Fethard Scouting News
Fethard Scouts and Ventures spent nine days on Annual Camp at Larch Hill in the Dublin Mountains, from July, 14th to 22. The Cubs joined us on Wednesday, July 18, and stayed until Sunday, July 22.
We had a very full programme of events which kept everyone busy. The weather was reasonably good with just one very wet day for which we adjusted our programme and swopped our swim day for a visit to the National Aquatic Centre. We spent many happy hours there and it was hard to get them out! Other programme events were Zip Line, Crate Stacking, Grass Sleighs, Pioneering, Archery, Orienteering, Dublin Zoo, Museum at Collins Barracks, Woggle Branding, Camp Fire Sing Song, Buy own Food Day (on a budget), as well as the day to day running of Camp.

A big thank you to our leaders, Lofty Cloonan, Brendan Bailey, Rachel Hanlon, Michelle Hennebry, John Walsh, Denis Larkin, Anna Bailey and Margaret Phelan, all who did tremendous work and had great craic. Camps will not happen and cannot function without people like these. On behalf of our Ventures, Scouts and Cubs a ‘bravo’ thank you.

Finally a very special thanks to Owen Walsh of Walsh Coaches, Fethard. Owen gave us the use of one of his twenty-four seated buses for the entire duration of camp (free gratis) this was a huge saving on the overall cost of Camp. We are truly grateful for Owen's generosity.

Holy Year Cross Pilgrimage to Slievenamon
This year’s pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon takes place on Sunday next, August 12. This year we are starting at the slightly earlier time of 12.45pm from the ‘Hill Wall’, with Rosary and Stations of the Cross on route. For those not taking part in the climb, Rosary and Stations of the Cross, will commence in O’Donnell’s Field at 1.15pm, where the pilgrimage will also conclude with Mass as the procession returns from the Cross at 2.15pm approx. As we have avoided a clash with Tipp hurling we expect a good turnout, so again we ask people to arrive early and allow at least twenty minutes to walk from the car park to the ‘Hill Wall’.

We appeal for prayers for fine weather and for a big turn out for this pilgrimage, in its 62nd year.

Draíocht concert for Abymill this Friday
Fethard's Abymill Theatre will host another wonderful evening of enchanting music, song and dance, 'Draíocht', directed and choreographed by Michael Ryan on this Friday, August 10, at 8.30pm.

Experience the lyrical magic of traditional song, succumb to the mysterious melodies and wonder at the intricacies of the dance . . . at this show you can leave your cares behind as you enter the mystical experience of 'Draíocht'. Ticket Hotline 087 2975926

Senior Citizens Outing
Reminding all members of Fethard Senior Citizens' Club, that our August outing will take place on Tuesday, August 21. Bus departs from the Main Street at 1pm.

Extra events for ‘Green / Barrack Street’ reunion
The Green & Barrack Street Reunion will take place on Saturday night, 18th August at 9pm in the old Convent Hall. The evening will be informal and consist of buffet, refreshments and display of old photographs. Tickets for this event are €10 and price includes a copy of a booklet published in conjunction with the reunion, sponsored by Fethard & Killusty Community Council. For tickets contact Niamh Kenny, Centra, The Green. Tel: 086 1940016.

Informal Walk to revive memories
An informal 'Walk around The Green & Barrack Street' will take place in the afternoon to revive some memories of residents in the past. This will take place around 4.30pm and anyone is welcome to join in.

Mass for deceased residents of The Green and Barrack Street
Saturday night Mass, at 7.30pm in the Augustinian Abbey will also be offered for all deceased residents from The Green and Barrack Street. All are more that welcome to come along and remember those residents now past on.

Tipp v Kilkenny Hurling Match on the Big Screen
Tipperary meet old rivals Kilkenny in Croke Park on the same day as Fethard’s Festival, Sunday, August 19. There will be those who will want to be in two places at the one time and the new Youth Centre have partly solved the problem by showing the match on their big screen and in their mini-cinema on the day.

The ‘state of the art’ Youth Centre is beside the river at Madams Bridge, a five-minute walk from the centre of the site of Medieval Village in The Valley. Anyone who wants a supervised family friendly place to watch some of the match will really like the facilities in the Youth Centre.

Of course, the eight bars in town also have excellent viewing options and if it’s a hot day you can even have a drink or two as well!

Fethard Ladies Football
The Under 10 girls enjoyed a great evening of football at the Clonmel Og blitz on Thursday August 2. Their skills have really come on this year, helped no doubt by the many more games they have played this year compared to last. The Under 14s had a very comfortable win over Slievenamon on Wednesday in the first round of their League competition.

The Junior Ladies travelled to Ballyporeen on Sunday, August 5, to secure their first win in their championship campaign. Although Ballyporeen had an under-strength side, it was great to get a win under the belt. The Minor team continue with their training program, and hope to have their first game in the League in the coming weeks. Please continue to make every effort to get to training on Wednesdays (with the Junior team) and Fridays.

The Gaelic4Mothers played against St. Pat's on Monday, July 30, in a game that was marked by the good spirit and fun with which the game was played. Many thanks to Andy O'Donovan, P.J. Aherne, Foxy Connolly and Robbie Manton for their help with the goals and flags; to the Rugby Club for giving us the use of the fine facilities at the Community Sportsfield; to Miceál McCormack for being the ref on the evening; to all who provided refreshments; and to the St. Pats team and all who came out to support.

Finally, the Ladies Football Club will hold a church gate collection this weekend (August 11 and 12) in Fethard and Killusty. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The lucky numbers drawn on August 1 were: 6, 16, 22 and 23. There was no Jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner of €150: Karl Cooke, Patricks Place, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also won €50 each: Tony McGarry, Barrack Street, Fethard; Bill O’Sullivan, Main Street, Fethard; and Ursula Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard.

The next Lotto draw will take place on August 8, and you can also purchase your lotto ticket in local shops or online at www.fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets online and get one free! Check on the Fethard website for lots of special offers. Next week’s Jackpot commences at €3,550 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €355. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Still time to make your Medieval Costume
A noticeable feature of Fethard’s medieval Festival, since it began in 2007, has been the year on year increase in the number of people who ‘go medieval’ for the day, with the result that Fethard’s medieval festival is truly worthy of the name.

This has been true for both men and woman and it all makes for a very colourful spectacle. The truth is that the medieval attire worn by the ladies is very elegant indeed and men are really big boys at heart and love dressing up as ‘knights in shining armour’!

Sewing Group
A local sewing group of Fethard ladies got together on Saturday, July 28, to cut out and sew up a number of Irish medieval ‘Léine’ to add to the store of medieval garb that is in the area. The eight people involved were Margaret Newport, Ann Horan, Mary Hanrahan, Noreen Allen, Ann Gleeson, Diana Stokes, Catherine O’Connell and Marie Moclair. If you were handy at the sewing and would like to get the basic pattern for such a simple Irish medieval garment you can phone Mary on 087 9009722 and it can be arranged.

Best Costume Competition
There is always the added bonus of winning the Best Costume Competition. There are three prizes for Adults and three for Children: Best Lady €25, Best Man €25, Most Original Group €50 and €20, €10 and €10 for Children. Further details on www.fethardfestival.com

John Spillane to play Crocanoir
After a short break, the next series of concerts at Crocanoir kicks off on Wednesday, August 22, with Cork born troubadour John Spillane. This will be John’s first visit to Crocanoir and will be remembered locally for his fine performance at Fethard Medieval Festival 2010.
John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet, dreamer. His music transports the listener; his live performance captivates the audience. In a world filled with strife and upheaval, a time-out with John Spillane is enough to ease the load a bit on anyone lucky enough to bask in his light. The man and his music are pure magic. If you are looking for a night of good ‘craic’, a John Spillane show should not be missed. Concert starts at 8.30pm and tickets are on sale now at (052) 9153117

Died Recently
Died Recently The death has occurred on Saturday, July 14, 2012, of Richard (Dick) Cashman of Clarke Villas, Clonmel, Tipperary, son of the late Mrs Sarah Cashman, The Back Green, Fethard. Interment took place in St Patrick's Cemetery, Clonmel.

The death has occurred on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, of Thomas Gahan of Kylenagranagh, Cloneen. Deeply regretted by his loving wife Carmel sons Tom and Paul, daughters Rosie, Patricia, Ann, and Caroline, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sister Nora, relatives and friends. Interment took place in Cloneen.

The death has occurred on Saturday, July 28, 2012, of William (Billy) Mackey of St. Patrick's Terrace, Clonmel, and formally of Fethard, Co Tipperary. Sadly missed by his loving daughter Rosemary, son J.J., grandchildren, great grandchildren, daughter in law, son in law, nephews, nieces and extended family and friends. Billy was one of the surviving members of the ‘Twilight Serenaders’ band from the 1950s in Fethard. Interment took place in St Patrick's Cemetery, Clonmel. Rest in Peace.

Children’s Art Competition
Many of the ‘Humpty Dumpty on Fethard Town Wall’ masterpieces are already completed but there is still time (up to Friday, August 17) for the children of the area to get their pencils and brushes out and create a possible winner in the art competition.

The organisers of the festival are delighted that they can offer nine very handsome cash prizes due to the great sponsorship of Tom Hennessy Spar in Fethard. There are three prizes in each of the three categories: (A) Under 8 Years, (B) 8-12 years and (C) 13-18 Years, so there is a good chance of being in the money!

The Rules
The rules of the competition are quite simple; a drawing (or even sculpture/art piece) of Humpty Dumpty on Fethard’s Town Wall. Humpty can be on the wall, falling from the wall, broken-up on the ground or a combination of all three BUT the wall must look like Fethard’s Town Wall. It can be any part of Fethard’s wall; The Valley, North Gate, Barrack Field, Madam’s Bridge area or even your own back garden if you are lucky enough to be living beside the wall. Maximum size for any drawing/picture is A3.

Closing date for entry is Friday, August 17, when the art piece should be handed into the Community Office in the Tirry Centre by 1pm. Make sure that the artist’s name, age and address is attached to the entry and all entrees will be displayed for public viewing on Festival Sunday.

Humpty Dumpty in Town
As already announced, Humpty Dumpty himself will be in town for the festival and he and his artist wife will be on the Judging Panel for this competition so there can be no greater expert than the very man himself. Humpty will also present the prizes on the Sunday which should make for an unique photo opportunity for the lucky prize-winners. Further details on www.fethardfestival.com

Killusty Fancy Dress Results 2012
As usual at Killusty, The Fancy Dress Class deserves a result sheet of its own. so many people put a great deal of work into colourful outfits of every description that it is almost unfair to judge them. Judged they were and very ably by Gaye Mullen and the results are as follows and the trophies kindly presented by Jonathan O'Grady went to: 1st The Best Disco (Jessica Hincks and Laura Hincks); 2nd Viva Espana (Dessie, Tara, Isobel, Alexander and Nicholas Horsman); 3rd The Southeast Cowboy (Ned Kelly) Jasper, Freddie, Jed and Wallace.

Fundraising dance for Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin
Fundraising dance in aid of Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin will take place on Tuesday, September 4, in Cahir House Hotel. Doors open at 7.30pm and dancing from 8pm. The MC for the night is Owen Lonergan from Tipp FM.

Admission is only €20 for this great line up. Tickets from hotel or pay at door on the night, raffle also on the night. Include in the line up are: Lisa McHugh, Louise Morrissey, Nathan Carter, Dave Lawlor, Damien Bowe, Carrie & Leanne, Shaun Loughery, Crystal Swing, Davitts, Gary Gambell, Simon Peters, Vicky Kenny, Matt Leavy, Simon Casey, Paddy O’Brien, Gerry Guthrie, Johnny Brady, Nicky Keeley, Gloria, Thomas & Fhiona, Wee Amigos, Madcaps, Brian Lawlor, Lorraine McDonald and backing band Ryan Turner. Special Guest on the night is this year’s ‘Pride Of Tipperary’, Aoife O’Meara.

French wine coming home to Fethard for Book Launch
French wine and Fethard were closely connected for over two hundred years and that connection is being aired again on Saturday, August 18, for the launch of the book ‘Heraldic Memorials in Fethard’ by Gerry Crotty.

Members of the Barton family, one of the very oldest and most prestigious families in the Bordeaux wine business, owned and lived in Grove House just outside Fethard from 1751 to 1955.

It is a long story, but in brief, a Thomas Barton from Fermanagh went to Bordeaux in 1722, got very successful in the wine business and with his money bought Grove estate and other Fethard property from the Everards in 1751. The last Barton, Captain C.R. Barton, died in 1955 and the estate passed into the Ponsonby family who now reside there.

‘Chateau Barton’ Wine
The wine business in Bordeaux is now owned by Anthony Barton and his daughter Lilian, who manage the very highly regarded Chateau Leoville Barton and Chateau Langoa Barton estates. A group from the Fethard Historical Society visited the Barton vineyards in July 2000 and were warmly received there. The French Bartons have arranged that some bottles of their wine will be available on Saturday night, August 18, for the launch of Gerard Crotty’s book in old Holy Trinity Church at 8pm. Memorials to members of the Barton Family can be seen in Holy Trinity Church and naturally they also feature in the book .

The Fethard Historical Society - who are hosting the launch - are delighted that the Barton story is returning to Fethard in the form of good French wine. Further details on www.fethardfestival.com

Festival Dog Show
The Festival Dog Show takes place again this year during the Medieval Festival on Sunday 19th, with sponsorship and support from Ian Meagher, Londis, and Killusty Pony Show.

The Dog Show has proved very popular in previous years - with young and old alike - so it is a great bit of family fun and with a competitive edge thrown in for good measure. So, if you want to boast that your dog is the fairest in the land, well then festival Sunday afternoon in the Valley Park is your chance to prove your point.

Prizes
All the usual class prizes will be up for grabs again this year: (1) Best Large Dog, (2) Best Small Dog, (3) Dog You Would Like To Take Home, (4) Best Groomed Dog, (5) Best Tail Wagger, (6) Best Dog in Medieval Attire, and a new class has been added this year, (7) Best Dog of an Irish Native Breed.

Irish Native Breeds of Dog
Most Irish people are aware of the Irish Wolfhound and the two thousand year old story of Setanta and his killing of Cullan’s hound with the hurley and sliotar and thus getting the ‘nick-name’ Cú Chulainn (The Hound of Cullan) - as he had to take the place of the guard dog that he had killed.

But there are many other native breeds of dog in Ireland. The Irish Kennel Club - the governing body for dog showing in Ireland – lists nine Irish Native Breeds: (1) Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier, (2) Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, (3) Kerry Beagle (4) Kerry Blue, (5) Irish Terrier, (6) Irish Water Spaniel, (7) Irish Wolfhound, (8) Irish Red and White Setter and (9) Irish Setter. Anyone of the above breeds can take the special prize of ‘Best Dog of an Irish Native Breed’ and make history on the day.

This new class is in acknowledgement of the very long history of dog breeding in Ireland and reports from the Middle Ages often refer to the export of hunting dogs as being an important trade at that time. The old stories even mention Irish Wolfhounds being on the ship that took Patrick to safety, after his years of slavery in Ireland, all those centuries ago.
Further details on www.fethardfestival.com

Community Games
Fethard and Killusty Community Games Committee would like to thank most sincerely all those who contributed to their church gate collection last weekend. Special thanks to the volunteers who very kindly assisted with the collection in both Fethard and Killusty. All financial aid is very much appreciated.

Best of luck to our two competitors Zoe Stokes, Ballybough and David Heffernan, Ballyvaden who will represent the area in Swimming and Athletics at the National Finals in Athlone.