HOBBY WITH A DIFFERENCE
Re-enacting or living history is where a specific period in history is taken on and portrayed to give a more real experience of life in that time. For example one might choose the Celtic period, in which case the basic dress was a one piece garment called a lena with simple leather belt and attachments. The weaponry was normally small shield, sword and spear. Research would have to be done on such things as dye used in the cloth, colours used, how weapons were used, battle tactics and daily life in general. This is a past time that involves crafts of all sorts, physical activity and a small degree of acting but with no lines to be learned. There are many such groups across the country, but mostly they are based around the cities, Dublin, Cork, Galway etc.

It is hoped to start up such a re-enactment group here in Fethard. Re-enactment or living history is a great hobby but it can also lead to much more besides. Living history groups are among the first to be called upon by epic movie makers for such films as Brave Heart or the forth coming King Arthur. It is a huge industry in itself all over Europe.

If you think you might be interested in being actively involved in just such a group, for further information call Colm McGrath at 086-3502360. Could be your only chance to be a knight in shining armour or a lady in waiting for such a knight in shining armour!!

Tony's 'Tour de France'

Getting ready for their own local 'Tour de France' on Friday 16th July are Tony Newport and his son-in-law, Bill Kennedy.

Slieveardagh Community Website
A meeting of the Slieveardagh Community Website will take place at 7pm on Thursday 22nd July at the Enterprise Centre Killenaule. The meeting will also discuss the running of the individual community websites in the Slieveardagh area. If you are interested in getting involved, please come along.

Slieveardagh Rural Development AGM
Slieveardagh Rural Development annual general meeting will be held in the Enterprise Centre on Thursday 22nd July at 8.30pm.

Art Exhibition in Cork

A local man on a recent visit to Cork, on paying a visit to the Crawford Art Gallery, thought the scenes in some of the beautiful landscape portraits on view looked rather familiar.  Closer inspection showed the paintings were part of an exhibition of the work of Austrian artist, Gottfried Helnwein.  Mr Helnwein, who now resides in Kilsheelan Castle, was born in Vienna in 1948.  His Cork exhibition, ‘Irish and Other Landscapes’ includes one local scene 'Kiltinan', kindly loaned by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, and another landscape titled, 'Tullamaine'.



This internationally renowned artist also exhibits a number of large-scale (some are of seven metres in length), photo-realistic canvases.  Mr Helnwein divides his time between Co. Tipperary and Los Angeles and his paintings draw upon the sublimity and drama of these contrasting environments as well as revealing the parallels of Irish and American terrains.

Perhaps more recognised as a painter of highly emotive portraits, this exhibition reveals the influence of landscape throughout his career from the early Vienna cityscapes to the present series of Irish landscapes. He has exhibited extensively at key venues throughout the world and is currently preparing for a one-man show at the Fine Arts Museums, San Francisco (July 31, 2004 – January 16, 2005) and will have a retrospective exhibition at the China National Museum of Fine Arts, Beijing in 2005.

The Cork exhibition continues to September 4th and anyone in the vicinity of the Crawford Art Gallery will find a visit to the exhibition most rewarding.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on July 9th of Mrs Margaret ‘Peg’ Shelly, Silverfort.  Interment took place at Moyglass Cemetery.

Presidential Visit
Mr Dick Cummins, long time patron of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Fíodh Árd and honorary life member of the club, was one of the party of GAA personalities who visited Her Excellency, Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, on July 7th.  Dick, who received his invitation through the Munster Council of the GAA to mark his over 70 years work in promoting GAA activities at all levels and age groups.

No one is more deserving of the honour than Dick Cummins.  Now past his ninetieth birthday, he is still very much associated with GAA affairs, especially the promotion of Tipperary football at club and county level.

Fethard & Killusty Lotto Jackpot over €8,000
There was no Jackpot winner in the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto this week.  The numbers drawn on Tuesday 13th July were 8, 14, 16 and 18.  There was one 'Match 3' winner who received €150:
Phil Tobin, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard.
Three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Sile Nash, 62 Sommercove Meadows, Old Road, Cashel
Nellie O'Sullivan, Rathkenny
Dan Ryan, 3 St. Patrick's Place, Fethard
Next weeks Jackpot is €8,050 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €695.

Fethard GAA Club
We had no activity on the playing field for our senior footballers during the past week and the same applies this week due to the decider of who will take the remaining sixth place in south senior football.  With Carrick Swans out, the sixth place is now left between Moyle Rovers and Ardfinnan; the other five are Fethard, Clonmel Commercials, Cahir, Mullinahone and Grangemockler.

Our next game in the Intermediate Hurling Championship League is against Ballybacon / Grange and in Junior Football A, our next game will be against Cahir.  In Minor B Hurling we await our fixture, which may not take place because of county commitments.
We should know our semifinal opponents in Minor Football B after this week.

Our Lotto Jackpot of €5,100 was not won.  The numbers drawn in Burkes Bar were 5, 6, 10 and 17.  We had one match three winner of €150 which went to Peter Nagle (Mocklerstown).  Our €50 Lucky Dip winner was Chrissie O’Dwyer (3 Strylea).

The rescheduled Friends of Fethard GAA’s Golf Classic now takes place on Saturday 14th August at Slievenamon Golf Club.  A team of three players cost €120.  Contact any of the following committee members: John Hurley, P. J. Aherne, Gerry Aherne, Tommy Gahan or Noel Byrne.

Juvenile GAA Club
Our under/12 hurling team were at home to Killenaule in their 3rd match of their championship bid and were extremely unlucky to be beaten on the night.  They came out in fighting form in the first half and looked as if they might give Killenaule a run for their money.  They came back into the second half but were soon beaten and didn’t seem able to find their feet.  Next game is away to Mullinahone and we wish them the very best.

It was a busy week for the under/14s who played away to St. Mary's in a very useful challenge match.  We thank St. Mary's for their hospitality.  They played away to Ballybacon Grange in their second match of their championship bid on Thursday night last and came away with another comfortable win.  The teamwork and team effort these young players displayed was a pleasure to watch and on the night, Robert Ahearn, Kieran Ryan, Matthew Fitzgerald, Adam Lyons, and Thomas O'Connell and Kevin Hayes in goal were outstanding, not forgetting to mention the goal scored by Phillip Doyle.  The final score stood at, Fethard 3-13, Ballybacon Grange 2-2.  They are now at home to Clonmel Og on Thursday 15th July at 7pm.  Well done to Liam, Ian, Martin and Jim for all the hard work and effort that has been put into these young players.

Football training for under/8s to under/10s continues every Saturday afternoon at 3pm in the GAA field and new members are always welcome.  If you have any queries please contact club secretary, Caroline Sheehan at Tel: 086 1713502 or 052 32005.

The Juvenile Club committee would also like to congratulate all those that did so well in the Munster finals on Saturday last in Limerick, as many of those that competed would be members of the Juvenile GAA Club.  Well done and congratulations!

Rare Bird on Doorstep
Mr Pat Culligan was very surprised to find one of Ireland’s very rare and certainly most beautiful birds on his doorstep recently.  The bird was a Kingfisher, the bright jewel of the Irish bird world.  The bird looked more stunned than injured.  Kept in a dark box overnight, it seemed much more alert the following morning.  Kingfishers, which never stir from the river are impossible to feed artificially.  Pat took the bird to Grove Estate where he released it by the riverbank.

Moyglass Lady Runners
The eight ladies from Moyglass / Fethard area wish to thank sincerely all who sponsored their participation in the recent Ladies’ Dublin City Mini Marathon.  They took part on behalf of the Tipperary Hospice Movement and their combined efforts raised €2,202 for this very deserving service.  Dolores Costigan, Mairead Walsh, Hilda Laslett, Mary Shelly, Margaruite Tynan, Donna Reddy, Celia Allen and Ann d’Arcy were the magnificent eight who took part.

Fethard Judo Club — Mosney here we come!
The Munster Community Games were held last Saturday in Limerick University.  Fethard Judo Club had thirteen competing and came home with nine Munster champions — the Brannigans and Feerys getting double gold.

We had Michelle Brannigan in her first major competition winning gold, closely followed by her brother Alan.   Both Lorraine and Samantha fought very well also to win gold.  We then had Stephanie Lawrence, Alan Sutcliffe, Padraig O’Shea and Nathalie Cahill who was outstanding on the day, competing in her debut competition.  Nathalie has a long future ahead of her if she continues to fight so well.

Cathal Gorey did very well on the day winning two gold medals, one for judo and the other for volleyball.  Also competing on the day were Robert Guiry, Niall O’Donnell, Aobh O’Shea and Sophie Meehan.

All our gold medal winners are now heading for Mosney on the 20th-22nd August.  Lorraine, Stephanie and Padraig all won gold there last year, so here’s hoping they can repeat their performance at this year’s finals.

Congratulations to the boys volleyball team who played a stormer to come home victorious.  See you all in Mosney.

Outstanding Hospice Collection
The Support Group of South Tipperary Hospice wish to thank most sincerely all who contributed so generously to the church gate collection last weekend.  The total raised was a very impressive €1,874.76.  So again, well done to the people of Moyglass, Killusty and Fethard for supporting this worthy cause.

London Reunion a great success
(CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS)
This year’s Fethard & Killusty London Reunion was held in St. Anthony's Parish Centre, Garratt Road, Edgeware, London, and was attended by approximately 80 emigrants from the parish now living in England.  St. Anthony's Parish Centre was an ideal venue for the reunion, and with the proprietors, Paddy and Mary (Smith) Hennessy, also having Fethard connections, everyone was made feel at home.  Actually, it was even better than home, as one could watch the Tipperary v Limerick hurling qualifier live on the ‘big screen’ on Satanta TV Channel from the comfort of the Lounge Bar downstairs.


Watching the Munster hurling qualifier game live on the big screen at the reunion in London were Limerick and Tipperary rival supporters, Dermot Kelly and Tracy Smith.

Paul Looby did a fine job organising this year’s event again and it was great to get to talk to emigrants from the Fethard area, such as Sean Noonan, who recalled many funny incidents with Brother Albert while he was working in the Patrician Brother’s House in Burke Street, now owned by the Hayes family. Bridie Synnott, a sister of Jimmy Roche, Ballinard, also spoke very fondly of her visits to Fethard over the years


Photographed at the Fethard & Killusty London Reunion held at St. Anthony's Parish Centre, Garratt Road, Edgeware, London, are L to R: Sean Noonan, Bridie Synnott (formerly Bridie Roche, Rathkenny, Fethard) and her son Chris Synnott.

Pat Shine and Paddy Ryan, two stalwart supporters of the reunion since they started in the 1960s, where still in great form on the night, both on the dance floor and on the band stand, where Pat received many encores for his beautiful rendition of old favourites.

Members of the Sheehan family originally from Killusty L to R: Josie (Sheehan) Whitney, Colin Mann, Debbie Mann, Bridget (Sheehan) Mann and Pat Sheehan

Killusty families were also well represented at the reunion with gatherings of the Sheehans, Byrnes and Ryans very prominent around the hall.  The Fitzgerald family were out in force and we believe Mary and Mickey from Crampscastle haven’t returned to Fethard yet

Great credit to Michael Cummins, a son of the late ‘Cautious’ Cummins, Kerry Street, who travelled all the way down from Yorkshire to attend the reunion. Ena (Curran) Griffin, Helen and Timmy Curran sent greetings home to family members as did Tony Flanagan, formerly from Tullamaine, and a now a partner with the Wilton Group in Mayfair, London.  This was Tony’s first time attending a reunion


L to R: Kevin Noonan, Paul Looby (reunion organiser), Ray Looby, Patricia and John Looby. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Special thanks to the Looby family and the Hennessy family for all their effort and help in organising the event, to their guest local Parish Priest, Fr. Pat Salmon, and to all who made the effort to travel to attend the event.  Well done!  We look forward to next year.

L to R: Fr Pat Salmon, Caroline Duffey, Kitty O'Connor, June Hennessy, Mary Hennessy and Micky Hennessy.

Bigger and Better (lots of photos to follow)
Congratulations and very well done, to the organising committee and promoters of the Pony Show held in the showground field at Claremore, Killusty, on Saturday last 3rd July.  The best yet, was how one supporter who has attended every show since its inception, described last Saturday’s event. 

The problem now seems to be is the show to become a victim of its success and nationwide popularity.  Never, such minor positive problems will present no problem to the show committee.  The show rings are scarcely large enough to accommodate the large number of entries in each class; the field barely able to contain the number of boxes and trailers attending. Yet, it is hard to realise that such a hugely successful event is organised and run by the voluntary efforts of a very dedicated committee. 

Shows such as Killusty are the roots of the high prestige in which Ireland holds internationally in the equestrian world.  As long as it produces enthusiasts like those behind the Killusty Pony Show it will continue to do so.

A typical example of the help forthcoming was shown at the show’s conclusion.  An appeal was made over the public address for helpers to dismantle the posts, rails, fences etc used during the day.  Such was the number of volunteers, that within forty-five minutes, it was hard to realise that a show had ever taken place.  Long may it continue.

Kiss fit for a Lord or a Councillor
At a special party held at Guinan's Pub, Ballylusky, to celebrate the election of Michael O'Brien to South Tipperary County Council, there was a large crowd and a wee bit of music ready to join in, but things only started swinging when Mr Councilor himself finally decided to sing a few songs.


One of the guests performed a song specially written for the occasion after which Michael promised, "I will look after you all." Propriotor Kathleen Guinan presented Michael with a photograph of himself, with the text, "Congratulations Michael, well done! (But don't let being a busy VIP keep you away from the craic in Guinan's".


Michael did not say if he would follow this advice or not, but most people who know him think he probably will. Especially after being kissed by the landlady, a rare privilege. (Photos supplied by Janneke)

Well done to competitors from Fethard/Killusty area who did so well at the ESB Community Games Munster Finals held in the University of Limerick on Saturday last. Padraig O’Shea, Cathal Gorey, Natalie Cahill, Lorraine and Samantha Feery all won their respective categories in the Judo event.  Other winners, who are all members of the Fethard Judo Club, were Stephanie Lawrence, Clerihan, Michelle and Alan Brannigan, and Alan Sutcliffe, all from Peter & Paul's area Clonmel.  Runners up were Niall O’Donnell, Robert Guiry, and in 3rd place, Aobh O’Shea and Sophie Meehan.

A brilliant win for the under/16 boys Volleyball team: Christopher Sheehan, Declan Doyle, Darren Prout, David Gorey, Aaron O’Donovan, J.P. McGrath, Alan O’Connor and Cathal Gorey, who defeated Limerick in the final.

Fire at Burke Street

A fire in the early hours of Sunday morning, 11th July, caused extensive damage to Breens' house (formerly owned by Denis Looby) in Burke Street, Fethard. The house was currently being renovated and fortunately no one was in residence at the time of the fire.

Celebrating 94th Birthday

Congratulations to Mrs Alice Keane, No 8 Tirry Park, and formerly of Knockelly, Fethard,  who celebrated her 94th Birthday last week. Alice is photographed above with four generations of her family: Front Row: Maureen (daughter) Joe (son). Middle Row: great grandchildren Eoin and Eric Quigley, and Alanna Cody. Back Row: Jennifer Keane (granddaughter), Alice Keane, Dorothy Keane (granddaughter), Kevin and Aaron Quigley (great grandsons), Anne Keane (daughter-in-law) Linda Quigley (granddaughter).
Alice has a family of nine children Sean, Tom and Paddy who are all living in the USA; Peg and Theresa both in England, and Michael and Jim in Knockelly. The remaining two, Joe and Maureen are included in the above photograph.

Married in Lisronagh
The wedding took place on 2nd July 2004, at Lisronagh Church, of Kevin, son of Joan and Johnny Barrett, Market Hill, Fethard, to Ashley Johnston from Baltimore, Washington, USA.

The couple held their wedding reception at Chez Hans, Cashel.

'On Your Toes' Concert

Taking part in the 'On Your Toes' show in the Abymill Theatre Fethard are L to R: Lesley Looby, Aimee Smyth, Cliodhna McCarthy and Niamh Fanning.


Girls about to perform their 'Re-Mix' dance routine at the 'On Your Toes' show in the Abymill Theatre Fethard.


Taking part in the 'On Your Toes' show in the Abymill Theatre Fethard are L to R: Laura Mullins, Jane Kenny, Jean Anglim, Danielle Breen and Amy Grant.


Photographed at the 'On Your Toes' concert in the Abymill Theatre Fethard are L to R: Amy Lyons, Orla Lawrence, Aisha Tobin and Kelly Fox.

Official Opening of Ballingarry Famine Warhouse 1848

The Office of Public Works invite all to the official opening of the Famine Warhouse 1848 - at Ballingarry on Wednesday, 21 July 2004 at 3pm. For more information on the Famine Warhouse check out A Visitors Guide to the Warhouse

Silver medal winner in World Championships
Congratulations to Fethard Judo Club member, Josephine O’Donnell, who competed in the World Masters Judo Championships in Vienna last weekend.  Josephine, a coach with the Fethard club, fought very well and was delighted to finish second in a field of top world class athletes.  We congratulate her on this ‘once in a lifetime’ achievement.  Well done Joe.

The Munster Community Games Judo finals are being held in Limerick this Saturday.  The Fethard club have fifteen members competing in the finals.  Any child looking for a lift to Limerick on Saturday morning are asked to be outside the Town Hall at 8.30am.  Best of luck to all players from Fethard Judo Club.

Final Four visit Fethard

Another treat for young music fans on Saturday 24th July when boyband ‘Final Four’, with special guest Michael Leonard, perform in the Abymill Theatre at 8pm. Final Four, not long back from their Eurovision experience, are currently undertaking a tour of Ireland.  The four lads have been busy working on their vocals and are looking forward to playing the intimate Abymill Theatre.  Tickets are €10 and are available from Kenny’s Centra Supermarket, The Green, Fethard.