Christmas Carol Service

Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Rosemary Ponsonby, Judy Butler, Suzanne Opray, Caroline Palmer and in front Zoë Stokes.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Claire French, Marian Philips, Edwina Newport and Louis Grubb.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Fr. Tom Breen P.P., Rev Barbara Fryday, Fr. John Meagher OSA and Fr. Peter Haughey OSA


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Marion Goodbody and Diane Stokes who helped serve refreshments


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Roberta Guiry and Anne Guiry.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Christy Williams, Ann Darcy, Judy Butler and Christopher Horsman.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Mary McCarthy, Ann Darcy, Patricia Treacy and Rita Kenny.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are back L to R: Jens Buchwald, John Fryday, Nadja Buchwald holding baby Caleb. In front are children Gideon, Daphne and Triston Buchwald.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Sasha Maxwell, Nicola Everard holding baby Alice, Tor Pickard.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: John Stokes, Febie Moore, Lucy Moore and Tony Askins.

Arty McGlynn, Mick Daly and Jim Rooney for McCarthys
Music fans in Tipperary are in for a rare treat, when Jim Rooney, Mick Daly and Arty McGlynn play a gig in McCarthy’s in Fethard coming soon after Christmas.

Jim Rooney is doing a small tour of Ireland with his friends Mick and Arty. Jim is a highly rated producer from Nashville who has worked on Grammy nominated albums with John Prine, Iris De Ment and Nancy Griffith. He is probably best known to Irish audiences for producing Mick Hanly’s song ‘Past the Point of Rescue’ for Hal Ketchum which went to number one in the USA.

Mick Daly is already known to Irish audiences as one of the founder members of The Lee Valley String Band, who reached a new audience last year with their inclusion on RTE’s ‘Other Voices’. Mick was also one of the founder members of ‘Four Men and a Dog’, as well as one of the ‘Mary Black Band’.

Arty McGlynn is one of Ireland’s most popular and sought after guitarists. He has played with Planxty, De Dannan as well as most of the top Irish performers, such as Paul Brady and Christy Moore and spent seven years as a member of Van Morrison’s band in the eighties.
This rare musical treat will take place in McCarthy’s on Friday 16th January. The venue is small (back room in the bar), so it is advisable to purchase tickets early. They are €20 each and limited to 50. Call to McCarthy’s or ring 086 8119625.

Fethard & District Rugby News
The under 18s travelled to Cashel on Saturday night last week and came away with a great victory. Both teams played great rugby and those of us fortunate to be there were entertained by high class rugby, including tough forward exchanges and great running from the backs. Kevin Hayes at hooker had his best game to date in a Fethard jersey, carrying ball, tackling and was 90% accurate at the line-outs. Cathal Gorey playing at number 8 for the first time was immense throughout and he obviously enjoyed this position, breaching the gain line with every run. He put down a marker from the kick-off when he tackled the Cashel receiver and won the ball back.

Nigel O’Connell was also on fire on the night putting his body on the line time and again sustaining a potential nasty eye injury, but this only spurred Nigel on and he was rewarded with a great try which Ben Walsh converted leaving the score at 7 points to 3. Cashel responded and Fethard were under the kosh for long periods, but the Fethard tackling was immense with Joey Kelly, Dick Walsh and Kieran Power putting in try saving tackles. Paul Tierney also put in a personal best performance; he showed tremendous bravery throughout in tackling and carrying the ball. With 10 minutes remaining Ben Walsh punted forward, the ball was chased by Bubbles O’Dwyer with bravery and sublime football skills he crossed the line for the winning try, this was a fitting tribute to this players tremendous defensive work up to this point. This try was converted by Ben Walsh leaving Fethard deserving winners at 14 points to 7.

Our under 16s travelled to Cashel on Sunday morning with only the bare 15 and were unlucky to loose on a score-line of 12-10 with Cashel scoring the winning try on the 45th minute in the second half.
The first score for Fethard was a well taken forward try, after rucking from their own 25 and going through at least 15 phases before ‘Spud’ took ball in hand and with the assistance of Joe Meagher ‘Spud’ crossed for his first try since leaving the under 12s. The conversion was narrowly missed. Fethard were pinned in their 25 for the remainder of the second half and Cashel crossed the line for their opening try which was converted to leave the score at 7 points to 5 in Cashel’s favour at the break.

Both teams restarted with vigour and pretty much cancelled each other out. With injuries mounting on the Fethard side and no subs, Cashel introduced fresh legs and looked as though they might overwhelm a tiring Fethard side, three of these lads after playing with the under 18s on Saturday night. This Fethard team stood tall with Shane Power, Andy Walsh, Adam O’Donnell, Kieran Power and Timmy O’Donovan being particularly affective. Captain Colm Shanahan really got motoring at this stage and with the Cashel supporters shouting for the final whistle Robert Hall crossed for what should have been the winning try for Fethard, but play was to go on for a further 10 minutes allowing Cashel to win on the 45th minute.

We wish all our members, supporters and friends a very Happy New Year and all that is good for 2009

Tipperary Hunt Pony Club
Tipperary Hunt Pony Club will hold their 50th Anniversary Reunion Party for parents of members, senior members (16 years and over), past members and associates, at Slievenamon Golf Club on Saturday 24th January at 7pm. Tickets cost €25 which includes buffet supper and entertainment. Bookings by 1st January to, Josephine Maher-O’Hagan Tel: 086 0700664; Anne Croom-Carroll Tel: 087 7516502; Rosemary Clifford-O’Donnell Tel 086 8360086; Gillian Maher-Murray Tel: 086 8608006; and Yvonne Blackmore-Casey Tel: 086 8334913.

Abymill to stage Fionn Mac Cumhaill production
Misery the latest production from the Fionn Mac Cumhaill Players will play for one night in the Abymill Theatre in Fethard on Friday 9th January. This Stephen King thriller, made famous by Kathy Bates and James Caan, through film is rarely seen on stage and is gripping stuff as the relationship between the two actors has to be seen to be believed. A live performance is always great and especially so here as you get lost in the story and begin to believe what is happening. Although a dark play there are many very funny incidents and you can’t help but laugh at how childlike the character is in ways. Booking el: 086-8871467 or 086-0834208.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Monday 22nd December of Mr Eddie Cummins, Raheen Court, Clonmel, and formerly of St. Patrick's Place, Fethard. Interment took place in Holy Trinity Church Graveyard, The Square, Fethard.

The death has occurred on 22nd December of Dr Tom Cleary, Rathmore Lodge, Manister, Croom, Co. Limerick, and formerly of Mogorban, Fethard. Interment took place in St Michael's Church Graveyard, Manister.

The deaths have occurred recently of Mr Ned Dorney, St. Johnstown, Fethard; and, in Australia, of Ms June Buckley, formerly Ms June Aird, The Green, Fethard.

Hunting News
Big fields and good hunting were the order of the day with the Tipperary Foxhounds over the Christmas as from Ballyluskey, on Saturday 20th December, they started with a flier from the first draw in the Glen. Running towards Bawnbrack they ran right-handed very fast to Ruttle’s Glen. This fox crossed the Crohane Road to Kinane’s but unfortunately hounds split on a fresh find in the Glen sporting a very good run. Drawing up towards Crohane Church they ran two great circles to Crohane Hill, back down to Crohane Church and back to the plantation near Ned Morris’ quarry.

Sixty followers at Ballagh on Monday 22nd had a great gallop and jumping from new ground on the Multeen river’s banks hounds ran back towards the village, left-handed they crossed the main Thurles road near Mr Fryday’s mushroom farm and then through some very heavy going and rough country to the high Rossmore Road where they caught him. Great to see former master, Mr Michael Higgins, one of a trio of riders with hounds as they crossed the Main Road.

A big field of seventy attended the childrens’ meet in Kilcooley and also a very big field of eighty-four at the St. Stephen’s Day meet in Cashel. The Tipperary Foxhounds are by far the oldest sporting association in the parish. Founded in Grove by William Barton in 1820 there are also records of hounds in Grove under Hugh Barton fifty years earlier. With so many juveniles now hunting it’s great to see such support for this great Tipperary sport.

With the White Heathers
The White Heather Harriers had two excellent days at Peppardstown on Sunday 21st December and Drangan, on St. Stephen’s Day. From Peppardstown House they ran a short circle down to Coolbawn and to ground. They found again in O’Donnell’s. Hunting to the St. Johnstown Road they rand right-handed crossing the road on the hill at the stone quarries. Running towards Shanakyle they hunted left across the road to Mr Heffernan-Delanys, left again towards Curraheen the fox did a u-turn running back to the Knockelly road which he crossed near Peppardstown House. Down to the valley he swung left to Anglim’s where they marked to ground. Moving back across the road they found on Mr O’Connor’s and ran down and to ground in Mr John Ryan’s. From Knockelly Castle they ran to the big plantation near Ms Ginny Hutton’s where they finished the day.

From Drangan on St. Stephen’s Day their best run was from Glenmuicadee. Back towards Drangan a fox ran the Priestown Road for a quarter of a mile. A bit of a road-runner, he then ran Burke’s Lane to the end before running back to Phelan’s Glen. Crossing the road they hunted towards Kylenagranagh and across the Dublin Road and back to the Glen. Out at the top they hunted strongly back to the Priestown Road at Mullally’s. Once again running the road Charlie ran back towards Glenmuicadee but turning right-handed he got to ground after a top class hunt of just over the one-hour. The hunting may not have been of as high an order from Loughcopple on Sunday last as very poor scenting conditions ensued. Nevertheless, the large crowd out enjoyed a nice day in good company and excellent weather.

The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers wish to sincerely thank Mr Bob Guiry, our Master, Mr Phil O’Connor, and Mr Barry Walsh and their families for the hospitality dispensed at Peppardstown, Drangan and Loughcopple.

The White Heather Harriers will meet on Sunday next, 4th January, at Cloneen at 11am. They also wish the landowners, over whose lands they hunt, a very sincere thank-you and every good wish and good hunting to them, their families and supporters and good hunting for 2009.

Killusty Elward information sought
My name is Patrick Elward and I'm a lifelong resident of Chicago, as were my Father and Grandfather. I recently came across an old, old letter written to my Grandfather, Joseph F. Elward, about his ancestry. This letter was written by his cousin, John J. Elward and is dated 3/4/1947. In this letter, John states, “Our grandfather's name was John Elward.” John Elward was married twice and that all of his children (from both marriages) were born in Killusty, County Tipperary, Ireland, the nearest town is called Fethard (which is how I came to find Fethard website!).

John's first wife was Betty Phillips. Together, they had three children: Mary (married James Powers) Bess (married David Burns) and Ann (married to John Burns; no relation to David). Bess Burns had five children, three of whom lived in Chicago (in 1947, mind you).
John's second wife was Catherine Prendergast, and together they had 7 children, one of whom died in infancy. They are: Ellen (married to John Leahy), Catherine (died as infant), James (the sender's father, which makes the author my grandfather's cousin), Nora (married to Patrick Ryan), Thomas (my grandfather's father), Cornelius (a lifelong bachelor), and John Jr. (married to Molly Houlihan). Ellen (Elward) Leahy had two daughters and one son. One of her daughters, Mary Leahy, lives in in Chicago (1947) and is a Chicago public school teacher.
This writer notes, “At one time the family name was Aylward”, but he had no recollection of how or when the transformation to Elward occurred. He also speculates that ancestors of his grandfather's originally came from England. He also notes that all of the children born to John Elward (except for Nora Elward Ryan and John Elward jr) came to America.

So, I'm looking for information on John Elward or Catherine Prendergast Elward or any of their direct descendants. Anyhow, this is a shot in the dark. If anyone has additional leads, please let me know.
Thank you, Patrick Elward. (email)