Fethard girls do well at Hip Hop

L to R: Ciara Connolly, Katie O'Flynn and Amy Brophy, members of Dance Revolution with their trophies

Well done to Fethard girls who won trophies at the All-Ireland Hip Hop dancing championships, which were held last Sunday at the City North Hotel, Gormanstown, Co. Meath. The three girls, Ciara Connolly, Katie O'Flynn and Amy Brophy, are all members of Dance Revolution who promote an active and healthy lifestyle amongst children, teenagers and adults through dance, a friendly atmosphere where you meet new friends, have fun and stay fit at the same time. Dance Revolution also take part in lots of exciting community street events.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Friday 14th February, 2014, of Adam O'Donnell, Willow-Wood Lane, Moorestown, Fethard, following a road accident. Adam beloved son of Sean and Sue Anne, adored brother of Rebecca, Leah and best friend of Niall. Adam will be sadly missed by his Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends.

Adam will be reposing at his home from 1pm to 8pm on Sunday and 2pm to 8pm on Monday. Adam's funeral Mass will take place in St. Michael’s Church, Clerihan, on Tuesday at 12 noon and burial immediately after in the adjoining cemetery. House private on Tuesday please. Family flowers only please donations if desired to a worthy cause of your choice in memory of Adam.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, of John Cloonan, Kilmacomma, Clonmel, and Kilnockin Road, Fethard. Sadly missed by his loving wife Susan, daughters Alma, Blathnaig, his loving parents Mary and Liam, brother Padraig, sisters Denise Maire, Áine and Bríd, parents-in-law, aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces relatives and friends. Rest in Peace.

Reposing at his residence from 5pm to 8pm on Friday evening. Funeral arriving at Fethard Parish Church at 10.45am on Saturday morning for Requiem Mass at 11am. Funeral immediately afterwards to Calvary Cemetery. House private on Saturday please.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday, February 12, 2014, of Mick 'Sonny' Gleeson, Coolenure, Fethard.

Reposing at McCarthy’s funeral home, Fethard on Thursday evening, February 13, from 5 o’clock with removal at 7pm to The Holy Trinity Parish Church.

Funeral mass on Friday at 11am followed by burial afterwards in Calvary Cemetery.

Community Convent Hall busy with activities
Fethard Operation Transformation continues in the Convent Community Hall for the next seven weeks, if you haven’t joined up you can still do so just pop down to the hall at 6.45pm on a Wednesday evening.

The hall is very busy at the moment with activities taking place to suit all ages, so if you are interested in keeping fit at a Zumba dance class, free computer training, weekly boot camp, going to a Parent/Minder Toddler class, getting a book from the library, sending your children to Irish Dancing lessons, Hip Hop dance lessons, Bunny Hop, or taking a cookery course ? – then Fethard Convent Community Hall is the place to visit.

Funding extended for computer course
Our funding has been extended for the Free First Steps Computer Training so if you would like to do this course please call Joan Tel: (052) 6131000 or Pamela Tel: 086 8743752 for more information.

Clodagh highly commended in the EPA Wetlands photo awards

Clodagh Blake received her photography prize from RTE’s Gerry Fleming, headman at Met Eireann

Congratulations to Clodagh Blake whose photo of the ‘Marsh Fritillary Butterfly’ was one of the ‘Highly Commended’ photographs at the EPA Wetlands photo awards in Wexford. The photography competition was organised by Wexford Country Council in partnership with the EPA Irish Ramsar Wetlands committee.

Clodagh is making a name for herself in nature photography and her work has often featured on RTE and TV3 weather programmes. Clodagh received her award from RTE’s Gerry Fleming, headman at Met Eireann, at the presentation of awards held in Wexford County Hall.

Sports Achievement January winner

Matty Tynan (centre) receiving the Fethard Sports Achievement Award for January from Ann Butler (sponsors). Also included is special sporting guest, Joe Keane.

The January winner of the ‘Fethard Sports Achievement Award was well-known building contractor, publican and horse trainer, Matty Tynan, Moyglass. According to the Racing Post, Matty has staked a claim to the best training feat of 2014 when his mare ‘Maontri’ won three races in Dundalk over a two-week period. A delighted Matty has started well being the first monthly winner in the 2014 awards.


Matty Tynan photographed with his sons at the presentation of the Fethard Sports Achievement Award for January in Butler's Bar. L to R: Matthew (Junior), Sean, Matty and Seamus Tynan.

Anne Butler, representing Butler’s Bar who sponsored the January award, presented Matty with his award. Special sporting guest on the night was Joe Keane, St. Patrick’s Place. Joe has been involved in the formation of local soccer clubs, played soccer, handball and GAA throughout the years. He then spent many years as a referee and was chairman of Community Games. Since his retirement from the Army and Merry’s Clonmel, he has been very active in Fethard Community Council and is chairman of Fethard Tidy Towns where he has succeeded in the completion of many projects aided by a strong working committee and community support.

Book Fair over for another year

Helping out at the Fethard Historical Society stall at Tipperariana Book Fair are L to R: Sadhbh Horan, Kate O'Donnell, Rose O'Donnell, Marie Murphy and Sarah O'Donnell.

The 19th Tipperariana Book Fair took place in the Fethard Ballroom last Sunday, January 9, and again booklovers came in great numbers from far and wide. This year’s book fair received very extensive coverage indeed, both within the county and nationally, as the Irish Times Magazine had mention of it in their Weekend Magazine on two consecutive Saturdays. All the main county papers, Nationalist, Star and Nenagh Guardian had lead articles, as did the Midland Tribune, which covers some of the Roscrea area from its Offaly base. This wide coverage brought many new people for the first time and all were more than happy with what they encountered. One first-timer was heard to say, “I’m actually amazed at this, I wasn’t expecting this” as he waved his hand across forty bookstalls, with hundreds of people and thousands of books.


L to R: Pierce O'Loughlan (Carrick-on-Suir) and John Ryan (Clonmel) at the Fethard Book Fair.


Rosie and Denis Donovan at their stall. Rosie is proprietor of The Bookmarket, Clonmel.


Catherine Teevan and Theresia Guschlbauer at their stall


L to R: Jim Maher, author of 'The Oath is Dead and Gone', chatting to Liam O Duibhir from Clonmel

Good Value Day Out
With an entrance fee of €2 and children free, it really is a good value day out for a family and this is appreciated by the public, especially in these ‘cash strapped’ times. Fethard Historical Society’s own stand is a great draw, selling on ‘donated books’ which has three very beneficial outcomes – firstly, the donors can off-load some unwanted books; buyers get some good value books; and thirdly the Historical Society makes an income that keeps the society afloat for the year. One woman stated as she paid for her pile of books, “I buy my year’s reading at the Fethard fair”.

No Irish event can be held without a ‘raffle’ and the book fair is no different. The first prize of a special ‘Celtic Warrior’ carving by David Gorey went to Kieran O’Brien of Ballymacadam, Cahir, and other prizes went to Treasa Puirséil (Nenagh), Veronica Fogarty, Sarah O’Donnell and Niall O’Connor.


Tara Moquet, Kiltinan, having a look at some of the books on display at Fethard Book Fair


Mossie Hayes, Rathcoole, Fethard, browsing at Fethard Tipperariana Book Fair last Sunday


L to R: Dan Ryan and Proinsias Ó Drisceoil from Thurles


Linda Kelly (left), Killenaule, with her children Nicholas and Isobel, speaking to Mary Hanrahan at the Tipperariana Bookfair

Famous author takes pride of place
Seán Hogan, the author of the Tipperariana Book of the Year 2013 – ‘The Black and Tans in North Tipperary’ – took pride of place at the book fair. He may be ‘famous’ now as an historical author but of course his real fame comes from his appearances on TV and Radio informing on the flood and wave damage around the country. Seán was appointed as Ireland’s first National Director of Fire and Emergency Management’ in 2009 and appears on national airwaves whenever there is very ‘bad’ news – indeed the last few weeks have seen very testing times right round the country.

L to R: John Flannery, President Ormonde Historical Society; Valerie O'Brien, Seán Hogan, author of ‘The Black and Tans in North Tipperary’, the winner of the ‘Tipperariana Book of the Year 2013’; and Donal Whelan, Ormonde Historical Society, Nenagh.


L to R: Seán Hogan, author of ‘The Black and Tans in North Tipperary’, the winner of the ‘Tipperariana Book of the Year 2013’; and Seamus Leahy.

Community Effort
The event is organised by Fethard Historical Society but chairperson Patricia Looby freely admits that, but for the input of many more people that the event would not be the success that it is. The Ballroom committee must be commended for their great efforts in keeping the premises in such good repair and facilitating the running of the fair for the past nineteen years. Many people, especially in the Media, help in getting the word out there and this is vital, as you can’t go to something if you don’t know its on! The ‘book donors’ come from all parts of the county and this year came from Thurles, Tipperary Town, Hollyford, Clonmel and all places in between, with Fethard parish supplying a great supply of good books.

On the days before the fair, many people help setting up the forty or so stalls, sorting books into the various categories, displaying them and then of course the process must all be ‘repeated’ after the event. On the day other people help in the hall, man the door, the kitchen, the stalls, and the local secondary school students are also a great addition and support on the day. Special mention and thanks must be given to John Shortall for again supplying a piano for the day.


L to R: Liam O Duibhir, Larry O'Gorman and Sean Walsh.


L to R: Dr. Willie Nolan, Liam O Duibhir and Sean Whelan (Clare)

Twentieth Tipperariana on February 8, 2015
This year’s printed programme for the event finishes with, ‘2015 Fair – Sunday 8th February 2015’ and, as next year will be the 20th Tipperariana Book Fair, the organisers (Fethard Historical Society) will endeavour to continue with this popular event and to give people one more reason to visit the old walled town of Fethard.

Felix O'Neill, bookbinder from Cahir, demonstrating his craft to Canice Egan, Clonmel.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on February 5 were: 1, 20, 21 and 26. We had no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150: Kitty O'Donnell, Slievenamon Close, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Donna Ryan, Abbeyview, Fethard; Bill O'Sullivan, Perryville, Fethard; and Ursula Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, 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, February 12. The Jackpot is €7,750 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €775. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Fethard Bridge Club
On January 29 we held our charity night the proceeds of which will be donated to the Fethard Day Care Centre.
The results were:
1st Gross, Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;
2nd Gross, Alice Quinn and Betty Walsh;
3rd Gross, Annie O’Brien and Marie Delaney;
1st Nett, Ann O’Dea and Kathleen Kenny;
2nd Nett, Anne Connolly and Eileen Frewen;
3rd Nett, Nora Lawrence and Philly Kenny.

This Wednesday, February 5 we play for prizes sponsored by FBD Investments and on February 19 we play the third round of the Player of the Year competition. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles 6132038.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Friday, February 7, 2014, of Nicholas (Nico) Quigley, William Street, Clonmel and Killenaule. Unexpectedly, dearly beloved husband of Kitty (Wall), loving father of Amanda, Catherine, Marjorie and John, much loved grandfather of James, Lorna, David, Jack, Sam and Anna. Deeply regretted by his loving family, his sisters-in-law and the extended Wall family and his many friends.

Reposing at Fennessy's Funeral Home this Wednesday from 4pm with removal at 7.30pm to SS Peter & Pauls, Clonmel. Requiem Mass on Thursday at 1pm. Funeral thereafter to St Patricks Cemetery, Clonmel.

Died Recently
The death has occurred Tuesday, February 11, 2014, of Michael (Mick) Meehan, Lismortagh, Fethard.

Reposing at O'Connell's Funeral Home, Killenaule this Thursday evening from 5pm to 7.30pm. Arriving at St. Joseph the Worker Church, Moyglass at 8pm.

Requiem Mass on Friday at 11.30am followed by burial in adjoining Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to St. Anthony's Unit Clonmel.

Ulick O’Connor for the Abymill

Ulick O’Connor first became known on Irish television with his controversial appearances on The Late Late Show. Outside Ireland he has featured more than once on the Wogan Show and on the David Frost Show. In the United States, as well as appearances on the Johnny Carson Show, he was hailed on radio by Studs Terkel, the best-known American host as, “My most favourite of raconteurs – nobody like him”.

Ulick O’Connor will appear at the Abymill Theatre in Fethard on Friday, February 28, in his one-man show, ‘The Poetry and Wit of Oliver St. John Gogarty’. Tickets at €10 are available from ‘Town and County’, The Square, Fethard. The show starts at 8pm.

Gogarty was one of the leading figures of the Irish Literary Renaissance which reached its peak in the middle of the nineteenth century. Out of it came writers like W.B. Yeats, James Joyce, Sean O’Casey, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett. It was a striking moment in Irish history and has left behind a significant body of creative work.

Sonny Condell for Crocanoir

The Crocanoir concert series for 2014 will kick off on Saturday, February 22, with singer songwriter Sonny Condell. Sonny has been an integral part of the Irish music scene since the early 1970s, a musical career spanning 35 years, from his heady days with ‘Tír Na nÓg’ which landed him on the biggest stages in the world, to the truly fantastic ‘Scullion’. Sonny Condell's songs are melodic and thoughtful. A prolific songwriter with 15 albums to his credit, Sonny captivated the audience on his previous visit to Crocanoir and we are delighted to welcome him back. Booking Tel: (052) 9153117.

Fethard News
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.