FETHARD BRIDGE CLUB
Fethard Bridge club reopens on Wednesday 10th September in the Tirry Centre at 7.30pm. Please don't forget that the table money has been increased to €5 per person. New members are welcome.
Anyone looking for a partner contact Annie O'Brien 31862.

PHILIPPA & CATHERINE (message & photos received)

Loved your website and have just returned from spending 2 glorious weeks in Fethard. My father, Grandfather and Greatgrandfather all came from there and so it was like home from home made especially so by such wonderful people. One such person must be Fethard's greatest character, Jimmy Ryan, who nightly regaled my cousin and I with his storytelling. He was such a mine of information and willingly passed on all he knew about some cousins of mine I was trying to trace. He even arranged a tour of the Coolmore Stud which I would never have known existed in Fethard. It's a lovely unspoilt place and I hope it says that way, so don't make your website too attractive to visitors!!

DEBS BALL
Best wishes to last year's Leaving Cert pupils from Patrician Presentation Secondary School who held their Debs Ball at Cahir House Hotel on Thursday Night 28th August. Lots of photos shortly!

DICK'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

Jim Fitzgerald sent us this photograph taken last year in Cashel at a surprise birthday party for Dick Fitzgerald. Dick was asked, "Which was his favourite GAA sportsman of all time?" He answered, "Tipperary hurler John Doyle"; . . . and so his daughter made it happen — Dick was so delighted to meet John Doyle (photographed above) — a perfect gentleman.

FETHARD & KILLUSTY COMMUNITY LOTTO
The numbers drawn in the Fethard and Killusty Community Lotto on Tuesday 26th August were: 18, 29, 31 and 32. There was no Jackpot Winner and one 'Match 3' winners who received €150:
Dermot Darcy, 30 St. Patricks Place, Fethard.
The three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners of €50 were:
Paddy Cooke, 49 St. Patricks Place, Fethard
Seamus Moloney, Cloneen, Fethard
John Tobin, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard.
The Jackpot remains at €10,000 and next weeks Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000.

CONGRATULATIONS ROBERT

Grandson of the late Stasia Kenrick of Congress Terrace, Fethard, Robert Hetterley collected his BSc in Chemistry at Birmingham University. He is pictured above with younger brother John who attends Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire. Parents David and Frances Hetterley (nee Kenrick) live in Hereford and next plan to visit relatives and friends in Fethard in September.

COMMUNITY GAMES
Congratulation to the boys under15 volleyball team and Michael Costello who competed in the ESB National Finals of Community Games in Mosney. Michael Costello got into the semifinal of the boys under/12 100 meters and the volleyball team won Certificates of Merit. Team members were: Stephen O’Meara (Capt), Liam Ryan, Christopher Sheehan, Aaron O’Donovan, Cathal Gorey, Michael Fleming, Lory Kenny, Paul McCarthy, Christopher Horan, Declan Doyle and Joe Fogarty. Managers were Denis Burke and Liam Frewen. The lads played very well and enjoyed the experience.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Fethard Historical Society unfortunately has to defer the proposed trip to Aherlow for the present. We would like to remind everyone that as part of Heritage Week a guided tour of Fethard will take place on Tuesday 9th September. All are welcome.

FLEADH CHEOIL IN CLONMEL

Photographed at a Civic Reception for musician Micheál Ó Súileabháin at Clonmel Town Hall are: L to R: John Ó Súileabháin, Joan Barrett, Micheál Ó Súileabháin, and Johnny Barrett, Fethard. Micheál's late mother was a sister of the late Mrs Mick Barrett, Market Hill, Fethard.

L to R: John Ó Súileabháin, Pat Barrett and Micheál Ó Súileabháin photographed at the Civic Reception.

Pat Shine, originally from Fethard, travelled all the way from England for the Fleadh and is photographed above with old friend Kathleen McCauly.

Local musicians Tommy and Susan Strappe with Mick Quinn playing a session outside ‘Tig McEoin’ at the Old Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

FETHARD GAA CLUB
On Saturday last our senior footballers lost the opportunity to retain our South Title when we went down on a scoreline, Fethard 0-8 (0-6), Moyle Rovers 1-13 (0-6). Having played so well in the first half although missed scores equal to score tally we paid the price in the second half and were not at the races with a dismal addition of 2 pointed frees to the opposition tally of 1-7. Our only chance left is in the County Quarter Final with Draws yet to be made. In the County League we play Moyle Rovers in the Semi Final.
In Intermediate Hurling we have had no match since 10th August and this weekend the same applies as, because of other club Commitments, we are unable to play another round .
We wish our player Johnny Neville a speedy Recovery.
The Lotto Jackpot €1,600 was not won. Numbers Drawn in Burkes Bar were 18, 19, 20 and 23. We had no match three winner. The €50 Lucky Dip went to Nollaig O Broin (Claremore), and €30 each to Bee Gould (Claremore), Michael Gould (Claremore), Jack Purtill (Moyglass), Liam Daly Rocklow Rd ), Michael Alexander (Killenaule Rd).
The club would like to sympathise with the Moloney Family (Kilsheelan) on the death of Pat who all came to know and like over the last 15 years. Go Ndeanai Dhia Trocaire Orthu.

THIS WEEK'S - 'PIC OF THE PAST'
If you have an old photograph of interest to our readers why not email it to us and we will include it on our Saturday 'Pic of the Past'

Following our recent article on O'Donovan's Bar, Billy McLellan sent us this picture of men sitting on boxes near the bridge below the town. Photo taken outside O'Donovans bar and grocery (now the Bridge Bar). Early 1920s. From left: Tom Nevin, Baby Anne Tierney (McLellan) from the drapery shop next door, Joe Heany, person in doorway unknown, girl in hat unknown, May Nevin, Johnny Connolly and John O'Shea.

COMMUNITY GAMES JUDO — FIVE GOLD MEDALS

Congratulations to Eric O’Donnell and his five competitors from the Fethard Judo Club who were representing Munster and took Mosney by storm winning five gold medals in the judo event on the first weekend of the ESB National Finals of the Community Games.
This was a fantastic achievement and each of the competitors gave a tremendous display of judo. The winners were: Padraig O’Shea, Lorraine Feery and Richard Gorey from Fethard/Killusty area. Niall O’Donnell, Cahir, and Stephanie Lawrence, Coleman, who now lives in the parish of Clerihan. Team manager was Alice Feery and National Recorder was Helena O’Shea. It was interesting to note that every year since they commenced competing at National Finals in 1985 members of Fethard Judo Club never came home empty handed and that last time that they won 5 gold medals was in 1992. The winning lads that year were, present coach Eric O’Donnell, his two brothers, Stephen and Kenneth, Roy Gorey and Alan Roche. Michael Costello (Strylea) and Kevin O’Donnell both won silver medals the same year.
Good luck to Denis Burke and the boys under/15 Volleyball team and to Michael Costello, Woodvale Walk, who are competing next weekend.

Fethard Volleyball team who will represent Munster in the Community Games finals at Mosney this weekend. Back L to R: Paul McCarthy, Lory Kenny, Michael Fleming, Denis Burke (coach), Cathal Gorey, Christopher Horan. Front L to R: Stephen O’Meara, Joe Fogarty, Christopher Sheehan and Aarron O’Donovan. Also on the team are Alan O’Connor, Liam Ryan and Declan Doyle.

TENNIS CAMP
A children’s tennis camp will be held each morning on the tennis courts in Fethard, starting on Monday 25th August to Friday 29th August. Coach is Tony McCarthy. This is open to all children of 10 years and over. Names, on a first come basis, can be given to Jimmy and Fionnuala O’Sullivan, Main Street. A special invitation to any parent that might be free to come along and help at the children’s camp. This help would be very much appreciated.
The tennis courts are an underutilised facility in Fethard so we would encourage any person who has played before or would like to start playing, to go up to the courts any evening to play. If there is enough interest lessons can be organised. It is proposed to hold an adults league for all levels in September, including beginners. Names can be given to the O’Sullivans.
We are very pleased to see the O’Sullivans doing their best to spearhead a tennis revival in Fethard. Jimmy’s grandfather, the late James O’Sullivan M.P.S.I. established the first tennis club in Fethard in the early 1930s.
Rural tennis clubs, such as Ballypatrick, Kilsheelan, Lattin and Kilfeacle etc, continue to prosper, along with the other long established urban clubs — Hillview, Castleview, Rosanna, Larkspur are some that come to mind. However, the fortunes of tennis in Fethard have declined more than somewhat in recent years. Here’s hoping that the revival will lead to restoring Fethard tennis to its glory years of the fifties when Fethard Tennis Club produced teams to match any in Munster.

VISITORS TO FETHARD

Jim Heffernan photographed with his four sons in McCarthy's Bar. Back L to R: Maurice, Mike, Pat. Front L to R: Sean and Jim Heffernan.
We noticed some long time Fethard emigrants home on holiday recently. Jim Heffernan, Capt (Ret) Canadian Army, formerly from the Green, accompanied by his four six-feet-plus sons were visiting Jim’s native town last week. A member of one of Fethard’s oldest families, Jim left Fethard in 1949. His family were trades people and operated a sawmill powered by the Clashawley on the Valley for generations. The County Council now use the building as a store. Jim also took a trip to England to visit his surviving brother Michael and sister Margaret, who are both unfortunately, not so good, health wise.
Another visitor noticed in Fethard was the former Mary McGrath, Burke Street. Mary is now 54 years in London. Her visit this time was a rather nostalgic one as she erected a headstone over her mother’s grave in Redcity. Mary tells us that her mother died when she was just 15 months old.
Pride of place to our long-time emigrants goes however to Mrs Mary Querns, London, formerly Mary Watts of The Green. Mary, a sprightly octogenarian, left Fethard when 14 years old. Now sixty-nine years in London, she has no living relatives now resident in Fethard. She never forgot her Fethard roots and still regularly holidays here with her friend Nellie (Heffernan) Shine, Barrack Street.

FETHARD JUDO CLUB

The Community Games National Judo Finals were held in Mosney last weekend. Heading up on Friday morning, hopes were high for a great weekend of fun and medal winning. We had five members heading up on Friday and five coming home on Sunday with five gold medals.
First to win was Padraig O’Shea in under 30kg, followed by Niall O’Donnell in under 35kg with a brilliant display of judo skill to claim gold. Next up was Richard Gorey in the open event, winning another gold medal.
It was our ladies turn next. Lorraine Feery was first on the mat showing great fighting spirit and winning our fourth gold medal. Last but not least was Stephanie Lawrence to win our final gold medal of the weekend. These five competitors were Tipperary’s only medal winners on the first weekend of the games. This was a great achievement for the Fethard club and first-time county judo manager Alice Feery, and also a great end to the judo season.
Watch out Mosney, we’re back next year, bigger and better!

MARRIED RECENTLY
The wedding took place at Fethard Parish Church on Saturday 16th August of Ms Cora Breen, Barrack Street, to Mr William McGarry, Woodvale Walk.

FETHARD & KILLUSTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The next meeting for Fethard & Killusty Community Council meeting will take place on Tuesday 26th August at 8.30pm in the Tirry Centre.

ANNUAL NEWSLETTER
If you have any photographs or ideas for articles for inclusion in this years Annual Emigrants Newsletter please start getting them together now. Work on compiling this year’s issue will commence shortly and we invite you to submit your articles to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.