CHRISTMAS READING

The Fethard and Killusty Annual Newsletter is now on sale locally.  The 2003 edition is up to the now recognised high standard. Over 1,000 copies of the Newsletter have now been mailed free of charge to Fethard and Killusty emigrants throughout the world.

The Tipperary GAA Year Book is now also available. Reading of the around €5,000 fines on Tipperary for breaches of the new rules such as, unauthorised pitch incursions, players not having their socks pulled up, subs pucking around at half time etc, we wonder are these rules enforced across the board.  They seem to apply to the major venues and inter-county matches only.  This is akin to building a house and starting with the chimney.  Are these rules ever applied at club level.  Fethard have never been penalised for breaking them.  Then Fethard, like we are sure most other clubs, never break them.  Do they?  Starting at the bottom, we may have more respect at the top.

One notable omission from the GAA Year Book is an obituary in the ‘friends we have lost’ pages, on Cly Mullins, one of Fethard’s greatest footballers.  Someone must have got their communications crossed somewhere.

THE CANTWELL CHALICE

Ms Aileen Power, Loughcapple House, while attending the funeral of her brother, Rev Fr Patrick Anthony Power, Los Angeles, discovered the Cantwell Chalice, bearing the inscription, Walter Cantwell PP Mullinahone 1898. Very Rev Fr Walter Cantwell PP died in 1917 when the chalice went to his nephew, Rev Fr John Joseph Cantwell, who was later appointed first bishop of Los Angeles in 1936.  The chalice then went to his grandnephew, Fr Patrick Anthony Power who died in June 2003.

Fr Power is a member of the Cantwell family who gave many illustrious priests to the church. Those include, Canon Walter Cantwell PP Fethard, 1861-1878, who brought the Patrician Brothers to Fethard; Canon Walter Cantwell PP Mullinahone 1895-1917, born Loughcapple House, Killusty; Canon James Cantwell PP Ballingarry 1885-1905; Archbishop John Cantwell, Los Angeles; Monsignor William Cantwell, San Francisco; Monsignor James Cantwell, San Francisco; Rev Arthur Cantwell, San Francisco; Sr Mary Regis Cantwell, Ursuline Convent Cork, died 1965; and Rev Patrick Anthony Power, Los Angeles, died 2nd June 2003.

Ms Power has returned the chalice to Mullinahone, its original home.  The parishioners of Mullinahone are deeply grateful for her magnificent gift that links three centuries of worship in St. Michael’s Church, Mullinahone.

DEATH OF MAGGIE TYNAN

The death has occurred recently of Ms Margaret ‘Maggie’ Tynan, Coolenure.  The late Maggie Tynan was in her time an outstanding camogie player.  Her death severs one of the last remaining links with the Coolmoyne camogie team of the 1930s, which won the Tipperary senior camogie championship.  Interment took place in Moyglass cemetery.

RUGBY NEWS

While Fethard did have a very respectable junior rugby team in the 1930s and there is a strong juvenile club in the parish at the moment, it would not be noted for producing inter-provincial players of note.  The late Dr Paddy Stokes and the late Christy Heffernan, Fethard and Garryowen, are two that come to mind, and in more recent years, John Stokes.

Congratulations to Fethard’s most recent inter-pro rugby player, Mary Gorey, Main Street, who won her first under-19 cap against Highfield recently.  We wish her the best of luck in the inter-pro series, which takes place after Christmas.

HUNTING NEWS

The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers will meet on St. Stephens Day at Drangan at 12 noon. On Sunday 28th December at Peppardstown and on Sunday 4th January at Ballyluskey.

SHOWBAND STARS

The ‘Showband Stars’ appear on Cloneen on New Year’s Eve, for all those wishing to relive the great old memories of the Irish dancehall scene. Doc Carroll and the ‘Big Chief’ will be appearing this time and a great night is promised.  Tickets are €10 and can be ordered at Tel: 086 0834208

Christmas at the Abbey

Community Penance Service takes place on Saturday 20th December at 7.30pm Mass. Confessions on Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd, Wednesday 24th, from 12 noon to 12.30 and from 3pm to3.30pm. Mass on Christmas Eve at 9pm. Masses on Christmas Day at 9.30 am and 11.30 am.

Our Novena of Masses for the Christmas Card intentions will begin on Christmas Day at 11.30 am Mass.

Christmas in the Parish

Mass in the Parish Church on Christmas Eve at 8pm; Masses on Christmas Day at 8.30 am and 11am.

Killusty MASSES

Christmas Eve Mass in Killusty takes place at 9.30pm. Mass on Christmas Day takes place at 10am.

CHRISTMAS HAT PARTY

The 5th Annual Christmas Hat Party will take place in the Bridge Bar on Saturday 27th December. All proceeds from this event will go to the CRC Santa Bear Appeal so come along and design, make and wear a Christmas hat for the night. The theme for this year’s hats is ‘Christmas Songs and Carols’ and there will be a special prize for the best hat and title.  Entry cost €5 which entitles you to two tickets for ‘All Kinds of Everything Hampers’ drawn on the night.  A great nights fun is guaranteed for all.

FETHARD & KILLUSTY COMMUNITY LOTTO

The numbers drawn on Tuesday 16th December were: 2, 14, 24, 28 and the bonus number 9. There was no jackpot winner and one 'Match Three' winner who received €150:

Anne Connolly, Main Street, Fethard.

The three 'Lucky Dip' winners of €50 each were:

Eamon Drea, Fethard.

Chrissie Nash, c/o Kitty O'Donnell.

Megan Sceats, Crampscastle, Fethard.

Next week's Jackpot is €3,900 and the sellers prize €244.

There will be no Lotto Draw on 30th December and 6th January. We would like to wish all our supporters a very Happy Christmas and look forward to another successful year for the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto in 2004.

THANKS

Once again the hands of the clock have gone around and we come to the last edition of the Fethard News column for 2003.  We are struggling on in this era of faxes, internet and instant communications, however, we are still going even though it gets tougher by the week. Thanks to everyone who co-operates during the year.  A happy Christmas and prosperous New Year to all our readers.  Maybe with the help of God and Joe we will be here this time next year, who knows!

Slán agat go fóill agus go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo arís