Bioenergy Facility Planning Permission Refused
Cllr John Fahey has informed us that South Tipperary County Council have refused planning permission for the proposed Bioenergy Facility at Rosegreen (Ref: 07/111) for the following reasons:

SCHEDULE OF REASON FOR REFUSAL

1. The site of the proposed development is located in the open countryside, remote from any industrially zoned lands and at a location that has no significant advantage in terms of the sustainable transportation of raw materials or final product to and from the site. Having regard to the nature of the proposed development, in particular, the size and scale of the development, the type and quantity of raw materials proposed, the consequent transportation movements generated in the sourcing of those materials and in the distribution of end product, it is considered that the proposed industrial facility, having regard to its geographic situation, would give rise to unsustainable transportation movements resulting in an inappropriate and unsustainable form of development at this unserviced rural location. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
   
   
2. It is considered that the Environmental Impact Statement accompanying the application, does not comply with the requirements of article 94 and Schedule 6 to the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 due to the lack of details of material significance and substance relating to considerations on the overall development with regard to impacts on human beings, animals, water, air, material assets, the inter-relationship between these factors, and an outline of the main alternatives studied, with particular regard to:
   
   (a) the lack of baseline environmental data for the existing site (after remediation of existing rendering plant and piggery) with special reference to groundwater and surface water quality, which would prejudice accurate monitoring of any environmental impact from the proposed development on the existing environment in the future; and
   
   (b) the failure to adequately consider alternative sites.
   
   Having regard to the requirements of article 94 and Schedule 6 to the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, and by virtue of the insufficient details in the Environmental Impact Statement submitted with the planning application, the planning authority is precluded from considering a grant of permission in this instance.
   
   
3. It is the policy of South Tipperary County Council to conserve and enhance the amenity of county river corridors as set out in Policy ENV 5: Water Corridors of the County Development Plan 2003. It is considered that the receiving environment, in terms of surface water discharges to the River Moyle, does not have the capacity to adequately assimilate any effluent discharge and therefore, any discharge to the River Moyle cannot be permitted. The proposed development would contravene the policy of the Council with regards to the conservation and enhancement of water corridors including the River Moyle, and would therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
   
   
4. It is an objective of the South Tipperary County Development Plan 2003 as set out in policy ECON 7: Commercial uses in the Open Countryside, to resist commercial or industrial development in the open countryside, which would be inappropriate by virtue of size, scale and hours of operation, traffic congestion or nature of use. Having regard to:
   
   (a) the inadequacy of the details submitted with regard proposed traffic levels to the plant.
   
   (b) the inadequacy of the details submitted with regard to the size and scale of the development and its related impacts on the surrounding environment,
   
   (c) the inadequacy of details submitted with regards the size and scale of the previous use on the site.
   
   (d) the inadequacy of the description of sources of feedstock required for the plant.
   
   (e) the lack of clarity on the use of soil conditioner to be produced on the site, and its methodology of disposal.
   
   the planning authority is not satisfied that the proposed development would be acceptable on the current site by virtue of size; scale, traffic congestion or nature of use, and therefore, the proposed development would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. 
   
   

Heraldic Walking Tour for 'Walled Towns Day'
Gerard Crotty will give a heraldic talk/walk on Fethard’s Coats of Arms on Sunday August 26th.  The talk will begin outside the Town Hall at 12pm and will proceed to Holy Trinity Church and the Augustinian Abbey.  Fethard has an abundance of interesting Coats of Arms and Gerard is working to produce an illustrated booklet on the subject to be published by the Historical Society later in the year.  Gerard has already visited Fethard on several occasions and whenever he spoke he enthralled his audiences with his enthusiasm for his subject and his depth of knowledge.  This is one of the many events planned for Walled Towns Day on Sunday 26th August.


Pupils from St Patricks Boys School Fethard holding their shields which they will parade through the Main Street at 2pm on Walled Towns Day, 26th August. Pupils are reminded to come to the Town Square at 1.15 on that day where they will be handed the shields they designed in preparation for the parade. Dress in costume and you could win some good prizes on the day. Tell your family and friends to come along.

Community Games

Boys under-15 Volleyball Team who will compete in the National Finals of the HSE Community Games in Mosney. L to R: Tony Myler, Garreth Lawrence, Darren Thompson, Dean Sharpe, Damien Morrissey and Andrew Maher.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games area have the largest number of competitors and officials in the county travelling to the national finals of the HSE Community Games.  Our two artists are Roisin McDonnell, Ard Alainn, and Laura Rice, Everardsgrange. Athletes are Eric Fogarty, Barrack St., Darragh Lynch, Coolmore, and Adam O'Donnell, Redcity.  Judo competitors are Padraig O’Shea, The Valley, and Gary Bradshaw, The Green.  Girls Volleyball Team: Kelly Fox, Jean Anglim, Jane Kenny, Fiona Crotty, Grainne Horan, Kelly Fogarty, Aisha Tobin, Sarah O’Meara and Kelly Coady.  Boys Volleyball Team: Garreth Lawrence, Dean Sharpe, Darren Thompson, Damien Morrissey, Andrew Maher and Tony Myler.  Damien Byrne, Manager, Fiona Ryan, Asst Manager, Joe Keane, Co. Security Manager, Aobh O’Shea, Presentation Girl and Helena O’Shea and Patricia Bradshaw, National Judo Officials.  Programme of events for both events may be had from the Community Games Office, Grove Road, or may be downloaded from the website www.communitygames.ie. 

We would like to take this opportunity to wish the very best of luck to all our competitors.  Bus will leave the GAA Park on Friday morning at 11am and will arrive home on Sunday night. 

The late Mick Aherne
The death occurred on Friday August 10th of Mick Aherne, Prospect, Fethard.  A stalwart of community life in Fethard for many years, Mick gave a substantial and notable contribution to a variety of activities in his adopted home.  Prior to being removed to Fethard Parish Church, on Sunday evening, his remains reposed in Fethard Ballroom, a place so special to Mick.  The unprecedented numbers who turned up to pay their respects bore testament to the high regard in which he was held.  Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery following Requiem Mass on Monday.  Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife Monica, sons P.J., Gerry and Michael, family, extended family and friends.  May he Rest in Peace.

Two Continents, One Gospel: On-going Augustinian Mission Appeal
Two years ago, following a pastoral visit to Ecuador, Fr. Gerry Horan made an appeal on behalf of his Irish Augustinian colleagues working there.  Your generosity in July ’05 was outstanding and contributed greatly towards the daily provision of food for children who might otherwise remain malnourished.  The Golf Classic in 2005 enabled the Augustinians to fund a nutritious school meal project.  The Friends of The Abbey are hoping that our up-coming Golf Classic will secure the continuation of these school meals for a few years to come.

Fr. Gerry’s travels in the past two years have also taken him to Kenya, where the Irish Augustinians are making heroic efforts to better the situation of the local people.  The organising committee are hopeful that the Augustinian parish of Baba Doga will also benefit from this year’s fund raising Golf Classic and raffle.  To quote Fr. Gerry, “My abiding memory of both Ecuador and Kenya is the poor standard of living and the big difference which even a modest financial contribution can make.  Every cent collected two years ago went directly to our men in the field, something which will apply again on this occasion”. 

The Friends of the Abbey are currently organising a Golf Classic at Slievenamon Golf Course on Friday 31st August 2007.  Format – a three-ball scramble.  Entry fee €75 per team.  For further information and entry forms, please contact any member of the committee:  Brendan Kenny, Paddy Broderick, Bernard Walsh, Agnes T. Evans, Kitty Delany and Mary Healy.

Epsom to Tipperary Cycle
We have had contact from Pete Townsend who will set off from Epsom in Surrey, England on the 27th August and over the course of the following five days will cycle to Fethard, arriving on 1st September.  This cycle is in aid of two charities: The Jack and Jill Foundation and Warspite Sea Scouts.  A fundraising party is planned for the The Well, Burke Street, to mark Pete’s arrival in Fethard.  More information is available on www.itsalongwaytotipperary.blogspot.com  

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto Results
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 8th August were: 1, 14, 18 and 22. There was no Jackpot winners and no Match 3 winners. Three tickets were drawn to win €50 each:
Helen Grace, Barrack Street, Fethard;
Damien Trehy, The Green, Fethard;
John Slattery, Barrettstown, Fethard.

The €50 Luck Dip winners were:
Brendan Breen, Fethard;
Thomas Keating, Cloneen;
David Mackey, 2 Friars Field, Fethard. 

Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

Tipperary Show Working Hunter League
The Tipperary Show Working Hunter League results were finalised at Tipperary Show last week.  The League commenced with Clonmel Show on the 1st July, continued with Killusty Show on the 7th and the Tipperary IPS Show at Ballylanigan, Mullinahone on the 8th August.  In hindsight it was very fortunate that all these shows were able to go ahead given the very inclement weather which forced cancellations all over the country, Tullamore being only the latest victim.  After all the calculations were carried out the rugs, which carry the Tipperary Shows League logo, will be going to the winners as follows: 133cms, Patricia Burke's Golden Grove Maurice; 143cms, Lady N. Colthurst's Rylane Kelly.  153 cms, Ginny Hutton's Murphy Himself and Intermediate, Tom McGuinness' Gentleman Jimmy.  It is interesting to note that both Rylane Kelly and Murphy Himself are purebred Connemara ponies and in both cases these ponies won points at three of the four shows. 

Fethard GAA News
The Intermediate Hurling fixture against Kilsheelan was postponed as a mark of respect to our former Club Chairman, Michael Aherne, Prospect, who passed to his eternal resting place over the weekend.  We extend our deepest sympathy to his family at this time.  Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar a anam.

Intermediate Hurling resumes on this Sunday, 19th August, in Monroe when we play Ballybacon-Grange at 7pm.  The South Senior Hurling Final, Killenaule v Ballingarry takes place on this Sunday 19th in Fethard at 3.30pm.  A very large crowd is expected so we request your support and assistance on the day.  Please contact our Chairman, Michael O’Dwyer, or any club member if you are available to assist.

The Minor B Hurlers had a great victory in the South semifinal on Friday last, played in Kilsheelan, on a scoreline, Fethard 5-14, Carrick Davins 1-1.  Our young boys gave a first class display of all that is good about the game of hurling.  The future looks very bright indeed on this positive note and the hope of a South Title on Friday 24th August against Carrick Swans in Kilsheelan at 6.30pm.  Team: JP McGrath, Gavin Fitzgerald, James Kelly, Kieran O’Connell, Tom O’Connell, Eoin O’Connell, Adrian Lawrence, Dean Tobin (0-4f), James O’Keeffe, Alan O’Connor (1-5), Declan Doyle (1-1), Aaron O’Donovan (0-1), Matthew Fitzgerald, Christopher Sheehan (1-3), Kieran Ryan (1-0).  Subs: Cathal Gorey (1-0), Joe Fogarty and Michael Fitzgerald. 

Minor Football B South Semi-final takes place this Saturday, August 18th, in Kilsheelan at 5.30pm.

Our Under 21 B Hurlers played on Wednesday 8th August, in Clonmel.  After a good first half, a lack of the field took its toll in the second half leaving a scoreline, Fethard 2-5, Ballybacon-Grange 2-12.  This gives us a second chance when we play Cahir on Sunday 26th August in Ned Hall Park at 6.30pm. Team: Daragh Corbett, Mike Kelly, Declan Doyle, James Kelly, Paul Kenrick, William O’Brien, Adrian Lawerence, Peter Gough, John Leahy, Dean Tobin (0-4f), Richard Gorey, Alan O’Connor (0-1), Michael Fleming, Edmond Sheehan (1-0), Christopher Sheehan.  Subs: Liam Ryan, Glen O’Meara (1-0) and Tom Gilpin.

Junior B Hurlers have no further participation in the South Championship. 

Lotto Jackpot, €6200, was not won.  Numbers drawn were 13, 14, 17 and 20.  There was one match three, €150, won by Rita Doyle, Woodvale Walk.  €50 ‘Lucky Dip’ was won by Philly Kenny, The Green.  We would like to thank Harrington Developments for sponsoring the Tickets.

Thank You from The Irish Pilgrimage Trust
Sincere thanks from The Irish Pilgrimage Trust to the very generous people of Fethard & Killusty for the wonderful support given at the recent Church Gate Collection at which €878.46 was collected.  The Trust takes young people, with special needs, to Lourdes at Easter every year.  Quite a number of young people from the area have travelled with the Trust.  Application forms are now available for future trips.  Would you like to nominate a young person?  If so, contact Sr. Betty at Presentation Convent or phone Marie-Therese at 051 646074.

Walled Towns Day – Sunday 26th August

Fethard Historical Society members preparing flags for Walled Towns Day on Sunday 26th August.

Various activities are well underway in preparation for the Fethard Walled Towns Day which will take place, during National Heritage Week, on Sunday 26th August next.  Members of Fethard Historical Society are being kept busy preparing flags for use on the day.  These flags, echoing the heraldic theme of the day, will be hanging from the town wall which will be the setting for most of the day's events.  The parade, led by the 6ft long Loughnashade Trumpet, followed by the pupils with their coats of arms, will leave the town square at 2pm.  Both medieval and topical entries are welcome as part of the parade so start planning your entry now!  There are several €50 vouchers to be won on the day for best entries.  Other events confirmed for the festival day will be a demonstration of how prehistoric musical instruments were used in Ireland by the Sounds Ancient group from North Galway.  A puppet show will take place at 3pm, while The Lee Valley String Band will also play their music for the afternoon.  Many other organized events are also planned for the day.  Pupils who made a Coat of Arms in their school in June are reminded to come to The Square at 1.15pm on Sunday 26th August where they will be given their shield to take part in the parade. 

The Lee Valley String Band to play for 'Walled Towns Day' in Fethard on 26th August

“My home's across the Blueridge Mountains" . . . and quite a way’s further, in fact!  Cork, the summer of 1968, and founding member Chris Twomey, along with brothers Niall and Colm Toner entered a ballad group competition, taking the present band name as their ‘nom de guerre’.  Since then the band has been a fixture on the Irish music scene, hosting their own TV show for RTE (live from the Cork Opera House, with guests Jimmy McCarthy and Errol Walsh), and featuring regularly at the Cork Folk Festival.  They appeared at Queens Festival Belfast in 1998, and as special guests of the Tonder Festival, Denmark in 2000 (along with Emmy Lou Harris and Tim O’Brien).  In 2004, they played in the Ulster Folk Park as part of the 13th Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival.  An EP, "At Last", was issued in 1983 and in 1998, to mark their 30th anniversary, the band launched their CD ‘Corner Boys’, with the help of well known Nashville producer Jim Rooney.  The current line-up includes original member Chris Twomey autoharp; Mick O'Brien, guitar; Mick Daly, banjo; Kevin Gill, dobro; Hal O’Neill, fiddle; Brendan Butler, mandolin and Pete Brennan, bass.  Chris, Brendan, the two Micks, Kevin and Pete all share vocal duties. More recently the band featured on the Hummingbird / RTE project ‘Other Voices 3’, on RTE television in April 2005, and in July of that year, they shared the stage of the Cork Opera House with The Blind Boys Of Alabama.  The official website, currently being up-dated by Kevin Gill, is available at: www.leevalley.150m.com 

Juvenile GAA Summer Camp
The annual GAA Summer Camp will take place from Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th August in the Barrack Field.  This year the format will be, Thursday and Friday evening from 4.30pm to 8pm for the Under 10’s and from 4.30pm to 9pm for the 10 to 14 year olds.  On Saturday, August 25th, the camp, to which everyone is invited, will run from 10am to 4.30pm for all ages.  Activities on the day will include a bouncy castle, a barbeque, a raffle and prizes.  Places can be secured by contacting Caroline Sheehan (Ph. 086 1713502) and a reduced rate for members applies. 

One of the colourful events will include the prehistoric Loughnashade Trumpet heralding a Medieval Heraldic Parade from The Square at 2pm and travelling to the Town Wall via Main Street and The Valley. The parade will display the large variety of Heraldic Coats of Arms made of the pupils of St Patrick’s Boys School, Nano Nagle National School and Killusty National School. There will also be special €50 voucher prizes each for the best adult male and female medieval costume and for the best under-15 boy’s and girl’s medieval costume taking part in the parade.


Pupils from Killusty National School preparing for Fethard Walled Towns Day parade which will be held on Sunday 26th August in conjunction with lots of other events by Fethard Town Wall.

A big attraction on the day will be the renowned Lee Valley String Band from Cork who will entertain the crowd from 3pm to 5pm by the Town Wall. The Lee Valley String Band have played at festivals all over Ireland and appeared regularly on Radio and Television.

Gerard Crotty makes a very welcome return to Fethard to lead a guided walk on Fethard’s heraldic coats of arms starting at 12 noon from outside the Town Hall. Gerard is an expert in his field and his talk is not to be missed.

The Town Hall (downstairs) will house an exhibition of drawings of Fethard by students from Patrician Presentation Secondary School art classes from 10am to 2pm, where our local young musicians will also play live music from 1pm to 2pm.

Down by the Town Wall, Solas Art group will make an artistic 18ft colourful shell Mandela, commencing early morning. There will also be lots of entertainment, craft stalls and refreshments available.

Shay Hurley, Clonmel Workman’s Boat Club, will host a Clashawley River Walk at 2.30pm and there will also be an opportunity to meet and talk to the local expert on flora and fauna of South Tipperary, Liam Burke.

These events, coordinated by Fethard Historical Society, are kindly part-sponsored by The Heritage Council of Ireland, Failte Ireland and South Tipperary County Council.

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