Fethard's Under 14 rugby team, captained by Ross McCormack, won the East Munster Cup Final on Sunday, April 28. Well done to this young team who showed great determination against a bigger Waterford City side. Thanks also to the coaches - John Smullen, Shane Ivors, Paul Kavanagh and Hugh O'Connor.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Thursday, May 2, 2013, of Mr Paddy Lawrence, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard.

Removal to Holy Trinity Parish Church at 6.50pm on Saturday, May 4.

Requiem Mass on Sunday at 11am followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery.

Tea Party in Willowbrook Lodge
All are welcom to attend a Tea Party at Willowbrook Lodge, Mocklershill, Fethard, on Thursday, May 9, in aid of Alzheimers, from 3pm to 4pm, and from 7pm to 9pm.

Golden Dragon Restaurant 'Specials'

• ADULTS - 3 Course Meal only €14.90
• KIDS - 2 Course Meal only €7.50
• Children Under 3 Years - Eat Free

The Mick Aherne Memorial Trophy at Fethard Ballroom
The Annual Dance Competition will be held in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday night next, May 4, at 8.30pm (till late) in aid of South Tipperary Hospice. Competition includes The Mick Aherne Memorial Trophy, two-dance Old-Time Waltz and Quick-Step, Beginners, Novice, Intermediate and Open in all Classes, Slow-Waltz, Old-Time-Waltz, Quick-Step, Fox-Trot etc, and much more social dancing. Please come along and support this worthy cause as all proceeds go to South Tipperary Hospice.

Dancing at Fethard Ballroom continues again on Sunday Night, May 5, to the music of Catherine and The Images. A great night’s entertainment is assured for all. Dancing 9pm to midnight and admission is €7.

Finding new Life in the Spirit!
A seminar, ‘Finding new life in the Spirit’, continues in Holy Trinity Parish Church at 7pm on this Wednesday, May 1, topic is ‘Gods Covenant’. The seminar will continue each Wednesday evening at the same time until May 29.

Next Wednesday, May 8, the topic will be ‘Salvation’; May 15 ‘The New Life’; May 19 (Sunday) ‘Baptism in the Spirit’; May 22 ‘Growth’ and finishing on May 29 with ‘Transformation in Christ’.

All are invited to attend this very informative journey of faith. Guest speakers will attend.

Town Wall receives grant assistance from Heritage Council
Grant assistance of €10,000 has been given by the Heritage Council through the Irish Walled Town's Network to undertake repair and maintenance works at the section of the Fethard Town wall at Watergate. The funding application was made to the Heritage Council earlier this year by south Tipperary County Council in association with the Fethard Town Walls Steering Committee. The works will build on previous repair works undertaken at this section and along the wall circuit.

Strictly Come Dancing

Emma Hayes and Simon Brawders, two of the dancers at last year's 'Strictly Come Dancing'

The time has come around again for this year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ at Fethard Ballroom which features local schoolchildren giving a colourful exhibition of ballroom dancing under the guidance of Marina Mullins.

This event takes place on Monday, May 20, at 7.30pm, and attracts a large audience every year. All are welcome to come along and proceeds are in aid of Holy Trinity National School.

Get your teeth whitened at Fethard Convent Community Hall
How would you like to get your teeth whitened without spending a fortune? ‘Sparkles Whitening’ are coming to Fethard on Saturday, May 18, and are offering a fantastic intro offer of €50 so if you would like an appointment call 085 7547092 or visit ‘sparkles whitening’ on FaceBook.

There are still a few places left for the bodhrán lessons starting in Fethard Convent Community Hall on Wednesday evenings in May, children’s lessons start at 6.30pm and cost €5 per child per week and adult lessons start at 7.17pm and cost €8 per week. Lessons will last for 45 minutes, as Marion has a limited number of bodhráns, places are offered on a first come basis. If you know of anybody that has a bodhrán and not using it, we would be delighted to have a loan of it for the duration of the lessons. To enquire about a place ring Joan at (052) 6131000.

Fethard Convent Community Hall is now available for bookings for Communions, Confirmations, birthday parties or any special occasion, for more details phone 086 8743752 or (052) 6131000.

Jimmy steps down after a life dedicated to community

Mr Liam Hayes (right), chairperson Fethard & District Day Care Centre, making a presentation to Jimmy Connolly, outgoing chairperson, who retired after many years service on the Day Care Centre committee.

At the AGM of Fethard & District Day Care Centre, Jimmy Connolly, outgoing chairperson, was acknowledged by the committee members for his many years service to Fethard Community over the past fifty years.

Jimmy was a founder member of Fethard Credit Union in April 1970 and also was a member on the Abymill Theatre board of directors in 1988, on stage with the Hogan Musical Society, Fethard Badminton Club, Fethard and Killusty Community Council where he took up the position of treasurer from 1886 to 1988 and again from 2001 to 2010. We wish Jimmy, a former employee of Avonmore, a long and healthy life and thank him sincerely for his many years voluntary contribution to helping make Fethard a better place to live.

Fethard sports achievement award nominees for April
The following nine people were nominated for the April ‘Fethard Sports Achievement Award’, promoted by Butler’s Sports Bar in Fethard. The aim is to recognise and reward sporting achievement be it at participation, coaching or administration level. Nominees must be over 18 and from Fethard parish, work in Fethard, live in Fethard (play for Fethard teams) or from Fethard but participate in sport elsewhere.

• Willie McGarry – Continued his successful darts year with a victory in the Tipperary Masters in Templemore. He beat fellow Tipp player Gerry O Hara 5-3 in the final.
• Aine Doocey – This is Aine’s first season racing and so far has achieved some very strong results. 4th in the county masters 6K in Ballingarry, silver medallist at the same event over-35 and 4th in the county novice 3k held at Moyne.
• Paul Tobin – Paul is coach to a very successful Taekwondo school in Fethard. At the recent ITF Ireland cup held in Waterford some of his charges collected a haul of two gold, one silver and one bronze medals (Laura Ryan, Aine Ryan and Owen Byrne).
• Claire Annan – Another success for Claire this month on the point-to-point field. Her mount Ashdale Lad was a winner at Loughbrickland for owner Nessa Toher of Enniskillen College.
• Noreen Harrington – Again a success story for Fethard Athletic Club. Noreen was 4th in the over-50 section at the county masters held in Ballingarry. She was also a member of the over-45 gold medal team at the same meeting, the first ladies senior title for Fethard in over 30 years.
• Mouse Morris – Rounded off a great year for his stable with victory in the prestigious Bet Fred Bowl chase (Grade 1) at Aintree with his horse First Lieutenant.
• Dylan Fitzgerald – Dylan is a member of Cahir Park soccer team who completed a treble this year. They were successful in the Paddy Purtill Cup, Division 1 Shield and Division 1 League winners which sees them competing in the TSDL Premier League next season.
• Hugh O’Connor – Fethard Rugby Club are making great strides forward particularly at under age level. Hugh is coach to the U15 side which recently contested an East Munster final losing narrowly to a strong Dungarvan side.
• Imelda Vaughan – Joined Fethard Athletic Club this year and already has made an impact claiming bronze at the Tipperary masters over-50 and was also part of the over-45 gold medal winning team already mentioned.

The April winner will be announced at a function in Butler’s Sports Bar this coming Friday, May 3, at 10pm. All are welcome.

Spillane an Fánaí – Fethard
The following is from singer John Spillane's website after his week spent in Fethard . . . VISIT HIS WEBSITE HERE


John Spillane singing his new 'Fethard Song' in McCarthys where he was joind by local and visiting musicans.

Continuing with the filming of our new TV Series for TG4 – SPILLANE AN FÁNAÍ – (Spillane the Wanderer), and flushed with success after our time in GRAIGUENAMANAGH, and with the song I wrote for that town, our little travelling circus rolled into town number two; FETHARD, COUNTY TIPPERARY!

I was wondering if I would be able to write another song as good or anywhere near as good as the one for Graiguenamanagh like, but I had the advantage that I had been there before, when I had played a gig in the Marquee out the back of McCarthy’s about three summers ago, and I had got the tour of the town from JASPER, the man of the house in McCarthy’s famous BAR/ RESTAURANT/ UNDERTAKER!
My main memories of the tour were the flock of geese which roamed freely about the town, the town geese like, the magnificent walls of the town, and the Sheela na Gig, that grotesque image plastered to the town wall!

Well anyway we rolled into town and set up our headquarters in McCarthy’s, where we were visited the first night by local musicians THE PHEASANT PLUCKERS! I’m not a pheasant plucker, I’m a pheasant plucker’s son, and I’m only plucking pheasants till the pheasant pluckers come! Well we had a mighty good ol’ session of music and I was trying out my new FETHARD song, which was starting to take shape; -

FETHARD

As I went down through Fethard town in the County Tipperary,
I met a goose on the loose, and she muttering and stuttering,
The dander of the gander and he going to reprimand her,
What’s the use of a truce with the goose on the loose,
Make peace with the geese, and they feathered in Fethard,

In Fethard town, in Fethard town,
the sun goes up and the sun goes down,
The auld Clashawley flows around,
I wish i was in Fethard town,

As I went down through Fethard town in the County Tipperary,
I met the Sheela na Gig and she dancing a jig,
And she clingin’ to the wall, and she laughin’ at them all,
Saying “They’ll never understand me”,
And the mystery of history, the hassle in the castle,
And the monk in the bunk, and the skill with the quill,
And it feathered in Fethard,

In Fethard town, in Fethard town,
the sun goes up and the sun goes down,
The auld Clashawley flows around,
I wish I was in Fethard town,

As I went down through Fethard town in the County Tipperary,
I met a mouse with a horse, and he training him of course,
For the big gold cup, giddy up, giddy up,
And the thoroughbred blood, and the Coolmore stud,
And the party in McCarthy’s and the fiddle
and the griddle and the riddle;-
“What made the HEARSE HORSE HOARSE?
The COFFIN of course!”
And the under taker take her under undertaker,
And the Sheela na Gig and she dancing a jig,
and the monk in the bunk,
And the goose on the loose, and they feathered in Fethard,

In Fethard town, in Fethard town,
the sun goes up and the sun goes down,
The auld Clashawley flows around,
I wish I was in Fethard town.

With the Fí ard, Bí ard, Crann ard, Coill Ard, Sliabh ard, Riamh ard, Nuair a chacann gé, cacann siad go léir,
Ar thaobh na gréine de Shliabh na mBan!

Well anyway lads it’s a completely different type of a song like from the last one, it’s a rollicking, jovial, tongue twister of a number like, fair play to me!


Tony Newport (left) photographed with singer John Spillane in McCarthy's Hotel where he was resident for the past week interviewing locals for a TV Production on Fethard due to aired on TnaG in September. Tony was interviewed along with Joe Kenny on the Kenrick Collection of glass plates taken in Fethard by Patrick Kenrick c.1895. Patrick Kenrick who died in 1950, was Tony's uncle and Joe's grand-uncle.

Well we met a whole host of colourful charachters in Fethard, including Frankie Napier, the little boy who ran away with the circus long ago, and who trained Bengal tigers under the Big Top. Johnny Sheehan, the woodturner, who carved me a beautiful pen out of ancient yew before my very eyes, and who told us very movingly of his great love for the Irish language.

We explored a fascinating link with the great ballad “Lord Franklin”, which I was delighted to have to learn for the show – you’ll have to watch it, like, to get the full story!

We visited the home place of Ned Kelly’s dad in MOYGLASS where I ended up in a home made suit of armour; we met up with Tony Newport and Joe Kenny who showed us a fascinating collection of photographs of Fethard from a hundred years ago; we met up with Terry Cunningham the local historian and Doirín Saurus who gave us the run down on the Sheela na Gig and showed us her wonderful pottery.

We visited Margaret and Dick Prendegast who took me to the Fethard Ballroom, where I was dragged out for the Siege of Ennis and the Paul Jones!

Among other adventures there, as well as pulling pints behind the bar, I found myself roped into driving the hearse.


Singer John Spillane photographed in McCarthy's Hotel last weekend where he joined local musicians Joe Kenny, Barry Connolly, John Shortall, Maresa Dolan, Jimmy Trehy, Vinny Murphy and Dom O'Driscoll to record a special programme on Fethard for TnaG TV. John wrote a special song about Fethard which will be featured on the programme when it's broadcast in September.

Happy days in Fethard like lads and I was horsing out my new song everywhere I went and in fairness you would have to say it did go down very well like, very happy with the reaction like, in fairness I would have to say that , yes, I have struck another ball INTO THE BACK OF THE NET LIKE!

Thanks a million to Vincent and Annette in McCarthy’s, Teresa and Willie in the Cozie B and B and all the people of the town who opened their doors and their hearts to us all. Thanks again to Tony McCarthy and all the ForeFront Crew!

— John Spillane (April 30, 2013)

Jack’s best fight of his life
Saturday, April 27, Jack Connolly put in one of the best fights of his life when he defeated Peter Keenan at the Lakeroom Bar, in Mahon, Cork City. The event was the 10th anniversary tournament hosted by Loughmahon Boxing Club.

Keenan at 21 years old, a local hero, and the first boxer ever to represent Loughmahon at the Elite Senior Championships at the National Stadium last month, had no answers and could not contend with the 16 year old from Fethard, in what was a master display from Jack to win by a majority decision in Keenan’s own back yard.
Keenan known for his strength and power, was out foxed by Jack for the entire fight, with a brilliant performance of power, speed, left jab and use of the ring, to take the honours in front of the Loughmahon supporters in their own local club. Coach Bobby Galvin made it three wins from three when Jack’s club-mates Kenny Dillon and Liam McKenna also recorded impressive victories for the Clonmel Boxing Club. Fantastic stuff and well done to all concerned.

Community Games

Katie Allen, Fethard performing at the recent County Finals of Community Games Gymnastics.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games area are delighted to have two competitors representing County Tipperary at weekend one of the HSE Community Games National Finals which will take place from May 24 to 26.

Keenan Aherne, will compete in the boys U10 Handwriting competition which will be held in the New Engineering Building in Athlone Institute of Technology at 2pm on Saturday, May 25.

Cassie Needham will compete in the girls U16 Art competition which will be held in the same venue at 9.30am on Sunday, May 26. Best of luck to both.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on April 24, were: 4, 15, 24 and 32. We had no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150: Richie Cummins, c/o Tom Purcell.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners won €50 each: Mary Keane, Knockelly, Fethard; P. Russell, Ballydonnell, Mullinahone; and Theresa Ryan, c/o Maria Murphy.

Remember you can purchase your lotto ticket online at fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets and get one free! Check on the website for lots of special offers. Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, May 1 and the Jackpot is €8,950 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €895. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Fethard GAA Club news
Their was a good reaction to the photo of the 1988 county winning team in last week’s notes and it is hopeful that they might get together for their 25th reunion during the Gathering festivities later in the year.
On a lighter note it was great to be in the Fethard GAA grounds on Saturday evening last to witness Ballingarry and Killenaule in the South Senior Hurling Championship. The buzz and excitement had to be seen to be believed as these two stalwarts of the ancient game gave a splendid display to the large gathering present. Killenaule took the spoils on this occasion over a younger Ballingarry side. It won’t be long till the boys in the ‘Purple and White’ will be the team to contend with. The club must be complimented on the field presentation for the game.

We had no jackpot winner and no match-three winner in last week’s lotto draw. The following five lucky drawn tickets will receive €30: Bee Gould, Claremore, Killusty; Pat Sheehan, Killusty; Joan Dunphy, c/o Bob Fitzgeralds, Clonmel; Paul Fitzgerald, c/o Merrys Clonmel; and Jim Williams, Killusty. The €50 lucky dip went to Catherina Williams, Killusty. We thank AIB Fethard for sponsoring tickets. Next weeks draw takes place at Butlers Sports Bar with a jackpot of €5,900.

Patrician Presentation Jottings

1st Year Outing to Ardmore
First Year pupils accompanied by Mr McCarthy and SCP Co-ordinator Ms Burke went on a trip to the Outdoor Pursuit Centre in Ardmore on Thursday last April 25. The group took part in a number of water-based activities with the aim of such programmes being to encourage independence and to promote team spirit among the participants. The sun shone for the occasion and a good day was enjoyed by all.

Irish and French Orals
Sixth Year pupils completed their Irish and French orals over the last two weeks. They were well prepared for the exams and Mock Oral Exams were conducted in the school in the previous weeks.

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
The LCVP pupils have completed their portfolios and will sit their final LCVP exam on Wednesday, May 1. The school has had excellent results in LCVP over the years. LCVP is a Senior Cycle Programme of the Department of Education and Skills, designed to give a strong vocational dimension to the Leaving Certificate. The programme combines the virtues of academic study with a new and dynamic focus on self-directed learning, enterprise, work and the community. Young people taking the LCVP have a unique opportunity to develop their interpersonal, vocational and technological skills. These skills are equally relevant to the needs of those preparing for further education, seeking employment or planning to start their own business.
It’s a very useful subject for pupils with all aspects of the exam being completed in May before the main exams in June. Pupils are awarded distinction, merit and pass grades. These grades are recognised for point purposes by the Universities and the Institutes of Technology. The points are allocated as follows: Distinction 70 points, Merit 50 points and Pass 30 points

Science Trip to Fota Island
On Thursday last, April 25, the Third Year Science Pupils and 5th and 6th Year biology pupils took part in the educational programme in Fota Island. The Practical Field Ecology course for Junior and Leaving Cert covered all aspects of the biology module and allowed students time to explore the park after completing their woodland survey. The trip was organised by science teacher, Mr Maher. Ms Fogarty, Deputy Principal, also accompanied the students to Cork.

Fethard Athletic Club
It was another busy week across the South East for our club members with nine different athletes competing at three different events. On Sunday, April 21, Tina Phelan made the trip to the Wexford Half Marathon where she finished midfield in under two hours.

On April 24, the Inter-Firms 6K series final in Clonmel took place with Fintan Rice 5th and Edmond Kinane 32nd overall on the night. Jenifer Rice, Michael Hinchey, Paraic McCormack and Denise O'Brien all ran well but were further down the field. In the team event the ‘Barney Curleys’ team from Ballydoyle Stud made up from Edmond, Denise, Michael and T.J Comerford combined over the previous four Wednesday nights to take the Division 6 Inter-Firms title.

On Friday, April 26, the first ever Faugheen 5K took place with Fintan Rice, who finished 25th overall in a high quality field, taking the win in the Over 45s and Jennifer Rice taking another Junior Ladies win. Edmond Kinane, Michael Hinchey, Denise O'Brien and Nicola Guiry all represented us well in a field of over 200 athletes.

On May 1, Cahir is the venue for a 4 mile fun run and we hope some members will take the chance to run in this no pressure environment. On May 12, we will be represented at the Annerville 10K in Clonmel.
Running continues every Monday and Friday night. Start time is 7.15 pm, meeting at the Ballroom. There is now just four weeks to go for the 13th staging of the ‘Walls of Fethard’ 4 mile event and 2 mile fun run on May 29, starting at 8pm. More details in our event preview next week.

For club information contact Paraic at Tel: 087 9229747 or find us on Facebook. Keep on Running!

Support needed for Town Hall Development Project
Fethard Business and Tourism Group need your support for the refurbishment and development of Fethard Town Hall which will be a huge asset for the whole town in the future. A draw, in conjunction with the ‘Fethard Gathering Festival’ has been organised and tickets at €50 each are now on sale from committee members and participating local organisations that also stand to benefit from the proceeds.

The draw will take place at the end of May and has three fabulous prizes on offer: 1st Prize is a €3,000 travel voucher; 2nd Prize a €1,500 travel voucher; and 3rd Prize: a €1,000 travel voucher. Tickets may also be purchased online or from Bill O’Sullivan at 087-2522885.

Please support this draw (and your local club) by buying a ticket, contacting friends and family abroad inviting them home for the Fethard Gathering Festival on the weekend of June 21, 22, and 23. We can all help in making Fethard a better place to live and work for young and old.

Fethard ‘Gathering’ Festival 2013

Fethard Business and Tourism Group are looking for your support and participation in a massive ‘Gathering’ Festival, which will culminate in the weekend of June 21, 22, and 23, this year. Event ideas are being sought, but already plans are afoot to hold the following events: National Street Celebration of Country Markets, founded here in 1948; U12 Hurling Blitz; Exiles’ Match; Rugby Match; School Reunions; Opening of New Playground; Marquee by Town Wall for functions including a Saturday night ‘Big Event’; Irish Final of Highland Games; Pub Quiz and Darts Championship; Dog Show; Ballroom Dancing on Sunday; and Fethard Historical Pageant.

The refurbishment and proper development of Fethard Town Hall will be a huge asset for the whole town. The building will act as the link and the portal for the tourist to the ‘Heart of the Town’. It will offer a welcoming, multi-functional and hospitable environment where visitors and local people can relax and learn more about Fethard.

To support this development and the ‘Gathering’ Festival a draw will take place at the end of May with the help of local participating organisations. Ticket price is €50 per ticket for three fabulous prizes eligible for travel anywhere in the world. 1st Prize is a €3,000 travel voucher; 2nd Prize a €1,500 travel voucher; and 3rd Prize: a €1,000 travel voucher.

Please support this draw (and your local club) by buying a ticket, contacting friends and family abroad inviting them home. This is a unique opportunity for all of us to work together for the development of Fethard.

Items for Fethard News and Website
Items for inclusion on the weekly Fethard News page on The Nationalist can be emailed before noon on Mondays to news@fethard.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.