Cadette Girls win All-Ireland volleyball title
Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School Cadette Girls team photographed on their return to Fethard after winning the All-Ireland B Cadette Girls Volleyball Final played in Kilkenny against St. Mary’s, Naas, on Thursday, January 29. Back L to R: Ms Helen Walsh (coach), Amye O’Donovan, Carly Tobin, Shauna O'Neill, Maggie Fitzgerald, Lucy Spillane, Sadhbh Horan. Front L to R: Ciara Hayes, Emma Cronin, Molly O'Meara, Kate Davey and Megan Coen.
Well done to the Fethard Patrician Presentation Cadette Girls’ team of Kate Davey, Lucy Spillane, Emma Cronin, Ciara Hayes, Megan Coen, Molly O’Meara, Shauna O’Neill, Carly Tobin, Amye O’Donovan, Sadhbh Horan and Maggie Fitzgerald on their great win in Kilkenny against St. Mary’s, Naas, in the All-Ireland B Cadette Girls Volleyball Final played on Thursday last, January 29.
The school was particularly proud of First Year pupils, Maggie Fitzgerald and Lucy Spillane who had key roles on the team. The girls reached the final without dropping a set to any opposition throughout the entire season. The two sides were well matched with Naas having the stronger start and pulling away. Fethard showed great heart and determination along with excellent serving and returning to fight back. An excellent return of an impossible ball by Kate Davey at a critical point in the game was one of the main turning points. They won back control of the scoreboard and took the first set 25-20.
The girls proved the stronger side in the second set with an outstanding display from all taking every opportunity to take a point from St. Marys. They battled on right to the end with Megan Coen serving to win the second set and match with great confidence and coolness. Congratulations also to Megan who deservedly won MVP (most valuable player).
Captain Molly O'Meara arriving back to Fethard with the All-Ireland B Cadette Girls Volleyball trophy.
Well done to captain Molly O’Meara and her team, they are a credit to the school and also to the community of Fethard. P.E. teacher, Ms Helena Walsh, very ably coached the team. A small number of supporters travelled to Kilkenny for the final and were very pleased with the outcome. Line officials for the match were Sadhbh Horan (T.Y.) and 5th Year pupils, Orla Walsh and Katie Whyte.
Interestingly, almost all the girls’ mothers represented Patrician Presentation in volleyball during their time in the school: Caitriona Reddy, Sandra Wade, Helen Griffin, Lorraine Carroll, Bernadette Houlihan, Cathy Curran, Annette Sheehan and Esther Cooney with Brigid Hayes (Ciara’s mother) having played Ladies’ Football.
Twentieth Book Fair this weekend
Preparing for this year's Tipperariana Book Fair on Sunday afternoon, February 8 at Fethard Ballroom are committee members L to R: John Cooney, Terry Cunningham and Mary Hanrahan.
What started off twenty years ago as a local fundraising event, the Tipperariana Book Fair has turned into an annual Tipperary and national event. If you want a book with Tipperary connections then Fethard Ballroom is the place to be on this Sunday, February 8, open from 2pm to 6pm. Entry fee is still only €2 and accompanied children are free. It’s still true - for a €5 note that you can attend the fair, have coffee and cakes and also pick up a paperback or two. Hard to beat!
If you can’t find the book you want on the day then you will definitely meet someone who will get it for you - at a price of course. In Ireland there is a great interest in old books and especially books of local and Irish interest. Dealers come from all over Ireland, with two ‘regulars’ from Armagh and ten from the Dublin area and this year will see thirty-five book dealers present, the highest number ever.
People love the location, Fethard’s Ballroom of Romance, they love meeting the Tipperary authors, the home-made cakes in the café, the piano player on stage, but most of all it’s the huge selection of quality second-hand books. The dealers bring the rare and more expensive books but the organisers own stand has thousands of cheaply priced ‘donated’ books, especially ‘chick-lists’ for the ladies and ‘thrillers’ for the menfolk!
The visiting dealers make a bee-line for the ‘donated’ stall every year as they know that they may find a book that someone, maybe thousands of miles away, is looking for. This support is a great help to the Fethard Historical Society and people wishing to donate unwanted books can contact the society, who can organise collection. You also can take the books to the Ballroom on this Friday night (February 6) from 8pm to 10pm, or on Saturday from 11am to 4pm. Books will also be gladly received on Sunday morning from 10am onwards but earlier collection or delivery is preferable so as to avoid ‘work overload’ on the day of the fair.
Contact any member of the Fethard Historical Society, by phone at (052) 6131537 or 086 3905373 and email: bookfair@fethard.com
Happy Birthday Johnny
Johnny Sheehan, St. Patrick's Place, photographed on the occasion of his 90th birthday celebrated dueing the past week
With the White Heathers
Ballylusky White Heather Harriers, by invitation, opened the 2015 Week’s Hunting Festival promoted annually by Fedamore Harriers, Co. Limerick, on Thursday, January 22, last. Finding quickly from move-off they had a brisk twenty minutes pipe-opener and to ground. Drawing on they were soon away again but ran into country being hunted the following Sunday and were stopped. They finished the day, however, with their best hunt of the season so far. Finding on a hillside plantation they ran a good left-handed circle and back to covert. Hard pressed in covert their fox was soon away again. This fox was certainly a traveller. He ran and ran with hounds in full cry in pursuit. Charlie was not for turning and was certainly heading for home. Following the cry over strange country the huntsman and whippers-in were soon a long way behind. With a little assistance from some car followers with good local knowledge they luckily were right and were soon in contact with hounds again. Hunting on for a further fifteen minutes or so Charlie reached the earth he was looking for and went to ground.
This was a great run of seventy-five minutes, which locals reckoned to have a three-mile point and with the first circle included must have been over four miles as hounds ran. Unfortunately, the thick fog over South Tipp that morning prevented many local followers from travelling. Surprisingly, Fedamore was completely fog-free with excellent January hunting weather and scent prevailing all day. Fully revived and well refreshed by the Fedamore Harriers committee the BWHH returned home very pleased with their days performance and an invitation to hunt at next seasons Fedamore Hunting Festival greatly appreciated and accepted.
The Ballylusky White Heathers meet at Coolbawn Cross on Sunday next, February 8, at 11am.
Out for a stroll
Polly and Michael Creegan out for a family stroll with their children Elizabeth (on pony), Andrew and Annabella in pram.
Fethard and Killusty Community Games
Following a meeting of County Tipperary Community Games last Wednesday we are now happy to report that the draw for the teams on winter games programme has been completed and the majority of dates for the individual events have been decided. Full details on the sports page. With regard to our local teams the draw for U14 Tag Rugby is: (A) Drangan/Cloneen v Fethard, and winner v Ballingarry; (B) St Marys v Cashel/Rosegreen, and final is winner of A v B.
We entered a boys U16 boys Pitch and Putt team for the first time ever who are now qualified for the National finals on the weekend of August 14 to 16, so this is history in the making for Fethard.
The county final of the cycling on grass competition will take place in Fethard on a date to be decided so if there are any boys or girls U12 or U14 who are interested please contact Peggy at 086 8110768.
Entry forms are now available for the Summer Games Programme and will be distributed to the local GAA and anyone else who requests one during the coming week. These forms must be completed and returned on or before February 20. Good luck with the games.
Operation Transformation
Fethard Operation Transformation group is really motivated, 'slow and steady wins the race' a pound or four here and there, the group have now lost 14 stone since starting four weeks ago.
There’s still time to join up if you feel like it. This Friday night we have Jimmy O'Sullivan doing blood pressure and diabetes testing during the weigh-in at the Convent Community Hall so come along and avail of this service from 7pm to 8.45pm. Contact Biddy O'Dwyer 0876410352
Adam O'Donnell's Anniversary Mass
 Dear Family and Friends, One year on: We will stop and take time to remember Adam. Taking time to recall how he impacted in our lives, share stories about some of the things we best remember Adam for, chat and reflect on the gift of Adam's life and of course all shall be with a cup of tea in hand as only Adam would enjoy.
On Sunday, February 15, Fr Ailbe O Bric will say mass in Clerihan at 1 pm to remember our beautiful son and brother Adam. We understand it may not suit everyone to join us but please know this is okay and yet if you are free and would like to be there you are very welcome, we would be honoured.
We would like to invite you to join us for something to eat at our home following mass. Thank you for all your love, kindness, friendship, and messages these past fifty-one weeks and particularly at the time of Adam’s death on Valentines Day 2014. And even more thank you for the gift of your friendship to Adam during his lifetime, how blessed he was to know you. We hope you know how much he valued and enjoyed your friendship. Thank you with all our heart.
– With gratitude Sean, Sue Anne, Becka and Leah.
Lourdes Invalid Fund
The local Lourdes Invalid committee invite applicants for this year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes in June, 2015. There will be three places available and applications should be made to Fr. Tom Breen P.P. before the end of February. A draw will be made for the three places if necessary.
Tickets now available for the Cashel & Emly annual Lourdes fundraising draw. The proceeds of this draw are used to finance the diocesan Lourdes pilgrimage, which takes place in June. Tickets are available from Veronica Fogarty Tel: 087 2982471, or by contacting any member of the Fethard Lourdes committee.
Toddler group’s guest storyteller
The Parent/Minder Toddler group are having Ann-Maire from Clonmel Library coming out to Fethard Community Hall on Thursday, February 12, at 10am to do some storytelling with the toddlers. All are very welcome to come along regardless if you attend this weekly group or not.
This is a very informal group that meet up every Thursday morning at 10am and enjoy some adult conversation with a cup of coffee while the toddlers play and get to know each other in a clean safe environment.
Fethard ICA
Fethard ICA will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, February 10, at 8pm in the ICA Hall on Rocklow Road. Guest speaker on the night is local craft expert, Marie Crean, who will speak on Lumra and other craft skills. Lumra is Irish for fleece. The craft was introduced into Ireland through the good offices of the O'Connell Family in Fethard. A lady from New Zealand, who was on a visit to England, was persuaded to come to Ireland to teach the craft to Phyllis O'Connell who in turn shared her knowledge with the Fethard Guild members and through her national position in ICA, to other guilds. Catering on the night by the ‘Yellow Group’.
Acupuncture
Fethard Convent Community Hall's ear acupuncture therapy evenings, take place on Wednesday evenings from 8pm to 9pm and the cost is €10 per session, concessions for OAPs and students. Open to everyone but under-16s will need parental consent. For further information contact: Audra 085 2182620.
Fethard Athletic Club
Fethard AC ladies team who took part in the Novice A County Road Race in Moyne, on Sunday, February 1.
Fethard Athletic Club were well represented at the Novice A County Road Race in Moyne last Sunday with a team of five ladies, Aine Doocey, Ruth Delaney, Zane Zorina, Nicola Grace and Nicola Guiry competing in the women's 3k event. Representing the Fethard men were Franny Tyrrell and Joey Feery in the men's 6k. Everyone ran very well and many personal bests were recorded for the distance.
Flying the Fethard flag slightly further afield in the John Treacy 10 mile road race in Dungarvan were Gunny Hutton, Denise O'Brien and Edmond Kinane, who all ran out fantastic times in this gruelling distance event.
Next up is the County Masters, which will take place in Fethard on Sunday, February 22, where a large field is expected to turn out.
Training continues each Monday and Friday at 7.15pm from the ballroom carpark. New members welcomed and we encourage walkers interested in trying jogging to also come along and give it a go!
Ballet Classes
Ballet Classes have now commenced in Fethard Convent Community Hall on Friday nights. The classes cater for children of all ages and abilities from 3-13 years. Places are limited and early booking is advised. To enrol and reserve a place for your child, Please contact us through our website or call/text on 086 8925336.
Fethard Bridge Club
On January 21 we played for prizes sponsored by FBD Investments and the results were: 1st Gross, Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny; 2nd Gross, Monica Anglia and Betty Walsh; 3rd Gross, Alice Quinn and Berney Myles; 1st Nett, Ellen Rockford and Rita Holohan; 2nd Nett, Kevin O’Dwyer and Willie Harrington; 3rd Nett, Margaret Slattery and Mike Burke.
This Wednesday, February 4, we have our charity night and next Wednesday, February 11 we play for prizes sponsored by Alice Quinn and Berney Myles. Please note that bridge now starts at 7.15pm sharp! If you are interested in learning bridge, come along to the Tirry Centre on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 6132038.
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on this coming Sunday night, February 8, to the music of ‘Dermot Lyons’. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 9pm to midnight. Admission is €8 which includes tea and cakes.
Married Recently
Married recently in Killusty Church were Pat O’Neill, Grangemockler, and Joan O’Shea, Cloran, Cloneen.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on January 28 were: 5, 8, 14 and 22. We had no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: Noel Fitzgerald, The Thatch, Cloneen; and Kaycie Aherne, Prospect, Fethard.
The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Marlyn Kehoe, c/o Eileen Connolly; Jimmy O'Meara, c/o Tom Purcell; and Tommy Sayers, Crampscastle, Fethard.
Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, February 4. The Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €1,000. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard, and we thank you for your on-going support.
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto
The numbers drawn on January 30 were 2, 6, 8 and 28. There was no jackpot winner and two match three winners who received €75 each: Bill O'Sullivan Main Street; and Becky & David Hayde, Kilkenny. The €50 Lucky Dip winner was: Ed Healy, The Green, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot is €8,100 and the draw will take place in Fethard GAA Park on Friday, February 6, at 7pm. All are welcome. Thank you for your continued support.
Fethard Mini Rugby
Fethard Minis hosted a home blitz with neighbours Cashel and Waterford City. The dry crisp conditions provided great viewing with both visiting teams bringing good numbers. Our U7s put in some great performances with some fine try scoring and our U8s tackled really well throughout and scored some wonderful tries in their two games.
Mini Rugby Training continues on Friday evenings in the Community Field at 6.45pm to 8pm. New members are always welcome. Girls Rugby training continues on Friday evenings at 8pm to 9pm for U13s, U15s and U18s. New girls are always welcome.
Fethard U10 team faced a big strong Cashel outfit. To the fore in every aspect of the game were Podge O’Dwyer, Tom Smyth, Michael Blake and Michael James Phelan with some great tries turned in and a couple in hand for victory in the end.
Fethard Faces and Places from the Past
The following are a selection of photographs recently added to the Fethard Faces and Places from the Past page on Facebook, also published here
for the benefit of our readers who are not on Facebook. The Facebook page is used for sharing old Fethard photographs with other members of the group and is open to all interested in joining.
Photographed in the Fethard Arms (closed on December 28, 2014) at a GAA Book presentation to the late Mick Ahearne are L to R: Joe O'Dwyer, Mike Connors, Mary and Miceál McCormack, Paddy Murphy, Nell Murphy, Paddy Ahearne, Jack Gunne, Dick Allen and Tom Barrett. Photo taken in July 1989.
Cummins family from Monroe, Fethard
We would like information of who is in this photograph taken at a local dance some years ago ? Please send to fethardnews@gmail.com
 We would like information on this photograph taken of workmen in Fethard some years ago ? Please send to fethardnews@gmail.com
'Cabbage Patch Dolls' Fethard Festival July 1989
Davy and Bridget Morrissey's family at Don's Christening included are the Lonergan and Morrissey grandparents.
We would like information on who is travelling by ass and cart some years ago ? Please send to fethardnews@gmail.com
Kerry Street house, later to become Jimmy Hanrahan's shop, following his death the shop was taken over by Eileen Looby and now a residential house owned by Pat Looby. If anyone knows who the children might be please contact us at fethardnews@gmail.com
Kerry Ryan and Evelyn Eustace at the Community Sports May 1989
Emmet and Glen Burke holding medals for U6 and U8 running events at the Fethard Community Sports May 1989
Child Achievement Award for Russell O'Meara 1989.
Fethard News
Items for inclusion on this website and 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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