Community Council Delegation to Minister 
A delegation from Fethard & Killusty Community Council travelled with Ms Siobhán Ambrose, Fianna Fail candidate in the next election, to lobby Mr Sean Haughey, Junior Minister Dept of Education, for funds to run the Fethard Youth Project.

The delegation of Jimmy Connolly, Ger Manton and Liam Hayes made a very strong case for the project and were well pleased with the reception received from the minister and his officials. The Minister has received over eighty proposals and only has funds to finance approximately 8 to 10 applications but we are happy that Fethard will receive due consideration. Decisions will be made by early May.

The most poignant part of the meeting was when Jimmy Connolly was presented with a memorial card of the Minister’s father, Charles Haughey, and it was obvious that whatever our views of the former Taoiseach may be, this Junior Minister loved his dad.

The Well Golf Society
Our belated Well Golf Society AGM takes place this coming Monday, 16th April, at 8.30pm in The Well. As our present officers have completed their tour of duty, it's now time to see some new faces at the top table. So come on members don’t be shy, don’t worry there won’t be jobs for everyone, but we would like to see a good turnout in order to plan our coming season.

Social Dancing in Fethard
Many thanks to all who supported last Sunday night’s dance, proceeds which amounted to €1665, is being donated to the Special Olympics.

Dancing this coming Sunday, 15th April, to the great sounds of Tommy Carroll. Do come along for a great nights social dancing.

Country Markets AGM
Fethard Country Markets will hold their annual general meeting on Friday 13th April at 11.30am at their premises in the Town Hall and all are welcome to attend.

Fethard was the first Country Market formed in Ireland and this year celebrate their 60th year. The Country Market was started in a time of great need for produce to be made available and sold to the general public. Eggs were plentiful, but the farmers' wives had no way of disposing of them on a weekly basis. Olivia Hughes got together a few very enterprising people to start a market in Fethard, and from this Country Markets was born, and now it has spread throughout the whole country.

South Tipperary IWA
The South Tipperary Branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association held their AGM on Sunday 25th February 2007 in Kiely’s lounge Tipperary. Our first meeting was held on March 6th and the following officers were elected, Chairperson John Ryan, Secretary John Harrington, Treasurer Sean Buckley, Vice Chairperson Mary Walsh, Assistant Secretary Trish Kelleher, Assistant Treasurer Jerome Kiely, PRO Peggy Moroney and Mary Walsh, South Tipperary Disability Forum Branch representative Donal O’Halloran.  Other committee members include, Kitty Peters, Theresa Ryan, and Brigid Walsh

On Sunday 11th March, members from South Tipperary, Limerick and Kilkenny got together in the hall in Cloneen and enjoyed an afternoon of good food and music.  There was a raffle held with numerous prizes, all sponsored.  There is also a very active Youth Group.  We get together in Clonmel the first Thursday of each month.  So far this year we have held two successful table quizzes in Clonmel and Cloneen.  We wish to thank everyone who supported us.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club
Two matches were played in the week, with the under-14s at home to Commercials in the start of their championship bid. The boys came away with a convincing win and some great displays from the team. Cathal Hurley in goal pulled off some great saves. Our forwards, Dylan Fitzgerald, Garreth Lawrence and Eoin Fitzgerald were in firing form. Dean Sharpe, Aaron Conran and Alan Lawrence were also in great form on the day. Ger Maher was very reliable and solid in midfield and captain Brian Delahunty made an outstanding contribution in the position of centre back. This is a team with great potential and we wish them the best of luck in their next match.

Under-16s were at home to Killenaule on Monday of last week and with no official referee it turned out to be a great challenge match for the lads. There is definitely room for improvement with these lads and we wish them well for their next round.

The Juvenile Club would like to thank all those parents who brought their children into Clonmel to participate and represent the Juvenile Club in the parade on Easter Monday.

A reminder to those members who have not paid their Membership fees, these fees are now well overdue and every effort is needed to pay up as the season is well underway — €15 per child. Any queries please phone club secretary, Caroline Sheehan at Tel: 086 1713502.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 4th April were: 13, 14, 18 and 19. We had no Jackpot winner and no ‘Match 3’ winner so three tickets were drawn and the following won €50 each:

Phil Tobin, 16, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard;
Patrick Sheehan, Killusty Beg, Fethard;
Emma Fitzgerald, Monroe, Fethard.

The three €50 lucky dips were:

A. Keeley, c/o Butlers Bar, Fethard;
Rita Kane, Kerry Street, Fethard;
Ann Browne, 20, Barrack St. Fethard.

Next week’s Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000.

Fethard Bridge Club
The results of our game played on Wednesday 4th April were:

1st Gross: Tony Hanrahan and David O’Meara;
2nd Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane;

1st Nett: Annie O’Brien and Marie Delaney;
2nd Nett: Suzanne Opray and Ellen Rochford.

On Wednesday next, 18th April, we play the second round of the Club Championship. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 32038.

Fethard GAA Club News
In the Senior Football County League game played on Sunday last we were defeated by Killenaule in Fethard on a scoreline, Fethard 1-10, Killenaule 2-12. The half time score was, Fethard 2-5, Killenaule 0-4. The team was: Tommy Gahan, Ian Kenrick, Glen Burke, Nicky Murphy, Shane Aylward, Aiden Lonergan, Benny Hahessy, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-2, John P Looby 1-0, Karl Maher, Stephen O’Donnell 0-1, Kenneth O’Donnell, John Noonan, Jamie McCormack, Conor McCarthy 0-6 (4f). Subs were Shane Walsh and Chris Sheehan.

On Easter Monday we had a very good senior challenge game against Ballylanders with the result, Fethard 0-14, Ballylanders 0-12. The team: Paul Fitzgerald, Stephen O’Donnell, Michael Ahearne, Shane Walsh, Damien Byrne, Aiden Lonergan, Glen Burke, John P Looby, Jamie McCormack, Karl Maher, Aiden Fitzgerald, Chris Sheehan, Conor McCarthy, Brian Coen, Kenneth O’Donnell. Subs used were: Benny Hahessy, Ian Kenrick, Shane Aylward, Nicky Murphy, Tommy Gahan and Kevin O’Donnell. With the county championship only four weeks away it was a well worth outing and we also expect a few more players to be back in the frame by the next few weeks

Intermediate Hurling County League continues this week when on Sunday 15th April we are home to Galtee Rovers at 12pm

The Minor B Football Championship starts this weekend when on Friday 13th April we are in Ned Hall Park at 7pm against Cahir. We play another round the following Friday, 20th April, against Ballingarry in Cloneen.

Thanks to all who turned out on Easter Monday to the South Board Centenary Parade through the streets of Clonmel it was a great occasion and a great success with the Fethard Banner to the fore even though our numbers were down on previous parades. Well played to our county under-21 footballers in the Munster final, losing on a scoreline, Cork 3-19, Tipperary 3-12. This must be a record score in a Munster Final. Even though we had no representative this year on the team, we have Chris Sheehan on the minor football panel out during the week.

Last weeks Lotto Jackpot €4,300 was not won and we had no match three winner. The numbers drawn were: 4, 7, 20 and 27.  Each of the following won €30: Nancy Ryan (Tullamaine), M Looby (39 Fairfields, Clonmel), Marian O’Connor (44 St Patricks Place), Sean Moloney (Red City), Judy Doyle (10 Strylea), with the €50 Lucky Dip going to Margaret Dorney (Woodvale Walk).

The numbers drawn this week were 16, 19, 20 and 28. The €4,400 jackpot was not won and we had one match three winner of €150 to Tamara Doyle (Woodvale Walk). The €50 Lucky Dip going to Ann O’Mahony (Clonmel).

Lecture on Heraldry
On Tuesday next, 17th April, the Fethard Historical Society are hosting a lecture on ‘Heraldry of the Fethard Area’ by Gerard Crotty. Gerard will be drawing attention to and explaining many of the ‘coats of arms’ to be seen on tombstones and plaques to be found in Fethard and environs.

The whole concept of heraldry arose in Western Europe in the 12th century as a method of identifying knights who, when wearing full armour and helmet, were hard to recognise. So knights began to use special designs and colours on their surcoats and shields and some of these designs became part of special family emblems that have carried on down to the present day.

The use of ‘coats of arms’ was expanding greatly at the time the Normans came to the Fethard area — the end of the 12th century. So it is no wonder that examples can be found, especially in Holy Trinity Church, which was built at that time.

Heraldry is a fascinating topic and the local angle makes it even more interesting. The lecture will begin at 8.30pm, entrance fee is €3 and all are welcome to attend.

St. Vincent de Paul
The senior citizens annual holiday to Cairne, Co. Wexford, will take place in early June. Those wishing to travel are asked to contact any member of the society before the end of April.  Families who may need our help with First Communion please contact any member of the society.

Seoige, O’Shea and the Fethard Spirits
Yet another camera crew was spotted recording in Fethard last week. They were from the popular afternoon show, “Seoige and O’Shea”, and they were searching for spirits in McCarthy’s Hotel. Of the paranormal and not the bottled kind. The researchers had heard about the mysterious appearances from the other world of various members of the McCarthy family over the years, so they sent a team to check it out.

The crew interviewed family members and then sent their paranormal detectives, one psychic and one mystic to do their stuff, to see if those who were gone to the other side were lurking around. And by their reckoning, the ghosts still are hovering about the place. The results of their efforts can be seen on the “Seoige and O’Shea” show on RTE One at 4.30pm on Friday 20th April.

Good Luck Gary
Fethard has produced outstanding performers in individual and team sports over the years. Not too many fingers would be required to count the number of boxing champions produced by the ‘Priory Town’.

Here’s hoping that young Gary Bradshaw, who competes this week in the All-Ireland Juvenile Boxing Championships, will bring a winners trophy to his native town. Fighting out of Clonmel Boxing Club, Gary, already an outstanding Judo exponent has won Tipperary County and Munster Provincial boxing titles in his 31kg class. We can recall just one All-Ireland Championship success by a Fethard boxer — the late Louis O’Donnell, The Square, won an Irish senior heavyweight championship in 1939.

Here’s wishing Fethard’s young fighter the very best of luck in his quest for national honours. His parents wish to express their appreciation and thanks for support and sponsorship.

Pilates Classes
Pilates classes will run for eight weeks in Fethard Ballroom on Tuesday nights from 8.45pm to 9.45pm, starting 17th April. The cost is €80 and places must be booked in advance. Mat and towel needed. For more details contact Karen Morrissey at Tel: 087 9152377.

National Spring Clean of Fethard Walking Route
In conjunction with An Taisce’s premier anti-litter campaign ‘National Spring Clean’ from 1st to 30th April, a clean up of Fethard’s favourite walking route around Ballybough was organised over the past few weeks. Six miles of ditches were cleaned from Rathcoole to Fethard, from Fethard to Rocklow via Killenaule Road and Ballybough. Twenty-four bags of rubbish were collected in the process and the Environmental Awareness Officer in South Tipperary County Council agreed to accept the bags at the Donohill Tip Head near Dundrum.

If anyone or group of people are interested in organising a ‘clean up’ of other roads or areas around Fethard, two ‘litter pickers’, lightweight portable bins, gloves and An Taisce Information Pack can be borrowed by contacting 086 2603264.

Fethard & District Rugby Club;
Our under-16s travelled to Waterpark to play in the semifinal of the East Munster Plate and achieved a great victory over this very fancied Waterpark side. Joey Kelly captained the team and this young man played the game of his life. He had his team fully fired up. Leading by example, and crossed the line for our first try with at least four Waterpark lads on his back. Shane Kavanagh converted. The Fethard lads lifted their game to a new level after this with every member of the team putting in a ‘personal best’ performance. William Power was outstanding at scrum half, his decision making and distribution was excellent which heaped the pressure on Waterpark yielding our second try by our excellent full back Johnny Moroney. Shane Kavanagh duly converted. Shane’s general play, both defensively and in attack, was excellent throughout the game and he certainly put in his best performance to date.

The second half started with considerable Waterpark pressure but the defensive tackling of all the Fethard players was superb. Having regained the front foot Fethard’s forwards with some assistance from our excellent backs, rucked and mauled their way across the line with ‘Captain Fantastic’ getting his second try. Shane Kavanagh again converted. Other players to surpass on the night were Matt Fitzgerald, Kevin Hayes and Stewart Broderick. Waterpark scored a soft try with ten minutes remaining to leave the score at 21-5.

Fethard face Clonmel in the final and can approach this game with some confidence. The team conceded seven penalties against Waterpark and will need to be far more disciplined to be successful over Clonmel. The game is provisionally set for next Thursday night.

Goodbody Information
The following request for information was received from Hervé Cuquemel in France (email: mactinherv@aol.com):

I have just been looking at your website on about Fethard. I am a distant relative of Arthur Goodbody and I wonder if you have any information about his role or position in the society of Fethard?  I live in France and find it difficult to travel due to bad health so I would be grateful if you could maybe point me in the right direction for finding out more about my origins. Thanking you in advance, Hervé Cuquemel, La Ville Ger, 22690 Pleudihen sur Rance, France.

Perry Family Information
A request for information on the Perry Family was received from Karen Bell (email: JAKS-Corner@T-Online.de):

I have been researching my Perry ancestors who had lived in and around Clonmel for several centuries and just recently found a connected line that appears to have lived in or at least worshipped in Fethard. I have a list of marriages and baptisms from Old St. Mary's Church in Clonmel. I am not sure what resources or information you have at the Historical Society but if you have any information on the Perry family I would love to hear from you. I have many more details and names of these Perrys which I can pass on if needed.

I am also curious if there is any place where pre-1800 Presbyterian records for the area might be kept. The Perrys were apparently Presbyterian until the late 1700s and intermarried with the Riall, Jacob & Minchin families that also were in or near Fethard at that time. Thank you very much, Karen Bell.