All Ireland Volleyball Champions
Congratulations to Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School junior boys volleyball team who won the All Ireland Schools Schools Junior A volleyball final (Cup) at Temperance Hall, Loughrea, Co. Galway, on Thursday 17th April. The Fethard boys beat Vocational School Drumshanbo in three sets: 14-25, 25-14, 25-18.

Saratoga Town representatives to visit Fethard

Mike Cahill photographed with Jennifer Conte, for Saratoga Cornell Cooperative Extension Agency of Saratoga County Equine Program. Mike and his friend Dave Cummins will visit Fethard on Friday 25th April to speak on the Saratoga/Fethard sister city relationship.

A meeting will be held in the Tirry Community Centre at 8pm on Friday 25th April to discuss the Town of Saratoga and Fethard sister city relationship, which was first mooted by Mike Cahill on 6th September 2006, at Saratoga CCE Offices in New York. Both Mike Cahill and his close friend Dave Cummins will visit Fethard to share their ideas with the Fethard community at a public meeting in the Tirry Centre on Friday 25th April. Fethard & Killusty Community Council invite anyone interested to come along, especially members of local organisations, businesses, schools, who could possible benefit from joint projects with similar groups in the Town of Saratoga.

Mike Cahill holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology and has worked on child welfare and aging issues for the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. His connection with Fethard comes through his father's side of the family. His paternal great grandfather emigrated from Fethard to Troy, New York in 1867. His last known relative in Fethard, Eily Cahill, Coolmoyne, died at near ninety in 2000. Mike and several members of his family visited Fethard in 2003. Mike finds in Fethard a civic pride and an awareness of community that are inspiring.

Dave and Mike have been working to identify opportunities for joint projects, and are excited to hear Fethard's thoughts on twinning. They said the exchange is very important for Town of Saratoga and its development efforts. Dave has a PowerPoint presentation outlining their thoughts for the sister town concept. They also have a list of names of people in Saratoga who would like to participate in committees. Their goal remains building transatlantic tourism and education in both communities by promoting the themes we share in common — horses, history, youth and economic development. Dave has found that somewhere in the order of 80-100 families emigrated to Saratoga from County Tipperary, so working the genealogy piece in is one of his aims, as well.

So please come along and welcome our Fethard friends from Saratoga.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council
The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place on Tuesday 22nd April at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre.
The tender for the Convent Hall Youth Project was awarded to Matthew Tynan, Tynan Construction Ltd, Moyglass, and the contract was signed on Friday 11th April. Work commenced on Monday 14th April.


Photographed at the signing of the contract for Fethard & Killusty Community Council's Convent Hall Youth Project on 11th April 2008 are L to R: Liam Hayes (Fethard & Killusty Community Council), Ger Manton (Fethard & Killusty Community Council), Matthew Tynan (Tynan Construction, Contractor), Suzanna Manton (Manton Solicitors), Jimmy Connolly (Treasurer Fethard & Killusty Community Council), Peter Grant (Vice-Chairman Fethard & Killusty Community Council) and Joe Kenny (Chairman Fethard & Killusty Community Council).

Sacrament of Confirmation this Friday
Congratulations to the 58 boys and girls from our parish who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this Friday, 18th April. The ceremony, officiated by Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, will start at 11am in Holy Trinity Parish Church and all parishioners are invited to attend. Please come along early.

Fethard & District Rugby Club
Fethard and District Rugby Club will hold their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 1st May at 8.30pm in the Abymill Theatre in Fethard. Anyone with a motion should contact the club secretary, Polly Murphy, before 9pm on Thursday 24th April, by mobile 086 3394959 or email andrewpolly@eircom.net. We look forward to continued good support from parents, club members and coaches.
Please also note that the end of season ‘Fun Day and BBQ’ will be held on Sunday 4th May in the Community field. We look forward to seeing all the rugby club members there to enjoy the afternoon and lets hope for some nice weather.
Fixtures will be confirmed at training on Friday evening. Any questions please do not hesitate to contact the Rugby Club Mobile: 087 744 7691.

Fethard GAA Club News
The Senior Football County League semifinal was played on Sunday evening last in Cahir, against Clonmel Commercials, which resulted in Fethard coming away with a win on a scoreline, Fethard 1-6 (1-2), Clonmel Commercials 0-6 (0-1). We now await the County Premier Football League final opponents. Our last appearance at this stage was back in 2004.

Last Sunday in Cahir there was a very heavy downpour before the match that left conditions very difficult for both sides and with Commercials short quite a few players on the night, one would not read very much into the display in a very low scoring match by both teams. Our next meeting with the same opposition will be in the County Championship on weekending 11th May. The team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Ian Kenrick, Damien Byrne, Philly Blake, Benny Hahessy, Aiden Lonergan, Cian Maher, Jamie McCormack, Aiden Fitzgerald, Shane Aylward 0-1, John Paul Looby 0-1, Declan Doyle 0-1, Tommy Gahan 1-0, Brian Coen 0-3(2f) and Glen Burke. Subs used were Jason Nevin and John Fitzgerald. Check sports page for fixtures this weekend.

Our lotto jackpot €9,500 was not won. We had no match three winner so the following drawn tickets won €30 each: Francis Boyle (c/o McCarthys Hotel, Main Street, Fethard), Michael Ryan (Tullamaine, Fethard), Patrick Sheehan (Walshbog, Fethard), Mickey Ahearne (Prospect, Fethard), Catherina Williams (Killusty, Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Dave Maher (Barrack Street, Fethard). We would like to thank Fethard District Credit Union for supplying the tickets.

Heritage Grant of €250,000 for Fethard
It was announced last week that Fethard received a total grant of €250,000 for works in Fethard this year from the Heritage Council, €55,000 of which is to be allocated to preparation of the feasibility study for the Town Hall and the remainder for capital works for the town wall. South Tipperary County Council is in the process of putting in place the contracts for carrying out the works. Arising from the tour of Fethard with Cllr John Fahey, Chairman of the County Council, and Mr Ned O’Connor, County Manager, in January 2008, a committee will be put in place to manage the investment of funding under the Irish Walled Towns Network in the coming years and to seek other sources of funding as appropriate.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 16th April were: 7, 15, 17 and 18. We had no Jackpot winner and no ‘Match 3’ winner. Three tickets were drawn and the following won €50 each:
Vera Sheehan, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Nellie Ryan, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Roseanne Carroll, The Square, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Dermot Darcy, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
John Whyte, Main Street, Fethard;
Timmy Campion, Graigue Wood, Urlingford.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

Fethard and Killusty Angling Club
Fethard and Killusty Angling Club will hold a Fishing Competition on Sunday 20th April at 11am. Anglers are asked to assemble at Thorny Bridge. All membership subscriptions are to be paid before 17th April. For further information contact 087 2497189.

Visit of Kilmallock Group
On Wednesday, 9th April, a twenty strong group from Kilmallock, Co. Limerick visited Fethard to see what was happening with ‘The Wall’ and other historical buildings in a similar small town like themselves. Kilmallock, like Fethard, is a walled town with much of the wall still remaining, including the impressive ‘Blossom Gateway’ that is the symbol of the town.

However, unlike Fethard, the walls have not been restored or opened up to the public and they wished to see how it all happened here. The group were led around the town by local historical guide Colm McGrath, who emphasised that the great work along The Valley stretch of the wall was carried out by the voluntary efforts of the Friends of Fethard group. It was further pointed out that huge local voluntary effort had also restored the Abymill, saved the Ballroom, built the Fr. Tirry Centre, maintains the three churches, provided sporting facilities and also carried out numerous other projects.

The group were also met by Terry Cunningham, a Rural Tourism Adviser with Teagasc, who informed them, that since Fethard joined The Irish Walled Town Network two years ago, that the State (Heritage Council, Failte Ireland etc) and South Tipperary County Council have gotten much more involved, and that the fruits of their involvement will be evident on the ground in the coming years.
The group ended up in the Abymill where they were met by Joe Kenny, chairman Fethard and Killusty Community Council, and he outlined the plans for the future. He also pointed out that voluntary effort just can not continue to shoulder the burden of all the problems that modern society is creating, and that a major rethink is needed by both the citizens and the government agencies.

Refreshments were provided by members of the Fethard Historical Society and the visitors were very impressed with the efforts of the people of Fethard, and they stated that now Limerick County Council, who organised the trip, are also getting involved in turning the walls of Kilmallock into an amenity that can be used by locals and visitors alike.

Fethard Bridge Club Results
Fethard Bridge Club played the second round, which was a change of partner, of our Player of the Year competition on Wednesday 9th April and the results were:
1st Gross: Eileen Frewen and David O’Meara;
2nd Gross: Annie O’Brien and Philly Kenny;
1st Nett: Mary Delaney and Betty Walsh;
2nd Nett: Carmel Condon and Mike Burke.
We play the fourth and final round of Player of the Year competition on 23rd April. Anyone looking for a partner please contact Berney Myles at 32038.

McCarthy’s Golf Society Sports Table Quiz
McCarthy’s Golf Society will hold a ‘Sports Table Quiz’ on Monday 21st April at 9pm in McCarthy’s Hotel. All questions are on sport and entry team for a team of four is €40. All proceeds will go towards the Fethard & District Day Care Centre.

Fethard Historical Society Celebrating 20th Anniversary
At the annual general meeting of Fethard Historical Society held on Tuesday 1st April the following were elected to the committee: Terry Cunningham, Dóirín Saurus, Catherine O’Flynn, Marie Taylor, Herbert Schubert, Tim Robinson, Mary Hanrahan, Pat Looby, Peter Grant, Marie O’Donnell, Kitty Delany, Ann Gleeson and Colm McGrath. The next meeting of the society will be held on Tuesday 29th April at 8.30pm in the Abymill Theatre.


Fethard Historical Society's first committee elected 20 years ago on Tuesday 23rd March 1988. Back L to R: Vincent Doocey, Jimmy O'Connor, Diana Stokes, Christy Mullins, John Joe Keane, Michael O'Donnell, Marie O'Donnell, Joe Kenny (PRO). Front L to R: Joe Ryan (Vice Chairman), Mary Hanrahan (Secretary), Peter Grant (Chairman), Denis Burke (Treasurer), and Mary Healy.



A lecture by Proinsias Ó Drisceoil entitled, “John O’Daly: Controversy and Traditional Learning in 19th Century Ireland”, will take place on Friday 25th April 2008 at 8.30pm in the Abymill Theatre. O’Daly, a contemporary of John O’Donovan and Eugene O’Curry, was an energetic but often controversial scholar and editor of early Irish manuscripts, and his contribution to the early study of Irish literature is meticulously researched and documented by Ó Drisceoil in “Seán Ó Dálaigh: Éigse agus Iomarbhá”, published by Cork University Press. Admission to the lecture is €4 and all are welcome.

Community Games
The HSE Community Games made the long awaited announcement of the venue for their new home on Friday last in the Hudson Bay Hotel, Athlone. They have a four-year contact with the Athlone Institute of Technology which at least is a central venue.
The county final of the Judo competition will take place on Wednesday next, 23rd April in St. Peter and Pauls Boys School, Kickham Street, Clonmel, commencing at 7pm. All enquiries to the Co-ordinator, Josephine O Donnell.
Gymnastics will take place in the Canon Hayes Sports Complex, Tipperary Town, on Monday 5th May. Contact co-ordinator, Martin O’Keeffe Tel: 087 8112968.

Fethard Scouts say Thanks!
On behalf of Fethard & Killusty Scout Group it is with great pleasure we accept the kind financial contribution from Fethard Senior Citizens Club. We thank you for thinking of the young boys in scouting and for having such a positive opinion of our twenty-seven members aged from 8 to 16 years. We regularly take them off on days or weekends mountain hiking, competitions and on annual camps, for which this money will be used. We are indeed most grateful and humbled by your generosity. It is people such as you and your members that keep us leaders going. Again on behalf of the scouts I say thank you ever so much. Robert Phelan (Group Leader).

News from Eldoret 11th April
Good morning to all from a sunny and peaceful Eldoret. We are thankful to God that we have peace now, even if it is only a tenuous one.

As a result of the turmoil in January and February, we are still left with up to 18,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) here in a huge tented area of Eldoret in western Kenya. That number includes about 4,500 children of all ages and life is really awful for them. I get to the camp a number of times per week now and we to make life a bit more bearable for them by cooperating with UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and the Red Cross. Whatever we are able to do is because we have had a great response from concerned friends around the world and I would like once again to express our sincere gratitude to all who have helped in any way.

At our Patrician Primary School, all is peaceful again but we did lose about 160 children . . . 'lose' in this case means that their parents were forced to flee the area mainly because they were of the targeted tribe. In most of these cases, the homesteads were torched and any cattle or sheep stolen or driven away. And in the vast majority of cases, people had to flee with just what they happened to be wearing at the time.
It is now over three months and there is no sign that any of these unfortunate people have returned to their original homes and I don't see that happening for a long time yet. This is an unprecedented situation in Kenya and is a very worrying outcome of what was largely a very peaceful election process.

On the political front, there is serious disagreement between the main rivals and, like Zimbabwe now, I don't see any solution in the immediate future. All in all, a very sad state of affairs for the average poor person in this beautiful country.

As for myself, I expect to be in England from the 30th April for a few days and thereafter will be in Ireland and elsewhere. I hope to meet many or all of you to personally express our thanks for your practical involvement during our troubling time. — Bro Paul, Eldoret.

Mattie’s Advice Clinic
Deputy Mattie McGrath will be holding an Advice Clinic in Joe Ahearne's Bar, Main Street, Fethard, on Saturday 19th April at 3pm.

Fethard on RTE Radio Tuesday 15th at 10pm

Liam O'Brien, Producer of the RTE Radio 1 programme 'The Architect's Eye' recently recorded a programme in Fethard with the main focus on the town wall. The whole premise of the series is that each building site is viewed through the eye of an architect. In the case of Fethard, his guest was Jacqui Donnelly, Conservation Architect with the Architectural Heritage Advisory Unit of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The programme on Fethard town wall will air on April 15th at
10pm on RTE Radio 1.

READ MORE ABOUT THE FETHARD PROGRAMME

Art & Model Making County Finals

Matilda Magnier from Peppardstown, Fethard, photographed at the County Finals of the Community Games Art and Model Making held in Fethard Ballroom last Saturday.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOGRAPHS

Competitors from Fethard and Killusty Area did very well at the County Finals of the Art and Model Making competition, which took place in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday last, April 5th. Competitors won a total of five medals overall, unfortunately no one made it to Mosney this time but everybody gave a very good account of themselves.  Six-year-old Darragh Hurley, Strylea, won a silver medal in the Under-8 Art, Emma Hatton, Ardsallagh won a silver medal in the Under-10 Model Making, while her sister Charlotte won a bronze medal in the Under-12 event. Sarah Slattery, Jossestown won Bronze in the Girls Under-8 Art and Larissa Clancy, Barrack Street won bronze in girls Under-12 Art.  Congratulations to all medallists and well done to all who competed. New Venue for National Finals of the HSE Community Games from 2010 onwards will be announced on this coming Friday, 10th April, in the Hudson Bay Hotel, Athlone.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 9th April were: 8, 19, 20 and 28. We had no Jackpot winner and two ‘Match 3’ winners who received €75 each:
Nicky O’Shea, Tullow, Fethard;
Margaret Doocey, Abbey Road, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Siobhan Pollard, The Green, Fethard;
Patricia Maher, Rocklow Road, Fethard;
Jimmy Mullins, Knockbrack, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.