Died Recently
The death has occurred on Thursday, May 29, 2014, of Alan Bourke, Hillview, Ballyclerihan, and formerly of Tullamaine, Fethard.

Deeply regretted and sadly missed by his partner Oonagh, their daughter Mia, their son AJ, his mother and father Noreen and Martin, his brothers Michael, Tom, Martin and Diarmuid, sisters in law, aunts, uncles, mother-in-law Chrissie, family and many friends. May he rest in peace.

Reposing at his parents residence in Tullamaine on Saturday from 3pm to 9pm. Funeral Mass at 11am on Sunday in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, followed by burial in Ballyclerihan Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations to Pieta House.

The late Gerard Long
The tragic death has occurred on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, of popular local vet, Gerard Long (MRCVS), Lawlesstown, Clonmel, when he was kicked by a horse that he was attending to on a farm near Moyglass. He was later taken to South Tipperary General Hospital but died from his injuries.

The late Mr Long is survived by his wife Gail, daughters Jessica, Sarah and Elaine, mother Maureen, his sisters Frances (O'Connor) and Rosemary (Hutch), his brother Paddy, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and large circle of friends. May he rest in peace.

Reposing at his residence at Lawlesstown, Clonmel, on Thursday, May 29, from 4pm to 7pm with removal to arrive at Ss Peter & Paul's Church, Clonmel, at 8pm. Requiem Mass at 1pm on Friday followed by burial at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Waterford Road, Clonmel. Family flowers only please.

First Anniversary Mass for Joe Keane
The first anniversary Mass for the late Joe Keane, of Lackaghbeg, Monasterevin, Kildare, and formerly of The Green, Fethard, will take place on Saturday next, May 31, in the Augustinian Abbey at 7.30pm.

Fethard to join Community Text Alert Scheme

Photographed at the Community Text Alert Meeting organised by Fethard & Killusty Community Council are L to R: Joe Kenny (chairman Fethard & Killusty Community Council), Cllr John Fahey, James O’Neill (Muintir na Tire), John Hayes (Killenaule Community Text Alert) and Sergeant John Burke.

A public meeting to start a local Community Text Alert Scheme was held in the Tirry Centre on Tuesday, May 13. The meeting, attended by over forty people and organised by Fethard & Killusty Community Council, was addressed by guest speaker, James O’Neill, Muintir na Tire, who explained that the first community alert scheme was first set up twenty-seven years ago to reduce burglaries, particularly in rural areas and on farms. With the advent of mobile phones a more effective ‘Text Alert Scheme’ has now been set in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. Communities that have joined the scheme have noted a significant reduction in crime in their area.

To start the scheme in Fethard and surrounding hinterland, a number of volunteers will be needed to visit and distribute forms to every house in our designated geographic area. Every household will need to be asked if they want to get involved and a steering committee of twenty to twenty-five people will be required to undertake this initial task. A small management sub-committee, called the Community Alert Group, will be then agreed to manage the scheme.

Sergeant John Burke said that we have approximately 800 households in the Fethard and Killusty area with a split of about 500 urban and 300 rural dwellers. He also stated that the text alert scheme promoted old values of community awareness and using current modern technology was particularly valuable in rural areas as it helps Gardai act on information received quicker.


Killusty residents photographed at the Community Text Alert Meeting organised by Fethard & Killusty Community Council Back L to R: Joe Lee, Anne Darcy, Sean Aylward, Kevin Ryan, Jack Ormond. Front L to R: Damien Byrne, Ann Kenny and Louise Coen.

Cllr John Fahey said that the scheme works very well in his area and that it strengthens community spirit. John Hayes, chairperson of the Killenaule Text Alert Scheme, said that they had a great response to their scheme and suggested that it may be also better to amalgamate the Moyglass area with Fethard.

All present were totally enthusiastic about setting up the scheme and a further meeting will be called as soon as the boundaries of the scheme are noted. Sergeant John Burke has agreed to help in this area as he is aware of where the other adjoining community schemes end.

If you are interested in getting involved please leave your name and number (mobile where possible) with the Community Office in Fethard, Tel: 052 6131000, Email: tirrycentre@fethard.com and we will notify you of the next meeting.

Election thanks
Cllr John Fahey would like to express his sincere thanks to the people of Fethard for their support in the recent election and is looking forward to working with the local community in the coming years. John also expressed his commiserations to local candidate Liam Hayes for running a fantastic hard-fought election campaign on his first time out.

Summer outing for senior citizens
Fethard Senior Citizens' Club members are reminded that their summer outing will take place on Tuesday, June 3. The bus will depart at 11am from the Town Hall, Main Street.

Holy Trinity overall winners in schools athletic competition

Holy Trinity National School boys who won the overall boys team award at the South Tipperary Primary School Track and Field competition held in Clonmel last week. The Shield was presented to Richard Anglim by Nicola Maunsell vice chairperson of Clonmel Athletic Club. Also included are teachers Eileen Fitzgerald and Aisling Fanning,

On Wednesday, May 21, forty-two third to sixth class pupils from Holy Trinity National School travelled to Clonmel to take part in the inter schools athletics competition. Teams of six took part consisting of two running 300m, two running 100m and two taking part in the ball throw. We had many individual winners and each pupil taking part received a medal. To our great surprise and delight we won the Best Overall School shield in both boys and girls competitions. Laura Kiely and Richard Anglim accepted the shields on behalf of their teammates.


Holy Trinity National School girls who won the overall girls team award at the South Tipperary Primary School Track and Field competition held in Clonmel last week. The Shield was presented to Laura Kiely by Nicola Maunsell vice chairperson of Clonmel Athletic Club. Also included are teachers Eileen Fitzgerald and Aisling Fanning,

Fethard Art & Craft Walk 2014
Fethard Town will host an ‘Art & Craft Walk’ from June 3 to August 30, when art and crafts will be displayed in various shop windows in our medieval town. For your pleasure come along and enjoy a visual example of our specialties including Paintings, Ironwork, Silversmith Design, Wood craft, Jewellery, Photography, Hurley Design, Quilt and Cane Work, Card Designs, Get Real Recipes within a 52 card design. You can also take a stroll of our medieval town while you visit. For further information contact: 087 7539230.

‘Happy Heart’ thanks
The heart foundation would like to thank Orla Barry, the students of Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School and local businesses for there support in the recent ‘Happy Heart Week’ when a total of €447 was collected. Thanks also to all who supported this good cause.

Fethard Model back on display

3D Model of 17th century medieval Fethard

The 3D Model of Medieval Fethard will be on display in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland for Fethard’s Medieval Festival Weekend, June 20 to June 22. The model was made by students from Transition Year (2012-13) attending Patrician Presentation Secondary School, and has been on display in the County Museum in Clonmel for several months as part of its exhibition which featured 81 gold coins from Carrick-on-Suir, which also date from the 17th century.

The model was unveiled last year as part of the ‘Bring them Home’ festival organised by Fethard Business and Tourism group and also marked the launch of the Fethard Historical Society’s Medieval Town Trail brochure, on which the model is based. The map on the trail shows Fethard as it might have looked in the 17th century, and was drawn by archaeological illustrator Dan Tietzsch-Tyler. Michael Costello, a former past pupil of the school and an Architectural Technician gave his time and expertise to ensure that the students knew how to scale and present the buildings accurately. The Model was made in the Art Class, with funding from South Tipperary County Council, Irish Walled Towns Network festival fund and Fethard Historical Society.

President’s Prize winners at Bridge

Club President Eileen Frewen (right) presenting Fethard Bridge Club's President's Prize to Eileen Ryan and Jim Lahert at the club's annual dinner.

At our President's Prize dinner held in the Hotel Minella on Friday, May 16, the following prizes were presented: President's Prize to Eileen Ryan and Jim Lahert; Committee Prize to Berney Myles and Alice Quinn; Club Championship (Hayes Trophy) to winners Berney Myles and Alice Quinn; Player of the Year (O'Flynn Trophy) to winner Frances Burke; Individual Champion (Dick Gorey Trophy) to Betty Walsh; Lucey Trophy to Betty Walsh and Madeleine O'Donnell.


Fethard Bridge Club President, Eileen Frewen, presenting the O'Flynn 'Player of the Year' Trophy to winner Frances Burke (left).

Club Championship results were: 1st Gross, Anna Cooke and David O'Meara; 2nd Gross, Nell Broderick and Bernie O'Meara; 3rd Gross, Eileen Ryan and Jim Lahert; 1st Nett, Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh; 2nd Nett, Frances Burke and Mike Burke; 3rd Nett, Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny who were joint winners with Ellen Rochford and Rita Holohan.

Player of the Year results were: 1st Gross, Carol Kenny; 2nd Gross, Brendan Kenny; 3rd Gross, Rita Kane; 1st Nett, Margaret Mary McCormack; 2nd Nett, Gemma Burke; 3rd Nett, Breda O’Grady joint winner with Betty Walsh.

Bridge is finished in Fethard until September but summer bridge continues at the Bridge Centre in Clonmel from Wednesday, May 28, at 7.30pm and in Ballinure on Thursday evenings. All are welcome at summer bridge.

Falconer’s Visit to school

Hanna Sheehy and Ava Ward (right) holding a Barn Owl at the display of birds by falconer Willie Corcoran held in conjunction with the school’s ‘One Book, One School, One Community’ project.

On Monday, May 10, falconer, Willie Corcoran visited the Patrician Presentation secondary school with a collection of birds of prey including hawks and owls. The visit was in conjunction with the school’s ‘One Book, One School, One Community’ project. 1st Year pupils, staff members and members of the local community read the book ‘Sky Hawk’ by Gill Lewis earlier in the school year with the 1st Years also taking part in an art project based on the book. The 1st Years participated in a reading project based on the book with the 4th Class in Holy Trinity Primary School and 4th Class and 6th Class from Holy Trinity also attended the falconry display in the school.

Fethard Athletic Club
The annual ‘Walls of Fethard’ four miler takes place this Thursday evening, May 29, at 8pm. We've had a great response from local Fethard businesses who again provided us with sponsorship for the event so we would love to see a big turnout for the race and hopefully the sun will also shine.

Well done to club members Aine Doocey, Ginny Hutton and Biddy O'Dwyer who all ran well in the Poulmucka 8 km on Friday last, a really enjoyable event. Also best of luck to Franny Tyrell who runs the Cork half marathon this bank holiday Monday in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind, a really worthy cause.

Girl Guides at Dublin Zoo

Leaders Catherine O'Connell and Majella Daly celebrating Brownies 100 Birthday at Dublin Zoo with Fethard Girl Guides Leanne McGarry, Natasha McGarry and Rose O'Donnell.

Irish Dancing classes at Convent Community Hall
Michelle Lawrence, three times world champion Irish dancer, is giving Irish dance lessons every Tuesday afternoon from 3.30pm to 4.30pm at Fethard Convent Community Hall. Michelle would be delighted to meet new boys and girls who would like to join her in learning to dance by the river.

Just a reminder to everybody that Fethard Convent Community Hall is available to hire for an hourly rate for birthday parties, family gatherings, all social occasions, evening classes or other events that you might like to host. For more information contact Joan O’Donohoe at the Community Office Tel: (052) 6131000 or Pamela Sweeney Tel: 086 8743752 (evenings).

Community Lotto Jackpot now €10,000
The numbers drawn on May 21 were: 3, 9, 14 and 24. We had no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150: Mary Delahunty, Castlehiggins, Fethard. The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Pat Burke, Sean Line, Fethard; Christine Brett, The Valley, Fethard; and Margaret Dunne, Ballycullen, Mullinahone.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, May 28. The Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €1,000. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Fethard GAA Sports Lotto
The numbers drawn last week were 6, 14, 16 and 23 and there was no jackpot winner. There was one match three winner who received €150: Justin Walsh, c/o Merrys, Clonmel. The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Danny Kane, Kerry Street. Next week’s Jackpot is €4,700 and the draw will take place in Fethard GAA Park on Friday, May 30, at 7pm. All are welcome. Thanking you for your continued support.

On behalf of Fethard GAA Club we would just like to say a special word of thanks to Mary and Austy Godfrey and to Gussy Fitzgerald for all their time work and effort in running the lotto for the last number of years they have all helped to make it the great success it is today.

Classical Spanish Guitarist for Clonacody House


Classical guitarist, Peter Richmond, who studied under Giulio Tampalini and David Russell, will play an intimate performance at Clonacody House on Saturday, May 31 at 8pm. This unique performance in a unique setting provides the perfect setting for a very entertaining evening of classical Spanish guitar. Wine and tapas will also be included at the interval. Tickets (limited) at €25 are available from Clonacody House Tel: 087 1689167, or from O’Sullivan’s Chemist, Fethard, and Marian’s, O’Connell Street, Clonmel.

Articles for Emigrants’ Newsletter
We are now inviting submissions of articles and photographs for inclusion in this year’s Emigrants’ Newsletter which will be published in November this year. Articles or photographs can be submitted to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, or by email to newsletter@fethard.com

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.