Community Games

L to R: David Heffernan (Fethard) who came 1st in the Boys U16 100m and Jack Dolan (Fethard), who came 3rd in the U14 100m.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games Committee would like to congratulate everybody who participated in the County Athletics Finals in Templemore especially those fortunate enough to win medals. Big thank you to all parents who travelled with their children and to those who helped with the organisation of the group prior to their races. A stress free and enjoyable day was had by all. David Heffernan, Ballyvaden won a gold medal in the U16 100m, David was out of action in recent times and made a great come back.

Alison Connolly, Tullamaine, won silver in the U10 100m narrowly beaten by Kelley Bester from Carrick-on-Suir. Alison won both her heat and her semifinal very impressively. Ryan Walsh, Killenaule Road, finished second in his heat of the boys U10 100m and gave a fine performance to win bronze in the final. Jack Dolan, Coolmore also ran exceptionally well in the U14 100m finishing 2nd in his heat and winning bronze in the final.


Caleb Molloy Hickey (left), Tipperary Town, finishing 4th and Ryan Walsh, Fethard, 3rd in the Boys U10 100m final

Kelly Ryan, Strylea, finished fourth in the final of the U8-60m, Ben Coen, Killusty, winner of a gold medal last year, now running a year out of his age group won his heat of the U12 100m and qualified for the semifinals along with Michael James Phelan, Jossestown (U8-80m), Leah Coen, The Green (U10-100m), Mark Heffernan, Ballyvaden (U14-100m).

Fethard athletes L to R: Michael James Phelan, Ryan Walsh and Ben Coen

L to R Leah Coen (Killusty) and Lucy Spillane (Fethard)

L to R: Ava Burke (New Inn), Stephen Crotty (Killusty) and Luke Coen (Killusty)

Fethard Medieval Festival
The Festival Committee are in full organising mode for the Walled Town Festival on the weekend of August 17-19, when the rain will finally have stopped falling! The festival will follow the basic successful formula of the past five years, but with some new additions to keep the festive pot boiling.

Secret Places of Fethard
The novel idea of a ‘Silent Tour of the Secret Places of Fethard’ is being worked on at present and this should prove to be a very ‘atmospheric’ event, with surprises – all pleasant - happening as the small groups meander off the beaten track around the old town.

Heraldic Book and Town Brochure
The book ‘Heraldic Memorials in Fethard’ by Gerard Crotty and a new Historic Town Brochure – both being published by the Fethard Historical Society - are nearing completion and one or both of these will be launched over the weekend. The families mentioned in the book – the Roches, Hacketts, Tobins, Butlers, Walls, Meaghers, Everards, St. Johns and more will be especially interested in Gerard Crotty’s book.

More Games and Community Stalls
As expected, the funding from The Heritage Council has been reduced from what it was in the early ‘Tiger’ years so the Festival Committee have to think up new ways of generating cash over the festival weekend and especially on the carnival Sunday. The committee are hoping that other groups and organisations from the parish would run their own ‘stall or area’ and make some money for their own club and also then make a contribution to the running of the overall festival, which cost over €10,000 to run last year.

The Festival Committee has ideas that would work on the day if the manpower and womanpower were available. The committee saw this system working in the medieval festival in Chinon in France where the Fethard contingent paraded in 2010. The different squares of the town and tents were run by the different clubs, with the sporting clubs especially prominent, as of course sports clubs have lots of young energetic members! This is already happening in the Fethard Festival and hopefully more clubs will join in this big community event.

Of course, individuals and families are also very welcome to offer whatever help that they themselves would like to contribute to making the Fethard Medieval Festival the special event that it has become. Anyone interested in helping in some way or other can phone Mary on 087 9009722, or email festival@fethard.com to discuss in what way you would like to participate. Further details of upcoming workshops (costume making and family shield making) for both adults and children will be announced in the coming weeks.

Fethard Scouts Annual Camp

Fethard Scout Group held their Annual Group Weekend Camp w/e 24th June, where a full and active programme coupled with a well-balanced menu ensured for a great camp. Ventures, Scouts and Cubs arrived on site on Friday evening and set-up camp. A night hike returning in the early after midnight hours and late to bed didn’t prevent an early start, 5am for some, for a long Saturday.



Beavers arrived on Saturday morning for a wide and varied programme to suit all sections, including obstacle course, trails, hikes, backwoods cooking, games, finishing with the traditional campfire and sing-a-long on Saturday night. This entailed an all-night duty roster for some leaders on Saturday night with our Beavers as it was their first night camping. Congratulations to all our young Beavers for braving the elements.


On Sunday after breakfast we went to 11am Mass, back to the campsite for a barbecue with some former members and parents. All in all this was a great weekend for scouting.



Our many thanks go to Harry and Rosemary Ponsonby, Grove, for their hospitality. As always they made us feel at ease and so welcome. It is much appreciated. Thanks also to the parents who helped out on Sunday and the great work over the weekend by our leaders, Nicola, Tony, Anna, Michelle, Denis, John, Brendan and Lofty.

Wanted your Fethard ‘Green / Barrack Street’ reminiscences and photographs

Michael 'Chas' Keane sent us this photograph of himself outside Walsh's house in Barrack Street taken in the early 1970s. One of the many submitted for the 'Green/Barrack Street Reunion' in Fethard on August 18.

The next meeting to organise ‘The Green & Barrack Street Reunion’ will take place on Wednesday night, July 11, at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre. We are appealing for memories, photographs, information, funny stories that could be used in a booklet published in conjunction with the reunion. Please send same to the following email address: thegreen@fethard.com or hand in to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.

The reunion is planned for Saturday night, August 18, 2012, and will be held in The Convent Hall which was chosen for the audio/video facilities and as place that many attending will be familiar with from their early school years. Although this reunion is focussing on people and families that lived in The Green / Barrack Street area, it is open to all their friends and anyone interested in reminiscing about Fethard times past. It is also expected that this year’s reunion will be a forerunner to other areas in Fethard having a similar reunion in year’s to come.

The ideas discussed on the night included the printing of a booklet to coincide with the reunion; a walking tour of The Green in the afternoon; a quiz trail based on the area; and a collection of memories and photographs that will be on display at the reunion. If anyone has any old photographs or items of interest please send same to the following email address: thegreen@fethard.com

The reunion is part-funded by Fethard & Killusty Community Council and tickets (limited) will be available shortly from any of the organisers at €10 each which includes reception, refreshments and a copy of booklet. If you are interested in getting involved please come along to the meeting on Wednesday, July 11, or give your name to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, or by email to: joe@fethard.com

Bands, Music, Barbecue, Family Day on July 8 in Fethard

The Wig Wam Glam Band from Cashel, one of the many bands who will play at the outdoor 'Music Extravaganza' and barbecue in Lonergan's Beer Garden, Fethard, on this Sunday afternoon from 2pm to 9pm , July 8, in aid of the Tipperary Branch of Irish Wheelchair Association.

An outdoor ‘Music Extravaganza’ and barbecue takes place in Lonergan’s Beer Garden on this Sunday afternoon, July 8, in aid of the Tipperary Branch of Irish Wheelchair Association. This event, brainchild of John and Roseanne Carroll, will feature all the top bands who regularly play in Lonergan’s such as: ‘Wig Wam Glam Band’, ‘No Recession’, ‘Hooley’ ‘The Wise Guys’, ‘Midnight’, ‘La Chico’, ‘Leap of Faith’, ‘Mad Patsy’, ‘Sylvia from Hot Ice’ along with DJ and MC for the evening, ‘Roger Brown’, ex Centre Radio 1.01FM and Tipp FM. All the above bands have offered their services free of charge for this great cause and is very appreciated by all concerned. 

This is an ideal event for families to drop in and hear the best of music, enjoy the garden atmosphere while supporting a great cause. Tickets for the event, from 2pm to 9pm, are €10 (accompanied children free) available from Lonergan’s Bar, Joe Kenny, John Ryan and also on the door on the day. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on July 2nd, 2012, of Geraldine Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard.

Funeral to arrive at Holy Trinity Parish Church on Wednesday, July 4, at 7.30pm.

Funeral Mass at 11am on Thursday, July 5, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.

The death has occurred on July 2nd, 2012, of Jim Carrick, Crampscastle, Fethard.

Reposing at McCarthys Funeral Home on Friday, July 6, from 6.30pm with removal to Holy Trinity Church of Ireland at 7.20pm.

Funeral Service at 12 noon on Saturday, July 7, with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.




Fethard Hospice Support Group
The local support group for South Tipperary Hospice would like to express their sincere appreciation to all who supported their recent annual church gate collection held last weekend in Fethard, Killusty and Moyglass. The total amount collected was €1,994.

Jack Connolly is Siberia bound


Fethard man and Clonmel Boxing Club’s rising star Jack Connolly, has been chosen to represent Ireland at a training camp and a multi-nations tournament in Siberia. Jack will fly to Siberia via Moscow, where he will spend two and-a-half weeks in the Kurgan region with the Irish team. They will train along side the Americans, Russians and Cuban youth teams.

At the end of the training camp, there is a tournament for the very prestigious Velese Cup. This is a very hard and intense training camp with some of the best youth boxers and coaches in the world, attending this invitation only event. Jack will also witness some of the earth’s most amazing scenery during his free time, where they will have two training sessions per day.

Jack recently won an excellent contest at an Ireland v Scotland youth International in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, beating John Doherty, Scotland by 9 points to 2.

Strylea athletes complete Waterford Marathon

Congratulations to Fethard's Strylea athletes who completed the Waterford Viking Marathon. The boys ran 26 miles and the girls ran 13 miles – a great achievement for all. Well done. L to R: Alan Roche, Brendan Doyle, Noel O'Dwyer, Vicki Roche and Edel Roche.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council
The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place on Tuesday, July 10, at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre.
Following the recent AGM the following directors were appointed; Joe Kenny (chairman), Brian Sheedy (vice-chairman), Deirdre Brady (secretary), Edwina Newport (assistant secretary), Eileen Coady (treasurer), Marie Murphy (public relations), Diana Stokes, Ger Manton, Peter Grant, Joe Keane, Jimmy Connolly, Thelma Griffith, Rev. Tom Breen P.P., Carmel Kiely, Pamela Sweeney, Tom McGrath and Maurice Moloney.

Joe Kenny informed the meeting that following on from the Development Programme completed early 2011 that the focus and role of the Community Council had somewhat changed.  The main focus had been on sub-groups, both in terms of maintaining these groups and directing action towards such groups that needed attention. He continued by stating that the establishment of the Business and Tourism Group was a highlight of the past year and the Community Council would continue to offer required support to this group.  Joe welcomed new members to the organisation and enquired as to what matters they would be particularly interested in getting involved with.

Priorities for the coming year were to focus on: (a) Sustainability of Fethard Youth Centre; (b) Progress Playground Initiative /Park at Cashel Road; (c) Instigate Community Awards Scheme; (d) Promotion of the Community Council locally; (e) Acquire ‘Purcell’s Field’ for Community Use; (f) Support Business & Tourism Group

Bus to Cashel
If anyone is interested in a bus leaving Fethard for Cashel, from Monday to Friday, secondary school hours, please contact 086 8743752 after 6pm.

Dig Where You Stand Exhibition

Fethard Community Allotments
We would love to hear from anyone interested in having or sharing their own allotment. This is a new Community project and we would like people to come aboard and have some fun growing their own fruit and veg. If you are interested please contact Jimmy Smith on (086) 6006283 or (052) 6132277.

Fethard Ladies Football
The Under 10s made the short trip to Cloneen on Saturday, June 23, for a challenge match with St Pats. Although the weather wasn't kind, everything else seemed to come together for the Fethard girls who played superbly. It's always difficult for the younger teams to get the basics right, but on Saturday the Under 10s made great use of the ball with their simple passes and support play for each other. Well done girls; and many thanks to Michael 'Magic' Ryan and Sandra Spillane for their efforts with this team. Thanks also to St Pats for their hospitality.

The Junior Ladies continue their training on Wednesday evenings at 7.15pm in preparation for the County Championship. All players are encouraged to attend so that we are adequately prepared for the games ahead. On Friday, July 6, the Club will hold a Table Quiz in Butler's Sportsbar and your support would be greatly appreciated.

'Bunny Hops Picnic'

Bunny Hops and their parents photographed at their end of term 'Picnic Party' at Fethard Youth Centre last week. Bunny Hop will be back in Fethard in September.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The lucky numbers drawn on June 27 were: 3, 19, 21 and 29. There was no Jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150: John Slattery, c/o Edwina Newport.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also won €50 each: Michael Russell, Cloneen, Fethard; Harry Aherne, Abbey View, Fethard; and Teddie Pollard, St. Patricks Place, Fethard.

The next Lotto draw will take place on July 4, and you can also purchase your lotto ticket in local shops or online at www.fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets online and get one free! Check on the Fethard website for lots of special offers. Next week’s Jackpot commences at €2,800 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €280. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Twins celebrate 73rd Birthday

The Gleeson twins celebrating their 73rd Birthday at Fethard Day Care Centre. L to R: Geraldine McCarthy (Fethard & Killusty District Day Care Centre), Joan Gleeson, Michael Cleere (Centre's Bus Driver), Eileen Gleeson and Joan O'Donohoe (Fethard & Killusty Community Office)

Fethard win South Board U10 B Blitz
A determined bunch of young Fethard footballers took to the playing field in Clerihan on Saturday last and after two hours of a long struggle came away with the honours. Six teams competed at this venue and Fethard will be very pleased with their morning’s work coming out on top in all five games.

For Fethard in goal was Robert Wall who only conceded one goal over the five games. He continuously left opposition forwards frustrated with fingertip saves. Look out Paul Fitzgerald you have been warned. The full back line of Josh ‘The Rock’ Nevin, who put his body on the line over and over for the team and Ciaran Moroney with his assured and accurate passing from defence, were as solid as the town walls of Fethard, giving away little change in front of goal.

The half back line of Shane Neville, Michael Quinlan and Keenan Ahearne worked tirelessly over the five games, time and time again coming out with the 50/50 ball. In to midfield the twin towers of Darragh Hurley whose sweet left boot arrowed many a ball accurately into the full forward line, and Cathal O’Mahony’s high fielding and direct running with the ball causing the opposition plenty of headaches.

The half forward line of Ryan Walsh and Toby Collier whose work rate, solo running and link play with mid field and other forwards was enjoyable to watch. The inside full forward line of Kieran O’Donnell who tackled and worked hard, Michael Cuddihy who made some important interceptions and supported Robert Hackett over the five games. Robert ‘The Pocket Rocket’ Hackett finished the blitz with a personal tally of 6 goals and 7 points, scoring in every game and all but one point coming from play.

A great day for Fethard and for the parents who made the trip to watch their boys. Fethard would like to thank the Clerihan club in particular Tony Lyons for the drinks and snacks for the kids afterwards.

Cúl Camp:
Last chance to register for Cúl Camp through the club will take place on Thursday, July 5, from 7.30pm for one half-hour. A €15 deposit is required. Cost of camp is €55 for 1st child, €45 for 2nd Child, €40 for all subsequent children in same family.

Cúl Camp dates are: Monday, August 20 to Friday, August 24.