'Miss Rose White' opens in Abymill

Fethard Players cast of "Miss Rose White" photographed after their opening night's performance in the Abymill Theatre on Wednesday, November 20. The play will continue its run every night to Sunday, November 24. Curtain at 8.15pm and Booking at O’Flynn’s Menswear Tel: (052) 6131254 or 087 1604260. Standing L to R: Geraldine McCarthy, Maeve Moclair. Sitting L to R: Jimmy O'Sullivan, Ann Walsh, Niamh Hayes and Colm McGrath.

Piers Gate Town House Accommodation
Piers Gate Town House Self Catering Holiday Accommodation has now opened at The Square, Fethard. Situated in the heart of the medieval town and overlooking the town square, you couldn't be based in a more ideal location to start exploring the many wonderful amenities in Fethard and surrounding area.

Fethard is unique and accepted as the best example of a small medieval town in Ireland with most of its original town wall intact. A local guide is available to take you on our medieval town trail or if you prefer you can wander around our peaceful town and sample some of the many walks and local hostelries.

Fethard is central to some of the finest Irish towns and tourist attractions such as the Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, Clonmel Town, Carrick-on-Suir, Thurles all within close driving distance. Our parish is nestled under the famed Slievenamon - mountain of the women - which is easily accessible for walking and exploring.
Slievenamon Golf Club is situated three miles from Fethard on the Clonmel road and is one of many golf courses in the vicinity.

Coffee Morning in aid of the Philippine disaster


There will be a coffee morning in Jolly’s Café, The Square, Fethard, next Saturday November 23, in aid of the Philippine disaster. We appeal to your generosity in these difficult times to help. There are about five people from the Philippines living in our community here in Fethard. One girl’s family were right in the eye of the typhoon and everything they owned is gone. Every euro raised will go directly to the families who need it. So call in and have a coffee next Saturday and lend your support. Thank you.

Christmas Bazaar
Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold their annual Christmas Bazaar in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, on Thursday morning, November 28. In conjunction with the bazaar we are holding a monster raffle and a cake sale. Refreshments will be served. All donations gratefully accepted. Please come along and support our fundraiser.

A senior day will also be held at the Day Care Centre on Friday, November 28, from 11am. The chiropodist will be in attendance. All seniors welcome.

Unwanted gifts are wanted for school ‘Pop-Up’ shop

Pupils from Holy Trinity National School photographed with Christmas Boxes that they prepared for the annual Shoebox Appeal – an Irish project that promises to get your 'Christmas Shoebox' into the hands of a needy child in Eastern Europe.

Holy Trinity National School will open a ‘pop-up’ shop on Main Street on Friday, December 6, and Saturday December 7, in conjunction with Fethard Business & Tourism Group’s festive weekend. We ask all members of the community to please donate their unwanted gifts to the school. All proceeds from the sale of these items will provide teaching aids for the children in the classroom. Your unwanted gifts can be dropped into the school and will be greatly appreciated.

Patrician Presentation Parents' Association Table Quiz
Fethard Patrician Presentation Parents' Association annual Table Quiz will take place in the Fethard Youth Centre (old Convent Hall) on this Monday night, November 25th, at 9pm. Please note change of venue this year.

Fethard & Killusty trip to Medjugorje 2014
Next year’s Fethard & Killusty parish trip to Medjugorje, operated by Joe Walsh Tours, will depart on August 13, 2014, and return on August 20, 2014. A special group rate of €669 per person sharing has been organised which includes seven nights guesthouse accommodation with breakfast and evening meal. There are some single rooms available at an additional cost. Special discounts available for early payment.

For further information contact David Woodlock at Tel: (052) 6131077 or 086 2066637.

Volleyball team do well in Division A Cup competition

Members of the school volleyball teams photographed earlier in the year at training with coach Mr McGree L to R: Mr McGree (coach); Liam Quigley; Aaron Hanlon, Danny O’Regan, Dylan Fenlon and Shane Buckley.

On Friday, November 8, our cadette boys travelled to Colaiste Cathail Naofa in Dungarvan for their seeding round to face Davis College (Mallow), Colaiste Mhuire (Thurles) and two schools from the host school. This round determines those schools who progress to compete to the Division A (Cup) competition and those who play in the Division B (Shield) competition at national level.

Ably managed by Eoghan Hurley and assisted by Mr McGree, our boys took two straight sets in the first round against Colaiste Cathail Naofa (A) in the first round, winning 25-15 and 25-13, setting the Fethard boys up well for the day and for potential qualification. In the second match, against the weaker Dungarvan team, Eoghan played the majority of his reserve panel, who took the first set comfortably. The second of the two sets, however, saw Dungarvan (B) rally to take the set 28-26 after many set points on both sides.

Returning to their first choice players with one or two exceptions, Fethard resumed well to see off Colaiste Mhuire (Thurles) in the next match in two straight sets but were eventually outplayed by a very strong Davis College team in the last of their matches.

As the top three teams progress to the cup competition, Fethard comfortably earned second place in the group whilst ensuring that all who travelled on the day were given at least one game. Well done to all who were involved and best of luck in the Division A quarter finals, to take place over the coming weeks. The panel for the day were: Thomas Channon (captain), Shane Buckley, Liam Quigley, Thomas O’Reilly, Danny O’Regan, Nathan Costin, Nathan Thompson, Dominik O’Dwyer, Keith Cronin, Jamie Cahill, Dean Dorney, Dylan Fenlon and Eric Fogarty.

Last call for Emigrants Newsletter articles
Last call to all secretaries and club correspondents to submit their reports for inclusion in this year's Emigrants Annual Newsletter as soon as possible to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road. Reports should be typed or emailed to newsletter@fethard.com Alternatively they can be handed in to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.

We also welcome individual articles (long or short), stories of long ago, funny incidents, photographs, particularly old class photographs or photographs of local characters.

The first Fethard Emigrants’ Newsletter was published by the Legion of Mary back in 1959. It is interesting to note that second Newsletter was printed in October 1960, third in July 1961, fourth in December 1961, fifth in December 1962, and sixth in December 1963. We have all the issues from 1965 to the present. We are just missing one Newsletter – 1964 (8 page), which was the first commercially, printed Newsletter by the Sporting Press Clonmel), can anyone oblige?

Opening night for ‘Miss Rose White’

Niamh Hayes and Ann Walsh rehearsing for 'Miss Rose White' which opens in the Abymill on this Wednesday, November 20

Fethard Players production of ‘Miss Rose White’ opens in the Abymill Theatre on this Wednesday night, November 20, and will continue its run to Sunday, November 24. Early booking advisable at O’Flynn’s Menswear, Burke Street, Tel: (052) 6131254 or 087 1604260.

‘Miss Rose White’ is set in 1940s New York and a tale of the relationship between two sisters. Rose White is a Jewish woman who changes her name to appear far removed from her Polish heritage. She longs to climb the ladder of success in the large department store where she works. Years ago, her mother and sister had to remain in Poland and were subsequently sent to concentration camps. Good news arrives. The sister is alive and, at last, coming to America. When she enters the country, she is much changed. Rose is forced to share her apartment with a virtual stranger. In time, they slowly warm to each other in this well-written, moving production produced by Austin O’Flynn. The cast includes Niamh Ryan, Jimmy O’Sullivan, Ann Walsh, Colm McGrath, Geraldine McCarthy and Maeve Moclair.

Serious Illness Fund AGM
Fethard Serious Illness Fund will hold their Annual General Meeting in the Tirry Community Centre at 8pm on Tuesday, November 26. All are welcome to attend.

White Heather Harriers
The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers will meet next Sunday, November 24, in Rocklow, and the following Sunday, December 1, at Ballyluskey. Both meets start at 11am.

Rosaries for the Holy Souls during November
Sunday November 24: Killusty after Mass, Kiltinan Cemetery 3pm, Kilmaclugh Cemetery 3.30pm.

Fethard Community Library now open
The new community library opening times at the Convent Community Centre are: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7pm to 8.30pm; Thursdays from 3pm to 4.30pm. Yearly membership is €5 for adults (over 18) and children and students (under 18) are free.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on this Sunday Night, November 24, to the music of ‘Tommy Carroll’. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing. Dancing 9pm to midnight and admission is €7.

Killusty Soccer Club
A final reminder that Killusty Soccer Club’s sponsored walk takes place this coming Saturday night at 8pm. We are asking walkers to be in Killusty for 7.45pm. Please return cards and money on the night.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club

Jesse McCormack, captain of the Fethard U14 team is presented with the cup following his team's victory over Solohead in the U14C County Final on Saturday, September 14.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club held their AGM on Friday night last in the Tirry Centre at 8pm. It was well attended with approximately 20 people present. Andy O’Donovan (outgoing Chairman) gave a very positive annual report and all agreed that the club is heading in a positive direction and if we all work as a team and get involved we will have a great Juvenile Club for years to come. The highlight of the year was our U14 Hurling team who won the South and County title.
Cúl Camp this year was a great success, with numerous parents complimenting the club on its organisation and running. A huge thanks was extended to all involved.

School training has been re-organised now with a dedicated coach attending every week, but we still need parents to get involved to assist. Thanks was given to those assisting with the GAA School liaison. Coaches were also confirmed for U6, U8, U10, U12 and U14 age groups. We were delighted to put forward Jamie McCormack to the South Board na nOg as one of the South Division Under 15 Football coaches.

We are looking to confirm coaches for our U16 teams
We really need parents to come on board with assisting U6 coaching on Saturday mornings. So if you can spare the time, or if you stay to watch and don't mind helping, please let the coach know at training.
We also appear to be losing a number of young players to other clubs due to their choice of school, or where they play other sports. We ask that parents of players or potential players sign with their local parish club and encourage their children to play with their parish teams.

The club is very grateful to Coolmore for their continued support of our club and our sister clubs. This contribution has enabled us to continue to provide our juvenile players with equipment for training and games.

New Management team for 2014
Going into 2014, there are a few changes to the Management Committee: Michael Moroney (Chairman), Mick O’Mahony (Vice-Chairman) unchanged, we welcome on board Wendy Donegan (Juvenile Secretary), Mary Godfrey (Assistant Juvenile Secretary), who will be on hand to guide Wendy through her initial tasks at hand, John Neville (Treasurer) and Sean Kiely (Assistant Treasurer), Andy O’Donovan (PRO), a role hasn’t been filled for a number of years with Patricia Fitzgerald being our last PRO. Andy will be assisted by Ann Fleming.

Our delegates to Coiste na nOg, Tiobraid Arann Theas, are unchanged, with Austie and Mary Godfrey. Whenever possible Michael Moroney will attend South Board na nOg meetings. The Juvenile Players Representative is yet to be confirmed.

Fethard attends European Walled Town event

Photographed at the European Walled Town Network visit to Lifford, Co. Donegal, are L to R:Liam Mannix, Co-ordinator Irish Walled Towns Network; Colm Murray, Architecture Officer, Heritage Council; Joseph Gallagher, Heritage Officer, County Donegal; and Terry Cunningham, Fethard Historical Society.

Delegates from Fethard Historical Society attended the recent European Walled Towns annual conference which took place in the walled city of Derry at the end of October. The three-day event was part of Derry’s programme of events for ‘Derry, UK City of Culture 2013’.

Towns and cities from all over Europe were present, including The Netherlands, Austria, Malta, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Latvia as well as Ireland, England and Wales. The Fethard delegation were especially interested in meeting the Welsh townspeople as their walls were being constructed contemporaneously with the Walls of Fethard. This ‘town building’ era was all part of the Anglo-Norman expansion westward into the lands of the Welsh and Irish kingdoms in the 12th and 13th centuries.

The Irish Walled Towns Network (IWTN), of which Fethard is a member, received the 2013 EU Europa Nostra award for Cultural Heritage at a ceremony in Derry’s magnificent Guildhall. Michael Starrett, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, who accepted the award, mentioned Fethard in his acceptance speech. Fethard has received close on one million euro in funding between the Heritage Council, County Council and Fáilte Ireland over the past seven years and this all stemmed from the fact that Fethard has been a very active member of the Irish Walled Towns Network over this time. The annual membership fee of the IWTN is paid by our County Council and Fethard Historical Society ensures that a representative from Fethard attends the various events, seminars and training days that take place throughout the year.

Lifford Old Courthouse and Fethard ‘s Tholsel
A visit into County Donegal formed part of the conference programme and an interesting visit was made to Lifford Old Courthouse which has been turned into an active tourist reception centre, very similar to the ideas being discussed at present for Fethard’s old Town Hall. Information from Lifford, Lismore, the Hook Lighthouse (centres which have already been visited) and other similar tourist visitor centres will, hopefully, be used to fashion a sustainable ‘Visitor’s Centre’ for the medieval walled town of Fethard in the coming year.

St. Rita's Camogie Club AGM
St. Rita's Camogie Club will hold their AGM on Friday, November 22, at 8pm sharp in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, Fethard. The club urge parents, mentors and senior players to attend.


Members of St. Rita's Camogie U10 team photographed with Gerry Aherne, Coolmore, presenting a set of jerseys to our chairperson Sharon O'Meara for our U8 and U10 teams. Also in the picture mentors of the U8 and U10 teams.

Girls Rugby progressing well
Fethard Girls Rugby enjoyed numerous wonderful games recently in Thurles, Mallow and Cashel. The squads are progressing well with a front row of Molly O'Dwyer, Aisling Kelly and Aoife Delaney working well together tackling well throughout and rucking over with great strength. Second row of new comers Lisa Norton and Amy Kirby have proved a great asset to the team with their rucking support and ball recycling. Kora Delaney at Scrum half kept the pressure on with fine tackling throughout and quick ball constantly from Rucks. Fly half Aine Phelan showed clean heels and fine runs on a number of occasions to score for the team. Aobh O'Shea with Amy Thompson and Leah Fox are great centres who put in the tackles and recycle the ball providing great support to the team. Katie Ryan has a great catch and backs this up well with her ball carrying and recycling. Niamh Houlihan with Leah Scott are great backs with fine ball carrying and showing support in the rucks when it counts.

Thank to Thurles for allowing us to join them for the 15-a-side game in the Munster leagues. Training on Friday evening at Fethard Community Field at 8pm to 9.15pm. New members from the age of 13 years and up are always welcome and supported. Any inquiries to Polly on 086 3394959.

Fethard & District Rugby Club minis report
Fethard U7s travelled to Clonmel last Sunday and they played two fine games against the hosts and Galbally. Speedy Charlie Walsh scored a hat trick of tries with fine play by quick tagging from both Sean Fitzgerald and Shane Ryan. Sam Coen is a great recruit to the team with fine ball carrying and quick hands to set-up plenty of tries. Gavin Neville continues to shine with smart thinking in his support to his team mates and working well with Noah O'Flynn whose fearless play makes for exciting viewing. Joseph Fitzgerald is following in his sibling’s footsteps as a great player for ball recycling. Adam Ruttle had a great game and supported his teammates well. Lee Delaney with Harry Barton and Cormac O'Donnell were very good at receiving and tipping off. Keep up the great work everyone.

Fethard U8s and U9s played excellent matches on Sunday supporting each other and putting plenty of scores on the board.

The U10s, on a lovely sunny morning for rugby in Clonmel, played two strong sides and after an hour of hard fought rugby, a defeated but gallant Fethard contributed to some lovely play. Great tries by Johnny Gleeson, Charlie Cummins and Michael Ryan with strong support play by Jack Cleere, James McCormack, Conor Neville, Luke Dolan, Stuart Luke and Michael Long. Looking forward to a speedy return to fitness of Ben Ruttle and Daniel Boland.

Fethard U12s arrived to take on their host and the visiting Galbally team. Clonmel came on first looking big and ready. Fethard have had a run of near misses recently when the hard work wasn't producing the results; today it all came together. Ethan Coen, back from injury, made several strong runs, Ryan Walsh and Eabha Fitzgerald rucked the ball beautifully and Mark McCormack sent the ball spinning out to the backs where Iain Harrington made precise kicks. Eoin Walsh, Declan Hayes and Mathew Gleeson all ran and passed and moved the ball with flair and skill. It was a fine victory for Fethard.

We played Galbally next and a great match it was. Long passages of open play from both sides were enjoyed with the ball moving through the hands, across the pitch, back and forth. Sam Quigley-O'Dwyer had his best game yet, driving and hooking superbly. Tom Hayden showed his turbo boost speed and Lucy Murphy fought toe to toe for the ball. Angus MacDonald and Cathal Ryan played exceptionally well in this game, unfortunately they were playing for Galbally who were a couple of players short! However, this seemed to prompt the Fethard team into making tackles and playing the game through the stages, much to the delight of all those watching this was a very enjoyable game to watch and a last minute score tipped it Fethard's way.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on November 13 were: 13, 18, 23 and 27. We had no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Liam O'Connor, Kilnockin, Fethard; P.J. Lonergan, The Square, Fethard; and Majella Daly, c/o Tom Purcell.
The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners won €50 each: Dan Hickey, Rathmoley, Killenaule; John Connolly, Clonmel; and Pamela Sharpe, Cashel Road, Fethard.

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, November 20. The Jackpot is €6,250 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €625. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

GAA Sports Lotto results
There was no jackpot winner this week. The numbers drawn were as follows: 13, 17, 26 and 32. There was no match three winner so the following five lucky dips won €30 each: Ann Marie Moroney, Tullamaine; Mikey Aherne, Prospect; Kelly Ryan, c/o Gaule’s Pub; Ross Condon, c/o Merrys, Clonmel; and Vera O’Connell, Moyglass. The €50 lucky dip winner was Tom Anglim, Kilnockin.

Next weeks jackpot will be €2,200 with the draw taking place in Lonergan’s Bar on Tuesday, November 19. Thanks to all for the continued support and also the people that carry out the draw every week.

Laura Stocksborough, captain of the Under 14 Ladies team, is presented with the trophy by Chairman of the Tipperary LGFA, Tommy Campbell, following Fethard's team win in the County League final. (Photo by Kieran Butler)

A Feast Fit for a King
Looking for a little inspiration to liven up your Christmas menu this year? Then Cloneen Sports and Social Club invite you to Cloneen Hall on Friday, December 6, at 8pm for an evening with celebrity chef Frank Moynihan presenting 2½ hours of Christmas fare. We promise you this is a most enjoyable event and you will not be disappointed. Tickets are only €10 and should be pre-purchased from Noonan’s Shop or Anglim’s Bar in Cloneen. Tickets can also be booked at 087-7587913 or by emailing: chef@cloneenhall.com

Frank will be remembered from his time as Food Correspondent on the Gay Byrne Radio Show on RTE1. He has conducted cookery programmes on virtually every local radio show and has written a best selling cookbook ‘A Pinch of This’.

So write the date in your diary and secure your ticket in time.

Christmas Party Night in Moyglass
Moyglass Community Centre will host its annual Christmas Party Night on Saturday, December 7. A three-course meal will be served followed by band and disco with fully licensed bar. Tickets €25 and doors open at 7pm, Meal served at 8.30pm. Enquires to Philip at 087 2544703. Bingo takes place every Sunday night at 8pm with €1,000 prize money. Jackpot of €300.

2011 & 2012 Emigrant’s Newsletter download
The 2011 and 2012 Emigrants' Newsletters are now available to download, along with others dating back to 1998. We eventually hope to have all the Newsletters dating back to 1959 available to download.

We ask for your support for this year's Fethard & Killusty Emigrants Newsletter, now in operation for over 50 years and posted free of charge to our emigrants and families living away from home.

This year, with emigration again rising steadily, we depend on your continued support to provide this much appreciated service to our parish emigrants. Donations can be handed in to Carmel Rice, Brookhill, Fethard, or Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard. All donations of €10 and over will be acknowledged in this year's issue of the Newsletters. Donations can also be made online at the following web address: www.fethard.com/donate/




Fethard Players, who are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, are putting the finishing touches to a wonderful play ‘Miss Rose White’ by Barbara Lebow, which will be staged in the Abymill Theatre from Wednesday, November 20, to Sunday, November 24. Booking has now opened at O’Flynn’s Menswear, Burke Street, Tel: (052) 6131254 or 087 1604260.

Christmas at Clonacody House

Digital recollections now online

Interview with Johnny Sheehan, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard, one of the interviews by Holy Trinity National School pupils as part of the Muintir na Tire’s recent ‘Digital Recollections’ project.

Holy Trinity National School were one of small number of Tipperary schools chosen to participate in Muintir na Tire’s recent ‘Digital Recollections’ project where local people were interviewed by the pupils in a similar fashion as the original 1937 National Schools Folklore Study. This project assumed a more modern feel and instead of a pencil, students would be allocated digital recording devices to conduct the interview process, and on completion of this process, the narratives would be uploaded on to a website.

The objectives of this project were twofold. Firstly, both the young and old participating in the project will learn how to use digital recording devices and also the social aspect of the interview process, secondly it educated national school children about the cultures and traditions which reside in their communities, thereby preserving them for future generations.

The study encompassed national schools in South Tipperary, given budget constraints the number of schools was confined to 12. The funding for the Digital Recollections Project was awarded by South Tipperary Development Company through the Rural Development Programme. Hundreds of hours of recordings were submitted by the 12 national schools and this website showcases the wonderful work by these national school children and their teachers and hopefully will preserve the culture and traditions of their native communities.

Part 2 Interview with Mary and Tony Newport, Congress Terrace

Interview with Gus Neville, Kilnockin, Fethard.

Interview with Kathleen Kenny, The Green, Fethard.

Interview with Mike Burke, Redcity, Fethard.

Interview with Joan O'Connor, Main Street, Fethard.

Interview with Kathleen McCormack, Monroe, Fethard.

Interview with Sarah Mullins, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard.

Interview with Mary and Tony Newport, Congress Terrace, Fethard.

Interview with Aggie Barrett, Main Street, Fethard.

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.