Clashawley fish in danger once again

Tom and Gráinne, Sean Line, Fethard, helping to save the fish on the Clashawley, Both managed to take about 10 eels from under stones and let them go in the pond.

In contrast to last year’s serious flooding in August, the Clashawley river has dried up this week causing upset to many locals, young and old, many who have tried to make vain efforts to rescue the dying fish from the few remaining ponds of water on the riverbed. The fluctuating state of the Clashawley river has been the subject of local conversation for many years. Some concerned locals have suggested that the river is being occasionally diverted up country causing the drought in Fethard.

Mr Frank O’Donoghue, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Clonmel, said they were notified on Monday morning and quickly visited the site to assess the situation. The rescue operation on Monday saved over 200 trout, 30 salmon parr along with many crayfish and eels by moving them downstream. Salmon are known as parr once they are over a year old when they continue to stay in freshwater for between one and four years, feeding on small insects and growing larger.

The rescue will be on-going until all the remaining fish in danger are moved. Mr O’Donoghue explained that the situation may have occurred because Fethard is on a porous limestone bedrock area and that the ground water levels have dropped due to the lack of rain and surface water over the past few months.


Some of the dead fish on the dried up bed of the river Clashawley

While researching old documents on the Clashawley, we came across one from 1905 that refers to some water streams, that formerly flowed towards Laffansbridge and then on to the Clashawley in Fethard, were diverted north west to the river Suir. It was claimed that as a result of the diversion that waters were seen impounded 4 to 5 feet deep on the fields around Coolmoyne Cross. It was also mentioned that formerly, there were four mills on this stream operated by waterpower and now there was no constant supply of water for that power. The Clashawley was also quite a good trout stream and it was pitiful to see fish dying when the river commenced to dry up. During very early summer volunteers assembled to take fish out in buckets and bring them further downstream where springs kept the flow alive. The document goes on to say: “Where a stream dries up in this manner in summertime the drought encourages the growth of weeds and this is quite evident at Fethard, where if one stands on the Convent Bridge, looking up or down the river, it is a scene of desolation and dirt.”

Today, over 108 years later, things don’t appear to have changed much!

Sad passing of ‘The Dutchman’
The death has occurred on Friday, September 20, of Bert Van Dommelen, aged 62, late of Slievenamon and Clonacody. Bert, affectionately know locally as ‘The Dutchman’, was very much loved by his adopted community here in Fethard and Cloneen, where both he and his wife Janneke were actively involved for the past 15 years.

Bert and Janneke came to Fethard from the Netherlands in September 1998 and purchased a beautiful cottage on the slopes of Slievenamon called ‘Wishy's Tiegh’, not far from Killusty. It was from here that they travelled back and forth to Holland where Bert worked as a journalist up to 2001. After moving permanently to ‘Wishy's Tiegh’, both Bert and Janneke decided to open ‘Bert’s Bistro’ at Lonergan’s Bar on April 4, 2002, where they offered an a-la-carte menu on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Bert and Janneke’s love of music came to the fore in these years when they joined local musicians for sessions and also gave their free time generously to entertain our local senior citizens at the Fethard & District Day Care Centre. Bert’s ability to play the classical guitar was outstanding and it wasn’t long before he also mastered the task of playing Irish Traditional music as good if not better than most Irish musicians. In later years both were very much involved in the Cloneen Church Choir and the Slievenamon Musical Society. They both shared fun-loving personalities and were a delight to meet at any occasion.
In 2007 Bert returned to design work and back to freelance journalism from February 2009 to the onset of his illness early last year.

Bert’s funeral Mass takes place at 7.30pm in the Church of Our Lady of the Nativity, Cloneen, on this Thursday, September 26, 2013. Cremation in Cork on Friday. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.

Fethard to Fethard outing this Saturday

One of the fifteen Ros Tapestry embroidered panels

The Fethard to Fethard-on-Sea outing goes ahead this Saturday, September 28. This is a day long outing to the Hook Peninsula area of County Wexford and the cost of the coach is being sponsored by the Fethard Historical Society to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the society in 1988.

The coach leaves the Town Hall at 8.15 am and the first stop will be at Ros Tapestry (and breakfast!) in New Ross. The Ros Tapestry consisting of fifteen embroidered panels, took teams of women from all over County Wexford over a dozen years to complete and it tells the story of the Normans coming to the South East of Ireland back in the late 12th century.

From there we move on to the Kennedy homestead in Dunganstown, as this is the year of the 50th Anniversary of the visit and sad death of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

The Hook Lighthouse – one of the oldest in the world – at the very tip of the peninsula is the next stop and their café will be the lunch venue for the day. As in all the other restaurants, people can order as they wish themselves, as no block bookings will be made.

The tour will be joined by a local guide who will take the group around ‘Norman Country’, in particular Baginbun Head where the first invading force threw up their defences. Those wishing to watch the All-Ireland Hurling Final replay will be catered for at 5pm and the group will eat together in Fethard-on-Sea before heading home to reach our Fethard by 10pm or so.

The cost of the trip is €20, which includes all entrance and guiding fees. Please phone 052 6131537 or 086 3905373 to see if any seats are remaining on the coach.

Jump Start Games return to Fethard Ballroom on October 1

Joe Keane playing one of the games at the 'Go for Life' games workshop held in Fethard Ballroom on Tuesday afternoons

Following on from the launch of the Jump Start Games in Fethard in the Spring of this year and the enjoyable day the group from Fethard, Killenaule, Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir had at the Go For Life National Games at Dublin City University in June, the group has decided to get back into the swing of things on Tuesday afternoon next, October 1, at 2pm in the Fethard Ballroom.

The group will play three games which are based on some of the activities played by ‘Go for Life’ groups around the country - ‘Lobbers’ (a target game adapted from petanque and boules), ‘Flisk’ (adapted from boccia and horseshoe pitching), and ‘Scidils’ (an adaptation of ten pin bowling with one skittle).

Our participants are drawn from a number of local groups such as ICA, Active Retirement Associations, Probus and others but are open to anyone who would like to drop in for an hour or so of light competition mixed with a great social atmosphere and cup of tea to recharge the batteries afterwards.

If you would like any further information on ‘Go For Life’ games, please contact South Tipperary Sports Partnership on 062 64783 or info@stsp.ie.

Happy 80th Birthday Kitty

Kitty O'Donnell, who celebrated her 80th birthday last Sunday is photographed with her family. Back L to R: Willie, Bernard, Nigel. Front L to R: Sandra, Kitty and Mandy.

Congratulations to Kitty O’Donnell, Slainstown, who celebrated her 80th Birthday with family and friends at Slievenamon Golf Club on Sunday last. Kitty, wife of the late Cutsy O’Donnell, Barrack Street, is a very popular lady at Fethard & District Day Care Centre where she is well know for her fine voice and rendition of ‘Rockin the Baby to Sleep’.


Fethard Triple wedding, November 26, 1955. L to R: Eddie Fleming and Mary Kelly; Cutsy O’Donnell and Kitty Ryan; Gus Maher and Tess Anglim.

Kitty and Cutsy married on the November 26, 1955, and were probably part of the first ever ‘triple wedding’ to take place in Fethard. At the early hour of 8am, as was custom at that time, the three couples – Gus Maher and Tess Anglim; Mary Kelly and Eddie Fleming; and Kitty Ryan and Cutsy O’Donnell attended the Holy Trinity Parish Church in Fethard for their joint wedding ceremony. Maybe fasting from midnight for Holy Communion was the reason for the early start.


Kitty O'Donnell with her extended family at her 80th Birthday Party celebrated at Slievenamon Golf Club


Kitty O'Donnell (front) with L to R: Theresa Hanrahan, Frank Hanrahan, Willie Ryan and Judy Ryan


L to R: Kathy Aylward and Joan Heffernan


L to R: Mary Fleming, Marie Crean, Johanna Bradshaw and Nellie O'Donovan


Richie Nevin and Maggie Napier at Kitty O'Donnell's party


Patricia Fitzgerald and her mother Theresa Mulvay at Kitty O'Donnell's party.

Fethard Bridge Club
Bridge resumed on Wednesday, September 11 and the results of our game were:

1st Gross: Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh;
2nd Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John;
3rd Gross: Anna Cooke and Bernie O'Meara;
1st Nett: Annie O'Brien and Marie Delaney;
2nd Nett: Nell Broderick and David O'Meara;
3rd Nett: Kathleen Kenny and Gemma Burke.

On September 25 we play for the Free Sub Gross and on October 2 the Free Sub Nett. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles 6132038.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on September 18 were: 5, 16, 21 and 24. We had no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: Brendan Kenny, St. Patricks Place, Fethard; and Una Fogarty, Congress Terrace, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners won €50 each: Kathleen O'Riordan, Cloran, Cloneen; Brud Roche, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; and Chris Aylward, c/o Tom Purcell.

Remember you can purchase your lotto ticket online at fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets and get one free! Check on the website for lots of special offers. Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, September 25. The Jackpot is €5,050 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €505. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Monday, September 23, of Billy Kenny, The Green , Fethard, Co Tipperary. Deeply regretted by his loving wife Carol, sons John and Peter, daughters in law Méabh and Ciara, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. RIP.

Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, on Tuesday, September 24, from 5pm with removal to the Holy Trinity Parish Church at 7pm.

Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 11am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Family Flowers only. Donations to 'Le Chairde' Charity in Cashel.

Zumba classes restarting
Zumba classes have now recommenced in the Convent Community Centre on Tuesdays from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Pay as you go €7. All ages and fitness levels welcome.

Cake Sale in aid of Irish Motor Neurone Disease
A Cake Sale will be held in the Fethard Convent Community Centre in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association on this Sunday, September 29, after 11am Mass in the Parish Church. Come along and get some delicious cakes for after your Sunday dinner and all for a great cause

Months Mind Mass for Martin
A Months Mind Mass for the late Martin Phelan, Strylea, Fethard, will take place at 11am on Sunday, September 29, in the Parish Church Fethard

Senior Citizens’ meetings resumes
Reminding all members of Fethard's Senior Citizens' Club that we will meet again, following our summer recess, in the Tirry Centre on Tuesday, October 1, at 7.30pm.

Parent / Minder Toddler group
Fethard’s Parent/Minder Toddler group meet in Fethard Convent Community Centre every Thursday morning from 11am to 12 noon. The cost is €2 per child which includes tea or coffee for adults and juice for the children. This community facility caters for all children from babies to pre-school and all are very welcome to come along for an informal social chat while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on this Sunday Night, September 29, to the music of ‘Gerry Walsh’. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing. Dancing 9pm to midnight and admission is €7.

Chance meeting in Tramore

Lou (Kenrick) Totonchi, originally from Burke Strreet Fethard and now living in Illinois, USA, photographed with Josie Casey who recently celebrated her 100th birthday and her daughter Mary Casey from Fethard after a chance meeting on Tramore Promenade.

Mini Marathon next Sunday
Monday, September 23, is the last day for registration for the Tipperary Mini Marathon which takes place on Sunday September 29, at 11am in Clonmel. The mini-marathon, promoted by South Tipperary Sports Partnership, is aimed at walkers, joggers and runners with all participants receiving a fantastic goody bag and finisher’s race medal. Registration is on www.tippminimarathon.ie

Epilepsy Ireland available for one-to-one meetings
Epilepsy Ireland Community Resource Officer, Joan Ryan will be available for one-to-one meetings with people with epilepsy and family or friends on Monday, October 7, between 10am and 1pm. This will take place in the Fr. Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street.

Meetings are by appointment only. Contact Joan at 056 7789904 or email: jryan@epilepsy.ie or write to Joan Ryan, C/o HSE Office, St. Josephs, Waterford Road, Kilkenny.

Articles for Emigrants’ Newsletter
We are now inviting submissions of articles and photographs for inclusion in this year’s Emigrants’ Newsletter. The Newsletter covers all generations of emigrants and it would be nice to have articles covering all age groups. The item need not be long. It might recall a funny incident, a local character you remember, a particular event, school time or any other recollection that may surface. So please consider putting pen to paper, or voice to recorder, and submit an article for this year’s issue. Photographs, current or old, are also very welcome. Articles or photographs can be submitted to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, or by email to newsletter@fethard.com

Items for Fethard News and Website
Items for inclusion on the weekly Fethard News page on The Nationalist can be emailed before noon on Mondays to news@fethard.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.