Junction Festival Clonmel — July 2nd-10th
Clonmel Junction Festival, set up in 2001 by David Teevan, is a seven-day feast of art, music and theatre.  The Junction Festival transforms and animates the town of Clonmel with hand-painted banners and flags, daily street theatre and free live music events, and over 50 performances by top class Irish and International music and theatre acts.

To download a PDF (1.9mb) of the full programme of events, Click DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL PROGRAMME or to visit the Junction Festival Website Click VISIT WEBSITE

Died Recently
The death has occurred of Matt Millett, who died on Wednesday 22nd June. Matt was the former owner of The Castle Inn and promoted great folk and Irish traditional music sessions in the 1970s and 1980s. He will always be remembered for his friendly and understanding attitude to the youth of Fethard at that time. Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery on Friday 24th June.

Gerry's Looking Good!

Gerry Nevin, New York, would like to thank everyone who telephoned, sent Mass cards and get well cards during his recent illness. He's now nearing the end of his treatment and hopes to get the 'all clear' soon. Gerry is photographed above sporting another of his many 'bald heads', that his friends at home and away will well remember. We wish Gerry and Sylvia the very best from everyone in Fethard and look forward to seeing them both very soon.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Tuesday 21st June were: 6, 9, 27 and 30. There was no Jackpot winner and two ‘Match 3’ winners who received €75 each:
P.J. Nagle, c/o Group Homes, Fethard
Niall Connolly, c/o Eileen Connolly.
The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Carina Condon, 1 Kilnockin View, Fethard
Liam O'Sullivan, Perryville, Fethard
Michael Allen Jnr. 14 St. Patricks Place, Fethard.
Next weeks Jackpot remains at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000.

Fethard meeting discuss Youth Facilities
On Thursday last, 16th June 2005, a meeting was held in the Fr. Tirry Community Centre. This meeting was organised and facilitated by Margo Hayes (RAPID Co-ordinator Carrick-on-Suir) and Pat Holland (Community Development Officer), staff members from South Tipperary County Development Board. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the situation regarding the provision, or lack, of community based facilities and activities for young people in Fethard, Killenaule and surrounding areas.

Information from communities across South Tipperary indicated that each town was experienced similar problems and that definite action was required to redirect the situation. The interest and enthusiasm at the meeting was palpable and each person agreed that by combining resources the issues could be addressed in a specific and coordinated manner. However, they concurred that it is imperative that adequate support from statutory bodies and agencies is essential for the efforts of local activists to be successful.

The attendants at this meeting were committed to the following ideals: the provision of a dedicated area / building in every community for youth activities and the establishment of specific projects to target early school leavers and those at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.

It is worth noting that of the twenty-two attendants the following organisations were represented: Mid-Tipperary Drugs Initiative; Tipperary Regional Youth Services; South Tipp. VEC; Millennium Family Resource Centre; Presentation Patrician Secondary School, Fethard; Clonmel Community Partnership; Garda Siochana; South Tipp Co. Co (Tenant Liaison Office); Fethard Community Council; Tipperary Institute; Health Services Executive; Foróige; Fethard Tidy Towns and South Tipperary Community & Voluntary Forum. Public Representatives, Councillors for the Fethard Electoral Area, Susan Meagher, Denis Landy, John Fahey and Michael O’Brien were in attendance also.

It was decided that a follow-up meeting would be scheduled for Thursday 22nd September 2005 to further develop the links established at this gathering and to help sustain the various activities being undertaken.

The members of Fethard & Killusty Community Council who were in attendance realise the significance of their efforts to establish a Youth Facility in Fethard and recognise the importance of acquiring funding to engage the services of a Youth Officer. An application has been submitted to the Department of Education and Science for this funding and a decision is awaited.

Fethard Ladies raise money for South Tipperary Hospice

Fethard cousins Norah O'Meara and Claire Sullivan raised €1,282 for South Tipperary Hospice by participating in the Dublin City Ladies Marathon. The girls are photographed above presenting the proceeds to Jim Bond who praised the girls great effort and gratefully accepted the cheque on behalf of South Tipperary Hospice.

Fethard GAA Club
The Intermediate Hurling South Championship started last Sunday evening in Cahir with a victory over Fr. Sheehys on a scoreline, Fethard 2-16, Fr Sheehys 1-8. The team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Philly Croke, Michael Ryan, Michael Carroll, Tomas Keane, Stephen O’Donnell, Michael Aherne, Aiden Fitzgerald, Cian Maher, Kenneth O’Donnell, Kevin O’Donnell, Miceál Spillane, Ciaran Treacy (2-12), Jamie McCormack, David Flanagan. Sub used was Alan Bourke. Our next outing is for a ‘round three’ match when we play Carrick Davins. In round four we play Ballybacon/Grange, and round five, Kilsheelan, with the group winners going into the semifinal and a play-off between second and third place teams for the other semifinal spot.

The Minor B Hurling starts on this Friday 24th June, in Ned Hall Park, against Ballybacon /Grange at 8pm with seven rounds to be played. Our next game is against Carrick Davins.

Junior B Hurling also starts on this coming Saturday, 25th June, in Fethard against Ballybacon/Grange at 8pm with five rounds to be played. Our next game is against Killenaule.

In senior football we play in the South Championship against Ardfinnan in Clonmel on Sunday 3rd July at 2pm.

We compliment Paul Fitzgerald, Damien Byrne, Glen Burke, and Cian Maher (his championship debut) on their fine displays in Thurles against Westmeath in the Munster senior football qualifier. Hard luck in not progressing to the next round when, on the night, we must say, the best team lost. We wish Westmeath the best of luck in the All Ireland series and Tipperary, in the Tommy Murphy Cup coming up shortly.

Our Lotto Jackpot of €1,600 was not won on 14th June. The draw was made in the Fethard Arms and the numbers drawn were 4, 8, 9 and 15. We had two match three winners who received €75 each: Nicky O’Shea (Tullow), and Deirdre Dorney (37 St Patricks Place). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Percy O Flynn (Burke Street).

Abymill Theatre AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Abymill Theatre will take place on Thursday 23rd June at 7pm in the Abymill Theatre.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Tuesday 14th June were: 3, 7, 12 and 26. There was no Jackpot winner and four ‘Match 3’ winners who received €40 each:
Noreen Sheehy, Garrinch, Fethard.
Gemma Burke, Red City, Fethard.
Tracey & Kelly Coady, The Valley, Fethard.
Michael Phelan, c/o Coolmore Stud, Fethard.
The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Luke Dolan, Kilnockin, Fethard.
The Fogarty Family, 3 Congress Terrace, Fethard.
Julie Wall, Barrettstown, Fethard.
Next weeks Jackpot remains at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000.

Juvenile GAA Club
Fethard under-6, 8s and 10s played Killenaule in three football matches in Fethard last Saturday. The games were played in brilliant sunshine and many future stars were on show. We fielded 45 players between the ages of 4 and 10, and while all the results were unclear at the finish, the real winner on the day was football. We would like to thank Killenaule club for making the day a great success.

Training continues on Saturday next from 3pm to 4pm. The under-12s will have started their championship and have played two games, against Killenaule and Clonmel Óg, by the time this report is printed. We will have a report on these games next week. We will have to play eight games with the top four to qualify for the semifinals. The fixtures for these games will be printed next week.

Now that the Leaving and Junior Cert exams are over this week it is expected that there will be a lot of under-14 and under-16 games coming our way.

Congratulations to Christopher Sheehan on making the county under-16 football panel who are currently training for the Munster championship. Well done to the Tipperary football team on there great performance last week when really, the best team lost. Well done in particular to Fethard’s Paul, Cian, Glen and Damien, who all played great.

Forms for our Summer Camp have been distributed to the local schools and anyone interested in taking part should return the forms as soon as possible, or contact Caroline on Tel: 086 1713502. Those interested in buying our Club Jersey should also contact Caroline at the above telephone number.

Ladies Football Club
Fethard Ladies Football Club church gate collection will be taken up this coming weekend, 25th and 26th June, at all local masses. The club would be grateful for your support. Members are asked to please put their names forward to assist with the collection.

The Well Golf Society
Without doubt, next Saturday's outing to Abbeyleix is the one that our members have been waiting for. This course has been described as, "one of the hidden gems in Irish golf" and so a large turnout is expected. Tee-off time is 10.30am.

The late Joseph Walsh
The death has occurred on Thursday 16th June, in England, of Joseph Walsh, aged 84. Joe Walsh was born in Fethard in 1921 and lived near Crampscastle. He wrote an article for the Emigrants’ Newsletter about his memories of living there, which appeared in the 1999 issue. Joe and members of his family, made a few visits to Ireland in the last few years and during his visits Joe re-discovered the area near Crampscastle where his family home was. Joe’s father, Jerry, worked as a ploughman at Saucestown Stud Farm. His family moved to England in the 1930s when Joe was about 13 or 14. He had six older brothers and two older sisters. Interment took place in England.

Meals on Wheels
A big ‘thank you’ to the Transition Year pupils from Patrician Presentation Secondary School who helped with the delivery of the Meals on Wheels over the year. They were well conducted at all times and very helpful with the delivery of the meals to all our clients. Over the year they got to know all the voluntary workers and those involved in providing and receiving the service. It was a great exercise in bridging the ‘generation gap’ and very beneficial for both age groups.

Comfortable Holiday Home to Rent in Fethard
Comfortable holiday home to rent on The Green, Fethard, all mod cons, washer, dryer, dishwasher etc, three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, living and separate dining room with fully fitted kitchen. Downstairs toilet fully equipped for wheelchair access.

All Enquiries to Lynn Cummins, Tel: +353 (0)86 8521906