Saturday 24th June 2006
John Bradley qualifies his ‘Fethard statement’ “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 Fethard Cycling 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 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 Killusty Clean Up Pre-Holiday Quiz Deferred Fethard GAA Club News 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 Connolly Family Information Required 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 Martin O’Shea, The Valley, Fethard; The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Meals on Wheels We wish the boys good luck with their next two years studying for the Leaving Cert. 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 Radio Broadcast from St. Patrick’s Place Philip wins swimming gold medal Fethard Soldier’s Death in 1918 “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
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