Moyglass Festival has another successful year

Seamus Barry (right) talking to Alex Crosse on his Fowell 1908 agricultural traction steam engine in perfect working order, at the Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club's Family Day

Coolmoyne and Moyglass Vintage Club in conjunction with The Premier harriers and Moyglass hall committee held a two-day festival on Saturday, July 28, and Sunday July 29. The charity to benefit this year is end of life care committee at South Tipperary General Hospital.
The festival commenced with A vintage tractor run from the community hall via Coolbawn, Knockelly, stopover at Fethard Ballroom to rest the vehicles and drivers, Cashel Road, Prospect, Barrettstown, Coolmoyne, Mockler's Hill, Dualla, Ballinure, Silverfort and back to Moyglass, where the drivers enjoyed some food and chatted about the run at The Village Inn. The event was blessed with a dry and sunny evening, a rare occurrence in an otherwise wet summer. The weather is most important for the run as most vehicles belong to an era where cabs were not an integral component of the tractor. The tractors dated from the forties onwards. There was an unusual selection of equal wheeled four-wheel drives, namely Mercedes, Belarus, County and Massey Ferguson.


At the Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club's Family Day are L to R: Sean Cordial, Michael Kirwan, Jim Ryan and Richie Ryan

The Premier Harriers held their hog roast on Saturday night, where traditional music and good food was enjoyed by all.
The venue for the static show on Sunday was kindly provided by the hall committee. This was a huge success as the exhibitors were on hard standing. Many shows have been cancelled this year as fields were too wet. Paul Kavanagh provided car parking for the public. There were approximately one hundred entries between cars and tractors. The vintage club are very grateful to all the entrants from far and near. The large local contingent was boosted by entries from Kilkenny, Mitchelstown, Carlow, Clare, Clonmel, Drangan, Mullinahone, Newcastle, Thurles, Carrick-on-Suir, Fermoy, Waterford, Newport etc. The vintage cars included Austin, Triumph, Mercedes, Morris, Ford, MGB Roadster, Reliant, Hillman, Woolseley, Toyota, Bentley, BMW and Landrover. Tractors included Massey Ferguson, Ford, Nuffield, Alice Chalmers, Lanz etc. A silage outfit with tractors from the seventies and a Krone silage trailer from the sixties was also on display. The star attraction was the 1908 Fowell Steam engine in perfect working order.


At the Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club's Family Day are L to R: Larry Ryan (Coolmoyne) and Michael Smyth (Coolbawn)

There was also a large display of stationery engines. Some of those included, a selection of working model steam engines with side valves and pistol valves, a 1912 Maytag washing machine engine, these were built as most houses did not have electricity for the electric motor developed around 1910. A jam jar was often used as a petrol tank. Other stationary engines included Petter Ava 15hp dated 1930, Wolseley WD 3hp dated 1948, Lister engine and Lister pump,1948 and 1950 Lister engines, Lister D 2hp, Rustora Hornby 4 hp dated 1935, a battery charger dated 1930 that was used by the American army to charge batteries for the two way radios. Another very interesting item was a 1955 Ransome mgc 6hp track machine.


At the Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club's Family Day are L to R: Lisa Curran, Emma Curran and Aisling Kelly from Moyglass.

Horse implements included a Bedford drill plough, Pierce plough, Pierce tumbling rake, hay car, and a horse carriage. These items are all over one hundred years old.


John Smullen, Moyglass Kennels, presenting 'Best in the Show' prize to Sean Nash, Drangan, and his dog Ruby, winner in the Dog Show at the Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club's Family Day.

The dog show was won by Sean Nash from Drangan with his red setter named Ruby, Michelle Ryall won the owner and dog race with Jessie. John Smullen of Moyglass Kennels kindly sponsored a perpetual trophy for the winner and also judged the show. Pat White provided a dramatic air display for the audience.


At the Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club's Family Day are L to R: Aideen Delaney, Molly O'Meara, Jess Gleeson and Emma Purcell

Kevin and Noel O'Dwyer provided a selection of home cooked brown bread and scones. Jed O'Brien showed his huge collection of model machines in the hall. The hall was home for various craft stalls from woodwork, glass, name plates, Hand made teddy bears etc, hand made cards, baby hampers, modern art, knitting and embroidery, model machines and beauty and health care.


Katie Dunphy enjoying the 'Bouncy Castle' at the Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club's Family Day.

The club wishes to thank all those who helped with stewarding, bouncy castles and all the organising that made the weekend so enjoyable.

Draíocht concert for Abymill
Fethard's Abymill Theatre will host a wonderful evening of enchanting music, song and dance, 'Draíocht', directed and choreographed by Michael Ryan on this Saturday, August 4, at 8.30pm and on Friday, August 10, at 8.30pm.

Experience the lyrical magic of traditional song, succumb to the mysterious melodies and wonder at the intricacies of the dance . . . at this show you can leave your cares behind as you enter the mystical experience of 'Draíocht'. Ticket Hotline 087 2975926

Benefit night for the Looby Brothers
The Castle Inn will hold a benefit night for the Looby Brothers on this Saturday night, August 4, starting at 9.30pm. Come along in fancy dress, 60s to 90s, and enjoy disco, spot prizes, finger food, on the night. Your support would be much appreciated.

Humpty Dumpty supporting Tipp

Humpty Dumpty who will be present at this year's Fethard Medieval Festival to present prizes for the children's 'Humpty Dumpty on Fethard's Wall' art competition.

It's now known that Tipperary will be playing Kilkenny in Croke Park on the day of Fethard's Medieval Festival, Sunday, August 19, and Fethard town will be a great place for a family day out where fun in the Valley for some and hurling on a 'Big Screen' for others will be a winning combination.

As previously reported Humpty Dumpty will be present and he says he will be supporting Tipperary on the day, which is probably a good idea for a man in his position.

Art Competition
Some 'art pieces' have already been handed into the Community Offices in the Tirry Centre (052 6131000) in the children's 'Humpty Dumpty on Fethard's Wall' art competition so children in the area are encouraged to have a go, as there are nine prizes in all, so there is a good chance of winning. The age categories are: (A) under 8 years, (B) 8 to 12 years and (C) 13 to 18 years and 'A3' is the maximum size allowed. We have a recent photo of Humpty but as he often changes his clothes you are free to paint him or draw him in any outfit you like as long as you have Fethard's town wall in the painting.

Humpty to present prizes
All the art pieces will be displayed on the day of the festival and Humpty himself will present the prizes, so this could be a once in a lifetime chance to have your photo taken with this worldwide celebrity.

Book on Family Shields

Gerard Crotty, author of 'Heraldic Monuments in Fethard', giving a talk in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland at a previous Fethard Festival. Gerard's book will launched at this year's Festival on Saturday, August 18, at 8pm.

The book 'Heraldic Memorials in Fethard' by Gerard Crotty is now with the printers and will be launched on Saturday, August 18, at 8pm in old Holy Trinity Church. Fethard is lucky that Gerard Crotty, one of the country's most respected experts on Irish heraldry, was willing to take on the task of studying Fethard's family crests, shields and memorials and presenting it all in a colourful and high quality publication.

The book is being published by the Fethard Historical Society who are hosting the launch and reception on the night and all interested are very welcome to come along. The book itself was grant aided by Fáilte Ireland who of course are very much promoting the whole concept of 'Tracing your Roots' and this book will encourage families mentioned: Everard, Roche, Butler, Hackett, Barton, Cooke, Tobin, Fitzgerald, Meagher etc., to come and visit Fethard from the four corners of the world.

It is interesting to note that only last Friday night in Callan that a book 'Kilkenny Gravestones and Monument Illustrations' (edited by Michael O'Dwyer) was launched so without doubt there is great interest in the whole are of family memorials and also in the craftspeople who actually carved them.

Adult workshop making Family Coat of Arms


An addition to this year's festival programme is a day-long workshop for adults, on Wednesday August 15, where you can create your own Family Coat of Arms that you can then display in your own home. This workshop very much ties in with the whole interest in family history and the launch on Saturday night, August 18, of the book 'Heraldic Memorials in Fethard' by the Fethard Historical Society.

All materials – board mounting, paint, design template etc. - will be supplied and by day's end you will have a piece of 'historic art' that will be unique to your family. Firstly, you must register and give the 'family name' that you wish to work on and of course you must do the work on the day. The workshop will run from 10am to 4pm, on Wednesday 15, the fee is €10 and you can register by phoning the Community Office in the Tirry Centre at 052 6131000

There are still a few places left on the Children's Family Shield Workshops (which are free) but do register immediately if you want your child to participate. Children, 5-8 years attend on Thursday morning (almost full) and 9-18 year olds attend on Thursday, August 16, afternoon and all day on Friday, August 17. Again, 052 6131000 is the number to phone

Fethard Ladies Football

Fethard's Maggie Fitzgerald shows great determination to retain possession despite a very strong challenge from the Moycarkey defence in the first game of the new Under 12 County League played in Littleton on Sunday, July 29.

Fethard Ladies Football Club has three teams in the new County League competitions for 2012. The Under 12s showed great spirit in the first of their five league matches but were unlucky to concede two quick goals at the start of the second half which tipped the balance in Moycarkey's favour.

The Under 14s are due to play the first of their four matches in the coming week. The Minors League fixtures haven't been finalised yet. Training for the Minor team is well underway each Wednesday and Friday evening at 7.15pm in the School Field. On Wednesdays, the Minors train with the Junior Ladies team. Gaelic4Mothers play against St. Pats on Monday July 31, and look forward to having some fun and enjoyment in that match. G4M training continues on Wednesday nights at 7.30pm in the Community Sportsfield.

Finally, don't forget to set aside any unwanted clothes or footwear that we would be grateful to receive as part of our Cash for Clobber fundraising event towards the end of August - more details on that in the next few weeks.

Fethard 'Green / Barrack Street' reunion

Three generations of Healys from The Green photographed in the 1960s. Back L to R: Monica Healy (nee Owens), Martin (Matty ) Owens, Ed Healy, Concepta Healy, Mick Healy, Michael Healy. Front L to R: Martin and Michael Healy (Jnr).

The next meeting of The Green & Barrack Street Reunion will take place on Wednesday night, August 1, at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre. We are appealing for memories, photographs, information and funny stories that could be used in a booklet published in conjunction with the reunion. Please send same to the following email address: thegreen@fethard.com or hand in to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.

The reunion is part-funded by Fethard & Killusty Community Council and tickets (limited) will be available shortly from any of the organisers at €10 each which includes reception, refreshments and a copy of booklet. If you are interested in getting involved please give your name to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, or by email to: joe@fethard.com

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The lucky numbers drawn on July 25 were: 1, 8, 13 and 14. There was no Jackpot winner and no 'Match Three' winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Pat Shelly, Moyglass, Fethard; Liz Hunt, Lisronagh; and Nellie O'Sullivan, c/o Kitty O'Donnell.
The three following 'Lucky Dip' winners also won €50 each: Caroline Hall, Canon Hayes Court, Fethard; Emma O'Donohoe, Friarsfield, Fethard; and Tony Maher, c/o Tom Purcell.

The next Lotto draw will take place on August 1, and you can also purchase your lotto ticket in local shops or online at www.fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets online and get one free! Check on the Fethard website for lots of special offers. Next week's Jackpot commences at €3,400 and the Jackpot seller's prize is €340. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Saturday, July 14, 2012, of Richard (Dick) Cashman of Clarke Villas, Clonmel, Tipperary, son of the late Mrs Sarah Cashman, The Back Green, Fethard.

At St Theresa's Hospital, Clogheen. Pre-deceased by his son Francis. Beloved husband of Mona and much-loved father of Anthony, Brendan, Andrew, Kieran, Susan and Ann-Marie. Sadly missed by his loving family, brother Tommy, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephew, niece, cousins and friends. Rest in Peace

Reposing at Condons' Funeral Parlour, Dillon Street, Clonmel on Tuesday (July 17th) from 1pm with removal at 7.30pm to S.S. Peter & Paul's Church. Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 1pm, followed by interment in St Patrick's Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired to South Tipperary Hospice. Beannocht Dé lena anam dílis.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, of Thomas Gahan of Kylenagranagh, Cloneen, Clonmel, Tipperary

Thomas (former Caoilte) deeply regretted by his loving wife Carmel sons Tom and Paul, daughters Rosie , Patricia, Ann, and Caroline, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sister Nora, relatives and friends. Reposing at his residence from Thursday 26th July with removal Friday 27th at 10.30am to The Church Of The Nativity Cloneen for 11am requiem mass followed by burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery.

Jack returns home from Siberia


Well done to Jack Connolly who returned home from a multi-nations tournament in Siberia where we was chosen to represent Ireland at a training camp for two and-a-half weeks in the Kurgan region with the Irish team. Jack trained along side the Americans, Russians and Cuban youth teams. At the end of the training camp, there was a tournament for the very prestigious Velese Cup. Jack was beaten by the Russian champion and European silver and gold medallist but was very happy with his performance against such a strong opponent. A great achievement to reach that level Jack. Well Done!


Jack Connolly photographed with his grandmother, Kathleen Connoly, on his return home from his international boxing championships in Siberia. Jack was treated to a party with family and friends on Monday 23rd July.

Schofield information wanted
I wonder if you can help me. I am researching my family tree, and have had great difficulty finding information on the ancestors in Ireland. My great great grandfather was apparently born in Fethard, Tipperary. At least that is what is written on his enlistment form for the East India Company army, which he joined in 1841. However, I have not found any birth record for him on any genealogy site, or government site, and a parish priest I wrote to in Fethard was not able to find any trace of a birth record.

My great great grandfather went to India and stayed there for the rest of his life. He was a labourer when he signed up in Ireland, and once in India eventually worked his way up to Sergeant Major, which I think was quite an achievement. The British Library gave me details of his army career in India. He retired in the 1880s and went to work for the Maharajah of Travancore, which was a common practice back then.
Why I am writing to you is to ask if you have any photographic records of Schofield people in Fethard from the 19th century, or any other suggestion to increase my knowledge about the family and its history in Fethard.

I have found the Schofield family mentioned in business records for Fethard from the mid 19c, and apparently there was only one family of that name. They were storekeepers. I am happy to find out any details whatsoever, eg, where he would have embarked for India, whether he would have stayed at barracks in Tipperary, etc. He was apparently enlisted in Clonmel. Also I wonder if he would have got any mention in the local paper in Fethard when involved in various battles eg the Sepoy Mutiny. I've searched in London papers of the time, but they only mention officers, and he was an NCO. Would you have any suggestions in this direction?

I hope you won't think me too presumptuous in writing to you. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Yours sincerely, Joan Cross (Perth, Australia) Email: crossdx@bigpond.net.au

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Saturday, July 28, 2012, of William (Billy) Mackey of St. Patrick's Terrace, Clonmel, and formally of Fethard Co Tipperary, peacefully at South Tipperary General Hospital.

Sadly missed by his loving daughter Rosemary, son J.J., grandchildren, great grandchildren, daughter in law, son in law, nephews, nieces and extended family and friends. Rest in Peace.

Removal on Sunday evening at 7pm July 29th from Condons' Funeral Parlour, Dillon Street, Clonmel, to St Mary's Church Irishtown. Funeral mass on Monday at 12.00pm followed by interment in St Patrick's Cemetery. Beannocht De Lena Anam Dilis.