Died Recently
The death has occurred on Friday, October 17, of Mrs Kay Walsh (nee O'Connor), An Sean Líne, Fethard.

Kathleen Mary, pre deceased by her husband Michael, sadly missed by her children Mary, John, Michael, Joe and Rose, her sister Mai O'Meara, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grand daughter, relatives and many friends. May she rest in peace.

Reposing at her son Michael's residence at Market Hill, Fethard, on Sunday from 3pm to 6pm. Funeral to arrive at the Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Monday at 11am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Thursday, 16th October, 2014, of Padraig O Riain, Kyleard, Athy Road, Monasterevin, Kildare, and formerly of Loughcopple, Killusty.

Much loved husband of the late Antonia, Deeply regretted by his loving family, sister-in-law Kathy, nieces, Marian and Sharon, cousins Mick and Margaret Ryan, extended family relatives and friends.

Reposing at his cousins Mick and Margaret Ryan's home in Monasterevin. Rosary on Friday evening at 7.30pm. Removal on Saturday at 12 noon arriving at The Church of the Sacred Heart, Killusty for 2pm Requiem Mass. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only please.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, of Mr Alfie Brett, Rocklow Road, Fethard.

Alfie, deeply regretted by his loving wife Peg, his daughter Mary, his son Sean, grandchildren, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, on Friday, October 17, from 5pm with removal to Fethard Holy Trinity Parish Church at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday at 11am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.

Fethard Family Support Group
If you are affected by problems with alcohol or drug use of a relative you may be confused, frightened and not know how to deal with the problem. The Fethard Family Support Group is a confidential and safe place for you to get help. Help for yourself can also help the whole family!

To attend or to get further 'Support in the Community' information contact: 087 6188075 0r 086 6045805

Open Evening at Fethard Secondary School
Patrician Presentation Secondary School, Fethard, will hold an Open Evening on Monday, October 20, for 5th and 6th class pupils and their parents. Starting at 7pm with the Principal's address taking place at 7.05pm followed by a tour of the school.

Legion of Mary
A Patrician Meeting will be held in the Tirry Centre on Monday, October 20, at 7.30pm. The subject for discussion is, ‘The role of the laity in the church today’, and all are welcome to attend.

The Legion of Mary meet in the Augustinian Abbey residence on Monday’s at 7pm, new active and auxiliary members are most welcome. For further information contact Tel: 087 2590817 or 052 6131354.

Fethard Convent Community Hall
Classes to suit all ages are currently running in Fethard Convent Community Hall including: Bunny Hop, inspiring a love of music in young children on Mondays from 10am to 11am; Irish Dance Classes on Tuesdays at 3.30pm; Zumba Classes on Tuesdays at 8.30pm; a special Halloween Cookie Decoration Class for children (age 5 plus) will take place on this Wednesday, October 15, at 4pm; on Thursdays we have Parent/Toddler Group at 10am, Bodhrán lessons at 7pm and Set Dancing Classes at 7.30pm. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are available to book for parties or other events.

For more information on any of the classes or to book the hall, contact Joan at Tel: (052) 6131000 or Pamela at Tel: 086 8743752 after 6pm. You can also keep up to date by checking out the Fethard Convent Community Hall’s Facebook page.

Fethard Bridge Club results
The results of our game on Wednesday, September 24 were: 1st Gross, Rita Kane and Kay St. John; 2nd Gross, Betty Walsh and Monica Anglim; 3rd Gross, Nell Broderick and David O’Meara; 1st Nett, Ann O’Dea and Kathleen Kenny; 2nd Nett, Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny; 3rd Nett, Eileen Frewen and Carol Kenny.
We were delighted to welcome two new members last week, Joan Hayes and Teresa O’Brien. If you are interested in learning bridge, come along to the Tirry Centre on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 6132038.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on this coming Sunday night, October 19, to the music of ‘Dermot Lyons’. 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.

Irish Girl Guides
The Irish Girl Guides will resume their meetings on this Wednesday night, October 15, in Fethard Ballroom, from 7pm to 8pm. New members are always welcome to join Ladybirds (6-8 years), Brownies (8-10 years) and Guides (10-14 years).

October Rosaries
The rosary will be recited each Sunday during the month of October in the Abbey Church at 4pm and in the Parish Church every day at 9.35am.

Pre-Baptism meeting
The next pre-Baptism meeting will be held in the Tirry Centre on Monday, November 3, at 7.30pm for parents who wish to have their child baptised during the following weeks. Please contact Fr. Tom Breen P.P. prior to attending.

Happy 50th Birthday

Denis O'Meara (centre) photographed with the Wig Wam Glam Band from Cashel who played at his 50th birthday celebration last weekend in Lonergans Bar.

Athletic Club training
With only two months to go until our annual December Santa 5K run, now is the time to start training, even those going from couch to 5k have time to prepare. Training continues every Monday and Friday evening at 7.15pm from the ballroom carpark.

Well done to one of our seasoned runners who waltzed, jived and cha-cha'd his way through the recent Strictly Come Dancing competition in the Minella. Who knew that a roadrunner could be such a dance floor success? Mike Moclair obviously did!

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on October 8 were: 2, 4, 16 and 23. We had no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: Kelly Fogarty, Congress Terrace, Fethard, and Michael Fitzpatrick, Ardsallagh, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Albert McGivern, Fethard; Ted Cummins, Cois Falla, Fethard; and Anne Keane, St., Patricks Place, Fethard.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, October 15. 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 on October 10 were 5, 9, 31 and 32. There was no jackpot winner and no match three winner so the following five drawn tickets received €30: Alice Lawrence, Woodvale Walk; Anne Kelly, c/o Benny Morrissey; Monica Aherne, Prospect; Alice Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, and Tony Ryan, Tullamaine. The €50 Lucky Dip winner was: Louie and Mary Coen, Killusty.

Next week’s Jackpot is €6,700 and the draw will take place in Fethard GAA Park on Friday, October 17, at 7pm. All are welcome. Thank you for your continued support.

Request for information
The following request for information was received from Mike Hopkins, South Wales.

“Hi, on a recent visit to Fethard (from South Wales), I was chatting to Margaret at the Folk Farm & Museum about ancestors I've been trying to trace and not having much luck. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who might be able to offer some assistance.”

“I'm trying to trace my great grandfather's parents on my mother's side. My great grandfather, according to the British census of 1911, was born in Fethard, Co. Tipperary in 1869. His name on the 1911 census was Frank Cotterell, age 41, and was a baker. He left Ireland for South Wales under strange circumstances and refused to talk about his family. I have been told by family members that he allegedly came from a well-to-do family and his father was allegedly a member of the Sinn Fein. That's all we know about his family in Ireland - if correct. I've searched many ancestry websites, looking for evidence of his birth registration, hoping his parent's names would be included, but cannot find any trace of a Frank or Francis Cotterell in Fethard. My grandparents were not Catholic, so I assume Frank was not either - but he could have denounced the Catholic faith to hide something? I've even thought that he could have changed his name upon leaving Ireland. I did find some persons with the surname Cotter who were born in 1869/1870 in Fethard - it's a possibility he could have extended his surname to hide his identity! Where's Sherlock Holmes when you need him? Thanks for listening, best regards, Mike Hopkins.” Email: michael.hopkins@uwclub.net

Fethard & District U14s take on Dungarvan
The first outing of the season for the Fethard & District U14 rugby team saw us travel south to Dungarvan. A big transition this for this young troupe who finally get to play a 15 a side match on a full pitch.

This step-up is a big one, would the blue and white be up for it? A good start and within two minutes our pack were rucking ten yards from the hosts line, quick ball and hands by Ian Harrington fed Matthew Burke who drove for the line but had the ball stripped by a stray hand giving Dungarvan a relieving scrum. Dungarvan had a very mature looking forward pack and set down a challenge from the first scrum. The kicked ball was gathered by jack hassett who set about his trade mark sprinting straight back at the opposition. Ruck followed ruck and Dungarvan sensed they could bully their younger opponents at the breakdown. Eventually with back and forth play Dungarvn broke to sprint in from half way (5-0). The district boys knew now that they faced a tough morning. The kick off was won and moves forward repelled but at the breakdown Sam Quigley, Eoin Fitzgerald and Paddy Gaynor fought hard against bigger men.

Out from this tussle sprang Ethan Coen who flew like a rocket into the corner and with Hawkeye not available was eventually awarded a well deserved try (5-5). Dungarvan were annoyed, the big number eight took big yards with ball in hand, tackles slipped while our brave boys clung too high to stop him. A surging tackle and a full-on ruck put paid to Gaynor’s (ankle) & Burke’s (wrist) day. On came Sean Prendergast his first ever game, but within seconds he found that a nifty tackle will stop the biggest. Dungarvan broke again from far out and converted (12-5), the day was hotting up as half time approached.

Challenged at the break to show some steel in the tackle and with their backs to the wall, our lads lead on by the hard tackles of Charlie Pearson and Matthew Gleeson reminded the Dungarvan lads that this half was going to be different. Pushed hard up the field with straight strong carries from Evan Looby the opponents line drew close. Young Andrew Wall with the approval of his Dad threw himself into the fray and his pace and bravery shone bright. A surge closer and Will Ruttle carved into the Dungarvan pack and touched down to make it close (12-10). A startled Dungarvan came back quick but with an 80 yard gallop Coen was eventually felled by three tacklers with forced his withdrawal. The injured Burke stepped back on the paddock.

Picking and driving on again saw the try of the game when Richard Anglim wriggled through to release the rampaging Jack Lonergan who made ten and fed Pearson beautifully, who brought the looping Anglim back in to get the ball over – mighty stuff (12-15).

Within minutes they were at it again with another touch-down, alas to be halled back for a very dubious call. Dungarvan now had seven minutes and came to within five yards and here our lads excelled Eoin Walsh tackles and then tackles again, stripping the ball and pushing us out. The big number eight flew at Peter Wall all guns blazing, Wall ducked low and the giant fell to be pounced on by Anglim. Time and again Pearson, Walsh, Fitzgerald, Anglim, Harrington, Wall, Looby, Ruttle, Gleeson knocked them back. With a final knock forward and scrum to Fethard the day was ours 12-15.

A proud day, against all odds, the boys battled and fought. The smiles said it all.

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

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 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.