Ulick still landing side-swipes at RTE
Photographed at Ulick O'Connor's one man show ‘The Poetry and Wit of Oliver St. John Gogarty' at the Abymill Theatre are L to R: Bob Lanigan, Dr. Martin Mansergh, Ulick O'Connor and Susan Archdeacon.
On Friday night, February 28th, a great blast from the past occurred at the Abymill Theatre. Most people over the age of forty will well remember the controversial appearances of Ulick O’Connor on The Late Late Show hosted for so many years by Gay Byrne. Ulick, a great storyteller and charmer but with a noted acerbic wit would hold forth with gusto on the topics of the day.
For the initial part of the evening at the Abymill, a documentary entitled ‘An Offering of Swans’ was shown. This short film, produced by James Plunkett, who later wrote Strumpet City, was narrated by Andy O’Mahony, who comes from Irishtown, Clonmel, and who still broadcasts on RTE radio, featured Ulick as Oliver St John Gogarty. This low budget documentary enacted some of the main events in Gogarty’s life such as his escape from anti-treaty forces during the Civil War, his subsequent thanksgiving gift of swans to the canal, his lodging with James Joyce and the consequent portrayal of him as Buck Mulligan in Ulysses and his own exile in later life in the USA. Still landing side-swipes at RTE, Ulick then told the audience how five minutes from this film had been expunged. At Gogarty’s funeral Ulick had been standing beside Monsignor Pádraig de Brún (scholar and president of UCG who hailed from Grangemockler and influential uncle to Máire Mac An tSaoi, poet and wife of Conor Cruise O’Brien) who was a life long friend of Gogarty and during the obsequies, given in Latin, de Brún in his grief began to recite some salacious verses composed by Gogarty into Ulick’s ear to demonstrate the wit and versatility of his old friend. On stage Ulick recited the obsequies interspersed with these Limericks as we imagined the scene at Gogarty’s grave. The film version of this scene had been deleted by RTE in the documentary on moral grounds but was a glorious part of the evening’s entertainment as it showed clearly the ability of Ulick to tell the tale and rejoice in character. It would be fair to say the film really is of historical rather than artistic interest.
Photographed at Ulick O'Connor's one man show ‘The Poetry and Wit of Oliver St. John Gogarty' at the Abymill Theatre are L to R: Tommy O'Brien, Martin O'Shea and John Cooney.
We were also told how Gogarty while a Senator in the new Free State commented one time on his friend Yeats also serving as a senator, ‘Yeats is becoming so aristocratic that he is evicting imaginary tenants’. Gogarty was also a surgeon and during an operation inadvertently cut into the artery of his patient, another doctor cried at the flow of blood, ‘Jesus Christ’ to which Gogarty replied, ‘do not call on an untrained assistant but pass me that sponge immediately.’ There were several instances given of Gogarty’s wit and off the cuff remarks which the audience found very enjoyable. Ulick also recited poems by Gogarty, by Yeats and by Francis Ledwidge as part of the general question and answer session after the film. There is no doubt but that Ulick is a great chronicler of the Dublin that produced James Joyce, Brendan Behan and Gogarty, a Dublin that provided refuge for Paddy Kavanagh and a Dublin that served as a public forum for Yeats and others to set up the Abbey Theatre which flourished not alone as a national institution but for many years was part of people’s lives. The wit, poetry and style of those times Ulick O’Connor captures with verve and audacity. It is a bygone Dublin before rock and roll, feminism, drugs and money for the people.
Photographed at Ulick O'Connor's one man show ‘The Poetry and Wit of Oliver St. John Gogarty' at the Abymill Theatre are L to R: Jane Lanigan, Robert Lanigan and Louise Curling.
Ulick also recalled the halcyon days of the Shelbourne Hotel and its famous horseshoe bar and the great waiters that used to work there. One of these waiters was in the audience and nearly rail-roaded Ulick in his recall of the poems, this tetchy clash in its peculiar way showed how today no one view by a single person or class is allowed to hold sway. It was a performance of bravado and mirth and was wonderful to behold a man in his eighties hold the stage without prop or microphone and celebrate the gift of word and story. Indeed he emphasised more than once that this gift of word and word play may be the great attribute we have as a people and not a mention was made of the Celtic Tiger. An acknowledgement here has to be made to Mr Bob Lanigan who organised the event and to all those others who helped out. Otherwise we would not know today about the Hay Hotel. The whole evening might entice us back to reading Ulick himself especially his great book, ‘Celtic Dawn’ or at a push to read Gogarty and his novel ‘As I walked down Sackville Street’ or even to revisit some of the poems we heard in their splendour on this great and stimulating evening. — (J.C.)
Davy to run as an independent
Local man, Davy Morrissey, has declared his intention to run as an independent candidate in the forthcoming local elections for the Fethard / Carrick-on-Suir Electoral Area.
Table Quiz raises €660
Catherine O'Donnell, chairperson Patrician Presentation Parents' Association, would like to thank the sponsors and everyone who helped and supported their recent Table Quiz held in the Convent Community Hall. A total of €660 was raised which will go towards the Annual Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage fund.
Nominations for February Sports Achievement Award
The following personalities have been nominated for the Butler’s Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award for February 2014.
- Billy Treacy – Billy trained ‘Fethard Player’ to victory in a maiden hurdle recently at Thurles racecourse for owners Ciaran and Mia Treacy.
- Bernard Feery – During February Bernard finished second in the Over 50 category in Mount Juliet and he also finished 6th overall in the 4k series of races in Clonmel.
- Mouse Morris – Mouse continued to produce winners in February with ‘Dromlea’ and ‘Let’s Celebrate’ winning at Fairyhouse and Thurles.
- Joe Fogarty – Joe is among a huge number of Fethard people abroad who are making great efforts in playing and organising our national games. Joe has just become secretary of his Gaelic football club in Bosan, South Korea, where he works as an English teacher.
- Kari Laaksonen – Originally from Finland and now living in Fethard, Kari is heavily involved in ‘Cross Fit’ a multi-disciplined fitness craze that's sweeping through Europe and America. He finished 4th overall in a recent open tournament in Clonmel that attracted 75 competitors.
- Bridget O’Dwyer – Bridget is leader of the phenomenon ‘Operation Transformation’ which has taken Fethard by storm. At the last count she had 77 people signed up for her detailed fitness programme run on a weekly basis.
- Harry Kelly – Harry’s horse ‘On Impulse’ ridden by Pa King was the impressive winner of the bumper race at Thurles recently continuing the stables good form.
The winner for February will be announced at a function in Butler’s Bar on this Friday night, March 7. All are welcome to attend.
Killusty Soccer Club
Killusty Soccer Club would like to take this opportunity to offer our deepest condolences to the family of the late Mick Cranitch, Ballinard, who died recently. Mick was a former secretary and selector with the club, and it was no small coincidence that he was with us during the most successful years in the club’s history. The work that Mick put into Killusty soccer club during his time with us will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.
Parish Novena in March
The Fethard & Killusty Parish annual Novena will take place from Saturday, March 22, to Sunday, March 30, inclusive, starting at 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays and at 7.30pm from Monday to Friday nightly in Fethard Holy Trinity Parish Church and your attendance would be very much appreciated. Please mark the dates in your diary.
Senior Citizens monthly meeting
Group photographed at Fethard Senior Citizens' monthly gathering at Fethard Tirry Community Centre with staff members at the Centre. Photo supplied by Larry Kenny
Juvenile GAA team lose to Commercials
Fethard U12 A team started their Championship on Friday, February 28, against a very strong and organised Clonmel Commercials team. As the weather has been so bad of late we have only had a couple of training sessions with the team and numbers are tight as we have two teams entered in competitions.
The boys in blue got off to a good start with a goal after a few minutes. We had another couple of good chances that we failed to utilise and their goalie saved a penalty. We notched up another few scores but it wasn't enough. The team kept fighting but Commercials took their chances and we failed to. All the team played well and now it's up and on to the next game which is a big step up for our team playing in this grade. Thanks to the parents who came along to support.
Fethard Macra Notes
The County Basketball competition took place at the Canon Hayes Sports Centre in Tipperary Town last Sunday. Fethard won their first match against Suirvale Macra but narrowly lost against Slievenamon Macra. Team members included Michael Moclair, Kevin Byrne, Pat Murphy, Liam Cleary and Andrew Maguire.
Debating takes place in Kilcoran Lodge Hotel this Saturday night, March 8. Best of luck to our club members Michael Moclair, Suzanne Gorey, Pat Murphy and Paul Tierney who are debating against Freemount Macra.
Fethard ICA Annual General Meeting
The AGM of Fethard ICA Guild will take place on Tuesday, March 11, at 8pm in the ICA Hall, Rocklow Road. The ‘yellow group’ are catering on the night. Membership fee is €50 per annum.
Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on this coming Sunday Night, March 9, 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 €8 which includes tea and cakes.
Fishing Club hold AGM
Fethard and Killusty Angling Club will hold their AGM in the Tirry Community Centre on this Friday night, March 7, at 8pm. Members only.
Fethard Athletic Club
Fethard Athletic Club held their AGM in McCarthys hotel on Friday, February 28, where the following officers were elected: Miceál McCormack (chairperson), Paraic McCormack (vice-chairperson), Nicola Guiry (secretary), joint-treasurers Aine Doocey, Noreen Harrington and Miceál McCormack, joint public relation officers Michael Moclair and Nicola Guiry, Catherine O’Donnell (child protection officer), Biddy O’Dwyer (medical officer), and Ned McCormack (stewarding chief).
We've plenty of races to look forward to this year including the ‘County Seniors’ in April, ‘Walls of Fethard’ in May and the popular ‘Santa Run’ in December amongst others.
Well done to the five club members, Ed Kinane, Willie O’Connell, Biddy O’Dwyer, Imelda Vaughan and Noreen Harrington-Sheehy, who participated in the masters in Clonmel, on Sunday, March 2, in the ladies Over-45 and came 4th overall. We also had two individual medals. A great effort by all concerned.
Good news about our long awaited running track which has recently got the green light for construction. Hopefully works can get underway in the near future, which will be a huge benefit for the whole town.
New members are always welcome to join even if you have never run before. We'd love to see new faces and a good turn out at training at 7.15pm on Mondays and Fridays, meeting at the ballroom. We had a great number of club members participating in races last year and this year we want it to be even better, so please come along.
Kerry Street chat
Chatting in Kerry Street are L to R: Lorraine McCormack-Herkommer, Sean Ward and Lydia (Newport) Kelly.
Family Fun Table Quiz in Moyglass
Moyglass National School Parents’ Association will hold a Family Fun Table Quiz’ at 8pm on Saturday, March 8, in Moyglass Community Hall. A table will cost €15. A raffle will also be held on the night and refreshments / shop available. All funds raised on the night will go to Moyglass National School.
Fethard & District Rugby Club
Courage can be defined as strength in the face of grief, and this defines our U12 squad. Though luckless against Young Munster, Kilfeacle and Clan our squad never quit and represented the district with pride. Young Munster, nursery to Paul O’Connell and Peter Clohessy etc, drove strongly at our forwards and their excellent rucking knocked us back. Into this black and yellow deluge waded Sam Quigley, Lucy Murphy and Matthew Gleeson. This gallant trio fought toe-to-toe to hold the line. Mark McCormack used scarce ball well and skipped into scarce space when it showed. Munster won the day but the experienced Limerick men saw much to admire in the ‘blue and white’. Our old foe Kilfeacle used size to advantage and tested our tiring pack. Eabha Fitzgerald relishes the battle and showed her worth to good effect, scoring at the flag. Tom Hayden's speed and pluck will get more reward on drier turf. Ian Harrington has footballing skill now allied to trademark covering. When Clan came calling our tanks were empty. Angus McDonald showed as a novice nine his versatility and guts. Matt Burke will always battle bravely but now displays excellent stamina. Ethan Coen’s work rate in loose or tight play yielded points.
Heads were low, but defeat shows us the road ahead. Though tackles do go in the critical area is at first up. What's great about this bunch is when they focus they progress. No one doubts their ability, bravery and skill. Friday night . . . tackle mania?
Thank you to Kilfeacle for inviting Fethard to take part in the Johnny Woods U12 Festival and the hospitality afterwards. All training for girls, boys and youths continue on Friday evenings at Fethard community field at 6.45pm to 8pm. New members are always welcome to come along and join in.
Next Sunday, March 9, minis all ages up to and including under 7s are away to Cashel, 10am for 10.30am kick off.
Fethard U14 Rugby team
Fethard U14s
Fethard U14s played East Munster Cup Match at home to Waterpark in atrocious weather conditions. Fethard succeeded in scoring the first try of the game, but from the drop off Waterpark applied huge pressure, with good line breaks forcing Fethard to defend their five meter line, following two or three phases Waterpark touched down under the posts and converted. Just on half time Fethard conceded another try to leave half time score at 14-5.
Fethard, playing with the wind in the second half applied good pressure, resulting in scoring a second try. Deteriorating weather conditions made play difficult for both teams, forcing lots of handling errors and allowing Waterpark to score their third try in the dying minutes of the game.
Fethard J2s
Fethard seniors good run in the Gleeson League continued when they played Young Munster away on February 23. This was their last league game before the semifinal and a win would ensure a home semi. The Fethard team settled early and some fine forward play from Joe Murphy, Kevin Hayes and Andy Walsh saw Chris Bannister score, Conor Kavanagh followed up with another fine score with Richie Carroll converting leaving the half time score 12-0.
The second half was a very one-sided affair with Fethard dominating all aspects and running out comfortable winners and securing a home semifinal against either St Marys or Old Crescent. This is major achievement for this young team and we wish them well in the semifinal.
On Saturday night last we travelled to Clonmel to play a friendly against the home side who were also having a good season. Fethard started strongly but the Clonmel defence was resolute but eventually succumbed and Kieran Power crossed for a fine try. The game remained very evenly contested with Joe Murphy, Robert Bannister, Emmet O’Mahony, Chris Large and Joe Frazh working hard in the forwards.
The second half saw Fethard continue to apply pressure and were rewarded with two penalties which Richie Carroll landed. Conor Kavanagh had a fine game at scrum half and relieved the Clonmel pressure on numerous occasions but eventually Clonmel were rewarded with a try to leave the final score 11-7 to Fethard in what was a very good and competitive game for both teams. Our thanks to Clonmel for hosting us on the night.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on February 26 were: 1, 9, 25 and 27. We had no jackpot winner and three ‘Match Three’ winners who received €50 each: Patsy Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; P. O'Donnell, c/o Tom Purcell; and Ann Hahessy, Woodvale Walk, Fethard.
The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Josephine Shelly, Moyglass; Denis O'Meara, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard; and Mary Sullivan, Clerihan.
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, March 5. The Jackpot is €8,200 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €820. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.
GAA Sports Lotto
There was no winner of the GAA Sports Lotto jackpot this week. We had no match three winner so the following five lucky dip winners received €30 each: Anne Cooke St Patrick’s Place, Fethard; ‘Sparky’, Main Street, Fethard; Mick Leahy, Strylea, Fethard; Dick Fitzgerald, St Patrick’s Place, Fethard; and Anthony Coffey; Burkes Street, Fethard. The winner of the €50 lucky dip was Mary Kenrick, Burke Street, Fethard. Next week’s jackpot is €3,500 and the draw will take place in The Castle Inn on March 4. Thanks to all for your continued support.
Search underway for best young entrepreneurs in Tipperary
 The search is on to find the best young entrepreneurs in Tipperary as part of a €2 million Government drive to encourage more young people to start up their own businesses. That's according to Labour local election candidate, Liam Hayes, who has welcomed news that the county-wide competition will get underway this year. The competition will be run by the Local Enterprise Office and a prize fund will be available to reward the county's best three start-ups, with additional awards for regional and national winners.
"I am extremely pleased that young entrepreneurs in Tipperary are being supported by this new Youth Entrepreneurship Fund and in particular, I welcome the innovative element of competition. Not alone will it will help identify and support the best young entrepreneurs we have, but it will also raise the profile of entrepreneurship as a viable career for a young person to pursue."
The Local Enterprise Office will be tasked with running the competition and there will be prize funds available for the successful start-ups. They will then go on to compete at regional and national level for more prizes.
SMEs are playing a vital role in our economic recovery and supporting new entrepreneurs and their ideas will help this recovery. However, many young entrepreneurs are struggling to access credit via the financial institutions for numerous reasons and there are limitations to State supports.
The establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Fund will therefore address some of these issues and help to engender a culture of youth enterprise and innovation.
The Youth Entrepreneurship Fund was one of many measures announced in the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs, which was launched by Government on Thursday. This year’s Plan focuses on supporting the domestic economy, improving competitiveness, and supporting our entrepreneurs and small businesses, building on the success of last year, when there was an increase of 61,000 people at work nationwide.
More details of the how the competition will work are being drawn up by the Department of Jobs and I look forward to relaying those details onto local people very soon. Contact Liam Hayes on 087 617 4853
Died Recently
 The death has occurred on Saturday 1st March 2014 of Tony Nugent, Weir View Villa, Old Bridge, Clonmel, and late of Grangebeg, Fethard. Peacefully at Heywood Lodge. Tony, retired auctioneer, deeply regretted by his wife Joy (Lonergan), beloved daughter Emma, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, extended family and friends. Rest In Peace
Reposing at Fennessy's Funeral Home this Sunday evening from 4pm with removal to SS Peter & Paul's Church at 6pm. Requiem mass on Monday morning at 11am. Funeral thereafter to Powerstown Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to Heywood Lodge, Clonmel.
The late Dinny Flynn
 The ashes of the late Denis Flynn, Redhill, Surrey, England, and formerly of The Green, Fethard, who died on December 30, 2013, will return to be interred in his family grave at Calvary Cemetery, Fethard, at 12 noon on Saturday, March 8. A prayer service will be held at the grave side.
Dinny was a son of the late Mick Flynn, The Green, and was an avid reader and supporter of the Fethard & Killusty Enigrant's Newsletter. He was a regular visitor to Fethard and also to his relatives in Cork. A quiet, gentle and very generous man, Dinny will be sadly missed by all his friends in Fethard, relatives in Cork, England and Australia.
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.
|
