Fethard Walled Towns Day this Sunday


Fethard will celebrate Walled Towns Day on this coming Sunday 26th August with a full day of events to suit all ages. The day will commence from 10am to 2pm with an exhibition of ‘Town Drawings’ by Transition Year students in the Town Hall. At 12 noon the very popular Gerard Crotty will give a guided walk, commencing at the Town Hall, on  Fethard’s Heraldic Coats of Arms.

Local bands, ‘Zero Tolerance’ and ‘Rootless+2’ will play their own live music outside the Town Hall from 1pm to 2pm.


Pupils from Nano Nagle National school preparing their Heraldic Coats of Arms for the parade in Fethard on Sunday afternoon. All participants are reminded to assemble on Main Street at 1.15pm.

This will be followed by a colourful parade from Main Street led by the prehistoric Loughnashade Trumpet. The Medieval Heraldic Parade will leave from The Square at 2pm and travel to the Town Wall via Main Street and The Valley. The parade will display the large variety of Heraldic Coats of Arms made of the pupils of St Patrick’s Boys School, Nano Nagle National School and Killusty National School. There will also be special €50 voucher prizes each for the best adult male and female medieval costume and for the best under-15 boy’s and girl’s medieval costume taking part in the parade.

A big attraction by the Town Wall will be the renowned Lee Valley String Band from Cork who will entertain the crowd from 3pm to 5pm. The Lee Valley String Band have played at festivals all over Ireland and appeared regularly on Radio and Television. Other events by the Town Wall include the ‘Basher Bacon Puppet Theatre’, Re-enactment Display, Farmers Markets, Craft Stalls, Refreshment Stalls, and the Solas Art group will make an artistic 18ft colourful shell Mandela, commencing from early morning.

Shay Hurley, Clonmel Workman’s Boat Club, will host a Clashawley River Walk at 2.30pm and there will also be an opportunity to meet and talk to the local expert on flora and fauna of South Tipperary, Liam Burke.

All the events are free as part of National Heritage Week so please tell your friends to come along and enjoy what promises to be a great day’s entertainment in the beautiful setting of Fethard’s unique medieval town wall and Clashawley river.

These events, coordinated by Fethard Historical Society, are kindly part-sponsored by The Heritage Council of Ireland, Failte Ireland and South Tipperary County Council.


Bill Kennedy wearing his armour in preparation for Fethard Walled Towns Day which takes place this Sunday 26th August by Fethard's Medieval Town Wall and Clashawley River.

Sarah’s ‘Pure Bliss’
Congratulations to Sarah Standbridge who has opened a new Beauty Salon "Pure Bliss" on August 17th at Knocklofty Leisure Centre, Clonmel. Following her Leaving Cert in Patrician/Presentation Secondary School Fethard, Sarah completed a three year college course covering all aspects of anatomy, physiology, massage and beauty. Sarah also completed one years experience working in a Beauty Salon in Cahir before the opportunity arose in Knocklofty. In her new salon Sarah offers all treatments, waxing, spray tans, make-up, manicures, pedicures, massage and specialises in Dermalogica Facials.  We wish her all the best of luck in her new venture.

Hayes Family

Kevin Hayes and his wife Jackie, photographed with his family while home on holiday from San Francisco. Back L to R: Seamus Reilly, Michael Hayes, Mary Reilly, William Harrington, Kevin Hayes, Bridget Hayes, Shane Harrington. Front L to R: Noel Harrington,, Frances Harrington, Jackie Hayes and Marian Harrington.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto Results
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 15th August were: 9, 17, 18 and 24. There was no Jackpot winners and no Match 3 winners. Three tickets were drawn and the following won €50 each:
Marie Allen, The Green, Fethard;
Michael Monaghan, c/o J. O’Donohoe;
Liz Reddy, Woodvale Walk, Fethard.

The €50 Luck Dip winners were:
Trehy Children, Mobarnane, Fethard;
John Fitzgerald, Crampscastle, Fethard;
Johanna Bradshaw, Drumdeel, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

Fethard Tidy Towns Garden Competition Results
Knockbrack, Spittlefield, Mockler’s Terrace —1st Dinny & Chrissie O’Meara;
The Valley, Watergate —1st Nora Lawrence;
Kerry St., Congress Terrace, Red City — 1st Joe & Margaret Bradshaw;
Cashel Road — 1st John & Mary Barrett;
Main Street, Rocklow Road, Cois Falla — Ruth Farrell;
Burke Street, Abbey Road — 1st Austy Flynn;
The Green, Barrack Street — 1st Barbara Dargan;
Fr. Tirry Park, Canon Hayes Court — 1st John Tobin, 2nd David Hennessey;
St. Patrick’s Place — 1st Danny & Maura Ryan, 2nd Annie Connolly;
Slievenamon Close — 1st Davy & Diana Burn;
Strylea, Cedar Grove — 1st Eamon & Majella Drea;
Woodvale Walk — 1st Brud & Teresa Roche, 2nd Mick & Catherine Flynn;
Kilnockin View — 1st Clair Langley;
Best Business Premises — 1st Gaules Bar;
Best Baskets — 1st Kathleen Coen;
Best Window Boxes — 1st David & Maura Gorey;
Best Large Garden — 1st Dan & Mary O’Riordan;
Best Overall Area — 1st Fr. Tirry Park. 

Fethard GAA Club News
Fethard Intermediate Hurlers made a gallant effort to remain in the championship but were pipped in Kilsheelan on Sunday last by Ballybacon in the best game of hurling seen in the division this year with scores of excellent quality, plenty of drama, controversy, and first class displays by players on both sides. Aiden Fitzgerald scored 1-6 from play in this the highest scoring game of the night, still losing to Ballybacon Grange on a final score of 2-20 to 1-20. We paid the ultimate price in 2007 for our earlier round defeats in not making the final four.  Great credit must go to all involved for an enjoyable year’s play. Team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Adrian Lawrence, Michael Carroll, Niall Hayes, Declan Doyle, Michael Ryan, Jamie McCormack 0-1, John Leahy, John P Looby 0-3, Michael Aherne 0-1, Aiden Fitzgerald 1-6, Miceál Spillane 0-1, Kenneth O’Donnell 0-6 (5f), Stephen O’Donnell, Brian Coen 0-2. Subs used were: Cian Maher, Christopher Sheehan and Eoin Doyle.

In Minor B Football on Friday 17th August our young boys gave us plenty to be proud of when handing out a fine display of open football in the second half and a scoring feat that we will find hard to repeat, scoring 1-11 without reply to reach the South Final where will take on Ballyporeen. Our last appearance in a final was in 2004 losing to Cahir with a first class display from Gavin Fitzgerald, Declan Doyle Alan O’Connor and Adrian Lawrence on the night. Team was: J.P. McGrath, Gavin Fitzgerald, Cathal Gorey 0-1, Kieran O’Connell, Ben Walsh, Christopher Sheehan, James Kelly, Declan Doyle 0-4 (1f), Aaron O’Donovan 0-1, Alan O’Connor 0-4, Eoin O’Connell 0-1, Dean Tobin 0-1, Eoin Condon, Adrian Lawrence 1-3(1f), Jonathan Fleming. Subs used: Ciarán Ryan, Eoin Healy and Michael Fleming.

The Minor B Hurling South Final is on this weekend, Sunday 26th August, in Kilsheelan at 5.30pm. We ask you for your support as they will be playing Carrick Swans who we already played in an earlier round. This was the best game in the championship with us losing out on that occasion by a goal, 2-12 to 1-12. Another great game is in prospect and we wish all involved the very best of luck in the final. We were beaten in last years final by St Marys. The Under 21 B Hurling next round is moved to accommodate South Minor Final.

Our senior footballers still await the result of the losers games to be played Sunday 26th August. The first will be played in Fethard between Killenaule and Mullinahone at 6.30pm, and the other in Kilsheelan between Carrick Swans and Ardfinnan. These two winners will join Commercials, Fethard, Moyle Rovers and Cahir in an open draw for two games and two byes to the semifinals.

Our Junior A footballers are also out next in a game against Commercials on Wednesday 29th August at 6.45pm.

Thanks to all who helped out last Sunday in a very successful Senior Hurling South Final played in Fethard between Killenaule (0-14) and Ballingarry (0-13).  To those who made there facilities available, those who manned the barriers, stewards in the field and the committee for the splendid turn out of the field and facilities, not forgetting those who came from other clubs in the division to give a helping hand.

The St Augustine’s Reunion Draw Tickets at €5 each are now on sale from any past players or organizing committee. Please give your support.

The Lotto Jackpot €6,200 was not one. The numbers drawn were 5, 9,16 and 26. We had two match three winners who received €75 each, Austy Godfrey (Derryluskin, Fethard), and Stephanie Johnson (The Green, Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Vera Sheehan (Woodvale Walk, Fethard).

Our sincere sympathy to the O’Riordan family (Kerry Street & Barrack Street) on the death of John, who died in America. John played with Fethard in the 1950s winning a South /County Senior Football Medal in 1954. Go ndeana Dia trocaire orthu.

The Meeting place!

Socialising in McCarthy's Pub in Fethard last weekend were: L to R: John Hannigan, Mike McCarthy, Alice Duin and Vinny Murphy.


L to R: Jennifer Whyte, Eileen Marshall, Gerry Marshall, Tony Hanrahan, Terry Cunningham and Rita Kenny


Back L to R: Kathy O'Brien, Michael Knightly, Lorraine McCormack Herkommer, Ailish Devaney. Front L to R: Aine Knightly and Werner Herkommer.


L to R: Jean-Baptiste Simons, Patricia Purcell, Giulia De Palma and Alice Duin


L to R: Jackie Hayes, Kevin Hayes, Paul Kelly and Johnny O'Connor

Sliabh Na mBan Holy Year Cross
A combination of unseasonably weather and a mid week fixture meant the numbers in attendance were slightly down on previous years. In spite of this, a fair number made the climb to the cross. Fr Jerry Horan led the climb, while down at the Mass rock, Canon Power and Fr Haughey OSA led the Rosary. Canon Power celebrated Mass when the walkers returned.

As always there are many people to thank for making this day possible, from the lads who erected the crosses to those who prepared the altar and, of course, our ladies committee who provided tea and refreshments. We also thank our clergymen who every year give so freely of their time. To Jim and Eileen O’Donnell we are as always, indebted, and this year we say a special thank you to scout leader Robert Phelan and the boys from the Fethard troop, who gave us the use of their marquee, it was a Godsend. Finally, to all of you who took the time and effort to be there, we hope to see you all next year.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club News

Under-14
It has been a busy few weeks for the juvenile club with the u/14s playing some great hurling to get them through to a south semi-final. They played host to Ballingarry and had a very convincing win and went on to play host to St. Mary's on Tuesday of last week and what a wonderful display this team of young men put on for the crowd. They showed some great team work and individual displays of talent and were extremely unfortunate to loose the game by a single point after coming back from a game that seemed to have been a sure win for St. Mary's.

We wish them and their trainers the very best of luck as they head out against Kilsheelan on Thursday evening and it would be great to see more parents turning out to cheer this team on.

Under-16
This team is well behind on their games for various reasons and they are still in the south championship competition and we wish them the very best of luck for their catch-up matches. Results will be printed as games are being played. 

Under-10
The under-10s travelled to Killenaule on Saturday of last week for a challenge match and came away with a convincing win, thanks to Killenaule for having us.

Congratulations
Congratulations to Aaron Conran who has been training with the county hurling under-14 team. Aaron has been representing his county in a variety of matches and will be taking part in the Tony Forristal Cup tournament in Waterford next weekend and was playing corner back on the under-14 county team that beat Laois by 8 points last weekend.

Congratulations also to Eoin O’Connell on his selection to the under-16 county hurling team. Eoin is no stranger to county hurling teams and we wish them both well in their upcoming tournaments

Congratulations also to the minor team for making it through to the South hurling and football finals. Good luck lads, go on Fethard!

Juvenile Summer Camp
It’s that time of the year again when we hold our annual GAA Summer Camp and a fun filled time is on the cards for our juvenile club members. Times and dates are as follows:
Thursday 23rd August: 4.30pm-8pm (under 10s) and 4.30 - 9pm (10-14s).
Friday 24th August: 4.30pm-8pm (under 10s) and 4.30 - 9pm (10-14s).
Saturday 25th August: 10am-4.30pm for all ages.

A barbecue, bouncy castle, raffle with prizes galore will take place on the last day and all juvenile members and their families are invited to come along and get involved in the day.

Price is €20 per member attending, €25 for non-members and concessions are available to families with three or more children attending. So come along and enjoy a fun packed camp and last day barbecue. We look forward to seeing you!

Community Games Finals

Fethard and Killusty under-16 girls volleyball team winners of 4th place Certificates at National Finals of HSE Community Games in Mosney. Back L to R: Fiona Ryan (manager), Jean Anglim, Fiona Crotty, Kelly Fox, Grainnne Horan, Damien Byrne (manager). Front L to R: Jane Kenny, Kelly Fogarty, Sarah O'Meara, Aisha Tobin and Kelly Coady.


Photo L to R: Darragh Lynch, Coolmore, Adam O'Donnell, Redcity, and Eric Fogarty, Barrack Street, who all competed in athletics at the HSE Community Games National Finals in Mosney last weekend.


Laura Rice, Everardsgrange, a competitor in the under-16 Art competition at HSE Community Games National Finals in Mosney.


Aobh O'Shea, The Valley, who acted as presentation girl at National Finals of HSE Community Games.