Died Recently
We record the death of Nellie Meaney, formerly of St. Johnstown, Fethard, who died peacefully at St. Patrick’s Hospital, Cashel, on Saturday 11th March. Nellie was the very popular proprietor of The Ramble Inn at St. Johnstown up to her retirement from business some years ago.

Reposing at her daughter’s home at Mount Taylor, Killenaule, from 5pm on Monday 13th March. Removal at 7.30pm to St. Mary’s Church, Killenaule. Requiem Mass at 11.30pm on Tuesday 14th March followed by interment at Peppardstown Cemetery.

Fethard Students' Success in Ireland's Team Maths Quiz

Congratulations to Patrician/Presentation students John Frewen, Niall Hayes, Ronan Shee and Fintan Maher on coming third in the finals of Ireland's Team Maths competition in Trinity College on Saturday, 4th March. Two hundred and sixty teams nationwide signed up to this competition, which is based on the Leaving Certificate Higher Maths syllabus. The format was a table quiz with eight rounds.

Their success is a great tribute to their school and their teacher Ms. Mary Lysaght. Hot on the heels of the winners of the Hamilton Trophy, Gonzaga College, the Fethard boys ably demonstrated the high standards achieved in this rural secondary school. The team photographed above are L to R: Ronan Shee, Fintan Maher, Niall Hayes, John Frewen and Ms Mary Lysaght (teacher).

New Memorial Statue Unveiled

Fr. John Meagher OSA unveiling and blessing the statue of Blessed William Tirry.

The Jubilee celebrations, to commemorate 700 years of Augustinian presence in Fethard, drew to a close on Sunday 5th March with the unveiling of a memorial statue to Blessed William Tirry OSA.

Fr. Gerry Horan, Prior Provincial, was chief celebrant at the 11:30am concelebrated mass. Co-concelebrants were Fr. Tom Breen PP, Fr. Peter Haughey OSA, Prior of Fethard, and Fr. John Meagher OSA. Several Augustinians from other priories came to Fethard for the final liturgical celebration of the Jubilee Year. Fr. Malachy Loghran, Fr. Crean, Fr. P. Cooney and Fr. John O’Connor were among the visiting Augustinian priests.


Photographed at the unveiling of Blessed William Tirry Statue at Augustinian Abbey Fethard are L to R: Fr. Tom Breen P.P., Fr. Peter Haughey OSA, Fr. Gerry Horan OSA and Fr. John Meagher OSA.

TDs Tom Hayes and Seamus Healy were in attendance together with members of South Tipperary County Council. Cashel’s Brass and Reed band played outside the Abbey before mass to welcome the congregation. Beautiful flower arrangements created by Valerie Rice and Mandy Quigley adorned the altar and the new statue of Blessed William Tirry.

As the priests entered the Abbey the choir sang a hymn to St. Augustine, accompanied by organist Kathleen Kenny. The readings for the First Sunday of Lent were read by Vincent Doocey. Fr. Timothy Walsh OSA read the Gospel. After communion Fr. Gerry called upon Fr. John Meagher OSA to bless and to unveil the specially commissioned statue, sculpted in Fethard by David Gorey. The statue stands on a limestone plinth designed and created by Jerome Lennon of Lisronagh. Above the statue hangs a beautiful banner incorporating the crests of Fethard and Cork and the dates 1305–2005. Mrs Nelly Ryan laid a wreath at the site where blessed William is buried, close to the door of the ‘Shrine’ or Mother of Good Counsel chapel.

Prizewinners in the Abbey 700 Young Writers Competition for Secondary Schools Back L to R: Cormac Grogan (1st in Category C), Cian Grogan, Liam Ryan. Front L to R: David Gorey, Ida Carroll, Jane Kenny, Colm Horan (1st in Category B), Owen Healy and Emma Walsh.

Fr. Peter Haughey presented plaques to Cormac Grogan and to Colm Horan, winners of the secondary schools, ‘Jubilee’s Young Writer competition’. He also presented certificates to those who won second prize and to entrants who were highly commended. Results of Category ‘B’ (1st, 2nd, & 3rd year students): 1st prize, Colm Horan; Joint 2nd prize, Cian Grogan and Ida Carroll; Highly Commended, Jane Kenny, Owen Healy, David Gorey and Sarah Conway. Results of Category ‘C’  (4th, 5th, & 6th year students): 1st prize, Cormac Grogan; 2nd prize, Liam Ryan; Highly Commended, Emma Walsh.

David Gorey photographed with members of his family at the unveiling of his statue of Blessed William Tirry. L to R: Maura Gorey (wife), David Gorey, Fr. John O'Connor OSA, Dave Gorey and Suzanne Gorey.

Fr. Haughey thanked the Jubilee committee for their dedication to the successful running of a year of events to mark the Augustinians’ 700 years in Fethard. The guests and the congregation were all invited to the Abymill for tea, refreshments and chat after Mass.

Gus Fitzgerald, chairman of the Jubilee committee, thanked the Augustinians for seven centuries of service to the people of Fethard and surrounding parishes. In remembering Blessed William, we also recall with gratitude the many Augustinians Fathers who ministered caringly in Fethard’s Abbey over the centuries. Each member of the committee wish to thank sincerely the many helpers they called upon to assist them in numerous ways. You, our friends and helpers, have filled the Jubilee year with goodwill and generosity of heart and spirit. We are most grateful.

Cutting the 'Celebrating 700' cake after Mass and Unveiling Ceremony to Blessed William Tirry OSA on Sunday 5th March are L to R: Fr. John O'Connor OSA, Nellie Ryan and Marian O'Connor.






As the clergy and congregation departed the choir sang, “Blessed William, you lived and died for Christ, like you may we be steadfast in faith and grace . . .”


Kathleen O'[Connell (front) photographed with L to R: Joan Anglim, Ann Cooney, Mary O'Connell, Maura Evans and Fr Gerry Horan OSA.

Fethard ICA
Our next guild meeting will be held on Tuesday, 14th March at 8pm in the ICA Hall, Rocklow Road.  Our guest speaker will be Eileen Henegan.  The title of her talk is, ‘An evening of relaxation and introduction to the angels’.  Hostesses are the yellow group and the competition theme is, ‘A host of golden daffodils’.  Federation meeting will be held in, Ballyglass House, Tipperary, on 30th March at 8pm. The Cuinneog Brown Bread competition will be held on that night. New members are very welcome to come to our meetings.

McCarthy’s Hotel Golf Society
Our first outing of 2006 takes place in Adare Manor on Sunday 26th March. Numbers are limited to 32 persons with a non-refundable deposit of €30 and a first come, first served, basis. Names are also being taken for our four-ball match play competition due to commence on 1st April. Draw will take place in McCarthy’s Hotel on 23rd March.

Unfortunately, our star team did not fare all that well in the Independent Challenge, going down four games to one, with only Vincent Woodlock coming up to scratch.  Membership fees are now due!

Community Lotto Jackpot won again!
Congratulations to Dr. Paddy Stokes, The Square, Fethard, who won the Fethard & Killiusty Community Lotto Jackpot of €5,300 on Wednesday 8th March. This is the second time the Jackpot was won in the past three weeks. The numbers drawn in Fethard Day Care Centre were, 10, 18, 24 and 29.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:

Paul O'Meara, The Green, Fethard;
Marianne Butler, The Valley, Fethard;
Waltie Moloney, 35 St. Patricks Place, Fethard.

Next week's Jackpot commences at €3,000 and the Jackpot seller's prize at €300.

Died Recently
The death has occurred recently of Ms Kathleen Halley, New Inn, formerly Kathleen Slattery, Kilnockin, Fethard. Interment took place at New Inn.

Historical Society Lecture
On Wednesday evening last, the Fethard Historical Society hosted a lecture on the ‘History of Fethard’ by the vice-chairperson of the society, Mary Hanrahan. Mary outlined the origin of the town as we now know it today, to the coming of the Normans around 1200 AD.  Along with the Norman military conquest of much of the country there was also much change in the organisation of the Church at that time. The coming of the Augustinians to Fethard in 1305 was all part of this change from the older Celtic church to a different European model that brought the Religious Orders to Ireland.

It was noted on the night that the Norman parish church, (the present Church of Ireland Holy Trinity) built soon after they came in 1200 and the Augustinian Church, built in the early 1300s, are still there and the original buildings are still being used as places of worship today. This is indeed a very rare and special feature of Fethard’s history, as you can still walk the same path as was taken by those Augustinian Friars who came here 700 years ago.

Fethard Bridge Club
On Wednesday 1st March we played the first round of the Player of the Year and the results were:

1st Gross: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;
2nd Gross: Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara;
1st Nett: Nora Lawrence and Madeleine O’Donnell;
2nd Nett: Bridie Lee and Mike Burke.

On Wednesday next, 15th March we play the third round of the Player of the Year competition. Anyone looking for a partner contact Annie O’Brien Tel: 31862.

Wahoo worked at the Abymill
The capacity crowd in the Abymill Theatre were treated to a musical journey on Friday last when Wahoo took to the boards. These four extremely talented musicians, John Bermingham on guitar, mandolin and vocals, Billy Carrigan on the uileann pipes and low whistle, Evan Grace on guitar, mandolin banjo and vocals, Michael O’Grady on keyboards and vocals plus guest singer, Frances O’Hanlon, brought the audience on a musical trip that encompassed a wide range of musical styles and influences. They ranged from classical to traditional Irish to reggae! Indeed John Bermingham was correct when he presumed that the audience had never heard a reggae song played with the uileann pipes in the mix — and stranger still, it worked!

Highlights in the set were many, but a few songs stood out, such as John’s self penned Russian sounding “Yeltsin” and the beautiful slow airs that opened the second part of the show with the uileann pipes and the keyboards blending to create an enchanting atmospheric sound not unlike the Moving Hearts sound of the eighties. John’s banter with the audience was as much a part of the show as the music, especially when he told the tale about the origin of the name of the band which harked back to an ancestor of his who was a real life sheriff in the USA in the last century.

Unfortunately, the sound system left the band down on a few occasions, but they were able to soldier on and make the most of things, getting called back for a well-deserved encore at the end. I don’t think that they’ll have any trouble filing this venue again. (VM)

Fethard Main Street c.1900

Tipperary Hunt on The Square, Fethard c.1900


Main Street Fethard c.1900

Fethard & Killusty Anglers
Officers elected at the recent Fethard & Killusty Anglers AGM were: Tom Fogarty (chairman), Matty Fleming (secretary) and Davy Grant (treasurer). Membership subscriptions are now due and should be paid before the 17th April. For more information please contact Tom at 052 54675, Matty at 052 52369, or Davy at 086 8387788. Fishing commences on club waters on the 17th March. All club waters are fly fishing only, no worming or spinning allowed.  A six trout bag limit applies and trout measuring less than 9 inches must not be killed. All members are asked to stick to these rules please! Tight lines to all members for the coming season.

Fr Sheehy Lecture
This year’s lecture, organised by the Clonmel St Patricks Day committee, should have a special significance for Fethard people.  The lecture is on Rev Fr Nicholas Sheehy and will be given by Clonmel historian, Liam O Duibhir.  Fr Sheehy who ministered in Clogheen was born in Barrettsgrange, Fethard.  During a period of great persecution for the church in the 17th Century, he was arrested. He was accused of being a member of the Whiteboys and charged with the murder of one John Bridges.  Found guilty on false evidence, he was hanged in Clonmel on the 16th February, 240 years ago.  Local folklore held that, as a result of his execution there would always be a cloud over Clonmel.

The site of the Sheehy house is known to have stood quite close to Barrettstown Castle.  Perhaps Fethard Historical Society may at some stage erect a small plague or memorial on the spot before it is entirely forgotten. (EAN)

Ladies Football Club AGM
Annual general meeting of Fethard Ladies Football Club took place in the Tirry Community Centre on 10th February. General discussion took place on all aspects of the club and plans were outlined for 2006. Teams have been entered for the following events: u/12, u/14, u/16 and junior. Team have also been entered in u/12 community games competition. In the u/12 event we are drawn to play away to Brian Boru’s on the 1st April. The u/14 team is drawn against Slievenamon at home, due to commence on 1st May. In u/16, Fethard are at home to Templetuohy.

The club requires trainers urgently for the 12 to 16 age group, and unless we have people to train these groups, as soon as possible, we will have no option but to withdraw the teams. This would be a very sad state of affairs.  In the junior league Fethard play Newcastle on 7th May.

The club will hold a ‘Duck Race’ on the Clashawley River on Easter Sunday, 16th April, as a fundraiser. Sponsorship would be much appreciated for this event. Players must be under 12 on 1st January 2006, likewise for u/14 and u/16 age groups.

The following officers were elected: President, Rev Fr. Tom Breen; Chairman, Joe Keane; Secretary, Ollie Noonan; Treasurer, Nora O’Meara; Child Officer, Jennifer Fitzgerald; and PRO, Joe Keane.

In the Community Games event we are at home to Moycarkey, approx mid April.  Competitors in Community Games competition must be u/12 on 31st July, 2006. Club meeting will take place on this Thursday, 9th March, at 8pm in the GAA dressing room.  It is important that all players attend this meeting.

Fethard & Killusty Community Games
The county finals of the Art & Model Making competitions will take place in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday, 1st April. Closing date for entries to area competition is Thursday, 16th March. Age groups for art are, u/8, u/10, u/12, u/14, and u/16. Model Making is u/10 and u/14.   Competitors must be under the age specified on 31st July. Entries will be collected in Fethard and Killusty schools on Thursday 16th March, and must be accompanied by €2 fee. Children living in the parish but attending schools outside the parish may hand in their entries, as above, to Community Games Office, Grove Road, Fethard, on or before, 16th March.   Enquiries to Tel: (052) 31906.

Fethard GAA Club
Club training is back in full swing with all team management now in place. Tom Anglim takes charge of the senior / junior footballers and we wish him the very best of luck in 2006. Our minor footballers continue with their preparation with a very useful challenge last Sunday in Fethard. Our under-21 footballers expect to be in action on St Patricks weekend and our under-21 hurlers will follow immediately.

On Sunday next, 12th March, we are away to Cahir in the county league at 12 noon. Our county senior football team representatives, Paul Fitzgerald, Aiden Fitzgerald, Cian Maher and Brian Coen, were in hard luck last Sunday losing to Cavan 0-13, Tipp 1-9, in Cavan.

The numbers drawn were 18, 21, 24 and 28. We had no winner of our Jackpot €5,200 and three ‘match three’ winners: Emily Sayers (Watergate); Kay Williams (Killusty); Jim Williams (Killusty). All receive €50, with Lucky Dip €50 going to Deirdre Dorney (37 St Patrick’s Place).

The numbers drawn the previous week in Burkes Bar were, 7, 15, 16 and 18. Tickets sponsored by Dawn Fresh Foods. There was one Match three winner of €150, to Niall O’Dwyer (c/o Bob Fitzgeralds, O'Connell Street Clonmel). The €50 Lucky Dip going to Audrey Sheehan (Derryluskin).

Our condolences are at this time with the O'Dwyer family and the Ahearne family on the passing away of Elsie O'Dwyer (nee Ahearne), Derryluskin, last week. Interment took place in Cahir and the large attendance on both days was a recognition of her fine achievements as a camogie player during her playing days with Coolmoyne and Tipperary. Go ndeana Dia trocaire orthu.

Hunting News
At a most enjoyable social evening at ‘Dansies’ in Rosegreen on the night of Tuesday 28th February, Pat O’Brien was made a presentation by the Tipperary Foot Followers.  Tributes were paid to Pat for his contribution to the promotion of hunting in Tipperary during his 40 years service to the Tipperary Foxhounds. During the presentation it was mentioned that his position as huntsman will be filled, but, as an ambassador for the sport, and as a PRO man, he is going to be a very difficult act to follow.

Presentations were also made to Pat’s close friend and whipper-in, James O’Donnell, fencer P.J Murphy, to Willie McGrath and Robert Murdoch. Regret was felt all round that James has decided to retire from hunting and go farming on the family farm at St Johnstown. It is hoped that James’ retirement is only temporary as there is, without doubt, the makings of a good huntsman in James O’Donnell.

What bigger tribute could be paid to P.J Murphy than the remark, “They may have replaced the Pope, but they’ll never replace P.J.”  Four days a week P.J walked at least 10-14 miles per day, over bog and drain, repairing fences and making sure all damage was seen to.  Pat, James and P.J, wish to thank sincerely, all farmers over whose land they hunted during the season.

Presented also with bouquets on Tuesday night at Rosegreen were, Yvonne McClintock, Betsy O’Connor and Janet Barbour, who supplied the hunters with a sumptuous hunting breakfast during Autumn’s hunting in their areas; Kathleen McCarthy, Sally Davies and Hilary O’Connor, who fed the troops throughout the season with chocolate cake, homemade fruit cake, sweets and chocolate.  Bouquets were presented to Pat O’Brien’s mother, Mary, and also to James O’Donnells mother, Madeline.

The whole event was co-ordinated by Cyril Smith.  A very special thanks to Cyril and indeed, to all rank and file followers of the Tipperary Foxhunters, for their very generous support.

What cold?

Snow on The Green in the early 1970s

The recent cold spell as been described as the coldest weather for a decade.  Maybe so, but whether it is global warming or what, it was nothing compared to the winters of yesteryear. Ask anyone who has a free bus pass and they will no doubt confirm this.

Take the winters of the forties — every year without fail, the floodwaters in the convent fields froze over with ice thick enough for children to skate on.  Known as ‘The Nuns Pond’, it was very safe as there was only about twelve inches of water beneath, so a wet foot was the most serious indignity suffered if the ice broke.

Slides on the streets — The Green, opposite Centra; The Square, from the Christmas tree to Manton’s; and Main Street, from opposite the funeral parlour to the foot of the hill; were all noted spots.  A good pair of hobnail boots was a passage to the winter Olympics.  Farmers were out regularly breaking the ice on ponds to enable the cattle to drink. Last week, what ice there was, could have been broken with a pencil.  A good fall of snow, at least one in January or February, ensured a session of snowball fights.  Present day winters how are you, sure recent winters are not winters at all! (EAN)


Snow on The Green in the early 1970s (notice the old Judy)