RECENTLY CONFERRED

Three Fethard people who recently conferred with M.A. in School Chaplaincy and Pastoral care at the Mater Dei, Institute of Education, Dublin. L to R: Majella Fahey, Fr. A.B. Kennedy and Sr. Brenda O'Rourke.

MUNSTER CLASSICS
The Munster Classics Dancing Championships will take place in Fethard Ballroom on Sunday 1^st February from 12 to 6pm.  If you like dancing or watching people dance, this is the place to go.  Admission for spectators is €6.

YOGA CLASSES
Yoga Classes will commence in Fethard ICA Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 5^th February.  Please note there is only one class, so if you are interested, come along at 7.30pm.

DIED RECENTLY

We record the death of Mark Hackett, Fethard, who died on 28th January in Dublin. Remains arrived (from Dublin) at 7pm on Thursday 29th January to Holy Trinity Church Fethard. Burial takes place in Calvary Cemetery following Requiem Mass at 11am on Friday.

DIED RECENTLY
The death has occurred recently of Mrs Agnes Barry, Ennis, Co. Clare, formerly Agnes White, Derryluskin. Interment took place in Ennis.

BLUEGRASS BAND FOR ABYMILL

On Sunday, 8th February, local bluegrass musician and promoter, John Shortall, is pleased to present ‘The Monks’ at the Abymill Theatre at 8.15pm. ‘The Monks’ are a raging, twin fiddle driven, old time bluegrass band from Bloomington, Indiana. Following in the footsteps of the ‘Skillet Lickers’ and the ‘Stripling Brothers’ they're pros at getting the dance floor hopping. In concert, ‘The Monks’ perform sweet, sad southern songs, a capella ballads, rowdy dance tunes and waltzes and polkas from orquestas de cuerdas, Mexican-American string band music. Members of The Monks have won top honours at Mt. Airy and Clifftop Old Time music competitions, and all four are veteran dance camp instructors. As a band, they continue to play nationally to rave reviews, backing up this country's finest dance callers. The Monks are Claudio Buchwald, Abby and Evie Ladin, and Sam Bartlett. Booking now at O’Flynn’s Menswear, Burke Street. 052 31254.

HUNTING
The Ballylusky White Heather Harriers will hold a Lawn Meet at Priestown House, Drangan, this Sunday, 1st February, at 12 noon.

CALLING PAST REFEREES
Miceál McCormack, chairman Tipperary South Board GAA Referees Association, intends this year to organise a get-together of past referees. Miceál is anxious for all past referees to contact him on Tel: 052 31534. He is particularly interested in contacting referees from the seventies, sixties and fifties period.
Incidentally, Miceál has been elected chairman of the South Tipperary Referees Association for the seventh successive year.

GRANTS FOR CONSERVATION OF PROTECTED STRUCTURES
South Tipperary County Council are currently inviting applications for Grant Assistance under their Scheme of Grants for the Conservation of Protected Structures.
In South Tipperary there are currently 1,243 Recorded Protected Structures. The purpose of the grant scheme is to assist the owner / occupier of a protected structure to undertake necessary works to secure the conservation of the structure or part thereof. A wide range of conservation works will qualify for grants, generally amounting to 50% of the cost of the works up to a maximum of €13,000. Works consisting of routine maintenance, alterations or improvements will not qualify.
Mr Stephen Fallon, Conservation Officer, South Tipperary County Council - Phone No. 052 34643 will be only to delighted to give advice to members of the public on any aspect of Protected Structures.
Application forms for grants and details are available from the Planning Section, South Tipperary County Council, Aras an Chontae, Clonmel. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is the Thursday, 26th February, 2004.

DIED RECENTLY
The death has occurred on Saturday 24th January, of Doris Richardson, Par, Cornwall, England. Doris is the mother of Sue Burke, formerly of Redcity, Fethard, one of the founder members of the Girl Guides in Fethard, and also a prominent member of the Hogan Musical Society while living in Fethard.

DIED RECENTLY
The death has occurred on Friday 23rd January, of Margaret 'Peg' Shee, Bannixtown, Fethard. Remains left McCarthy's Funeral Parlour on Saturday 24th January for the Church of the Sacred Heart, Killusty, at 7pm. Requiem Mass took place at 10am on Sunday followed by interment in adjoining cemetery.

CAHIR PARK PULL CLEAR IN SECOND HALF
Cahir Park 3. Killusty 1. (League Division One Soccer)
Cahir were well on top here and ran out very convincing winners and although Killusty put up a good fight the home team were just too good for them.
James Darcy had the home team in front after 30 minutes, a good down the right by Cahir resulted in a cross into the box and Darcy reacted first to fire home. The lead was short-lived as just three minutes later the visitors were level, a long ball played out of defence was latched onto by Jim O'Meara and he cracked it to the net and it remained 1-1 at the break.
Cahir went into overdrive in the second half and took complete control and James McGrath put them back in front on 60 minutes when he beat two men on the edge of the box to fire home a beauty. The home team were now coasting and it came as no surprise when Martin Grant added their third to leave the home team comfortable winners on the day.

GRAND MARSHAL — SR. PHILOMENA O'BRIEN

Sr. Philomena O'Brien, formerly from The Green, Fethard, has been chosen to be Grand Marshal of the Blue Point / Bayport St. Patricks Day Parade in New York. The committee held a dinner on Tuesday night to mark the occasion and to honour her work in the community over the years. Sr. Philomena (photographed above) was presented with a Declaration by Steve Levy, Suffolk Legislator, on behalf of the 1.4 million residents of Suffolk County. It was a great night for all present. This year's parade will be held on the 14th March.

FETHARD & KILLUSTY COMMUNITY LOTTO
The numbers drawn on Tuesday 20th January were: 5, 12, 18 and 29. There was no Jackpot winner, and four "Match 3" winners who received €40 each:
Trehy children, Mobarnane
Eileen Ryan, Friarsgrange, Fethard
Patsy Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard
Mary Grant, Killerk, Fethard
Lucky dip winners of €50 each were:
Paddy Lawrence, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard
Helen Morrissey, 48 St. Patricks Place, Fethard
Mary Myler, 66 St. Patricks Place, Fethard
Next weeks Jackpot is €4,350 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €285.

INTER-PROVINCIAL WIN
Mary Gorey, Main Street, who plays with Clonmel Ladies Rugby team was a member of the Munster under/19 ladies rugby team at Donnybrook, Dublin, on 10th January. Mary was very pleased when the team, who were very well looked after, were presented with their inter-county jerseys, shorts, stockings and tracksuits.

FETHARD BRIDGE CLUB
Fethard Bridge Club results for Wednesday 14th January 2004:
1st Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane
2nd Gross: Teresa Cummins and Alice Quinn
1st Nett: Betty Walsh and Noreen Evans
2nd Nett: Anna Ryan and Joan Kelly
Anyone looking for a partner, contact Annie O’Brien at Tel: 052 31862.

HUNTER HUNTED
Car followers of the Tipperary Foxhounds from Cloneen on Saturday were treated to a rather unusual chase. A fox on foot at Rathkenny was suddenly mobbed by a flock of guinea foul. Standing in amazement for a second or two, Reynard hoisted his brush and took flight. He was chased across the field by the fowl, screeching as only guinea fowl can. Obviously the volunteer in Percy French’s “Slattery’s Mounted Fut” who said, “He was not as bold as lions but braver than a hen”, never heard of the Rathkenny guinea hens.
The Ballylusky White Heather Harriers meet at Loughcopple on next Sunday. 25th June, at 12 noon.

KILLUSTY & FETHARD NOTES (from South Tipp Today)

Community Games Fethard & Killusty
Community Games activities will commence in the next few weeks with The Winter Games, which will feature activities such as; indoor soccer, swimming, art, to name but a few. Starting these activities earlier in the year will take the burden of a clog up of fixtures, which seem to happen every year in mid-Summer, when fixtures in most sport competitions are at a peak.

National AGM
The national AGM of Community Games takes place in Limerick this weekend. After this important meeting the list of activities which will be included or excluded from this years programme of events will become evident. Tipperary will be represented by County Chairman Martin O'Keeffe (Cahir), Ann Williamson (Drangan) and Bernard Feery (Fethard & Killusty). Many important decisions will be on the agenda to be discussed.

Local Community Games AGM
The local community games AGM will take place shortly, the date is to be finalised, as areas have to be registered before February 25th. We would like to encourage as many parents and guardians as possible to get involved this year. Excellent work has been done locally with sporting organisations, which cater for our youth. Each year, thanks to the co-operation of all these voluntary organisations coming together, we organise an excellent programme of community games activities, which cater for all.

Rubbish
With a lot of disregarded litter, lunch packaging etc. evident on a lot of country roads, our area is no different, so we would encourage motorists to bring their rubbish home to dump. It might be worth remembering it is an offence to illegally dump.

Fethard & Killusty Newsletter
Congratulations and well done to all concerned in the excellent production of the Fethard and Killusty Newsletter, which is a must for our friends and relations living away from home. Well done to Joe Kenny on his layout and design, which must be complimented. If you don’t have a copy, run out and get one as they are running scarce and at just €7, it's a most beautiful production and comes highly recommended.

FETHARD RUGBY NOTES
Our U/12s played at half time in Thomond Park during Munster’s great win over Gloucester on Saturday evening last. This is an experience these young players will carry with them for a very long time, as they were cheered off the pitch for their great display by the enthusiastic crowd. We hope that in years to come some of them might play in the red jersey and carry on this great tradition.
On Sunday morning last we travelled with our U/8s 10s and 12s to Cashel for a blitz. Our U/8s played three great games against Cashel, Thurles and Nenagh each game was very even. Fethard had fine performances from James Harrington, Russell Casey, Harvey Blackmore, Shane Cleere, Colin Kenny and Keith Bergin.
Under 10s played their hearts out, were beaten in one game and drew the other game with Nenagh, in this game they had lead for a long time but Nenagh came back to level just before the final whistle. Joseph Morgan, Eoin Walsh, Thomas Kearney, Jonathan Yates and Colin Maher played well.
Our Under 12's were beaten by a strong Nenagh side in their first game, but played a much closer contest with Cashel, where they lead for most of the game. Good performances from Sam Manton David Walsh, Conor Kavanagh and Matt O'Sullivan.
Training on Saturday for 8, 10, 12s. Under 13s play Waterpark at home at 11 o'clock on Sunday. We hold a blitz for Under 9s and 11s and 13s travel to Clanwilliam for a league game.

THE WELL GOLF SOCIETY
The following officers were elected at our recent AGM: Pat Woodlock (captain); Michael Kenrick (vice captain); Kevin Ryan (secretary); Willie Morrissey (assistant secretary); Danny Mullins (treasurer); Michael Kenrick (assistant treasurer). Handicap committee: Kevin Ryan, Willie Morrissey and Brian Higgins. Committee: Sean Aylward, Michael Leahy and David Simmons. Director of Golf: David Lawton.
This season we are re-introducing the Player of the Year award, and also a Young Golfer of the Year. Details about these later.
Membership fee is the same as last season. We have an introductory offer for new members who join with a present member. Single Membership: €25. Old and new member: €40. Juniors: free. Fees to be paid on or before first outing.
We have six outings planned for this season, with our first outing on Sunday March 7th at Tipperary Golf Club.

ROTARY CLUB ASSISTS FETHARD PROJECT

St. Bernards Group Homes in Fethard was recently the recipient of a cheque for one thousand euro from the Rotary Club of Clonmel. Presenting the cheque to Sister Betty Cagney, the Manager of "Avila", a home for children with special needs, the Reverend George Knowd, President of the Rotary Club of Clonmel said that Rotary was delighted to assist the work of Sister Betty and her highly trained staff in order to make life more interesting and useful for the people in their care.
Sister Betty thanked the Rotarians of Clonmel for their generosity and gave a brief outline of the work which is proposed on the grounds of "Avila". She explained that the area surrounding the house, about half an acre, is not presently accessible to the residents. By constructing a circular roadway, the area would be made accessible. The addition of some raised vegetable beds and a poultry run which would have access from the proposed roadway would provide a much more interesting environment for the people who live in the residence and indeed would also help to provide a supply of fresh vegetables and eggs for the house.
The whole project will take upwards of one year to complete and the overall cost will be in the region of twelve thousand euro. Sister Betty said the cheque from the Rotary Club of Clonmel is a very welcome and significant addition to the targeted cost.

FETHARD JUVENILES PLAY AT HEINEKEN CUP MATCH

Photographed above are Fethard & District Juvenile Rugby Club under-12 members who had the honour of displaying their skills during half time at last Saturday's exciting Round 4 Heineken Cup match between Munster and Gloucester played at Thomond Park, Limerick. The team also featured in the match programme which included a full page write-up about rugby in Fethard.

DEATH OF CENTENARIAN

The death has occurred on 15th January, in her 103rd year, of Ms Kathy Guinan, Coolbawn, and formerly of Coolquill, Killenaule. Interment took place at the Church of the Assumption Cemetery in Ballingarry.
Photograph above shows Fr Conor Hayes presenting the late Cathy Guinan with a cheque for £2,000 on behalf of the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, on the occasion of her 100th birthday celebrated in Killenaule on Wednesday 8th August 2001.

MEAN THEFT
The grocery and Newsagency business of Peter and Bernadette McManus, Burke Street, was subject of a very mean type of theft last week. A group of seven to eight non-nationals entered the shop and created confusion and distraction by all wanting to be served at the same time. Having created the distraction, a number of the party succeeded in entering a door to her adjoining dwelling house and stole a considerable amount of cash. The same group, it is understood, carried out a similar type of robbery in Templemore.

DIED IN LONDON
The death has occurred in London of Mrs Bridget Thomas, formerly Bridget O’Grady of Rathsallagh, Fethard.

SLIEVENAMON 'PLAYER OF THE YEAR'

Photographed recently at Slievenamon Golf Club are L to R: Denis O'Sullivan (Captain 2004), Denis Burke, Redcity, winner of the Player of the Year 2003, Mary Quirke presenting Denis with the P.F. Quirke, Auctioneers, perpetual trophy, and Des Delahunty (Captain 2003). This was Des Delahunty's last official function as Club Captain before handing over to Denis O'Sullivan.

NEW BUSINESS - MICHAEL QUINLAN HEATING & PLUMBING
Best of luck to Michael Quinlan, Tullamaine, Fethard, who has recently started his own heating and plumbing business. Michael can be contacted at Tel: 086-1743733 or 052-31360 (after 6pm).

TIPPERARIANA BOOK FAIR
This year’s Tipperariana Book Fair will take place on Sunday 8th February. As usual, the Fethard Historical Society are looking for unwanted books that can be sold at their second-hand book stall to raise funds for the society. If you have books to donate, please contact Terry Cunningham, Tel: 052 23402; or Dóirín Saurus, Tel: 052 31936; and we will arrange to have them collected.

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