Chairman’s Reception for Fethard Community Work

Chairman South Tipperary County Council, Cllr John Fahey, photographed with members of Fethard & District Day Care Centre at a special 'Chairman's Reception' held in the County Chamber, Clonmel, in recognition of the community services provided for the elderly on the town of Fethard and surrounding district.

On Wednesday 30th April, Fethard & Killusty Community Council and Fethard & District Day Care Centre were honoured by Chairman of South Tipperary County Council, Cllr John Fahey, when he afforded a ‘Chairman’s Reception’ at the County Chamber Offices in Clonmel.

Cllr Fahey welcomed the full attendance and spoke of the tremendous community work both the Community Council and Day Care Centre have achieved in Fethard. He mentioned some of the work undertaken by the Community Council since its formation in 1976, such as the building of the Community Centre, reopening of Fethard Ballroom, the Fethard Youth Project at the Convent Hall, the new ‘Duneske like’ project planned for the Rocklow Road, and indeed, the Day Care Centre itself, which caters for the elderly of Fethard and the neighbouring parishes of Cloneen, Drangan and Killenaule. Cllr Fahey went on to praise the voluntary staff at the Day Care Centre and how delighted he was that his own mother, Eileen, who was also present, loves attending the Day Care Centre in Fethard. He praised the staff for their high standards and always enjoys calling in to meet the clients for a chat and cup of tea. Cllr Fahey finished by reciting a poem, “I see His Blood Upon the Rose” by Joseph Mary Plunkett, and then called on Cllr Susan Meagher to address all present.
Cllr Meagher was also very generous in her praise of Fethard community and said that a lot of good things were happening in the town at present and even better things were to follow. Next to speak was Cllr Jimmy O’Brien, followed by Cllr Denis Landy, who both echoed the sentiments of the previous speakers.


Chairman South Tipperary County Council, Cllr John Fahey, presenting scrolls to Joe Kenny (Chairman Fethard & Killusty Community Council) and Joan O'Donohoe (Chairperson Fethard & District Day Care Centre) at a special 'Chairman's Reception' held in the County Chamber, Clonmel, on 30th April, in recognition of the community work achieved by both organisations in the town of Fethard.

Cllr Fahey then called on Joe Kenny, Chairman of Fethard & Killusty Community Council, to speak. Joe thanked the Cathaoirleach and said he was honoured to receive the ‘Chairman’s Reception’ for the Community Council, which to his knowledge, was the first reception for a Fethard group in the Council Chamber. He thanked the hard working voluntary committees in Fethard and said the success achieved to date was in no small way due to everyone pushing in the same positive direction. He thanked the Councillors present for their great support, in particular, over the last six years when a more positive working relationship was achieved on both sides.


Members of Fethard & Killusty Community Council photographed at a special 'Chairman's Reception' held in the County Chamber, Clonmel, in recognition of the community work achieved in the town of Fethard are Back L to R: Ger Manton, Cllr Jimmy O'Brien, Cllr Denis Landy, Thelma Griffith, Jimmy Connolly (treasurer), Joe Kenny (chairman). Front L to R: Peter Grant (vice-chairperson), Joan O'Donohoe, Chairman South Tipperary County Council, Cllr John Fahey, Brian Sheehy and Marie Murphy.

Cllr Fahey then introduced Joan O’Donohoe, Chairperson of Fethard & District Day Care Centre, who said she was very new to the job but had received great support and encouragement from the committee and members. Joan also thanked the Cathaoirleach for the reception and said how much all present appreciated the invitation and were so much looking forward to attending the Council Chamber.


Photographed at a special 'Chairman's Reception' held in the County Chamber, Clonmel, in recognition of the community work achieved by both Fethard & Killusty Community Council and Fethard Day Care Centre L to R: Mary Murphy, Geraldine McCarthy, Bríd Bates, Joan O'Donohoe, Chairman South Tipperary County Council, Cllr John Fahey, and in front, Eileen Fahey, mother of the Cathaoirleach.

Cllr Fahey then presented a scroll to both the Community Council and the Day Care Centre in recognition of their magnificent community work to date in Fethard. Following a photo call the group were then entertained to refreshments in the Council’s canteen where they mingled and chatted with the councillors.

McCarthy’s Hotel Golf Society

Members of McCarthy's Golf Society presenting the proceeds of their recent Table Quiz to Fethard & District Day Care Centre. The total raised was €1,375. L to R: Bobbi Holohan (Treasurer), Annette Murphy (President), Chris Coen (Secretary), Joan O'Donohoe (Chairperson Fethard & District Day Care Centre), Vincent Woodlock (Captain), Des Martin (Day Care Centre) and Geraldine McCarthy (Day Care Centre Supervisor).

On 21st April the society held a Sports Table Quiz in the hotel. The quiz was well attended with 18 tables of 4 teams taking part. The questions were tricky but fair with some very interesting photos put together by Julie in the picture round.

The eventual winners, after a play-off were, Fionnuala O’Sullivan, Johnny O’Sullivan, Eamon Murphy and John Hynes with a wonderful score. The quiz was run in aid of the Fethard Day Care Centre and nearly €1,400 was raised on the night between the quiz and the raffle. The quiz winners and raffle winners all returned their prizes to go to the Day Care Centre. A big thanks to all who helped and a special thanks to Julie for her help before and during the night.

Our next outing takes place on this coming Saturday 10th May from 11am to 1pm at Callan Golf Club. The competition will be a team event with four in each team. Poster is on display in the hotel. You can contact any member of the society or send text message to Golf Society phone.

Award for Fethard School

Pupils from Nano Nagle National School who received the Best Environmental Project award from South Tipperary County Council for their project "Live simply, so that others may simply live". The award was presented by Cllr John Fahey, Chairperson of South Tipperary County Council, who was accompanied by Jim Dillon, Environmental Officer, Cllr Susan Meagher, Cllr Jimmy O'Brien, and Deputy Mattie McGrath.

An Cathaoirleach, John Fahey and local members of South Tipperary Co. Co. were accompanied by Jim Dillon, Environment Officer, on a visit to Nano Nagle School this week. The school was delighted to have won an award for "Best Environmental Project" in 2007.  Our project was called "Live simply, so that others may simply live". We acknowledge the enormous contribution of Mrs Rita Kenny and 6th class who developed and completed the project.



During the year, they explored environmental awareness under the headings "Reduce, Re-use, Recycle". They visited the Country Market in Fethard, the Saturday Market in Clonmel and the Farmers’ Market in Cahir, developing their awareness of locally produced food. The class developed a vegetable patch under the expert direction of Fintan Rice and were rewarded with a fruitful harvest of their own. They saw how our ever more demanding life-style today, impacts on those less fortunate in the third world. They involved the rest of the classes in various aspects, such as story writing, drawing  and fund raising. We all felt more enlightened in the end.

The members of South Tipperary County Council were very encouraging in their comments to the children and teachers, urging the children to continue to look after the environment and help sustain it for the future. Congratulations to all involved.

Day Care Centre Outing

The Fethard & District Day Care Centre on a visit to Holycross for the launching of the Tipperary Bealtaine Festival on Friday 25th April. The Festival was launched by Maire Hoctor T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Older People.

Fethard Bridge Club
We played for sponsored prizes on 30th April and the results were:
1st Gross: Berney Myles and Alice Quinn;
2nd Gross: Brigid Gorey and Betty Walsh;
3rd Gross: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;
1st Nett: Bridie Lee and Mike Burke;
2nd Nett: Eileen Frewen and Anne Connolly;
3rd Nett: Rita Holohan and Mary Delaney.

Community Games Gymnasts

Gymnasts from Fethard Killusty Area who competed at County Finals of Community Games Gymnastics in Tipperary Town on Bank Holiday Monday. L to R: Aine Phelan, Coolmore, sisters Isobel and Ruby Kennedy, The Valley and Zoe Maher, Ballybough.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 30th April were: 10, 11, 18 and 27. We had no Jackpot winner and no ‘Match 3’ winner. Three tickets were drawn and the following won €50 each:

Dermot Darcy, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Fr. Timmy Walsh, The Abbey, Fethard;
Paddy Butler, Saucestown, Fethard.
The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:

Mary Ward, Woodvale Walk, Fethard;
Mary Pacetti, Killenaule;
Roches of Woodvale, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

Pyjama Day at First Steps Playschool

Manager of the Fethard’s First Steps Playschool, Cora McGarry, and Lizzy Reddy photographed with some of the children who helped raise the huge sum of €1,267 from their Pyjama Day held on 9th April to raise funds for the Make a Wish Foundation. Cora and staff would like to thank everyone for their very generous sponsorship.


Included are adults: Aisling Breen, Lizzy Reddy, Mary Morgan, Deborah Lawrence, and Manager of the Playschool Cora McGarry.

Fethard GAA Club News
The Senior Football South Championship League game against Moyle Rovers, played in Kilsheelan on Sunday last, was a good game with both teams playing fine football and finishing in a victory by the narrowest of margins going to Rovers on a scoreline, Fethard 0-13, Moyle Rovers 0-14.

This game certainly restored confidence in South football with a very sporting game and fine displays from Paul Fitzgerald in goal. Our backs were well marshaled by Damien Byrne and Ian Kenrick at midfield. We broke even with Jamie McCormack having a fine game up front. Michael Dillon, John Paul Looby and Aiden Fitzgerald were always a treat with Glen Burke scoring some nice points from frees out of his hand. It certainly augurs well for an interesting South Championship. The team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Aiden Lonergan, Damien Byrne, Ian Kenrick, Benny Hahessy, Michael Aherne, Cian Maher 0-1, Jamie McCormack, Eoin Doyle, Shane Aylward, John P Looby, Michael Dillon 0-1, Declan Doyle, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-2, Glen Burke 0-9 (7f). Sub used was: Shane Walsh for Shane Aylward (48m). Our next game is the County Senior Football Championship this Saturday 10th May in Kilsheelan at 6.30pm where we play Clonmel Commercials.


Fethard group photographed at the Tipp FM GAA Masterclass held in Semple Stadium, Thurles, on Saturday last 3rd May. Back L to R: Ian O’Connor, Adrian Lawrence, Eoin O’Connell, Dean Tobin, Alan O’Connor, Declan Doyle, Ciaran Ryan, Jerome Ahearne, Willie Ryan, Liam Hayes. Front L to R: Kyle Walsh, Ronan Fitzgerald and Ciaran O’Meara.

Our County Board Draw Promoters are calling round currently door to door. Thank you for your continued support.

On Tuesday next 12th May we play the County 2008 Premier Division Senior County League Final against Moyle Rovers in Cashel at 6.30pm

Our Lotto Jackpot €9,800 was not won. The numbers drawn were 5, 6, 14 and 18. We had 2 match three winners who received €75 each: Eoin Whyte (Main St Fethard), and John Fitzgerald (Kiltinan Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Philly Kenny (The Green, Fethard). Tickets were kindly sponsored by AIB (Main Street).

New Book Aims to Promote New Kind of Ireland

Fethard group photographed at Alice Leahy's book launch 'Wasting Time With People?' in Dublin on 29th April. L to R: Pat White, Eileen White, Mary O'Connell, Elaine Connolly, Noelle Leahy, Chris Coen, Alice Leahy, Joe Kenny, Charlie Best, Vincent Woodlock, Annette Murphy, Toby Purcell, Vincent Murphy, Gerry Purcell, Cha Purcell and Tom Purcell.

RTE’s Pat Kenny launched 'Wasting Time with People?’ edited and compiled by Alice Leahy, Director & Co-Founder of TRUST, in City Hall, Dublin on Tuesday 29th April. The book aims to promote a new kind of Ireland. Speaking at the launch Alice said that, “working in the front line with people who become homeless on the street it is all too easy to appreciate the importance of giving time to others. If we really want to make Ireland a much more inclusive society and ensure everyone feels wanted we must make more time for people, more time for family life, more caring time for people who come into contact with State services at all levels. The evidence of the need for urgent action, if any was needed, was provided again so tragically in recent days.”


Photographed at Alice Leahy's 'Wasting Time With People?' book launch in City Hall Dublin are L to R: Alice Leahy, Pat Kenny, Rev Olive Donohoe and Patsy McGarry (Irish Times).

'Wasting Time with People?' is published by Gill & Macmillan and features contributions from over seventy people from well-known figures in Irish society to people who are homeless. Contributors include Robert Ballagh, Maeve Binchy, Conor Brady, Louis Copeland, Theo Dorgan, Bernard Farrell, Gerard Mannix Flynn, Aine Lawlor, John Lonergan, David Norris, Terry Prone and Fergal Quinn.
Alice Leahy said that if ‘Wasting Time with People?’ kick starts a debate about why at a time of material success so many people are complaining about being "time poor" and the implications of that for all of us it will have been a tremendous success.


Photographed at Alice Leahy's 'Wasting Time With People?' book launch in City Hall Dublin are L to R: John Tierney, Dublin City Manager (native of Tipperary), Eamonn MacAodha, Chief Executive, Irish Human Rights Commission, Alice Leahy, Director & Co-Founder Trust, and Dr. Maurice Manning, President, Irish Human Rights Commission.

Alice Leahy went on: "As the pace of life in Ireland increases almost everyday, and stress becomes a fact of life for everyone, the amount of time we have, even for each other, seems to be harder and harder to find. In TRUST we meet the casualties, those who cannot fit in or keep up, and we know from our experience there is no hope of ever creating a society that will be a welcoming place for the outsider unless we can make time for others both in our families and communities. Indeed, that applies equally to people working in public service, where staff are sometimes made to feel they are "wasting time with people" when they give, even the most vulnerable, the time and attention they need."


Photographed at Alice Leahy's 'Wasting Time With People?' book launch in City Hall Dublin are L to R: Bishop Willie Walsh, Liz Howard, Babs Keating, Jarlath Daly (Fine Art Sculptor), Alice Leahy, Mattie McGrath, Eimear Daly and Mary Daly.

Alice Leahy also said that through this book TRUST is seeking to show how anyone can make a difference if they are prepared to make time for others. "Indeed, it is remarkable how we often talk about what the State can do to help others, and often forget the most important catalyst in creating a better society is what we do ourselves.  We must make the first step, especially in terms of helping those who are outsiders feel part of the community. Time is required and until we recognise that we have to invest time with others, in our families, in our communities and in helping those who are forgotten we will never make progress in creating a truly inclusive society,” she said.


Photographed at Alice Leahy's 'Wasting Time With People?' book launch in City Hall Dublin are L to R: Mary Wilson, Marion Richardson, Justine McCarthy, Louis Copeland and Donnie Geoghegan.

TRUST is a non-denominational, non party political body providing health and social services for people who become homeless since 1975. More information about TRUST can be found on their website: www.trust-ireland.ie

The title of the book "Wasting time with People?" was influenced by an African bishop . . . . READ MORE


Alice Leahy photographed with Pat Kenny.


L to R: Rory Gogan, Ross McDowell, Michael McDowell, Joe Dowling and Rev Olive Donoghue.


Alice Leahy and RTE presenter Pat Kenny, who launched the book, photographed with children from Nano Nagle National School Fethard who attended the launch as part of their 'Challenge to Change' project on the homeless.

Wasting Time With People?
Photographed at Alice Leahy's 'Wasting Time With People?' book launch in City Hall Dublin are L to R: Dympna Melody, Peter Collins (RTE Sports Presenter), Gerry Purcell, Vincent Murphy and Ruth McEntee.

City Hall in Dublin was the venue for the launch of Fethard lady Alice Leahy’s third book, “Wasting Time With People?” on Tuesday evening last, 29th April. Alice asked almost fifty people from all walks of life in Ireland to write about their impression of what wasting time with others is about. The book is a challenge to all of us in current Irish society to take a look at ourselves and see how we have become so taken up with our modern lives in the rat race that we aren’t even giving ourselves a bit of time, let alone others.


Photographed at Alice Leahy's 'Wasting Time With People?' book launch in City Hall Dublin are L to R: Alice Leahy, Liam O'Donnell (originally from Fethard) and Ronald Dunne.

The book was officially launched by Pat Kenny of RTE who was the first to admit that he was guilty of living a life so hectic, between his work and his recent very public court case, that the book stopped him in his tracks and gave him food for thought. He made particular reference to an article by Eamon Keane, nephew of the late John B Keane, who wrote about his aunt. Upon spying his aunt hanging about , he asked her what she was doing. “Just Arsing”, she replied. The article sings the praises of spending a bit of time just arsing around, doing nothing in particular.


Photographed at Alice Leahy's 'Wasting Time With People?' book launch in City Hall Dublin are L to R: Cha Purcell, Michael Mallon and Jim Marshall.

It was a fitting tribute to Alice that such a large crowd turned out for the launch. A large contingent of the Purcell family turned up as the book is dedicated to the late Frank Purcell who became such a friend to Alice, and the late Prof. James McCormick was an inspirational figure in Irish medicine. In attendance were priests, politicians and publicans, gravediggers, gardai, journalists, broadcasters, artists and ambassadors, writers, teachers and tailors, schoolchildren and scholars, homeless and helpers. As well as hundreds of others. And when the formalities were over, there was quite a lot of arsing going on.


Photographed at Alice Leahy's 'Wasting Time With People?' book launch in City Hall Dublin are L to R: Trish McGarrity, Tony Jennings, Mary Hayde, Patrick Hayde, Joan Gorman, Clement Kelly, Madeline Duffy, Charlie Best and Karen Duffey.

The book is well worth reading. Some of the articles are uplifting, some are humorous and some are hard work. It’s a book that you can put somewhere and dip in as you please. Special mention was given at the launch to an extremely well written piece by Tipperary hurler John Leahy and his descent into the grip of a life that became consumed by alcohol . But there is great hope in the piece, as John realised that there were people out there willing to “waste time” on him and keep him out of jail initially after he assaulted a man in England, and then help him recover to live a life without alcohol. It’s a very honest and uplifting piece of writing.


Photographed at Alice Leahy's 'Wasting Time With People?' book launch in City Hall Dublin are L to R: Pat White, Marie Therese Connolly, Eileen White and Elaine Connolly.

And as we walked back to the car park after the event, we had to pass Leo Burdocks, the best fish and chip shop in Dublin, so we introduced some of our party to the delights of the diet of the Liberties for generations. And you should have seen the looks we got from the stressed out drivers that passed as we sat in our Sunday best on the recycled cardboard from a nearby shop, just arsing and eating some fish and chips and enjoying the banter. Oh we were the lucky ones.


Photographed at Alice Leahy's 'Wasting Time With People?' book launch in City Hall Dublin are L to R: Vincent McCarthy, Noelle Leahy, Violet Ryan and Jimmy Ryan.


Photographed at Alice Leahy's 'Wasting Time With People?' book launch in City Hall Dublin are L to R: Gerry Purcell, Dympna Melody, Vincent Woodlock, Toby Purcell, Tom Purcell and Mervyn Colville.


Artist Robert Ballagh photographed with children from Nano Nagle National School Fethard who attended the launch as part of their 'Challenge to Change' project on the homeless.


Alice Leahy sighing one of her books for Angela Harte (Clonmel). You can order the book online from Gill & MacMillan Publishers

Died in England
The death has occurred in Essex, England on Saturday 3rd May, of Billy Fitzgerald, formerly from The Green, Fethard. Billy was the son of the late Nelly and Connie Fitzgerald.

First Holy Communion
Best wishes to the boys and girls from Nano Nagle Primary School and St. Patrick's Boys School, Fethard, who will receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday 10th May.

May Procession
The annual May Procession takes place on this coming Sunday evening, May 11th, leaving the Parish Church at 7pm for the Augustinian Abbey.

Fethard ICA Annual General Meeting
The May meeting of Fethard ICA takes place on Tuesday 13th. This will be our Annual General Meeting and Nan Hackett, Information Officer from Federation, will be in attendance. Members are reminded that fees for the coming year are due now. Fees for 2008/09 are €26. The Blue Group are in charge of catering on the night.