Can anyone help?

This photograph was taken outside the Provincial Bank on Main Street Fethard. We're not sure of the date but it must have been before the amalgamation of the Provincial and Munster & Leinster Banks, which took place c.1978 and left Fethard with just one bank — the Allied Irish Bank managed by Tim Slattery with a staff of seven. If anyone has any details of the date or who the two gentlemen are, we would be delighted to know.

Book Fair Time Again
The Fethard Historical Society are busy organising the 2007 Tipperariana Book Fair which is being held on Sunday 11th February, in Fethard Ballroom. The dealers who come — many for over ten years now — keep saying that it is the highlight of their year and 2007 promises to be as successful as ever.

For the past five years the organising committee have also chosen a ‘Tipperariana Book of the Year’ and the 2006 winner will be announced soon and that ‘Tipperary’ book and its author will take pride of place on the day of the fair.

As in other years, the society will gladly take donations of books which are then sold at the Bookfair. This is a valuable source of funds for the society. Those wishing to donate books can contact any member of the committee, or phone Dóirín at Tel: (052) 31936, Terry at (052) 23402, or Catherine (052) 31826 and arrangements will be made to collect the books or give advice if needed.

Fethard Boys Scouts and Cubs
Scout meetings have now resumed in Fethard Ballroom since Friday 12th January at 7pm. Cub meetings have also resumed on Tuesday 17th January at 6.30pm in the ballroom. Registration fees are due now.

Happy Birthday

Members of the Byard family photographed at the 70th birthday of their mother Nora, celebrated at Slievenamon Golf Club. Nora is the wife of the late Don Byard, formerly from Burke Street, Fethard. Back L to R: Denis, Thomas, Brian, Michael, Debs and baby Róisín, Stephen Gleeson, Donal, Michael O'Shaughnessy. Front L to R: Marie Claire and baby Hazel, Nora and Marguerite and baby Enda.

Hunting News
Tipperary Foxhounds had a very good day from their meet at Moyglass on Monday 8th January. The old railway line from the village hall to Clonbrogan proved blank as was Fogartys. Moving across the Moyglass road, Tynans held a brace. Hounds were quickly away on one that ran to the Coolanure road. Turning sharply here he ran back across the cul-de-sac road at Teehans to the Moyglass-Coolbawn road, which he crossed. Hounds now running strongly were halted by the main Knockinglass covert and swinging left they crossed the road at Knockinglass Hill to the railway. Hunting well through Lacys they ran towards the Bufanna lane where they were at fault.

Turning back towards the road hounds had the line, which they worked slowly to the laurel grove at Knockinglass. Coming on better terms with their fox here they hunted through the main covert to the road near Moyglass F.C. grounds where they crossed. Really motoring on now they ran back to Tynans where they originally found. Through the covert Reynard ran towards the Moyglass-Coolbawn road. Turning right-handed he ran to the Fethard-Killenaule road. Doing a u-turn here at the sheds of the old Coolbawn airport, hounds hunted back to Smiths where he got to ground in the big double bank.

A fox from Laharts glen provided another very good run. Circling the thick covert and hedges, which he was not inclined to leave, hounds eventually hunting well, pushed him through the plantation to the link road, which he crossed. They seemed to be running towards Springhill when they swung left-handed and were stopped, however, at 3.30pm as they were heading to the vast plantation at Rathmoley.

The day provided plenty of action for the large Monday field and plenty of excellent viewing for the car and foot-followers.

The Tipps had another good day from their Drangan meet. The roadside covert at Mr Fred Dalys at Priestown held a brace, one of which left the covert immediately. Hounds stayed on the remaining fox which could not be persuaded to leave and was caught in covert. Drawing down towards Cappaghnagrane they found in the glen below the Dublin road bridge. Crossing the road at the bridge they ran through Glenmuladubihe where their fox turned right-handed towards Mullalys. Swinging right-handed on top of the hill they hunted back to the glen where they first found. Once more the fox crossed the road at the bridge. Taking the left hand side of the Dublin road this time they hunted strongly right down to the thick gorse covert at Dorans on Kylenagranagh Hill. Although Derry persevered here for twenty minutes, Charlie could not be persuaded to leave and was left.

They did not find along the side of Kylenagranagh to the Drangan road. Finding again at the top of the glen up from Ballyvadlea bridge, hounds finished a very good day with a fast hunt of forty minutes. They hunted through the glen strongly and over the hill to O’Hallorans. Through the covert here they pressed their fox into leaving to where he was first found, where he was then lost.

Bon Voyage

Jim Trehy, Donoughmore, on his way to visit his daughter Angela in Perth, Australia. Jim is photographed in Cork Airport with his daughter Gay and grandson Jamie.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 10th January were 7, 9, 23 and 31. There was no Jackpot winner and five ‘Match 3’ winners who received €30 each:
Michelle O’Farrell, c/o Gaules Pub, Fethard;
Chrissie Walsh, Moyglass;
P. Power, c/o Tom Purcell, Fethard;
Anthony O’Connor, c/o Anne Foley, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard;
Philomena Morrissey, 22 St. Patricks Place, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Peggy O’Reilly, Barrettstown, Fethard;
Marie Butler, Garrinch, Fethard;
Nicky Stokes, Fethard.

Next weeks Jackpot is €9,300 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €930.

With the White Heathers
From Peppardstown on Sunday the White Heathers first found on a hedgerow in O’Donnells. Hunting to St. Johnstown Castle they did a u-turn and ran back through Sparrows, O’Donnells and to Coolmore at Knockelly. Crossing the river here they ran to close by Anglim’s barn on Coolmore where they marked to ground.

Moving back to St. Johnstown they found the fox lying on a limestone cliff some 15 feet above ground level. Hounds marking him from below, however, could not reach him and he soon decided to leave.

Running a left-handed circle to the Shanakyle road he returned to the quarry. This time he crossed the road, did another left-handed circle and back once again to the quarry where he got to ground at the bottom of the hill.

A fox from the grove in Mr Heffernan Delaney’s again crossed the road down to O’Donnells where hounds were at fault. He was viewed back, however, and casting back he was fresh found in the grove. Re-crossing the road hounds had a good run. Hunting through the valley they once again crossed the road close to Peppardstown House. Travelling over the Captain’s Hill they hunted well, swung right-handed to part of Mr John Ryan’s land known as The Dairies. Down through the valley they ran to Mr John Joe Whytes at Rathkenny where they lost him.

A special thank you to Bobby and David Guiry for having us and for the hospitality dispersed before move-off.

A very special get well soon to Micky Dooley, from all foot-followers of the Tipps and White Heathers. Micky is recovering from an operation in a Cork hospital. Micky you are greatly missed for the craic and your constructive, or should it be destructive criticism, which is also missed.

The White Heathers meet next Sunday 21st January at Cloneen for Kilbury and on Sunday 28th January, a much looked forward to joint-meet with the Jessfield Harriers at Ballylusky Cross. Both meets at 11am.

John Noonan, Ballyrichard, was the €200 first prize winner in the White Heathers January monthly draw. Ms Rachel McCormack won second prize of €100.

Country Markets 1947

Ter Daniels buying bread from Mrs Skehan at the Country Market in the ICA Hall Fethard May 1948. In the background is Mrs Ahearn.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council
The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place in the Tirry Community Centre on Tuesday 23rd January at 8.30pm. Provisional notice is also given of our Annual General Meeting, which will take place next month, on Tuesday 20th February, at the same venue and same time.

Cystic Fibrosis Association
The Tipperary Branch of Cystic Fibrosis Association would like to thank everyone who contributed so generously to their recent church gate collection. Thanks also to those who volunteered their time. All money raised will go towards research. Mandy Quigley (Secretary Tipp Branch).

Fethard GAA Club News
The adjourned AGM takes place on this Friday night, 19th January, in the Abymill at 7.45pm.

Club Training is in full swing for our under-21s. Club membership fees for 2007 are the same as 2006: Adult €25 and Juvenile €15.  Fees are now due and can be given to Chairman, Michael O’Dwyer, Secretary Mary Godfrey, or Treasurers Nicky O’Shea and Noel Byrne.

At the South Board Centenary celebrations on Saturday 13th January 2007, all deceased officers of the board were honoured with a medallion presentation to family members present on the day. Approximately 150 people attended and Fethard had seven recipients: Dan P Walsh who as club secretary in 1912/1913 also held treasurer of South Board in 1912 and the DP Walsh Cup perpetuates his memory; Ned Kenrick who served as secretary of the South Board 1909 and 1910 and served as secretary of the Fethard Club between 1911 and 1913; Tom Keating served as vice-chairman of the South Board in 1932 and 1933 was a school teacher and served as secretary of the Fethard Club form 1928 to 1930. Tom was a highly respected referee and brother of John Keating who was South Board chairman 1956, club chairman 1937 to 1950 and again in 1953 and 1954. Together with the O’Shea brothers, Ned O’Shea of Bloody Sunday fame, he served as vice-chairman of the South Board from 1912 to 1915 and in 1916 became the fifth South Board chairman, a position he held until 1922. He also was chairman of the Fethard Club from 1919 to 1924 before emigrating to the USA in 1925. His brother, Sean O’Shea, was the seventh chairman of South Board from 1928 to 1936 (died in office), was chairman of Fethard Club from 1919 to 1924 and 1927 to 1936, he was also secretary of Fethard Club from 1920 to 1927. The South Senior Football Championship Trophy is named in his honour. Dick Cummins (Jnr) was life president of the South Board from 2003 up to his passing on in 2005. Dick was also honoured with the Sean Na Ghael award in 2003 for his services to the GAA. He served as chairman of the Fethard Club 1981 to 1984.

To all those who kept the flag flying for 100 years we are truly grateful as we ponder what will the next 100 will bring?

Tom Keating who was national schoolteacher in Cloneen was a poet and a verse of his last poem, written on his death bed, goes as follows:

Jesus came into my room today,
where in I lay sick in bed.
I knew he had come to me to stay,
and knowing I bowed my head.
Ah I was too weak, good friends could see,
that I could not go to Him.
So they sent Him with all His love to me,
Jesus and Father Jim.

Funding for Fethard Day Care
The Fethard & District Day Care Centre received a total budget of €68,334.00 in 2006, which is the minimum required for the running of the Centre. This funding is similar to the amount we received in 2005 and indeed over the past four years. The Day Care Centre receives a base budget each year of €42,000 and towards the end of each year we apply to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for ‘top up’ or ‘once off funding’ to help us cover our running expenses. We are currently in the process of completing our funding application for 2007 and can only hope that this level of funding will continue, but unfortunately there are no guarantees for the future and every year we must go through the same waiting process wondering if we can continue or not.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Lorraine Morrissey (Irish Life); The Premier Harriers and the Tipperary Vintage Motor Club who were so very kind to The Day Centre with their generous donations.

Patrician Presentation TY School Trip

Fethard Transition Year pupils photographed at Cahir Castle which was one of the stops on a school outing. Other venues visited on the day included the Rock of Cashel and Mitchelstown Caves.


Students,with teachers Miss Marie Maher and Mr. Justin McGree, on the grounds of The Rock Of Cashel


Students inside the Cathedral on the Rock of Cashel


Inside the Cathedral on The Rock of Cashel


Students taking notes from their guide on the grounds.


Students taking notes on their tour of The Rock of Cashel.


Behind the portcullis at Cahir Castle


Students at Mitchelstown Caves

Fethard & District Rugby News
Our under 18s scored their first win of the season on Saturday evening against Waterford City. The intensity of this game was not reflected by the score because, despite a comprehensive victory for Fethard, Waterford City were formidable opponents but the promise shown by our under-18 squad all season came together on Saturday night. Apart from a shaky first quarter, which saw Waterford take the lead with a well taken drop goal, the skills on display by all of the Fethard players was a pleasure to witness. The ball carrying and line breaking by Kevin Croke, Ciaran Shelly and Paddy Teehan was exceptional on the night. Alan O’Connor was very alert and decisive at scrum half releasing his out half Declan Doyle, whose kicking on the night was flawless and one of his points released Richard Gorey for his first of five tries.

On the night Richard was in devastating form, his speed and positioning was so impressive that he made the scoring of five tries seem easy. Richard’s defensive game was also very evident on the night and Declan Doyle converted off line to leave the score at 35 points to 3 for Fethard. There was no doubting that Richard put in a man of the match performance, but this was a great team display with every one of our players contributing. Geoff Coady playing in his first season was industrious right through. Aaron Donovan broke the gain line on numerous occasions, as did Cathal Carey. Billy Horan made a great intercept to release Richard for our fourth try and worked exceptionally for the full hour. Jack O’Sullivan was faultless in the line out as was Adrian Lawrence at full back. Keep up this level of intensity lads and success will surely follow.

Our under 16s hosted Nenagh and put in a huge performance to win by 24 points to 7. Our forwards were opposed by a much bigger pack but despite this our forwards rucked and mauled very efficiently to give our backs the level of ball required to score four exceptional tries. The first try was scored by Ben Walsh, who continues to improve with every game, after being released by James Kelly who was also very impressive on the day. Jonathon Fleming scored our second try and put in his best performance to date. William Power at scrum half topped off a good performance with a great try, selling at least three dummies and breaking three tackles before crossing the line. The fourth try was created by forward power as they mauled and rucked the length of the field before releasing Keelin O’Neill for our 4th try. Adrian Lawrence successfully converted two. Others to impress on the day were the ever improving Joey Kiely, Matthew Fitzgerald, David Hall and Kevin Hayes.

Our under 14s were away to Clonmel and put in a devastating performance to win by 36 points to nil. Players who impressed on the day were Frankie Donovan, Conor Kavanagh, Kevin Hall, Craig Dorney and Joe Morgan but the coaches were very pleased with the overall team performance with each player contributing.

Our under 12s were surprisingly well beaten by Thurles in two games. These young lads were flying before Christmas but were very sluggish in Thurles and were it not for the defensive tackling of David Hayes the margin of defeat would have been greater. These lads will bounce back though!

Our under 9s travelled to Thurles with a great win on a score line of 5 tries to 4. The two stars of our team were Emma and Kerrie who were outstanding on the day. Harry and Niall also played very well.

Our under 10s also had a great win against Thurles on a score line of 5 tries to 2.

Fethard Bridge Club
The results of our game played on 10th January were:
1st Gross: Berney Myles and Alice Quinn;
2nd Gross: Betty Walsh and Brigid Gorey;
1st Nett: Anne Connolly and Kay Walsh;
2nd Nett: Marie Delaney and Annie O’Brien.

Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 32038.

Disabled Persons Grant
Cllr. Jimmy O'Brien wants to advise readers that South Tipperary County Council is now taking applications for the Disabled Persons Grant. This is a special grant for the provision of an additional room or other structural works to a house which are necessary for the proper accommodation of a physically disabled or severely ill person.  If you are interested in applying for this grant or require further information contact Cllr. Jimmy O'Brien (Phone: 087 6914648) for further details.