market was Charlie Browne’s in Fermoy, as well as Albert’s Bar, also in Fermoy.
A full-page advert appeared in October 2000, advertising applications to the Hepatitis C Compensation Trial.
A civic reception to mark the 30th anniversary of the Fermoy Toastmasters took place in Council chambers. Speaking on the night was chairman Brian O’Farrell, member Martin Walsh and Gary Ronayne, Area Governor of the club.
The Avondhu in October 2000 welcomed the introduction of online shopping, with Superquinn introducing the service on their website.
The Galtee Mountains snow-covered in this time 21 years ago, a sight that recalled for the (anonymous) reporter the days of children digging up turnips in the ’40s and ’50s to smash them on rocks and have a meal!
Advertised for November 2000 was an Anti-Racist Workplace Seminar in Mallow. Speakers included Jim Woulfe, the then Human Resources Manager at Dairygold. Retiring from the company were Michael Walsh and Joseph White, who celebrated the occasion in the Three Counties Inn in Kilbehenny.
In entertainment, Ballyduff Disco announced a time change – all shenanigans would take place between 9pm and 12pm. It was noted that ‘Primary school children were ‘not welcome’! We don’t know if they were welcome at the Isla Grant Show in the Kilworth Arts Centre, but it can be assumed so, as she promised to “pack” the place.
In sports, in Killavullen spirits were high, as it was three-in-a-row for the men’s junior A footballers, where they beat Mitchelstown 0-15 to 0-8 in “a fine game of top class football”. The winners were captained by Edmond O’Connor, with Darren O’Driscoll the mascot.
The Fermoy rowers had a fabulous win in the Rhine Marathon in Dusseldorf, Germany. The quartet of Michael Donnellan, Donal Murphy, Brian Baker and Tom Bryan, won the 28-mile event, the 6th time the club had won the event in 11 years.
Glanworth minor Bs tasted success, beating Doneraile in the North Cork Football League. Their U11 boys clinched the North Cork football title too, beating Kildorrery.
Finally, there was success for the Glanmire ladies, as they won the U14B football championship, beating Bride Rovers to take the cup. Captained by Michelle Scanlan, the final score was 4-3 to 0-3.
