Moyglass Barbecue
A barbecue will be held on Friday night 2nd September in the Village Inn, Moyglass, in aid of Moyglass United Soccer Club. Admission is €15, food is being served from 10pm to 11.30pm, and there will be a DJ on the night. All are welcome!
Children Show Great Style in ‘700 Parade’
"Fethard Day Care Centre Out for a Stroll", one of the entries in the Augustinian Abbey 700 'Fancy Dress Parade' — CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS
The Augustinian Abbey 700 Celebrations continued on last Sunday afternoon with Banna Cluain Meala leading the Childrens’ Fancy Dress Parade up Main Street and on down to the Abbey Grounds. The quality of entries was exceptional and the children were rewarded for their efforts with applause from the spectators all along the route. On arrival to the Abbey Grounds, Banna Cluain Meala and their Majorettes treated all present to a wonderful display. The weather was slightly misty for a while but this did not deter the large crowd from their enjoyment.
The hardworking organising committee had lots of free refreshments available for the many children, which was served from a specially erected marquee on the grounds. Following Banna Cluain Meala’s display, we were treated to a recital by ‘Amadeus’ in bright sunlight. This trio of exceptional musicians entertained the crowd with a variety of music from classical pieces to Irish traditional tunes and songs.
Following the presentation of prizes to the Fancy Dress entrants, the afternoon concluded in time for the replay of the South Senior Hurling Final between Killenaule and Ballingarry in the GAA Field. Well done to all concerned.
Five Newport sisters from Fethard, photographed at the Augustinian Abbey 700 Celebrations last Sunday. L to R: Edwina, LIz, Lydia, Margaret and Catherine.
Photographed at the Augustinian Abbey 700 Celebrations are L to R: Theresa Cummins, Noreen Maher and Margaret Coffey.
Kay O'Riordan and Orla Broderick back in Fethard for the Augustinian Abbey 700 Celebrations last Sunday.
Back L to R: Kathleen Connolly, and sisters Joan O'Meara, Theresa Fogarty and Breda Walsh. Front L to R: Ciara Connolly and Ryan Walsh.
Womens’ Groups Continue Community Education In Fethard
Over the past year two women's groups have been very active in the Abbey Mill, Fethard. These two groups meet at different times to accommodate everyone. Morning group will resume on Monday 12th September at 10.30am, finishing at 12.30am, and the evening group will also return on the same date at 7.30pm until 9.30pm. Both groups have their community education programmes ready to go with the morning group commencing with First Aid and the evening brushing up on Art and Crafts. They are always open to new members so go on take the first step, who knows up might enjoy the programme, the chat and the cuppa. These programmes are facilitated by South Tipperary VEC, Community Education Facilitator Veronica Crowe who can be contacted for further information at Tel: 052 26269
Slievenamon Musical Society
The long nights are fast approaching and you may be wondering what to do for the coming months. If you like music, enjoy being on stage or are just looking to meet new people — Slievenamon Musical Society has the answer. Rehearsals for this year’s production, ‘South Pacific’, are starting soon and you are invited to come along and get involved.
Rehearsals and auditions for this show commence in Cloneen Sports and Social Club as follows: for men on Tuesday 6th September at 8pm, and for ladies on Thursday 8th September at 8pm. Childrens’ auditions will be held on Sunday 4th September at 2.30pm, for girls aged 8-11 years and for boys aged 7-9 years.
The Society will host their annual ‘Duck Race’ on Sunday next 4th September. Ducks at €5 each are available from any committee member.
Watching the Crowd!
Three young Fethard cousins watching the crowds coming to the South Hurling Final replay between Ballingarry and Killenaule last Sunday in Fethard. L to R: Alan Lawrence, Dean Butler and Gareth Lawrence. Congratulations to Killenaule on their victory in a very close exciting match that had to go to extra time to decide the winners.
Set in Stone!
A gentleman recently called in to a local quarry to purchase some stone slabs. Having found the type of stone that he required, he asked about the price. The stonemason informed him that it cost twenty Euro per square foot. The customer replied that he thought it was a bit expensive. The stonemason then picked up a piece of stone and said that this was no ordinary product. His quality stone took two to three hundred million years to be created. “Oh go on”, replied the customer, ”I’ll pay you by the foot before you try and charge me by the year!”
(N Gawe)
First Steps Playgroup
First Steps Playgroup situated in the Tirry Centre, Barrack Street, Fethard would like to inform parents that they will be opening for the new school term on Monday, 5th September 2005.
We are open Monday to Friday from 9.30 - 12.30pm and offer a fun filled, stimulating morning of activities for those children aged from 2 years 10 months up to 6 years.
If you have any enquiries or questions you may have or would like to register your child for the new term, please feel free to call in or contact Patricia Fitzgerald Tel: (052) 32164 or (086) 1580897.
Annual Emigrants Newsletter
Articles and photographs for inclusion in this year’s issue of Fethard & Killusty Emigrants’ Newsletter are invited to be submitted, as soon as possible, to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard. We also remind club secretaries and organisations to submit their reports.
Golf at Slievenamon Golf Club
Irish Rugby stars Alan Quinlan and Denis Leamy pictured with members of Fethard and District Juvenile Rugby club at the fund raising golf classic held in Slievenamon Golf Club last Friday.
Alan Connolly, Fethard, Brendan Hogan, Gortnahoe and Tony Dalton, Fethard who took part in the Golf Classic in aid of Fethard and District Juvenile Rugby club held in Slievenamon Golf Club.
Paul Kavanagh, Fethard Rugby Club with Eddie Doheny, Charlie Gaffney and John Colville all from Cashel who were the winners of the Golf Classic in Slievenamon Golf Club last Friday which resulted in a very nice prize of a round of golf in Mount Juliet.
National Heritage Week
National Heritage Week takes place this year from Sunday 4th September to Sunday 11th September. The Heritage Council of Ireland have set up Irish Walled Towns Network, of which Fethard is a member, all member towns have been asked to ring church bells at 12 noon on Sunday 4th and also, display a special walled towns flag for the duration of the week.
The Heritage Council of Ireland established the Irish Walled Towns Network (IWTN) in April 2005 to unite and co-ordinate the strategic efforts of local authorities involved in the management, conservation and enhancement of historic walled towns in Ireland, both North and South.
The Irish Walled Towns Network is formally linked to the International Walled Towns Friendship Circle (WTFC), which is the international association for the sustainable development of walled towns, walled cities and fortified historic towns.
The Irish Walled Towns Network seeks to ensure that Ireland’s unique cultural and archaeological heritage in relation to its walled and fortified towns and cities is protected and managed in a sustainable and appropriate manner in the long-term. The Network will liaise with other historic Walled and Fortified Towns in Europe on a regular basis. Improved networks and links will ensure that quality management and effective conservation plans and systems are designed and implemented to protect and conserve the historic Walled Towns for the enjoyment and appreciation of current and future generations in Ireland and further afield.
Australian Visitor
Liam Kenny, Grove, Fethard, photographed with his cousin Hazel Mutch from Australia. Hazel’s father was Jerry Maher, son of Patrick Maher, Drumdeel, who died 1926, age 46. Patrick was the first husband of Josie Kenny, Grove.
Paying a visit to Fethard last week, Hazel Mutch (nee Maher), from Australia, was anxious to meet anyone who remembered her father, Jerry Maher. Hazel’s father Jerry was a son of Patrick Maher, Drumdeel, who died 1926, age 46. Patrick was the first husband of the late Josie Kenny, Grove. Hazel was especially eager to meet any of Jerry’s old football team-mates. She was just about lucky on both counts.
Jerry Maher had a very short football career. Having played on the Tipperary minor football team, Jerry quickly graduated to the Fethard senior football team in an era when the selection of teenage players on senior teams was almost unheard of. He also made the Tipperary senior football selection panel.
Unfortunately, accounts of Fethard games during Jerry Maher’s era of 1941/1942 are rather scarce. A selection panel for a South Tipperary Senior Football Championship game in 1941 contains twenty-two names. Of the twenty-two names only four remain with us today — Joe O’Dwyer, Dick Cummins, Jerry Maher and Joe Ahearne.
Hazel did meet Joe Ahearne, whose brilliant memory, especially on GAA matters, seems to be evergreen. Joe was able to give her much appreciated information on her father’s career. Photographs of teams during the war years are also very rare. We were, however, able to present Hazel with a photograph of a 1942 Fethard senior team. While the photo does not include her father, it does include his team-mates. Jerry Maher is also mentioned in a poem, ‘The Wedding Song’, which was published on page 96 of the Fethard GAA Centenary Book 1887-1987, and marks the convention held on 7th February 1942 when the ‘Gaels of Fethard’ united and Killusty joined Coolmoyne.
Jerry Maher was another young footballer obliged to take the emigrant trail at the age of 21/22. He is still hale and hearty and residing in Australia.
Trip to Inis Oirr
The Fethard Historical Society has organised a trip to Inis Oirr on 9th September and ask all those travelling to meet at the pier in Doolin at 4.45pm, as the boat to the island departs at 5.15pm. Suggested route is to travel to Ennis, Ennistymon and on to Doolin, allowing four hours approx. for the journey. Dinner has been arranged in Tigh Ruairi on Friday night and in the Fisherman's Cottage on Saturday night.
A simple map of the island showing walkways and places of interest will be provided for everyone (Tobar Eanna, Bronze Age site, An Caislean, St. Caomhan's Church, Burren-type flora and fauna). Liam Burke will give a guided walk on Saturday afternoon and it is hoped to view a film about the island on Sunday morning. Boat returns to Doolin in the early afternoon on Sunday. All travelling will make their own B&B arrangements. Further details from any committee member.
GAA Summer Camp
Fethard Juvenile GAA Annual Summer camp was held recently and with over 100 boys and girls, from Mullinahone to America, and some of the county’s best hurlers and footballers attending all the children enjoyed all the fun and games provided by our coaches. We would like to thank all the coaches and adults who helped to make our week run smooth and to the companies who made the T-Shirts and Kit Bags at such short notice, which were given to all the children at the end of the week.
Saoirse McNamara on the bouncing castle at Fethard Summer Camp
Intermediate Girls Group at Fethard Summer Camp
Intermediate Boys Group at Fethard GAA Summer Camp
Senior Girls Group at Fethard Summer Camp
Senior Boys Group at Fethard Summer Camp
On the bouncing castle at Fethard Summer Camp are L to R: Kian Hennessy, Robert Barton and Darragh Hurley.
Kevin Hayes and his wife Jackie photographed with their children Devin and Liam at Fethard GAA Summer Camp. Kevin and family are home on holiday from USA
Junior Boys Group at Fethard Summer Camp
Asylum Seeker
Real life is often stranger than fiction. A lady from Kerry recently arrived in town trying to track down her ancestors. The family name was O’Connor or Connor’s. As most of the nation’s records were destroyed in the destruction of Dublin following various battles in the 1920s, a lot of research has got to be done at a local level when trying to find lost ancestors. This can involve a laborious trawl through records held by town halls, parish registers of baptisms and weddings, undertakers records or even trying to scrub centuries of grime off old headstones. This can be quite a search in the Fethard area as there are over 14 cemeteries within 4 miles of the town.
A bit of mystery surrounds the man that the lady sought. He married and had five children. One child died and the rest of the family emigrated to Australia, including his wife. Records of their lives exist in Victoria. No record remains of his life (or death as the case may be). Information on this man’s history is what the Kerry lady sought. But while showing her notes, a name and address stood out on a page. It was part of a more complete record of the other side of her family which contained a very unusual but highly entertaining story.
Her ancestor on the other side of the family was a man named Smith from London.
The family were instrument makers, but none of the four sons took up the trade as they all enlisted in the British army. Three moved to Australia with the forces and the fourth, a bandleader in the army, was due to join them. Unfortunately, he was injured in a battle and ended up with a limp, so he was pensioned off early as he could no longer march in time. A colleague showed him an advert from an Irish newspaper which offered the position of porter with musical ability to work in the Killarney lunatic asylum. The candidate was required to lead the musical ensemble that played for the inmates midweek dance. He accepted the job, moved to Killarney, and then fell in love with the fiddle player in the ensemble. They married and a new line was borne. Cupid works in mysterious ways.
(N Gawe)
The Well Golf Society
Last Saturday we held our fifth outing of the season on a beautiful sunny day at Callan Golf Club. The course as usual was in excellent condition that certainly contributed to some great scoring. The results are as follows:
Nearest the pin: Brian Mullins, John O’Brien, Kevin Ryan.
Ladies: 1st: Bernie Phelan
Gents 18 – 24:
1st: Niall Higgins
2nd: Dave Schubert
Gents 1 – 17:
1st: Brian Mullins
2nd: Willie Morrissey
3rd: Kevin Ryan
4th: Michael Kenrick
Fethard GAA Club News
Intermediate Hurling — we now are in the quarter-final of the South Championship with a game against St Marys to be arranged.
Under 21 B Hurling (losers group) — we have to play Cahir at a date to be arranged.
Junior Hurling B South Championship — our next game is on Saturday 3rd September against Carrick Swans in Fethard at 6.15pm.
Junior Football B South Championship continues with a game on Wednesday 7th September against Killenaule in Cloneen at 6.15pm.
The Senior Football South Final has been fixed for Sunday 11th September at 1.30pm, in Kilsheelan, against Carrick Swans.
Best of Luck to Damien, Paul and Aiden in the Tommy Murphy Cup Final against Wexford on Sunday 4th September in Croke Park.
Our Lotto Jackpot €2,600 was not won. The draw was made in Butlers Bar. We had no ‘match three’ winners so five Lucky Dips were made and the following won €30 each: James Wade (Thomastown, Golden), Davy Morrissey (38 St Patricks Place), Bubbles O’Dwyer (Cashel Rd Killenaule), Brendan Higgins (6 St Patricks Place), Fergus Healy c/o Rita Doyle (Woodvale Walk, Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was, Veronica Barry (Barmore XL Shop, Main St Fethard ).
Thanks to all business, supporters, GAA members, helpers, officials and staff for making the South Final replay such a memorable occasion and congratulations to Killenaule, who last won the South Senior Hurling Championship in 1991, with commiserations to a gallant Ballingarry team. Thanks also to the Garda, local and district, for there assistance and also the Civil Defence for their time. We are much indebted.
To the Delahunty family we offer our sincere condolences on the death of Edmond (Ned) (Market Hill) last weekend. Neddy played senior hurling with Coolmoyne in 1943/1944. Go ndeanai Dhia trocaire orthu.
Tiobraid Árann Abú
Best of luck to the Tipperary Senior Football Team who step out in search of honours in Croke Park on Sunday next. Tipperary meet Wexford in the final of the Tommy Murphy Cup competition. Hard to imagine it is 85 year since a Tipperary senior football team appeared in a final in Croke Park. That, of course, was in the 1920 All-Ireland final which Tipp won. Fethard players, such as, Ned O’Shea, Ned Cummins and Gus McCarthy were Tipperary team members on that day.
A special ‘Good Luck’ wish to the Fethard boys who wear the ‘Blue and Gold’ on Sunday. How much it would mean to Tipperary football people, especially our own Dick Cummins, who has kept the faith down through the years to see Tipperary Senior Football Team once again successful in Croke Park.
Seen, Heard and Noticed!
We can categorically deny that there is no truth in the rumour circulating at present that Tipperary have appointed a new Chinese hurling manager in their quest for All-Ireland hurling honours — called, Win Wong Zoon!
