Festival Kicks Off with a fantastic performace from Holy Trinity NS
Fethard Gathering Festival kicked off today with pupils from Holy Trinity National School providing a fantastic musical and dance performance on The Square Fethard. This event followed an 'Open Day at the school where visitors could visit classrooms and interact with pupils /teachers and view their various projects undertaken over the year.
Festival Offers at the Golden Dragon, The Square
For the duration of the 'Gathering Festival Weekend' from June 21-23, the Golden Dragon restaurant at Lonergan's Bar is offering the following festival specials:
- Snack Box €5 Each
- (1) 2 Sausages, 3 Nuggets, Chips & Curry Sauce
- (2) Spring Roll, 2 Chicken Balls, Chips & Sweet and Sour Dip
- (3) 2 Chicken Wings, 3 Onion Wings, Chips & BBQ Sauce
- 3-in-1 Curry, Chips or Fried Rice for €4.50
- 2-in-1 Curry and Chips for €3.50
- 4-in-1 Chicken or Beef Curry, Fried Rice or Chips for €6
- 2 Sausages & Chips or 2 Chicken Balls & Chips for €3.50
- Early Bird Offer (before (7pm), 3-course-meal only €16.90
- Sunday Lunch (12.30pm-5pm), 3-course-meal only €14.90 (adults); kids 2-course-meal only €7.50.
Contact the Golden Dragon on Tel: (052) 6132914
Fethard 'Gathering' Festival this weekend, June 21-23
Pupils from Killusty National School preparing their hats for this year's Medieval Parade on Sunday, June 23.
Fethard Festival returns this coming weekend to celebrate ‘The Gathering’ with a fantastic selection of family events that will guarantee a great weekend’s entertainment. The festival will take place from Friday, June 21, to Sunday, June 23, and will also incorporate the Medieval Town Wall Festival and Parade on Sunday, June 23.
FRIDAY'S EVENTS
Open Day at Holy Trinity National School
Whether you’re ‘Home’ or ‘Away’ the pupils and staff of Holy Trinity NS invite you to join them in school between 11am and 12.30pm on Friday, June 21, as part of the Fethard Gathering. All are invited to stroll around and see classes in progress, children’s artwork, old photos, artefacts, old trophies, etc. A selection of fun challenges for all will also be on display: ‘Guess the teacher’, ‘Identify the country’ and ‘Find the answers’. So be sure to drop in and see the school, meet the teachers and pupils.
Musical Recital
At 2pm the staff and pupils of Holy Trinity National School will assemble at The Square for some song and dance, where you are also invited to come along to celebrate the start of this year’s festivities.
Monster ‘25’ Game
If you like playing cards Fethard Ballroom is the place to be where you can enjoy a game of Monster ‘25’ with some of the keenest card players in the locality. The game takes place on Friday night, June 21, starting at 7pm.
Fun Run/Walk
Fethard Athletic Club will hold a 5K Fun Run/Walk also on Friday starting outside the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, at 7pm. Registration €10 each will commence from 6pm at the Tirry Centre and all proceeds will go towards the Fethard and District Day Care Centre. This is a permitted event and hopefully will be supported by all our runners and walkers from within the area. Please support this fantastic local cause.
Battle of The Bands
All our young and not so young music lovers are invited to attend a ‘Battle of The Bands’ in our Festival Marquee, by the Convent Community Centre, on Friday night from 7pm to 10pm. This event will showcase some of the best emerging music talent in our area.
Last chance to enter the ‘Rose of Fethard’
As part of the ‘Gathering Festival’ the ‘Rose of Fethard’ will take place in Lonergan’s Bar on Friday evening, June 21, from 9pm onwards. This event, hosted by brilliant ex-Tipp hurler, Declan Fanning, will select a ‘Rose of Fethard’ to represent the town during the three-day Festival.
If you would like to join the other Roses taking part, there is still time to do so by contacting Roseann on (052) 6131447 or call to Lonergan’s Bar for any further information you may require.
SATURDAY'S EVENTS
Barbecue and Dance to ‘20th Century Gold’
Festival Marquee in place for Saturday night!
One of the highlights of this year’s Festival is the Barbecue and Dance in the Convent Community Centre and Festival Marquee on Saturday night, June 22, commencing at 7pm with a ‘Twilight Picnic by The Wall’. This event is ideal for all adult members of the community to socialise and enjoy food, great entertainment and dancing and all for a very reasonable price of €25. Better still – book a table for 10 and you can buy the ten tickets for only €20 each – but hurry this offer is being grabbed up very fast. Contact Maurice Moloney, Bill O’Sullivan or any of the organisers for further details.
Music on the night is supplied by the fantastic seven-piece live band ‘20th Century Gold’ from Dublin - one of Ireland's most entertaining bands, combining great craic and 70's music - A must see!
This event promises to be one of the festival highlights and tickets are available from participating local shops and the committee members.
Class Reunion ‘Gathering’
The Leaving Cert Class of 1991 and Intermediate Cert Class of 1989 are holding a Class Reunion Gathering at the ‘Barbecue and Dance’ on Saturday night and are inviting all their classmates to come along for a great nights craic and chat. For further details contact Mary (Ryan) O’Mahoney.
Fethard Patrician Presentation Leaving Certificate Class 1991 who are having a reunion, along with the Intermediate Cert Class of 1989, on Saturday night at the Festival ‘Twilight Picnic by The Wall’ Back L to R: Louise Coen, Niamh McMahon, Martina Delaney, Ailish O'Brien, David Woodlock, Mr. Ernan Britton (School Principal), James Tierney, Michael Quinlan, Adrian Morrissey and Sean Cloonan. 3rd Row: Marguerite Tynan, Tríona O'Sullivan, Marguerite Lawlor, Joan St. John, Geraldine Daly, P.J. Ahearn, Gerry O'Dwyer, Ray Cummins, Adrian Quinn, John Barry and Paul Quigley. 2nd Row: Yvonne Purcell, Mary Barry, Rhona McManus, Imelda Spillane, Mary Ryan, Marian Quinn, Niamh McGrath, Brigid Slattery, William Cuddihy, Roibeárd Broderick, Philip Bolger, Ciarán Hayes, Jimmy O'Meara and Paul O'Meara. Front Row: Dorothy Curran, Aileen O'Donnell, Claire Coffey, Mary Connolly, Luke Hackett, Danny Tobin, Conor Kane, John Neville and Ken Lee.
Win a year’s membership to Slievenamon Golf Club
In conjunction with the ‘Barbecue and Dance’ there will be a special Festival draw with fantastic prizes on the night. Tickets are €5 each and prizes are as follows:
1st Prize, Membership of Slievenamon Golf Course for 2014;
2nd Prize, Two Nights with Dinner in Clonacody House;
3rd Prize, Four-Ball in Mount Juliet;
4th Prize, Photo Print.
Country Markets visit to Fethard
On Saturday from 11am to 4pm, Fethard Country Markets will host their own ‘Gathering’ on Main Street where Country Market groups from surrounding areas will visit the town and set up stalls displaying their produce. This is a great opportunity to see the vast amount of locally produced top quality produce available for sale. The first ever Country Market was started in Fethard in February, 1947.
Fethard Country Markets will also host a book signing at the Town Hall from 4pm to 5pm.
ICA Unveil monument to Mrs Olivia Hughes
Fethard ICA will honour their founder member, Mrs Olivia Hughes, on Saturday at 3pm when they officially unveil a plaque situated outside the Town Hall. Mrs. Hughes was one of the founder members of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, Country Markets Ltd. and the Council for the Blind which came into being on September 17, 1931.
Olivia Hughes, founder of the ICA came to Fethard from Dublin and in 1918, at the age of 20 years, she married Major J. W. Hughes, and lived at Annsgift. They had no family so she devoted her whole life to the welfare of people all over Ireland regardless of class or creed. The first ICA branch in Fethard was started in the Church of Ireland schoolhouse at Barrack Street in 1929 and consisted of 28 members.
Mrs Hughes died on September 11, 1989, and the following year Fethard Country Markets moved from their original premises at the Nissen Hut to the Town Hall.
GAA Boys & Girls Blitz
Fethard Juvenile GAA Club have organised a girls and boys underage ‘Blitz’ on Saturday from 11am to 1.30pm at Fethard GAA Park. With some great stars of the future already performing well for Fethard at town, county and provincial level these games should be well worth a visit. There will also be free ‘Fun Park’ entertainment available for children at the Blitz.
Tag Rugby Blitz
Fethard & District Rugby Club will hold a ‘Tag Rugby Blitz’ from 5pm to 7pm in the Community Field on the Killenaule Road on Saturday, June 22. Tag Rugby is a non-contact game and is proving a very popular sport with all ages.
FESTIVAL SUNDAY
Free 'Fun Park' for Kids on Sunday
Children enjoying 'Rope Climbing' at the recent Coolmore Family Day.
This year the Fethard Business and Tourism Group have organised a Free Fun Park by the Town Wall for children that will include a ‘Climbing Wall’, ‘Bouncy Castles’ ‘Trampolines’, ‘Rope Climbing’ and lots more. All free entertainment!
Highland Games semifinals
Another spectacle for this year’s Gathering Festival will be the staging of the Irish Strongman ‘Highland Games’ by the Town Wall and Free Fun Park. These ‘Highland Games’ will feature some of Ireland’s strongest men undertaking traditional feats of strength to compete at National level in this sport. Not to be missed!
Dog Show on Sunday
The Festival Dog Show takes place again this year at 3.30pm on Sunday 23rd by the Town Wall. The Dog Show has proved very popular in previous years - with young and old alike - so it is a great bit of family fun and with a competitive edge thrown in for good measure. All the usual class prizes will be up for grabs again this year: (1) Best Large Dog, (2) Best Small Dog, (3) Dog You Would Like To Take Home, (4) Best Groomed Dog, (5) Best Tail Wagger, (6) Best Dog in Medieval Attire, and (7) Best Dog in Fancy Dress.
The Pub Challenge
On Sunday evening, June 23, at 6pm, the ‘Pub Challenge’ will commence featuring all the Fethard’s eight public houses. Each bar will have a team of four contestants that will go head-to-head in a series of fun events outside each bar in turn. The fun will start outside Gaules Pub in Burke Street and will move through the town finishing at The Square. All the events are great fun to entertain all ages, young and old, so everyone are encouraged to come along and support the contestants. After the event the fantastic colourful ‘Wig Wam Glam Band’ will entertain the crowd.
Medieval Parade
Fethard will again put on its party ‘medieval’ hat and gown for what promises to be another great day out - especially for families - as some colourful characters will be strutting their stuff on the streets of Fethard and down in the Valley Park by the Town Wall. The highlight of the day is the Medieval Parade at 2pm from the Town Hall, but the ‘gathering’ will commence at 1.30pm so that all the Lords and Ladies, Knights, Warriors, Peasants, Jugglers, Stilt-walkers, Wolfhounds, Minstrels and others are ready for the off at 2pm. The Parade will be led out by the hurdy-gurdy player and medieval bag piper of ‘Nuada’ and hopefully the rain stays away as apparently water and hurdy-gurdys don’t mix.
3D Town Model and Calligrapher
Dan Tietzsch-Tyler admiring the work of Fethard Transition Year students on the adaptation of his drawing of Fethard to reproduce a 3D model of Fethard as it might have looked in 1650. The model will be on display over the Festival in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland.
Old Holy Trinity Church will be a very popular place this Sunday as the quite spectacular 3D Model of the medieval town (completed by the Fethard Transition Year students) will be on display in the magnificent setting beneath the great west window of the tower gallery in the beautifully maintained old medieval church, one of the very oldest churches (c.1200) still in use in Ireland.
The organisers are very grateful indeed to the Church of Ireland community and Rev. Barbara Fryday for making this large space available, it is truly an unique location.
In the church you will also see an expert calligrapher, Tony Whitney, writing in the old style with pen and ink and all and sundry can have their names printed for free and kept as a keepsake of your visit to this special place.
Children’s Projects
This year a lot of time and effort by the parish schools and the organisers has gone into involving school children in various ‘hands-on’ projects – making heraldic shields, classroom banners and medieval hats. In fact, this was one of the main reasons why the Medieval Festival was moved to coincide with the Gathering Festival so that the children of the area can be more involved and the results of their work will be seen in the parade on Sunday. Local schools, including Cloneen, Moyglass, Lisronagh and Killurney are also involved in an art Colouring Competition of beautiful medieval scenes and their work will be displayed in old Holy Trinity Church on Sunday.
Carnival Village by the Wall
'Humpty Dumpty' meeting some 'Fethard Friends' at last year's Medieval Festival
As in former years the Valley Park by the old Town Walls will come alive with Re-enactments, Archery, Children’s Activity Tent, Crafts, Dunking tank, Coin Striking, Stocks and a special treat ‘The Mad Hatter Magic Show’. Humpty Dumpty will also pass by this year and vicious Celtic Warriors will also rampage about the place and Wobbly Circus will entertain the children as in former years. A forge will operate and a stonemason will demonstrate his ancient craft that built the walls in the first place.
Fethard’s Medieval Festival has grown in popularity over the last six years and has attracted great attention to the old walled town with photos of Fethard being used nationally and internationally by the Heritage Council and Bord Fáilte to promote heritage and tourism in the South East region. Sunday will add further to Fethard’s fame as being the medieval capital of the country.
The full programme and times will be seen on www.fethardfestival.com and enquiries can be sent to festival@fethard.com.
Sports Achievement Award for May
Paul Kavanagh receiving the Butler's Bar Sports Achievement Award for May. L to R: Philip Butler (Proprietor), Paul Kavanagh and Kevin Coffey (manager Better Deal Cash & Carry, Clonmel).
Congratulations to Paul Kavanagh who was the May winner in Butlers Sports Bar’s ‘Fethard Sports Achievement Awards’. Paul, head coach to Fethard Rugby club, was nominated for completing a fantastic year for the club culminating with the under-14 team’s victory in the East Munster cup. This victory came with wins against Dungarvan, Nenagh, Thurles and Waterford. Its worth also noting that several of the same players were narrowly beaten by Dungarvan in the under 15 final.
The award was presented at a function in Butlers Sports Bar on Friday night, June 14, by Kevin Coffey, representing this month’s sponsor, Better Deal Cash & Carry, Clonmel.
Since its inception in January, the Sports Achievement Awards have been a tremendous success, highlighting events and local achievements that may have otherwise passed unnoticed by the local community. Past monthly winners include Liz Lalor (January), David Flanagan (February), Kelly Anne Nevin (March), and Mouse Morris (April).
Nominees for June 2013 are now being taken and can be handed in to Philip Butler at Fethard Sports Bar, Main Street, Fethard, before 6pm on Friday, June 28, or emailed to: sportsaward@fethard.com
Graveyard Cleaning at Rathcoole
Cleaning of Rathcoole graveyard to continue on Wednesday, June 19 and 26, at 7pm. All help gratefully appreciated, please bring a strimmer if you have one. Contact Seamus on 086 2547162 for more details.
Well represented at the Minimus Championships
Marie Lee-Holmes riding ‘Loughcopple’
Fethard & Killusty were very well represented at the National Minimus Championships held outside Mallow, Co. Cork, over last weekend. The National Minimus is a triathlon competition - with participants running, swimming and riding across country over a two-day period. Against very stiff competition, eleven-year-old Ms Marie Lee-Holmes, rode her beautiful black mare, called ‘Loughcopple’ across the Duhallow countryside to a fast and very impressive clear round. The seven-year-old mare was originally bred by Mr John Houlihan of Slievenamon, and Ms Lee-Holmes grandfather, Gerry Lee was born in Loughcopple, Fethard.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on June 12, were: 8, 10, 19 and 31. We had no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner so the following three drawn tickets won €50 each: Jane Keogh, c/o Tom Purcell; Michael Moloney, Graystown, Killenaule; Margaret Doocey, Abbey Rd., Fethard.
The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners won €50 each: Trish Fitzgerald, Cloneen, Fethard (online ticket); Stephanie Fitzgerald, Monroe, Fethard: and Jaavolso, Garrinch, 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, June 19, and the Jackpot is €2,950 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €295. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.
Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday Night, June 23, to the music of ‘Unity’. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing. Dancing 9pm to midnight and admission is €7.
Cúl Camp Registration
Cúl Camp registration can be done online at anytime. There will be a club registration on Saturday, June 22, from 1pm to 2.30pm in the GAA grounds between the juvenile blitz and the ladies football games. All are welcome.
Hayes welcomes consent for renovation works to Tholsel in Fethard
Minister of State Tom Hayes TD meeting Commissioner Tonio Borg, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer policy in Brussels - 13th June 2013
Local Fine Gael TD and new Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Tom Hayes has welcomed confirmation from Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan that consent has been granted for renovation works on the Tholsel in Fethard. This follows a visit by the Minister to Fethard in recent weeks to inspect the plans for the building.
"I very much welcome this announcement as it is the next step in providing what will be a marvellous asset for the area. Minister Deenihan was very impressed with the plans as outlined by the Fethard Business and Tourism Group and it is a great vote of confidence in all concerned that the consent for the renovations has followed so quickly."
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto
The numbers drawn on June 11, were 5, 7, 9 and 28. There was no jackpot winner and no match three winner, so the following five drawn tickets won €30 each: Denis O'Meara, St. Patricks Place; Esther Breen, Barrack Street; Monica Aherne, Prospect; Laura, Kate, & Aine Ryan, Tullamaine; and Mick Burke, Cahir Road. The €50 lucky dip was won by Vera O'Connell, Graystown.
Next week’s draw takes place on Tuesday, June 18, in Burke’s Bridge Bar. The jackpot will be €6,800. Ticket sponsor is AIB Fethard and good luck and thanks for your valued support.
New Pharmacy opens in Fethard
Daltons Pharmacy is now open for business at Teach an Chúinne, Barrack St, Fethard. Mike Dalton (27) originally from Cahir has been a qualified pharmacist for over 5 years. After qualifying from Trinity College in 2007 he went on to work for Bayer pharmaceutical in their office in Dublin and locumed in various pharmacies around the city. In 2008 he returned to work locally with O'Briens Pharmacy in Cahir and later O'Dwyers Pharmacy in Cashel where he has spent the last three years.
Daltons pharmacy provide a vast range of over the counter medicines and can fill all prescription types, just call in store and speak with Mike. They also blister pack medication into simple to use, disposable, hygienic packs. This is ideal for anyone on a multitude of medication that needs to be taken at different times of the day. These packs remove any confusion or strees involved with taking your medicine.
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
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.
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