John Bradley qualifies his ‘Fethard statement’
Speaking at “The Norman Festival Weekend” held in Cahir Castle in August 1986, Mr. John Bradley M.A. (Director of the Urban Archaeology Survey) said the following of Fethard:

“Fethard is, I would think, probably the most important small medieval town in Ireland without any doubt. Its preservation and its proper development as a historic town is a matter of national importance”. He then went on to explain, “Fethard still retains almost entirely intact the line of its town wall. In fact the remains are virtually all 15th or 16th century, so the citizens of Fethard kept up the maintenance of their Town Wall all through the middle ages. They maintained it basically by moneys which came from the collection of a toll, which was called murage, payable on commodities coming into the town. I was very intrigued to discover only recently that this murage was still being collected fifty years ago, right into this century although none of the money was being spent on the wall”.

Mr Bradley visited Fethard again on 10th June to launch the Fethard Medieval Trail leaflet and during his very interesting address at Holy Trinity Church, he qualified his statement made back in 1986 by saying, Fethard is no longer ‘probably’, but ‘is’, the most important small medieval town in Ireland without any doubt.

Now we again remind our Councillors, Public Representatives and local authorities what Mr Bradley also said in 1986, “Fethard’s preservation and its proper development as a historic town is a matter of national importance!”

Class Reunion of 1976
A class reunion of Leaving Cert Year 1976 will take place in Slievenamon Golf Club at 9pm on Saturday 8th July. A great night is planned and all those intending to attend are asked to contact Catherine Newport at Tel: 052 31620 to help finalise numbers.

Fethard Cycling
Fethard cyclists had a very productive cycle on Wednesday 7th June. A total of 10 cyclists left Fethard car park at 7.40pm and cycled towards Cashel. Turning right at the church in Cashel, we headed for Dualla and straight through to Ballinure. After a five-minute stop we headed on to Laffansbridge, turned right towards the quarry and uphill towards Moyglass and then back home to Fethard. Two hours and five minutes later and a distance of 28 miles covered, we were all very pleased with our efforts.

Noticeably absent from our training group this week was Michael O’Gorman, Ballinard, who was most unfortunate to be knocked off his bike the previous week. One of more dedicated cyclists, he will be sorely missed on 28th July as he will be still recovering from a broken ankle. “Get Well Soon Michael”, from all the group!

It’s a far cry from the days when cycling was the more common mode of transport and the likes of Frank Ahearne would cycle to Wexford to see his granny or Dick Burke would go from Loughrea to Salthill during the 1930s on a bad bike, on bad roads, and only straw inside the tyres instead of tubes.  Ah! . . . those were the days!

On Wednesday 14th July, we again had our 10 cyclists turn up for training and on this outing we headed towards Darcy’s Cross, crossing the main road and on to Poulmucka, we turned right and headed towards New Inn. At the village we then took a left turn for the village of Golden. At this time of evening the temperature was beginning to drop so the group decided to head for Cashel and back to Fethard. A distance of 33 miles was covered in a time of two hours and twenty-five minutes.

As the interest in the cycling gathers momentum and people are asking about our progress, let me mention again, that it is an open group and anyone can still come along. It’s all about fun and exercise and not a race. Any adult with a half decent bike is more than welcome to join in. Remember also there is a childrens’ cycle on the day from Kilsheelan to Fethard — a ten-mile trip.

May I also remind our readers that this is a fundraising event for a very good cause — helping make Fethard a heart safe town — so if you see some sponsorship cards in the local shops or pubs, please put your hand in your pocket and support us.

(Bi.Ke)

Lourdes Invalid Pilgrimage
A group of people from the parish are now in Lourdes on the Diocesan Pilgrimage having travelled out on Friday last. The group includes, Canon James Power, five invalids, six volunteer workers, three nurses and three helpers who care for the invalids during their stay. Hopefully they are all having a prayerful and enjoyable time.

Thanks to the local pupils and teachers of the Patrician Presentation Secondary School who helped in a big way to finance the local Lourdes Fund and thanks also to those ladies who baked bread and fruit cakes to be brought out for the invalids.

Thank You
Clare Sullivan, Woodvale Walk, has asked us to thank everyone who sponsored her in the Dublin Ladies Mini Marathon on 5th June. Claire raised €1,665 for South Tipperary Hospice Movement.  Well done Claire!
Valerie Colville, and Jennifer Fogarty would also like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to everybody who sponsored them in the recent Flora Ladies mini marathon in Dublin. The girls raised over €1,100 for the ‘Jack and Jill Foundation’ and really appreciate the support given to them.

Killusty Clean Up
Residents are asked to give a helping hand with a ‘clean-up’ at Killusty Village on Thursday evening 22nd June at 7pm. Please bring along your garden tools.

Pre-Holiday Quiz Deferred
As a mark of respect for the late Sr. Mary McNamara, R.I.P, who died on Monday 19th June, the Parents Association are deferring the Pre-Holiday Quiz until Monday 26th June at 7pm.

Fethard GAA Club News
Fethard Senior Footballers advance to the next stage of the South Championship when, on Sunday last, they came back on track from their county defeat by Grangemockler to beat Carrick Swans on a scoreline, Fethard 1-15, Carrick Swans 0-6, and in doing so keep alive the chances of silverware for 2006 at this grade. The team on Sunday last was: Paul Fitzgerald, Philly Croke, Stephen O’Donnell, Ian Kenrick, Miceál Spillane, Michael Aherne, Cian Maher, Michael Dillon 0-1, Jamie McCormack, Karl Maher 1-3, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-4, John Paul Looby, Conor McCarthy, Brian Coen 0-7, and John Noonan. Subs were: Martin Coen 0-1, and Kenneth O’Donnell. Our next game will be in the Munster League.

In intermediate hurling on Monday 12th June we lost the county league semifinal to Carrick Davins when in five minutes midway through the second half they scored 2-4 to pull away in what was an evenly contested game up to that. Both teams were short players on the night. The first half was open fast hurling with Fethard just holding the edge to go in at the break, Fethard 1-9, Carrick Davins 1-7. In the second half we just lost our way and were chasing to the end when the final score was, Fethard 1-12, Carrick Davins 3-15.

The team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Michael Ryan, Shane Walsh, Paul Hackett, Willie Morrissey, Cian Maher, Brian Coen, Michael Dillon, John Noonan, Jamie McCormack1-1, Eoin Doyle, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-8, John Leahy 0-1, Michael Aherne, Kenneth O Donnell 0-2, Subs Used Michael Carroll, Miceál Spillane, Eoin Doyle and Tommy Gahan. We wish Carrick Davins the best of luck in the final. On this Friday 23rd June we play Ballyneale in the South Championship in Kilsheelan at 8pm.

On Friday 16th June we played the first round of the South Junior A Football in Cloneen and we were very successful in recording a victory on a scoreline, Fethard 7-9, Ballingarry 1-6. The team was: Ronan Maher, Alan O’Connor, Connie O’Flynn, Paul Hackett, Philly Croke, Alan Phelan , Ronan Allen, Chris Sheehan 1-3, Kevin O’Donnell, Jason Nevin 0-2, Brian Burke, Shane Aylward 1-1, P J Morrissey 1-1, Martin Coen 1-2, and Glen O’Meara. Sub was: Shane Kenny 3-0.

Well Golf Society
A reminder to all Well Golf Society members, that our next outing takes place on this coming Saturday 24th June to Abbeyleix Golf Club. Tee off time is at 9.30am. We realise that this is an early start but it will also mean an early finish. We hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Fethard Ladies Football Club
A church gate collection for Fethard Ladies Football Club will be taken up this weekend, 24th and 25th June, at all local masses. The club are presently catering for under-12, under-14 and under-16 age groups and have teams entered in addition to juniors. They are making a special appeal to people to please subscribe generously as club administration and transport costs are very high and they would be very grateful for your support.

Connolly Family Information Required
I am presently researching the family of Nicholas Connolly (born ca 1785) who married Anastasia Conlan (born 1790). Nicholas was married in Ireland prior to his emigration from Fethard about 1827 with his wife and a daughter named Mary (born ca 1807). Whether Nicholas had other children born in Ireland is not known, but he had a son, John, born here in Canada in 1827, Nicholas and his family initially settled near the village of Bailieboro in the township of South Monaghan, Peterborough County (a few kilometres south west of the city of Peterborough, Ontario). This region is approximate 120 kms north east of Toronto.

Nicholas moved a few years later from South Monaghan Township and settled permanently near the town of Lindsay, in the township of Ops, Victoria County. This is about 40 kms northwest of his original place of settlement.

I am wondering if anyone can suggest sources of information available which might throw light on the family background of Nicholas Connolly. I have not been able to establish his townland of residence prior to his emigration, but documents here state that he originated in the area of Fethard, Co. Tipperary. I am particularly interested in making contact with Connolly descendants still in the area of Fethard, particularly those members of the Connolly family who may have carried out genealogical research into their ancestry. Any assistance which you may be able to provide me in this research project would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, Rosemary McConkey, 377 Park St. North, Peterborough, Ontario K9H 4P7. Telephone : Canada + 705-7456998 Email: peter.mcconkey@gmail.com

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn in the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto on Wednesday 14th June were 1, 10, 25 and 26. There was no Jackpot winner and no ‘Match 3’ winner so three tickets were drawn and the following won €50 each:


Martin O’Shea, The Valley, Fethard;
Bill Kennedy, The Valley, Fethard ;
Ursula Bradshaw, Congress Tce, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:

Gwen Cooke, 49 St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Dermot Darcy, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Sean Moloney, Red City, Fethard.
Next weeks Jackpot is €5,100 and the Jackpot ticket sellers prize is €510.

Meals on Wheels
Thanks to the Presentation Patrician Secondary School transition year students, Paul, David, Alan, Lory, Ciarán, Christopher, Kevin, Joe and Declan for their help, during the school year, with the delivery of the Meals on Wheels. Their help was much appreciated and they gave it very willingly and happily.

We wish the boys good luck with their next two years studying for the Leaving Cert.

‘Ring-a-Link’ Bus Service to Cashel
The ‘Ring-a-Link’ bus service to Cashel is now in operation since 25th May and travels to Cashel every Thursday. This is a door-to-door service collecting from 12.30pm and arriving in Cashel at 2.30pm latest; returning from Cashel at 4.30pm.

The service covers the following areas: Lisronagh, Fethard, Drangan, Cloneen, Mullinahone, Killenaule, Ballingarry, Ballynonty, Ballinure and Dualla. Fares are: Adult €5 Return and €3 Single; Under-16s €3 Return and €2 Single. Under 4s are free. Free travel pass is also accepted.

In order to book your seat to travel, please call (lo-call) 1890 424141 between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday; and from 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday.

Died Recently
We record the death of Phil Kelly, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard, who died on Sunday 18th June. Interment took place in Moyglass cemetery.

Radio Broadcast from St. Patrick’s Place
On Wednesday, 14th June, Tipp FM's Fran Curry broadcast his ‘More Music Lunch Show’ from St. Patrick's Place, Fethard, from 12 to 2pm as part of the housing estate blitz. There was great fun and live music and a big crowd gathered to meet the special guest Chris Doran who met fans and signed autographs. The sun shone while local musicians John Pollard and Pauline Morrissey finished the show with Slievenamon with residents singing along.

Philip wins swimming gold medal
Congratulations to 11 year old Philip Maher, Ballybough, winner of the gold medal at Co Tipperary Community Games County Swimming Finals in Tipperary Town recently. Philip was Fethard’s only representative at this event and was very impressive winning his final. He will now represent Co Tipperary for the second time at the HSE National finals on August 18 - 20th.

Fethard Soldier’s Death in 1918
An American paper, dated July 5, 1918, says:
“A large gathering witnessed the flag raising exercises of the residents of Stow and Burdon avenues and the unfurling of the service flag which contained seventy–six stars. There was one gold star on the flag for Daniel McCormack of Fethard, Co. Tipperary, who was killed in action, and one silver star for Harold Mills, wounded in action. Speaking of Daniel McCormack the Chairman (Mr Patrick) said: 

“Call Daniel McCormack and no voice answers back”. “Here I Am”. Words are but barren; words cannot express the debt we owe to him for whom a gold star is on the service flag. We can only stand by his grave and feel what speech has never told. He fought, died, was buried over there, and has gone to his great reward.”

(Clonmel Chronicle 3rd August 1918).

Knitting Group
Now that the summer has finally arrived, and with the expectation of lots more sunshine in the months ahead, the knitting group is taking a break until Tuesday 5th September. This break will give our knitters a chance to think about winter knitting projects and plan ahead for the long, dark evenings. Our regular knitters might also spread the word and encourage new members to join in September, especially anyone interested in getting back into knitting again.  In the meantime, keep those needles clicking and we’ll see you all in September.