Midsummer Merriment this weekend
Fethard Festival flags flying over the rooftops heralding the oncoming Fethard Medieval Festival starting this coming weekend, June 21 to June 22.
Fethard will be en-fete this weekend for our annual Medieval Festival. Whatever you’re interested in we can guarantee you’ll find it in Fethard this weekend; country markets and cream teas, an art trail and walking tours, a midsummer barbecue, costumes, crafts and coin-striking, a treasure hunt, medieval re-enactments, circus-skills workshops, a children’s free ‘Fun Land’, duck races, dancing and much, much more.
The Festival is part of the national Irish Walled Towns celebration of our unique medieval heritage that takes place in walled towns throughout Ireland during the summer months.
Friday, June 20
Our weekend begins on Friday, June 20, with the launch by Róisín O’Grady, Heritage Officer, of the Grave Slab Project in Holy Trinity Church at 7pm. The Patrician Presentation TY students will present their project and there will be a brief lecture by Denise Maher M.A. on the Medieval Grave Slabs of Tipperary. Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, June 21
Saturday morning sees the Main Street come alive at 10.45am with the Fethard Country Market and other local markets in situ offering a great opportunity to sample the best of Tipperary produce. Marie Crean’s Patchwork Quilt Display in the Town Hall will be open from 10am.
Marie O'Hara, organiser of the Fethard Art and Craft Trail, photographed outside the 'Crafty Arts' Gallery with Peter Grant, Fethard Business and Tourism Group.
The Art & Craft Trail, which is currently bringing the windows of the town to life with dazzling displays of local artisan crafts, is also well worth a look. A guide to the trail is available from their Crafty Arts Gallery on Main Street. Free Guided Tours of the Medieval Town will take place at 11am and 2pm from the Valley.
In afternoon there’s a treat for children, a Medieval Treasure Hunt that will start from the playground at 3pm. A fun-filled challenge available at a very reasonable €3.
A more serious challenge is available to active adults wishing to stretch themselves in the 5k Road Race from the Town hall at 7pm.
For music aficionados the wonderful Nuada will perform in Holy Trinity Church at 8pm offering a whistle-stop tour of 1,000 years of musical history (medieval, renaissance and contemporary) on a selection of amazing instruments including the lyre, the dulcimer and the hurdy-gurdy.
What better way to celebrate Midsummer than dancing the night away at the Midsummer Barbecue down in the Convent Hall? Good food, good music and good company from 9pm onwards. Tickets €15.
Pupils from Killusty National School with their shields ready for Fethard Medieval Festival on Sunday next, June 22.
Sunday, June 20
The first event on Sunday, June 22, is the ‘Duck Race’ starting from the Clashawley at 11.45am under the careful stewardship of Bill O’Sullivan. You pick your duck and you take your chance!
The Medieval Parade, led by Nuada, featuring wolfhounds, Boggle street entertainers, re-enactors will leave from the Town Hall at 2pm. Everyone is invited to come along in Medieval costume and be in with a chance to win a prize – there are prizes for children, adults and the best group ensemble.
The parade finishes down in the Valley where the Medieval Village displays its attractions along the Town Wall: free children’s workshops facilitated by local artists, craft demonstrations, re-enactors, circus-skills workshops, music, coin-striking, calligraphy, archery and lots more. There will be games and quizzes, food stalls, ice-cream and teas.
The festival offers lots of child friendly options especially in the Kids Funland, organised by the Fethard Business & Tourism Group with local sponsorship, where all the activities are free.
Later in the afternoon the always popular Dog Show will take place at 3.30 pm. There are lots of categories with lots of prizes.
Holy Trinity Church of Ireland will also be open so people can come long and view the Grave Slab rubbings. The 3D Model of Fethard which has recently returned from its sojourn in the County Museum, will also be on display upstairs in the gallery. Someone will be there to explain the finer details of the model and to tell a little of the history of the town.
Fethard is definitely the place to be next weekend if you’re looking for interesting things to do. Come along and join us as we celebrate the wonderful heritage of our town.
Magical Musical Evening with Nuada
Music lovers in South Tipperary are in for a magical night of music on Saturday, June 21, the longest day of the year. Nuada, consist of an international trio based in Ireland, who explore and play music from many parts of the world and from many eras of history. The concert will take place at 8pm in the atmospheric venue of Old Holy Trinity Church in Fethard which will be acoustically rigged out for the event.
It is being billed as a, ‘breath-taking whistle-stop tour through 1000 years of musical history - medieval, renaissance, contemporary – played on a dazzling variety of instruments.’
The groups members are Mike Freeman, Sam Burke and Tania Opland who between them will play over a dozen, mostly unusual instruments, with Tania and Sam also supplying vocals. Some of the unusual instruments that will be featured include: bandara, lute, symphonie, lyre, bouzouki, dulcimer and the amazing ‘hurdy-gurdy’. Hurdy-gurdy is a word that we have all heard in normal conversation and now you can find out why the instrument has given its name to describe any happy boisterous occasion. Tania also plays a ‘double acarina’ which was made in her native Alaska.
The Nuada concert is being sponsored by the Fethard Medieval Festival, with finance from the Heritage Council, and all the tickets are therefore priced at only €10. Booking can be made by Tel: (052) 6131537 or at Premier Music in Clonmel (052) 6129811 for what should be a night to remember.
Fethard Medieval Festival, takes place from Friday, June 20, to Sunday, June 22. For more up to date invormation visit www.fethardfestival.com or Facebook Page
Killusty Pony Show
This year’s Killusty Pony Show will take place on Saturday, July 5. The closing date for fees and entries to the show is Friday, June 27. Show Schedule and Entry Forms are available from Pat Culligan, The Valley, Fethard, Tel: 087 9451810 - DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM - DOWNLOAD SCHEDULE 1 - DOWNLOAD SCHEDULE 2
Alan is winner of the Sports Achievement Award
Alan O'Connor (centre) winner of the Fethard Sports Achievement Award for May receiving his award from special guest, former Tipperary hurler and selector, Jack Bergin (right). Also included is Paul Kavanagh, this month's sponsor.
Congratulation to Alan O’Connor who was chosen as the May winner of the Fethard Sports Achievement Awards run by Butler’s Bar. Alan is the captain of the Fethard J2 Rugby team who recently won the Evan’s Cup, the first adult trophy won by the club since reforming on September 27, 2001. Since then the club has grown from strength to strength at junior level and in recent years making similar progress at J2 level.
This month’s award, sponsored by Paul Kavanagh, was presented by sporting personality guest, Jack Bergin, former Tipperary senior hurler and team selector. Nominations for the June award are now invited.
Former Tipperary hurler and selector, Jack Bergin, photographed with some of the nominees for the Fethard Sports Achievement Award for May L to R: Benny Morrissey, Chris Coen, Rita Kenny representing Holy Trinity National School, Jack Bergin, Alan O'Connor and Tommy Anglim.
Members of the Anglim family photographed at the Fethard Sports Achievement Awards for May presentation in Butler's Bar. L to R: Geraldine Meagher, Lisa Anglim, Jean Anglim, Tommy Anglim and Finola Anglim.
Photographed at the Fethard Sports Achievement Awards for May are L to R: Michael Sheehan and Frank O'Donovan.
Athletic Club’s 'Mid-Summer Ramble'
Fethard athletic club's next event is their 'Mid-Summer Ramble', a 5km fun run/walk which takes place on Saturday evening, June 21, in aid of a local cancer fund. This non-competitive event is mainly aimed at fun runners / walkers and raising much needed funds for a great cause.
Training continues each Monday and Friday at 7.15pm, meeting at the ballroom carpark. See our Facebook page also for extra meet-up sessions that are being organised each week to suit people with different schedules.
Lourdes Sponsored Walk
Fr. Morty O'Shea, who is currently assisting on relief in Fethard Parish, photographed with some of the local ladies taking part in the Lourdes Sponsored Walk
A big thank you to all who participated in the Lourdes Sponsored Walk on Sunday, May 18. Also thanks to all the very generous sponsors. The annual Cashel and Emly Diocesan Pilgrimage will take place from June 16 to June 21. A group of pilgrims, assisted pilgrims, youth helpers and adult helpers from the parish will travel and hopefully the weather will be a big improvement on 2013.
L to R: Lisa Laaksenon and Mary O'Flynn taking part in the Lourdes Sponsored Walk.
Convent Community Hall
Fethard Convent Community Hall is available to hire for an hourly rate for birthday parties, family gatherings, all social occasions, evening classes or other events that you might like to host. For more information contact Joan O’Donohoe at the Community Office Tel: (052) 6131000 or Pamela Sweeney Tel: 086 8743752 (evenings).
Community Games
Sean Moroney and Anna Collier winners of bronze medals at the county finals of the community games handwriting competion.
Congratulations to Dara O’Meara, Killusty, winner of a gold medal in the county finals of the under-10 boys handwriting event in Moneygall on Saturday last. Well done also to Anna Collier and Sean Moroney who both won bronze medals in their respective events. This is a great achievement by our competitors who are also members of our football teams who did so well during the past few weeks. They are as good with their hands as they are with their feet.
Dara will now join our list of competitors who will represent Tipperary at the National Finals in August. We have high hopes that this list will be extended further after the County Athletics finals in Templemore on June 22 and the Munster finals in U.L. on July 5 when our under-12 girls football team, who put in such a fine performance to retain their county title in Semple Stadium last week, will play the winners of Waterford v Clare in the semifinal.
Team members are: Nell Spillane (captain), Kelly Ryan, Ellie Devaney, Aine Ryan, Laura Harrington, Alison Connolly, Kaylin O’Donnell, Eimear O’Sullivan, Emma Lyons, Ava Ward, Hayley Ryan, Lily O’Mahony, Heather Spillane, Nicole Delaney, Aoife Morrissey, Jess Gleeson. Team managers are Micheál Spillane, Willie Morrissey and Annette Connolly. These girls played a super game against Templemore in a most exciting final which they ended up winning on a score of 1-5 to 2-1. Scorers were Ellie Devaney 1-3, Aine Ryan 0-1 Alison Connolly 0-1.
Fethard Ladies Football
Our Junior ladies played out a nail biting county Junior B League final recently against Gortnahoe in Fethard. Fethard started the stronger and found their scoring boots early on and were quickly 3 points up. Gortnahoe, following 2 un-answered points went ahead with a well-taken penalty. However, their lead was short-lived as Fethard replied with a goal. After swapping points midway through the half the Fethard ladies took control and raced into a 7 point which they held till half time.
The 2nd half started in the same vein with Fethard dominant. Gortnahoe soon reduced the deficit to 2 following a point and 2 quick fire goals. Fethard advanced again and scored a goal leaving 5 points between the sides. Again Gortnahoe came back and reduced the deficit to 1 point. The defining moment came with only minutes remaining as a Fethard attack was halted by a foul and the subsequent penalty was duly dispatched to the net. With their opponents now chasing the game the Fethard forwards added 2 more points to run out 6 point winners. The ladies put in a huge effort thus far and reaped their rewards with this win. Final score was Fethard 3-14 Gortnahoe 4-5. Congrats Ladies and management and best of luck in the future.
Fethard and Killusty under 12 girls football team who retained their county title at the community games finals in semple stadium with a one point victory over Templemore. Back L to R: Ellie Devaney, Lily O’Mahony, Heather Spillane, Kelly Ryan, Nicole Delaney, Aoife Morrissey, Jess Gleeson, Aine Ryan. Front L to R: Laura Harrington, Alison Connolly, Kaylin O’Donnell, Nell Spillane (captain) Eimear O’Sullivan, Emma Lyons, Ava Ward and Hayley Ryan
On bank holiday Monday we had two teams playing in their respective county finals, both against opposition from Templemore. First up was our U12 community games team who had a single point victory and now look forward to contesting the Munster finals in July.
Our U14s played their game against Templemore in Littleton. Sticking to their task, the girls were fortunate to only trail by 2 points after scoring a late first half goal. The second half was very different, with the girls got over their nerves and settled quickly.
They dominated their opponents taking some fantastic scores and held Templemore scoreless. At the final whistle following an 11-point swing, Fethard claimed their second title of the day.
The club would like to thank all the players, mentors, families and friends for their support on the day. We would also like to thank Peggy Colville of the Community Games, ‘Sparky’, John and Roseanne Carroll for the food, refreshments and fun after the games.
Married Recently
Married on June 1, 2014, in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard , were Nicola Kennedy, Cois Falla, Fethard, and Shane Nugent, Honeyview, Clonmel.
Community Lotto Jackpot now €10,000
The numbers drawn on June 4 were: 1, 14, 19 and 30. We had no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner so the following drawn tickets received €50: John Ryan, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard; Joe Kenny, Rocklow Rd, Fethard; and Frank Barrett, c/o Tom Purcell.
The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Michael Russell, c/o Seamus Moloney; Tom Kearney, Killusty; and Teresa Fenlon, Crampscastle.
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 11. The Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €1,000. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto
The numbers drawn last week were 5, 7, 12 and 24 and there was no jackpot winner and two match three winners who received €75 each: Philip Butler, Main Street, and Nancy Ryan, Tullamaine.
The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Esther Breen, Barrack Street. Next week’s Jackpot is €4,900 and the draw will take place in Fethard GAA Park on Friday, June 13, at 7pm. All are welcome. Thanking you for your continued support.
Exceptional Piano Students
Pictured are Fethard piano students nominated to perform at the 2014 Leinster School of Music and Drama Excellence Awards Competition. L to R: Hannah Sheehy, Katie McCarthy, Laura O’Donnell, Sadhbh Morrissey and Chloe Carey O’Donovan with their piano teacher Stuart Clooney
Congratulations to all piano students, taught by local Fethard piano teacher Stuart Clooney, who were examined in the Leinster school of Music 2014 piano exams held in Fethard. With exceptional results achieved, the students did themselves and their teacher proud. Very impressive in particular was the group of young beginners some as young as seven, and some of whom only started lessons in January 2014, who received their first piano certificate. Medals were duly awarded to Laura O’Donnell, Keith Morrissey, Eoin Murphy, Katie McCarthy, Kaylin O’Donnell and Hannah Sheehy who obtained results of over ninety-five per cent.
There is success again for Fethard this year with the representation of Stuart’s students competing in the prestigious annual National Excellence Awards Competition held in Griffith College Dublin every July. Six students have been nominated by the examiners to take part, Katie McCarthy, Hannah Sheehy, Laura O’Donnell, Sadhbh Morrissey, Chloe Carey O’Donovan and Keith Morrissey. Congratulations and best of luck to the students. For further information please contact Stuart and Maura Clooney, Cashel Road, Fethard on (052) 6132567
Build up to Fethard Festival
The build up to the 2014 Medieval Festival, taking place from Friday, June 20, to Sunday, June 22, continues. Training and educational workshops for children of the area are now taking place for both secondary school and primary schools of the immediate area.
The Holy Trinity Grave Slab project by the Transition Year students of Presentation Patrician Secondary School is being prepared for display and hanging in the church for its formal launch on at 7pm on Friday, June 20.
The Shield and Art workshops, conducted by local artist Patricia Looby in the primary schools, is now beginning and the children’s artistic creations always form a colourful spectacle at the parade on Festival Sunday.
Guided historical tours for school pupils
This year the Fethard Historical Society are also organising Guided Historical Tours of the medieval town for the more senior classes in both Fethard and Killusty primary schools. The Heritage Council, main funders of the Medieval Walled Town Festival, put a huge emphasis on the educational and awareness raising aspect of the festival programme. Guided tours for the general public will take place as part of the festival on Saturday, June 21, at 11am and 2pm, starting from the footbridge in The Valley.
There may still be time for newcomers to get some training with the Rathkenny Re-enactor group by calling 086 3502360. For the past seven years Colm McGrath and his ‘merry men and women’ have been central to the medieval atmosphere of both the Sunday parade and the ensuing ‘pop-up’ village by the Clashawley.
Midsummers Night Concert & Barbecue on Saturday, June 21
The concert of Medieval Music by group NUADA, who play an amazing array of musical instruments and styles, will take place in old Holy Trinity church at 8pm on Saturday, June 21, the longest day of the year. Those interested in early booking for this unique event can contact 052 6131537 and tickets, subsidised by the Medieval Festival, are only costing €10. On the same evening, to live the longest day to the full, the Fethard Business and Tourism Group are holding a midsummer’s night Barbeque in the precinct of the Convent Community Hall and this will be a great opportunity for the whole community to come together on this very special night of the year.
Community Text Alert Meeting
A follow up meeting to commence with the proposed local Community Text Alert Scheme will be held in the Tirry Centre at 8.30pm on Tuesday, June 17, in conjunction with Muintir na Tire and An Garda Síochána.
To start the scheme in Fethard and surrounding hinterland, a number of volunteers will be needed to visit and distribute forms to every house in our designated geographic area. Every household will need to be asked if they want to get involved and a steering committee of twenty to twenty-five people will be required to undertake this initial task. A small management sub-committee, called the Community Alert Group, will be then agreed to manage the scheme.
If you are interested in getting involved please leave your name and number (mobile where possible) with the Community Office in Fethard, Tel: 052 6131000.
Fethard Art & Craft Walk 2014
Fethard Town will host an ‘Art & Craft Walk’ from June 3 to August 30, when art and crafts will be displayed in various shop windows in our medieval town. For your pleasure come along and enjoy a visual example of our specialties including Paintings, Ironwork, Silversmith Design, Wood craft, Jewellery, Photography, Hurley Design, Quilt and Cane Work, Card Designs, Get Real Recipes within a 52 card design. You can also take a stroll of our medieval town while you visit. For further information contact: 087 7539230.
Fethard Model back on display
3D Model of 17th century medieval Fethard
The 3D Model of Medieval Fethard will be on display in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland for Fethard’s Medieval Festival Weekend, June 20 to June 22. The model was made by students from Transition Year (2012-13) attending Patrician Presentation Secondary School, and has been on display in the County Museum in Clonmel for several months as part of its exhibition which featured 81 gold coins from Carrick-on-Suir, which also date from the 17th century.
The model was unveiled last year as part of the ‘Bring them Home’ festival organised by Fethard Business and Tourism group and also marked the launch of the Fethard Historical Society’s Medieval Town Trail brochure, on which the model is based. The map on the trail shows Fethard as it might have looked in the 17th century, and was drawn by archaeological illustrator Dan Tietzsch-Tyler. Michael Costello, a former past pupil of the school and an Architectural Technician gave his time and expertise to ensure that the students knew how to scale and present the buildings accurately. The Model was made in the Art Class, with funding from South Tipperary County Council, Irish Walled Towns Network festival fund and Fethard Historical Society.
Articles for Emigrants’ Newsletter
We are now inviting submissions of articles and photographs for inclusion in this year’s Emigrants’ Newsletter which will be published in November this year. Articles or photographs can be submitted to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, or by email to newsletter@fethard.com
Fethard News
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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