PROTEST MARCH
Your hospital needs you!  Over 6,000 people attended a Protest March in Clonmel on Saturday 5th June. The South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel, urgently needs €2 million to amalgamate acute hospital services.  To further focus the Government to the urgent need for funding, a Protest March was held in Clonmel at 2pm, starting from St. Mary’s Church in Irishtown, to the Main Guard.

The new ‘state-of-the-art’, fully equipped unit in Clonmel, still remains unopened. This is nothing short of a national scandal.  For instance, during the past week a local man, having suffered a heart attack, required urgent hospitalisation.  If the amalgamated acute services were not available in Clonmel, the patient would have to be brought to Waterford, thus losing the first hour during which treatment is vital in such cases.  Next week or even sooner it could be a member of your family in need of urgent treatment. 
This is our hospital! The dedicated doctors and nurses who are doing their utmost to get the necessary funding need our support.

FETHARD / LONDON REUNION
Not long to go now for the London Reunion '04. Just 3 weeks away! Paul Looby says, he's looking forward to a great evening of caint, ceol agus craic go leor.
Paul has a number of bookings already but would like to get an idea of numbers for catering purposes. If you are coming, it would be great to hear from you on either the email address or in person on +44 (0)1276 459080 or +44 (0)7967 648244 (mobile). Slan libh go foill

FETHARD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The current Fethard Development Plan expires this year and South Tipperary County Council are in the process of compiling a new Local Area Plan for Fethard. A public meeting will be held in the Abymill Theatre at 7.30pm on Tuesday 15th June to consult with interested individuals and representatives from local groups.

ELEANOR SHANLEY COMING BACK TO FETHARD

Eleanor Shanley is coming back to play a gig in Fethard with Paul Kelly and Frankie Lane on Saturday 19th June.  The barbecue/music gig takes place in a marquee at McCarthy’s Hotel and is in aid of Self Help Development and the Ethiopian Anniversary Trek which takes place in October 2004.  Locals, Maurice Moloney and Tom Anglim are taking part in this year’s Ethiopia Self-Help Trek. 

Eleanor Shanley led the trek to Uganda last October and this year, broadcaster Tracy Piggott takes over and leads the trek to Ethiopia.  Tracy Piggott and other celebrities will also attend the gig in Fethard.  Tickets are €25.

COMMUNITY GAMES COUNTY FINALS

Medal winners Hanna Tobin and Kate Quigley from Fethard.

Fethard & Killusty Community Games would like to congratulate seven-year-old Hannah Tobin, daughter of Tom and Cathy, St. Patrick’s Place, who won a silver medal in the u/8 60 meter event and Kate Quigley, daughter of Willie and Mandy, Redcity, who won bronze in the u/8 80 meter event in the County Athletics Finals in Thurles on Sunday last 30th May.  These promising young ladies are both members of Fethard Athletics Club.  Other Fethard club members who represented Killenaule are: Hannah Trehy, Ballyvaden, gold in u/10 hurdles; Elaine Kennedy, Mortlestown, gold u/16, 1500 meters; Eric Quigley bronze in the u/8, 80 meters, and Andrew Yates in the u/14 100 meters.

Our neighbours Killenaule won gold in the u/16 girls relay team and silver in the boys u/14 relay event.   Well done to all.

THE WELL GOLF SOCIETY
Our third outing of the season takes place next Saturday, June 5th at Adare Manor.  Tee off time is 11.40am.  As previously stated, please allow extra time for travelling as the Irish Seniors is taking place in the adjacent Adare Golf Club.  The list of players for Adare Manor is now completed, and those who did not put down their name or hand in a deposit can only play in the event of a cancellation.

AROUND THE TOWN

Out in the fresh air for a smoke at Bob Grants are L to R: Aidan O'Meara, Willie O'Meara, Dan Gorey and Teddy Morrissey.


Photographed outside the Abymill are L to R: Peter Gough, James Smyth and Glen O'Meara


Larry Kehoe, 'Happy as Larry' on Main Street


Fethard lads outside Barmore Shop on Main Street. L to R: Edmund Sheehan, Eoin O'Connell, Adrian Lawrence, Kieran O'Connell, Darren Prout, Adam Power, Colm Bradshaw, Thomas O'Connell and Robert Aherne (hidden)

Patrician Presentation Secondary School

Sports Day
The gods of the elements were definitely on our side for our Annual Sports Day on Thursday 13th May.  This year’s event was held in the sports field in brilliant sunshine and the results were as follows:

1st Year Boys Sprint: Robert Aherne
1st Year Girls Sprint: Bernadette Costello
2nd Year Boys Sprint: Alan O’Connor
2nd / 3rd Year Girls Sprint: Stephanie Lawrence
3rd Year Boys Sprint: Stephen O’Meara
Senior Boys Sprint: Gavin Aherne

Sprint
First Year: Robert Ahearne (boys), Bernadette Costello (girls);
Second year: Alan O’Connor (boys), Stephanie Lawrence (girls);
Third year: Stephen O’Meara (boys), Stephanie Lawrence (girls);
Senior boys: Gavin Ahearne.

Long Distance
First year: Darragh Dwyer (boys), Bernadette Costello (girls);
Second year: Christopher Sheehan (boys)
Third year: Niall Hayes (boys).

Sack Race
First year: Adrian Lawrence (boys), Charlene Burke (girls);
Second year: Alan O’Connor (boys)
Third year: Michael Fleming (boys)
Senior: Richard Gorey (boys), Kelly Ann Nevin (girls.

Relays
First Year: ‘Ronán’ - Robert Ahearne, Bernadette Costello, Alex Channon and Ida Carroll
Second Year: ‘Máire’ - Christopher Sheehan, Cathal Gorey, Declan Doyle and Stephanie Lawrence
Third Year: ‘Majority Áine’ - Stephen O’Meara, Katie Murphy, David Conway and Cormac Grogan
Senior: ‘Majority TY’ - Fintan Maher, Richard Gorey, Zach Breslin and Michael McCarthy.

Killary Harbour Weekend
On May 17th, transition year ended a marvellous three days activity at Killary Harbour in the sunshine of County Mayo.  The conclusion of their year was celebrated with mass and a social evening for parents on Monday 31st May.

Leaving Cert Class

Leaving Cert 2004 spent their last day together as a class on May 27th in Woodstock Estate, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny, accompanied by Roddy Geoghan and teachers.  Later that evening, Rev. Tom Breen P.P. celebrated their Graduation Mass with parents and families in the school hall.  The music included one of the pieces of Liam Lawton and Kevin Hickey accompanied the choir.

Gaelic Football Blitz
Congratulations to the boys who played so well in the football blitz on May 26th at Rockwell.  In the morning they had two good wins over Our Lady’s Templemore and Thurles Vocational School, which qualified them for the knockout stages in the afternoon.  In the quarterfinal they played exceptionally well to beat Abbey CBS and qualify for the semifinal against Carrick Vocational School.  Unfortunately at that stage they suffered the loss of captain and key player Christopher Sheehan who had to leave for Dublin where his family had an urgent appointment.  In spite of this the team played well to hold Carrick to a draw at half time before losing out in the second half.  It was a very good day with all the team having some great moments.  Team: J.P. McGrath, Adrian Lawrence, Cathal Gorey, Aaron O’Donovan, Thomas O’Connell, James Kelly, Christopher Sheehan, Ciarán Ryan, Jonathon Fleming, Eoin O’Connell, Darragh Dwyer, Robert Aherne, Darren Prout and Dick Walsh.

Transition Year Mural

The transition year students, with the permission of Nano Nagle Primary School Principal, Sr. Maureen, have completed a beautiful mural on the theme of ‘Flora and Fauna’, which will be installed in the playground at Nano Nagle Primary School.  The students work, under the guidance of art teacher, Ms Patricia Looby, was complimented by the principal Mr Ernan Britton and Mr Vincent Doocey, transition year co-ordinator.

Best wishes
The Principal and management wish teachers and students a happy summer vacation and good luck to our Junior and Leaving Certs in the forthcoming state exams.

COMMUNITY LOTTO JACKPOT NOW €7,150
The numbers drawn in the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto on Tuesday 1st June were: 2, 12, 13 and 23. There was no Jackpot winner, and two "Match 3" winner who received €75 each:
Bernadette McManus, Burke Street, Fethard
Margaret Bradshaw, Congress Terrace, Fethard
Lucky dip winners of €50 each were:
Kenneth Sheehan, Derryluskin, Fethard
Ann McGrath, Cahir Road, Ardfinnan
Jason Nevin, Jesuits Walk, Fethard
Next weeks Jackpot is €7,150. Jackpot sellers prize €605.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

'You're a Star' Michael Leonard photographed with Ian O'Connor and relatives outside Fethard Arms where Ian celebrated his 21st Birthday. L to R; Evelyn O'Connor, John Cannon (manager), Michael Leonard, Linda Morrissey, Kersty McCarthy, Ian O'Connor and James Keane.


Ian O'Connor, St. Patrick's Place Fethard, photographed with his family on the occasion of his 21st Birthday celebrated last Saturday night in the Fethard Arms. L to R: Ian, Alan, parents Marion and Martin, and sister Evelyn.


Ian and his relatives. Back L to R: Evelyn O'Connor, Linda Morrissey, Ann Marie Fitzgerald, Ian O'Connor, Kersty McCarthy, James Keane. Front L to R: Ronan Fitzgerald, Elaine Morrissey, Cliodhna McCarthy and Amy Morrissey.

FETHARD ICA
Fethard ICA held their annual general meeting on 11th May in the ICA Hall.  Officers remain the same as last year: Nuala Delaney, president; Sheila O’Donnell, vice-president; Anne Gleeson, secretary; Anne Horan, treasurer.  Margaret Morrissey C.D.A. attended the meeting.

Our next meeting will be held on 8th June at 8pm.  Our guest speaker will be Jane Grubb of Cashel Blue Cheese fame.  Hostesses are the ‘Red Group’ and competition theme is “A scenic view of your own area”.

Our summer outing is arranged for 8th June, leaving the Town Hall at 10am.  Our first stop is Dungarvan and then we move on to Tourin House and Gardens, Cappoquin.  Next stop will be Lismore and then back to Richmond House for dinner.  Please give your names to Kay McGrath, Main Street, if you are interested in travelling.

D-DAY
Next Sunday world wide events mark the 60th anniversary of the allied Forces landing on the Normandy beaches in France on what has become universally known as D-Day.

RTE promote a special D-Day weekend to mark the occasion.  Many of the veterans of that historic event will present in Normandy to mark the occasion and no doubt remember their fallen comrades.

D-Day marked the beginning of the end of World War II and it is only fitting we should remember the Fethard men who fought in that terrible conflict of 1939-1945.  Killed in action were two Fethard men, Mr Jim Davis, Killusty, died in Belgium and his near neighbour, Rory La Terrier, Kiltinan Castle, was killed in action during the last few days of the North of France campaign.

Gus Kenrick, the only Fethard man to actually land on the Normandy beaches, fought throughout the entire campaign.  Dick McCormack, Kilnockin, who also kept a day-to-day diary of his experiences, and John Fahy, Crampscastle, landed on the toe of Italy and were engaged in all the major battles in the Italian campaign, including the major battle of Monte Cassino.  This battle consisted of four separate battles fought over the course of five months.  The key significance of these battles was that it led to the eventual link up between the Allied troops trapped further North and their comrades further south.  This link up of forces led to the eventual capture of Rome on June 4th 1944.  This was the first Axis capital to fall to the Allies and this event did considerable damage to the enemy’s morale.

Jack Grant, The Valley, saw a lot of active service with his regiment, the Irish Guards.  Tommy Murphy, also an Irish Guards man, was engaged in action throughout.  His mother received a telegram from the War Office stating, “We regret to inform you, that your son Timmy is missing in action believed killed.”

Tommy, an army-boxing champion, must not have been the best of correspondents.  Imagine his mother’s surprise and delight when some three years after receiving the telegram, Tommy, without any prior notice, walked in the door of his family home in Sparagoleith.

Tim Vigors, Tullamaine, an RAF fighter pilot, took part in many of the fierce aerial battles over the English southern coastline.  Dick Rice of Derryluskin flew 38 bombing missions over Germany with the RAF Bomber Command and returned safely, several times just about, from each one.  In the 2,074 days and nights between 3rd September 1939 and 7th  - 8th August 1945 a total of 387,416 sorties were flown, over 955,000 tons of bombs were dropped and 8953 aircraft were lost.

These were the Fethard men who saw active service with the Allied forces in the Second World War.  They were not inclined to speak of their experiences, which were very traumatic.  A soldiers first duty when on active service was to kill or be killed.  Gus Kenrick did recall that the soldier he stood beside and chatted with on the landing craft going over to France was shot dead in the water on disembarking and never set foot on French soil.

Gus, in the homily at his requiem mass, had requested that the congregation pray for his army comrades who died in various parts of the world, especially those who fell on the long road to Bremen.

Perhaps this is a good time to remember the Fethard men, especially those who took part in Work War II.  We have written the above from memory and no doubt there are many others we have forgotten to mention.  There was Dick Nagle, Christy Mathews, Tommy King, Tommy Fitzpatrick, Paddy Madden who served in the RAF Ground Forces.  Tommy Fitzpatrick, of all those mentioned, is the only one still with us and still going strong in New York.

There must be many out there who recall relatives who took part in the war.  The Fethard Historical Society would like to hear from them.  The Fethard soldiers of World War íí come from all strata of society — from castle and cottage, from countryside and town — all brought together under a common band.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilís.

PROGRESSIVE 25 RESULTS
Progressive 25 results for game played on May 28th in Fethard Ballroom:
Winners on 12 games: Gus Neville and Lory Byrne. Second on 11 games: Tom Phelan and Bob Gleeson, T. McGrath and M Murphy, Jim and Mary Garrett.  Table prize: Paddy and Tom McCormack.  Rubber finals: Mick Phelan and Hannie Leahy, Mick Holohan and Jackie Devitt.

FETHARD GAA
We had no games in the senior club last weekend and our next competitive game is on Friday 4th June in the Intermediate South Hurling Championship when we play St Marys in Kilsheelan at 8pm.  Our first opponents in the County Senior Football Championship will be Ardfinnan to be played on weekending 25th June.
Our Lotto Jackpot of €4,500 was not won. The draw took place in McCarthys and we had four match three winners who received €40 each: Caroline Flanagan (Derryluskin), Helen Morrissey (St. Patricks Place), Francis Dillon (Tullamaine), and Mary McCormack (Kerry St).  The €50 Lucky Dip went to Mark Leahy (7 Congress Tce).
In Juvenile hurling Under/12 ‘B’ we are away to Carrick Davins in the first round on Monday 7th June at 7pm.
Our Golf Classic due to be played this weekend has been deferred to a later date.  We apologize for the disruption.

MICHAEL LEONARD CONCERT

'You're a Star' Michael Leonard signing autographs for his many fans following his performance in the Abymill Theatre last Friday night.

FETHARD LADY WINS
Congratulations to the Bob Grant Bar Syndicate whose ‘Fethard Lady’ won the ‘Bumper’ at Limerick race meeting on Sunday last.  The winning syndicate is comprised of management, staff and customers of this popular Main Street hostelry.

Fethard Lady’s performance would seem to indicate that her win on Sunday was more than beginner’s luck.  The mare is trained by up-and-coming young Wexford trainer, Colm Murphy, of Cheltenham ‘Brave Inca’ renown.

Best of luck to the Bob’s Bar Syndicate and here’s hoping that they, like the Kerry Syndicate owners of ‘Brave Inca’, will be celebrating in the winners enclosure in Cheltenham in the not to distant future.

WOODVALE WALK WORK APPROVED
Councillor Susan Meagher has been informed that the sum of €283,000 has been approved for work to be carried out in Woodvale Walk Estate.  Mrs Meagher was informed of the approval in a letter from Mr Martin Cullen TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The much-needed maintenance work on the water drains, resurfacing of main road and rear access lane will also be complemented by the provision of a rear boundary wall, additional rear lighting and the provision of a storm sewer network.  The funding was applied for by South Tipperary County Council following submissions made by the Woodvale Walk Residents Association.

SUMMER OUTING TO DUBLIN
The Fethard Historical Society has organised a trip to Dublin on Friday 18th / Saturday 19th June 2004.

Train will leave from Thurles at 3pm on Friday 18th June.  Return fare will cost €30 approx.  Following the very successful launch of the ‘Fethard Town Atlas’ in the Abymill last February, the Society has been invited to visit the Royal Irish Academy from 5.30 to 7.00pm for a reception and tour of the Academy.  Overnight accommodation has been booked at the Harcourt Hotel (room only) at €39 per person sharing.  Limited availability, so those wishing to stay in the hotel please contact Terry Cunningham as soon as possible.

On Saturday 19th June at 10.30am, we will start with a Guided tour of the National Library where we will also have the opportunity to see Cromwell's letter in which he refers to Fethard. The James Joyce "Rejoyce" exhibition is also on display in the Library.

We visit to the National Museum, Kildare Street, at 2pm to view, among other things, the Medieval Fethard Statues.  At 2.30pm (optional) there will be a ‘1916 Rebellion Walking Tour of Dublin’.  Train departs from Dublin at 7pm.

Members intending to travel please book as soon as possible with Terry Cunningham, Tel: 052 23402 or Mary Hanrahan Tel: 052 32141, Mobile:  087 9009722.

OUTING TO DERRYNAFLAN
Fethard Historical Society will visit Derrynaflan on Friday 4th June. Sean Watts will guide the group along the railway tracks to the island where he will give a short talk on the monastic site and on the treasures recovered.
Those interested in taking part are asked to meet at the National School in Killenaule, opposite Bourke's Garage as you exit Killenaule on the Ballynonty side. Fee is €2 and further information from Dóirín Saurus, Crampscastle, Fethard. Tel: 052 31936.

P.F. QUIRKE GOLF CLASSIC TEAM

Photographed while taking part in the Moyle Rovers Golf Classic at Slievenamon Golf Club are the P.F. Quirke & Co. Ltd team L to R: Danny Ryan, Marie Quirke and Pat Quirke.

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.

Bernie O'Meara, Ballyvaden, sent us this photograph taken at the late Mrs La Terrier's, birthday party celebrated on Slievenamon. We're unsure of the date and would appreciate any additional information.

So far Hugh Walsh has told us, "I enjoyed Mrs Croome Carroll's article on Mrs la Terrier. I remember many happy summers as a child playing at Kiltinan Castle. I was at her birthday party on Slievenamon. It was her 70th birthday and she died in February 1968 aged 78, the party must have been in the summer of 1959."

To take a closer look at the faces in the crowd CLICK HERE and it will open in a separate window. The following article was written in 1988 for the Annual Emigrants' Newsletter by the late Evie Croome-Carroll:

Joan de la sales le Terrier lived in the beautiful and unique surrounds of Kiltinan Castle. She had a life-long attraction to and love of animals of all kinds. Amongst her nearest and dearest were her many dogs and horses. Living on her own as she did, these pets were her constant companions and had free access to the Castle. She mourned any individual dog that might die, and had a burial box made for the dead pet before it was placed in the Dog’s Cemetery.

She also had a great live of horses and ponies and was an outstanding horse-woman both as a breeder of very fine ponies and as an individual rider. She had the distinction of being the first lady to ride ‘astride’ which was unheard of in those days. She performed at shows and many went to see her ‘new style’. It is amusing today when one considers that it is the once common ‘side saddle’ style that is back in vogue! Her attraction to unusually marked ponies led her wheeling and dealing with the gypsies. In her later years, these gypsies took advantage of this interest in ‘unusual markings’ by painting various colours on the ponies and donkeys knowing full well that she would buy them, and it was not unknown for these colours to wash out on their first crossing of the river.

“Tommy” was a favourite ‘cobb’ on which she won many prizes. Being such a keen horse lady, many people from far and near sought to buy animals from her as she had so many and of such high quality. She kept ‘Arab’ Horses which have such attractive features, the ‘Dish’ face, attractive eye, high head carriage, and the distinctive raised tail. The bone of this breed of animal is ‘solid’ (more like ivory than bone) and they have one rib less! Yet, they are very strong and they are crossed with so many different other breeds with consequent improvement all round.

Many local children were attracted to Kiltinan to try their hand at riding and learning to ride. Kiltinan’s land was not divided up by rails and ditches but was an open space so that the ponies had to be ‘rounded up’ every so often and the more suitable ones were then kept for riding and eventual sale. ‘The Dublin Flick’ was an expression used then to describe a good ‘conformation’ and a horse or pony with a ‘double flick’ meant it had particularly good and attractive movement and was sure to do well at the Dublin Horse Show. The area across from the river was known as the ‘Farm side’ and all the space in front of the castle was known as the ‘long range’ which is self-descriptive. It was fever pitch excitement herding the ponies from the two areas into the courtyard. Mrs. la Terrier’s code word when selecting out ponies was to look for “Ballerina’s” (the beautiful movers) and not the “soldier type” (stiff and sombre).
Mrs la Terrier kept two particularly good stallions, one was called “Kingfisher’ and the other ‘Allsprings”. The names were well suited to an aspect of their character. ‘Kingfisher’ had a great liking of water and spent a lot of time standing in it, while ‘Allsprings’ pranced about with such a lofted action that it looked as if he had in built springs in his legs. She also had a harness horse call ‘Brilliant’ which was used to drive and jump. ‘Brilliant’ was used for the many trips here, there and everywhere, and indeed was a brilliant ‘Trapper’. They were great days then when the lifestyle was so different from now, and so much has changed to make movement and communication readily accessible in todays world.

I remember Chris McCarthy, Dan Ryan, Rogie Hannigan, who are now all sadly departed, they were always there to help with the many activities. Mrs. la Terrier was a great story teller and conversationalist, she help people ‘spellbound’ with tales from abroad and many a time the birds were singing their dawn chorus by the time we dispersed.

Kiltinan has three noted antiques - ‘the Boiling Pot’, the ‘Roaring Springs’ and ‘st. Aubens Bridge’. The Boiling Pot has recently aroused new interest with the discovery that this circular well has two water levels. The many stories of the Roaring Springs are known to all locals. I remember many other interesting facts about these times and places and I will relate them on another occasion. Let me finish by telling a true and funny incident at Kiltinan - in those days we only had candle-light and that meant we used to make our own candles which were made from melted down bones and fat. Given that there were so many dogs about, it was not unusual to have the candles ‘nicked’ as they were a tasty chew and even more alarming if they were alight at the time.

Mrs. la Terrier’s grave and that of her mother, Mrs. Grubb, are in the grounds of Kiltinan overlooking the Castle. Inscriptions read: Alic Hannah Grubb, died 29th August, 1955. Joan Mary de Sales la Terrier, died 3rd February, 1968 - aged 78 years.

SUBSTANCE MISUSE — INFORMATION EVENING

Student Garda Wesley Kelly demonstrating some of the items used by those involved in substance misuse.

Wonderful; well worth while; positive and re-assuring; — these were some of the responses to the evening from the large attendance of well over one hundred people who attended an Information evening of Substance Misuse held in the Patrician Presentation Secondary School hall on 19th May 2004.

L to R: Garda Des Bell, Junior Liaison Officer; Johnny Casey, South Eastern Health Board; guest speaker John Lonergan (Governor of Mountjoy Prison), and Ernan Britton (School Principal).

Guest speakers John Lonergan, Governor of Mountjoy Prison; Garda Des Bell, Junior Liaison Officer; and Johnny Casey, South Eastern Health Board; were greeted by senior prefects Paul Kenny and Miriam Carroll on a beautiful May evening.  All present were welcomed by the Principal Ernan Britton, in his opening address.

The evening was organised by the Substance Misuse Committee of the school, made up of teachers, parents and senior students that had spent many months formulating the school’s Substance Misuse Policy.

At the conclusion of the evening there was an open forum where questions were answered by the panel.  The opening address given by Johnny Casey, who chaired the proceedings, gave an interesting and informative idea of the problem of substance misuse in South Tipperary and the help available.

The Garda Junior Liaison Officer spoke of the importance of knowing where children and young people are, what they are doing and in whose company they are.  John Lonergan spoke on the subject of parenting and building of a good relationship with young people based on trust and mutual respect.

Photographed at the Information Evening on Substance Misuse in the School Hall on May 19th 2004 are L to R: Mary Ann Fogarty (teacher), Ernan Britton (principal), guest speaker John Lonergan (Governor of Mountjoy Prison), Paul Kenny (head boy prefect) who presented Mr Lonergan with a framed photograph of the 'Millenium Sunrise over Slievenamon' on behalf of the school, Miriam Carroll (head girl prefect) and Marian Gilpin (vice-principal).

Mr John Lonergan's talk was very much focussed on prevention and the important roll that parents have in 'listening' to their children instead of preaching to them.  He stressed that substance misuse is often symptomatic of deeper-rooted problems that are compounded by the pressures and stress of living and parenting in today's society where money is plentiful.  Communication and listening to our children is far more important than giving them money etc. During his talk, he quoted from the following thought-provoking documents, which were later photocopied and distributed to those present by the school. (click to read)

• My Father — a changing viewpoint as the years roll on
• When you thought I wasn't looking — how our kids really learn
• If I had my child to raise over again — time is so precious
• You are listening when — when are we really listening?
• Good example — the eye's a better teacher

It was a very successful evening and gratitude is expressed to all involved: the Principal and staff, caretaker Con Sullivan, Ms Maher and Mrs O’Donnell for the display of posters and projects, the secretary Gwen Cronin, the ladies of the Parents Association who helped with teas for the guests, Seamus Whyte and the Abymill Theatre for sound equipment, the Substance Misuse Committee and most importantly, the guests who made it such an invaluable experience.

OFF THE WALL 2004
This year’s issue of the Patrician Presentation Secondary School's Transition Year's production of their annual yearbook, ‘Off The Wall’ is now available for sale in local shops and at the school. 

The 32-page yearbook is up to its usual high standard with lots of photographs, art and articles compiled by transition year students. 

The retail price is €7.

Disabilities campaigner Kathy Sinnott

Kathy Sinnott on her Election Campaign in Fethard. L to R: Janet Blake, Kathy Sinnott, Maurice Colgan, and Margaret Taylor.

High profile disabilities campaigner, Kathy Sinnott, was in Fethard last week, to canvassing for the European Elections in June. Kathy, who is running as an independent candidate needs more than 100,000 votes to be elected in Munster.  Explaining her platform for the European Election, on June 11, Kathy said that she is offering to the people of South Tipperary exactly what she is doing now and taking it to Europe. "People know what I do and that's what they want me to do in Europe."  She said she is not making artificial political promises but she will fight hard for people. Kathy said she has a lot of experience in the things that affect people everyday, and has manned a helpline almost single handedly for the last eight years. Doing this she has come across good and bad stories.

She said people want her to work at EU level because it is now so powerful, and there is also a feeling that our national government is such an obstacle she has to go 'over their heads.'  "The response has been amazing," she reports. "I have a great team, everybody is a volunteer and they have great commitment." Her support come from all kinds of people, she adds, including people who are anti incineration and those who want to see a woman representing Munster. Her basic message she says is all about people and the family.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Rhona Hoelsken (eldest daughter of Paddy O'Flynn, Burke Street, Fethard) and Michael Hoelsken, now living in San Francisco, on the birth of their son Andreas Michael Hoelsken on 2nd February 2004.
 
Rhona, Michael, their oldest son Conor (3 yrs) and Andreas look forward to visiting Fethard this year for their cousin, Corrina Cleary's wedding.

TEAC A BLOC
The Abymill Theatre will stage the renowned ‘Teac a Bloc’ production by Des Dillon on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th June.  The show, as seen on The Late Late Show, is receiving rave reviews throughout Ireland and along with Peigí, Rattle the Boards and all her friends, promises for a great night of music and fun. 

The show commences on each night at 8.15pm and tickets are €15 and €12. Booking now at O’Flynn’s Menswear. Tel: 052 31254.