DIED RECENTLY
We record the death of Bridget Hannigan, Canon Hayes Court, Fethard, who died on Thursday 5th February. Remains will leave McCarthy's Funeral Parlour, Fethard, at 6.30 pm on Friday 6th February for Holy Trinity Church Fethard. Requiem Mass at 11am on Saturday followed by burial in Moyglass cemetery.
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 next week's 'Pic of the Past'
This photograph was taken at the Fethard & Killusty / London Reunion in the 1960's. Included are members of the Fethard Legion of Mary who organised the annual event to keep in touch with emigrants who travelled to work in England. If you know the names please let us know. Some of the faces we recognise so far include: Johnny Stapleton, Diana Brett, Pat Halpin and Teresa Halpin, Chrissie Byrne, Noel Byrne, Bee Byrne, Carmel Byrne, Fr. Cunningham, Jackie Cod and his wife Terry, Jimmy McInerney, Patrick McCarthy, Paddy Sheehan, Pat Shine, Nicky O'Shea, Mrs Johanna O'Neill, Mrs Jack Byrne, Padraig O Riain and Mrs Darcy.
FETHARD & KILLUSTY COMMUNITY LOTTO
The numbers drawn on Tuesday 3rd February were: 10, 15, 20 and 29. There was no Jackpot winner, and one "Match 3" winner who received €150:
Stephen Nagle, Coolmoyne, Fethard.
Lucky dip winners of €50 each were:
Eamon O'Donohoe, Moyglass, Fethard
Eleanor Lahart, Drangan, Thurles
Therese Murphy, c/o Gretta O'Donovan, Fethard
Next weeks Jackpot €4,650. Jackpot sellers prize €315.
FETHARD BRIDGE CLUB
The Fethard Bridge Club results for Wednesday 28th January 2004 are:
1st Gross: Carol Kenny and Gemma Burke;
2nd Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane;
1st Nett: Bridie Lee and Mike Burke;
2nd Nett: Nell Broderick and Breda O’Grady;
Next Wednesday, 11th February, we will be playing for prizes sponsored by the Oriental Gardens, Fethard.
Anyone looking for a partner can contact, Annie O’Brien Tel: 052 31862.
HUNTING
The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers will meet at Coolbawn Cross on this Sunday 8th February, at 12 noon. There was a very large turn out for the lawn meet at Priestown House on Sunday last, generously hosted by Mrs and Mr Fred Daly. Gale force winds mitigated against good hunting. Huntsman Donnie Slattery, however, persevered thought-out a very long day. Hounds did their very best in impossible conditions. When the winds died down in the late afternoon, the day concluded with a very good run from Cappaghnagrane, which finished at the Five Eyed Bridge.
FETHARD GAA CLUB
The adult (senior) football league is expected to start this weekend, with a round played each week for the next three weeks. As defending champions, we wish our team the very best of luck, even though we will have to play without our five county panel players, which is one third off the team, this year all through the League Campaign. The league is also divided into two sections, with six teams in each section. The top two teams will qualify for the knockout stages. Check sports page for fixtures.
The under-21 A football is expected to run on the same lines as last year, with the first round expected to be played on the last weekend in February.
Lotto Results for 6th January 2004: Jackpot (€2,500) was not won and no match three winners. The numbers drawn at Grants Bar were: 4, 10, 11 and 17. Five tickets were drawn and the following received €30 each: Emma Fitzgerald (Monroe), John Aylward (Grove), Margaret Grant (11 Tirry Centre), Paddy Cooney (Kiltinan), John Shortall (The Valley). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Josie Fitzgerald (Kiltinan).
Lotto Results for 13th January 2004: Jackpot (€2,600) was not won and no match three winners. The numbers drawn at Lonergans Bar were: 4, 13, 14 and 23. Five tickets were drawn and the following received €30 each: Billy Treacy (Strylea), Lily Maher (Kilnockin), Bernie Byrne (Claremore), Michael Mallon (c/o Kennys Grove), Rita Doyle (66 Woodvale Walk). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Margaret Napier (The Green).
Lotto Results for 20th January 2004. The numbers drawn at McCarthys Bar were: 6, 7, 13 and 16. The Jackpot (€2,700) was not won. We had five match three winners and the following received €30 each: Rena Sheehan (264 Elm Park, Clonmel), Noelle Doyle (St. Patrick’s Place), Willie O’Meara (Killusty), Pat Houlihan (c/o Bob Fitzgeralds Clonmel), Nicole Thompson (c/o Rita Doyle). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Louis Coen (Killusty).
Lotto Results for 27th January 2004. The numbers drawn at The Castle Bar were: 3, 9, 19 and 21. The Jackpot (€2,700) was not won. We had five match three winners and the following received €30 each: Helen Morrissey (48 St Pats Plc), Collie Bradshaw (52 Woodvale Walk), Paddy Cooney (Rathdrum), Michael Sheehan (Killusty), John Phelan (Butlerstown). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Derek Cuddihy (The Green).
Our sympathies are at this time with the Hackett family, Strylea, on the death of their son Mark, and also the Phelan family, Grawn on the death of their mother Bridie. Go Ndeanai Trocaire Orthu.
STATISTICS FOR JANUARY
These are the Fethard website statistics for the month of January. It is interesting to not the large increase in visitors, which I'm sure was due to the media interest in Fethard and Coolmore over the past few weeks.
DIED RECENTLY
We record the death of Vincent Cunningham (aged 23), Rathkenny, Drangan, who died on Monday 2nd February. Remains left McCarthy's Funeral Parlour, Fethard, at 7pm on Tuesday 3rd February for the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Drangan. Requiem Mass took place at 11am on Wednesday followed by burial in the Assumption Cemetery, Drangan.
We record the death of Josie Williams, Canon Hayes Court, Fethard, who died on Monday 2nd February. Remains left McCarthy's Funeral Parlour, Fethard, at 7pm on Wednesday 4th February for The Church of the Sacred Heart, Killusty. Requiem Mass took place at 11am on Thursday followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
TAG IT
Quite a number of local residents were caught flat-footed on Monday morning, 2nd February, when failing to attach the new required ‘tag’ to their rubbish bin prior to collection. The staff of South Tipperary County Council refuse lorry were obliged, as per instructions, to leave the untagged bins uncollected.
You have been reminded, if necessary, that bin tags are available (to date) from, Kenny’s Centra Supermarket, The Green; McManus’s Grocery, Burke Street and Barmore XL Stop and Shop, Main Street. Tags cost 50c for attaching to recyclable bags and €5 for your regular bin and are collected on alternate weeks.
COUNTRY MARKETS
The AGM of Fethard Country Markets will be held on this Friday, 6th February, at 9.30am in Fethard Town Hall. All members are requested to attend.
TIPPERARIANA BOOK FAIR
This year’s Tipperariana Book Fair will take place on this Sunday 8th February, and promises to be bigger and better than ever. Along with book dealers from all over Ireland, over fifteen authors of Tipperary books will also be present to sell and sign their books, as well as Dr. Tadhg O’Keeffe and his team from the Royal Irish Academy who produced the wonderful Fethard Historic Town Atlas. The Atlas will be officially launched in Fethard on Saturday night by Dr Willie Nolan at 8.30pm in the Abymill Theatre and all are welcome to attend.
If you have books to donate to the Historical Society for their second hand book stall, please contact Terry Cunningham, Tel: 052 23402; or Dóirín Saurus, Tel: 052 31936; and we will arrange to have them collected.
PREMIER SWING BAND
The very popular twenty piece Premier Swing Band from Clonmel, featuring lead singer Irene Malone from Carrick, will play in the Abymill on 13th February (day before Valentine’s Day). Tickets may be booked from O’Flynn’s, Burke Street, Fethard. Tel: 052 31254 or 087 1338961.
DARING ROBBERY
A very daring robbery took place at Main Street on the early hours of Friday morning last when a considerable amount of cash and other items were stolen. The quick reaction of the householder Ms Olwyn O’Brien on discovering the robbery on Friday morning is to be highly commended. The culprits, from Dublin, as a result were arrested. A woman at Main Street, and her male accomplice, who was well known to the Garda, was stopped at a checkpoint near Kilkenny. He was charged at a special court in Clonmel and remanded to Limerick Prison.
FETHARD ATHLETIC CLUB
The National Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships took place in Nenagh last Saturday, January 31st. Fethard’s top performer on the day was Jacqui Stokes who won gold in the V1 60m, 200m, Long Jump and High Jump. Kay O’Riordan also had a fine championship performance, taking bronze in the V1 High Jump, while Miceál McCormack was 3rd in the M55 60m. Overall, this was an excellent achievement by Fethard’s masters athletes.
Juvenile training for the upcoming Track & Field season starts next Tuesday, February 10th at 6 pm in Fethard Ballroom. All are welcome.
FETHARD & DISTRICT CREDIT UNION
The primary School Credit Union Quiz will take place in the Ballroom on Friday 6th February at 6pm. Mr Jonathan Gilpin, a director of Fethard and District Credit Union, has been appointed on the Board of Chapter 10 as public relations officer. This is the first local director to receive such an appointment.
NEWSHOUNDS
A very sophisticated lady reporter, accompanied by a photographer from one of the English tabloid newspapers, did a thorough tour of Fethard last week seeking information on Coolmore’s association with the area. They seemed to be particularly interested in what way Coolmore were associated and how they helped the various local sporting, charitable and other organisations in the town. According to reports, the young lady got something of a run-around. Locals have become very wary of such inquirers as sometimes the relationships between what these people are told and what appears in print do not exactly coincide, and that is putting it mildly!
DIED IN ENGLAND
The death has occurred in England during the past week of Mr John ‘Johnny’ O’Reilly, formerly of Barrettstown. The late Johnny O’Reilly was another of Fethard’s long-time emigrants. A former playing member of Fethard senior football team, he was also one of the few survivors of Fethard Confraternity Brass Band. Older past pupils will remember Johnny O’Reilly as one of the brainiest pupils of his era in Fethard National School. A large map of Ireland, drawn freehand by him, hung for many years on the door of fifth and sixth class schoolroom on the old long demolished Patrician Brothers National School.
Unfortunately, there were very few opportunities for boys like Johnny in the Ireland of the thirties and forties. With no second-level education available locally, they were obliged to leave school behind them at a very early age. They then took up whatever employment they could find locally before, like Johnny O’Reilly, they took the emigrant trail to England. Sincere sympathy is extended to his sister Peggy.
HELP WANTED
Have you an hour to spare on a Thursday morning? Help is wanted with the cleaning of the Parish Church, which is cleaned weekly by a very small group of people. You can help reduce their workload by offering your support on a Thursday morning after 10am Mass. If you are not available every Thursday, don’t worry, just come along when you can as any help is better than none!
ABBEY MEETING
Next year marks the 700th anniversary of the arrival of the Augustinians in Fethard and we are hoping to find appropriate ways in which to celebrate the event. An Informal planning meeting will take place in the Abymill on Tuesday, February 10th, at 8pm to which you are cordially invited.
Explorations have recently been carried out on the church roof, the results of which will form the basis for the tendering process for that aspect of the renovations. More information as it becomes available
HOGAN MUSICAL SOCIETY
A general meeting of the Hogan Musical Society will take place on Monday 9th February 2004 in the Abymill at 8.30 m. All are welcome.
PATRICIAN PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL
This month of February brings with it ‘Mock Exams’ for our Leaving Certs and Junior Certs. This Spring term is a busy one for exam classes, with the practical and orals taking place before Easter. The Certificate Exams now being only 19 weeks away. Our Transition year students also have a full programme with work experience, history and art outings and outdoor pursuits.
Mary Gorey, 5th year, is having a very challenging and successful time presently playing rugby for Munster on the ladies under/19 team and also playing with Clonmel, the winning team of the Tipperary Cup. On the sporting front, our boys’ cadet volleyball team have won through to the All Ireland Junior final.
Mock interviews for Leaving Certs will take place at the school on Thursday February 12th. This is a very valuable experience as interview and aptitude tests now play a big part in certain 3rd level courses.
The 5th year English Students will travel to Cork on February 11th to see the stage production of William Shakespeare's ‘Hamlet’. The Annual Lourdes Quiz, which is very popular with both adults and students, will take place in the school on March 9th 2004.
Our first year Entrance Assessment will take place on Saturday morning March 27th and applications should be submitted to the school office by Friday March 19th 2004.
FETHARD RUGBY CLUB
We had a massive attendance at our recent blitz held in the Community Field on Sunday 25th January. We hosted teams from Cashel, Nenagh and Thurles at under/9 and under/11.
Our under/9s played four great games with every player participating and playing their part. All the games were very even with no more than a score separating any of the teams. Fethard had great performances from the Morgan brothers, Greg Henry, Thomas Keavney, James Holohan and Luke Keating.
We fielded two under/11 teams with each team playing three games. One aspect of our game that has to be improved on is our tackling. Our rucking and rolling mauls improved giving a good supply of ball to our backs. Damien Morrissey had a great day and others of note were, Colm Shanahan, Colin Meagher, David Walsh, M.J. Murphy, Daniel Hickey, Aaron Conran and Stephen McGuire.
Our under/13s travelled to Clanwilliam for a league game on Sunday morning and they gave a great account of themselves. The first half was very even but the more experienced Clan ran out worthy winners in the end. We had good performances from Matt O’Sullivan, Sam Manton, William Grassick and J.P. McGrath.
Training takes place as usual on Saturday mornings.
DIED RECENTLY
The death has occurred on Saturday 31st January of Bridget 'Bridie' Phelan (nee Hartigan), Canon Hayes Court, Fethard, and formerly of Grawn, Fethard. Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery.
The death of the late Bride Phelan severs a very long association with Fethard Country Markets, of which she was a member since its foundation almost 60 years ago. A regular attender and helper at the weekly market, she will be greatly missed by her many colleagues and customers. Her fellow passengers on the Fethard Bingo Bus, on which she had great craic during their many bingo trips over the years, will also miss Bridie.
LAUNCH OF FETHARD HISTORIC TOWN ATLAS
On Saturday evening, 7th February, Dr. Willie Nolan will launch the Fethard-Historic Town Atlas No. 13 for the Royal Irish Academy in the Abymill Theatre at 8.15pm. The Fethard Town Atlas, by Dr. Tadhg O'Keeffe, includes historical and archaeological details of over 400 sites, an historical essay, and a range of large-format maps, reconstructions, views and photographs. All trace the growth of Fethard from its possible origins as an early Christian church site, to its foundation as an Anglo-Norman town in the early 1200s, right up to the 20th century. Fethard will join twelve other Irish towns and cites, which have been published as part of the Irish Historical Town Atlas series. All interested are invited to attend.
Officers of the Academy, along with their President, Dr. Michael Ryan and The Atlas author, Dr. Tadhg O'Keeffe will attend and remain over in Fethard to attend the Book Fair on Sunday where the Atlas can also be seen, signed and purchased.
