Scouts win county shield second year in a row

Photographed at the County Shield Competition are Ruth McDonald, Taylor and Cameron Bailey, David Mockler, Dan Walsh (PL), Eoin O'Donovan (APL), Dylan Ryan, Katie Whyte, with leaders Rachel Hanlon, Brendan Bailey, Bobby Phelan and Cormac Keating.

The May Bank Holiday weekend saw a patrol of eight scouts, representing the Fethard Troop, travel to Parsons Green in Clogheen to pit their skills against patrols from, Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, Cahir, Ardfinnan, Tipperary Town, Clonoulty, Cashel and Kilsheelan, in the County Shield Competition, where all scouting skills are tested, a total of seventeen inspections were conducted over the weekend from tent pitching, navigating by night, pioneering, camp craft, cooking, map and compass, first-aid, campfire entertainment and uniform inspection.
With a repeat performance of 2012, Fethard took the spoils again winning the competition for the second year in a row. The troop will now go on to represent the county at national level for four days in August to Castle Saunderson in north County Cavan, right on the border of our friends in Northern Ireland. Well done to a great Patrol.

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ time again

Participants in 'Strictly Come Dancing 20134' getting ready for their big night on May 20 in Fethard Ballroom in aid of Holy Trinity National School. Included are Ava Ward, Simon Brawders, Rachael Prout, Melinda Csuzi, Leah Coen, Gillian Burke, Zoe Prout, Rory O'Mahoney, Olivia Ward and Jessica Moroney.

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. Admission is €5 in advance or €7 on the door.

Articles for Emigrants’ Newsletter
We are now inviting submissions of articles and photographs for inclusion in this year’s Emigrants’ Newsletter. The Newsletter covers all generations of emigrants and it would be nice to have articles covering all age groups. The item need not be long. It might recall a funny incident, a local character you remember, a particular event, school time or any other recollection that may surface. So please consider putting pen to paper, or voice to recorder, and submit an article for this year’s issue. Photographs, current or old, are also very welcome.

Articles or photographs can be submitted to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, or by email to newsletter@fethard.com

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday Night, May 19, to the music of the Sam O’Doherty. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing. Dancing 9pm to midnight and admission is €7.

Graduation
Congratulations to Yvonne Kana who recently graduated with a masters in Advanced Practice Ophthalmology Nursing from all the Purcell family in Burke Street, Fethard.

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 15, topic is ‘The New Life’. The seminar will continue Sunday, May 19, with ‘Baptism in the Spirit’; Wednesday, May 22, ‘Growth’ and finish on Wednesday, May 29 with ‘Transformation in Christ’. All are invited to attend this very informative journey of faith. Guest speakers will attend.

Fethard Community Playground
Only one week left – Fethard Community Playground’s Fundraising Buster Race Night, at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium, will take place on Thursday, May 23.  It promises to be a great night of entertainment and there’s also the chance that you could be the lucky winner of €1,500.  This race night was decided on by the committee to raise funds for this much-needed and long-awaited playground for the children of Fethard and surrounding areas. Over €102,000 has been secured in funding from South Tipperary County Council and South Tipperary Development Company and an additional €13,000 has to raised locally to meet overall costs.  Playground equipment is now on order and it is envisaged that the project will be completed by mid-June.

Tickets for the Buster Race are getting scarce, priced at €20, which includes free entry on the night. If you’d like to support this initiative a small number of tickets are still available from Newport’s Newsagents, Fethard, or by email at playground@fethard.com. This event, while supporting a worthwhile community cause, is also a great opportunity so see and experience the wonderful new facilities at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium.

Fethard GAA Club
Our deepest sympathy goes to our chairman, Patsy Lawrence, on the recent death of his father, Paddy, and our condolences to his family and relatives. The late Paddy was a gentleman to his fingertips and an ardent follower of the many Fethard teams down through the years. May the sod rest lightly on his soul as he joins his beloved wife, Tess, who pre deceased him and may God bless them both.

Tipperary County Board draw time is on us once again and the usual suspects will be arriving at your door step shortly looking for support. The Fethard club does appreciate that times are hard but we would still appeal for the continued support that we have received faithfully from you through the years and thank everyone sincerely  for their contributions. The prize fund is of great value for only €10 per month, or €100 per year with two free draws. This could be your year to win a car or a holiday in the sun. Please support.

Fethard GAA Sports Lotto results for May 7 are as follows. We had no jackpot or ‘Match 3’ winner so the following drawn tickets received €30 each: Danny Kane, Kerry Street; Martin Burke, Main Street; The Abymill Theatre; Tony Ryan, Tullamaine; and Andrew Cahill, c/o Merrys Clonmel. The €50 lucky dip winner was Patsy Lawrence, chairman of our club. Our next draw takes place in The Well Bar. Jackpot is €6,200. Best of luck to all and thanks to AIB for sponsoring tickets.

Fethard Rugby Club AGM
On Monday, May 20, Fethard and District Rugby Club will hold their AGM in their club house on the Killenaule Road at 8pm. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Died in England
The death has occurred in England on March 11, of Janet O’Keeffe, widow of the late Jim O'Keeffe, Kiltinan, Fethard. Janet lived with Jim for four years in Kiltinan before moving to Kilmore Quay. May she Rest in Peace.

Community Games News
Fethard and Killusty Community Games football teams are doing very well in the championships. The U10 mixed team defeated Ballingarry and are presently waiting to play the winners of Clerihan v Cahir while Cashel play Powerstown/Lisronagh. The winners of this match will play winner of Clerihan v Cahir v Fethard in the South Final which should be played by May 20.

The U12 girls team are in great form beating Powerstown Lisronagh and Clerihan in quick succession. They are now in the South Final where they will play the winners of St Mary’s v Cashel.

The U11 hurling lost nothing in being defeated 1-0 by Powerstown They are a young team who will have benefited from the experience. The very best of luck to both teams in their quest for glory.

Area Athletics will take place on Tuesday, May 21, in the GAA Park at 6.30pm, with events for boys and girls from U8 to U16. There will also be non-qualifying races for tots. Entry fee is €2. Competitors must live in the parish and be under the specified age on July 31, 2013.

Competitors may run in all events until they win either a gold or silver medal which qualifies them for the county finals, so thereafter we implement the policy of only allowing a child to qualify once to give other children the opportunity to compete at the county finals, which will take place in Templemore on Sunday, June 23.

Check out our new-look website, www.tipperarycommunitygames.com to keep updated with all events.

Fethard Ladies Football

Fethard Ladies Football five representatives on the Tipperary U14 team that were crowned Munster Champions. L to R: Laura Stocksborough, Molly O'Meara, Ciara Hayes, Megan Coen and Kate Davey.

It is a great honour for Fethard Ladies Football to have five representatives on the Tipperary U14 team that were crowned Munster Champions having defeated Clare by 4 points in the final. All five, Kate Davey, Megan Coen, Ciara Hayes, Molly O’Meara and Laura Stocksborough contributed hugely to the success. Well done girls your club is very proud of your achievements and congratulations to all the Tipperary team and best wishes for the rest of the championship.
Our Girls U11½ team reached the south final of the Community Games with two great victories against Powerstown and Clerihan. Having defeated Powerstown last week we played Clerihan on Thursday evening for a place in the final. On the back of some tenacious defending we ran out 4-5 to 0-3 winners. Best of luck in the final girls.

Fethard Convent Community Hall
Two ladies who are interested in giving tin whistle lessons and Irish dancing lessons in Fethard Convent Community Hall have approached us, so if you have a child interested in doing any of these lessons please contact Joan at the Community Office on Tel (052) 6131000 and give their names.

A one hour relaxation class will start in Fethard Convent Community Hall on Thursday evening at 7pm, The class will be given by Dee Brady who is very qualified in this area, so if you fancy unwinding and de-stressing after a long day why not give this class a go. €5 per week, contact Dee on 086 6006283 or check out our Facebook page at Fethard Convent Community Hall

It was great to see and hear the children and adults learning the bodhrán at the hall on Wednesday nights. Those attending appear to love it and definitely intend to keep it up so thanks to Marion for coming to Fethard to give the lessons.

Don’t forget, Sparkles Whitening will be in Fethard this Saturday from 9am to whiten your teeth for a great intro offer of only €50. To book your place call 085 7547092.

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.

Celebrating 30 Years Open

Some of the prize-winners celebrating '30 Years' at Fethard Car Boot Sale: Aishlinn Smee holding her teddy, Sarah O'Gorman, Sroirse, Caoimhe and Edbha Doyle.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on May 8, were: 16, 21, 22 and 26. We had no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150: Nellie Croke, Killenaule.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners won €50 each: Bob Maher, Barrack Street, Fethard; Simon Delahunty, c/o Tom Purcell; and Ferret, c/o Burkes Bar, Fethard.

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 15 and the Jackpot is €9,250 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €925. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Fethard Athletic Club
A fest of road races take place locally over the next few week starting with the County Senior Ladies 5k and Mens 10k road championships taking place at noon this coming Sunday, May 19. The course is around the beautiful Red City loop and we are delighted to showcase one of the town’s most scenic surrounds. The county’s best should be here for this one so why not come along and have a look. The roads and junctions in the area will be marshalled and we would like any motorists travelling in the area to be cautious and avoid the route where possible.

Just two weeks to our annual staging of The Walls of Fethard four-miler plus two-mile Fun Run on Wednesday, May 29, starting at 8pm. Again this is another chance to showcase the town and its surrounds with quite a few expected to travel from outside the county to run our historic streets. For some it will be their first time visiting Fethard. Come out and support the runners as they pass your door or pop down to the Main Street where there will be free on-street music for all to enjoy. Anyone willing to help out at these events should contact us, any help no matter how small it would be greatly appreciated.

On May 5 we had Victor Direen and Jimmy O’Sullivan take part in the ‘Great Limerick Run’ and on May 12, Victor, Edmond Kinane and Biddy O'Dwyer took part in the Annerville 10k in Clonmel. Well done guys and remember if it wasn't hard work everyone would be doing it.
Our Fit4Life training continues every Monday and Friday at 7.15pm, meeting at the Ballroom and all are welcome. For club and event info contact Paraic on 087 9229747 or Miceál (052) 6131534. Keep on Running!

Died recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, of Joe Keane of Lackaghbeg, Monasterevin, Kildare, and formerly of The Green, Fethard.

Reposing at McWey's Funeral Home, Abbey View, Kildare Town from 4pm on Thursday, May 16, with removal at 6.45pm to Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Monasterevin to arrive at 7.30pm (via Lackaghbeg).

Funeral Mass on Friday, May 17, at 11am followed by burial in St. Evan's Cemetery, Monasterevin. Our sincere sympath to his wife, Margaret, brother John, sisters Kathleen and Josie, their families, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.

Opera Evening at Clonacody House

Tickets (limited) are now on sale for our 'Opera Evening' at Clonacody House on Friday 24th May. The evening, hosted by Soprano Sara Filippini, will feature a multimedia presentation celebrating the 200th Anniversary of composer Giuseppe Verdi. Tickets cost €25 each and includes a nice Risotto served with a glass of wine. A great evening's entertainment promised starting at 7.30pm. To purchase tickets contact 087 1689167 or email: helen@clonacodyhouse.com

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 at www.fethard.com/draw, or from Bill O’Sullivan at 087-2522885; email: business@fethard.com
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. Tickets may be purchased online at www.fethard.com/draw, from all local clubs and from Bill O’Sullivan at 087-2522885; or by email: business@fethard.com

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.