Dawn Fresh Food delegation meet minister
Workers at Fethard’s Dawn Fresh Foods, who are about to lose their jobs when the factory closes on October 25, organised a delegation to go to Dublin and meet representatives from Enterprise Ireland Board and Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, on Thursday, September 12. The delegation of Eugene McCormack, Ray Ryan, George Williams, Aishling Coen, Jimmy O’Meara, Lizzy Thompson, Sebastian Wollensky, was accompanied by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes T.D.; Independent Deputy Seamus Healy: Cllr Jimmy O’Brien, Chairman of South Tipperary County Council; Sinead Carr, Director of Service, Community and Enterprise, and Anthony Fitzgerald, Business Development Executive, South Tipperary County Council.
Staff members were very happy with the opportunity to express their views and concerns and although they were not given any positive news they were assured that every avenue would be explored and that Enterprise Ireland has completed a full inventory of the facility and will now pursue their marketing of the plant on a global scale. Tom Hayes T.D. described the meeting with Minister Richard Bruton as very helpful.

The company blamed a steep decline in sales over the past number of years, along with the cost of raw materials and sterling exchange rates, for the closure. The plant will be closed on a phased basis, with all redundancies complete by the end of the year.

Fethard Town Model on display in Clonmel
Fethard transition year student’s 3D scaled model of the Medieval Town of Fethard will be on view in Tipperary County Museum, Clonmel, from September 17 to October 17, 2013.

The students based their model from a drawing of Fethard as it may have appeared in 1650 by Dan Tietzsch Tyler, an archaeological illustrator. The drawing was by Fethard Historical Society for their new medieval town trail brochure.

Pupils were tutored by Michael Costello, a qualified Architects Technician, who volunteered his time and expertise in the accurate scaling of the model which was completed over a four month period in the school’s Art Class. The project was part-funded by South Tipperary County Council Heritage Plan, Irish Walled Towns Network, and the Patrician Presentation Secondary School.

The model will be on display as part of an exhibition on loan from the National Museum of Ireland, entitled ‘Treasures of Carrick-on-Suir’, which will feature the eighty-one gold coins dating from 1664 to 1701 that were discovered on January 14, in Carrick-on-Suir.
The exhibition will also feature replica medieval clothes used in the annual Fethard Medieval Festival, as well as costumes, tavern ware and military armour from Claoimh, Irish Living History and Military History.

This unique exhibition will transport you back in time with something for all the family, entrance is free, and open Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm at the Tipperary County Museum, Mick Delahunty Square, Clonmel.

Yoga Classes commencing soon

Yoga Classes will take place in the Tirry Community Centre in Fethard on Monday nights, commencing on Monday, September 23, for beginners / intermediate. Yoga offers numerous benefits and covers a broad range of physical, emotional and wellness issues, it benefits the mind, body and spirit. Booking is essential as numbers are limited. Enquiries to Peg at 086 3027927.

Fethard Rugby Club
‘Get on the Ball’ with Fethard Rugby Club this season as training has now commenced since Friday, September 6 and will continue every Friday night at Fethard Community Field. Minis age 6-12 start at 6.45pm and youths age 13-18 start at 8pm. Boys, girls and new members are always welcome.

Our annual ‘Cash for Clobber’ event is up and running again to raise much needed funds for the club. Please drop any items of unwanted clothing, footwear or soft toys up to the rugby club on Friday nights during training, or contact Alice at Tel: 086 0612306 or Mary 086 1688158. Thanks for your generous support.

Fethard to Fethard Outing
On Saturday, September 28, Fethard Historical Society are organising a day long outing to Fethard-on-Sea and Hook peninsula in County Wexford. The trip will also take in the Ros Tapestry in New Ross, an amazing achievement, and The Kennedy Homestead in Dunganstown.

The trip is part of the society’s ‘25th Anniversary’ celebration to remember its founding in 1988. The outing is open to all and will be of special interest to those who want to find out more about the Anglo-Norman invading force and followers who landed near Fethard-on-Sea in 1169 and, who thirty years later, had got as far as the Clashawley and began building the walls, church and town of Fethard in County Tipperary.

The coach tour will be joined in the Hook Peninsula by a local historian who will point out the spots where the history of Ireland was changed forever. For good of bad the Anglo-Norman invasion happened and our Fethard soon became an Anglo-Norman outpost in the territory of the McCarthy’s, O’Brien’s and other Irish clans here in Tipperary.

The cost of the coach for the Wexford tour is being sponsored by the Historical Society, so the cost of the day’s outing is €20 which includes all entrance and guiding fees. Arrangements will be made to see the repeat of the Cork-Clare All Ireland Final at 5pm that evening for all the hurling fans on board.

This will be a long day outing, with the coach leaving Fethard at 8.15am and returning to Fethard for about 10pm. There will be refreshment stops throughout the day and people can choose their own food and drinks as they please in the various hostelries.
Anyone interested in travelling should phone 052 6131537 or 086 3905373 to book a place as soon as possible as spaces are limited due to coach size.

Fethard on TG4 again this Thursday
Due to a technical hitch there was no subtitles on TG4’s ‘Spillane an Fánaí’ programme featuring Fethard that was broadcast last Sunday night. TG4 have corrected this hitch and will broadcast the programme again, with subtitles, on this coming Thursday night around 10.15pm. Check your TV guide for accurate programme schedule.

This was part one of a six-part series presented by singer/ songwriter John Spillane, and the local response from those who watched it was very positive. Most were amazed at the amount of native Irish speakers in our parish. The programme can also be watched and shared from the TG4 Player online.

Fethard Bridge Club
Fethard Bridge Club will play for the Free Sub Gross on September 25 and the Free Sub Nett on October 2. Anyone interested in learning bridge should contact Eileen at Tel: 086 0781448. New members welcome.

Fethard Community Playgroup
Fethard Community Playgroup has a limited number of spaces available. For further information contact Helena at Tel: 086 1658823

Coffee Morning this Thursday
Fethard Bridge Club will hold their ‘Coffee Morning’ at Fethard Town Hall on this Thursday, September 19, from 10am to 5pm with all proceeds going to South Tipperary Hospice. Please come along and support this very important fundraiser.

This is the 21st year of Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning, sponsored by Bewley’s, Ireland’s leading coffee company. Veronica Campbell of Bewley’s launched the appeal asking people to enjoy a cup of coffee with friends or colleagues and raise much needed funds for local hospice services.

St. Vincent de Paul
The local conference of St. Vincent de Paul invite applications for financial help from our education fund, from students or parents attending Third Level College courses in the 2013/2014 academic year. The fund is fairly limited but all applicants will be treated equally and confidentially. Application forms are available by contacting Tel: 6131852 or 6131698 and the closing date is October 1.

Boot Camp is back
Interested in getting into shape after the holidays? Challenge yourself to get fit by joining a great bunch of people who are out to do just that, in a atmosphere of fun and good spirit. Monday and Wednesday nights from 7 to 8pm, mixed classes at just €6 per session, and also for the first time we are running a morning session on Wednesdays from 10 to 11am.

Boot camp Tipperary is located in Rathkenny; just half way between Fethard and Drangan. For further details go to Facebook at Bootcamp Tipperary or at Fethard bootcamp. Or simply call or text Colm on 086 3502360.

Zumba classes restarting
Zumba classes are restarting in the Convent Community on Tuesday, September 24, at 8.30pm. Pay as you go €7. Haven't tried it yet? Party yourself into shape and share the laughs, so get the runners out for some shimmy and shaking! All ages and fitness levels welcome

Bodhrán Classes
Bodhrán lessons are starting in Convent Community Centre on Wednesday, September 25. Children’s lessons starts from 6.30pm to 7.15pm and cost €5 per week. Adult class starts from 7.15pm to 8pm and cost €8 per week. Numbers are limited due to the bodhrán having to be supplied so booking is essential. If you have your own bodhrán Marian would be delighted if you bring it along with you. Booking now at the Community Office Tel: (052) 6131000.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on this Sunday Night, September 22, to the music of ‘Tommy Carroll’. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing. Dancing 9pm to midnight and admission is €7.

Articles for Emigrants’ Newsletter
We are now inviting submissions of articles and photographs for inclusion in this year’s Emigrants’ Newsletter. Articles or photographs can be submitted to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, or by email to newsletter@fethard.com

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on September 11 were: 11, 15, 25 and 30. We had no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: Catherine & Eamon Kennedy, Cois Falla, Fethard; and Chalky Brett, Kilnockin Road, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners won €50 each: Brendan Kenny, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard; Kelly Fogarty, Abbey Court, Fethard; and Paddy Cooke, St. Patrick’s Place, Fethard.

Remember you can purchase your lotto ticket online at fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets and get one free! Check on the website for lots of special offers. Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, September 18. The Jackpot is €4,900 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €490. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Patrician / Presentation Jottings

Junior Cert Results
Well done to all our Junior Cert pupils on their exam results. They produced very good results with some pupils excelling in many subjects.

Principal’s Meeting
There was a huge attendance of parents, staff and Board of Management members at the meeting on September 4 organised by our new Principal, Mr Michael O’Sullivan. Deputy Principal, Ms M.A. Fogarty welcomed all to the meeting and introduced Mr O’Sullivan, Br Matthew Hayes of the Patrician Brothers and Dr Eilis Humphries of the Le Cheile Trustee Group to the meeting.

Mr O’Sullivan outlined the importance of the Patrician/Presentation Secondary School in the community and emphasised the role of parents in the education of their children. He looks forward to his role in the Fethard Community and to working with the parents and staff of the school.

Congratulations
Congratulations to Liam Quigley and Jack Spillane of 2nd Year on their decisive County Final victory over Solohead with the Fethard U14 Hurling Team on Saturday last.

Agricultural Science
Agricultural Science is now on offer as a Leaving Cert subject in the school and is proving popular with the Senior Level Pupils.

Higher Options
5th Year and 6th Year pupils will travel to the Higher Options Career Exhibition in Dublin on Friday next September 20. They will be accompanied by the Career and Guidance Counsellor, Mr McGree.

Fethard GAA Sports Lotto
There was no jackpot winner in this week’s GAA Sports Lotto. There no match three winners so the following drawn tickets won €30 each: Nancy Ryan Tullamaine; Kieran Byrne c/o Karl Maher; Louis Coen, Killusty; Josie Fitzgerald, Kiltinan; and Megan Coen, The Green. The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Ailish Sheehan, Garrinch, Fethard.
Next week’s jackpot is €8,100 and the draw takes place in Gaule’s Bar, Burke Street on Tuesday, September 17. You can purchase lotto tickets of any committee member. Remember if you’re not in you can't win. Thanks again for all the support. It is much appreciated.

Fethard News
Items for inclusion on the weekly Fethard News page on The Nationalist can be emailed before noon on Mondays to news@fethard.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.