Fethard Podcasts
A new addition to the Fethard website in the past week is the recording of audio podcasts 'A taste of Fethard' with the help of Tracy Cassidy, a second level student with Tipperary Institute who is currently on work experience here in Fethard. The first podcasts can be heard using the link at the top of the page or clicking on fethardpodcasts.com

You can listen or download the files to your computer for your iPod or MP3 player by clicking in the subscribe button on the podcast page.

Leonard Cohen in Dublin
A lot of Leonard Cohen fans travelled from Fethard last weekend to hear him perform at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin. This is a sample of a song written by Leonard, 'If it be your will', sung by the Webb Sisters who accompanied him on the night. This performance was recorded on Saturday 14th June 2008, excuse quality of video.

Fethard Macra in full swing
New officers elected for Fethard Macra are Chairperson, Michael Moclair; Secretary, Una Shanahan; Treasurer, Darren Prout; and PRO, Marie Shanahan. Members from Fethard Macra attended the Slievenamon mountain climb and barbecue organized by Slievenamon and Rathkeevin Macra in Kilcash on Sunday evening last. A great night’s entertainment was had by all. Forthcoming events taking place include the annual raft race and barbecue in Golden on Saturday 5th July and treasure hunt organized by Dundrum Macra on Sunday 6th July. The raft race in particular will provide an opportunity for our more nautically minded members to work on the challenge of their raft making and ‘cruise control skills’!

Macra offers something to suit everybody’s taste from sport, drama, public speaking and travel as well as agricultural affairs. If you are interested in finding out more our next meeting is taking place on Friday, 27th June at 9pm in McCarthy’s Bar, Fethard. For further info contact Michael Tel: 087-9019443 or Una Tel: 087-6882683.

On Holiday in Fethard

Emil Totonchi, son of Lou Kenrick, Burke Street, photographed in Fethard with his girlfriend Mladenka Kovacevic while on holiday from their home in Illinois USA.

Fethard ICA Guild
Our last meeting before our summer break was very interesting and enjoyable. Our speaker for the night was Charlie Ruttle, who gave lots of sound advice on the care and maintenance of our garden plants, vegetables and also on the care of hedging, of which, Charlie has considerable expertise.

Our guild was well represented at the Craft and Historical Night hosted by the Federation in Clonmel. Twelve guilds took part, putting on a wonderful and very varied display of the areas of interest in their locality, each guild also presented a personality from their place. It was a very enjoyable night and congratulations to Kay Maher and Phil Coffey from Carrick-on-Suir who organised the whole event.

A reminder to those travelling with us on our outing on Thursday next, 26th June, that we leave the Square at 10am for the Castlecomer Discovery Park, then onwards to a garden centre. We will then spend some time in Kilkenny, finishing the day with a meal in Hotel Kilkenny. There are some places still available on the bus, contact 31455 for details.

Fr. A.B. Celebrates 25 years

Fr. A.B. Kennedy celebrating the 25th Anniversary of his ordination with his sisters June (left) and Mary.

Congratulations to Fr. A.B. Kennedy who celebrated the 25th Anniversary of his ordination on 11th June. Fr. A.B. now based in Portumna, Co. Galway, is a regular visitor to Fethard. Many will remember the carnival atmosphere in Fethard on the day following his ordination when he returned to celebrate his first mass at 5pm in Holy Trinity Parish Church. Young and old alike, were then invited to a celebration in the Country Club Ballroom. With Tony Newport as M.C. and Don Byard on the organ the evening’s entertainment soon gathered momentum. The ballroom was festooned with flowers and flags bearing the colours of Fethard football team of whom A.B. had been a prominent member of for many years. Pauline Sheehan played some melodies on the accordion and the Hogan Musical Society sang some old time favourites.

The festivities went on late into the evening and as the summer sun set over the town - the sounds of singing and laughter emerged from public houses the length of Main Street. It was a happy occasion and everyone celebrated in their own way.

Fethard Dancing Club

Fethard Ballroom and Dancing Club members presenting the proceeds from the Mick Aherne Perpetual Trophy Dance Competition held in Fethard Ballroom. The total amount raised was €2871 which was presented to South Tipperary Hospice at Fethard Ballroom dance on Sunday night. L to R: Margaret Burke, Gertie Corcoran, Billy Corcoran, Phil Kehoe (South Tipperary Hospice) and Tony Marshall.

Tenders received for the Capital Works Programme for Town Walls
Four tenders were received and were presented by South Tipperary County Council to the members of Fethard Plans Administration Committee (PAC) for consideration together with an evaluation format provided by South Tipperary County Council. The tenders were assessed following the format and the conclusions were noted and have been passed back to South Tipperary County Council for the next stage.

South Tipperary County Council should be in a position formally to appoint the successful applicant prior to the next meeting of the Plans Administration Committee on 26th June. If so, it is hoped that a member of the successful applicant's management team will be able to attend the next meeting with a view to getting things underway as soon as practicable.

The Castle Inn ‘Race Night’

Irene Sharpe (left) and Kathleen Connolly (right) presenting the proceeds of their recent Race Night, which amounted to €3,335, to Catherine Bartels, Care Co-ordinator, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Noel and Irene Sharpe and Kathleen Connolly would like to thank everyone that attended and supported our ‘Race Night’ in aid of the Alzheimers Association. Thanks to our main sponsors who sponsored the individual races and those who donated spot prizes. A special thank you to Trish Croke and Vincent Cummins who provided their expertise on the night and to Larry Kenny for bringing his camera. Others who helped the occasion’s success was Aidan Mac from Tipp FM and of course Larry Kiely for his kind donation.

The evening was great fun and a total of €3,335 was raised for the very deserving Alzheimers Association.

Thanks for your support
Claire Sullivan, Woodvale Walk, would like to thank everyone who sponsored her in the Dublin Ladies Mini Marathon, which took place on 2nd June. A total of €968.50 was raised for South Tipperary Hospice.

Soccer Fans

Fethard's Ciaran O'Meara, Ian O'Connor and Ronan Fitzgerald pictured recently in Tipp FM with Reading and Republic of Ireland soccer star Shane Long. L to R: Ciaran O'Meara, Shane Long, Ian O'Connor and Ronan Fitzgerald.

Abymill Theatre
The annual general meeting of the Abymill Theatre (The Mill Ltd.) was held on Tuesday, 27th May. The Abymill board of directors elected for the coming year is: Joe Kenny (chairperson), Marian Gilpin (secretary), Agnes T. Evans (treasurer), Austie O’Flynn (administrator), Carmel Rice, Michael McCarthy, Eileen Maher, Vincent Murphy, Jimmy O’Shea, Bernard Walsh and Mary McCormack.

Senior Day at Fethard Day Care Centre
The Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold a Senior Day from 11am on Friday 20th June — a week earlier this month. The chiropodist will attend and be available at a cost of €10. The district nurse will also be in attendance. The cost of the service is €5 and a hot meal will be served.

Open air mass
Open air mass will be celebrated in The Valley on Wednesday 25th June and in Calvary Cemetery on Wednesday 9th July at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend.

60th Birthday

Congratulations to David Tobin who recently celebrated his 60th birthday. Davvid is photographed above with his wife Alice.

Fethard GAA Club News
At all Masses this weekend in Fethard and Killusty parish you will have an opportunity to help Bishop Burke’s African Fund collection which will be taken up after Holy Communion. We would like to thank you for your generosity in this fundraising project jointly promoted by Fethard and Moyle Rovers GAA Clubs.

Fethard had two games last weekend and were successful on both outings. In the Intermediate Hurling we won on a scoreline, Fethard 1-21, Fr Sheehys 1-9. The team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Stephen O’Donnell, Michael Aherne 0-1, J. P. Looby, Aiden Lonergan, Michael Ryan, Jamie McCormack, Michael Carroll, Christopher Sheehan 0-2, Benny Hahessy, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-12 (6f), Eoin O’Connell 0-1, Cian Maher 0-2, Miceál Spillane 1-2, and Eoin Doyle. Subs used were: Tomas Keane, Dean Tobin 0-1, and Adrian Lawrence. This now gives them three wins out of three outings with four remaining games in the South League Championship.

Our Junior A Football had their first outing with a blast from the past on view. Ten players have won County Senior Football honours and they showed their class and maturity in Sunday’s victory resulting in a scoreline, Fethard 0-12, Newcastle 0-7. The team was: J.P. McGrath, Michael Carroll, Stephen O’Donnell, Alan O’Connor, Willie Morrissey, Michael Quinlan, Jimmy O’Meara, Tomas Keane, PJ Aherne, Tommy Gahan, Martin Coen, Miceál Spillane, Johnny Neville, Tom Anglim, John Fitzgerald. Subs used: Brian Burke and William O’Brien.

With a combination of factors this weekend, Fethard has no game having played senior football on Wednesday night against Ardfinnan. So all hands on deck on Saturday night in Fethard GAA Park for the double bill of senior hurling with Ballingarry taking on Carrick Swans at 6pm and Killenaule playing Mullinahone at 7.30pm.
The Lotto Jackpot was not won. The numbers drawn were: 20, 21, 24 and 25. We had no match three winner so the following drawn tickets received €30 each: David O’Shea (Cashel), William Doyle (Woodvale Walk, Fethard), John Fitzgerald (Kiltinan Fethard), Bee Gould (Claremore Fethard), and Anna Cooke (49 St Patrick’s Place Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Michael Black (Drom).
Last week’s numbers drawn were 7, 11, 20 and 35. The following tickets won €30 each: Noelle Doyle (Woodvale Walk, Fethard), Josie Fitzgerald (Kiltinan, Fethard), Austy O’Flynn (Abbey St Fethard), Jillian O’Connell (Coolmoyne, Fethard), and Mary Godfrey (Derryluskin, Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Siobhan Meagher (Baptistgrange, Lisronagh). We would like to thank AIB Main Street for supplying the tickets.

Golf Classic this Friday for Bro Paul
This Friday, 20th June, a golf classic will be held in Slievenamon Golf Club in aid of Bro Paul Brennan's Kabongo Project in Eldoret Kenya. We ask for your support for this very worthwhile project by entering a team in this 'Three Ball Champagne Scramble'. The cost is €150 per team. Tee boxes cost €50 or you could donate prizes for the raffle.
Please contact the Golf Club directly at (052) 32213 for time sheet booking. Dinner is included with plenty of music and song till late!

Further information from Brendan Kenny 086 2828647, Vincent Woodlock 086 2650766, Mick Ryan 086 2669972 and Margaret Ryan 086 8055017.

Visit by helicopter

Madge and Jimmy Hurley, Congress Terrace, who celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on 30th September last year, were in for another surprise recently when their daughter Vicky took an express trip to Fethard by helicopter to visit her parents on the occasion of her ‘big’ birthday. Both Madge and Jimmy Hurley were brought for a spin on the helicopter and enjoyed the opportunity of an aerial tour of Fethard and surrounds before Vicky and family set off again on their journey back home.

Ladies Football Club
A church gate collection in aid of Fethard Ladies Football Club will take place next weekend. Your support would be very welcome.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on 18th June were 5, 16, 19 and 23. There was no Jackpot winner and two "Match 3" winners who received €75 each:
Breda Wilson, Rathkenny, Drangan;
JoJo Blake, c/o Nellie Donovan.

The three €50 Lucky dip winners were:
Annie O'Brien, Main Street, Fethard;
Maura Meaney, Crampscastle, Fethard;
Paddy Ryan, Douglas, Cork.

Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

Killusty Pony Show
As the forty-fifth anniversary of the Killusty Pony Show approaches, plans are in train for a show to at least match if not surpass the 2007 Show, which broke all previous records. This year’s show will be held at Claremore, Killusty, as have most recent shows on a beautiful field facing the majestic Slievenamon on Saturday 5th July.

The schedule includes classes for most varieties of ponies with seventy classes. It may be obtained from the Hon. Sec. Betsy O’Connor, Knockelly, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, telephone 052-31130 or downloaded at www.irishponysociety.com/news/events. Most classes must be pre-entered and entries close for these finally on Friday 27th June to facilitate the production of a comprehensive catalogue.
There are divisions for In-hand, Broodmare, Welsh, Connemara, Mini (all classes for 123 cms. ponies) Starter Stakes, Show Pony, Show Hunter Pony, Working and Performance Working Hunter, Intermediate and Equitation. Local exhibitors are not forgotten with local riding classes confined to those resident within a radius of 20 miles from the show and handy pony. All locals are welcome to enter in any of the classes and they need not be members of the Irish Pony Society for they may take out a ‘day’ membership which costs €5 each for the owner and rider of a pony but need only be paid once to cover insurance for the whole day.

New classes this year include a first year first Ridden Class for those off the lead rein for the first time and a Ridden Traditional Cob Class. The Fancy Dress and the Dog Show will be held as ever with no entry required for the fancy dress and entries on the field for the Dog Show. Now is the time to get started preparing your dog and fancy dress for the show. Other divisions that can be entered on the day are the Performance Working Hunter and Equitation both ridden and jumping. There is a green working hunter class too that can also be entered on the day. Fence height is 2 ft and the only restriction for competitors is that they may not enter any other working hunter classes on the day. They may enter jumping equitation.
The committee are looking forward to the day and plenty of local support both in competing and in organising. See you on the 5th July!

Party time in Cloneen!

Great music, great food, great craic? - it must be the 'Midsummer Party' which takes place in Cloneen on Saturday June 28th. After many very successful renditions of the Midsummer Ball, this year's Midsummer Party will be slightly different. Dickie bows / black ties are no longer mandatory. But to preserve the class and atmosphere of the event, neat dress is still essential.

Furthermore the ticket prices have been lowered. So it is that bit cheaper and a little less formal. Slievenamon Musical Society, who host the event, hope this will make the night even more attractive for the young and not so young alike. The music will be provided by the acclaimed duo 'Solitaire' and a DJ who is building up a fast growing fan base.

Over the years, the food at the Cloneen midsummer events has received great praise and this year it will be up to its usual high standards again.

The food will be served from 9pm to 10pm, after which things will really get going till late. Tickets cost €25 (which includes membership of Cloneen Sports and Social Club for the night, so that you can avail of the bar facilities) and can be ordered by telephone: 087 3283074 or through any member of the committee of Slievenamon Musical Society. Don't miss it!