Leaving Results out
Lots of smiling faces on the streets of Fethard on Wednesday 13th August as the pupils from Patrician Presentation Secondary School collected their Leaving Cert results at the school. The pupils and teachers were very pleased with the results all round. Well done!

Deputy Mattie McGrath said, “I would like to congratulate every student, teacher, parent and all the other people across the constituency who provide support to students leading up to and during examination time for their hard work and commitment.

I hope that students getting their results today celebrate sensibly with their families and friends and be proud of their achievements.”

Fethard Community Youth Project

Work in progress at the Fethard Convent Hall Youth Project

Work currently being undertaken on Fethard Community Youth Centre in the Convent Hall premises is progressing well. This development is part of the ongoing local effort to establish a permanent Community Youth Project in Fethard. This project was mooted a number of years ago and is being spearheaded by Fethard Community Council who, along with others, were concerned with the lack of youth services and provision in Fethard.

In an effort to explore the situation Tipperary Institute were commissioned to conduct an analysis of the needs of young people in the Fethard area. The purpose of this analysis was to assist the Community Council in developing appropriate responses to meeting youth needs and in introducing services and facilities into the town for young people, particularly those who are not involved in sporting activities. The resultant report provided a large amount of concrete evidence that a form of youth intervention was needed in the area. Early school-leaving, social exclusion, poverty, anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drugs issues all featured. This report concluded that lack of facilities was the main concern. It also found that there is no organised, designated space for young people to mix, to develop and express themselves. Furthermore it was identified that due to lack of support it was difficult to recruit and sustain volunteers in the provision of youth activities.

In recognition of this fact, the Community Council made contact with Foróige, the national youth organisation, to support them in their efforts to meet identified youth needs. Foróige were more than willing to become involved. In fact, both organisations have worked in partnership for the past few years to secure a Special Project for Youth in Fethard. Both organisations are of the opinion that it is vital that a dedicated, properly resourced and fully staffed youth service is developed. However, the support of the state in securing this is crucial. In the past, two applications to the Youth Affairs Section, Department of Education and Science, for funding for a SPY project have been unsuccessful. At present such an application is being assessed under this Grant Scheme for 2008. The Community Council consider that it is time for the national Government to acknowledge the local effort thus far and to sanction the necessary funding to enable the Community Youth Project to proceed and sustain itself into the future.



The following information further highlights the urgent requirement for targeted youth actions in the town. Fethard is designated as one of the areas of highest disadvantage in the country following analysis of the 1996 and 2002 Census. Disadvantage in this case is measured by criteria such as high numbers of ‘economically inactive’ cohorts, numbers of early school leavers, high numbers of unskilled manual workers, unemployment and low levels of home ownership. Fethard is one of the seven areas within South Tipperary identified by the Health Services Executive as being most deprived while the county has the fifth lowest average disposable income per capita in the country. There is great concern about cessation of education in the 15 to 17 age group indicating a need to entice young people to remain in education. The national statistic for leaving education at sixteen is 21%. In Fethard it is 20%, indicating the high level of early school leaving.

Fethard Community Council are very much aware of the benefits that a Special Youth Project would bring to the community of Fethard and surrounding areas. In conjunction with Foróige, a part-time youth officer was employed for a ten-month period from September 2006 to June 2007. This situation was made possible by the allocation of once-off funding of €25,000 at the end of 2005 and facilitated the establishment of Fethard Community Youth Project. The presence of a dedicated youth worker in the area, albeit for a short time, was notable – each week eighty young people from Fethard were engaged in activities; sixty young people from neighbouring areas became involved; eighteen local adult volunteers were engaged in the project and worthwhile links were established with other youth serving agencies. Moreover, the purpose of the Fethard Youth Project to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and in the development of society was realised. While the temporary existence of the Fethard Community Youth Project was extremely successful it very much proved the actual necessity and demand for a properly funded full project for Fethard. It is anticipated that a government announcement on 2008 New Projects will be made shortly, let this be the year that Fethard Community Youth Project gets chosen.

Five Irish Wolfhounds to lead Parade

Pictured above Back L to R: Mathew McGrath, John McGrath, Miriam Looby. Front L to R: Caelinn McGrath Kate Looby and Colette Looby in their costumes for Fethards Medieval Festival Parade on Sunday 24th August.

This years Walled Towns Day Medieval Festival Fancy Dress Parade will be led by five Irish Wolfhounds — a massive, muscular dog, the Irish Wolfhound is one of the tallest breeds in the world. This gentle giant can reach the size of a small pony. Standing on his hind legs the Irish Wolfhound can reach up to 7 feet tall!

The parade will start from outside the Town Hall at 2pm where local bands ‘Zero Tolerance’ and ‘Naked Mr America’ will also play their music from 12 noon to 1.30pm.

Extra events will take place on Saturday 23rd August to kick off the festival. At 8pm Irish Harpist Paul Dooley, will give a special concert with special guest musicians ‘Doulç'amor’ from France in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland. Tickets are €10 each available from Fethard Post Office. There will also be a ‘Battle of the Bands’ on Saturday afternoon by the Town Wall.

On Sunday the renowned ‘Lee Valley String Band’ from Cork will play their particular type of Old Time and Bluegrass music by the Town Wall. We will also have the usual craft and food stalls along with archery, re-enactors, puppeteers, nature walks, shell mandala making and fun for all the family. Tell your friends to come along.
The Walled Towns Day Medieval Festival is part-funded by the Heritage Council of Ireland, Failte Ireland and South Tipperary County Council.

Cantwell information needed

Hello from Spain. I wonder if anyone can shed some light on this photo. We are doing some family research and this was in a folder of my father in-law's documents. A name on the back is Mrs Cantwell, Knockelly, Fethard, Tipp. Thanks, Terry Lacey

Sincere thanks
Sincere thanks to the generous people of Fethard & Killusty , who supported our Church Gate Collection on week-end of 2nd & 3rd, August, '08. This organisation takes young people, with special needs, to Lourdes at Eastertime every year. Quit a few from the area have already travelled. Would you like to nominate a young person for a future trip, ? If so, contact Sr. Betty Cagney for more information & an application form.

Holy Year Cross Pilgrimage to Slievenamon

Donal Tobin giving his nephew Andrew Tobin a helping hand on the Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon last Sunday. (All photographs taken by Kevin Ryan, Killusty)

Thankfully the bad weather that had been forecast didn't arrive, well not until we were nearly back from the climb at least. A fine crowd made the climb, as well as the hardy annuals, we were delighted to see some new faces, especially the families who took the time and effort to be there, and it's encouraging to see so many children make the climb. While the walk was underway, Canon James Power and Fr. Haughey OSA led the rosary at the Mass rock, hey also celebrated Mass on the return of the walkers.


Photographed the Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon last Sunday were L to R: Bill Meaney, Sean Aylward, Mary Sheehan, Helen O'Keeffe, Larry O'Keeffe and Dan Sheehan.

As always there are many people to thank for making the day a success, firstly our clergymen for taking the time to be with us, a special word of thanks to our hosts Jimmy and Eileen O’Donnell who along with their hard working friends provided a most welcomed cup of tea and refreshments for everyone. A word of thanks also to Kathleen Maher who led the rosary and once again we are indebted to Tommy Morgan and his able assistants William, David and Thomas.
Last but not least, to all of you who joined us on our pilgrimage, especially those who travelled a distance to be with us, thank you one and all for keeping the tradition alive.


Photographed on the Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon were L to R: Mary Walsh with her daughters Orla (left) and Michelle (right).


Photographed on the Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon were L to R: Lynda Moxley and Philip Furnell.


Photographed on the Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon were L to R: Davy Woodlock and his wife Joan Woodlock.


Photographed on the Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon were L to R: Shay Coen and Martin Coen


Photographed on the Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon were L to R: Tom Purcell, Michael O'Dwyer and Bill Meaney


Photographed on the Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon were L to R: Willie O'Meara, Donal Tobin and Andrew Tobin.


Enjoying a cup of tea after the Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon are L to R: Fr. Tom Breen P.P., Canon James Power and Fr Peter Haughey OSA.

Fethard GAA Club News
In Senior Football, Round 7, Fethard were beaten on a scoreline, Fethard 0-7, Cahir 1-9, in Ardfinnan on Sunday evening last. The semifinals of the South are next up for fixture and also the Intermediate Hurling semifinals are coming up shortly so a few very busy weeks ahead for our club. Our interest in the minor football and hurling is still there. In football the South Final is fixed for weekending 23rd August and the Junior A footballers are also in the South semifinal which is also coming up. Our team on Sunday last was: Paul Fitzgerald, Shane Aylward, Damien Byrne, Ian Kenrick, Aiden Lonergan, Cian Maher, Tommy Gahan, Aiden Fitzgerald, Michael Dillon, Jason Nevin, John P Looby 0-1, Eoin Doyle, Declan Doyle, Brian Coen, and Glen Burke 0-1. Subs were: Jamie McCormack and Karl Maher.

Fixtures: MHB on Friday 15th August in Clonmel against Cahir at 7.30pm.

Our Lotto Jackpot was not won. The numbers drawn were: 6, 13, 20 and 24. We had three Match 3 winners who received €50 each: Noelle Doyle (Woodvale Walk, Fethard); Ger Manton (Main Street, Fethard); and Jimmy O’Meara (6 Cedar Grove, Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Siobhan Meagher (Baptistgrange, Lisronagh). We thank Harrington Developments for supplying the tickets.

Paul Dooley joined by French guest musicians

As part of the Fethard Walled Towns Day Medieval Festival, the distinguished Irish Harpist Paul Dooley, will give a special concert at the Holy Trinity Church of Ireland in Fethard at 8.15pm on Saturday 23rd August. Two visiting French musicians ‘Doulç'amor’ will also perform on the night before Paul. The night will commence with a cheese and wine reception at 8pm.

Paul Dooley is one of the very few Irish people who play the Irish harp in its historical form and style and studied the construction of medieval Irish harps in Dublin during the early 1980s and has built several harps. He started his performing career on the metal-strung harp in 1986 and has appeared on numerous CD recordings and television soundtracks.

His repertoire consists mostly of traditional Irish dance music, including jigs and reels, some of which he has learned from recordings and printed music but mostly learned from other musicians: pipers, flute players and fiddlers. This music proves a real challenge for any type of harp and consequently hasn't been explored very much on the instrument.

Paul will talk about the history of the instrument and this event promises to be a unique and enjoyable part of the Medieval weekend. Tickets are €10 each available from Fethard Post Office Tel: (052) 31217.

Boy Scouts attend Jamboree



Scout Leaders L to R: Sean Cloonan, Bobby Phelan and Mike McCarthy. (Photographs supplied by Peter Grant).

Fethard group photographed before leaving for the Scouting Ireland Jamboree at Punchestown on Saturday 2nd August.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games
Fethard and Killusty Community Games Committee would like to thank most sincerely all those who generously subscribed to their Church Gate Collection last weekend. Your support is very much appreciated. We would like to wish the very best of luck to Darragh Lynch, Coolmore, our competitor in U-8 60m event at HSE Community Games National Finals next weekend. Darragh is only 7 years old and this is his second time competing at National Finals.

Final Year in Mosney
National Finals were first held in Mosney in 1973 and in this the 40th Anniversary of the games it is the last year that the finals will be staged in Mosney. To commemorate the event the National Games Committee are inviting competitors from each county who competed at the 1973 finals to attend the festivities on Sunday August 24th. Full list of competitors in County Preview on the sports page. We note that a Gerard Maher from Fethard competed in the U-16 Discus. If Gerard would like to attend please contact 052 31906 in order to make arrangements. Fethard and Killusty area had a large number of participants in Mosney over the years. The National Finals will take place in Athlone in 2009.

Fethard Macra na Feirme
All roads lead to Golden this Saturday, August 16th for the annual Raft Race organised by South Tipp Macra. Club members are currently putting the finishing touches to our raft and are looking forward to participating in the big event. Club members are also looking forward to taking part in and supporting the Guinness World Record breaking 24 hour 100m relay race which has been organised by former club member Brendan Morrissey. This is taking place in Clonmel on Saturday, August 23rd and is aid of the Alzheimer Society which is indeed a very worthy cause. As part of the Medieval Festival taking place in Fethard on Sunday, 24th August, we will be manning the stocks and sponges which promise entertaining viewing!

Our next club meeting is taking place in McCarthys on Friday, 29th August at 9pm. We are looking for people interested in participating in volleyball and indoor soccer. All level of players welcome. For further info email fethardmacra@gmail.com or contact Michael (087-9019443) or Una (087-6882683).

Music for all tastes in Fethard

Dublin City Ramblers will play in Lonergan's Bar (outdoors) on 16th August. Tickets at €10 are on sale at the bar. This is a great opportunity to get to hear the Dublin City Ramblers who have thrilled audiences worldwide with their unique blend of ballads, folk, humour, wit and foot-tapping music. Their impressive career has spanned more than 35 years, with over 30 albums, top ten hits, several awards for best Ballad/Folk Group and, to top it all off, eight gold albums.


Willy and the Poor Boys (also known as Back Door) will play outdoor at McCarthy’s on the same night, Saturday 16th August, so all tastes in music are catered for. This session will mark the end of Fethard Rugby Club’s Tag Rugby festival for the over-35s (with younger ladies I hasten to add). It is also the night before Tipperary’s All Ireland semifinal match in Croke Park against Waterford. Admission is free. Details of the Trust Golf Classic will be announced during the coming week.

Fethard Walled Town Medieval Festival

Battle of the Bands
A Battle of the Bands will take place in the Walled Garden at McCarthy’s on Saturday 23rd August in conjunction with Fethard Walled Town Medieval Festival. Bands that wish to enter can send a demo to Vincent (Jasper) at McCarthy’s or to Premier Music Store in Clonmel. Ten bands will be chosen to battle it out. The entry fee is €50 per band, payable if the band is accepted into the competition. First prize is studio time to record a demo with a professional sound engineer.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 6th August were 2, 9, 27 and 30.
We had no Jackpot Winner and no 'Match 3' winner.
The following three tickets drawn received €50 each:
Sean Hannigan, Upper Green St., Fethard.
Michael P. Ryan, c/o Nellie Ryan, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard.
J.P. McGrath, Rocklow Road, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip Winners were:
Jacqui Freyne, c/o D. Stokes.
Nellie Ryan, 46, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard.
Norma McCarthy, c/o Kitty O'Donnell.

Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000. You can now play our lotto online from your own computer CLICK HERE or the image below.