50 years of wedded bliss

Michael and Margaret Flanagan celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary last weekend.

Congratulations to Michael and Margaret Flanagan, Tullamaine, who celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends on Friday, October 3, 2014. Michael has a long association with Tipperary Foxhounds starting at a meeting on Friday, March 2, 1951, when the minutes recorded, “It was the general opinion of the hunting members of the committee that Mickey Flanagan was quite suitable whip-in to T. Ryan next season.”

Forty years later chairman Brian Duffy made a presentation to Margaret and Michael marking their 40 years service to the hunt. Michael was Tipperary Foxhounds Kennel Huntsman for many years and also a very active member and promoter of Fethard Coursing Club. We wish them both many more years happiness together.

Butlers Sports Bar celebrate 10 years

Cutting the cake at Butler's 10th Anniversary party are L to R: Marianne Shortall, Ann and Philip Butler and Ann Marie Butler.

Congratulations to Philip and Ann Butler who celebrated their tenth year in business at Butler’s Sports Bar last weekend. A special anniversary party was held for customers on Saturday night where music, entertainment and a great selection of hot and cold food, organised by Marianne Butler, was enjoyed by all present. A 10th Anniversary cake was later cut and shared by Ann and Philip to mark the occasion.

Butler’s Sports Bar was originally owned by Jack O’Shea, who took it over in November 1959, and was later taken over by his son Pat who sold it to Bob Grant in November 1999. Philip and Ann purchased the bar in September 2004.


L to R: Bob Maher and Connie Sullivan photographed at Butler's Anniversary party.


Photographed at Butler's Anniversary party are L to R: Dick O'Brien, Josie Ryan, Christine Cady and Deirdre Goggin.


Photographed at Butler's Anniversary party are L to R: Ann Hahessy and Louise McGrath.


Photographed at Butler's Anniversary party are L to R: Peter Nagle, Ann Butler and Larry Kehoe.


Photographed at Butler's Anniversary party are L to R: Peter Tynan, Ann Marie Butler, Rachael Moriarty and Sinead O'Brien.


Davy Maher and his sister Jill Schubert


Photographed at Butler's Anniversary party are L to R: Carrie Sweeney, Sarah Conway, Fiona Conway and Audrey Conway.


Photographed at Butler's Anniversary party are L to R: Aaron O'Donovan, Stephen O'Meara, Dermot Culligan and Niall Hayes.


Photographed at Butler's Anniversary party are L to R: Ann Butler and Tony Sayers.

Annual Newsletter change of addresses
Please hand in your change of addresses and any new address for the Emigrants' Newsletter mailing list to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, or Carmel Rice, Brookhill, as soon as possible. Every year, a certain number of Newsletters are returned because people have changed address or come back home to live. Please help us avoid this waste of postage costs by checking if your family member's address is up to date and let us know if changed since last Christmas.

The Annual Church Gate Collection in aid of the Fethard & Killusty Emigrants Newsletter will take place in the parish on Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26. Proceeds will go towards covering the cost of posting over 900 Newsletters free of charge to our emigrants living throughout the world. It is now 55 years since the Fethard Legion of Mary sent the first Newsletter in 1959.

The Annual Emigrant's Newsletter ask you to please support this year's issue by making a donation. All proceeds go to the publishing and delivery of the Annual Newsletter, free of charge, to our emigrants living throughout the world. Donations of €10 and over will be acknowledged in this year's issue. MAKE A DONATION

Ribworld to create 100 new jobs in Fethard

A new €8 million investment programme was announced on Monday, October 6, by Richard Bruton, Minister for jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, at the official opening of Ribworld's new manufacturing facility on the Killenaule Road, Fethard. Irish food company Ribworld is to create 100 new jobs as part of their new investment programme.

Recruitment for the new positions will get underway shortly, and this will bring employment levels at Ribworld, part of the M&M Walshe food group, to over 175 people over the next three years. The strategic investment programme will position the company to invest in a major new product development drive and expand operational capacity, all aimed at meeting increasing demand for its products and expanding its market share across Europe and other international markets.


Photographed outside the new RibWorld Factory in Fethard are L to R: Cllr Eddie O'Meara, Cllr Michael Fitzgerald (Chairman Tipperary County Council), John Walshe (RibWorld), Minister Tom Hayes, Michael Cantwell (Enterprise Ireland), and Minister Richard Bruton.

Making the announcement, Minister Bruton said: “Today’s announcement that Ribworld is investing in a major expansion of its operations in Fethard and creating 100 jobs is a great boost for Munster and a great example of what can be achieved by Irish food and manufacturing businesses across the country. I am delighted that my Department, through Enterprise Ireland, has been able to support Ribworld’s really impressive growth and I wish them every success for the future”.


Noel Higgins showing a sample of RibWorld's products at the announcement of 100 jobs at the RibWorld Factory in Fethard. L to R: Michael Cantwell (Enterprise Ireland), Minister Richard Bruton, John Walshe (RibWorld), Minister Tom Hayes and Noel Higgins (RibWorld)

Speaking at the expansion announcement John Walshe, Managing Director, Ribworld, said: "Over the past three years we have grown the business by over 200% and launched a number of new products. This new facility will allow Ribworld to continue to expand into new markets and develop a new range of products."


Minister Richard Bruton photographed with members of the Walshe family, owners of RibWorld, at the announcement of 100 new jobs at their new Fethard factory. L to R: Geraldine (Walshe) Clohessy, Paul Walshe, Michelle Walshe, Minister Richard Bruton and John Walshe.

Welcoming the announcement Michael Cantwell, Enterprise Ireland's Manager of the Food Division, said: "The creation of 100 new jobs at Ribworld is a great boost for Tipperary. Their success underpins Ireland’s standing as a leader in the international food industry. Enterprise Ireland has worked closely with Ribworld in supporting its strategic investment and growth plans, and we look forward to continuing to support this ambitious company as they implement their exciting growth plans, sustaining and creating jobs in Ireland".

Country Markets move to Lonergan’s
Fethard Country Markets have now arranged to hold their weekly market in the covered passageway at Lonergan’s Bar on The Square, Fethard, for the duration of the Town Hall renovations.

Last week, due to unforeseen circumstances, the market had to be held ‘alfresco’ on Main Street which unfortunately was a bad-weather day.

September Sports Achievement Award

Kate Davey, Fethard Ladies Football Club, receiving the Fethard Sports Achievement Award for September from special sporting guest Waltie Moloney (left) and Sean O'Sullivan, representing this month's sponsor, O'Sullivan Insurance, Clonmel.

The winner of the Fethard Sports Achievement Award for September was announced in Butler’s Bar on Friday, October 3. This month’s sponsor, Sean O’Sullivan, representing O’Sullivan Insurance, Clonmel, announced the winner who was Kate Davey from Fethard Ladies Football Club. Kate is one of Fethard’s best young football players and was a member of the Tipperary team who recently won the All Ireland U16 title beating Laois on a score of 3-16 to 2-6, with Kate scoring three points. Kate was joined by many members of the Fethard Ladies Football Club at the award presentation in Butlers Sports Bar.


Members of Fethard Ladies Football Club photographed at the presentation of the Fethard Sports Achievement Award for September. L to R: Tracy Grant, Sarah Smyth, Sharon O'Meara, Sandra Spillane and Kay Spillane.

Special local sporting guest on the night was Waltie Moloney. Waltie played football with Fethard GAA club for 31 years, from 1950 to 1981, before entering in the management and training end of the game for many years to follow. Waltie is now a GAA match commentator with local radio station.
Nominations for the November award are now being taken at Butler’s Bar.

Cancer Fundraising Day
Róisín's Hair Salon will hold their third annual Cancer Fundraising Day in their salon at The Square, Fethard. With your help they will try and make a small difference to those fighting cancer and those who have been affected by cancer. The salon will open on bank holiday Sunday, October 26, from 10am to 3pm offering wash and blow dry for €15 and men's cuts will also be available for €10. All money raised will go directly to Irish Cancer Society. To make an appointment please call on (052) 6132658. Refreshments will be served on the day.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council
The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Council will take place at 8.30pm on Tuesday, October 14, in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on this coming Sunday night, October 12, to the music of ‘Checkers’. 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.

Fethard Tholsel renovations commence

Renovation work on Fethard Tholsel commenced on Tuesday, September 30, starting on the ground floor where the contractors are currently clearing debris. The redevelopment will incorporate a tourism information and service centre, public toilets, viewing area (rear of the building looks on to the medieval back lands which includes the Holy Trinity Church and town walls), interpretative space, country/farmer market space, community offices and craft retail area.

Athletic Club training
Fethard AC training takes place every Monday and Friday evening at 7.15 pm from the ballroom carpark. New members welcome to enjoy getting fit in a social non-competitive environment. The countdown has now started to our annual Santa 5k run in December, so even if you're a non-runner why not set yourself a goal and start training for this event now, you could surprise yourself.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on October 1 were: 2, 9, 21 and 24. We had no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner so the following drawn tickets received €50: Anna Bradshaw Cooke, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard; Edwina Newport, Chapel Lane, Fethard; and Noreen Allen, Cashel Road, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Joan O'Meara, The Green, Fethard; Ursula Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; and Anne Connolly, Main Street, Fethard.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, October 8. The Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €1,000. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Fethard Convent Community Hall
Just a reminder to all parents/minders that the ‘Toddler Group’ meet in the Convent Community Hall every Thursday morning from 10am to 12.30pm, where there are lots of toys available for children to play. Children can also have juice and biscuits while their parents / minders can enjoy a cup of coffee.

This group is very informal and was set up to give parents a chance to get out of the house and meet other adults for a chat while children get a chance to mix with each other which can be a great help in introducing them to a playschool environment. Very small babies are also very welcome to come along to the group.

The group was set up by the Convent Hall committee as a community based ‘not for profit’ facility to have available in the town. Parents are asked (where possible) to pay €3 which goes towards the heating in the hall and providing tea/biscuits. If you have a child at home it would be great to see ye come along on a Thursday morning. All ages welcome! Contact Janice at 087 2475762 for further information.

Fethard GAA Sports Lotto
The numbers drawn on October 3 were 12, 18, 25 and 30. There was no jackpot winner and no match three winner so the following five drawn tickets received €30: Ava Kendrick, Abbeyview; Bob Maher, Barrack Street, Fethard; John Hurley, Cedar Grove, Fethard; Lorena Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; and Cassidy Bradshaw, c/o Benny Morrissey. The €50 Lucky Dip winner was: Michael Ryan, Tullamaine.

Next week’s Jackpot is €6,600 and the draw will take place in Fethard GAA Park on Friday, October 10, at 7pm. All are welcome. Thank you for your continued support.

Fethard Piano Exams 2014
The 2014 piano exams held in Fethard for pupils of Fethard piano teacher Stuart Clooney were a big success again this year. Pupils of all levels from Fethard and the surrounding areas who sat the exams, either pre or post Easter, were examined by an examiner from the Leinster School of Music and Drama, Griffith College, Dublin. The graded piano exams are extremely important to help students focus on an annual goal and thereby progress through the music grades syllabus. All students achieved outstanding results, with Honours and First Class Honours, on both exam dates. Medals were awarded to the following students for particularly high results of over 95% in the intermediate and higher grades: Kaylin O’Donnell, Keith Morrissey, Laura O’Donnell, Eoin Murphy, Hannah Sheehy and Katie McCarthy.

At the annual National Music and Drama Excellence Awards Competition, involving students from all over Ireland, the examiners nominated 140 students excelling in a particular piece of music or drama. Six of Stuart’s students, Sadhbh Morrissey, Keith Morrissey, Katie McCarthy, Laura O’Donnell, Chloe O’Donovan Carey and Hannah Sheehy were nominated and travelled to Dublin. Katie McCarthy and Chloe Carey O’Donovan reached the final thirty of the competition receiving special recognition from the judges. Congratulation to all who reached the final rounds of this prestigious competition – a testament to the talent and hard work involved.

Michelle keeps up family tradition

Michelle Nevin, photographed with her parents at Baltimore, Maryland, USA, last year. L to R: Chris Nevin, Michelle Nevin and Michael Nevin.

Congratulations to Michelle Nevin, daughter of Michael and Chris Nevin from Fethard, who trained her first Group 1 winner at Belmont Park, New York, on October 4, 2014. Michelle won the $500,000 Frizette two-year-old stake for fillies with ‘By the Moon’ in a 24-1 upset.

Michelle is definitely keeping up her family horse-training tradition as her grandfather was horse-trainer Dick Nevin, Ballintemple, Fethard, who passed on his family business to his sons Michael and Richard before Michael moved and started training in the USA.

Fethard Rugby Club
Fethard senior played their first J1 league game on Sunday last following their promotion at the end of last season. Bantry Bay made the long journey to Fethard and it was the home side that were victorious.

Fethard were first to score when the ball was spread wide and the illusive Jamie McCormack broke through tackles to score in the corner, Bantry struck back landing two long-range penalties and it was clear that no more indiscretions could be given away. Fethard moved the ball wide and some fine back play saw Declan Doyle score and convert his own try to leave the half time score 12-6 in favour of Fethard.

The second half was a very tight contest and the big Bantry pack piled on the pressure in the Fethard 22 but some great defence by Luke Keating, Brian Murphy, Andy Walsh and J.R. McGrath held them out, and then a great break by P.J. Morrissey saw Fethard awarded a penalty which was kicked for touch. The resulting lineout saw Chris Bannister set up a rolling maul with Nicko Hoynes moving the ball to the back and the Fethard pack drove over for a fine try which ‘Doyler’ converted. This was a good performance with the new centre pairing of Patrick Cuddihy and P.J. Morrissey working very well, while William Power, Alan O’Connor, John Ryan, Dillon Fitzgerald and Kevin Hayes were other players of note.

Fethard U9s and U10s were hosts to Cashel on Sunday last and both games were very evenly contested, David McCormack, Tom Smith, Niall O’Meara, Jack Quinlan, Padraig O’Dwyer, Louis Ryan, Antony Wall, Padraig Duggan and Gavin Kiely were notable performers.

Senior Citizens’ Club resumes
Fethard's Senior Citizens' Club are resuming their monthly meetings following the summer break. Reminding all members, we meet on Tuesday, October 7, at 7.30pm, in the Tirry Centre.

Red Cross first aid course completed

Photographed at the presentation of certificates were Back L to R: Tommy Sheehan, Geraldine Cahill, Miceál McCormack, Annette Quigley, Eamon Kennedy, Stephen Fitzgerald, Fiona Lawless, Michael Ryan, Tony McGarry. Front L to R: Pat Coyne, Martin O’Keeffe (Red Cross Instructor), Bríd O’Keeffe (Red Cross) and Richard Cummins (Red Cross). Missing from photo were Tony Burgess, Nicola Quigley and Michelle Hennebry.

Congratulations to those taking part in and successfully completing the Practical First Aid and CFRC course run recently in Fr. Tirry Community Centre. It was great to see a group so keen to learn life saving skills. Well done to all, it was a pleasure to work with you all and the cakes and apple tarts provided on the last night will definitely ensure that we’ll be back to give more courses very soon. So anyone interested in taking part in our next Practical First Aid and CFRC course in Fethard (or Cashel) can give their names to Richard Cummins at Tel: 086 2734566.

Killusty appeal for volunteers

Junior Infants starting school at Killusty National School. L to R: Laura Coonan, Sophie McEvoy, Joe Purcell and Joseph Gaule

If anybody is free on Wednesday evenings around 7pm, we would really appreciated their help by coming along to Killusty and help to get it tidied up for the winter months. A lot could be achieved in an hour or so. Your help will also be needed over the winter with the construction of flower boxes so we ask all budding carpenters to lend a hand. For further information contact any of the Killusty community committee members.

A big thank you to Killusty Crafts for sponsoring a tennis net for the courts in Killusty court. Many evenings have been spent cleaning it and now with this generous gift from Lorraine and Richard, it's now open for play again.

Early signs of winter already appearing

Ireland has been basking in one of the warmest autumns for many years but that may be about to change if the tradition of holly trees signalling the arrival of a bitter winter is to be believed. The arrival of these beautiful bright red holly berries in Fethard may herald a harsh winter to come. So be prepared!

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.