| All-Ireland Finalists
Congratulations to the Senior Girls’ Volleyball team on reaching the All-Ireland Finals to be held in UCD on Wednesday 10th December. Being one of the three founding schools in the country in the sport, Fethard has long enjoyed successes at all levels dating back as far as the 1970s. The current team have beaten off strong competition from Lismore, Tramore, Mountmellick, Carlow and Dublin to reach this stage of the competition which will see them facing either Claremorris or Lismore again in the final. Buses of supporters will leave on the 10th from the school and we encourage as much colour and support as possible. The team is: Sarah Hayes (captain), Sarah Conway, Carrie Sweeney, Mary Anne Keane, Lisa Anglim, Louiza Lima, Samantha Morrissey, Aisling Dwyer, Sarah O’Meara, Myra Nagy, Jean Anglim, Gráinne Horan, Lesley Looby, Laura Rice and Niamh Fanning (currently injured). The team will have a new set of O'Neills jerseys for the final, kindly sponsored by Gus Wallace of Wallace Travel and we are very grateful for his generous sponsorship. The staff and pupils of the school wish them every success.
Archbishops Visit to School
His Grace, Most Rev. Dr Dermot Clifford visited the Patrician Presentation Secondary School on Thursday 27th November. He met with Mr Britton and staff and addressed the students in the school hall where a Liturgical Service took place.
Dr. Clifford spoke on the theme of love. He outlined the three types of love, Eros, Filia and Agape. These are Greek or Latin words which need explanation, but the three types of love in question can be summed up, he said, as follows. ‘Eros’ is all take; ‘Filia’ is give and take; while ‘Agape’ is true love which is all give.
The Archbishop congratulated the students on their fine performance in examinations and also on qualifying for yet another volleyball All-Ireland final. He based his homily on the parable of the Good Samaritan, but he also added a story or two of his own. He would like to send greetings to all parents and wished success and happiness to all.
Santa Bear Appeal
The annual Sana Bear Appeal takes place from 1st December to 11th December in aid of the Central Remedial Clinic. Please lend your support by looking out for Santa Bears on sale locally in shops. The CRC helps people in Ireland with disabilities realise their full potential.
The annual Carol Singing in aid of the same cause will take place on Thursday 18th December, assembling at the Town Hall at 7.30pm.
Fethard Players finish a great run
Fethard Players cast of 'My Three Angels' staged in the Abymill Theatre from 28th November to 3rd December 2008. Back L to R: Pat Brophy, Marian Gilpin, Jimmy O'Sullivan, Joe Hanly, Colm McGrath, Matt O'Sullivan, Niamh Hayes. Front Anne Connolly, Gerry Fogarty and Angela Dillon-Whyte.
Photographed at Fethard Players production of 'My Three Angels' were L to R: Rita Stapleton, Jackie Aylward, Martin Stapleton, Austin O'Flynn, Joan Ryan and Kathy Aylward.
Fethard Macra News
Congratulations to our public speaking team who won the county round of the public speaking competition in Rathkeevin on Saturday evening. Michael, Edmund and David will be kept busy preparing for the next round of the competition which we are all looking forward to. Indoor soccer for Fethard Macra continues on Thursday nights in Monroe. Indoor soccer for all clubs continues in Clonmel on Friday evenings. The ladies indoor soccer competition will be taking place this Friday, 5th December in Clonmel. The South Tipp County Macra Meeting will be taking place in Hearns Hotel immediately after this, with a selection of nibbles on hand after the meeting to help get us into the swing of the festive season. For further information on the club contact 087-9019443, email fethardmacra@gmail.com or check out our Fethard Macra bebo page
St Vincent de Paul Church Gate Collection
St. Vincent de Paul will hold their Church Gate Collection and appeal for your help particularly this year as their funds have never been so low. This collection is essential to facilitate and support the Society’s invaluable work in helping those in need throughout the year and the Christmas demand on such funding is always very strong. So please help in any way you can.
Happy Birthday Arthur
Arthur Daly photographed with his wife Ann and their family, on the occasion of his 70th Birthday Party celebrated in Lonergan's Bar, Fethard. L to R: Arthur (junior), Liam, Majella, Ann, Arthur, Roger, Marie and Pamela (in front).
McCarthy’s Golf Society AGM
McCarthy’s Golf Society will hold their Annual General Meeting on Thursday night the 11th December at 9pm at McCarthys. All are welcome.
Fethard Youth Centre
The renovation work on new Fethard Youth Centre, formerly the Convent Hall has now been completed and all remains to be done is the interior fitting out of the premises. At this stage we would love to speak to adult volunteers prepared to get involved and help set up a management committee for the centre to ensure its continued success and sustainability. A meeting will be held in the Tirry Centre at 8.30pm on next Tuesday 9th December for all those interested in getting involved. Please come along as the success of the Centre depends on volunteers.
For those wishing to view the work to date, the Youth Centre will be open to view after Mass on this coming Sunday, 7th December, from 11am to 1pm. All are welcome.
Irish Walled Towns Network Annual Conference
Photographed at the Irish Walled Towns Network annual conference in Dublin Castle are L to R: Ted Howlin (Mayor of Wexford), Charles Taylor (Athenry), Alan Burgess (Athy), Peter Grant (Fethard), Joe Kenny (Fethard), Oisín Ó Cuinneagáin (Fethard), Pat Collins (Town Clerk Wexford). Front L to R: Seamus Maher (Chairman Irish Walled Towns Network), Craig McGuickey (Derry), Brendan McSherry (Heritage Officer Louth), Conor Brennan (Heritage Council) and Terry Cunningham (Fethard). Also present from Fethard were Diana Stokes, Ann Gleeson and Tim Robinson.
Table Quiz Success
The Parents' Association of the Secondary School held their Annual Table Quiz 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, punctuated with lively music questions. The Picture Round and Dingbat Round remain very popular. A most enjoyable evening was had by all. 1st Table prize was won by Betty Walsh, Claire Walsh, Mary Moore and Shirley Clooney. 2nd place went to Martin O'Shea, Thomas O'Brien, Patrick O'Donnell and Mary Healy. The Junior student's table prize was won by popular Zero Tolerance members, Noel O'Brien, Garreth Lawrence, Ted Barrett and Tony Myler – all from 3rd Year. Well done to all.
Hard luck to a team of 6th years who strongly challenged for outright winners right to the finish, only to be pipped at the final post. The Raffle was a great success and we congratulate those lucky ones who carried away the beautiful sponsored prizes.
We would like to thank Coolmore, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and all the sponsors of the beautiful Raffle prizes and all those who helped with the occasion, which was an outstanding success. Thanks also to all who supported the raffle by buying tickets, by giving donations and by supplying and serving the refreshments. Margaret Prendergast was quizmistress, Marie and Noel Maher were the scrutineers and the welcome refreshments were provided by the Parents' Association. Go raibh maith agaibh uile.
Don't miss the next Secondary School Quiz in aid of the Lourdes Fund in March 2009.
Graduation
Nóirín Dorney, who recently graduated with a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy is photographed with her husband Tony Dorney (left) and her parents John and Patsy Burke. Patsy is a daughter of the late Mary Byard, Burke Street, Fethard, and now lives at Kylenahone, Killenaule.
Extra Christmas Prizes for Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
From Wednesday 3rd December Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto will be giving extra prizes for 3 weeks. We will hold 3 free draws for turkeys and 3 free draws for hams each week for tickets entered. The last lotto draw before Christmas will be on Wednesday 17th December. We take a two week break over Christmas and the New Year and resume on Wednesday 7th January. Our thanks to everyone who has supported the lotto throughout the year and we look forward to your continued support in 2009. We would also like to specially thank our online players at home and away. It is great to see people who have moved on still supporting their community.
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 26th November were 10, 12, 16 and 22. We had no Jackpot winner and two ‘Match 3’ winners who received €75 each:
Mary Kenrick, Burke Street, Fethard;
Rena Sheehan, Elm Park, Fethard.
The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Catherine Condon, Kilnockin View, Fethard;
Carmel Gahan, Cloneen, Fethard;
Mary Newport, Congress Terrace, Fethard.
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 by visiting fethard.com
80th Birthday Celebrations
Peg Gleeson, Coolmore, Fethard, photographed with family on the occasion of her 80th Birthday celebrations. Back L to R: Paul Gleeson, Jim Gleeson, Joe Gleeson, Willie Gleeson, Michael Gleeson, Sean Gleeson. Front L to R: Patricia (Gleeson) Donnelly, Catherine (Gleeson) Hassett, Ann (Gleeson) Kealy, Peg Gleeson, Hillary (Gleeson) Meehan, Mary (Gleeson) O'Connell and Helen (Gleeson) Carroll.
Spiritual preparation for Christmas
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.
Put some time aside for prayer and personal reflection during this time by joining in an hour of prayer at the Presentation Convent at 7.30pm on the next two Monday evenings before Christmas. Encourage your family and friends to come along as well. All are welcome.
Brown Scapular Enrolment
There will be enrolment in the Brown Scapular and the Miraculous Medal on Monday evening Mass on the 8th December, feast of the Immaculate Conception and a holy day of obligation.
The enrolments will be in the Abbey at the evening Mass. Scapulars and medals will be provided by the Legion of Mary.
Fethard Bridge Club
Fethard Bridge Club will hold their Christmas Party in the Tirry Centre on Sunday, 14th December. There are still a few subscriptions outstanding which are now due.
ECDL Licence
Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School Students who received their ECDL licences this year
Hunting News
Frosty weather is favourable for good hunting as scent is usually very poor or non-existent making things very difficult for hounds and huntsmen. Nevertheless the Tipperary Foxhounds provided good sport during the past week. From Rosegreen on Monday a fox found by the lake ran to the fort by the main avenue when he got to ground moving on to Railstown. They hunted to Kilbragh House. From there they ran down to the Ballyfoloo Road which the fox crossed. Hounds were stopped as they were running back towards Lyonstown already hunted. They did not find again until reaching Hayes’ farm Coolmoyne Road. Hunting a few short circles around here they lost him. The Tullamaine Castle moate and graveyard were blank.
Ballysloe, not the most popular meet on the Tipperary Hunt card, provided the surprise pack of the week. From the small moate on Tony Cleary’s hounds ran back towards Ballysloe. Turning right the fox ran towards the huge forest stretching from near Littleton to Mary Willie’s. Surprisingly Charlie swung left close to the wood. Hounds were running at a really fast pace here and they hunted strongly back through Pollard’s and Long’s and had to give a good fox best on the long lane that leads from the Ballysloe / Glengoole road that leads down to the forest. Moving on to the big wood down near the Kilcooley Road hounds did not find for quite a while. They were soon away full cry and pushed this fox around the wood. Foxes are usually difficult to shift from here, this fellow however, under supreme pressure, left at the far end. Turning left hunted he ran towards the Mullinahone / Urlingford Road. Turning right here he ran back through Purcell’s and went to ground near the old farmhouse, just short of the Sorn Cooker manufacturing plant. This was an excellent hunt with a one and half mile point with top class houndwork both in and out of cover.
At St. Johnstown on Thursday hounds were kept busy all afternoon. The poor scenting conditions prevailed against good hunting. Foxes were plentiful, hounds were active all afternoon. From St. Johnstown through Blackmore’s and Kennedy’s, Bawnbrack to Kilkennybeg Cross. Crossing the road to Mortlestown scent deteriorated completely and not much could be made of foxes found in the Laurels, Rathmoley and Kilbreedy.
The Tipps had a good run from Georgesland from Dualla on Saturday. Finding above the Cashel Harrier’s Kennels they ran back over the road at the Old Cashel Beagle Kennels to Mayfield and down to the Mockershill / Dualla Road. Here hounds were really clattered by live electric fences spoiling a good run. From Brickeendoun a fox took them back to Georgesland where they lost him. They finished the day in Walsh’s on a fox that just dodged about in and out of the cover between Mr. Walsh’s avenue, the Mockershill / Dualla Road and the main Cashel Road and was left. Saturday provided some great jumping over fly fences and typical Tipperary banks for the field of forty-eight.
With the White Heather Harriers
Members of Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers photographed on the steps of Glebe House Fethard before heading out on Sunday last.
Scenting conditions which had not been good during the week seemed to be at their worst for the Ballyluskey White Heathers meet at Mr Laurence Kenny’s residence, Glebe House, Fethard, on Sunday last. Drawing down from Saucestown Bridge they found on the small spinney between road and fort. After hunting round the coverts for a short while they lost him. On the Crampscastle side of the road a short circle around the briar and gorse covered rockface ended with the fox getting to ground. Towards Saucestown they caught on top a fox badly affected with the dreaded fox mange. From Carroll’s which held a brace they got a fox away towards Mouse Morris’. In the open they could just hold the line at walking pace to the earth in the large fort.
Photographed at the Ballyluskey White Heather Harries Meet at Fethard were L to R: Donnie Slattery, Tom Sayers and Noel O'Donnell.
Crossing the road to Byrnes’ they had a similar experience as the Tipps from their recent Cloneen meet when they did not find for the most part of the afternoon in the Rock, Muilleannbawn, Roebucksland, Byrneskill, Claremore Glen or Bannixtown finishing at Bannixtown House gate. Our regular followers remarked that the best part of Sunday was the drinks and refreshments supplied by Laurence prior to move off. The Ballyluskey White Heathers wish to thank Laurence and Rosina sincerely for the hospitality on Sunday. The White Heathers meet on Sunday next, on 7th December, at Ballyluskey and on Sunday 14th, Fethard at 11am.
Photographed at the Ballyluskey White Heather Harries Meet at Fethard were L to R: David Guiry, Joe Keane and Barry Walsh
BBC Show produced by Joe Ahearne
Joe Ahearne, son of Joe and Nora Ahearne, Main Street, has written and produced a new BBC1 drama series ‘Apparitions’, which is now being shown on BBC1 on Thursday nights. This is a hard-hitting new drama that takes us on a terrifying journey into a world of good and evil.
The idea for the series came from Martin Shaw, who stars as Father Jacob, and was subsequently picked up and developed further by Joe Ahearne.
Tony Wood, Creative Director of Lime Pictures, says: “Joe Ahearne has created a gripping story of intrigue and mystery which raises as many questions as it answers.”
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