First Lady Principal for St. Patrick’s Boys School
A presentation was made to Mrs Patricia Treacy on Tuesday 21st September to mark her departure from Nano Nagle Primary School where she gave 30 years dedicated service as teacher and vice-principal.  At a special function held in the school, Kate Horan, chairperson of Nano Nagle Parents’ Association, presented Mrs Treacy with a gift and a bouquet of flowers as a token of the esteem in which she is held by both pupils and parents, past and present.  Mrs Treacy received good wishes and every success in her new position as principal of St. Patrick’s Boys’ National School, from all present.  Following the presentation, light refreshments were served to all present.

A little bit of history was made with the appointment of Mrs Treacy as the first female principal of St. Patrick’s Boys’ School.  Although last year, Ms Cathriona Horan, did work as Acting Principal while Mr Dwyer was on leave of absence.  These two ladies have broken a long tradition, which began back in 1873, when Brother Augustine Holton called to the residence of the Rev. Dean Cantwell PP in the Main Street to discuss the foundation of a Patrician Brother’s School in Fethard.  This meeting resulted in the Patrician Brothers sending three men to Fethard — Brothers Augustine Holton, Vincent Riordan and Arsenious Fitzpatrick who took up residence on St. Patrick’s Day 1873. 

In the same year they arrived, the Patrician Brothers founded two establishments, a primary and a classical school, housed on different floors in the old laundry, then the property of the Presentation nuns and now owned by Primus Advertising on Lower Main Street.

Some years later, in 1885, an application was made for the building of a new primary school on Rocklow Road, the foundation stone (presently set in the school yard wall) of which was laid two years later by Dean Kinane P.P.  It was officially named Fethard Monastery School.  This school served the educational needs of Fethard boys up to the early 1960s when, following the increase in the number of pupils, tenders were invited by the Board of Works for the erection of a new three roomed National School in Fethard.  Construction work began on 18th January 1965 and the new school opened in the same year. 

A prefab was erected beside the National School to cater for the additional pupils who were transferred to Fethard when Coolmoyne National School closed.  The total number of pupils enrolled was 162 making it a five-teacher school for 1967/68.  The teachers in 1968 were: Bro Lazarian Byrne (principal to August), Bro James Moran (principal from September), Bro. Luke Moroney, Bro Aidan Dunne (transferred September 1968), Bro Sylvester O’Neill (appointed September 1968), and lay teachers, Mr Eddie O’Sullivan and Miss Alice Stapleton.

In September 1971 Bro James Moran was transferred to Abbeyleix and Bro Berchmans Coffey was appointed principal.  Bro Berchmans remained principal up to 1977 when he left Fethard to take up as principal of Urlingford National School.  Bro James Moran returned to Fethard and was appointed principal up to 1980 when he was transferred again to Abbeyleix.  Bro Paul Duffy took up the position as principal up to 1984 when he retired.

Bro Raymond Forde was appointed principal in September 1984, and was the last Patrician Brother to teach in the school up to his retirement on 30th June 1993.  The first lay teacher, Mr Eamonn Dwyer, was appointed principal 1st July 1993.

In 2004, eleven years later, Mr Dwyer retired and has made way for the first female principal to be appointed after 130 years of male dominance.

We wish you the best of luck Mrs Treacy, in your new job and in a new era of education for boys in Fethard.

Butler’s Sports Bar to Open
Best wishes to Philip and Ann Butler who have purchased Bob Grant’s Bar, Main Street, Fethard, formerly owned and run by Pat O’Shea.  Philip, originally from Killenaule, is a brother of Marianne Shortall from, The Valley, Fethard.  The couple will officially open the premises at 6pm on this Thursday night, 30th September.

The pub was owned and successfully run for the past five years by a very popular Bob Grant who will be missed by his many loyal customers.  Bob purchased the premises from Pat O’Shea, who, on the 22nd November 1999, closed shop and ended his family’s connection with the premises first started by his father, Jack O’Shea, in November 1959.

Irish Girl Guides Resume Meetings
Now that the summer break is over, we are ready to resume our weekly meetings of Irish Girl Guides.  Meetings will be held on Tuesday nights in Fethard Ballroom from 7pm to 8pm, commencing on Tuesday 5th October.  Please note change of night.

Before our summer break, on 31st May, we had an enrolment ceremony where we welcomed our new members.  Ladybirds enrolled on the day were: Aine Proudfoot, Laura Ryan, Kayleigh Higgins and Larissa Clancy.  Brownies enrolled were: Kate Quigley, Jade Pattison, Aobh O’Shea, Molly Proudfoot, Anastasia Blake, Amy Burke, Kate O’Donnell and Molly O’Dwyer. Link badges from Brownies to Ladybirds were presented to Kate Quigley, Jade Pattison, Aobh O’Shea, Molly Proudfoot and Anastasia Blake.

Congratulations to the girls and their leaders — Judy Doyle, Catherine O’Connell and Teresa Hurley.  We also welcome our new leaders, Ann Marie Burke and Catherine O’Donnell.

All the girls and leaders had a very enjoyable day out in Parson’s Green on 12th June, where we joined with Guides from the Rathdowney Unit.  Area Commissioner Mary Jordan also attended.

We are looking forward to seeing you all again, plus many new faces, on Tuesday 5th October at Fethard Ballroom from 7pm to 8pm.  Cost per week is €3.  Ladybirds are aged from five and half to seven years old; Brownies from seven to ten years old; Guides from ten to fourteen years old.  At present we have no Guide age group, bu hopefully in the near future we can start up again.

For further information please contact Judy Doyle, District Commissioner, Tel: 052 31109.

Civil Defence First Aid Classes
Fethard Civil Defence classes in First Aid (stage two) will take place from Tuesday 5th October at 8pm in the Tirry Centre, Fethard.  This course is ideal for those who have completed stage one and are willing to advance to a higher grade of First Aid.

New members over-16 years of age are welcome to join Civil Defence.  Some of the events that will be covered in the coming year include, rescue from heights, fire fighting, first aid, abseiling, boating and canoeing. For further information contact Rory Walsh, Tel: 086 0802782 or Civil Defence Headquarters, Clonmel. Tel: 052 34455.

Look right and left before you step
Recent complaints from people crossing Fethard’s one and only Pedestrian Crossing led to members of South Tipperary County Council coming to investigate the behaviour of cars and pedestrians using the crossing on Main Street.  On the day of investigation, the powers that be could find no fault with motorists, in fact, they had to move away from the crossing so as to avoid drivers stopping unnecessarily.

They are convinced that the present system, used properly, is the best solution for pedestrians in Fethard and have asked us to remind users and motorists to be very considerate of each other when using the crossing.  Pedestrians are asked not to cross without first stopping, putting one foot out to indicate that you want to cross, and then waiting until oncoming traffic stops before crossing carefully.  Motorists are asked to be very attentive and aware of people waiting to cross, especially, during those ‘rush hours’ when cars appear to speed through Fethard with little regard for anyone or anything.

The Community Council, in conjunction with the County Council, have agreed to monitor the situation over the coming weeks and would welcome any further comments or complaints before taking any further action.  Please contact the Community Office in Barrack Street if necessary. Tel: 052 31000.

Fethard Bridge Club Results
Fethard Bridge Club results for Wednesday 22nd September are:

1st Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John;

2nd Gross: Teresa Cummins and Alice Quinn;

1st Nett: Bridie Lee and Mike Burke;

2nd Nett: Nell Broderick and Annie O’Brien.

On Wednesday next, 6th October, we will be playing for the Nett Free Sub.  Following this competition membership fees of €25 will be due, except for the winners of the free sub!

Anyone looking for a partner can contact Annie O’Brien, The Square, Fethard. Tel: 052 31862.

Fethard GAA Club News
The Intermediate Hurling South Championship replay took place in Kilsheelan on Wednesday 22nd September at 5.15 pm against St Marys, and on this occasion, in a final 10 minutes it was a thriller.  Behind by 4 points, drawing level, and losing by a goal, with penalties, 20 metre frees, and errors, our team must be thanked for the enjoyment afforded us in the 11 games over the year and hard look in not reaching the final for the 5th year.  The final score was, Fethard 2-9 (1-5), St Marys 4-6 (1-4).  The team for replay was Paul Fitzgerald, Michael Carroll, Michael Ryan, Michael Aherne, Tomas Keane, Stephen O’Donnell, Cian Maher, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-3, John P Looby 1-0, Alan Phelan, P J Aherne, Brian Coen, Ciaran Treacy 1-4 (1-3F), Miceál Spillane, and Kenneth O’Donnell 0-2.  Subs used: Eoin Doyle for Miceál Spillane, Michael Dillon for Alan Phelan.  Full match report published on Sports Page.

Thanks to Martin Shanahan, John Hurley and Jerry Aherne for their time and commitment and a very special thank you to the players for the enjoyment. Congratulations to Ballybacon for winning the south title and best of luck to them and St Marys in the county quarterfinals.
The Senior Football County Semifinal takes place on next Sunday 3rd October at 2pm when we take on Moyle Rovers in Cashel.  We have not met at county semifinal stage since 1999 when, on that occasion, we lost by 2 points.  Fethard have reached the county semifinal twice since then.  We last won the county in 2001. In the following two years, on both occasions we lost in replays, in 2002 to Aherlow and in 2003 to Cahir.  Here’s hoping that we can end that sequence on Sunday and advance to the county final in search of our 22nd senior title.  Fethard are akin to Kerry, three years is a long time out of a final not alone winning.
It was hard luck on our Juvenile under-14 B hurlers in the replay of the county semifinal played on last Sunday morning and losing by four points.  Well done to all the team for winning us our first south title since 1985 at juvenile level.  Beg la eile.  Best of luck to our under 16 B hurlers who play the south semifinal this weekend.

Lucky GAA jackpot winner
Congratulations to our lucky GAA Lotto Jackpot winner, Colm Coen  from Killusty, who won €6,200 in last week’s draw made at Lonergan’s Bar (The Square).  The numbers drawn were 7, 9, 11 and 23.  The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Jim Williams (Killusty). The cheque presentation was made on Sunday last to Colm by our treasurer Nicky O’Shea outside Lonergans with the other draw promoters present — Mary Godfrey, Denis O’Meara, Noelle Doyle and Abigail Doyle.  This is the third large Jackpot won since the commencement of the draw and all have been won locally.  Previous winners were €8,600 to Joe Grant (Tirry Park), and €5,200 to Nicky O’Shea.

We would like to thank everyone who supports this worthy cause in funding the promotion of our Gaelic Games at all ages in the parish and long may it continue.

Banshees on Bennett’s Hill
I was just wondering if anyone ever heard of any strange happenings on Bennett’s Hill, as in ghosts or native Banshees?  I am just interested in the history of the area and doing a bit of research.  I would also be interested in anything on Ballinard Castle or if anyone knows where I can get any information on this, I would be grateful. 

Some friends and myself were telling a few local stories the other evening and unfortunately we didn’t have a lot of information except what some of our now deceased relatives would have told us when we were very small.  Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks and kind regards, Breda Burke (email: breda_burke2003@yahoo.co.uk)

Good to see them back
It was great to see Kerry back in the new Croke Park and playing in the All Ireland senior football final before an attendance of 79,425, and winning their 33rd senior title out of 50.  Kerry’s victory was of the highest standard and football was the winner on the day. The new Croke Park is a sight to behold and is well worth a visit at premium, corporate or ordinary level.  The new ‘Hill’ is holding the key for the future games atmosphere, but they will certainly have to do something with the type of grass, as it feels and looks synthetic.  Well done to all and congratulations to the return of the real GAA football team spirit.  This is the game we should strive to hold, over all the changes that have taken place in recent times.

The Well Golf Society
This is your last chance to finish the season with a flourish.  Our final outing of the year takes place on next Saturday 2nd October at Thurles Golf Club. Tee off time is 9am.  The ‘Golfer of the Year’ will also be decided on the day. As previously stated, scoring is very close with a few in with a chance of winning.

Belated apologies to those reading the results notes from our outing to Callan — the winner of the ladies section should of course read, Mary Stakelum and not Mary Comerford. Humblest apologies to the two Marys.

Killusty Soccer Club
St Michaels 4, Killusty 1.

They say that reality bites, and that proved to be the case last Sunday. If you play teams like St Michaels, nothing less than one hundred per cent commitment will do. In the first half we were off the pace and found ourselves 3 down at half  time.  A more spirited performance in the second half saw us get more into the game and with 15 minutes to go we were awarded a penalty, which Karl Maher converted, but Michaels closed the door as quickly as they opened it and a goal from a free kick finished the scoring.

This is all part of the learning curve for this young Killusty team and they now realise the amount of commitment and performance that's needed to survive in the top flight of Tipperary Soccer.

Fethard Draft Local Area Plan
South Tipperary County Council have prepared a draft Local Area Plan for Fethard which, when accepted, will govern all panning applications and developments in Fethard for the next five years.  The Local Area Plan, pursuant to Sections 19-20 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, will provide for the sustainable and planned development of Fethard over the coming years. 

The proposed Local Area Plan will be on public display from Monday 20th September to Tuesday 2nd November 2004 at the following locations:

Planning Section, South Tipperary County Council;

Newport’s Newsagency, Main Street, Fethard;

The Post Office, Main Street, Fethard;

The Library, Main Street, Fethard;

Website: www.southtippcoco.ie

A copy of the proposed plan is also available for purchase from the Planning Office, South Tipperary County Council, Clonmel, at a cost of €20.

Anyone interested in finding out more information can also attend one of two information evenings which will be held from 4pm to 7pm on Wednesday 6th October and Wednesday 13th October, in the Abymill Theatre, Fethard.

Submissions or observations in respect of the proposed plan may be made in writing or by email to the undersigned on or before Tuesday 2nd November, 2004.

M. McGivern, Administrative Officer, Planning Section, South Tipperary County Council, Clonmel. Co. Tipperary. Email: mmcgivern@southtippcoco.ie

O’Connells from Liverpool
Patrick O’Connell, who is believed to have come from Fethard, married Bridget Keating of Powerstown Clonmel in 1878. Patrick was son of a farmer of the same name. They moved to the Liverpool area where a son Stephen John was born in 1881.

Would anyone have an idea where in Fethard the family may have come from and if there are any descendents still there? John Harrington (email: johnharrington@oceanfree.net)

Fethard Judo Club
The Leinster open was held in Finglass last weekend and we had four fighting on Saturday.  Our only lady was Josephine O’Donnell who had some hard fights and finished a good third.  Her son Martin did one better and won a silver medal.

Liam Halley fought well and is improving at every competition.  He was delighted to win a bronze medal.  Also competing on the day was Roy Gorey who hadn’t competed in over a year and was very unlucky not to win on the day.

On Sunday it was our younger competitor’s turn with our juniors (under 16) and our youths (under 20) fighting for medals.  Our youths were up first with five fighting for gold.  The best on the day for the girls was Orla O’Donnell who won silver having beaten our own Samantha Feery into third place.  Grace Maher did well in her weight and finished third.  These were excellent results for Grace and Samantha who are only 14 and had to also fight later in their own age group.  Our two men fighting were Richard Gorey, who won gold in his usual style, and Martin O’Donnell, who did well and finished third.

Our juniors were up next with the Feery sisters, Samantha and Lorraine, both winning gold to follow up on their wins in Mosney last month.  Next was Grace Maher who won gold in her division, her second medal of the day.  Stephanie Lawrence was our next gold medal winner, as only she can.  Alan Brannigan surprised everyone with the way he fought and ended up to be our only boy who won gold.

Our silver medal winners were Niall O’Donnell, Padraig O’Shea, Gary Bradshaw and Jake Walsh who surpassed himself with an unbelievable effort.  Our bronze medal winners were Robert Guiry, Tom Woodlock and Aobh O’Shea. Unlucky on the day was Alan Sutcliffe.

Thanks to Josephine O’Donnell who helped everyone with their fights and well done to Martin O’Donnell who, after finishing his fights, went on to act as referee for the rest of the afternoon, and did a great job.

The Irish Open will take place in three weeks time and everyone hoping to go will need to train on both Tuesday and Friday nights.

Lonergan family from Slievenamon
I’m looking for any information on the Lonergan family that lived on Slievenamon. My g g grandfather was Thomas Lonergan born 2/3/1895 in Killusty to John & Mary Lonergan formerly Neal.  He married Kate Ryan on the 26/9/1895. I’d be extremely grateful for any information.  Many thanks, Michael Lonergan (email: mlnw38232@blueyonder.co.uk)

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto Jackpot €9,550
The numbers drawn in the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto on Tuesday 21st September were 7, 9, 19 and 26.  There was no Jackpot winner and four 'Match 3' winners who received €40 each:

Kathleen Lyons, Ballylusky, Drangan

Eileen White, Drangan

Éilis Barrett, Red City, Fethard

Open Door, Day Care Centre, Fethard

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:

Thelma Griffith, Crampscastle, Fethard

Fr. Tim Walsh, OSA, The Abbey, Fethard

Michael Meehan Snr., Coolbawn, Fethard

Next weeks Jackpot is €9,550 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €845.

Married Recently
The wedding took place, on Friday 17th September, in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Killusty, of Ms Yvonne Murphy and Mr Thomas Halpin. The celebrant was Very Rev. Fr. Tom Breen P.P. The bridesmaids were Aisling and Rachel Murphy; best man, James Halpin and groomsman, Michael Kearney.

Community Council AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place on Tuesday 19th October at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre.

“Looking after yourself”
Progress on the development of Sli Na Slainte walking routes in Fethard has been eventful during the summer months with a number of significant achievements. New routes have been designed and these will in due course become most popular with everyone who will make a small change in their lifestyle that can make a really big difference to health. The good news is activity doesn’t have to be vigorous moderate activity such as completing a brisk walk around one of the planned walks is a great step in keeping healthy. The good news is that the benefits start to occur as soon as you take up regular physical activity.

The next meeting of Sli Na Slainte is to be held on Thursday 30th September at 8pm in the Tirry Centre and all are welcome. This meeting will provide an opportunity to see the layout of the planned Sli Na Slainte routes and at your leisure to try them out. The meeting will also be complimented with a presentation on ‘Looking After Yourself’

Very shortly the Irish Heart Foundation representatives and the South Tipperary County Council will visit to see the planned walks and to advise us on any issues that need to be considered.

Once this visit has been completed the new routes will be signposted and Fethard will then have joined the many towns in the country with a Sli Na Slainte.  An invitation is extended to everyone who can see the new routes and attend the presentation. We look forward to meeting you there.