Adam Strikes Gold For Fethard Athletic Club
Ten Fethard athletes travelled to the County Track and Field competition held in the newly developed track in Templemore on Monday 7th May. Well done to all these athletes who put in great performances all round. Competing for the first time in this competition were our under-9 athletes — Rebecca Lalor, Ciara Hayes and Mark Heffernan. Ciara ran a great 60 metre heat and was unlucky not to progress to the semi final. Rebecca got through her heat and ran very well in the semi final. She also jumped 2m 49cm in the long jump finishing fifth out of almost forty athletes. Mark was our medal winner in this age group running with great determination to take home a bronze medal in the 300 metre race. Jack Stapleton competed in all under-11 events. His best event on the day was high jump where he finished 4th. Nell Trehy and Karen Hayes competed in the girls under-12 long jump and sprint, both girls putting in very good performances in these events. Our under thirteen athletes were Hannah Stapleton and Aine Phelan. Both competed in the sprint with Aine progressing right through to the final. She ran a great race and was unlucky to be out of the medals here. Both girls shone in the high jump — Hannah taking the silver medal and Aine taking the bronze. Louis Rice ran well in a fast boys under-15 1500m race.

We had to wait until very late in the evening to strike gold with Adam O'Donnell running a fantastic race to win the boys under-16 3000m race. A well deserved win for an athlete who is improving with every run. Again well done to all athletes and thanks to all parents that travelled to Templemore. Training continues for a few more weeks every Monday and Wednesday from 6.30 to 7.30pm.

Fethard Historical Society
Fethard Historical Society held their Annual General Meeting on the 27th March and the following committee was elected: Dóirín Saurus (Chairperson), Mary Hanrahan (Vice-Chairperson), Margaret Newport (Secretary), Peter Delaney (Assistant Secretary), Catherine O’Flynn (Treasurer), Tim Robinson (Planning Officer), Terry Cunningham (Public Relations Officer). Committee members: Kitty Delany, Marie O’Donnell, Ann Lynch, Frances Murphy, Mary McCormack and Pat Looby.

Meetings are held in the Abymill Theatre (upstairs) on the last Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm and new members are always welcome to join.

Artist makes donation to St. Bernard’s Group Homes
Mary Dillon is full time professional artist working from Roscrea, Co Tipperary. Originally from Kilkenny, she first exhibited her work during Kilkenny Arts Week at the age of 13. She has a keen interest in botany and gardening and takes inspiration from her garden, local hedgerows, woodlands and the bogs in the midlands of Ireland. Also a lover of the sea, she is inspired by seascapes of Kerry and France. Her unique style reveals the power and vibrancy of watercolours at their best. Her work has been critically acclaimed on television and in national print media and she has undertaken commissions for corporate and private collections around the world.

Mary has donated 10% of sales from her current exhibition ‘Flow’ to St. Bernard Group Homes in Fethard. This very generous donation will be presented by Mary and Aisling Kilroy, proprietor Narrow Space Gallery, Clonmel, to Sr. Éilis Bergin, Director St. Bernard Group Homes, in the coming week.

A brief history of St. Bernard’s Group Homes:

• St. Bernard's Group Homes continues a caring tradition established in Dundrum, Co. Tipperary in 1908 by the Presentation Sisters. For over sixty years, the Centre cared for children from homes where the death, indisposition or personal distress of a parent made it impossible for normal family life to be maintained.
• In 1975, the Sisters established purpose-built residential units on a three-acre site at Fethard, creating one of the first modern residential child care facilities of its type in Ireland.
• Since then over 400 children and young people have benefited from the professional care and supervision of St. Bernards.
• Today this facility offers up to fifteen places to children and young people in informal surrounds that provide a warm and caring environment and allow them to live as normal a life as possible.
• Since 1997 one of our units specialises in caring for young people needing High Support. Innovative and creative work is ongoing as we build community and help young people live together, deal with their hurts and trust enough to form meaningful relationships with others.

 
Wild Poppies on Gold by Mary Dillon

Throwing Seaweed by Mary Dillon

The Parish of Red City
The following information is taken directly from the O’Donovan Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of County Tipperary collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840.

This Parish is bounded on the west by the Parish of Moorestown; on the north by the Parish of Barrettsgrange; on the east by the Parish of Donoghmore Moyfeven, and on the south by those of Donaghmore aforesaid, Aglish and Bally-Clerehan.

The name of this Parish is in Irish Cathair Dhearg, which signifies Red Fort; but as Cathair is the modern for city it has been locally translated Red City. Cathair signifies a stone-fort and the name was originally applied to a circular fort constructed of red sandstone, near which the old Church was built but this fort is now completely destroyed and every trace of it removed off the surface of the land.

The old Church of Red City or Caherderg is situated about three quarters of a mile westwards of the Town of Fethard; It was divided into nave and choir, the former measuring thirty feet six inches in length and nineteen feet six inches in breadth and the latter twenty two feet in length and seventeen feet in breadth. All its features are now destroyed. The sidewalls of the nave are twelve feet in height and three feet in thickness. It is built of limestones irregularly laid and cemented with excellent lime and sand mortar.

The old Church of Colman is also in this Parish, lying about two miles to the west of the Town of Fethard. It is not divided into nave and choir but is an oblong building in utter ruin. It measures in length on the inside sixty-one feet six inches in length; twenty three feet six filches in breadth. All its windows and doorways are completely destroyed, and of the sidewalls and gables only fragments remain, the most perfect of these fragments is on the south side; it is three feet six inches in thickness and about ten feet in height. It is built of rude limestones irregularly laid and cemented with lime and sand mortar. Its graveyard is deserted.

In the Townland of Rathdrum in this Parish is situated a butt of a castle about sixteen feet in height it measures on the outside thirty six feet six inches by twenty six feet six Inches and its walls are six feet six inches in thickness and built of good blocks of limestone grouted.

The first floor was of wood, as is evident from the projecting stones to support the joists; the second floor rested on a strong arch, which still remains, but from this up is now only a castle of air.

The corners of this building are rounded a little on the outside and built of good blocks of limestone chiselled. The windows lighting the ground floor are narrow and roundtopped. The doorway is on the southwest side, is pointed and fragments of a staircase leading to the arch floor are visible. The window lighting the second floor is pointed. (See sketch by George Du Noyer, c.1840 available from the Royal Society of Antiquities of Ireland).

Saratoga-Fethard Sister City project
As a follow-up to Mike Cahill’s work with Fethard & Killusty Community Council in exploring the possibilities of setting up a Saratoga-Fethard Sister City project he has now made contact with Dave Cummings, President Saratoga Chapter Ancient Order of Hibernians, who has previously visited Fethard and Coolmore. By co-incidence the vice-president of the same organisation is Steve Curran whose grandfather is from Killusty and he has also visited Killusty and Fethard. Dave is very enthusiastic about the idea and has outlined his progress to Mike Cahill as follows:

“We feel the governmental structure best to pursue this relationship is our town government in the Town of Saratoga. I would expect the Sister City International could accommodate this, or else we can propose that we be the first American town to do so. The Town includes the multiple sites of the battles of Saratoga and lies west of Saratoga Lake to the western banks of the Hudson River. There are two villages, Schuylerville (also referenced as Old Saratoga) and Victory. In 1777, Gen. Burgoyne surrendered here. An Irish wild geese emigrant and long-distance sharpshooter, Timothy Murphy, allegedly killed Burgoyne's Aide-De-Camp and mortally wounded his best field commander, Gen Simon Frasier of Scotland. Our Saratoga County Hibernians rededicate our monument to Mr Murphy every October in the Saratoga National Historical Park.

By our Thursday evening 10th May with the Town of Saratoga's five council members, I will expect to have conceptual agreement to foster a relationship from them, with support from:

• the Saratoga John Barry Division Ancient Order of Hibernians (already approved);
• the Saratoga County Farm Bureau, whose 500 members advocate to maintain the agricultural way of life;
• the newly formed Schuylerville Chamber of Commerce; and
• the New York Thoroughbred Breeders.

Further, I have talked to the Superintendent of the Schuylerville School District and representatives of the Schuylerville Lions' Club International. I will contact the Saratoga National Historical Park Director and the McMahon Thoroughbred Farm, where the 2004 Kentucky Derby winner, Funnycide, was foaled.

It's a grand proposal which I believe we can bring together. Sláinte, Dave Cummings.”

Fethard Bridge Club Results
We played the third round of the Club Championship on 2nd May and the results were:
1st Gross: Betty Walsh and Brigid Gorey;
2nd Gross: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;
1st Nett: Anne Connolly and Eileen Frewen;
2nd Nett: Alice Quinn and Berney Myles. 

Our end of season party will be held at the Fairways Restaurant, Slievenamon Golf Club, on Friday 11th May, and our AGM will be held in the Tirry Centre on Wednesday 16th May at 7pm sharp followed by a game of bridge

Anyone looking for a partner for the President’s Prize please contact Berney Myles at 32038.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn in the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto on Wednesday 2nd May were 2, 4, 7 and 22. There was no Jackpot winner and three ‘Match Three’ winners who received €50 each:
Marie O’Sullivan, Main St. Fethard;
Trevor Gough, Coolmoyne, Fethard;
Mr P Russell, Ballydonnell, Mullinahone.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were: 
John Tobin, 10 Fr Tirry Park, Fethard;
Audrey Devitt, Strylea, Fethard;
Paddy Cooke, 49 St Patricks Place, Fethard.

Next week’s Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000.

Community Games Area Athletics Results

Pictured at Fethard & Killusty Community Games Area Athletics are L to R: Nicola Harrington (bronze under-14 100m), Hannah Tobin (gold under-12 100m), Aine Phelan (gold under-14 100m), Kate Quigley (silver under-12 100m), Shannon O’Brien (silver under-14 100m) and Lauren Hayes (gold under-12 100m).

The results of the Fethard & Killusty Community Games Area Athletics, which took place in Fethard Community Sportsfield last week, are as follows.

Boys Under-8 60m: 1st Mark Heffernan, 2nd Darragh Lynch.
Boys Under-8 80m: 1st Eric Fogarty, 2nd Jack Ward.
Boys Under-10 100m: 1st Jack Gleeson, 2nd Luke Grant, 3rd Alex O’Donovan.
Boys Under-10 200m: 1st Dean Dorney, 2nd Matthew Lynch, 3rd Luke Coen.
Boys Under-12 100m: 1st David Heffernan, 2nd Darren Needham, 3rd Jack Connolly.
Boys Under-16 100m: 1st Kevin Hayes.
Boys Under-16 1500m: 1st Adam O’Donnell, 2nd Owen Prout.
Girls Under-8 60m: 1st Laura Butler, 2nd Rebecca Kenny, 3rd Aisling Gorey.
Girls Under-8 80m: 1st Aisling Gorey, 2nd Isabelle Kennedy.
Girls Under-10 100m: 1st Annie Prout, 2nd Nicola Thompson, 3rd Megan Coen.
Girls Under-10 200m: 1st Megan Hayes, 2nd Chloe Burke, Joint 3rd Molly O’Meara and Ruby Kennedy.
Girls Under-12 100m: 1st Hannah Tobin, 2nd Kate Quigley, 3rd Karen Hayes.
Girls Under-12 600m: 1st Karen Hayes, 2nd Clodagh Bradshaw, 3rd Kayleigh Higgins.
Girls Under-14 100m: 1st Aine Phelan, 2nd Shannon O’Brien, 3rd Nicola Harrington.

First two in each event have qualified for the County Finals which will take place in Nenagh on Sunday 27th May commencing at 1pm. Entry fee €2 to be paid at the Community Games Office.

Medal winners at the Fethard & Killusty Community Games Area Sports L to R: Megan Coen (bronze medal under-10), Dallen Shine, Annie Prout (gold medal under-10) and Nicola Thompson (silver medal under-10).


Some of the younger children photographed at the Fethard & Killusty Community Games Area Sports. L to R: Padraig Heffernan, son of well known athlete Pat and Rose Heffernan, Ballyvaden, Ben Coen, gold medal winner under-6, Amy Morrissey both from Killusty, Cassie and Lauren Needham and Michael O’Meara all from Fethard.


Denis Burke, Redcity, photographed with his grandchildren Kiefer and Ebony at Fethard & Killusty Community Games Area Athletics on Monday last.

Help Needed!
Have you got some time to spare? Are you new to the community? Would you like to have lots of fun and craic? If you are a budding actor/actress, singer or instrumentalist, come along to a meeting of the Slievenamon Musical Society on this Thursday10th May next at 8.30 pm in the Cloneen Sports and Social Club. We are also looking for people who are not interested in taking to the boards in any musical/show but would be willing to help out in other ways, e.g. creating sets, making costumes, helping with make-up, hall bookings, raffle, posters, fundraising activities, door, catering etc.

This Society has a long tradition of promoting and encouraging talent, young and old, enabling them to get involved and take pride in their own Musical Society. Remember, from little acorns oak trees grow.

Our next production will be staged in November ’07, but now is the time for forward planning and besides we love meeting up for a chat! So come along, get involved, make new friends and have fun. You might even come with us on one of our weekends away. You can’t say you weren’t asked! All are welcome.

Ar Scáth A Chéile A Mhaireann Na Ndaoine. See you there!

Enjoying the recent good weather

Pat Sheehan photographed with his mother Nancy in St. Patrick's Place, Fethard.


Fethard residents Sarah and Pat Mullins enjoying the recent good weather.

Fethard GAA Club News
In the Senior Football County Championship, Fethard eased passed Grangemockler on Saturday 5th May in Kilsheelan with a comprehensive result on the night playing a much-changed team from 2006. The final scoreline was: Fethard 3-13, Grangemockler 1-7.  We had a solid backline display from all present and with our forwards showing well for the ball, this year could be fruitful if our wayward shooting can be curtailed and be more economic with our chances. The team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Damien Byrne, Michael Aherne, Ian Kenrick, Glen Burke 0-1, Cian Maher, Benny Hahessy, Jamie McCormack, John P Looby 0-1, Christopher Sheehan 1-0, Aiden Fitzgerald 1-2, Michael Dillon, Carl Maher 0-2f, Brian Coen 1-4(4f), Kenneth O’Donnell 0-1. Subs used: Shane Walsh 0-2 for Michael Dillon (inj) 27min, Conor McCarthy for Carl Maher 50min, Shane Aylward for Chris Sheehan 50min, Eoin Doyle for Brian Coen 56min, John Noonan for Kenneth O’Donnell 56min.

Our next game in the County Championship will be against Clonmel Commercials on Saturday 26th May in Clonmel. Our first round of the South Championship will be against Ardfinnan.

Our Minor Football B South Championship game against Carrick Davins was played in Kilsheelan on Friday 4th May, which was a very close game that went in our favour in the final 10 minutes on a scoreline, Fethard 0-9, Carrick Davins 1-3.

The team was: J P McGrath (Sparagoulea), Cathal Gorey (Jesuit Walk), Adrian Lawrence (Woodvale Walk), Ciaran O’Connell (Coolmoyne), James Kelly (Rathvin), Alan O’Connor (St. Patricks Place), Dean Tobin (Woodvale Walk) 0-1, Declan Doyle 0-2 (Strylea), Aaron O’Donovan (The Valley), Eoin O’Connell (Coolmoyne), Chris Sheehan 0-4 (3f) (Woodvale Walk), Tom O’Connell (Coolmoyne), Gavin Fitzgerald (Cashel Rd), Jack O’Sullivan (Main St), Eoin Condon (Woodvale Walk). Subs used: Ben Walsh (Main Street) for Jack O’Sullivan, Kieran Ryan (Slievenamon Close) for Eoin Condon. Our next game is on the 16th May in Cloneen against Ballingarry.

In Intermediate Hurling on Sunday next 13th May at 2pm, we start the defence of our title with a game against Ballyneale in Clonmel.

Thanks for your continued support for our County Board Draw. Our promoters are now on the road and in full swing again. Tickets €100 for the year or €10 per month with great prizes on offer. First draw on Friday 25th May.

The South Board Centenary Celebrations are still ongoing and we must thank Tony Newport for a lovely Oration on DP Walsh at his graveside in Powerstown on Sunday 6th May. The Fethard graveside orations are coming up shortly.

Our Lotto Jackpot €4,800 was not won. The numbers drawn were 21, 23, 25 and 32. We had no match three winners. €30 went to the following: Abigail Doyle (The Green), Martin Ryan (Lismortagh), Megan Coen (The Green), Ann Marie Butler (Main Street), Jillian Breen (Main Street). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Helen Smith (41 Fairfields, Clonmel). Thanks to Clonmel Oil for providing the Tickets.

Our sympathy are at this time with the family of Willie O’Donnell (Cashel Rd), the family of Michael Coffey (USA formerly the Valley) on their recent bereavements. Go ndeanai Dhia trocaire are an ainmeacha.