Died Recently
The death has occurred on Friday, August 1, 2014, of Mrs Agnes 'Aggie' Barrett (nee Croke), Main Street, Fethard. Agnes, wife of the late Tom, mother of the late Michael, grandmother of the late Shane Carroll, sadly missed by her sons and daughters, Pat, Thomas, Richard, Carol Anne, Siobhán and Kevin, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.
Reposing at McCarthy’s Funeral Home, Fethard on Saturday, August 2, from 5.30pm with removal to the Holy Trinity Parish Church at 6.45pm. Funeral Mass on Sunday, August 3, at 11am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.
Site of Fethard’s Gateways marked
Fethard Historical Society members, Terry Cunningham and Pat Looby, showing visitors from the Netherlands the new Gateway Road Marking at Watergate depicting where the Medieval Town Wall crossed the road. L to R: Pat Looby, Terry Cunningham, Lex De Wit, Freddie Aldershoff, Femke Vleeshouwer and Jelle Gorter.
Another piece of the tourism plan for medieval Fethard has been put in place in recent weeks with the installation of ‘cobblestone strips’ on the roadways to mark the sites of the four original gateways that were removed during the 1800s and early 1900s. The road markings are installed in conjunction with the gateway signage that gives the names of all the five original gateways that led through the wall into the old medieval town. This work, financed and carried out by Tipperary County Council, all leads to improving the ‘visitor experience’ to the old town and dovetails with the Medieval Town Trail brochure produced by the Fethard Historical Society two years ago.
More visitors
Finally, it can be said that Fethard is being ‘discovered’; as this summer there is a steady stream of visitors to the town. Hopefully, work on the tourism reception centre planned for the Town Hall will begin in the Autumn as funding has been sourced by the Fethard Business and Tourism Group from both Tipperary Leader and the County Council and this ‘tourist hub’ will then be the final piece of the jigsaw that will ensure that Fethard can really begin to sell itself as a very special place to visit.
Visitors to the town, especially those who take a guided visit to the medieval quarter, are genuinely amazed with the extent of the medieval fabric that still remains. What is quite unique is the fact that the two medieval Churches – old Holy Trinity (c.1200) and the Augustinian Abbey (1305) – are still intact and in regular use. The various projects undertaken by the pupils from Patrician Presentation Secondary School over the years: the ‘reproduction’ Medieval Statues, Town Model and this year’s Grave Slab project (all now housed, with kind permission, in old Holy Trinity Church) are a huge addition to the Medieval Trail.
Join Effort with Tidy Towns
Fethard Tidy Towns members on duty at Watergate L to R: Joe Keane (chairman) and John Nugent.
The upkeep of the town and public places, especially The Valley Park and church grounds are just wonderful to behold and are commented on by visitor and native alike. The local County Council staff and the Tidy Towns group can be very proud of their work indeed and without this work there could be no medieval walking trail and no one would wish to stroll and enjoy the old town area.
If Fethard is now to finally benefit in terms of business and jobs from all the good work that has been carried out over the last twenty years, it is essential that the great cooperative spirit that exists between the local voluntary bodies and the state bodies must continue into the future. This summer a corner has been turned and Fethard is slowly but surely getting on the visitor map of Ireland.
Slievenamon Holy Year Cross Pilgrimage avoids clash of the ash!
This year's pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon will take place a week earlier, on Sunday, August 10, to facilitate those supporting Tipperary’s senior hurling clash against Cork in the All-Ireland semifinal.
Starting at 1pm from the 'Hill Wall', with Rosary and Stations of the Cross on route and for those not taking part in the climb, Rosary and Stations of the Cross, will commence in O'Donnell's Field where the pilgrimage will also conclude with Mass at 2.45pm.
As in 2012 we have avoided a clash with Tipp hurling so we expect a good turnout and ask people to arrive early and allow at least twenty minutes to walk from the car park to the 'Hill Wall'.
Ironman Paul
Paul Ryan, Killusty, photographed with his children, Eabha, Cathal and Oisin, after completing his first 'ironman' in Bolton, England, last weekend in a time of 12 hrs 59 mins and 56 sec. Well done Paul.
Community Games Collection this weekend
Fethard and Killusty Community games will hold their annual Church Gate Collection on this coming weekend, Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3.
Offers of assistance to man the collections would be gratefully received by contacting Peggy Colville at 086 8110768. There are five competitors from the area travelling to the National Finals in AIT Athlone on the weekend of August 15 to 17, and two on the weekend of August 22 to 24.
'Fethard Faces and Places from the Past' - new group on Facebook
This photograph was shared by Kath Duffy, Birstall, UK, who is a daughter of Tom Leahy, formerly from the Kilnockin Road. The photograph is L to R: Bridie Leahy, Tom Leahy holding his son Chris Leahy, and Gerry Leahy holding his granddaughter Kath Leahy outside their house on Kilkockin Road (around 1970).
A new Facebook group called
'Fethard Faces and Places from the Past' has been set up to share photographs relating to Fethard people and places. So far we've had great interest and participation and invite all those using Facebook to join the group and view the photographs on display . . . it's an 'Open Group' and anyone using Facebook is free to view and join. Click Here to go to Facebook Page
Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on this coming Sunday night, August 3, to the music of ‘Cupla’. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing. Dancing 9pm to midnight and admission is €8 which includes tea and cakes.
Rebecca Storm for intimate Abymill performance
News that international leading lady Rebecca will be staging an intimate concert in the Abymill Theatre Fethard ahead of her starring role of Mrs Johnstone in ‘Blood Brothers’ in the Boird Gais Theatre is causing quite a storm. Rebecca Storm is probably one of the best leading ladies to take to any stage and has played many leading roles: Evita, Cossette in Les Miserables and Chess. Her most famous role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers is yet to be topped.
This once off concert will take place on Saturday, September 20, at 8pm. Tickets at €20 will go on sale on August 5, and will be available from Premier Music, Clonmel, Tel: 052 6129811 and from Anne Williamson on 086 0834208. Early booking advised.
Fun by Clashawley
Having some fun playing by the Clashawley are L to R: Cian Hennessy, Cain Hall and Alex Bradshaw.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on July 23 were: 3, 11, 23 and 26. We had no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150 each: Michael Shine, Congress Terrace, Fethard.
The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Joan O'Donohoe, Moyglass; Marie Butler, Garrinch, Fethard; and Dorothy Connolly, The Green, Fethard.
Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, July 30. 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 on July 25 were 5, 8, 23 and 30. There was no jackpot winner and one match three winner who received €150: Tom Kearney, Killusty. The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Pat O'Rourke c/o Benny Morrissey, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot is €5,600 and the draw will take place in Fethard GAA Park on Friday, August 1, at 7pm. All are welcome. Thanking you for your continued support.
Ireland - Newfoundland Festival Opening Concert
This year’s ‘Ireland-Newfoundland Festival’ opening concert will take place on Friday, August 22, in the Strand Theatre, Carrick-on-Suir, when fifty-eight visitors from Newfoundland will visit the home of their ancestors who left this area in the 1700s and early 1800s (before the Great Famine) to work in the fishing industry in Newfoundland. The official opening will take place with His Excellency, Loyola Hearn, Ambassador of Canada.
Irish Country Music star, Louise Morrissey will perform at the Opening Concert and will be supported by many local artists. Booking opens on Tuesday August 5, and tickets are €20 each, contact 051 645050. The proceeds help finance the running of this bi-annual event when exchange visits take place each other year between the South East of Ireland and Newfoundland.
Up to half the population of Newfoundland of 600,000 have Irish ancestry and the forbearers of these Irish Canadians nearly came exclusively from counties Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Wexford.
Next year the Irish from the South East will travel to Newfoundland and hopefully some more Fethard people will travel. John Roche, native of Ballinard, now living in Kilsheelan travelled with the group last year and was amazed by the hospitality shown and the ‘unreal’ Irishness of certain parts of the Island.
Died Recently
The death has occurred on Friday, July 25, 2014, of Teddy Morrissey, Friarsfield, Fethard. Teddy, deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving wife Tara, his children Becky, Lilly, Katie and Miley, his parents Davy and Bridget, brothers, sisters, relatives and large circle of friends. May he rest in peace.
Reposing at his residence on Saturday July 26, from 2 pm to 7 pm. Funeral Mass on Sunday at 11am in the Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Tipperary Hospice
Died Recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, of Denis O’Brien, Fr Tirry Park, Fethard. Denis, deeply regretted by his family, neighbours and friends. May he rest in peace.
Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home on Friday July 25, from 6pm with removal to the Holy Trinity Parish Church at 7pm.
Funeral Mass on Saturday, July 26, at 11am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.
Moyglass Soccer Club 'Fun Day'
Moyglass Soccer Club will hold a Fun Day for all boys aged 10-16 at Moyglass School Field from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, August 9. All are welcome. Refreshments and registration on the day.
‘Fethard Tournament 1909’ - information needed?
We have a request for information about one the major hurling tournaments from Tom Semple’s era know as the ‘Fethard Tournament’. The ‘Fethard Tournament’ was organised by Archbishop Innocent Ryan, pastor of Fethard, for the purpose of paying off a parochial debt due to the renovation of the Parish Church and the building of the Parochial House on Rocklow Road. The tournament was contested in the years 1909-1911. Any information would be greatly received by email to: fethardnews@gmail.com or by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.
Toddler’s Summer Party
The Parent / Minder Toddler Group at the Convent Community Hall will hold their Summer Party on Thursday morning, July 31, when coordinator Janice will have lots of treats for the little ones. The party is open to all toddlers and if you have older children at home they are also very welcome to come along. The older children can watch a DVD or they can play the available games but won’t be allowed in the bouncy castle while the toddlers are using it.
The group will take a break for the month of August and will be resume with the weekly group meetings again in September.
Married Recently
Joe Lee, grandson of Bridie Lee, Loughcopple, Fethard, photographed with his wife Clare Holohan (Kilkenny), following their recent wedding in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois.
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.
|