Fethard Players back with ‘Tons of Money’
Now that the dark evenings are closing in, Fethard Players are back in rehearsal for this year’s production, ‘Tons of Money’, a comedy by Alan Ayckbourn adapted from the original by Will Evans and Valentine. In Ayckbourn’s update of this farce, inventor Aubrey Allington is strapped for cash. News of a large legacy brings relief until Aubrey realises that the money will disappear in paying his creditors. Beautiful wife Louise comes up with a stunning plan. Disaster upon hilarious disaster ensues.

Members of this year’s cast are: Jimmy O’Sullivan, Mia Treacy, Gerry Fogarty, Marian Gilpin, Niamh Hayes, Joe Hanley, Liam Ryan, Eoin Powell, Mary O’Connell and Eoin Whyte. The play is produced by Austin O’Flynn and will run in the Abymill Theatre from 13th to 19th November.

Green is the Valley, Blue are the Hills
Higginson Book Company is pleased to announce the publication of Thomas J. Crane’s, Green is the Valley, Blue are the Hills, originally published by and only available as a download from the Fethard Website. The book is now available in both paperback and deluxe hardcover editions from Higginson Book Company, 148 Washington Street Salem, MA. 01970. USA. www.higginsonbooks.com

Glossy softcover: $42.00 (plus shipping) BUY ONLINE
Deluxe hardcover: $54.00 (plus shipping). All email inquiries should be directed to the Orders Dept higgins@higginsonbooks.com

Green is the Valley, Blue are the Hills, revolves around the author’s search for, but not limited to, his Crane and March Families, and is presented in narrative form involving the intuitive and deductive reasoning processes that sometimes occur within the genealogical process and as such should hold some interest for the more generalized reader. As well as the details of the author’s travels taken to unravel the mystery of his ancestors, this account includes pictures and poems that are used to highlight the text, but stand on their own merit. In addition to the search for the past, any reader will find some of life’s treasures that exist in human and spiritual values.

Taekwon-Do Classes in Fethard
Classes in Taekwon-Do will commence in Fethard Ballroom on Monday 17th October with a demonstration at 7pm. All are welcome to come along. Classes thereafter will take place every Monday night from 7pm to 8pm.

Taekwon-Do is a Korean martial art which promotes self-confidence, discipline, self-defence and fitness, practised by male and females of all ages. Not only is Taekwon-Do practised as a martial art or form of self-defence, it is also known worldwide as a competitive sport.
For further information contact Paul Tobin, Tel: 087 2447886.

Public Meeting re Strylea/Rocklow Road Housing Development Plans
A public meeting to discuss the proposed housing development at the Strylea/Rocklow Road in Fethard will take place on Monday October 17th at 8pm in the Abymill Theatre. The meeting, organised by Fethard & Killusty Community Council, is a follow up to their objection to the proposal development and their subsequent meeting with the South Tipperary Planning Officials. Mr Ciaran Lynch of Tipperary Institute has agreed to chair the meeting which will be attended by Councillors and Representatives of South Tipperary Planning Department. All interested parties are asked to attend this important meeting.

Irish Girl Guides
Brownies and Ladybirds will resume on Tuesday 18th October 2005, from 7pm to 8pm. We welcome back all our members after the summer break. Girls intending to join must be at least five years old. Further information from Judy Doyle, Tel: 052 31109, or Catherine O’Connell, Tel: 052 31358.
We would also greatly appreciate any adult helpers who are willing to come along and get involved.

Happy 60th Birthday Dick
We wish Dick Sheehan, Grangebarry, Fethard, a very happy 60th birthday. Dick celebrated his birthday with family and friends at a surprise party held at Slievenamon Golf Club during the past week. Many of Dick’s relatives travelled from England for the special occasion.

Left photograph shows Dick and Bridget Sheehan blowing out the candles and on the right, looking on, is grandson, Jack Sheehan.

L to R: Rachel, Bridget, Dick, Patrick, Abigail, Dixie, Celina and Amy (grandaughter)


Dick Sheehan photographed with family members on the occasion of his 60th Birthday Surprise Party last week. L to R: Dan Sheehan, Ann (Sheehan) Baker, Dick Sheehan, Bridget (Sheehan) Mann, Johnnyy Sheehan and Michael Sheehan.

Civil Defence back on Tuesday nights
Fethard Branch of Civil Defence have now resumed their classes on Tuesday nights at 8pm in the Tirry Community Centre, Fethard. New members, over 16 years of age, are welcome to come along and join. Training in the following projects will be covered over the period, Line Rescue, Fire Fighting, Kayaking, and First Aid (starting in January).

Civil Defence offer members the opportunity to train in a variety of skills and to learn new techniques that will not only assist your local community in the event of an emergency but will also enhance your own personal development. For further details contact Dolores Fahey, Civil Defence Office South Tipperary, Tel: 087 2435001.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council
The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place on Tuesday 18th October at 8.30pm (please note time) in the Tirry Community Centre.

Fethard Area Youth Network
The second meeting of the Fethard Area Youth Network Group took place in the Abymill Theatre, Fethard, on Friday 7th October, at which Catherine Corcoran, and her colleagues from Tipperary Institute made a presentation to the group on their findings from the ‘Fethard Youth Needs Interviews’, commissioned by Fethard & Killusty Community Council. Over the period June to August 2005, 116 young people between the ages of 10-18 were interviewed. In addition, 22 adults who are involved with young people as care providers, service deliverers or in a club or sporting context were interviewed.

The findings will be presented to the community at a public meeting in November. Further details to follow.

Hospice Coffee Morning
The South Tipperary Hospice Support Group would like to thank all those who held Coffee Mornings for the Hospice on September 15th, and all those who contributed at the following venues: Coolmore, Dawn Fresh Food, Fethard & Killusty Day Care Centre, Nano Nagle National School, St. Patrick’s Boys National School, Patrician Presentation Secondary School and Fethard Bridge Club who held a Coffee Day in the Town Hall from 9am to 6pm. The total amount contributed came to €1,628.

Communication with your horse
Hillary Vernon, author of “The Allen Illustrated Guide to Bits and Bitting”, will give a demonstration and talk at Killusty House Stud on Tuesday 18th October at 7.30pm.

This hands-on demonstration and talk on using Myler Bits — the art of communication between your horse and your hands — will include all the information on both driving and riding bits that you could ever want or need to know. The bit is a communication tool, and to effectively communicate with your horse, he must be relaxed. If your horse is resistant, he is not effectively receiving your message and needs a different bit which lets him relax.

Nature Talk
On Tuesday 18th October, Fethard Historical Society will host an illustrated talk by well-known naturalist Liam Burke. The talk entitled, ‘The Flora and Fauna of the Burren and Árann Islands’, will take place in the O'Connell Hall, Rocklow Road, beginning at 8.30pm.

The talk is a natural follow-on from the very enjoyable visit by 18 members of the society to Inish Oirr, the smallest of the three Árann Islands, in early September when Liam was also present as guide – when the group experienced this amazing landscape at first hand.
The Aran Islands are a geological extension of the Burren which is Ireland's example of a 'karst' landscape , and this geological term comes from the Karst area in Croatia which has similar limestone pavement terrain, but a warmer climate of course!

Please note the venue, the O'Connell Hall, entrance fee is €4 (children free) and refreshments will be served to round off the evening.

Fethard GAA Club News

Martin Burke, Bridge Bar, presenting a set of new Fethard T-Shirts to members of GAA Club at training last week. L to R: Brian Coen, Alan Phelan, Ronan Fitzgerald, Paul Fitzgerald, Tomás Keane, Cian Maher, Martin Burke, Tommy Sheehan and Ian Kenrick.

On Sunday last we made our exit from the County Senior Football Championship at the semifinal stage, when we were well beaten by a Loughmore team that, on the day, deserved their margin of victory even when reduced to 14 players after 20 minutes of the game. The final scoreline was, Fethard 0-6 (0-1), Loughmore 0-10 (0-5). With no excuses on the day other than five of our South Final fifteen being not available for selection, the team that played gave their best and we wish Loughmore the best of luck in the County Final. The team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Alan Phelan, Michael Aherne, Ian Kenrick, Willie Morrissey, John P Looby, Stephen O’Donnell, Aiden Fitzgerald, Tomás Keane, Glen Burke 0-1, Michael Dillon 0-2, Cian Maher, Conor McCarthy 0-1F, Brian Coen 0-1, and Karl Maher. Sub used was Brian Burke.

The Junior A Football South Championship continues with a game on Sunday 16th October against Cahir in Ned Hall Park at 12 noon.

We would like to thank the Bridge Bar for sponsoring a new set of Fethard T-Shirts for the club, which were presented to players at training during the past week.

Fethard Rugby News
Fethard under-14s travelled to Nenagh on Sunday 2nd September and got their new season off to a flying start with a hard fought win over Nenagh. It was a very close match with Fethard coming out on top on a scoreline of 22-15. Despite a shaky start Fethard soon found their stride. Both teams scored many entertaining tries. Matthew Fitzgerald, Aaron Conran and Glen Meagher were among the Fethard scorers with some spectacular tries. Well done to all involved.

Training takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7 o’clock for under-8, under-10, under-12, and 8 o’clock for under-14 and under-16s, in the Community Sportsfield.

Fethard Bridge Club Results
On Wednesday 28th September we played for the Free Sub Gross and the results were:
1st Gross: Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara;
2nd Gross: Betty Walsh and Brigid Gorey;
1st Nett: Mary Tobin and Madeleine O’Donnell;
2nd Nett: Teresa Cummins and Alice Quinn.

On Wednesday 5th October we played for the Free Sub Nett and the results were:
1st Nett: Betty Walsh and Brigid Gorey
2nd Nett: Rita Kane and Kay St. John
1st Gross: Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara
2nd Gross: Teresa Cummins and Alice Quinn

Next Wednesday, 19th October, we will be playing for Hallowe’en prizes. We hope to see all our members back playing by then. Bridge lessons continue in the Tirry Centre, Barrack Street on Monday nights at 7.30pm. Anyone looking for a partner for Wednesday night, please contact Annie O’Brien at Tel: 052 31862.

Samantha Butler

The late Samantha Butler (aged 20), from Carrick-on-Suir, who was killed tragically in a car accident outside Clonmel on Friday night 14th October. Samantha, a very popular and friendly girl, lived in Fethard last year and worked in Barmore Supermarket, Main Street. She was also a member of Fethard Women's Club.