Mary Retires after 30 Years Service

Congratulations to Mary Sayers, Woodvale Walk, on the occasion of her retirement from the maintenance staff of Nano Nagle Primary School after 30 years service. Photographed above on the last day of term are L to R: Ann Darcy, Ann Marie Harty, Margaret Gleeson, Sr. Winnie, Sr. Maureen (Principal), Mary Sayers, Elaine Brady, Sarah McManus and Rita Kenny.

Fethard Tag Finalists

Fethard Gravediggers Tag Rugby Team. Back L to R: Vinny Murphy, Paddy O'Donnell, Anthony Wall, Hugh O'Connor, Nicky Murphy, Peter Collier. Front L to R: Vallerie Colville, Marieke Bardoul and Sandra Maher.

Two teams from Fethard took part in the 2006 Tag Rugby competition organized by Clonmel RFC.  The ‘Coolmore Bronco’s’ and ‘The Fethard Gravediggers’ took to the pitches each Thursday night during June and July to try for the coveted title of Tag Champions 2006. The Broncos put up a brave fight, but were badly hampered with the early loss of the man that they expected to be their star player, Eamon Cullen.  Despite their loss, they performed well and finished high up in their group.

The Gravediggers fared a little better, reaching the Final of the Cup.  Most of the team are far from the first flushes of youth, but the old adage that “age and guile will beat youth, innocence and a bad haircut”, rang true for most of the tournament. Unfortunately, the team that beat them by the narrowest of margins in the final (one point) had the upper hand in terms of fitness. The Gravediggers put up a good fight, but had to settle for the runners up prize. They have vowed to return again next year.

KILLUSTY PONY SHOW 2006

Waiting for the Dog Show at this years Killusty Pony Show. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOGRAPHS

After a full week of less than encouraging weather reports and frenzied activity due to the late arrival of the IPS bulletin in many households, the first Saturday in July dawned cool and clear.  Killusty at the foot of Slievenamon never looked better.  The air was champagne clear and the birdsong was deafening.  As the day unfolded the record entry of 218 ponies (some in as many as 5 classes) arrived for the Show.  They came from as far away as Kerry, Mayo, Down and Wexford to contest the 70 classes.  By the end of the day as they wended their ways home, some had trophies to take with them.  Others had rosettes and, hopefully, the vast majority had happy memories to treasure of perfect weather in a heavenly setting.


L to R: Caroline Stokes, Melissa Stokes, William Pratt, Zoë Stokes and Richard Pratt

Peter Byrne, a great supporter of Killusty, took home to Wicklow the Smithwick Perpetual Cup for the best in-hand pony Wyndham High Society.  Reserve to this handsome bay gelding was Orla Whelton’s  2 y.o bay filly Goldengrove Skylark who came from Cork.  Mary Hayden of Drangan won the cup for the Best Local in the Championship with Tullocussane Maybelle.  The broodmare classes contained some fine specimens and the judges finally agreed that the Connemara broodmare winner, Sean Cooney’s Corrib Misty should take the championship and the Gus Keane Cup home to Tullamore with  Joan Dolan’s Kilpatrick Maple in reserve.  M.T. McMahon’s foal out of Muskerry Charisma upheld the honour of the Show Pony when winning the Bank of Ireland Cup with Ann Grimes’ Lambay for Fun backing him up. The Welsh Championship for the Cullen Cup went to local exhibitor Lucy Townsley with Talponcau Century Celebration with Golden Grove Skylark again in reserve.  The Butler Connemara Championship  went to Philippa Mansergh-Wallace’s ridden Connemara Derrymore Paddy Finn with Carmel Melody’s Furbo Rose in reserve. 
L to R: Emma Meagher (on pony), Colin Meagher, Ava Meagher and Frank Meagher.

The Junior Ridden side-saddle class fot the E. J. O‘Grady salver contiues to grow in strength.   Derrymore Paddy Finn came to the top in this class too with Suzanne Garrigan‘s Penni Farthing in Reserve.  With a dozen beautifully turned out combinations in the ring, this class was a spectacular sight wih the bulk of Slievenamon in all its glory as a backdrop.  While numbers in the Show Pony classes continue to decline to the disappointment of all in Killusty, the home of the Show Pony for generations., Adele Davies brought a worthy winner of the Coolmore Stud Killusty Championship all the way from County Armagh in Roseview Elite.  Nikki Taylor’s Novice winner Kingsvean Russian Doll from Kerry wasn’t far behind in reserve.

Local girl Emma Meagher rode her mother’s Clonmore CC to take the local riding pony class in style .   The Local Handy Pony Class was the best supported Class of the whole day and it was won in style by Charles Croome-Carroll on his grandmother’s Kilgreaney Holly.. Mary Jane Kearney came second and took home the special prize  for the best entrant from the Parish of Fethard/Killusty.  The Special Lead rein class also attracted an entry in the twenties with Donal Slattery’s Brook Hill Ricky topping the line after everyone had been given a thorough going over by the judge. The Mini Champion came from Limerick and the Open Show Pony lead rein Class in Karon Tarry’s Mark Oak Solitaire.  Lucy Townsley’s Bastord Periwinkle came from the Show Pony First Ridden Class to take reserve.

Christian Casey on his pony led by Jerome Casey

The Starter Stakes Championship was also claimed locally when Roisin Henry’s Pilheath Strongbow with Gregory Henry in the saddle  just edged Lorli Higgin’s Ballyboy Perry Merry and daughter Emily into Reserve.  Lorli didn’t have long to wait for a Championship however, as the Open Show Hunter Drew Gilpin Cup came her way for Delight of Rathnaleen.  Mary Blennerhassett’s Thorndale Mischief came reserve in this category. The Novice Show Hunter Champion came from the 153 cms. Class when Basil Brindley’s Lovely Ludlow lived up to his description to keep Sharon Lowey’s Comberton Charisma , the 143 cms. Class winner in reserve.   Lovely Ludlow earned further oats when taking the Novice Working Hunter Championship from Mary Neville’s After Dark.  The Open Working Hunter Championship for the Captain Curtin Cup will have  Linda Young’s Ardfry Ahab’s name on it for the second year in succession as he pipped Ann Stanley’s great stager Bob Marley for the honour.

Looking after entries and announcements were Judy Butler and Christopher Horsman

Mrs. Bill Holohan gave a beautiful new Perpetual Cup in memory of her husband Bill who had been a founder member of Killusty Show in 1962 to the winner of the Performance Working Hunter.  Mrs. Suzanne Garrigans Nickel and Dime will be the first names inscribed on this lovely trophy with Sarah Collen’s Ardfry Serabi in reserve.   The Green Working Hunter Class attracted so many entries that it was divided into three height classes won by Thorndale Mischief, Orla O’Dea’s  Brinloid and Jeannie Ronan’s Galberstown Boy taking the honours in their respective categories.  This is a class which should be staged at many more venues as it gives children experience and encourages them to raise their expectations at the same time while getting them to learn the ropes.  The final Championship of the day took place with the awarding of the Tate Croome-Carroll Memorial Equitation Championship to Karine Ronan with Rachel Blackmore in Reserve.  The judge was not to know it but both these girls are products of the Tipperary Hunt Pony Club and the Tipperary hunting field .  It must be heartening to their instructors to see them rise to the top at Killusty.


Presentation of long time service awards: L to R: Betsy O'Connor (secretary), Tony Ennis, Pat O'Brien and Noel Byrne (Chairman).

Killusty which has an entirely voluntary Committee could not continue without their vital support and that of their generous sponsors.  Thanks are due to all who gave either of their services or of their resources.  Judges, stewards, announcers, Civil Defence, Dr. Condon, caterers all contribute to what was again a wonderful Show.

Community Games Munster Finals

Fethard and Killusty under-16 girls volleyball team who won the Tommy Butler Shield becoming Munster champions at the HSE Finals in UL. Front L to R: Aisha Tobin, Laura Rice, Carrie Sweeney, Chloe Gough, Sarah Conway. Back L to R: Denis Burke (manager), Lisa Anglim, Mary Anne Keane, Debbie Lawrence, Niamh Fanning, Kelley Coady and Leslie Looby.

Good result for the Fethard Killusty Community Games who were the best overall area from Tipperary at HSE Community Games Munster Finals in University of Limerick on Saturday last.

Judo competitors set the ball rolling when Gary Bradshaw, The Green, Padraig O’Shea, The Valley, and Lorraine Feery, Killusty, all won their respective fights in fine style.


Helena O'Shea (left), The Valley, with her daughter Aobh who was runner up in girls under-35kg judo event with supporters Avril and baby Amy Morrissey, Tullow, Fethard.

These victories were quickly followed by a double win in both boys and girls volleyball championships.  Denis Burke had his teams in tip-top form for these finals where both teams had a decisive win over Limerick. Boys team captain, Matthew Fitzgerald, Barrack Street, proudly received the Sean Murphy Mohawk Cup to the delight of the many supporters present. His team-mates were: Ciaran Ryan, Jerome Ahearne, Kevin Hayes, Michael Fitzgerald, Glen Maher, Damien Morrissey, Darren Thompson, Joseph Sheehan, Owen Healy, Tommy Sheehan and Padraig O’Shea.   The girls under-16 team who won the Tommy Butler shield are: Carrie Sweeney (Capt), Chloe Gough, Sarah Conway, Lesley Looby, Mary Anne Keane, Niamh Fanning, Aisha Tobin, Leslie Looby, Lisa Anglim, Debbie Lawrence, Kelly Coady and Laura Rice who along with Padraig O’Shea will have double engagements in Mosney as she won the under-16 Art competition also. Sarah Hayes was absent. 

Thanks to Denis Burke for the trojan work he put in training these teams, along with Audrey Conway and staunch supporter Sarah O’Meara.

Sarah O'Meara, Knockbrack, staunch supporter of the volleyball teams at Community Games Munster Finals


The area now has a total of 33 young people qualified for the first weekend of the National Finals which will take place in Mosney from 18th to 21st August. Other qualifiers are: Jack Ward, Garrinch, Under-8 Art; Philip Maher, Ballybough, Swimming; and Andrew Maguire, Annesgift, Model Making.  Our two Tag Rugby teams played well in a downpour but the under-11 team were beaten by Limerick in the semifinal and under-14 defeated by Clare also in the semifinal. However, it is a great achievement to compete in a Munster final.

A special meeting for all competitors, parents and managers will take place this Monday night, July 17th July in the Tirry Community Centre at 8pm sharp to discuss funding and transport. All competitors on volleyball teams must have passport type photo submitted to Community Games Office, Grove Road, not later than July 17th July.  Anything after that will not be accepted.

Our Church Gate Collection will be taken up this weekend,15th and 16th July. We hope people will subscribe generously to this worthy cause. Volunteers to man the collection would be appreciated. Thanks to the following people who helped at the Munster Finals and contributed to the success of the area: Alice Feery, Helena O’Shea, Josephine O’Donnell, Valerie Colville, Joe Keane, Denis Burke, Bernard Feery, Tommy Morgan and Sam Manton.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn in the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto on Wednesday 12th July were 3, 13, 22 and 17. There was no Jackpot winner and two ‘Match 3’ winners who received €75:

Eddie O’Brien, Burke Street, Fethard;
Sean Moloney, Red City, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:

Maureen, Katie & Lucy Whyte, Main Street, Fethard;
Mona Spillane, Killerk, Fethard;
Breda Ryan, Coolmoyne Cross, Fethard.
Next weeks Jackpot is €5,700 and the Jackpot ticket sellers prize is €570.

Fethard & District Day Care Centre
The Fethard & District Day Care Centre will close for the summer break on Friday 28th July until Monday 28th August. Friday 28th will be the last day for Meals on Wheels also and this will resume as normal on Monday 28th August.

Fethard Cycling News
Wednesday 5th July saw a total of 13 cyclists turn up for our weekly gathering.  As I sit here watching the build-up to the final of the World Cup, I realize we are fast approaching our own finale with next Wednesday 12th July, probably being our last group meet (at 7.00 in the car-park).

After leaving the car park we headed for Market Hill en route to Clonmel.  The first time this route was suggested, a communal groan was heard.  Now, just a few short weeks later, not a groan to be heard anywhere — our fitness levels are on the up and up.  Arriving in Clonmel, the group had divided in two but Carrick was our target.  Group 1 went through the town, over the Gashouse bridge and left for Coleville Road.  Reaching Sir. Thomas’s Bridge the group went right for Derrinlaur and on towards Kilsheelan.  Cycling along the back of De la Poer’s Castle, I realize the beauty of our countryside cannot be appreciated from a speeding silage tractor being driven by an accelerator-happy teenager.  Passing the signpost for Rathgormack we go straight for the Rosminians and into Carrick-on-Suir.  After a short break we cycled back the main road to Kilsheelan. You really appreciate the slow pace of a bike when you see the speed of car traffic on the main road — where are they all rushing to?

From Kilsheelan we went to Gambonsfield and straight across at the Ormond Stores, towards Thorny Bridge and Kiltinan Barracks. A turn left here brought a tired but satisfied group of six cyclists back to Fethard.  The other group stayed on the main road — not as scenic as the back roads but equally as exercising.

As I finish this article just as Italy equalized, I realize the 29th July isn’t too far away, when we leave Fethard for Fethard-on-Sea to cycle back home.  Lets hope all goes well on the day and the aim of our cycle fundraising for the AEDs (automated external defibrillators) will be successful. Thank you for your continued support for this worthy cause and please ask your friends to sponsor any of our cyclists before the 29th.
— (Bi-Ke)

Abymill Theatre
The Annual General Meeting of Abymill Theatre was held on Thursday 6th July.  The following officers were returned, Chairperson, Joe Kenny; Secretary, Marian Gilpin; Treasurer: Agnes T. Evans; Administrator, Austie O Flynn; Carmel Rice, Eileen Maher, Michael McCarthy, Vincent Murphy, Jimmy O’Shea, Bernard Walsh and Mary McCormack.

A vote of sympathy was passed to Michael O’Dwyer on the death of his wife Noelle, a director of Abymill. Members will be notified of the date and venue of our next meeting. 

Open Air Mass by Town Wall
All are invited to attend an Open Air Mass, which will take place by the Town Wall at the Valley on Wednesday 19th July at 8pm.

Hospice Collection New Record
The local support group of South Tipperary Hospice would like to express their sincere appreciation to all who supported their annual church gate collection last weekend held in Fethard, Killusty and Moyglass. The total raised was €2,216 and 57 cent, which is a new record for this collection.

Killusty Soccer Club
Our AGM of Killusty Soccer Club takes place on Thursday night 13th July at 9pm in the Tirry Community Centre. All members are asked to attend and new members are welcome.

Class Reunion of 1976

Fethard Leaving Cert Class Reunion of 1976 photographed at Slievenamon Golf Club. Back L to R: Margaret Ryan, Joan Kearney, Jacinta Kearney, Kevin Ryan. John Keane, Jim Butler, Josephine Moroney, Peggy Maher, Rita McCormack, Peggy Meehan, Liz Holohan, Noel Heffernan. Front L to R: Catherine Keane, Catherine Newport, Nonie O'Donovan, Noreen Guirey and Mary Morrissey.

This was our first class reunion in thirty years, and I think that most of us who came to Slievenamon Golf Club last Saturday night came with a slight feeling of nervousness and trepidation, but we need not have worried. After the initial meeting and greeting, one only had to listen to the laughter and chatter coming from the tables to know that the evening was going to be a success. Unfortunately many of our former classmates are now living far from home and could not attend, but as the night wore on and the drinks and conversation flowed, each and every one of them were mentioned as many tales from school were shared.

For those who live locally and could not attend, there will be another chance of a get together as Mary Morrissey and her band are coming from London to play for one night in Fethard on Sunday, August 6th. It would be a great chance to renew old friendships and lend your support to your former classmate. Finally, a few thank yous, firstly to Mark and the staff at Slievenamon Golf Club who looked after us so well. To Jack Kenny, or DJ JK as he is now known after Saturday night, whose selection of songs brought back memories of the school hops. How we could have done with his sophisticated and subdued lighting back then! To our chief organiser Catherine Newport for all her hard work and dedication. And last but not least, to all the class of '76 who made the effort to turn up on the night.

If God spares us all the health, our next reunion will be in 2011. Until then, all the best. (K.R.)

Fethard Athletic Club
Many congratulations to Hannah Trehy who competed in the All-Ireland Track & Field competition in Tullamore last weekend. Hannah qualified in four events out of Munster – high jump, long jump, 80 metres hurdles and 250 metres hurdles. She won two medals in the All-Ireland – a bronze in the long jump with a great jump of 5.02 metres (a personal best) and a silver in the 80 metre hurdles.

This is a wonderful achievement for this dedicated and talented young athlete who has put in such a great amount of work all year. Well done Hannah!

The club is taking a break for the summer and training will resume in September. Thanks to all the athletes for their work during the year and to all parents for their continued support. See you all in September.

Fethard GAA Club News
The Intermediate Hurling South Championship continued with us winning a share of the spoils in Monroe on Saturday last against Cahir on a scoreline of 1-8 each. Our last game in the section is against St Marys.  The team last Saturday was: Paul Fitzgerald, Michael Ryan, Carol Gahan, William O’Brien, Cian Maher, Shane Walsh, Willie Morrissey, Kieran Treacy 1-6 (f), John P Looby 0-1, Eoin Doyle, Miceál Spillane, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-1 (f), John Leahy, Michael Aherne, Michael Dillon. Subs used were: Chris Sheehan, Dean Tobin, and Michael Carroll.

In the Senior Football Munster League game on Thursday 13th July, we are away to Aghada (Cork).

The Minor Football B South semifinal against Mullinahone takes place on this Friday night, 14th July at 8pm in Cloneen. The Minor B Hurling continues with its round robin system when we play Skeheenarinka in Cahir on Sunday 16th July at 7pm.

Our Junior B Footballers had their third game in Cloneen on Wed 28th June and suffered defeat on a scoreline, Fethard 0-6, Kilsheelan 1-13. The team was: Paul Kenny, Mike Kelly, Tommy Gahan, David Kelly, MJ Croke, Diarmuid Burke, William Harrington, John Hanrahan, Shay Ryan, Paul Kenrick 0-5 (2f), Patrick Aherne, David Flanagan 0-1, Paddy Cooney, Michael O’Riordan and Jerry Ahearne. Junior Football B continues with a game against Carrick Swans in Kilsheelan on Wednesday 19th July at 8pm.

Congrats to Mary Leahy (Kilkenny) on winning €200 in the County Board Draw.

Our Lotto Jackpot of €3,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 2, 5, 18 and 21. We had one match three winner of €150 to Tom Ryan (46 St Patricks Place) Fethard. The €50 Lucky Dip went to Paul O’Meara (The Green) Fethard. Tickets are kindly supplied by Harrington Development.

GAA Centre would like to thank FAS Community Scheme for their cooperation in enabling this facility to now be available from 2pm, Monday to Friday, for the GAA and Centre Members.

Kelletts visit Clonacody

L to R: Conor Carrigan, Lady Diana Holderness, Lady Emma Brooksbank and at the rear The Hon Edward Wood.

Major General Richard Orlando Kellett died while out hunting in 1934. He suffered a heart attack and fell from his horse at Rathronan. He had two sons, Richard and Edward. Richard was killed nineteen years before his father’s death while fighting in France in 1915. His family erected a memorial plaque on the inside wall of the Holy Trinity Church in his honour. His brother Edward, better known as Flash or Mitch had left Ireland after a disagreement with his father. He considered moving back to Clonacody after his father’s death but decided against it and so the estate was sold to Conor Carrigan in the 1930s.

Edward served as MP for Aston Division of Birmingham in England and like his brother and father, he also served in the armed forces. He was killed in North Africa in the Second World War in 1943. He had married in 1926 and his daughter Diana was born in 1927. Last week, Diana returned to Fethard to visit the former family home in Clonacody and Holy Trinity Church where lie the graves of her ancestors, Vice Admiral Henry Kellett (her great grandfather) and Major General Richard Kellett (her grandfather).

She recalled her last visit to Clonacody, back in 1947, while on her honeymoon. She was eager to see the former family home but arrived in the dark and rain and just looked over the wall at the place. Almost sixty years later she re visited, this time with prior notice and was given a tour of the house and gardens by Conor Carrigan, grandson of the man who bought the Estate from the Kelletts.

She was accompanied by her daughter Emma and her son Edward and brought pictures of some of the items that belonged to Admiral Kellett that remain in her possession, such as his sledge flag which came from his Arctic expedition, his flute, his medals from China and the Arctic voyages, and the copy of the prologue to a play written on board Kellett’s ship, ‘The Resolute’ to entertain the crew. This was later performed at the Theatre Royal, Melville Island.

Diana got married in 1947 to a gentleman called Richard Wood. He became an MP and served as Minister for Power, Pensions and National Insurance, and Overseas Development. He became Lord Holderness in 1979. He was the youngest son of Edward Wood, the Earl of Halifax, who had been Viceroy of India and was responsible for bringing Gandhi to the negotiating table. He was Foreign Secretary at the time of Munich and almost caused a major diplomatic incident when negotiating with the Nazis. Upon entering a room, he nearly handed his coat to a person that he thought was a page boy. The ‘page boy’ was Adolph Hitler. He later served as Ambassador to The United States during the War.

Diana and her family visited the family graves where the Kellett descendants met local historian Tony Newport and received more information about their family. It was decided to restore the graves and keep the Kellett memory alive for future generations.  (VM)

Famine 1848 Walk

The Famine 1848 Walk will take place from the village of The Commons to the Famine Warhouse pictured above.

There will be a public walk in Ballingarry parish to commemorate all those who died during the Great Famine and the 1848 Rising which took place in the middle of the Famine.

The Walk takes place on Saturday, 29 July at 3pm and all are welcome. The Walk covers a distance of one-and-a-half miles of gently ascending ground on the public road.

It commences from the 1848 national flag monument in the village of The Commons. The Walk will proceed to the Famine Warhouse, an OPW national heritage site, which was the scene of the 1848 Rising.

In the two-storey house walkers and visitors will have an opportunity to see a wide-ranging exhibition on the Great Famine, mass emigration and the 1848 Rising set in its European context.

Famine Warhouse 1848 is situated on the Cashel-Kilkenny scenic route through the Slieveardagh hills. The house is located at Warhouse Hill, a high point of 1,000 feet. Visitors will be able to enjoy views from the fields around the house as far as the Wicklow mountains.

In the Great Famine, one million people died. In the exhibition in the house one can read how the Ballingarry priest, Fr Philip Fitzgerald wrote during the Famine that ‘if there were another week of the same kind there would be heaps of unburied dead in the parish’.

The 1848 Rising led by William Smith O’Brien, Thomas Francis Meagher and John Blake Dillon was a response to the events of the Great Famine. The events at the house led to a State trial for High Treason. Death sentences were commuted to penal exile in Australia from where several leaders escaped to the United States of America.

The event is organised by the Ballingarry 1848 Committee who intend that the Walk will become an annual event on the last Saturday in July.

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