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FETHARD NOTES ARCHIVE

Saturday 29th March 1997

Medieval Guide to Fethard launched
Another important step in the development of Fethard's tourism potential came with the recent launch of a 30-page colour guide to the medieval town.
The booklet, written by Dr. Tadhg O'Keeffe, and published by Fethard Histocial Society, was launched by Mr Jack Walsh,seior, tourism officer with The, South East Regional, Tourism Authority, in Fethard's Abmill Theatre.
Addressing the 120 guests present, Mr Walsh complimented the Fethard Historical Society and stressed the importance of preserving medieval fabric and setting of the town, and especially the avoidance of unsuitable modern developments which could destroy Fethard's tourist potential. He cited the example of a recent trip he had to an historic tourist city in Europe and he was shocked by some of the new developments he saw there.
This point was further reinforced later when Councillor Paul Cuddihy, Kilkenny Corporation, said that even Kilkenny city, which is very dependent on tourism, is suffering badly from some recent bad developments and poor planning control.
Mr Joe Kenny, chairman, Fethard Historical Society, told the gathering that the Society was formed time years ago and in that time great work had been done in increasing local and national awareness on the importance of Fethard in archaeological and historical terms. He especially thanked Michael O'Donnell, Piltown, and Dr. Tadhg O'Keeffe for their help to the Society.

Dr. O'Keeffe, the author of Fethard, Co. Tipperary a - Guide to the Medieval Town, is a specialist in medieval architecture and was awarded a commission by the National Heritage Council to carry out a full Archaeological and Historical Survey of Fethard in 1993. During this survey, Dr. O'Keeffe was assisted by student archaeologists Denise Maher and Pauline Garvey. The new tourist booklet, based on his findings, includes an introduction to Fethard's history and a walking guide, with map, of archaeological sites around the town.

During his illustrated talk entitled Medieval Fethard in the 21st Century, Dr. O'Keeffe again stated that "Fethard is the most important medieval small town in Ireland," and this should be acknowledged by allowing the town develop at its own pace, while also incorporating its medieval character in future development. Dr. O'Keeffe dedicated the booklet "To the people of Fethard, custodians of an unique urban heritage."

Isobel Cambie spoke on behalf of Tipperary Leader Group who part-funded the publication of the guide. She said that Leader were more than happy to help such a worthwhile project. She noted that Fethard now needs more tourist accommodation to serve the fast-growning industry, and she said that Leader would be as helpful as possible to anyone coming forward to provide quality tourist accommodation in the area. Ms. Cambie also said that Tipperary Leader will be coming to Fethard in April to further explain how they can be of help to overall development in the area.
Austin Crowe, chairman of South Tipperary tourism committee, complimented all involved in tourism development in Fethard. He said that his committee have commissioned a detailed tourism plan for South Tipperary and that a public meeting would soon be held in Fethard, along with the other five major towns in South Tipperary, to launch the plan and to listen to local interests and take on board any further suggestions. Mr Crowe added that good accommodation was the secret to developing tourism in an area.

All the speakers praised the many local organisations that have been involved in the many positive developments in Fethard. Chief among them are the Friends of Fethard and their Town Wall Restoration Project, which won the overall AIB Better Ireland Award in 1992. Austin Crowe, in particular, marvelled at the beauty of the restoration work in the Abymill Theatre, where the launch took place.
Other groups such as the

Fethard and Killusty Community Council and the Tidy Towns have been to the forefront of local efforts to present Fethardat its best and the promotion of tourist development in the area. In this regard a major tourist initiative, prompted by the Community Council and aided by Teagasc, has begun work in the area. The aim of this tourism project is to help in the coordination of the dynamic but sensitive development of a tourist industry in the area. All-inall Fethard is putting the pieces together to ensure it gets on the tourist map.

The booklet launch was preceded by a cheese and wine reception, sponsored by Superquinn.

Holy Week ceremonies
Fethard Parish Church Holy Thursday 4pm and 8pm.
Good Friday Stations 3pm, Liturgy 8pm.
Holy Saturday 8pm.
Killusty - Same times (no 4pm ceremonies on Holy Thursday).
Augustinian Abbey Holy Thursday 7.3Opm.
Good Friday Liturgy 3pm, Stations 7.3Opm.
Holy Saturday 9pm.
All are invited to attend these special ceremonies in which we are all reminded of the sacrifice which Our Lord made for each of us.

Tipperary Leader Group
will hold a meeting in the Tirry Centre on Wednesday 9th April, at 8 o'clock.
This is your chance to discuss how you and your community can make the most of the opportunities in your area.
All enauiries about the meeting or ideas for development can be made by contacting Tipperary Leader Group 062 33360.

It's In the stars!
Local astronomers are making good use of the bright moonlight nights to view the Hale-Bopp Comet.
At present it may be seen in a northern position in the night sky.
A truly spectacular sight through a good pair of binoculars, the comet is 125 times bigger than Halley's Comet.
Viewers had better take a good look as the comet was last here around 2200 BC and will not be back this way again for another 2,000 years!

G A A
Fethard senior footballers had an excellent 2-12 to 1-9 win over Commercials in the Clonmel Oil tournament game in Clonmel on Sunday last.
New trainer Waltie Moloney seems to have got the right blend of young fully committed players together.
Their victory on Sunday lifted the Indian sign which Commercials seem to have had on Fethard over the past few seasons and augurs well for a good Fethard performance in the 1997 championship series.

Soccer
Killusty FC, two goals behind after fifteen minutes, came back in great style to beat Old Bridge 4-3 in extra time in their replay of their Tipperary Cup game on Sunday last.

Commemoration
The annual George Plant commemoration takes place at St. Johnstown at 3pm on Easter Sunday. Speaker Richard Behal.

New time
Do not forget to put your clocks back one hour on Saturday night as summer times commences at • 2am Easter Sunday morning.

Fethard/Clonmel wedding
The wedding took place at Fethard Augustinian Abbey on Saturday March 22nd, of Bridget, daughter of Mr William and the late Mrs Catherine Phelan, Crampscastle, to Mr Paul McSweeney, Clonmel.

Judo
Fethard Judo Club members have been hitting the high spots recently.
- Eric O'Donnell, Cashel Road, 1st Dan, is now the number one Irish under-2l judo player. He was a member of the Irish team that competed in an international tournament last weekend.

Valerie Colville, Grove Road, won silver in the ladies' under-56 category and also in the ladies' open event at the Galway open championships.

Kenneth O'Donnell and the Gorey twins, Roy and Tony, won bronze medals in their respective weight divisions at the same Galway open, which also took place last weekend.

Late Mrs Bridget Fahey
The death occurred of Mrs Bridget Fahey, Kilmore, formerly Bridget O'connor, Ballyvaden. Interment took place in Lisronagh.
The late Biddy O'Connor was another surviving member of the 1932 Coolmoyne camogie team.

Mathon man
The outstanding achievement of Ray McConnell, Cappoquin, has been duly acknowledged by Waterford County Council.
Ray McConnell passed through Fethard on his epic non-stop run of 144 miles from Dublin to Dungarvan.
He completed the journey in under 28 hours in very adverse weather conditions and strong headwinds.
His helpers paid particular tribute to the athletes from Ballinonty and Fethard who ran with him through Co. Tipperary and gave him marvellous encouragement in the very early hours of the morning when his spirit was at its lowest.
player: The 10 o'clock Mass

Requiem for camogie player
The 10 o'clock Mass at Fethard Parish Church on Tuesday is for the repose of the soul of Imelda WalshO'Dea, who died recently in England.
The late Imelda O'Dea was a member of the Coolmoyne camogie team which won the Tipperary county senior camogie championship of 1932.
The Mass was celebrated by Father Ryan CC at the request of her surviving 1932 team-mates.

County title
Congrats to Cahterine Morrissey, winner of the Co. Tipperary Div. IV ladies' singles badminton title at Hillview on Saturday last.
Catherine, an international ladies' racquetball player, is a comparative newcomer to the badminton scene. Still eligible to play Div. VI league, her achievement is all the more noteworthy.
Fiona Lawrence, a promising novice player, was runner-up in the ladies' Div. VI event.

Bridge results
March 19th - 1st gross Dick Gorey and Betty Walsh, 2nd gross Carol Kenny and Anna Croke.
1st nett Brigid Gorey and Nora Aherne, 2nd nett Teresa Cummins and Alice Quinn.
No bridge on bank holiday Easter Monday.

Fethard meeting
Tipperary Leader Group, committed to the developmet of rural Tipperary, is holding a public information meeting for the areas Clerihan, Fethard and Moyglass to outline how Leader can assist individuals and groups to develop their area.
Wednesday 9th April, at 8pm, in the Tirry Centre, Fethard.

Fethard Scouts
On Sunday last 23rd March, we attended the regional orienteering competition, which was held in Lyreanearla on the Comeragh Mountains.
The event was enjoyed by all who took part on the day and we had a bonus of taking home a share of the silverware.
Well done to the under13 pair on winning the individual category and the over-13 team on winning their category.
At the event we were presented the Good Camping Certificate for last year's annual camp in Fethardon-Sea by Paul Collins, ARC Camping, and who also invited us to join the Clonmel Unit on their annual camp in Wales later this year.
The unit is currently participating in Bob-a-Job around the locality and all support will be greatly appreciated.



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