Fethard Medieval Festival fast approaching - 23rd August

Johnny Sheehan showing some of his new woodturning craft items he is making to sell at the Fethard Town Wall Medieval Festival on Sunday 23rd August. Johnny is now 84 years of age and is still producing beautiful work from his home in St. Patrick's Place.
Family Shields and Flags
As mentioned a few weeks back there will be workshops next week to paint the ‘family shields’ of the descendants of the Norman families that came to Fethard from 1200 onwards. The Irish families — Kennedys, O’Connors, Phelans, Ryans, O’Dwyers, McCarthys, O’Briens, McGraths, Mahers, O’Donnells, O’Neills, etc will have their say next year when banners and flags will be created after their manner. The Irish chiefs and families did not take readily to the introduced Norman heraldic system, although over time most Irish families had a ‘family crest’ attributed to them.

Join in the Family Shield Workshops
If your family name is: Roche, Cromp, Desmond, Hackett, Wall, Mockler, Stokes, Tobin, Purcell, Butler, Everard, Neville, Shorthall, Prendergast, Walsh, Sinnot, Bermingham, Archdekin, Grant, Bray, Power, Grace, Burke, Hayes, Barrett, Mandeville, Nevin, Condon, Russell, Laffan, Netterville, Burden, Carbery, Stapleton, Dalton, Carew, Maunsell, Devereaux, Archer, Collier, Landy, Fanning, Cantwell, Keating, du Fresne, Tyrell, Cussin, Morris, Scadan — then contact festival@fethard.com or phone (052) 6131000. Leave your Family Name, phone number (mobile is best), when free (day or evening) and then the dates and times of next week’s workshops will be given out, and hopefully all families can be accommodated. There will be no cost involved and the plan is to hang the family shields on the Town Wall for this and future festivals.
Fancy Dress Parade
This year’s Fethard Medieval Fancy Dress Parade will take place on Sunday 23rd August with lots of prizes to be won. We ask children and parents to make a special effort to dress up in costume and participate in this year’s parade and events by the medieval town wall at The Valley. The Fancy Dress Parade will commence at 2pm from the Town Hall. More festival details next week or keep up to date by visiting fethardfestival.com for updates and news.
A surprise
There is one further ‘item’ of great interest in transit to Fethard, but until it reaches our shores we cannot be sure that it will appear. Suffice is to say that we all could strike gold if and when it does appear. Enough said for now!
Help Needed
As with every community event, voluntary help is crucial to its success. If you would like to help out at this year’s medieval festival, especially by the Town Wall on Sunday, please contact (052) 6131000 and we will get back to you. We need help on our entertainment stalls and also during the parade – we have a lot of Irish Wolfhounds and each needs a handler! If you’re good with dogs be sure to let us know.
Childrens’ Medieval Tapestry Free Workshop
As part of this year’s Fethard Walled Town Medieval Festival, Children aged 8 to 14 are welcome to enroll for a series of Workshops, led by artist Pat Looby. This is a textile art project based on medieval tapestries. Children will learn how to draw, paint and sew on to fabric and will create a new Tapestry based on the Medieval features of Fethard.
The finished Tapestry will be part of the Fethard Walled Towns Day Festival on 23rd August and will then go on permanent display at the Fethard Youth Centre.
The workshops will take place from Monday 17th August to Friday 21st August, from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. Booking Essential. Special workshop for 5 to 7 year olds will take place on Monday 17th August from 11am to 12.30pm. The workshops are free and will be held at O'Sullivan's Main Street (formerly Dillons' Chemist). To enroll please call: (052) 6131000.
Childrens Colouring Competition for Medieval Festival

This drawing by Tom Tierney of thirteenth-century nobility was chosen as this year’s Fethard Town Wall Medieval Festival colouring competition for 6 year olds and over.
Information about the clothes in the drawing show — Left: The waist of the noblewoman’s gown has moved to just under the bosom; the skirt has an extremely long train. She wares a steeple hennin (headdress) with a loose veil. Right: The gentleman’s cote, or jacket, is cut short, showing his legs to advantage. Featuring padded and puffed shoulders and slashed hanging sleeves, his cote has a fur-trimmed collar. Around his neck he wears a circlet of fur.
The competition rules are as follows:
(A) Completed entries must be submitted to the Community Centre, Barrack Street, or Newport’s Newsagency by 4pm on Friday 21st August, 2009; (B) Make sure to put your name, age, address and telephone number on reverse; (C) The use of crayons, markers, colouring pencils and paint is permitted; (D) Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd subject to sufficient entries. Judges decision is final.
Copies of the image (A4 size) can be downloaded or available from Newport’s Newsagency and the Tirry Community Centre.
New 'Castle Racing Syndicate'

Photographed at the launch of the new Castle Racing Syndicate at the Castle Inn last weekend were shareholders Back L to R: Nial Nevin (trainer), Paddy Cooney, Paddy Anglim, 'Sparky' Sabatini, Majella O'Donnell, Mick Kennedy, Michael Coen, Brud Roche, Terry O'Neill. Front L to R: Noel Sharpe (proprietor), Leo Darcy, Paddy Power, Kathleen Connolly, Irene Sharpe. Other share holders are: Bill Pollard, Alan Condon, Elaine McGarry and Declan Nevin.
Ladies Football Club
Fethard and Killusty Ladies Football Club would like to thank all who supported the Sky Dive which took place recently in Co Offaly. To Maureen, Alice and Caroline, a huge ‘Thank You’. On the junior scene we had two easy winners against Emly and Upperchurch. We probably will have a game this weekend. All players will be notified by text.
We only have one team for the County Golf Classic at the moment. We need two more. Please support the County Golf Classic in Cahir Park Golf Club.
Legendary Loudest Whisper
Loudest Whisper will make a welcome return visit to Butler's Bar, Fethard, on Friday 28th August, when they play their unique blend of Folk/Rock music. The band is considered ‘Legendary’ in many quarters and should not to be missed.
Birthday Girls on the town!

Birthday girl Helen Hogan and her friends photographed at the Pheasant Plucker's Gig at McCarthys L to R: Ellen Hogan, Philippa Hogan, Helen Hogan, Ann Morgan, Margaret Hogan and Noreen Hackett.
Concern Collection
On behalf if the Collectors we would like to Thank all who supported so generously the Concern collection taken up recently in Fethard/Killusty. The sum of €815.49 was raised. Many Thanks.
‘Slimathon 234’ concludes at Butlers on Friday 14th
A ‘Slimathon 234’ in aid of the Richard Quirke Fund, a 24-year-old acquired brain injury victim, concludes on Friday 14th August in Butlers Bar, Fethard. This unique and novel fundraiser ‘Slimathon 234’ is where two people in three weeks (between them) lose four stone weight.
The participants in this event have just achieved that with a strict diet and lots of hard work and are now ready to celebrate on this Friday night. The response to the request for sponsorship has been phenomenal and a sincere thanks to all who subscribed.
On Friday night in Butlers there will be music, great craic and a monster raffle to raise further funds for this worthy cause. Please come along and support this worthy cause.
Home from Bristol

Frank and Rita Flanagan (nee Fitzgerald) photographed while home recently from Bristol to attend a family wedding. Rita is formerly from Kiltinan and Frank is formerly from Tullamaine.
Community Games
Fethard and Killusty Community Games committee wish to thank all those who so generously supported their annual church gate collection last weekend. The committee would also like to wish the best of luck to Caroline Stokes who will compete in the U-12 Backstroke swimming event at the HSE Community Games National Finals in Athlone this weekend.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on 5th August were 8, 20, 29 and 31. We had no Jackpot winner and one ‘Match 3’ winner who received €150:
Mary Brown, c/o Kitty O'Donnell.
The three following Lucky Dip winners received €50 each:
Angela Connery, Rath Luas, Powerstown, Clonmel;
Phil Wyatt, Jossestown, Fethard;
Breda Ryan, Coolmoyne Cross, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.
Well done Alan!

Congratulations to Alan O'Meara, who was recently conferred with a Masters in Science Technology and Learning from Trinity College Dublin. Alan is the youngest son of Nora and the late Michael O'Meara, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard. L to R: Alan O'Meara, Mary Robinson (former President of Ireland and Chancellor of Trinity College) and Nora O'Meara.
Fethard Juvenile GAA Club News
The Under-14s played a thrilling game of hurling in their south championship bid at home to Skeheenarinka last Thursday evening. It was a great match and we were fortunate to come away with a well deserved draw. Well done to this team, they have the potential to go all the way to a south final.
Congratulations to Dylan Fitzgerald and Arron Conran who represented their club and county in hurling over the weekend in Cork. Dylan Fitzgerald was presented with a beautiful trophy after he was selected ‘Under-15 Player of the Tournament’. Well done Dylan on this great achievement.
The Under-16s are at home to Mullinahone on Monday evening, results next week.
The Juvenile Club remind you of our Golf Classic on 15th August at Slievenamon Golf Club. If you are interested in entering a team please contact Andy O’Donovan. Our ‘prize-giving night’ will be held in Lonergans pub at 9pm after the Golf Classic. Please support this worthy cause for the juveniles of Fethard.
Holy Year Cross Pilgrimage this Sunday
This year’s pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon will take place on this Sunday 16th August, leaving the wall at 2pm. Mass will be celebrated at approximately 3pm in O’Donnell’s field. Community members are asked to make a special effort to come along and participate in this year’s climb, dedicated to victims of child abuse. Perhaps a few extra prayers for the Tipperary team mightn’t go astray either.s
Enjoying the Dublin City Ramblers

Photographed at the Dublin City Ramblers in Fethard last weekend were L to R: Kimberly Varner, Martin Cuddihy, Mick Lyons, Patrice Tobin and Stephen Nagle.

Photographed at the Dublin City Ramblers in Fethard last weekend were L to R: Helena Fanning, Pamela Daly and Annette O'Meara.

Tom Walsh and Linda Byrne photographed at the Dublin City Ramblers in Fethard last Saturday night.

Breda Dwyer and Declan Flanagan at the Dublin City Ramblers in Fethard last Saturday night.

Photographed at the Dublin City Ramblers at Lonergans last weekend were L to R: Helen Gazely, John Doyle, Colette Doyle and Prescilla Doyle.

Majella Guerin photographed at the Dublin City Ramblers in Fethard last Saturday night.

Photographed at the Dublin City Ramblers in Fethard last weekend were L to R: Ned Mulcahy, Kathleen Mulcahy (Drangan), Stephen Vanoli and Annie Vanoli, visiting from London.

John and Roseanne Carroll and family friends photographed at the Dublin City Ramblers in Fethard last Saturday night.
Badgers Over-30s Soccer
It's an ill wind that doesn’t bring some good and so it was with this wet summer, conditions for games every Wednesday night have been next to perfect and good competitive games were enjoyed by all.
Now there’s much more serious ‘goings on’ as members prepare for the forthcoming sponsored cycle round the mountain on the 22nd August. Some are training alone while others meet up at weekends to build up some miles and get their muscles and buttocks toned for the long distance track. That's the easy part, the hardest part is to find people willing to lay down their money and support the worthy charity — Sr. Winnie's Zimbabwe appeal. Most of us have never experienced real poverty and hopefully never will. But for the people of Zimbabwe, the money raised will go to relieve a hand to mouth existence experienced everyday.
So please support this worthy cause and give generously. Anyone interested in taking part in the sponsored cycle or in our great games of soccer on Wednesday nights, can call the numbers below or drop up to the Community Field on Wednesday nights from 8pm on. Phone details: Kevin 086 63850858, Andy 087 9882344, Colm 086 3502360
Fethard Macra News
Beef and Stock Judging will take place on Thursday 13th August at 7.30pm at James O’Brien’s farm at Kilmolash on the N24 near Suir Haul. An outing to Clonmel Bowling Alley will take place on Friday 14th August at 8pm, all welcome to attend.
Fethard Macra will participate in the Fethard Town Wall day on 23rd August.
The next meeting of Fethard Macra will take place on the 19th August at Butlers Bar in Fethard at 9pm. For further information contact Michael at 087 9019443 or email fethardmacra@gmail.com. Info also found on Fethard Macra at facebook.
Married Recently

Recently married in Abbeyleix, Co Laois, were Mr Jimmy Butler, son of Shem and Marie Butler, Garrinch, Fethard, and Jennifer Walker from Wicklow.
Thank You
The Irish Pilgrimage Trust wishes to thank all the very generous subscribers to the recent Church Gate Collection in Clonmel. There was a marvellous response, €3373.06 was collected. Sincere thanks is also due to the many loyal collectors who help at this annual collection. A reminder for all that application forms for future pilgrimages to Lourdes are now available, please contact 051-646074. Should you know or wish to nominate a young person with special needs please phone now for a form.
Fethard GAA Club News
Fethard Intermediate Hurlers played on Sunday last for top of the table position in the penultimate Round 6 and, as turned out, just made the 4th position with a semifinal game against Carrick Davins again in a few weeks time. The game on Sunday never reached the heights and intensity of knockout with Davins doing just enough to win on a scoreline, Davins 1-19, Fethard 1-12. Those who tried hardest for Fethard were Brian Coen, John P Looby, Miceál Spillane and Tomás Keane.
Team: JP McGrath, Michael Carroll, Mikey Aherne, Declan Doyle, Johnny O’Halloran, Shane Walsh (2f), Eoin O’Connell, Cian Maher, Brian Coen 0-4 (1f), Dean Tobin 0-1f, John P Looby 0-3, Tomas Keane, Eoin Doyle, Miceál Spillane 1-1, and Alan O’Connor. Subs were: Alan Bourke 0-1, Johnny Leahy and Ciaran Ryan.
Best of Luck to our senior footballers in the South semifinal on this Friday evening, 14th August, in Clonmel at 7.15pm.
Our Junior A footballers await the decision of the Board with regard to the placings of their place in the (A) as quarter-finals are ready to move forward.
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