Engagement
We are happy to the announce the engagement of Aine Wright and Michael Knightly and wish them happiness in their future life. Áine presently works in Limerick and Michael works with Primus Advertising & Marketing Ltd in Fethard.

St. Bernard Group Homes 30th Anniversary

Photographed at the official opening of St. Bernard's Group Homes 30th Anniversary exhibition of photographs by Patrick Mooney, "The Mystery of the Ordinary". L to R: Rev. Patrick Mooney, Sr Éilís Bergin and Ms Pat Looby, who officially opened the exhibition.

St. Bernard Group Homes celebrate their 30th Anniversary in Fethard this year. The event was marked last year by a wonderful photographic exhibition, by Patrick Mooney, entitled, The Mystery of the Ordinary’. Father Patrick Mooney was born in County Laois, Ireland. He is a graduate of the Catholic University of America. He was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest in 1966 and obtained a Masters Degree in Communications from Fairfield University in 1976. He is involved in the creation and presentation of original multimedia prayer experience programs, which he photographs, writes and narrates himself. Patrick has photographed extensively on three continents. He is currently establishing a Celtic Retreat Centre in Co. Laoise.


L to R: Marie Leahy, Damien McLellan, Mairead Morrissey, Yvonne Tyler and Ann Darcy.

St. Bernard Group Homes continues a caring tradition established in Thurles in 1869 and in Dundrum in 1908 by the Presentation Sisters. In 1975, the Sisters established purpose-built residential units on a three-acre site in Fethard, creating one of the first modern residential childcare facilities of its type in Ireland. We congratulate the Presentation Sisters and their staff on the great work achieved in Fethard over the past thirty years. We also wish them well in their future developments.


Photographed at the official opening of St. Bernard's Group Homes 30th Anniversary exhibition of photographs by Rev Patrick Mooney, "The Mystery of the Ordinary". L to R: Peggy Sullivan, Margaret Gleeson, Michael Kennedy, Geraldine Armatige, Sr.Éilís Bergin and Claire Armitage.


L to R: Nial Bracken, Sr. Éilís Bergin and Pauline Bracken.


L to R: Sr. Rosiario, Fr. Patrick Haughey OSA Prior, and Mairead Morrissey.

Preparing for the real Christmas
The commercial world began preparing for Christmas weeks ago. The church encourages us to focus on Christmas from Sunday 27th November, the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of spiritual preparation to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.

Put some time aside for prayer and personal reflection during this time by joining in an hour of prayer at the Presentation Convent at 8pm on Tuesdays, beginning on 29th November. Encourage your family and friends to come along as well. All are welcome.

Fethard Chosen for Urban Renewal Scheme 2006
Fethard has been picked for the participation in the Urban & Village Renewal Scheme 2006. The amount to be spent in each town chosen could amount to €80,000, so public consultation and involvement is important. The planning section of South Tipperary County Council will hold an Information Evening in the Tirry Community Centre on Monday 5th December at 7pm.  All are welcome.

Christmas Lights
Fethard & Killusty Community Council has commenced with the erection of the Christmas Lighting in Fethard during the week. The annual cost of erecting and taking down these lights exceed €6,000. These costs are partly due to the technical difficulties and regulations in erecting lights through the existing overhead electricity cables on Main Street. Donation boxes have been placed in local shops and we ask to give generously to help us defray these high annual costs.

Parish Development and Renewal Programme
The Parish Development and Renewal Programme concluded with a meeting held on 16th November in Fethard Ballroom. Fr Pat Burns and Fr Joe Walsh, who conducted the programme, along with our own Fr. Tom Breen P.P. and Canon Jim Power, were delighted with the turnout at the meetings. An average of fifty-five parishioners attended each of the four meetings.

At this final meeting, nineteen people volunteered to be a member of the parish team, while a number of others indicated their willingness to co-operate, and also pledged their interest in getting involved in specific activities in the future.

The first meeting of the parish team will take place on Monday next 28th November, at 7.30pm, in the Ballroom.

Patrician/Presentation Jottings

Former Tipperary hurler, John Leahy, photographed in Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School where he spoke on "Misuse of Alcohol among Today's Youth". L to R: John Costigan, Denis Burke (teacher), Jillian O'Connell (Head Girl), John Frewen (Head Boy), John Leahy, Dick Prendergast (teacher), Birdy Barrett (AIB) and Ernan Britton (Principal)

Former all-star winner and Tipperary all-Ireland medallist John Leahy visited our school on Tuesday 15th November to give a talk on the ‘Misuse of Alcohol among Today’s Youth’. Accompanying John Leahy were John Costigan and Birdie Barrett (AIB). The talk was addressed to 5th and 6th Year pupils of the school. The purpose of the visit was to promote alcohol awareness among the youth. John Leahy also gave an account of his personal experiences with alcohol. The students also filled out questionnaires. There will be a follow-up to the visit in February 2006.

Volleyball
The school’s Senior B volleyball team will be travelling to St. Bridget’s School in Loughrea on Friday, 18th November to compete in the All-Ireland quarter-finals. They are set to challenge Loughrea, along with Woodford and Manorhamilton. The competition will be tough, but the team is prepared. When asked about his confidence for the game on Friday, coach Mr Burke stated, “I am always hopeful rather than over-confident.”

Key player, Chris Sheehan, could be missing for the match due to injury which might reduce the effectiveness of the team, but, with players like Liam Ryan (captain), Stephen O’Meara and other great talents available, the Fethard squad is in with a great chance of reaching the semifinals and further building their impressive reputation in Irish volleyball.

T.Y. Quiz
On Thursday, 10th November, Fethard’s TY students attended a quiz held in the Presentation School, Clonmel. Approximately three hundred and sixty TY students from all over South Tipperary gathered and were divided into 85 teams. The quiz, which was organised by Mr Noel Buckley of the Presentation School, was a great opportunity for students of the same age to get to know each other and make new friends. There was a vast amount of subjects covered in the quiz and winners received large cash prizes. The leftover funds were used as prizes in a raffle that all students were entered in. “It was an exciting day”, said one Fethard student who attended the quiz. Overall, the day was a great success and a nice experience for Transition Years all around the county.

Photographic Exhibition
On Thursday, October 17th, art students from the school visited St. Bernard’s Group Homes to view a photographic exhibition by Patrick Mooney called, ‘The Mystery of the Ordinary’. The students particularly liked the still-life photos and the emphasis on light in the photographer’s work.

Yoga
Yoga classes are now being held in the school for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Year students, by Ms. Maher, and it is proving to be a very popular activity. Two classes are held every Thursday: One for 1st and 2nd Years from 3:45 to 4:45, and another for 3rd Years from 5:00 to 6:00. There is a large attendance every week, with an almost equal amount of girls and boys participating. Yoga is a form of exercise that aims is to unite the mind, body and spirit together in concentration, combining physical exercise with meditation and breathing exercises.

The word yoga comes from the Sanksrit word ‘Yuj’, which means to bind or join. It can be very beneficial to those who practice it, as it provides relaxation and stress-relief and can greatly improve both physical and mental health. Many of the exercises strengthen the back and spine and can prevent problems with this area later in life. It can also be great fun, as laughter is also considered a part of the exercise. The classes give Fethard students a great opportunity to discover what Yoga is about, and may result in students continuing this worthwhile pastime after they finish school.

Study Skill’s Day
A Study Skills Day was held in the school on the 16th of November. The Study Skills Day was organised by Mr. Burke and Mr. Prendergast. The course was attended by this year’s Junior Cert students. Each student paid ten Euro and the parent’s association sponsored the remaining cost of the Seminar. The Seminar dealt with ways of expanding your memory and effective methods of study and examination techniques.

Recent Death in England
The death has occurred, on 20th November, in Preston, Lancashire, of Mr James Whelan, formerly of Bennettshill, Fethard, and brother of Mr. Michael Whelan, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard.

Killusty National School

Starting school in junior infants class at Killusty National School are L to R: Laura O'Donnell (Grangebeg), Niamh Harrington (Tinakelly) and Stephen Crotty (Killusty).


Pupils of Killusty National School presenting a cheque for €230, the proceeds of a coffee morning, to Jim Bond, South Tipperary Hospice, on behalf of the people of Killusty.

Hunting News
Tipperary Foxhounds from Mullinahone on Monday hunted from Crokes to Mr Kenny’s, where they hunted through the covert strongly, pushing their fox out in the bottom, hunting him back towards Crokes’, where they lost him.

The heavy going and the large banks took their toll of the field and there was quiet a few muddied coats at the end.  Drawing on, they found again at the bridge near Lismolin road. Crossing the main road, they hunted to the plantation where he was lost after some twenty minutes covert hunting. A fox from the field across the road ran straight to Finnane Wood. An excellent hour’s work followed, during which hounds pushed their fox non-stop round this vast covert. Apart from one short circle crossing and re-crossing the Drangan Road, Charlie stuck to his woodland refuge and was given best at 5pm.

Dualla on Wednesday provided the usual hill-top hunting with hounds trying their best in poor scenting conditions and no great success. A few encounters with live electric fences towards Ballylough Bee, did not help matters.

Cloneen on Thursday provided a good days hunting for the large field. A fox from Burke’s Gorse provided a nice right-handed circle to Rathkenny covets, from which he could not be persuaded to leave. Ballinard Wood held a brace. The second of these foxes was hunted to Friarsgrange. Crossing the Cloneen road to Tierney, he ran to Byrnskill where he was lost.

A fox from Byrnes was hunted to Muilleann Bawn. Turning here he ran back through Carrigbawn where he crossed the Fethard-Cloneen road and was hunted back to Ballinard.

Two mounted followers described the day from Lisronagh as one of the best days hunting they ever had. Going continuously all day, they provided plenty of jumping, especially over the big banks in Ballinlough. A very good hunt from here through Ballinameen and to ground near the Fethard-Darcy’s Cross road was the highlight of a very good day.

With the White Heathers
The Ballylusky White Heather Harriers, following a slow start, had quite a good day from the Loughcopple meet on Sunday. A fox found between the Kilsheelan road and the river, ran to Kyleavalla where he was lost. Drawing the other side of the road, hounds had two foxes to ground and caught on outlier, found on a ditch after a short run. Hounds did not find again until drawing the small covert opposite Annesfort House Gate. This fox provided a cracking hunt. Crossing the road, he ran the bank to Faheys’ where he crossed.

This good fox was almost hunted in a straight line to Thorney Bridge. Wheeling left he retraced his steps through Carrolls, out by Milltown House, and on to the Blackthorns. Turning right-handed, hounds still hunting strongly, ran to the farm passage on Mr Slattery’s farm where he was lost, probably getting to ground in the badger sett. A short burst on the old railway line at Murphys concluded a very good day.

The White Heathers meet at Rocklow on Sunday next 27th November, at 11am, and at Orchardstown on Sunday 4th December.

Youth Needs Meeting on 30th November
We remind all adults, youths, local organisation representatives, to come along to the Abymill Theatre at 8.15pm on Wednesday 30th November to discuss the needs of our youth, identified in the recent survey undertaken by Tipperary Institute. Catherine Corcoran, will make a presentation of their analysis found in the survey. Denis O’Brien, Munster Area Coordinator with Foróige Youth Organisations will attend along with other representatives from voluntary organisations.

Cemetery Rosaries For November
The Rosary will be prayed in the following cemeteries on Sunday 27th November: Killusty after morning mass; Kiltinan at 3pm and Kilmaclugh at 3.30pm.

Win Turkeys & Hams Every Week in Community Lotto
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto will have an extra draw for five Christmas Turkeys and five Christmas Hams every week from now up to Christmas, that’s a total of ten extra chances to win a prize, in addition to winning the Jackpot of €10,000 or ‘Match Three’ prizes, or one of the three ‘Lucky Dips’ for €50.

The numbers drawn on Wednesday 16th November were: 1, 3, 18 and 27.  There was no Jackpot winner and one ‘Match 3’ winner who received €150:
Ian, Evelyn & Alan O'Connor, St. Patricks Place, Fethard.
The €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Mary Kenny, Mullinahone;
Marie Murphy, Colman, Fethard;
Margaret Walsh, Barrack Street, Fethard.

Next weeks Jackpot remains at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000. The weekly draw will now take place on Wednesday mornings at 11am in Fethard Day Care Centre, Barrack Street. All are welcome to come along.

Christmas Bazaar
Fethard and District Day Care Centre will hold their annual ‘Christmas Bazaar’ on this Thursday 24th November. Please come along to this special seasonal fundraiser that gets bigger every year. One of the popular items is the annual draw for a huge list of prizes donated from all sections of the community.

Rev George Knowd wins Community Award

Rev George Knowd, photographed above, was delighted to receive his Vodafone 'Passion for the World Around Us award from Elaine McGowran of Clonmel Chamber of Commerce. He was accompanied to the presentation by his wife, Gwen, and one of those who had nominated him for the award, Eamon Lonergan.

Class of 1985 Reunion
The class of 1985 need your help to reunite on Tuesday 27th December at 8pm in Lonergan’s Bar, Fethard. There has been a great response so far and we have collected the following names below from the school etc. If your name isn’t on our list yet, don’t worry, just come along on the night or contact us for further details on Tel: 086 8192177 or 087 7644598. Don’t forget to bring along photos etc.

Our list of names from 1985 so far include: Orla Broderick, Geraldine Carroll, Fiona Cummins, Ann-Marie Fogarty, Winnie Griffin, Lucy Lawless, Rosemary McCarthy, Olive Mullally, Jacqueline Murphy, Kathy O’Brien, Deirdre O’Connell, Cornelia Ryan, Cecilia Walsh, Michael Barry, Brian Burke, Ian Cooke, John Hackett, Gerry Horan, Paul Looby, T.J. Maher, John Noonan, Jim O’Donnell, Willie Phelan, Willie O’Meara, Sarah Carey, Ciara Cranitch, Caroline Flynn, Ann Gahan, Gabrielle Hayes, Georgina Mathews, Miriam McMahon, Meaveen Murray, Majella Nevin, Michelle O’Brien, Lisa Rice, Catherine Slattery, Malachy Brett, Eddie Casey, Philip Crean, Tom Hayden, Colm Kehoe, Justin Maher, Tommy Morrissey, Dermot O’Donnell and Jerry O’Dwyer.

Slievenamon Musical Society
Slievenamon Musical Society will stage 'South Pacific' in Cloneen on 8th, 9th and 10th December. The society will also hold their annual ‘Camel Race’ on this coming Saturday, 26th November, in Cloneen. Camels cost €10 and can be obtained from any member of the society.

Sale of Work
Powerstown & Lisronagh Parish annual sale of work will take place in the GAA Centre, Clonmel, on Sunday 27th November, from 2pm to 5pm. Lots of attractions including a spinner with many prizes, cake, book, bric-a-brac and toy stalls, raffle and Santa. Promises to be a good day out for all the family.

Fethard GAA Club News
The Annual Mass for deceased members of Fethard GAA Club takes place in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Killusty, on Tuesday next at 7.30pm. All are most welcome to attend.

The Lotto Jackpot of €3,800 was not won. The draw took place in Burkes Bar and the numbers drawn were: 1, 7, 17 and 18.  There was no ‘Match Three’ winner and the following tickets were drawn and each received €30: Michael Dillon (Tullamaine), Paul O’Meara (The Green), John Burke (Cahir Rd), Emma Fitzgerald (Monroe), and Mary Newport (Congress Tce). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Cora McGarry (Woodvale Walk).

Christmas Cards
A selection of Fethard Christmas Cards are currently for sale in local shops. There is also a selection of new Fethard postcards available.

Killusty Soccer Club
Our second running of the ‘Battle of the Brains’ table quiz takes place on Friday 2nd December in The Well. Last years event went right down to the wire, with the Philly Croke led team just shading it. Can they retain their title? Will the Barrack Street boys go one step further or will we see a challenge from outside The Pale?

All these questions and many more will be answered on the night. The quiz starts at 9pm sharp. Committee members are asked to be in The Well at 8.30pm. Finally, we would like to thank all those who supported last Sundays Church gate collection.

Table Quiz
The Parents Association of the Secondary, Fethard, will hold a Table Quiz in the Secondary School Hall on Monday 5th December at 8.30 pm. A Raffle will also be held in conjunction with the Table Quiz. Attractive prizes will be on offer. We wish to thank the various sponsors for their support. Proceeds of this quiz are in aid of school facilities.

A good night’s entertainment is promised, refreshments will be served and an invitation is extended to all. See you there!

Fethard Bridge Club
On Wednesday 16th November we played for a prize sponsored by John and Anne Lucey.  The winners of the prize, two lovely lamps, were Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara who were first nett.  The rest of the results for that night were:
2nd Nett: Ellen Rochford and Suzanne Opray;
1st Gross: Berney Myles and Alice Quinn;
2nd Gross: Betty Walsh and Brigid Gorey.

On Wednesday, 23rd November we played for the Gross Turkey prize and we will play for the Nett Turkey prize next Wednesday, 30th November.  Our Christmas Party will be at Sadel’s on Friday, 9th December.  Anyone looking for a partner, please contact Annie O’Brien at 31862.

Fethard Historical Society
On Tuesday 6th, November, the Society will host a very interesting Lecture by Dr Proinsias Ó Drisceoil on the Diaries of Amhlaoibh Ó Suilleabhain (Humphrey O’Sullivan) which were written between 1827 and 1835 when Humphrey lived up the road in the town of Callan.

The diaries are of great interest in that they were written by a member of the majority Catholic population whose Gaelic roots were very strong indeed as his father was a hedge schoolmaster who had moved up from Kerry when Amhlaoibh was six years old. The amazing fact, given that we are talking of the mid 1800s, is that  the diaries were mostly written in Irish, but Dr Ó Drisceoil will talk in English and he will give us the benefit of his years of study on the subject.

In the Diaries we get a picture of the goings-on and concerns of the catholic middle-class and their struggle to become the dominant group in Irish society at that time. The lecture will be in the Abymill Theatre, beginning at 8.30pm.

On Thursday, 1st December, The Royal Irish Academy are publishing Volume II of their Irish Historic Town Atlas series, which contains the towns of Fethard, Maynooth, Downpatrick, Bray, Kilkenny and Trim. The launch, by Minister Mary Hannifin TD, will take place in Academy House in Dawson Street, Dublin, at 5pm and it is hoped that Fethard will be represented by members of the Society or by Fethard people who live in Dublin and who can make it to Dawson St. on December 1st. Those interested in attending the ceremony might contact the society: Dóirín Tel: 052-31936 or Terry Tel: 052 23402, to ensure a presence at the event.