To all my friends and family . . .
Eldoret is quiet now since the mediation team headed by Kofi Annan swung into action. He managed to get over the first hurdle in getting the two main people to meet and talk. The hardest part is yet to come and that is to persuade one side or the other or both to back down from their 'hardline' stance.

We had seen some light at the end of the tunnel but that may prove to be only an express train approaching . . . I hope not!

Kenya's fourth largest town, Nakuru, in the centre of the country and 157 kms from Eldoret is under army curfew, a dusk to dawn situation. It is the first time that the military has been called out during this troubling time. Some years ago they were called out to the same area. Some media houses (e.g. the BBC World Service, Jan 26th am) may be reporting that the Rift Valley is under military curfew . . . that is not true. In actual fact, many parts of the Rift Valley, which is huge in area, are peaceful and stable.

Here in Eldoret there are sporadic isolated attacks and cases of arson still taking place and some of these have been happening in and around Kabongo where we have our Primary School and Dispensary. There are still many thousands of Refugees in the Eldoret Showgrounds and the vast majority of these have no homes to return to.

As for ourselves here in Eldoret (the suburbs, really) we are not personally or physically affected in any way. We are trying to carry on with or work as best we can. As I have said in previous updates, the main affect we suffer is to see the general mayhem having such devastating effect on people we might happen to know.

We appreciate all the messages of concern we have received from around the world and are very thankful for all the material/financial support we have received as well. It was never more needed as we try to help people rebuild their lives. For our part, our main concern is to get as many of our children back into school as son as possible so that the past four weeks may be obliterated from their young minds. We had expected to have 455 kids in our school on 7th January, but at this point we have not yet reached 300. They are returning slowly but many will not return for a variety of reasons. That is a great pity indeed.

Once again, may I express our thanks for the messages we have been getting regularly from all of you 'out there'. May God Bless you and may He also Bless Kenya and her people and protect them from self-destructing.

God Bless, (Bro.) Paul D. Brennan.

Convent Hall Project
Fethard & Killusty Community Council is currently awaiting planning permission to commence with the Convent Hall Youth Project. The committee has also been in contact with youth agencies in the region to prepare a funding application for a much needed Youth Officer for the area.

Augustinian Abbey Party

Photographed at the Augustinian Abbey annual party are Back L to R: Mary Healy, Agnes Evans. Front L to R: Nell Broderick, Kitty Delany and Mary Butler.


Photographed at the Augustinian Abbey annual party are L to R: Kathleen Kenny, Joan Anglim and Berney Myles.


Photographed at the Augustinian Abbey annual party are L to R: Fr. Timmy Walsh OSA, Paddy Broderick and Fr. John Meagher OSA.


Photographed at the Augustinian Abbey annual party are L to R: Kathleen Maher, Joan Halpin,, Josie Fitzgerald, Marion O'Connor (RIP), Chrissie Cummins and Frances Murphy.

Fethard GAA Club News
The adjourned AGM of Fethard GAA Club will take place on Saturday, 2nd February, in the Abymill at 8pm. The county leagues are also starting on this coming weekend with both our senior and minor football teams both taking part.

Last week’s lotto numbers drawn were. 8, 18, 22 and 25. We had no match three winner so the following tickets drawn won €30 each: John Phelan (Butlerstown, Ballyneale), Cora McGarry (9 Barrack Street, Fethard), Cinta O Flynn (Abbey Street, Fethard), Denis O’Meara (51 St. Patrick’s Place Fethard), Rita Doyle (Woodvale Walk, Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Rita Doyle (Woodvale Walk, Fethard).

This week’s lotto jackpot of €8,300 was not won. The numbers drawn were 4, 11, 19 and 26. The three €50 ‘Match Three’ tickets drawn were won by, Vera O’Connell (Cattaganstown, Moyglass), Donal McAndrew (Mullinahone), Tom Purcell (Burke Street, Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by John McAndrew (Mullinahone). All tickets were kindly sponsored by Fethard Wholesale Electrical Ltd.

Our condolences are at this time are with the O’Connor (nee McCarthy) family, St. Patrick’s Place, on the untimely passing of Marion. Go ndeana Dia trocaire orthu.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club
Fethard Juvenile GAA Club will hold their annual general meeting on Thursday, 24th January 2008, in the Tirry Community Centre at 7.30pm.  All parents of juvenile members are invited to attend this AGM, so please come along and support your club.

Patrician Bicentenary on 30th January
On Wednesday, 30th January, the Patrician Presentation Secondary School will host a ceremony to celebrate the Bi-centenary of the Patrician Brothers 1808- 2008.

The Patrician Order was founded on 2nd February, 1808, by Daniel Delaney in Tullow, Co. Carlow. Then, in 1873, three Patrician Brothers: Br. Augustine Holton, Br. Vincent Riordan and Br. Arsenious Fitzpatrick established a monastery in Fethard on the site of the old Presentation laundry. Thus for one hundred and twenty years the Patrician Brothers together with the Presentation Sisters provided education for the people of Fethard and made an enormous contribution to the cultural formation of the town.

The people of Fethard and the surrounding areas are cordially invited to join in the Patrician celebrations on Wednesday, 30th January. The celebrations will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Patrician plot in the grounds of the Holy Trinity Parish Church followed by a concelebrated Mass at 11am in the adjoining church. Afterwards at 12.30pm you are welcome to partake of light refreshments in the Secondary School.

Open Night at Patrician Presentation Secondary School
Patrician Presentation Secondary School will hold an open night for prospective incoming pupils and their parents on Monday night 28th January at 8pm. All enquiries to the school office Tel: (052) 31572.

Senior Citizen’s Raffle Results
The winners of prizes in the Senior Citizens Christmas raffle are as follows:
1st Prize: Aaron Hammond, c/o Rita Kelly;
2nd Prize: John Breen, The Buildings, Grange, Barna near Thurles;
3rd Prize: Emma Guiry, Dublin;
4th Prize: Noreen Cleary, c/o Costcutters, Friar Street, Thurles;
5th Prize: L. Doyle, Mountain View, Rosegreen, Cashel.

The committee would like to thank everyone who helped make this raffle such a success.

Fethard Bridge Club Results
On Wednesday 16th January we played for prizes sponsored by Annie O’Brien and Marie Delaney. The results are as follows:

1st Nett: Nell Broderick and David O’Meara (and also winners of the sponsored prizes);
2nd Nett: Betty Walsh and Brigid Gorey;
1st Gross: Bernie O’Meara and Anna Cooke;
2nd Gross: Alice Quinn and Berney Myles.

On Wednesday 6th February we play the first round of the Club Championship. Anyone looking for a partner please contact Berney Myles at 32038.

Hunting News
Following a stirrup cup and refreshments, Tipperary Foxhounds moved off from their lawn meet at Coolmore on Monday 14th January.  Finding immediately in the grove adjoining the meet the fox got to ground very quickly.  Bolting from a very strong mark he found a safer refuge within a hundred yards. Moving on to Peppardstown a brace were quickly on foot under Peppardstown House. Running down to the fort at O’Donnell’s he crossed the road and to ground in Parson’s Hill. A fox from St. Johnstown quarry provided a fine run. Running down to the Bawnbrack road he wheeled right handed over the hill.  Turning left short of the Ballyluskey road hounds hunted very quickly towards Shanakyle. Left-handed here, on Lyons’ hill, hounds fairly raced back towards St. Johnstown marking this good fox to ground in Gorey’s. Next draw, the fort at Coolbawn Cross, also held a brace. Hunting down to the river at St. Johnstown they ran through Guiry’s and Blackmore’s past the cattle sheds. Wheeling left here they ran to the Fethard / Killenaule road which they crossed near the entrance to Blackmore’s.  Through the covert at Lismortagh they ran back towards Coolbawn and to ground near Thomand O’Meara’s gallops.  Moving on to Niko Quigley’s they ran back through Mortlestown and to ground in the fort near Lismortagh Stud.  As horses and riders had more than enough of the very heavy going, home was blown at 3.15pm. An excellent days hunting concluded with sumptuous hunting tea at Ginny Hutton’s, Knockelly.

From Rossmore on Wednesday hounds were hunting strongly all day. Starting from the bridge over the Multeen near the old creamery they were away straight away. While the hunting may not have been the best for point or distance hounds were hunting continuously in the miles rather than acres of woods and forests. These extend along the hillside right up by Rossmore and Stouke to Turraheen.

The day concluded with a short hunt from Dromwood. As a mark of respect to the Slattery family Thursday’s meet at Barne was cancelled.

From Rosegreen on Saturday the Tipps had another good day. Following a nice circle from Lyonstown to Ballyfowloo and back they had a good run from Tullamaine in the afternoon. Running to Kilbragh and right through Martley’s and Slattery’s and back to the covert. Finding again on a hedgerow they hunted back by Tullamaine Castle through the motte and to ground by Tipperary Raceway.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Monday 14th January of Mrs Marion (McCarthy) O'Connor, 44 St. Patrick's Place, Fethard. Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery.
Our sympathy to her husband Martin, daughter Evelyn, sons Ian and Alan, sisters Angela, Margaret, Teresa, brothers, Tony, Don and Michael (twin).

With the White Heathers
Finding in Mr. Morgan’s from Loughcopple on Sunday they enjoyed an excellent run.  Running to the Kiltinan Road at Mr. Quirke’s, Charlie decided not to cross but did a U-turn.  Back through Morgan’s they ran deep into Carroll’s, Grangebeg.  Turning here, back through Mr. Slattery’s they crossed the Annesfort Road at Rathcanty.  Crossing the flooded river they hunted down the old railway line where their fox once again crossed the river to Annsfort where they lost him in just under an hour.  The railway line up to Monroe was blank.  Moving to Quinlan’s Glen hounds marked a fox in the ivy on the ancient Church ruin in Baptistgrange Graveyard.  Charlie took a lot of persuading to leave his lofty perch.  Jumping down eventually he ran straight into the Glen.  Scent was good on Sunday and hounds hunted well here.  Their fox eventually left, did a right-handed circle and back to the Glen.  They pushed him out once again.   This time he crossed the Tailor’s Boreen and ran down to the Tipperary Point-to-Point Course.  Turning here he retraced his steps once again to Quinlan’s Glen where he was given best.  Donie and his staff had just about enough after a very long and busy day in very heavy going.  This included emptying the water from their full rubber boots at least three times.  Latest reports say they’ll survive.  The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers meet next Sunday, January 27th, at Clonacody.

Senior Day at Fethard & District Day Care Centre
The Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold a ‘Senior Day’ on Friday 25th January from 11am. The chiropodist will be available at a cost of €10 and the district nurse will also be in attendance. A hot meal will also be provided at a cost of €5.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto Results
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 16th January were: 12, 14, 20 and28. We had no Jackpot winner and two ‘Match 3’ winners €75 each: Eleanor Wynne, Carrick Street, Mullinahone, and Mark Barrett, Market Hill, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Dermot Darcy, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Olwyn Wall, Chapel Lane, Fethard;
Mary Woodlock, Rathdrum, Fethard.

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

The Parish of Kilconnell
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.

The Parish of Kilconnell is in three separate divisions, all in the Barony of Middlethird. The larger portion of it and which contains the old Parish Church is bounded on the southwest and west by the Parishes of Railestown and St. Patrick's Rock; on the north by the Parish of Brickendown; on the northeast and east by the Parishes of Magorban and Rathcoole, and on the south by the Parish of Tullamaine.

The name of this Parish is of ecclesiastical origin being compounded of Cill, a church or cell, and Chonaill, the genitive case of Conall, the name of a Saint.

Of the old Church of this Parish there remains but a fragment of the south wall attached to southwest corner. It is only nine feet in length arid eight feet in height. The thickness of this wall is three feet and its masonry would indicate it to be of modern date. It can be ascertained from the foundations of the other walls that this Church was forty feet in length and eight feet in breadth.

At the distance of twenty-eight paces from the site of this Church to the north there is a small burial place not enclosed by any wall or rampart, in the middle of a meadow. There is an old ash tree growing at the north side of it but it is of no interest to the antiquarian.

About two hundred and fifty paces to the southeast of this old Church stands on a rising ground the Castle of Kilconnell. It is a square structure in good preservation and measures on the outside thirty-six feet from east to west and thirty-two feet from north to south. Its walls are built of limestone and well grouted; they are six feat six inches thick and not less than seventy feet in height. This castle had six floors, the second of which rested on a strong arch; the others were of wood. The windows are some rectangular and some pointed. (See sketch by George Du Noyer, c.1840 available from the Royal Society of Antiquities of Ireland).

Tradition avers that this castle belonged to the MacCarthys but this cannot be true as the MacCarthys were driven out of their original territory of Eóganacht Chaisil long before It was erected. (The antiquities of this Parish were examined by Mr. A. Curry and his notes transcribed by me, John O'Donovan, Cashel, Sept. 17th 1840.)