Festival season was in full swing in August 2000, with crowds expected in Castletownroche, Ballylanders, Coolagown and Lismore. Castletownroche looked forward to the ‘Welcome Home Weekend’, while over in Ballylanders locals were anticipating Pattern Day. In Lismore, eight days of craic was culminating in a family fun day in St Carthage’s, and Coolagown was celebrating its first ever Old Time Threshing and Vintage Display. Here, attendees were warned about the politically incorrect and incorrigible ‘Bachelors in Trouble’ opening act.
Fermoy was all set for Féile Fhearmui 2000, the traditional music festival. The week’s schedule included set dancing céilis, pub trails and a concert in the park. Contingency plans included the gigs taking place in the Rowing Club, ‘in case of inclement weather’.
In Fermoy, the new pay parking was finally in place, with empty parking spaces in the town indicating it was working well – or keeping shoppers at bay. Time would tell of the success of the scheme. Also in the town, the IDA announced a plan to build a £1 million business park at the site of the old Army camp.
Mitchelstown, though celebrating the ‘biggest ever’ music festival, expected losses of £5,000. Overhead costs were increasing and it was now a ‘big-time event with small-time sponsorship’. Jack L was touted as the highlight act of the weekend. Meanwhile, in the Castle Gardens in the town, plans were afoot by owner Michael White to construct three self-catering chalets to meet the accommodation needs of tourists to the town.
The village of Araglin was in demand by the County Councils of both South Tipperary and Cork, as Cllr Mattie McGrath called for the Vehicles Office to ‘desist’ from forcing Araglin residents to register their cars in Cork as Araglin is, of course, in another county altogether. The council had confirmed by letter that Araglin was definitely in Tipperary!
Rumours abounded in Tallow that George Best, legendary footballer, was looking to buy an ‘English-style thatched cottage’ in the town. However, in Lismore, hopes were dashed when it was revealed that newly weds Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt would not be honeymooning in the castle quarters, contrary to popular rumour.
However, celebrities were to be found closer to home as Ballylanders’ John Gallahue and Glanworth’s Darren Dennigan were set to star in an RTÉ documentary, ‘Hearts on their Sleeves’. The boys were members of the Irish Skills Team, who had competed in the 35th ‘Skills Olympics’.
Elsewhere, at a function in Maryborough House Hotel, Ballyduff man Kevin Condon was celebrating after winning the first prize in Joinery in the National Apprentice Competitions 2000.
In Fermoy, chef Denise Dingivan was awarded a bronze medal at the Sodexho Irish Chef of the Year competition, for her ‘Innovative Salad’ entry.
31 years ago this month in 1990, ‘Lazarus’ Mick Meaney rose from his ‘coffin’, having been buried alive for two hours in Kilworth – something recalled in an August 1999 edition of The Avondhu.
In other stories of triumphant rising, the Kildorrery Juvenile GAA boys qualified for the North Cork final against Mallow following a replay against Sean Clarach’s. They won the match 5-18 to 2-1.
Over in Fermoy GAA, the junior A footballers defeated Rathluirc Rovers after a ‘tough, dour encounter’ in front of a handful of spectators. However, the article highlighted the achievements of Adrian O’Farrell and Brian O’Callaghan, playing his first championship game since a serious leg injury three years previous.
Castletownroche recounted a subdued victory over Killavullen for the junior A hurlers. Although the team won the match, and tributes were paid to players including Donal Relihan and Jonathan O’Connor, the writer noted that the performances ‘left a lot to be desired’, with an unsubtle reminder that training would recommence that Friday!
The Kilworth U14 footballers were crowned North Cork champions in August 2000, beating Clyda Rovers to take the Rev Burns Cup home.
Fanahan McSweeney AC were continuing their unstoppable success, as Karen Considine brought home gold as a member of the Irish team that won in the Celtic Games in Scotland. Meanwhile, for Grange/Fermoy AC, Tullamore was the site of victory as the U10 girls’ team of Roisin Howard, Kate Sheehan, Tracey Clancy, Aisling Hutchings, and sub Karen Geary, brought home silver.
Fermoy Cycling Club were looking forward to the Crotty Cup races and the Comeragh 100 Cycle Challenge. In the Junior Tour of Ireland, the team would be represented by Frank Doyle for six days of tough racing.
On the water, Fermoy Rowing Club were looking forward to their first ‘At Home’ regatta since the 1960s.
