Please support Fethard Youth Centre
Please help FETHARD YOUTH CENTRE / INTERNET CAFE win the local AIB Better Ireland Award by voting online
Select Fethard branch and vote for Fethard Youth Centre. You can vote once per day up to 15th March 2010. You can also text FETHARD A to 51303 standard text rate.
As part of the Better Ireland Programme, Fethard AIB branch has €10,000 to give to deserving children's projects in Fethard area. First Prize €5,000, Second Prize €3,00 and Third Prize €2,000. PLEASE help us by supporting FETHARD YOUTH CENTRE!
Geraldine White in Madeira
Geraldine White originally from Rathkenny, Fethard, and now living and running Vila da Rocha restaurant in Funchal, Madeira, send us the following news and photographs.
Things here are pretty bad, it will take an awful long time to repair and rebuild everything. Funchal central is very badly hit, particularly the shopping areas, market areas and cafe areas.
Also very badly hit is Ribeira Brava west of the Island and to a certain degree Santa Cruz to the east. Our Restaurant, Vila da Rocha, was not badly damaged apart from mud and water etc but the road outside is in total ruins. The bridge opposite us is almost gone and 30% of the roadside has gone into the ravine. Three of our cars were swept away with the force of the water. We had to climb out the back of the Restaurant and wade through mud and gushing water to get to a place where a car could pick us up.
People further up behind Monte in Babosas lost their homes completely and there was a small chapel and cemetery there which has all been washed away. In Funchal itself they are still clearing away mud and debris - especially around the Dolce Vita Comercial Centre area which has a huge car park going down 5 floors. We are in a state of emergency but our services are coping well. Madeira will of course need assistance from the European Union and help to rehouse people. Insurance on homes, cars, business etc will obviously take time and the renewal payments will probably be huge.
The Portuguese Red Cross and Caritas Portuguesa are putting phone lines and bank account details in place later today should people wish to donate to the clear up etc. We are in three days of mourning as from today. The weather is still bad, rain and wind predicted for the coming days and there are parts that are so wet there could be further landslides. There are about 200 people being housed at the local army barracks and they are in urgent need of clothes, bedding and dry/tinned foods. People in Madeira are all helping each other which is heartwarming to see. It is heart breaking for Govenor, Alberto Joao Jardim to see Madeira in such a terrible state, he has spent over 25 years building it into the Paradise it is. With hope, help and lots of determination we hope to get Madeira back on track as soon as possible. Madeira is very dependent on Tourism and it would be another disaster for the Island if people stopped coming because of these tragic events.
Let me know if I can be of any help with more information for anyone.
Kind regards from Funchal.
Geraldine White
Juvenile GAA Club News
Fethard GAA members are photographed above after lowering the wall that adjoined the tennis courts in the interest of security and opening of the view of the whole area. The work showed great commitment and community spirit as people gave of their time and skills for the benefit of the club. It is also planned to power wash the tennis courts. Included in the photograph are L to R: Andrew O'Donovan, P.J. Aherne, Pat Sheehan, Tom Anglim, Seamus Barry, Mary Godfrey, John Hurley, Keenan Aherne, Michael O'Mahony, Tom Keane, Michael Carroll, Frank O'Donovan, Michael Quinlan and Austin Godfrey.
Members of the GAA club were busy this weekend, making our GAA Field more visibly safe for all. This work was planned and carried out by dedicated people who have obviously got GAA running through their blood. Thank you to all who turned out to help, especially Noelle Aherne who provided a very welcome snack during the morning.
But lets not forget that while this was going on, in the background was Mary and Austie Godfrey picking up rubbish and other items from our field, in order to make it a safe and more presentable place for all. This is not the first time that Mary and Austie have done this. They are there on a regular basis cleaning up after those who seem fit to leave all sorts behind. Many would say you’re wasting your time asking, but here goes anyway, Please, those of you who choose to jump the wall and do what you do, have a bit of consideration for the fact that you have to be cleaned up after so your friends, younger siblings or even kids are safe to be here. Maybe you could find somewhere else to go or bring your rubbish away with you.
Training for U14 to U16 has now been back for a couple of weeks. Training for U12, U10, U8, U6, will be advised soon.
We have now secured a Juvenile Player's Representative and welcome Ronan Fitzgerald to our committee. We look forward to seeing him at our regular meetings.
A number of players travelled to Ned Hall Park on Monday last to attend the U16 trials.
Registration is still ongoing, you can contact our secretary, Ann on 086 895 3925 for further information. Membership will cover you for hurling and football as well as using our Sports Centre which has racquetball, handball and tennis courts.
Good luck to those who are in Tuesday's Lotto. If anyone would like to purchase a lotto ticket at €2 each, let our secretary Ann know.
Fethard GAA Club News
The County Senior Football League is scheduled to commence weekending 27th February. Club Membership is now due for players, adults and juveniles, please contact Jimmy O’Shea, Mary Godfrey, Nicky O’Shea or Gus Fitzgerald with your payment.
Tipperary County Club Membership final draw for March/April will be held in Butlers Bar, Main Street, Fethard, on Friday 12th March, where prize presentation to recent winners will also take place. All are welcome.
The local Community Sports Lotto jackpot of €4,500 was not won. The numbers drawn were 7, 10, 14 and 19. We had two match three winners of €75 each to Larry Kehoe, Monroe, Fethard; and Anna Cooke, 49 St Patricks Place, Fethard. The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Josie Fitzgerald, Kiltinan, Fethard. Thanks to Clonmel Oil for providing the tickets.
Places Available on Beginners Computer Course
We would like to inform that there are still a limited number of places available on the Beginners Computer Classes, to commence on Tuesday next, 23rd February. These classes will be held from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the Internet Café at Fethard Youth Centre and will run for six weeks. Another course, being held on Wednesday mornings, commenced on Ash Wednesday and has the full complement of participants. These course are being organised by Fethard & Killusty Community Council, in conjunction with South Tipperary VEC, and will cover introduction to computers; using the Internet and E-mail and Basic Typing. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Marion at Fethard Youth Centre, phone: (052) 6132611, from 10am to 4.30pm, Monday and Tuesday, and from 10am to 1pm on Wednesday, or the Community Office, phone: (052) 6131000.
‘Me, myself and I’ – personal development course
A Personal Development Course that looks at our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual selves and helps us to discover ways of improving our lives — live the life you want to live and find peace and joy in every day, will take place at Tipperary Institute Clonmel Campus, commencing on Tuesday 23rd February from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, for eight weeks. The course facilitator is Deirdre Brady, Tera Mai Reiki and Seichim Master, and the fee is €120. For further information contact: (052) 6132277 or (086) 6006283.
Died Recently
 The death has occurred on Tuesday 16th February of Mr. Frank Wyatt, Jossestown.
Reposing at his home, Thursday 18th February, from 12 noon to 6pm. Funeral Mass on Friday in the Holy Trinity Church Fethard at 11am, followed by burial in Ballylanders Cemetery, Co. Limerick.
Family flowers only, donations, if desired, to Fethard and Killusty Day Care Centre, Fethard.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on 10th February were: 5, 6, 7 and 24. We had no Jackpot winner and two ‘Match 3’ winners who received €75 each: Larry Keogh, c/o Tom Purcell; and Fogartys, Congress Terrace, Fethard.
The three following Lucky Dip winners received €50 each: Pat Carroll, Main Street, Fethard; Helen Grace, Barrack Street, Fethard; and Annette O'Meara, Woodvale Walk, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.
Book Fair a success for Historical Society
The fifteenth annual Tipperariana Book Fair, organised by the Fethard Historical Society, took place in the Fethard Ballroom last Sunday, 14th February, and yet again drew in over 500 people from county and country.
Not alone was there more visitors than last year – when the weather was very bad – but there were also four new book dealers, bringing the number to thirty-four, and overall it was a very successful event for everyone involved.
Books were being sold from ‘ten for a Euro’ on the Historical Society stand, up to €850 for a copy of ‘The Place-Names of Decies’ by Very Rev. P. Canon Power, being sold by a dealer from Dublin. The organisers again wish to thank the Ballroom committee and all those who donated books. It is a great help as the dealers scan the stalls looking for the ‘find’ that could make their day.
Poet and author, Michael Coady from Carrick-on-Suir, signing copies of his recent publication 'Going by Water' at the Book Fair.
A great feature of the day is the presence of authors of ‘Tipperary interest’ books. Many people want to meet the authors of local books, to have them signed, but also to supply some added information or maybe even ‘point out a mistake’ !
Dr. Risteárd Mulcahy was very busy selling and signing his book ‘My Father, The General’ and without question that period of Irish history, from 1916 to 1922, is still fascinating for most Irish people.
Michael Coady of Carrick was there with his widely acclaimed new book of poetry, prose and photographs, ‘Going by Water’. In it there is an amazing real life photo of a coffin of his friend being taken by boat up the Suir for burial.
Dr. Seán O’Donnell was there with ‘Clonmel 1900-1932 A History’, as was Bob Keating with his ‘Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins Still Making History’, both again published in 2009.
From up the county the Nenagh Writers Group came with ‘Top of the Pile’, an anthology of their work, and Margaret Maher Gleeson with her Moyne play ‘Captain Jeremiah Grant – The Highwayman’ which, hopefully, will get staged in the county in the near future.
L to R: sisters Emma Burke and Gillian Burke photographed at the Tipperariana Book Fair.
L to R: sisters Amy and Suzanna Lalor browsing the childrens books section at the Tipperariana Book Fair.
Collector, John Ryan and his wife Mary from Clonmel photographed at their Tipperariana Book Fair stall.
L to R: Niamh Morrissey and Kate O'Donnell at the Tipperariana Book Fair.
L to R: Deirdre Dwyer and Lucy Butler helping at the Fethard Historical Society stall.
Liam Noonan selling limited copies of 'The Nation' at the Slieveardagh Rural Development stall at the Tipperariana Book Fair in Fethard Ballroom. Also included standing L to R: are Cllr John Fahey, Mally Noonan and Vicky Moore.
Mary Quirke and Brendan Kenny at the Fethard Historical Society stall.
Deirdre Brady Smith and Jimmy Smith looking at books at the Tipperariana Book Fair on Valentine's Day in Fethard Ballroom.
Book lovers browsing at the book fair
Bookdealer, John Ryan from Clonmel, making a bargain
Profit will be put to good use
The proceeds of the Book Fair will be put to good use by the Historical society during 2010. Soon the society will be publishing a book on the Heraldry of Fethard, and will then help Michael O’Donnell launch and sell his ‘massive’ history of Fethard, which he has completed and is due to be published this summer.
Hopefully the Medieval Festival will take place on Sunday 22nd August and the Historical Society intends to get more ‘medieval’ costumes, shields and banners made to make the occasion even more colourful than the past three-year’s events.
The Festival is a big undertaking and whether it goes ahead or not will depend on state funding and the availability of help and support from across the community. Last year the organisers spent over sixteen thousand Euro, most of it grant money, staging the event.
Anyone wishing to join the Historical Society can contact Pat Looby, Kerry Street, by email: patlooby@fethard.com, by phone (052) 6131537 or by coming along to the AGM on Tuesday 31st March in the Abymill Theatre. Family membership for the year is ten Euro.
L to R: Tom Nealon and Willie Nolan at the book fair
Suzanna Manton and Tony O'Dwyer at the book fair
L to R: Liam Burke and Michael Hogan at the book fair
Photographed at the book fair L to R: Tom Nealon, Michael Coady, Liam O Duibhir and Larry O'Gorman
Canon Tom Breen P.P. and Terry Cunningham at the Book Fair
At the book fair L to R: James O'Dea, Eamon Keane and Joe Ryan.
Fethard Bridge Club
On 10th February we played the third round of the Player of the Year competition, which was a change of partner, and the results were: 1st Gross, Kay St. John and Anne O’Dea; 2nd Gross, Nell Broderick and Suzanne Opray; 1st Nett, Berney Myles and Rose Lonergan; 2nd Nett, Rita Kane and Mary Delaney.
Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 6132038.
Fethard Rugby Club Notes
Fethard under 13s took on Nenagh in the league on Sunday last and came away with a great victory, this was the best performance of the season from this young team. Paudie Feehan made numerous tackles and had great support from Liam Meagher, Harry Tobin and Luke Ryan. The Fethard pack took on everything that the bigger Nenagh pack threw at them and came out on top. Paul Moloney, Tommy Murphy and Jason Ryan put in great defensive work while Tom Stakelum, Rory Hayes and Jack Gleeson had great games in attack.
Fethard spread the ball wide and great hands from Ben Murray and Christian Casey released the elusive running Darren Prout for two well taken tries. Fethard introduced John Clancy, Richard Ivors and Matthew Lynch during the second half and all these lads made great contributions. We train again on Friday night and a big turn out is expected.
Fethard J2s travelled to Thurles on Sunday evening and came up against a well drilled Thurles side, The first twenty minutes were very even with both sides taking well worth tries, Jimmy O'Brien put in a nice grubber kick behind the Thurles defence and the alert Shane Kenny was on hand to gather and score on the corner. Thurles turned out to be the better team on the day but Liam Moloney had a very impressive debut for the club making many great tackles and he was well assisted by Paul Ronan, James Smith, John Fitzgerald and John Hannigan until injured.
While many tackles were missed in the backs the relatively new Sean O'Meara had a fine game as had Martin Murphy, Alan O'Connor, Declan Doyle and Peter Collier. This team in its first season has put in some fine performances, but we need to bring it to the next level to produce a performance over the 80 minutes.
Our under 19s hosted Waterford City and both teams produced a great game of rugby. Waterford were quicker to settle and ran in two great tries in the first quarter, and were dominant in all areas of the field at this stage. Fethard settled into the game and their confidence was restored with some great line breaking runs from Shane Kavanagh, Colm Shanahan and Andy Walsh with Jonathon Fleming on the wing looking menacing with every chance he got.
Waterford repelled every attach and held their 10 point advantage at half time. Fethard used their line out to set a good platform for continuous pressure on the Waterford line with Kevin Hayes finding his jumpers with great accuracy and Andy Kelly varying the calls they contrived to keep the pressure on the Waterford line. This pressure was eventually rewarded with Kieran Power broke from the back of the scrum to touch down for a try. Ben Walsh converted.
All the team were now working for a win and Fethard were literally camped on the Waterford line for the last 10 minutes, a try looked inevitable only to be denied by stout Waterford defence. Fethard were rewarded when a penalty in the last minute was converted to tie the game. Eoin O'Connell at full back had a ‘man of the match’ performance for Fethard while Eoin Healy's speed when introduced gave Fethard an extra dimension. Fethard conceded 14 penalties at the breakdown and we need to work on this, a great performance however, a full panel at training would bring this team to the next level.
With the White Heathers
Out hunting on Sunday last with the Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers were L to R: Paddy Clancy, Donnie Slattery and Derek Walsh
A good number of followers turned out for the meet at Thorny Bridge on Sunday on a bright, though cold, morning that held just a hint of Spring. First draw at Ballyboe held a fox which hounds quickly caught. A fox from Templeetney was lost after a short run, scent seeming to be not the best. Moving on to William Burke’s they found again. This fox provided the best run of the day. He ran to the Anner which he crossed and back to the first draw at Ballyboe where they lost him. Returning to William Burke’s they found in the covert behind Kilmore House and ran down by Malcolmson’s to Ballyvaughan where they lost him.
The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers are currently promoting their Annual Draw. While the country may be in recession nevertheless, to comply with new health and safety regulations, Kennel maintenance expenses are ever increasing. Tickets for the draw are €2 each, or a book of three for €5. The White Heathers are confident that the support of supporters, friends and followers of this long established pack will be forthcoming this year, as always. The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers meet on Sunday next, 21st February at Coolbawn Cross and on Sunday 28th at Coolmoyne, at 11am.
Hunting News
Best day of a good week for Tipperary Foxhounds was from Cloneen on Saturday. Following a very busy morning with plenty of good hunting and jumping through Rathkenny, Spike, Knockelly, Everardsgrange and Bennettshill areas, hounds finished the day with an excellent hunt from Byrneskill. Finding near the Fethard – Killusty Road they hunted towards Carrigbawn. Swinging right-handed here Charlie crossed the Fethard-Cloneen Road. Hunting well through Carroll’s this fox ran to Ballinard Wood which he skirted, then on to Tinakelly. Turning left here they hunted back to Friarsgrange where they finished a day thoroughly enjoyed by a field of sixty mounted followers.
As others see us . . .
A lady visitor from England confronted by her first Tipperary bank exclaimed, “Surely, we are not expected to jump that!” However, when she saw juveniles of all ages taking it on she decided to have a go. When she got on top and saw the wide drain on the far side she, “thought it was the end of the world”. Fortunately, she survived the experience and quite a few more and is looking forward to returning for more of the same in the future.
A Dutchman interested in Equestrian sports contacted the Tipps enquiring if it would be okay to come and see hunting which he had never witnessed. Told he would be more than welcome he arrived and a committee member took him around by car. Noticing Donie Slattery on point on the Ballinard road he wanted to know, “who was the foolish rider staying there all on his own?” He was informed that he was on lookout to see if the fox slipped away on that side. “But how will he know if all the riders go away on the other side?” When told that as soon as the huntsman blew ‘Gone Away’ (or ‘Come on the field’) the rider would be gone like a rocket. He could not quite figure it out. However, his guide gave him a mount before he left and a few pops over a nice bank. He turned out to be quite an accomplished horseman and stated he would be back again to sample Irish hunting at close quarters.
To make up for the hunting days lost during the severe frost the Tipperary Foxhounds intend to extend the season this year to mid-March.
There are only a few days left to purchase tickets for the Bay Hunter (16h), which is being raffled. The draw will take place on this Saturday night, 20th February, at the Hunt Ball in Kilcoran Lodge Hotel. Tickets are available from any committee member or by contacting 086 8090709.
Fethard and Killusty Community Games Juvenile Quiz
Taking part in the Fethard Area Community Games Table Quiz at Fethard Youth Centre were L to R: Dean Kenny, Ronan Coffey, Molly O'Meara, Megan Coen and Sarah O'Donnell.
The Area final of U14 Juvenile Quiz took place in the Fethard Youth Café, Main Street, on Tuesday 9th February. There was a good attendance on what proved to be a very enjoyable evening. The competition was very close with the first six teams scoring 51, 49, 47, 46 and a couple on 45 points out of a possible 70. It was good experience for the children.
Taking part in the Fethard Area Community Games Table Quiz at Fethard Youth Centre were L to R: Amy Tynan, Niamh Shanahan, Katie Butler and Jessie McCarthy.
Congratulations to the following medallists. The winning team from Fethard consisted of Amy Tynan, Katie Butler, Niamh Shanahan and Jessie McCarthy; silver medal winners from Killusty were Ronan Coffey, Dean Kenny, Megan Coen, Molly O’Meara, Sarah O’Donnell and Orla Walsh. In third place, also from Fethard, were Annie Prout, Kiya Burke, Nicola Thompson and Aine Proudfoot.
In addition to the three teams mentioned it is possible for further teams to compete at the County Final in Thurles on Friday 5th March if they wish. Entry fee is €6 per team paid on the night. This is the only competition on the Calendar where there is no restriction on the number of teams representing an area provided that they reside in same and are under the age on 31st July.
Taking part in the Fethard Area Community Games Table Quiz at Fethard Youth Centre were L to R: Alex O'Donovan, Dean Dorney, Conor Mackey and Mike Earl.
Special word of thanks to Fethard Community Council for use of their excellent facility, to Mary Healy who was a fantastic quiz master, to Margaret Burke and Catherine McCormack CDO FÁS for their input, to Gerard Manton, Joe Kenny, Helena O’Shea, Alice Butler, Joe Keane, Sonia Bonelli, Shem Butler, Frances Harrington and all who contributed to the success of the evening.
Taking part in the Fethard Area Community Games Table Quiz at Fethard Youth Centre were L to R: Jade Callanan, Alannah Coady, Emma Keating, Sandra Needham and Sadie McGrath.
Taking part in the Fethard Area Community Games Table Quiz at Fethard Youth Centre were L to R: Harry Butler, Jack Ward, Liam Quigley and Jesse McCormack.
Taking part in the Fethard Area Community Games Table Quiz at Fethard Youth Centre were L to R: Chloe Nolan, Amy Cowlard and Farrah Cummins Doyle.
Children are now asked to please prepare their submissions for the Art & Model Making Area finals. Closing date for collection of pictures etc. is Wednesday 3rd March when all schools in Fethard and Killusty will be visited and entries collected along with fee of €2. If a child is attending school in Moyglass, Cloneen, Lisronagh, Rosegreen etc., but living in the parish of Fethard and would like to take part, we ask the school to contact the Community Games Office at 052 6131906, 086 8110768 or 086 3777812 and we will arrange to collect same or they may also deliver their entry to the Community Games Office at Grove Road. Good luck to all.
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