Bro Paul in Eldoret — 11 February
Good morning to you all and I hope this week will be a good one for you all. Greetings from Eldoret where we are starting another week, a week of a possible breakthrough in the political negotiations here in Kenya . . . hopefully! As for myself, I am fine and trying to get on with some work at Kabongo.

Over the weekend I had visitors here from RTE in Dublin, a cameraman and a Reporter. I think there may be snippets of their visit on RTE 1 this afternoon at about 5:15, 6:00 and on TnaG at about 7, all Irish time. I know many of you will give a chuckle when you hear me 'struggling' with the cupla focal! After 44 years out of Ireland, it's the best I can do!

We visited the ruins of the Church near Kabongo where as many as 35 may have perished. It is not known how many as most were burnt beyond recognition. Their mass funeral is on the 15th when their ashes will be interred in the same Church compound. You may see some pics of that this evening.

We also spent a god deal of time in the huge camp here in Eldoret Showgrounds where upwards of 18,000 men, women, and thousands of children are camping. You may also see a shot of that this evening. As I said above, we are hoping for continued progress in the talks this week because if there is a stalemate or a breakdown, I shudder to think what might happen!

Many thanks to all of you who are involved with us in any way whatsoever. It is all greatly appreciated. God Bless and have a good week. PDB

The Highest House on the Mountain

Fiona George and Trevor Somers in rehearsal for 'The Highest House on the Mountain' by John B Keane whgich will be staged in the Abymill Theatre by Fionn MacCumhaill Players on Sunday night 17th February at 8pm. Booking at O'Flynn's Menswear Tel: (052) 31254

Country Markets AGM
The annual general meeting of Fethard Country Market will take place at 10.30am at the Town Hall on Friday 22nd February. All members are requested to attend.

Coffee Morning
Fethard Country Market is hosting a ‘Coffee Morning’ in conjunction with their usual market on Friday 15th February from 8am to 11am. Proceeds are in aid of Cancer Research. The market supplies a full range of home baking, locally grown vegetables, jams, eggs with a special section of confectionary suitable for celiac.

Variety Concert for Hospice
The local support group for Hospice are holding a variety concert in the Abymill on Tuesday 11th March. Local performers, young and young at heart, will provide a night of music, dance, comedy and entertainment to suit all tastes. Tickets are only €10 and booking is at O’Flynn’s Menswear, Burke Street, Fethard. Tel (052) 31254. A great night is guaranteed and you will be supporting a great cause.

Community Games
County final of the Art and Model Making Events will take place in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday, April 5th. Please note that due to pressure of work at the moment involved in Preparing for the Games Benefit Night which is on Easter Sunday night (details below) and compiling the Book History of Community Games in Co Tipperary in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of the organisation which is being celebrated this year, we are unable to co ordinate the Area Finals of the Art and Model Making in the Schools. However, if anybody would like to come on board and organise the event they are more than welcome, or if a child would like to draw a picture on a sporting theme and submit it to the Community Games Office, Grove Road no later than March 7th we will arrange for judging and provision of medals. Age groups are U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, boys and girls. Competitors must reside in the parish and be under the age specified on the 31st July, 2008. Entry fee €2.

Co Tipperary Community Games are running a Benefit Night at Clonmel Greyhound Track on Easter Sunday night, 23rd March in aid of funding to publish the 40th Anniversary Book on the history of the games in Tipperary and also to buy extra tracksuits. This is a once off fundraiser in 40 years by the county board and we encourage all areas to support same.

Tickets for a Buster Draw are currently on sale at €20 each. In addition to being included in the draw limited to 720 tickets for a first prize of 1,000 euro buster ticket also entitles one to free admission to the track and a free race card. All losing tickets will be put in separate draw for other attractive prizes including tickets for Manchester United v Sunderland match on 11th April. This is a great chance for former competitors who got so much enjoyment from the games over the years to buy a ticket or nominate a dog which also cost €20 and be a part of this entertaining evening out. We appeal to all individuals and clubs who had any connection with the games over the years to please book your ticket or nominate your dog now by phoning 052/31906 ASAP to avoid disappointment.  This is your opportunity to put something back into the games. There are many local names cropping up in the book from 1970 to date which makes interesting reading.

Hunting News
The Tipperary Foxhounds attracted an extra large field of fifty mounted followers to their Monday meet at Dualla on 4th Februrary.  Finding at their first draw in Walsh’s they ran through Meldrum towards the Fethard Cashel road.  Turning right here they ran through Jimmy Cummin’s towards Mayfield putting their fox to ground near the ancient Bricíndonn graveyard.

Moving over Mayfield Hill to Georgesland, the covert by the new by-pass held a brace.  Getting away on one they crossed the road at the old Cashel beagles kennels.  Hunting strongly back through Mayfield and down to where they first found the fox crossed the Mocklershill Dualla road to the big plantation on Connolly’s hill where he was left.  Hacking back to Boscobel Cross they found again behind Messrs. Ryans oil depot.  Hunting right through Boscobel towards Dualla they swung left-handed and crossed the Dualla Furry Hill road.  The dog pack, really motoring now, ran through Thornton’s over McCann’s hill and marked to ground over the Dublin Road near the Slate Quarries.  These were three really top class runs, which we hope all followers enjoyed. The field included visitors from the Co. Limerick racehorse trainer and former National Hunt jockey, Charlie Swan.

The Tipps had another very good run from the Ballydine meet on Thursday. Finding at their second draw at Mr Joe Ryan’s they hunted a big circle right-handed towards Ballinahinch and back to where they found. Getting on terms with their fox here they hunted through Mr Thomas Ryans and marked to ground just short of Ballymore bog.  This was a very fast run with a two-mile point and at least twice as far as hounds ran.  Hounds were quite busy during the rest of the afternoon with shorter runs from Longfield, Bawnmore and the Old Railway Bog. The day provided plenty of good jumping for the large field with many muddied coats in evidence at the days end.

Patrician Brothers Bicentenary Celebrations
Concelebrated Mass for the Patrician Brothers Bicentenary Celebrations in Fethard.

Wednesday 30th January 2008 was a red-letter day, a milestone in the lives of our schools and our community, a dignified day of remembering the Patrician Brothers who gave of their dedication and lives to bequeath to us an excellent tradition of education, a strong ethos, and the courage to move on to an even more challenging future.

The church celebration was indeed moving. Commencing at 11am in the Parish Church, the palpable excitement could be felt from early that morning as the student population, staff and ancillary staff put the final touches to what was about to be the culmination of months of planning. All three schools — Patrician Presentation Secondary School, St. Patrick’s Boys School and Nano Nagle National School, gathered in anticipation of a memorable event, and indeed it was.

Photographed after the concelebrated Mass for the Patrician Brothers Bicentenary Celebrations in Fethard are L to R: Fr. John Meagher OSA, Cormac Horan, Canon James Power, Canon Tom Breen P.P., Bro Camillus Regan, Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Fr. Jim Holway, Fr. Tony Lambe, Fr. Michael Barry, Fr. Tom‡s O'Connell and Niamh O'Meara.

The Mass opened with the choir singing ‘Let all Creation Sing’ — a fitting opening for a mass of thanksgiving. The chief celebrant, Canon Tom Breen P.P., concelebrated with Canon Jim Power, Fr. John Meagher OSA, Fr. Jim Holway, Fr. Michael Barry, Fr. Tomás O’Connell, Fr. Tony Lambe and the Very Rev. Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dr. Dermot Clifford, who presided over the ceremony. This was a day to celebrate for the Patrician Brothers who travelled a distance to remember those who went before them and who dedicated their lives to provide education for young boys in Fethard since 1873, on St. Patrick’s Day. Among the Patrician guests were Bro. Cormac Commins, Bro Matthew Hayes, Bro. James O’Rourke, Bro. James Moran, Bro. David Byrne, Bro. James Murphy and the Provincial, Bro Camillus Regan. Members of the old Patrician Brothers Past Pupils Union and guests from all over the parish joined them.

The principal, Mr Ernan Britton, welcomed all and there followed a moving ceremony where memorabilia of the Patrician Brothers were presented to the celebrant — a picture of Bishop Daniel Delaney (founder of the Patrician Brothers) by Percy O’Flynn; the Patrician ‘Green Sash’ by John Whyte; an old school roll-book by Laurence Kenny; a football to signify associations with the GAA by Alan O’Connor; and lastly a wreath presented by Mr Dick Prendergast to place on the Patrician grave in the adjoining church yard. The lessons were read by deputy principal, Mrs Marian Gilpin, and Mr Denis Burke. Laura Rice and Sarah Hayes led the choir in the responsorial psalm, ‘Lord, it is good to be here’. Canon Tom Breen P.P., in his homily, spoke about the coming of the Patrician Brothers to Fethard in 1873, the formation of the Primary and Secondary schools, the Brothers dedication to religious and community life in Fethard, and some of the many local customs the Brothers had, particularly with the Augustinian Abbey.

A poignant moment at the communion was the beautiful rendition of ‘Dóchas Linn Naomh Pádraig’ by our musical director Kevin Hickey and John Shortall on violin. The prayers of the faithful were read by Ms Mary Lysaght, David Gorey, Siobhan O’Brien, Kate O’Brien and Mrs Margaret Prendergast. The primary school children joined the secondary school pupils with ‘Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord’, led by Declan Doyle.

Laura Rice sang a lovely version of ‘Amazing Grace’ at communion, and Mr Gus Fitzgerald a very apt and sincere reflection on the Patrician Brothers. The concluding hymn was the very appropriate ‘St. Patrick’s Breastplate’. This was followed by the wreath-laying ceremony, flanked by a student guard-of-honour, and led by Bro. Camillus Regan, the Brothers made their way to the grave to pay tribute to those who went before them. John Shortall played a moving slow air on the whistle.

Provincial Patrician Brothers, Bro Camillus Regan and Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, meeting pupils from Patrician Presentation Secondary School who formed a guard of honour outside the church.


Provincial Patrician Brothers, Bro Camillus Regan and Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, laying a wreath on the Patrician Brothers Grave in the grounds of Holy Trinity Parish Church.


Photographed at the Patrician Brothers Bicentenary Celebrations in Fethard are L to R: Bro James Murphy, Dick Prendergast, John Shortall and Denis Burke.


At the Patrician Brothers graveside were L to R: Bro. Matthew Hayes, Bro James Murphy, Bro James Moran, Bro. Camillus Regan, Ms Mary Lysaght, Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Bro Cormac Commins and Bro David Byrne.


L to R: Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Bro Camillus Regan, Bro. Matthew Hayes, Mr Ernan Britton and Bro Cormac Commins.

L to R: Bro David Byrne, Maureen Whyte, John Whyte, Seamus Hackett and Bro James Moran


L to R: Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Bill Lee, Mary Lee and Dick Prendergast


L to R: Ann Marie Kehoe, Mossie Hayes, Nell Broderick, Paddy Broderick, Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Sr. Fidelis, Ann O'Donnell, Vincent Doocey and Margaret Doocey.


L to R: Bro James Moran, Paddy Kenrick, Bro Camillus Regan, Nellie Ryan and Bro James Murphy.

The church and the altar looked beautiful and for this one must thank Fionnuala O’Sullivan, Marie Holohan, Mandy Quigley, the sacristan Mrs Pauline Morrissey and all those who helped prepare the church for the ceremony. Pat Doheny of ‘Premier Music’ provided the sound and the local Credit Union kindly donated the flowers. Our thanks also to John O’Donoghue, Clonmel, for providing the P.A. system for the wreath-laying ceremony.

L to R: Joan O'Connor, Bridget Hayes, Ann Lynch and Alice Quinn


L to R: Gus Neville, Mary Ann Fogarty, Bill O'Sullivan and Mary Lysaght.


L to R: Mossie Hayes, Hugh Lynch and Joe Hayes


Bro Matthew Hayes planting a tree to mark the Patrician Brothers bicentenary.

The reception at the school was a wonderful relaxed occasion commencing with a tree-planting ceremony by Bro Matthew Hayes. Ms Mary O’Sullivan procured the ‘Silver Birch’, which, hopefully, will grow to its full elegance in memory of this great day. The main hall in the school was a buzz of activity where generous parents had provided a host of beautiful food and Larry Kenny, Centra Foodmarket, supplied the hot food. The Parents’ Association were wonderful and kept the ‘kettle boiling’, very ably assisted by Mrs Margaret Phelan, who has such huge experience from the Ballroom committee.


L to R: Bro James Moran and Fr Michael Barry


L to R: Bill O'Sullivan, Bro Cormac Commins, John Whyte, Eamonn Dwyer and Dick Prendergast.

Past pupils, board of management, brothers, staff, past staff members, parents and students, and, of course, the Presentation Sisters, joined by Sr. Fidelis for the occasion, mingled happily with one another and enjoyed the fine fayre. Ms Mary Anne Fogarty enjoyed showing the guests all the work the students had prepared, artwork and Ms Pat Looby’s display case of memorabilia remembering the Patrician Brothers.


L to R: Fr. Tony Lambe, Bro James Moran, Denis Burke and Fr Jim Holway.

This was the first school celebration of the Patrician Bicentenary and, one hopes, it will leave a lasting impression on all who took part in it. Even the elements smiled formally on us and the sun shone. May it always shine on the Patrician Brothers and all those who helped to make it a truly remarkable day.


L to R: Bill Lee, Michael Keane, Tony Newport, Lory Dineen and John Fitzgerald with baby Conor Fitzgerald


Sr. Annunciata meeting Bro Camillus Regan


Patrician Brothers at the Bicentenary Celebrations in Fethard L to R: Bro. Cormac Commins, Bro. Camillus Regan, Bro James Moran, Bro. James Murphy, Bro. David Byrne, Bro. Matthew Hayes and Bro. James O'Rourke.


Past and present staff members of Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School L to R: Eamon Dwyer, Dick Prendergast, Paul Hanrahan, Billy Farrell, Michael Leonard, Dick Prendergast, Vincent Doocey and Ernan Britton.

L to R: Maureen Maher, Ann Darcy, Suzanna Manton, Margaret Gleeson and Patricia Treacy.


L to R: Cllr Jimmy O'Brien, Hugh Lynch and John Whyte


L to R: Pat Looby, Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Mary Ann Fogarty, Michael O'Gorman and Canon Tom Breen P.P.

Fethard & District Juvenile Rugby Club
Fethard & District Juvenile Rugby players travelled to all over the County at the weekend to enjoy the game of rugby. Our Under 7s gave us a great show of guts, determination and team work against a strong and well versed Kilfeacle other 8s. Fethard kept together and scored a couple of valuable tries and never shirked their responsibility. They proved to all that they will be a force for the future. The team saw tackling and driving from Luke Bradstock, Harry Cummins, Danny Gleeson and Gerard Kavanagh. Frankie Meagher, Dale Murphy, Ciarán O’Dwyer and Gavin Ryan showed their combination of passing and tackling is improving all the time. Both Jack Spillane and Connor Vaughan were to the fore in the game providing support to their team.

Under-8s played two games on Sunday. Their first game was against Clonmel’s 8s and resulted in a well-deserved win for Fethard. All of the team consisting of Harry Butler, Jack Dolan, Ned Grogan, Darragh Harcourt, David Healey, Mark Heffernan, Richard Holohan, Darragh Lynch, Ross Mullins, James O’Connell, William Pratt and Jack Ward showed their worth taking the game by strong tackling, fluent passing and driving forward. In the second game against a physical Kilfeacle 8s, Fethard again showed their stamina by coming back to be awarded a draw. All the boys from the first game along with Dale Murphy and Frankie Meagher played a textbook game of rugby and are to be commended for their performances on the day.

Under-9s Played Clonmel in the first game and they all played very well. Eoin Shaw scored two tries. Great work from Gus Brown, Kerry Purtill, Keith Cleere and Andrew Phelan all showed great tackling with constant tackling in defence from Brian Norton. In their second game against Kilfeacle, which was a very tough match, we won 2-1. We had a great try from Keith Cleere and then Eoin Shaw, along with great teamwork from all the team playing very well. Killian O’Dwyer, Colm Hayde, Michael Gaynor and James Walsh completed the exceptional tackling shown on the day.

Our under-10s played Clonmel and Kilfeacle. We had great numbers on the morning and everybody got a game. We had two very hard games and we were evenly matched. In the first game against Clonmel it was 1-1 draw. We saw a huge amount of tackling and great continual defensive work from Harry Tobin along with Padraig Feehan and Jack Gleeson. Ben Murray scored our try from great teamwork with Katy, in her first game for us showing impressive tackling, Rory, Eoin, Mark Collins and Gearóid Fahy as well as Luke Grant and Luke Ryan played great. Another big tough game against Kilfeacle with a draw 2-2 seeing a break away try by Ben Murray. There was huge defending required and the team provided this with great tacking especially from Padraig Norton and Gearóid Fahy. Christian Casey and Thomas Murphy played well throughout the morning. We subbed on and off for the mornings games. Thank to all the parents for their help and support throughout.


Under-11s had a good turn out and their first game was against a Kilfeacle team that appeared to be an under-12s team. We lost 5-0, however, our under-11s gave a great account and a player to mention was Kieran Whyte who gave a demonstration of tackling taking all around him. This team with Ciaran O’Connell, Cathal Mahoney and Cathal Meagher also played very well. In their second game they met Clonmel’s under-11s. They played very well and it was hard luck to loose 2-0. David Heffernan played well in the game. Ciarán O’Connell, Cathal O’Donnell and Liam Kelly also played very well on the day. 
Under-12s had a great day out and met Clonmel first and beat them 5-1. Players that excelled were Joey Purtill, Tommy Anglim, Robert Horan, Colin Kelly, Jimmy Feehan, Shane Cleere, Jack Kennedy, Josh Murray, Cian O’Connell, Paul Butler and Russell Casey. These guys played an expansive game of rugby from side to side and their rucking and mauling was exceptional. In their second game they met Kilfeacle under-12s. Fethard played one of their best matches all season and won 6-0 with great attacking and defensive play.

The under-14s played Nenagh and won 21-12. We travelled in great numbers and after some early pressure the first score came. This happened with a good break from Dylan Fitzgerald and Eoin Fennelly ending in Dylan Fitzgerald finishing off for a good try with Eoin Fennelly converting to leave Fethard 7-0 at halftime. At the start of second half Fethard piled on pressure but failed to finish off a lot of possession out wide. At last the breakthrough came with a great solo effort from James Holohan to score under the post and again Fennelly converted. Fethard kept up the pressure and were rewarded with a further try when Gavin Delaney and Gareth Lawrence barged over together. Once more Fennelly added the points to extend Fethard to a 21-0 lead. In the dying moments Nenagh grabbed two late tries to leave the final score 21-12. The highlight of this match was the tackling performance given by Joe Morgan throughout the match and Dan Walsh when he came on in the second half.


Fethard Under-18 Rugby team salute a very muddy Nenagh team after them game played in atrocious conditions in Fethard Community Field last week.