Fethard on RTE Radio Tuesday 15th at 10pm

Liam O'Brien, Producer of the RTE Radio 1 programme 'The Architect's Eye' recently recorded a programme in Fethard with the main focus on the town wall. The whole premise of the series is that each building site is viewed through the eye of an architect. In the case of Fethard, his guest was Jacqui Donnelly, Conservation Architect with the Architectural Heritage Advisory Unit of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The programme on Fethard town wall will air on April 15th at
10pm on RTE Radio 1.

READ MORE ABOUT THE FETHARD PROGRAMME

Art & Model Making County Finals

Matilda Magnier from Peppardstown, Fethard, photographed at the County Finals of the Community Games Art and Model Making held in Fethard Ballroom last Satuday.

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Competitors from Fethard and Killusty Area did very well at the County Finals of the Art and Model Making competition, which took place in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday last, April 5th. Competitors won a total of five medals overall, unfortunately no one made it to Mosney this time but everybody gave a very good account of themselves.  Six-year-old Darragh Hurley, Strylea, won a silver medal in the Under-8 Art, Emma Hatton, Ardsallagh won a silver medal in the Under-10 Model Making, while her sister Charlotte won a bronze medal in the Under-12 event. Sarah Slattery, Jossestown won Bronze in the Girls Under-8 Art and Larissa Clancy, Barrack Street won bronze in girls Under-12 Art.  Congratulations to all medallists and well done to all who competed. New Venue for National Finals of the HSE Community Games from 2010 onwards will be announced on this coming Friday, 10th April, in the Hudson Bay Hotel, Athlone.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 9th April were: 8, 19, 20 and 28. We had no Jackpot winner and two ‘Match 3’ winners who received €75 each:
Nicky O’Shea, Tullow, Fethard;
Margaret Doocey, Abbey Road, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Siobhan Pollard, The Green, Fethard;
Patricia Maher, Rocklow Road, Fethard;
Jimmy Mullins, Knockbrack, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

New Businesses opened in Fethard
Best wishes to Michael Lyons, Ard Alainn, Fethard, who has started a new business specialising in all types of wooden flooring, including laminate, solid and semi-solid. Michael has now branched out on his own after being a fitter for Minogue Carpets and Flooring for the past six years. He feels this new project gives him more scope to develop his business rather than being linked to only one supplier. Michael can be contacted on Tel: (052) 32131 or 086 8268857 and by email: micheallyons@yahoo.co.uk

Congratulations also to Herbert Schubert who has opened an antique furniture shop ‘As Time Goes By’ in the late Sean Henehan’s premises on The Square, recently purchased and renovated by Thomas Anglim. It is great to see the shop back in operation and is well worth a visit.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council
The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place on Tuesday 22nd April at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre.

British & Irish Masters Dancing Championships

Congratulations to Amy, Laura and Amy who took part in the British & Irish Masters Dancing Championships in Killarney last weekend. The girls are members of On Your Toes Dance Academy and between them brought home seven trophies to Fethard. They came 1st in their team dance, Amy Grant came 4th in her uunder-16 street dance, Laura Mullins came 5th in her under-16 freestyle and Laura Mullins and Amy Lyons came 5th in their under-16 doubles freestyle. Well done girls!

Acorn Childcare Committee Meeting
The next meeting of the ‘Acorn’ childcare committee will take place in the Tirry Community Centre at 8pm on Thursday 17th April. Acorn are planning to build a custom designed childcare facility and playground near our local schools on the Rocklow Road. This project is part of the new development plans for the Rocklow Road currently being prepared by representatives from local committees and South Tipperary County Council.

Outing to Newgrange

Pictured above, outside the Entrance Stone at Newgrange, are 4th year and 5th year art students from the Patrician Presentation Secondary School in Fethard. Front L to R: Anne Marie Lempach, Kelley Coady, Andy Walsh, Stephen Brady, Niamh Fanning, Ms Mary Lysaght, Michelle Garrett, Gráinne Horan, Sarah O’Meara, Aisling Dwyer, Laura Rice and Melissa Wallace. Back L to R:: Jake Maher, Darren Connelly, Kevin Hayes, Theresa Adam O’Donnell, Joseph Sheen, Colm Horan, James Cotter and Angelica Bano.

On Thursday 3rd April pupils from Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School, accompanied by teachers Ms Pat Looby and Ms Mary Lysaght, enjoyed a visit to Brú na Bóinne (the palace or the mansion of the Boyne), Co. Meath. It is the name given to one of the world’s most important archaeological landscapes, dominated by the spectacular prehistoric passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth.


Back L to R: Gráinne Horan, Aisling Dwyer, Niamh Fanning, Melissa Wallace, Michelle Garrett. Front L to R: Laura Rice and Sarah O’Meara.

The pupils were interested to learn that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has designated the Brú na Bóinne area a World Heritage Site. Sites selected for World Heritage listing are deemed to be of outstanding value to humanity and are approved on the basis of their merits as the best possible examples of cultural or national heritage. On the 21st December every year, for the last 5000 years, the rising sunlight enters the passageway at Newgrange and illuminates the interior. One of the highlights of the tour for the pupils was the re-enactment of this extraordinary event.


The 5th Year art class and TY students at Newgrange.


Front L to R: Joseph Sheen, James Cotter, Colm Horan, Theresa Brann, Angelica Bano, Adam O’Donnell. Back L to R: Sarah O’Meara, Aisling Dwyer, Niamh Fanning, Laura Rice, Melissa Wallace, Michelle Garrett, Gráinne Horan, Anne Marie Lempach, Owen Prout and Ms Mary Lysaght outside Newgrange.


Left to Right: James Cotter, Angelica Bano, Theresa, Anne-Marie Lempach and Colm Horan at Knowth.

Colm Horan and James Cotter outside the entrance of Newgrange.

Fethard GAA Club News
Under 21 B hurling game against Ballybacon Grange takes place on Saturday 12th April in Marlfield at 6.30pm. The Senior Football County League semifinal is against Commercials and please check sports page for details. Our Minor ‘A’ footballers will take on Clonmel Og on Wednesday 16th April in Monroe at 6.45pm.

The Intermediate Hurling County League game played in Dr Morris Park resulted in a resounding win for Thurles Sarsfield on a scoreline, Fethard 0-11, Thurles Sarsfield 3-15. The team was: Eoin O’Connell, Michael Aherne, Michael Ryan, William Harrington, Aiden Lonergan, Shane Walsh, Dean Tobin, John P Looby, Cian Maher, John Leahy, Aiden Fitzgerald, Miceál Spillane, Brian Coen, Michael Dillon and Alan O’Connor. Sub was P. J. Aherne.

The church gate collection last weekend together with the proceeds of a card game in Lisronagh, kindly presented by Moyle Rovers Club, amounted to a total of €1500 which will go towards Bro Paul’s (Paulinus) missionary work with the Patrician Brothers in Eldoret (Kenya). We are truly grateful to all who donated and if there is still anyone out there that would like to be associated with the cause to help those in Eldoret, who are badly in need as a result of the recent civil unrest, you can still contribute by contacting Denis Burke at (052) 31852 or Gus Fitzgerald at (052) 31354.

The numbers drawn in last week’s lotto were 11, 14, 18 and 20. We had one ‘Match Three’ winner of €150 which went to Justin Walsh, c/o Merrys Garage, Clonmel. The €50 Lucky dip was won by Siobhán Meagher, Baptistgrange, Lisronagh.

This week’s Lotto Jackpot €9,400 was not won. The numbers drawn were 8, 21, 22 and 27. There was no match three winner so the following tickets were drawn and each won €30: Con Doyle (Woodvale Walk Fethard), Lucy Burke (Fethard), Alice Moloney (Red City Fethard), Martin Power (Moyglass, Fethard) and John Phelan (Butlerstown Ballyneale). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Michael Dillon (Tullamaine, Fethard). We would like to thank Fethard & District Credit Union for supplying the tickets.

Enrolment for First Steps Playschool
We are now taking enrolments at the First Steps Playschool in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, for September 2008. We have friendly qualified staff and cater for children aged from 2 years 10 months to 6 years. Places available now so please call Cora (Breen) McGarry for further information. Tel (086) 1686688.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 2nd April were: 6, 12, 15 and 27. We had no Jackpot winner and seven ‘Match 3’ winners who received €22 each:
Niall Connolly, c/o Eileen Connolly;
Chelsea Kenny, Castlehiggins, Fethard;
Sam, Faye & Charlie Manton, Main Street, Fethard;
Maura Trehy, The Green, Fethard;
K. Boles, c/o XL Stop & Shop, Fethard;
Dermot Darcy X 2, St. Patricks Place, Fethard.
The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Frances Murphy, The Green, Fethard;
Therese Ryan, Clerihan;
Gabriel Needham, Friarsgrange, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club
The Village Inn, Moyglass, is the place to be on Monday 14th April at 9pm. It is enrolment night for the newly formed Irish Vintage Society Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club.

On the 10th March last, some interested individuals from the area held a meeting in the Village Inn with a view to forming a new vintage club in the area. On the night we had some seasoned experts sharing their knowledge as to the advantages of having a club and being a member — especially the low cost motor insurance privileges that paid up members can enjoy. After hearing the speakers there was enthusiastic interest in forming a committee, which was duly done and the following officers were elected:
Chairman, Sean O’Donovan; Vice Chairman, Niall O’Connell; Secretary, Pat O’Loughlin; Assistant Secretary, Michael Fahey; Treasurer, Seamus Barry; PRO, Michael Trehy, and Safety Officer, Ray Walsh.

A committee made up of a further twenty-three members was also elected. We welcome any new members who share our love of yester world mechanisation and welcome you to join us. The first event we are hoping to organise is a machinery display and road run on Sunday 27th July 2008. We look forward to seeing you all at our enrolment night in the Village Inn on Monday 14th April at 9pm.

Tommy Fleming Fans

Fethard fans of Tommy Fleming photographed at his concert in the Glen Eagles Hotel in Killarney last week. L to R: John Burns, Lisa Walsh, Rachel Lyons and John Paul Burns.

Fethard & District Rugby Club
Please note that Fethard & District Juvenile Rugby Club will hold their AGM on Thursday1st May in Abymill Theatre, Fethard, at 8.30pm. All are welcome and your continued support is much appreciated. We urge parents and coaches to make every effort to attend.

Congratulations to our Under-12s who were successful in the Easter Plate tournament at Clonmel recently. They put in a tremendous effort and the victory was well deserved. Also well played to the teams from the Under 7, 8, 9 and 10s who all gave fantastic performances in their games in the tournament.

Our Minis travelled to Cashel last Sunday and once again we were all treated to a wonderful morning of great rugby. The 7s played a great game with strong tackling and pushed Cashel to their limits. All the team played well together and players to note on the day for improved performance were, Conor Vaughan, Gavin Ryan, Peter Wall, Dale Murphy, Harry Cummins, Ciarán O’Dwyer, Bailey Grace and Frankie Meagher. Well done boys on an impressive game.

Our Under-8s came out on top and the team of Jack Dolan, Joseph O’Connor, Patrick Scully, Aaron Smullen, Darragh Lynch, Mark Heffernan, Jack Grace, William Pratt, James O’Connell, Ned Grogan, Richard Holohan all played well. Fethard showed impressive skills with great tackling and good handling. Keep up the great work.

The 9s had a terrific game. Again this team of Connie Cohen, Gary Kavanagh (scoring 4 tries), Conor Croke, Cathal Fogarty, Brian Norton, Gus Brown, Michael Gaynor, Óran Holohan, Andrew Phelan and Keith Cleere won well with a great number of tries scored by many players. They showed inspiring ball handling and exciting tackling. These boys are a force to be reckoned with strength in depth. Keep up the tremendous good work and see you all at training this week.

The Under-10s had a tough task against a well-prepared Cashel team. Four quarters were played with the first try coming from Fethard causing a fight back from Cashel coming thick and fast. With Cashel having the upper hand in the first two quarters eventually Fethard warmed to their task and started tackling to put a stop to Cashel. Fethard’s team of Harry Tobin, Paul Moloney, Christian Casey, Ben Murray, Padraig Norton, Gearóid Fahy, Kerry Purtill, Padraig Feehan, Mark Collins and Thomas Murphy made for great viewing in the 3rd and 4th quarters and came out on top of Cashel. The game proved fantastic viewing with a positive outcome for Fethard in the end. Great work from all the team and see you at training on Friday.

Our Under-12s had a small panel of ten players and were a young team, mostly from the Under-11 team, consisting of Jimmy Feehan, Paul Butler, Tommy Anglim, Joey Purtill, David Heffernan, Cathal O’Donnell, Cathal Meagher, Kyle, Ciaran O’Connor and Tom McGowan. We played a very strong Under-12s Cashel squad. For this young squad they put up a great fight showing great tackling and wonderful forward play. They were unlucky not to have a draw in the end. Try scorers were Jimmy Feehan with two tries, Joey Purtill scored a great break away try. Tommy Anglim was very quick to get in and block down a clearance kick and sprint away to score a try. The coach added that, “All put in a great effort and we look forward to seeing you at training Friday evening”. There is an invite to travel down to Waterpark for a Blitz on Sunday 20th April for the Under-12s if numbers are there.

Our Under-14s played Carrick in the plate quarterfinal and won 15-20. Fethard made a bright start when Dillon Fitzgerald converted a penalty. Then Carrick got into the game and due to slack defending scored a reply leaving the halftime score 10-3. In the second half we had a much better performance from Fethard in which James Holohan and Dillon Fitzgerald and Colin Meagher all scored tries. Dillon Fitzgerald was successful with a conversion in the high winds.  Carrick replied with one try leaving the final score in Fethard’s favour of 20-15. Well done boys on a good result having secured a place in the semifinals, keep up the hard work boys and see you all at training.

Our Under-18s reached the East Munster Cup Final, They travelled to Clonmel for the semifinal of the Cup and came away with a well deserved victory on a scoreline of 12 points to 10. This was a closely contested game and the first half saw Fethard dominating the territorial game, but a combination of stout Clonmel defence and unforced handling errors by Fethard contrived to deny us the score that seemed inevitable. It was Clonmel who on their only excursion into Fethard’s half were first to put points on the board when they converted a penalty. This score spurned the Fethard team into action, they attacked with purpose and forced a knock-on from the kick off, the solid scrummaging of Fethard retrieved the ball, and following five phases of play Joey Kelly got the touchdown. Fethard led 5 points to 3 at the break.

Fethard started the second half in determined mood and once again were winning the territorial battle, but Clonmel punted downfield from their 25, and were awarded a very fortuitous try, which they converted giving them a lead of 10 points to 5 with 20 minutes remaining. This Fethard team responded magnificently and following a thirty-yard break by Cathal Gorey the forwards took over and built phase after phase, with Paddy Teehan busting over the final yard for a try. Declan Doyle converted. This was great team performance with the seventeen players used giving it their all. Their only weakness was their line-out play. Waterpark or Nenagh, await in the final but this Fethard team will fear neither and they have the ability and resolve to win this final.

Upcoming events – The minis have a free Sunday this weekend and for next week’s fixture, on Sunday 20th April, the Under-8 and 10s are to be confirmed with the Under-12s away to Waterpark for a Blitz. If anyone is interested please come to training on Friday evening, decision will be based on numbers. We are then invited to a Blitz away to Nenagh (BBQ afterwards) on Sunday 27th April for the Under-8, 10 and 12s. The end of season finale will be held on Sunday 4th May with fun and games for all along with a BBQ in the Community Field. Looking forward to catching up with you all there.

The Community Field Clubhouse has now received planning permission and work has gone to tender.  Also planning permission has been sought for the two new pitches behind the Community Field that are being leased to the club. New Members are always welcome and anyone wishing to join us at training on Friday evenings just contact us on the Rugby Mobile: 087 7447 691.

Representing Ireland
Congratulations to Glenn Maher, son of TSDL referee Tony Maher from Barrack Street, who was chosen to play for Ireland in the Under-18 schools tournament in Scotland. Glenn will be representing Ireland with his school colleague John Paul Strappe. Both flew out earlier this week.

Fethard Bridge Club
We played the first round of our Player of the Year competition on Wednesday 2nd April and the results were:
1st Gross: Brigid Gorey and Betty Walsh;
2nd Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John;
1st Nett: Bernie O’Meara and Anna Cooke;
2nd Nett: Mary and Pattie Tobin.
We play the third round of Player of the Year competition (which is a change of partner) on 16th April. Anyone looking for a partner please contact Berney Myles at 32038.

‘Wannabe’ Talent Show
A ‘Wannabe’ Talent Show will be held in the Abymill Theatre on Friday 11th April at 7.30pm. This will be a night to remember with celebrity guest attending. There will also be a raffle on the night. Tickets are €10 per person or €20 for a family of four ticket. Booking at the Patrician Presentation Secondary School office Tel: (052) 31572.

60s Rock 'n' Roll Weekend at Lonergans

Martina Coady presenting trophy for best fancy dress over the weekend to Ann Browne (left) and Joan Carroll (right).


Lar Whyte photographed with his twin daughters Katie (left) and Siobh‡n, and also their friend Marie O'Connell (right) at the 60s Rock & Roll Weekend.


L to R: John Paul Looby, Stephen O'Donnell and Marie O'Donnell photographed at the 60s Rock & Roll Weekend at Lonergan's Bar.


L to R: Mark Brannigan, Sarah Terry and Deirdre Sheehan photographed at the 'Rock 'N Roll' weekend in aid of Paws at Lonergan's Bar.


Alan and Edel Roche photographed at the 60s Rock & Roll Weekend in aid of PAWS at Lonergan's Bar Fethard.


John Carroll photographed with Joan Carroll (left) and Ann Browne at the 'Rock 'N Roll' weekend in aid of Paws at Lonergan's Bar.

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Patrician Presentation Secondary School
On Thursday 13th March we welcomed back to the school, the girls volleyball team who won the All-Ireland Cadette ‘A’ title in 1998. They played an exhibition game against the present school senior girls team and showed that the skills of the game had stood the test of time. They thrilled the packed gym with their array of drills, spills and kills. Well though the school team performed, the All-Ireland champions were too strong and ran out deserving winners. We would like to thank the ‘girls of 1998’ for coming back. The team was: Edel Fitzgerald, Jean Morrissey, Marie Holohan, Norah O’Meara, Rachel Outram and Audrey Conway.

This week the junior boys team led by caption, Tony Myler, travel to Lismore to get to the playoffs hopefully next week in Mountmellic. The team is: Tony Myler, Gareth Lawrence, Dylan Fitzgerald, Andrew Maher, Dean Sharpe and Ronan Fitzgerald whose mother Caroline was a brilliant camogie player for the school when she attended here.
Well done to the 5th Year pupils, Carrie Sweeney, Sarah Conway, Samantha Morrissey, Dean Grogan, David Gorey, James Cotter and Colm Horan who made such a magnificent contribution towards the Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Daffodil Day’ on 7th March. “A new record was set”, local coordinator Anne Connolly stated. The sum raised being €3,260. Their willingness and initiative was highly praised by Anne. Long may it continue.

On Thursday 17th April, girls of all ages from the school and some female teachers will participate in a Yoga/Pilates fitness programme organised by Mr Damien Byrne in conjunction with the Sports Council of Ireland

Introduction to golf programme
On Wednesday 2nd April, Fethard transition year students with their teachers, Mr Justin McGree and Ms Mary O’Sullivan, began an eight-week ‘Introduction to Golf’ programme at Slievenamon Golf Club.
The girls, Aisling Dwyer, Theresa Brann, Gráinne Horan, Niamh Fanning, Laura Rice, Melisa Wallace, Sarah O’Meara and Kelley Coady are all taking part in the Junior Golf Ireland programme ‘Women in Sport’. This initiative is aimed at increasing the participation of women of all ages in sport, both organised and recreational activities, so that women develop a life-long relationship with sport. Slievenamon golf professional, Ms Susie O’Brien, is in charge of the programme.

The boys, Philip Doyle, Kevin Hayes, Darren Connolly, Jake Maher, Joseph Sheehan, Adam O’Donnell, Andy Walsh, Stephen Brady and Owen Prout will meanwhile follow a separate golf programme at the club. The school is grateful to Slievenamon Golf Club and to all those associated with the venture.

Killusty Pony Show AGM
The committee invite all who are interested in the 'best pony show in Ireland' to their Annual General Meeting which will be held in the Tirry Centre on Friday 11th April at 8.30pm. The committee especially welcome your ideas for making it even better this year.