Fun Fundraiser for Mental Health Association

M.J. Croke having his legs waxed by Carly Walsh for charity at Butler's Sports Bar last weekend.

Last weekend a packed attendance cheered on five men willing to have their legs waxed as part of a fund-raising event to support the South Tipperary Mental Health Association. The event took place in Butler’s Bar and over €6000 was raised in sponsorship by Noel Ryan, M.J. Croke, Jarleth 'Foxy' O'Connell, Joe O'Meara and Seamus Tynan. Carly Walsh was in charge of the hot wax and treated the boys so gently that some agreed to have their chests waxed as well. A large group from the Mental Health Services turned up to attend the event and took part in the night’s entertainment.


Four of the five participants who together raised €6,000 for the South Tipperary Mental Health Association by having their legs and chest waxed at Butler's Sports Bar last weekend. L to R: Noel Ryan, M.J. Croke, Jarleth 'Foxy' O'Connell and Joe O'Meara. The four were joined by Seamus Tynan.

South Tipperary Mental Health Association was set up in 1992 to help people with health problems and to promote a positive attitude towards mental health. In many ways the Mental Health Association is a back up to the Mental Health Services by organising funding for holidays, outings, dances and recreational events. In other ways the association works in partnership projects such as the Cluain Training Centre which was set up in Clonmel. Another project planned for the future is the setting up of a twelve person high support residence which will be staffed by personnel from the Mental Health Association. The association also support a positive approach to mental health by organising talks, supporting public speaking in secondary schools, and initiating the Mental Health Matters Programme and booklet.


Members of the Mental Health Services photographed at the Charity Waxing at Butler's Sports Bar in Fethard last weekend. Back L to R: Alice Cunningham, Martin Ward, Joe Cunningham (Secretary South Tipperary Mental Health Association). Front L to R: Margaret Cahill, Kathleen Ward, Ann Lonergan (Assistant Secretary South Tipperary Mental Health Association), Carol Kealy and Bridget Morrissey.

South Tipperary Mental Health Association would like to thank all who supported their fundraiser in Butler's Bar and will make sure the money goes to good use.


Photographed at the Waxing for Charity event at Butlers Bar were L to R: Ailbhe O'Donnell, Edel Roche, Alan Roche (back), Marisa Roche and Mary Doyle.


Photographed at the Waxing for Charity event at Butlers Bar were L to R: Mattie Tynan, Alan Roche, Seamus Tynan and Niall Maher

St Vincent de Paul Appeal
Our annual Church Gate Collection takes place this weekend at all Churches in the Fethard Parish. We ask you to continue your support of the Conference of Holy Trinity as you have done so generously over the years. Despite the ‘Celtic Tiger’ there are many, calls on our assistance and our work ranges from helping with the senior citizens annual holiday, fuel, help for deserving families, assistance when illness strikes a family, education help and being available when a family finds themselves in temporary need.

All the money we spend is donated to us locally and when we have completed our annual accounts in January we will publish the details of how your money is spent. We have a hardworking and considerate team of helpers who provide a completely confidential service in the tradition of our founder Blessed Frederick Ozanam.

In summary then our work is well known (though confidential), our assistance is available to those who require it, our accounts are open and transparent, our motto is to turn no person away if we can help them, but we depend on you the public to help us to help others.

You have always responded with a level of generosity which humbles us all. We are confident that 2007 will be no different. Thank you in advance. — The Conference of Holy Trinity St. Vincent De Paul, Fethard.

Billy O'Dwyer Bob Gig
The very talented singer songwriter Billy O'Dwyer Bob will perform at the Upstairs Venue Room at Feehans Pub, Cashel on Wednesday 12th December at 9.30pm. Adm €10.

Billy, who has been writing songs for many years, cites his influences as ranging from Irish songwriters such as Percy French, Johnny McEvoy, and Christy Moore to country folk legends such as Willie Nelson, John Prine, and Johnny Cash. Billy's own music is of a country folk style with a traditional flavour. Listen to Billy's songs by visiting his website CLICK HERE.

McCarthy’s Golf Society
McCarthy’s Golf Society will hold their Annual General Meeting on this Thursday 6th December at 9pm in McCarthy’s Hotel.

Fethard GAA Club News
This is your last chance to enter our ‘Busker Draw’ which takes place this coming Sunday in Clonmel with a 1st Prize of €2000. Tickets at €20 each can be purchased from any committee member. 

Our Lotto Jackpot €7,800 was not won. The numbers drawn were: 9, 11, 22 and 23, We had two match three winners who received €75 each: Colm Coen (Killusty) and Con Doyle (Woodvale Walk). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Davy Maher (8 Barrack Street, Fethard). Thanks to Fethard Wholesale Electrical for providing the tickets.

Congratulations to Loughmore / Castleiney on winning the Munster Club Senior Hurling Final in Limerick on Sunday last on a scoreline, Loughmore 1-6, Tulla (Clare) 0-7.

Celebrating 70 Years with the Ursuline Order

Sr. Monica Kevin OSU, formerly from Barrack Street, Fethard, photographed celebrating 70 years with the Ursuline Order in New York in October this year. L to R: Sr. Monica Kevin, Sr James Frances McDonald (50 Years) and Sr. Margaret Golab (50 years).

Fethard and District Rugby Club
Best of luck to Kieran Power, Shane Kavanagh and Matthew Fitzgerald who are heading off to Kerry on Friday 7th December to represent East Munster's u/17 rugby team in a match against a team from Dingle. Good luck and well done.

Hunting News
Last weeks hunting with the Tipperary Foxhounds could be best described by the old cliché regarding the curate’s egg, “very good in spots”.  From Loughcopple on Monday the “long range” and its surrounds held a brace and a half which were quickly to ground.  From Morgan’s they ran through Grangebeg to Kilmore right-handed to Annesfort. A fox from Lalor’s after a nice circle was caught on top of the stream by the bridge. Moving to Quinlan’s they found in the ruin off Annesfort road. Hunting towards Lisronagh they crossed the Tailor’s boreen to Quinlans glen. Quickly through this dense cover they hunted strongly to Baptistsgrange road and to ground near Sladagh Cross.

Horse and Jockey on Wednesday provided an excellent thirty minutes of hound work in the small plantation by the Derrynaflan Road. The fox eventually left and was hunted back to the Jockey where hounds were stopped approaching the main Dublin road.  Foxes were very hared to come by in the furze plantations, most proving blank. From St. Johnstown on Thursday the valley under the Kilkennybeg road kept hounds busy.  Hunting well in patchy scent they marked two brace to ground. From the laurels at Mortlestown they ran to the Newline road and back to cover.  From Quigley’s hounds were hunting on when their fox got to ground near Rathmoley.  The day concluded with a very fast twenty minutes from Ms Anna Skehan’s to Coolagh and right-handed through O’Donnell’s and on to Anglim’s where they checked and were stopped in fast fading light at 4.30pm.

Graduated Recently

Evelyn O'Connor, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard, who recently graduated from the Institute of Technology, Carlow, with a Bachelor of Business (Honours) Degree in Marketing. Evelyn is a past pupil of Patrician Presentation Secondary School, Fethard.

With the White Heather Harriers
The following meets to cover the Christmas period have been arranged by the Ballyluskey White Heathers:  Sunday 9th December  – Cloneen (for Ballinard); Sunday 16th December – Fethard (for Rocklow); Sunday 23rd December – Peppardstown;  St. Stephen’s Day (26th) – Drangan; Sunday 30th December – Loughcopple and Sunday January 6th at Coolbawn.  All meets at 11am. 

From Ballyluskey on Sunday last hounds and huntsmen did their very best in impossible conditions.  Very high winds and driving hard rain showers played ‘Molly Bawn’ with whatever little scent there was.  Hounds persevered throughout and, to the credit of the hounds and hunters, did succeed in marking three to ground.

Christmas Shopping

Jimmy Walsh photographed in Fethard with his two grandaughters, Ellen Walsh (left) and Maeve Walsh (right) while out shopping.

Patrician Presentation Secondary School News 

CSPE Drama
Second and Third Year classes attended the EdComs Theatre Group’s recent ‘Bin It’ drama which was performed in our school. This forum theatre production was performed in several schools in the Munster area and has proved very popular with students. The aim of this production is to educate students about the damage chewing gum can do to our environment and to encourage them to dispose of it properly. Second Year students are incorporating this drama as part of their CSPE action project, with the help of their teacher Ms McKeogh.

Ladies Volleyball
Congratulations to the senior girls volleyball team who reached the All-Ireland semifinals in UL last week. Despite topping their qualifying group and winning their first game, they were unfortunately beaten by a slow-starting Lisdoonvarna team in a close-fought tiebreaker. All but one of the twelve squad members are, however, still underage for next year and will surely find it easier to compete at their own age level. The squad was as follows: Sarah Hayes (captain), Sarah Conway, Carrie Sweeney, Chloe Gough, Lisa Anglim, Debbie Lawrence, Lesley Looby, Samantha Morrissey, Mary-Anne Keane, Esther Muller, Niamh Whyte and Angelica Bano. Well done.

The cadets team are beginning training next week.

‘Abbabuja’
Rehearsals are in full swing for this year’s school show ‘Abbabuja’ which will be staged on the 5th, 7th and 8th December at 8.15pm in the Abymill Theatre. If you like the music of Abba come and listen to all your favourites.

Student Young Entrepreneur Competition
This year eleven teams from the school will compete in the Young Entrepreneur Competition. In the junior category the following 1st Year pupils have set up a variety of interesting businesses: Ronan Fitzgerald, Lucinda Carroll, Molly O’Dwyer, Dylan Fitzgerald, Dion Butler, Eugene Walsh, Adam O’Donnell, Sean Whyte, Dylan Cahill, Gerry Horan and Lyubov Novikova.

The school will be represented in the intermediate category by Noel O’Brien, Ted Barrett, Gavin Lonergan, Garreth Lawrence, Jamie Walsh, Dean Sharpe, Shannon Keating, Stephanie Allen, Rachel Prout, Rebecca O’Donnell and Jane Fitzgerald.

Table Quiz
A table quiz, in aid of school funds, was held in the Secondary School Hall recently. There was a fine attendance of young enthusiasts and some more experienced campaigners. The questions were quite challenging and various. The picture round and Dingbat round remain very popular and a most enjoyable evening was had by all.

First table prize was won by Maura Gorey, Claire Walsh, Shirley Clooney and Marie McGrath. Second place went to Veronica and John Fogarty, Alice Moloney and Mandy Quigley. The junior students' table prize was won by three sixth class girls, Leah O'Donnell, Karen Hayes and Aobh O'Shea. Well done to all.

The raffle was a great success and we congratulate those lucky ones who carried away the beautiful prizes. We would like to thank Merck Sharp & Dohme and all the sponsors of the beautiful prizes for the quiz and raffle, and all those who helped with the occasion, which was an outstanding success. Thanks also to those who supported the raffle by buying tickets, by giving donations and by supplying and serving the refreshments.

The fine night of entertainment was devised and delivered by Richard and Margaret Prendergast and the wonderful refreshments provided by the Parents' Association. Go raibh maith agaibh uile. The school would like to thank Mr and Mrs Prendergast for organising this quiz each year. It is one of the most successful school events and provides good interaction between the local and school communities.

Don't miss the next ‘Secondary School Quiz’ in aid of the Lourdes Fund in March 2008.

School Sports News
The boys hurling team took part in a very well run hurling blitz in Cahir on Wednesday 21st November. After games against Newport and Cahir Community School they were in a shield final against Thurles Vocational School. Thurles raced into an early lead and Fethard hit back as fast. Inspired by the strong hurling of Gareth Lawrence and Kieran O’Connell in the backs, the forwards began to score, and Dylan Fitzgerald pointed some great efforts.

In the second half Thurles came back, but a goal from Dion Butler clinched victory and the team won a beautiful set of tee-shirts. In addition to those named already, Ronan Fitzgerald played well in goal, Tommy Sheehan and Padraig O’Shea helped out in the backs, Owen Healy and Damien Morrissey hit a lot of great ball from midfield and Cathal Hurley, David Hayes and sub Jamie Walsh did very well up front. Thanks to county coaches, Johnny Cummins, former Tipperary footballer, and Danny Maher for all their work in organising the blitz.