Saturday 20th November 2004
While some of the points made re development on last weeks Fethard Page by ‘Proud Local’ are quite valid, surely to state that, “Fethard is dying”, is stretching things a bit too far. The fact that Woodvale Walk, Tirry Park, Canon Hayes Court, Slievenamon Close and the beautiful Respond houses on Kilknockin Road and Barrack Street within the recent and quiet recent past must represent considerable town growth. Had ‘Proud Local’ not noticed the significant number of magnificent private houses that have been built and are still being built locally in recent times? This shows that local authorities and private individuals have great faith in the future of Fethard. Fethard still has a very vibrant society. At the last count there were over 40 clubs, organisations and societies: sporting, cultural, charitable etc., alive in the town. Space does not permit listing them all, but the old ones such as the GAA and ICA and Fethard Dramatic Society are going as strong as ever, while the comparatively new ones like the Community Council, Historical Society and the Day Care Centre and the Credit Union are all doing excellent work, and are all run on a voluntary basis. Surely ‘Proud Local is not suggesting that by such actions, as objecting to a laneway in Burke Street and what it would lead to, that Fethard should change its internationally recognised archaeological appearance and become just another town of plastic fronted buildings. However, on the debit side, it is sad to see the closure of so many small shops in recent years. This is following a nationwide trend and it is not confined to Fethard alone. The few that are left, however, are open at 7 am or thereabouts and ‘Proud Local’ can be assured they are not open just to serve the jackdaws. Surely this is not the mark of a dying town. Sad also to see that the magnificent Sports Centre is now lying idle and, if information is correct, it is quietly falling into a state of neglect. What a pity for a town that had such a great reputation in racquet games such as tennis and badminton. Someone would want to wake up here. What a good committee can do is very much in evidence in Fethard Ballroom. The Ballroom Committee have now paid off the debt on the premises. Very large crowds of patrons from 18 to 80 are attending the Sunday night dancing sessions and the Ballroom is unique throughout Ireland showing that a social centre can be successful without alcoholic drink being served. With regard to Fethard’s falling population figures, Mark Twain has said, I quote, “There are lies, damn lies and statistics.” No, as far as this ‘proud of his native town’ is concerned, Fethard is clearly not dying. Anything but! It is still very much alive and kicking. But by any chance it does expire I am sure all locals will be delighted if ‘Proud Local’ turns up for the wake and funeral. (E.A.N.) Burke Street residents The End of the Line Under the Department’s Sustaining Progress Agreement it has been decided therefore, that from 29 November 2004 to cease Garda involvement in the certification (signing) of unemployed customers Under the new procedures the following revised arrangements will apply: (a) customers residing up to 10 miles (16 KM) from their Local/Branch Office will attend that Office once every 4 weeks for certification purposes. (b) customers residing over 10 miles from their Local/Branch Office will self‑certify every four weeks and attend that Office every 12 weeks. A certain element of community policing will also be lost to the area, as the Garda on duty usually knows the members of the queue. A question answered, a comment passed or a word in the right ear could often nip something in the bud before it became a problem. I’ll leave the final word on the matter to the late Jimmy ‘Buck’ Ryan. The guard on duty was late arriving to let the beneficiaries sign on and the queue was starting to stretch down the street. Jimmy happened to pass the Barracks just as the guard arrived. “Would you ever hurry up”, he said to the guard “ or half of the lads will be late for work”. Are you prepared for Christmas? Mary Coughlan Returns to Abymill Rosary recited in the following cemeteries The Rosary will be recited in the following Parish Cemeteries on November, Sunday, 28th Nov: Killusty, after Sunday Mass, Kiltinan at 3pm and Kilmaclugh at 3.30pm. Enough said A man entered the bar. The bartender held up a glass. The man nodded, so the bartender poured a pint and left it to settle. After a few minutes, he topped up the drink and raised it to indicate that it was ready to be collected. The man approached the counter and passed over the money as he collected his pint. He said only one word. “Well?” Local’s who witnessed the transaction understood the conversation, for the man involved was the local gravedigger and the barman the local undertaker. “Well” meant, “Well, is anyone dead?” Why waste words when two will do. Progressive 25 Results Community Lotto Jackpot €10,000 Brendan Kenny, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard Rose Lonergan, The Square, Fethard Jack Fleming, Barrettstown, Fethard The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were: Julie Wall, c/o Group Homes, Fethard Liz Newport, The Valley, Fethard Anne Daly, 34 St. Patrick's Place, Fethard Next weeks Jackpot remains at €10.000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is now €965. Class of 1984 Reunion this weekend The committee would like anyone who has photographs of school outings, sports events, etc. they might bring them along on the night. For any further information contact Lydia (Newport) Kelly at 087-6792992 or Helen Murray at 052-35915 or 086-3595290. Fethard Ballroom AGM Hunting news Sale of Work for Lisronagh Church School’s ‘Open Evening’ a great success Ms Marie Maher held a cookery class in the home economics room and an energetic game of volleyball was underway with Mrs B. O’Connor, P.E. teacher. The work of Ms Patricia Looby’s art students was a delight to the eye, and there was a video showing excerpts from past shows. Mr Justin McGree organised a large screen continuous presentation of a very interesting student profile, featuring students from the last seven years. Many thanks to all concerned for their hard work particularly our ancillary staff, Con Sullivan, Catherine, Patti and our secretary Gwen Cronin. Well Golf Society AGM Talk on the Old Road Fethard Judo Club Seniors (Saturday 20th): Orla O'Donnell U-52kg Gold, Martin O'Donnell U-60kg Silver, Richard Gorey U-73kg Bronze. Youths (Saturday): Richard Gorey U-73 kg Gold, Orla O'Donnell U-52 kg Gold, Martin O'Donnell U-60 kg Gold & U-66 Bronze, Stephanie Lawrence +70kg Gold, Samantha Feery U-52 kg Silver. Juniors (Sunday 21st): Alan Brannigan, Gold; Cathal Gorey, Gold; Alan Sutcliffe, Bronze; Jake Walsh, Silver; Stephanie Lawrence, Gold; Loraine Feery, Gold; Robert Guiry, Silver; Niall O'Donnell, Gold & Silver; Padraig O'Shea, Gold & Silver; Samantha Feery, Silver; Natalie Cahill, Gold; Aobh O'Shea, Silver. Minors (Sunday 21st): Jack Stapleton, Silver; Gerard Gorey, Gold; Gary Bradshaw, Gold, Robert Guiry, Silver; Hannah Stapleton, Silver; Roy Gorey & Josephine O’Donnell competed on Saturday but were unlucky on the day. Congratulations to Gary Bradshaw who won the title of ‘Player of the Day’. Well done to the six in the club who were picked from the Munster Squad and are going on a training camp to Bruge in Belgium in early January 2005 Orla O'Donnell, Martin O'Donnell, Niall O'Donnell, Jake Walsh, Richard Gorey and Stephanie Lawrence. Good luck to Stephanie Lawrence & Niall O'Donnell who are off to Wales to an under 16s competition in January 2005. Fethard GAA Club Progressive 25 Results St. Patrick’s Boys’ School First to play were the Under 13s in Littleton against Loughmore. It was a very blustery day and a very low scoring match. Fethard had already beaten Loughmore by a point in the first round. Loughmore had the better of the play in the first half and scored 1-02 to 0-01. In the second half the Fethard boys rallied to score 1-01 to 0-2. They were quite unlucky not to score a goal in the last few minutes. The final score was Loughmore 1-04 to Fethard 1-02. The four boys involved in both teams had to quickly overcome their disappointment to take on Grange in the Under-11 final. It was a hard fought competitive match with some excellent scores on both sides. The Fethard boys never gave up and were very disappointed to lose by just two points, 2-08 to 3-03. The boys on both teams and the school coach Willie Ryan can be very proud of their efforts and hopes will be very high of retaining the Under 11 trophy next year and doing well in the Under 13 competition. Overseas Experience One recently returned voyager stated that there are so many people from the Fethard, Cloneen, Killenaule and Drangan area living in the Bondi beach area of Sydney that you are more likely to be greeted on the street by someone saying “Well, how’s it goin?” rather than the traditional Aussie “G’day!”. Most of the current backpackers take a bit of time out in South East Asia on the way out or on their return trip. Apparently, there are as many Tipperary people there as in Bondi. Only a few weeks ago, a honeymoon couple from Fethard, Ian Meagher and his wife Claire, heard someone calling out to them on the Island of Koi Samui in the South of Thailand. Fearing that it was the timeshare salesman who had got their names the previous day, they put their heads down and began to walk faster. They were just about in a jog when they realised that the accent was familiar. Ian turned around to see Nicky Murphy, from Fethard his travelling companion Eddie O’Brien from Killenaule, shouting at them. The lads are en route to Australia and have stopped off in Thailand to do an in depth study of the effects of tourism on the local economy. They have been very impressed with the late night pool parties and are considering introducing them to Ireland on their return. It just goes to show that no matter where you go on this planet, you’ll probably run into someone who knows, or is from, Fethard. Beware if you’re up to no good! |