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Gortnahoe & Glengoole

Brewery Lane Theatre stage ‘Da’ in the Abymill


Carrick-on-Suir’s Brewery Lane Theatre Company will stage the acclaimed production of Broadway’s smash hit ‘Da’ by Hugh Leonard in the Abymill Theatre on Saturday 31st January.

This production, produced by Peg Power, has already received rave reviews with one of the leading critics in the South East listing Tom Nealon as Best Male Performer for his portrayal of Da. His review said that the Brewery Lane Theatre's exceptional production of ‘Da’ was as good and better than many professional play productions he had seen during the last five years.

As well as Tom Nealon’s performance in the leading role, the review praised Peg Power's excellent direction, John Denby’s set and Eileen Butler and Mary O'Hanlon’s costumes. The reviewer said that 'Da' was not an easy play with its time shifts and stage technique of having a dead father and a living son Charlie (played impressively by David Grant and Eamonn O'Neill at different stages of his life) conducting those dialogues that never happened. The remaining parts are played by Maria Clancy, Jim English, Julie Ann Denby, Roseanne Glascott and Colm Power.

The Brewery Group have visited the Abymill on many occasions and played to packed houses every time. We expect this time will be no different so early booking is advisable. Tickets are €15 each (concessions €12). The show will be staged at 8.15pm on Saturday 31st January. Booking at O’Flynn’s Menswear, Burke Street, Fethard, telephone: 052 31254 or 087 1338961.

Fethard GAA Club News
Fethard GAA Club will hold their AGM is on this coming Friday 23rd January at 7.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre. All Members welcome to attend.

We had no winner of our Lotto Jackpot. The numbers drawn were 15, 18, 19 and 23. We had one ‘match three’ winner of €150 which went to Sasha Doyle (Woodvale Walk, Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by John Aylward (Roebucksland, Fethard).

The numbers drawn last week were 5, 10, 24 and 28. We had two match three winners of €75 each to Josie Fitzgerald (Kiltinan, Fethard) and Hilary Troy (c/o Merry’s Clonmel). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Owen Doyle (Woodvale Walk Fethard). We would like to thank Clonmel Oil for providing the tickets.

Patrician Presentation Open Day

Photographed at the Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School's 'Open Day' last Monday evening were L to R: Kevin Shine, Jack Connolly and Graham Maher.

There was a good attendance at the Patrician Presentation Open Evening held on 19th January. The 6th Class parents and their children got a great opportunity to meet with the staff and to view the school facilities. Some of the officers and the committee from our active Parents’ Association were also in attendance to talk about their involvement in the school and help out with the catering arrangements for the event.


Photographed at the Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School's 'Open Day' last Monday evening were L to R: Stefan Müller, Matthew Fitzgerald, Adam O'Donnell and Owen Prout.


Photographed at the Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School's 'Open Day' last Monday evening were L to R: Anastasia Blake, Noel Blake and his son Robin, Janet Blake, Annette Hickey, Kevin Hickey and Niall Hickey.


Photographed at the Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School's 'Open Day' last Monday evening were L to R: Charlie Manton, Eoghan Hurley, Jody Sheehan, Adam Fitzgerald, Tommy Anglim and Donal Walsh.


Photographed at the Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School's 'Open Day' last Monday evening were L to R: Amy Tynan and Chloe Lawrence.


Photographed at the Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School's 'Open Day' last Monday evening were L to R: Katie O'Rahilly and Christine Fitzgerald.


Photographed at the Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School's 'Open Day' last Monday evening were L to R: Sophie Noonan and Rebecca Hearne.

Killusty National School preparing for centenary celebrations
Killusty National School Parents’ Association are looking forward to the 100th Anniversary of the school which will take place in 2010. We are in the early stages of putting together a commemorative booklet about the school’s history. If anyone has any memories or photos they would like to share with us please contact any of the parents or teachers at the school. We have two email addresses for articles or photographs: podonel@eircom.net or catherineryan@flancare.com Any other photos will be returned as soon as possible.

We would also like to thank everyone who helped out at our recent ‘Bag Pack’ in Dunnes and Christmas raffle to raise much needed funds for the school. To anyone who donated prizes a very big thank you.

Training for Living 2009
South Tipperary Lone Parent Initiative (STLPI) will hold a ‘Training for Living’ programme in Fethard in the coming weeks. This free programme offers, Personal Development training for anyone who parents alone. The course will commence on Wednesday 28th January in the Tirry Community Centre, from 7-9pm. To enrol in this programme contact the STLPI office as detailed below.

South Tipperary Lone Parent Initiative is a free and confidential service to lone parents. STLPI offers support and information to anyone who parents alone.  The support might be in the form of a query about their rights and entitlements, they might need assistance with filling out forms, need a listening ear when they are in difficulty, need to be referred to other services in the community or need assistance and guidance to move back into education and the workforce.

We also offer training in personal development and basic computers. The training for Living programme, which is now being offered in Fethard, covers Personal Development, Parenting, Anger Management, Conflict Resolution, Stress and Stress Management. The course trainer is a qualified counsellor who at the end of the programme hopes the participants will identify ways to move forward in their lives in the future.  The course is free to anyone parenting alone. It is also an opportunity for lone parents to meet each other as well as learning new coping skills.

Liz Moloney is the coordinator and Breda Dunne is the administrative support worker. STLPI is located in Room 1, Clonmel Community Resource Centre in Kickham Street Clonmel. We are open from 9am to 4pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and 9am to 2pm Thursday and Friday. Phone: 052 27429.

Volleyball success

Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School Cadette Volleyball team who beat Balla and Claremorris in University Limerick on Monday last to qualify for the All-Ireland semifinals. Back L to R: Mary Ellen O'Reilly, Kelly Fogarty, Aisling Dwyer, Fiona Crotty, Bridget O'Reilly, Katie Coen, Jane Fitzgerald. Front L to R: Kelley Coady, Hayley Ellis, Rebecca Fogarty, Jean Anglim and Jane Kenny.

Congratulations to the Patrician Presentation Cadette girls’ volleyball team who made it to the All-Ireland semifinals on 28th January in Monroe Sports Centre, Lisronagh. The team played with high spirits all day and beat strong teams from Claremorris and Balla by two sets each on 19th January.

The starting six girls were Aisling Dwyer, Jane Kenny, Jean Anglim, Bridget O’Reilly, Fiona Crotty and Katie Coen. Also on the panel are Kelley Coady, Kelly Fogarty, Becky Fogarty, Mary-Ellen O’Reilly, Hayley Ellis, Jane Fitzgerald and Lucy Butler. Coach, Mr McGree was ably assisted on the day by 6th Year pupil Mary-Ann Keane.

Thanks for the special trip!
Declan and Ellen Morrissey and family would like to thank most sincerely the Clerihan Soccer Club, especially Paddy Murphy, who organised the fundraiser to send Damien Morrissey and his family to see Manchester United play at Old Trafford. A terrific weekend was had by all and thanks to all who supported the fundraiser to make it possible.

Hunting News
Much better weather conditions prevailed for the annual Tipperary Foxhounds Lawn Meet at Coolmore on Monday 12th. Finding close to the meet, hounds ran first towards Anglim’s, turning left here back through Peppardstown they ran to the Knockelly Road near Peppardstown House. Crossing the road, Charlie did a quick U-turn back down to the valley to St. Johnstown Castle. Turning left here they checked, and put right, they hunted up through O’Donnell’s to Cooleagh where they lost him.

A fox from the fort at Coolbawn Cross was slow to leave. Getting him away eventually hounds hunted to Blackmore’s Gate. From the roadside grove Charlie made at least three attempts to cross the Killenaule Road but was headed each time. Wheeling from here this fox provided a very good run. Running down through Blackmore’s they crossed the road to Norton’s Gorse. From here they crossed the Ballyluskey Road and were hunting towards Ruttle’s Glen when checking at a farmyard they were stopped, as this area was not on Monday’s country. They hunted from the whin bushes at the Waterfall to ground at Bawnbrack Stables and finished a very good day with a nice circle from Mortlestown Laurels, left-handed under Ms Sue Perry’s to Grangebarry and back to where they found.

The elements, once again, proved the winner on Wednesday from Rossmore. Swirling cloud and high winds, especially on the very high ground in Upper Rossmore, made conditions anything but pleasant. The amazing thing was that so many foxes were over-ground. Hounds were kept busy all day and finished with two short runs from Drom Wood.

A very good run, of just over one hour, was enjoyed from one of a brace found in Grawncole, Ballingarry, on Saturday. Running down over the narrow road through Maher’s and Cahill’s the fox did a few circles in this area before running right handed through Boolagh. Crossing the road at the bottom of the hill he ran to the Commons Road which he crossed. Turning right here hounds ran towards the top of the hill where he got to ground in the Quarry.

Saturday’s weather, at Barne, made Wednesday’s look like a good day in April. “None but the brave” could only describe the sixty-two hardy sportsmen and women, young and not so young, who followed Derry and Paul from the meet. The extraordinary feature of the day was that scent was first class. The bitch pack hunted brilliantly and gave the car followers on the Lavally Road a wonderful view as they ran a fox in sight to the road. Gaining some ground here, Charlie ran the road for some distance. He must have read the January Hunt Card as he saved his brush by running into Knockfee country which was to be hunted on Monday. Drawing on, they found again towards Clerihan and ran back towards Long’s Glen. Derry wisely decided to call a halt here, as hurricane-force winds were making conditions, not alone impossible to hunt in but dangerous. The hardy followers proved once again that “good sportsmen don’t mind the weather”. Did they also discover that it is true that rain never goes past your skin.

With the White Heathers
Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers broke new ground from their meet at Coleman on Sunday last. Finding in the small quarry at Liam Hayes’, Redcity, they ran a short distance and to ground. Drawing on over Market Hill through Percy O’Flynn’s they found again. A nice run ensued from here. Hunting down to Killerk rock the fox turned right-handed, back through Delahunty’s to the Fethard / Clonmel Road where they lost him at the County Council’s grit depot on Market Hill. From Jossestown they ran to the Moyle, at Ballinlough, right-handed across the Donoughmore Road towards D’arcy’s Cross. Hunting right-handed through Hennessey’s they lost him on the road near A&B Interiors. The White Heather Harriers break new ground again on Sunday next when they meet at Kilvemnon School, near the five-eyed bridge at 11am. On Sunday 25th January they meet at Coolbawn Cross.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on 14th January were 8, 14, 24 and 27. We had no Jackpot winner and no ‘Match 3’ winner so three tickets were drawn and each received €50:
Bill O'Sullivan, Fethard;
Open Door, Day Care, Fethard;
Aine Cuc, An Coill, Fiod Ard.

The three following Lucky Dip winners received €50 each:
Henry Kiely, Cashel Road, Tipperary;
Patricia Maher, Kilnockin, Fethard;
Michael Allen, Curraghtarsna, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club
Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club wish to thank all those who attended their recent AGM held in The Village Inn, Moyglass. The outgoing and new committee would like to acknowledge all the hard work that our founder member and first chairman, Sean O'Donovan, has done in our inaugural year.

The new committee comprises of Eddie Murphy (chairman), Sean O'Donovan (vice-chairman), Pat O'Loughlin (secretary), John Slattery (assistant secretary), Seamus Barry (treasurer) and Sean Kiely (assistant treasurer). Safety steward is Ray Walsh, and PRO is Declan Walsh.

Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club is affiliated to the Irish Vintage Society, whose motto is ‘Preserving our heritage’. The main event for the coming year will be a static show and vintage run on Sunday the 26th July; this will be a great family day with plenty of entertainment for children. The new committee intend to run numerous events during the year. Further information will be publicised in due time.

Fethard Bridge Club
The results of our game on Wednesday 14th January were:
1st Gross: Nell Broderick and Anna Cooke;
2nd Gross: Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny;
1st Nett: Kay St. John and Rita Kane;
2nd Nett: Philly Kenny and Margaret Mary McCormack.

We hope to see everyone back in the next couple of weeks. On 4th February we start our ‘Player of the Year’ competition. Looking for a partner, please contact Berney Myles at 32038.

A memorable and magical night in McCarthys

Jim Rooney photographed with long time friend Mick Hanley, who made a guest appearance with at the band at their concert in McCarthy's. L to R: Mick Daly, Jim Rooney, Mick Hanley and Arty McGlynn.

It was an intimate session last Friday night in McCarthy’s when fifty people squeezed into the back room to listen to Jim Rooney, Mick Daly and Arty McGlynn. And the night was magical. Jim, Mick and Arty weaved a wonderful web of folk, traditional and country music. Jim plays the guitar like Jimi Hendrix. Upside down that is. Not with his teeth or on fire. He kept a solid rhythm going and sang while Mick played beautiful five-string banjo, and sang, while Arty was the deceptively serious looking one in the corner who turned his guitar into an orchestra of sound and knocked the crowd out with his quick one liners and jokes. It was a really entertaining night of music, stories and jokes.

An added bonus was the unexpected arrival of Mick Hanley. Jim Rooney picked one of Mick’s songs from obscurity a few years ago, gave it to an artist that he was working with at the time, Hal Ketchum, and sent it to number one in the American charts. The song was ‘Past the Point of Rescue’, and Mick took Jim’s guitar, turned it around and played the song for the audience, accompanied by Mick and Arty. It went down a treat and Mick has promised to return to do a gig in the near future.

When all was over the stories and chats began. Thanks to Paddy Lonergan, former publican and manager of Country Club Ballroom, who left in an envelope full of memorabilia for Arty to see (he being a former member of the hugely successful Plattermen back in the 1960s). The conversation got around to the showband era and it turned out that Annette (the proprietor) was a good friend of Brendan Bowyer back in the 60s who is also a good friend of Arty’s. Arty reckons that Brendan shook the whole showband scene up and wrestled control from the ballroom managers and gave the bands the clout to agree their own terms rather than be dictated to by town councils which were controlled by the local parish priest at the time.
Jim remembered a great tour of the ballrooms with Don Everly (of the Everly Brothers) around Ireland and Mick told a story of a showband singer who bought a sunburst guitar, but who brought it back to the shop in Cork because it didn’t match the red suits that the band were wearing. It was bought later that week by a young Rocker called Rory Gallagher. And the night went on . . .

We hope it won’t be long till these fine musicians return to play McCarthy’s again. They will be made feel more than welcome.

Fethard Macra News
Congratulations to our quiz time team who along with the Clonoulty quiz time team are through to the next stage of the National Question Time competition. The county round took place in Barne Lodge last Friday night. Fethard club member Michael Moclair did a great job as quizmaster on the night. We would like to thank Martha Sheehan for all her help with the recent Public Speaking competition. Following on from the great success of our soccer league we are currently organising a volleyball league. Anybody interested in participating contact any club member.

Dundrum Macra will be hosting a table quiz in Roche’s pub, Tipperary town on Friday, 30th January at 9pm. The county round of the Dublin City Talent competition will take place in Boherlahan on Friday, 13th February. Categories in the competition include ballad group, novelty act, set dancing, disco dancing, solo singing and comedy. An event of great interest for all our single and indeed attached members is the forthcoming ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Valentine event which will take place in Brian Borús, Cashel on Friday, 13th February This event is open to all members of the public and promises to be a great night’s entertainment. A raffle will be held on the night with proceeds going to charity.

The South Tipperary round of the national drama competition takes place on 20th February. The pantomime in Cashel will run from 4th to 8th February. We are all looking forward to seeing our fellow club member Michael in his starring role!

Our next meeting will be in Butlers Bar on Friday, 30th January at 8pm. For further information contact 087-9019443 or email fethardmacra@gmail.com or check out our Macra page on Bebo.

Fethard Historical Society says thank you to two friends

Dóirín Saurus (left) making a presentation on behalf of Fethard Historical Society to Alison Harvey, Planning and Development Officer, Heritage Council of Ireland, on behalf of her work and support for Fethard while working with the Irish Walled Town's Network

On Friday night last, the Fethard Historical Society held a function in Kellett’s restaurant at McCarthy's hotel to say thanks to two state officials who have been of particular help to Fethard over the last few years.

Alison Harvey of the Heritage Council and one of the driving forces of the Irish Walled Town Network recognised the importance of Fethard following her first visit and helped to ensure that finance was made available to help the historic town.

Three major reports have been produced; a Conservation and Management Plan for the Wall, a Public Realm Plan for the Town itself and a detailed Feasibility Study of the Town Hall is nearing completion. All these reports will feed into the local planning process which should ensure that Fethard's unique character will be maintained for generations to come.

Furthermore, the Heritage Council gave a large grant towards physical repairs to the Wall over the past few months and this work can now be seen on the Wall between Barrack Street and Burke Street, at Watergate and other places.

A presentation of an artistic piece of pottery depicting the Watergate area, by local potter Dóirín Saurus, was made to Ms Harvey and she thanked the Historic Society for the gesture and the evening in general.
The evening also honoured Mr Hugh O'Brien, formally of South Tipperary County Council and now in Waterford City, who also played a large part in securing funding for Fethard, Furthermore Mr O'Brien was thanked for his very co-operative and consultative style of working with the local community organisations.

Present on the night, along with members of the Historical Society, were Jonathan Flood, who has replaced Hugh O'Brien in County Hall; Eoin Powell, Area Engineer and Ms Labhaoise McKenna, County Heritage Officer. Mr. John Fahey MCC also attended the very enjoyable function as he also played a big part in promoting the special case of Fethard to the Heritage Council over the past few years.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday 14th January of Mr Philip Carroll, Menlo, Fethard. Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Parlour from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Friday 16th January, followed by removal to Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard. Requiem Mass at 11am on Saturday followed by burial in adjoining graveyard.

The death has occurred on Monday 12th January in New Jersey, USA, of Mrs Kathleen Welch, formerly Kathleen O'Shea, Tullow, Killusty. Interment took place in New Jersey.

Book Fair Calling
It’s getting to that time of year again when the Fethard Historical Society are preparing for the Tipperariana Book Fair on Sunday 8th February. The fair, now in its fourteenth year, has become a ‘must go to’ event for hundreds of people from all over the county, and many more from outside the county as well.

Over thirty book dealers from across the country fill the Ballroom with thousands of books of all shapes, sizes and subject matter. And the big spenders are the ‘collectors’ who come looking for that special book that they have been seeking to lay hands on for years.

One of the ways that the Historical Society makes some income is to sell ‘donated’ books at its own stall on the day. Therefore, the Society will gratefully receive donations of books from the public. Of course, donations of complete ‘Book Collections’ - which does happen from time to time - is an especially welcome help to the organizers.

The Society plans to publish two books itself this year. One, on Heraldry and Family Plaques in the Fethard area, by Gerard Crotty, and also a major history of the Fethard Area by Michael O’Donnell. These publications will be costly to produce and therefore the Fethard Historical Society will be especially grateful this year for all the support it can get.

It has been the policy of the Society from the beginning, to invite authors of ‘Tipperary Interest Books’- published in the preceding year- to come to the fair, to promote, sell and sign their books. 2008 was again a fruitful year for Tipperary books with over thirty major publications coming out in the county and many of these authors will be present on the day.

Now is the time to go through your books or to ask you family or friends to donate any unwanted books to a good cause. Any member of the committee will be glad to collect the books from you and contact can be made via bookfair@fethard.com or by phoning 052 23402(Terry Cunningham) or 052 31936 (Doirin Saurus).