Teddy remembered at Class Reunion

Photographed at the the Class of 1990 held a reunion in Burke's Bar on July 25, are Back L to R: Maura Collison, Kumar Metha, Keith Tobin, Tina Kenny, David Purcell, Noelle Russell, Debbie Coen, Micheál Spillane, Sandra Wade, John O'Flynn, Eleanor Sheehan, Jennifer Cummins, Pat Phelan, Mandy O'Donnell, Clara Phelan, Niamh Kenny, John Meagher, P.J. Tobin, Paul O'Meara. Front L to R: Sinead Blake, Martin Coen, Eleanor Maher, Sarah Ryan, Fionnuala Murray and Pamela Morrissey.

On Saturday, July 25, the Class of 1990 held a reunion in Burke's Bar, Main Street. Thanks to Facebook and Niamh Kenny's dedication to the cause, we spread the word hoping for a crowd to turn up. A group of about twenty-five came along and made the night a huge success. Some people we meet regularly around Fethard, but others travelled home to be with us, which was great. Stories were exchanged in many different versions; everyone has different memories of the same event! The fact that none of us had matured too much (mentally, that is) in the 25 years meant that it was like being back in school with the fun and banter flowing freely.

A special word of thanks to Winnie Hickey (AKA Miss Gallagher), our second-class teacher in the girls’ school and Dinny Burke from secondary school who called in to say hello, it was great to meet you both. Thanks to Niamh for tracking down so many of the class in the shop and for organising the food, to Kumar Mehta for his lovely tribute to our fellow classmate, Teddy Morrissey, whose first anniversary took place this weekend. May he rest in peace.
Finally, thanks to Larry Kenny for coming down to take our photo. This class will hopefully continue to meet up at five-year intervals so watch this space in 2020!

Young Luke has a great show in Killusty

Luke Coen, Killusty, photographed on 'Ballinclough Master Card', being presented with his prize after winning Class 36, Best Connemara Pony to be ridden by rider under-16 years, at the Killusty Pony Show.

Fifteen-year-old Luke Coen, son of Shay and Ann Coen, Killusty, developed an early interest in horses from his mother’s side of the family, the Slatterys from Killenaule. At the age of 11 he acquired his first pony and honed his skills at showjumping and eventing with Olivia ‘Polly’ Holohan, Boolagh Stud, Killusty. The same year he entered the Killusty Pony Show for the first time.

Luke performed exceptionally well at this year’s Killusty Show and is showing great promise for his future in this sport, Class 18: Butler Purebred Connemara Championship winning Class 36 on ‘Ballinaclough Master Card’ for best Connemara Pony to be ridden by rider under 16 years; winning Class 80 (Connemara Working Hunter U16) and Class 18 and (Butler Purebred Connemara Championship) on the same pony; and winning Class 83 on ‘Fit For Anything’ in the Equitation Riding Under 17. Luke also finished runner-up in Class 33 on ‘Fit For Anything’ in the Intermediate Show Riding Type; runner-up in Class 43 on ‘Ross Dohan Honey’ in the Local Riding Pony under 153cms event; and third on the same pony in Class 65, the Open 153cms Working Hunter Pony event.

At the age of fifteen, we can only look forward to hearing a lot more from this young talented rider from the foot of Slievenamon.


Jimmy O'Shea (back) photographed with his grand-nephews at Killusty Pony Show L to R: Jake Coen, Sam Coen and Matt Coen.

Fethard Credit Union celebrate ‘Open Morning’
Clonmel Credit Union are having an open morning to celebrate the newly renovated Fethard office on this Thursday morning from 10am to 1pm. All members are invited to join us for refreshments.

Community Games Collection
Fethard & Killusty Community Games will hold their annual church gate collection on this coming weekend Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2. Volunteers to assist for half hour would be very much appreciated.

Young hounds introduced at open evening
The hands of the clock have gone around once more and the start of the 2015-‘16 hunting season is just around the corner. The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers, in conjunction with same, held an Open Evening at their kennels on Friday evening, July 24. The committee were surprised and extremely pleased with the very large crowd that attended. The idea of the event was to give followers and supporters an opportunity to make closer contact with the hounds and get to see at close quarters the work that goes on during the close season in their care and preparation.

Huntsman Donie Slattery first introduced the young entry consisting of seven couple of young hounds that will commence hunting this season. He then let the entered pack join with them. The round of applause that greeted their arrival was more than well deserved. The condition and quality of the hounds and the resplendent appearance of the kennels would be a credit to any pack.

The evening concluded with an excellent tea, homemade cakes and something stronger, if required. Well done to the ladies and all who helped. Here's hoping to see more of you out with the pack next season.

Eoin Kelly gives valuable training tips to hurlers

Fethard Under 8 Boys team photographed with Tipperary Hurling legend Eoin Kelly at their training session in Fethard last Thursday evening

Killusty FC looking for new players
As the new soccer season draws near Killusty FC find ourselves low on player numbers, if there are any lads out there who would like to play soccer with us then come along to Killusty this Wednesday night at 7pm, or if you want further details contact Willie on 087 1132313.

St. Patrick’s Place Residents Meeting
A meeting for all residents of St Patrick's Place will be held in the Fr Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, on Wednesday, July 29, at 7pm. Agenda will be available on the night.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on this coming Sunday night, August 2, to the music of ‘Cupla’. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 9pm to midnight. Admission is €8 which includes tea and cakes.

The Grim Reality of Life in A Medieval Town
A free talk is taking place on Wednesday 5th August, 2015, at 7.30pm in the Main Guard, Clonmel. The talk is entitled 'The Grim Reality of Life in A Medieval Town', and will be given by Liam Mannix from the Heritage Council /Irish Walled Towns Network. This should be of great interest to all us Fethard people who inhabit one of the most important small medieval towns in Ireland!

Articles invited for Annual Emigrant's Newsletter
Work on the production of this year's Annual Emigrant's Newsletter has now commenced. We invite anyone interested in submitting articles or photographs for this year’s issue to contact Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, Tel: (052) 6131663 or by email: newsletter@fethard.com

Help is always needed gathering articles and photographs, indeed, one of the most time-consuming chores is trying to put captions to the photographs with correct names. Other ways people can help is interviewing, writing articles, typing or inviting others to write articles in good time for publication.

The first issue of the Fethard & Killusty Emigrants' Newsletter was published by the Legion of Mary in December 1959 and is dated 'Christmas 1960'. On checking the dates of the events and deaths featured in the newsletter we discovered that they all happened in 1959 so we concluded that the Newsletter was published in December 1959 and posted in January 1960. This 'first newsletter' was discovered in a drawer by Pat Shine, formerly from Crampscastle and now living in London. Today, over fifty years later, the newsletter has grown into a full colour 200-page production and is still posted free of charge to all our emigrants living throughout the world.

Abbey Choir altos at rehearsal

Fethard Abbey Choir alto line-up photographed during rehearsal on their recent visit to perform in Knock. L to R: Mary Healy, Majella Walsh, Shirley Clooney, Joan Halpin, Marian Gilpin and Nell Broderick. The choir were invited back to sing at the annual Augustinian Day in Knock and received great praise for their beautiful singing, well done to all.

Visiting 'Double Decker' musicians join session

Richard King, Clive Hughes and Paul Johnson, musicians travelling (and sleeping) on the visiting 'Hairy Pillock' Double Decker Bus joined 'The Pluckers' on their Thursday night session, July 23rd, in McCarthys Bar . . . this short video that they posted gives a good impression of the atmosphere and the lively audience on the night!


The Hairy Pillock 2 bus arriving in Burke Street, Fethard.

Bloodstock agent Jean-Marc Moquet dies aged 46
Bloodstock agent Jean-Marc Moquet, who managed Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber's Kiltinan Castle Stud in Fethard for 15 years, has died at his home in France on Friday, July 24. He was 46.

Jean-Marc left Kiltinan Castle Stud in 2012 to form Atlantic Thoroughbred Consulting, a bloodstock agency based in France, where he gained experience working for leading operations around the globe. He started at the Bozo brothers' Haras du Logis in France before graduating from the Irish National Stud's management course. A stint with Colin Hayes at Lindsay Park in Australia was followed by time spent at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand and Lane's End Farm in Kentucky. He also worked at Derrinstown Stud and the De Burgh family's Oldtown Stud before joining Kiltinan Stud.

Jean-Marc Moquet's funeral will take place on Tuesday, July 28, in his hometown of Nozay in western France. He is survived by wife Clarisse and daughter Tara. (taken from Bloodstock Racing World)

Fethard Ladies Football
Congratulations to Lucy Spillane who was part of the Tipperary U14 panel who won their All Ireland Final replay against Donegal in Tuam Stadium on Saturday, July 11. Having snatched a draw at the death last week this team never know when they’re beaten which proved to be the fact today as they ran out 2-10 to 1-7 winners. Well done Lucy and all the Tipp girls and selectors.

Well done to Kate Davey who was part of the Tipperary panel who defeated Waterford in the Munster Minor B final. Kate who is still playing U16 came off the bench to score a point for Tipp. The team went on to play Offaly in the All Ireland Minor semifinal on Tuesday, July 14, in Nenagh and won again on a scoreline 1-11 to 0-11. Well done Kate and all the Tipp team.

Excerpts from RTÉ Television chat show 'Bibi' - Killenaule 1989

Excerpts from RTÉ Television chat show 'Bibi', with broadcaster Bibi Baskin. The show was recorded in Killenaule, County Tipperary, and broadcast on 14 December 1989.

Gatsby Ball – 1920s night
The Fionn MacCumhaill Players will host a 'Gatsby Ball – 1920s night' in Cloneen Sports & Social Club on Friday, August 14, with music by 'The Pearly Whites'. Fancy Dress (optional). For tickets contact Tel: 086 0834208.

Many great prizes on the night including two nights B&B for two people in Bantry; two nights B&B in Antrim; €100 voucher for hotel stay in Mayo; family tickets to Bunratty Castle; four green fees to Country House Hotel & Golf Club Athlone; two tickets for Guinness Storehouse; and many more . . .

Fethard Faces and Places from the Past
The following are a selection of photographs recently added to the Fethard Faces and Places from the Past page on Facebook, also published here for the benefit of our readers who are not on Facebook. The Facebook page is used for sharing old Fethard photographs with other members of the group and is open to all interested in joining. Send any comments or photo information to fethardnews@gmail.com


Girls about to perform their 'Re-Mix' dance routine at the 'On Your Toes' show in the Abymill Theatre, June 2004


Tracey Needham and Debbie Lawrence from Nano Nagle working on the school's project 'My Favourite Building' June, 2004. The 6th class girls chose the Abymill Theatre as their favourite building and the project was entered in the national Irish Independent Newspaper competition.


Bernard Fogarty posted this photograph taken of Dot Mullins where she worked in Mrs O'Shea's little sweet shop on lower Main Street (accross the road from Burke's Bar). Anyone know the other people in the photo? Please email fethardnews@gmail.com

Mick Teehan posted this photo "Coolmore team and mentors" taken in the 1970s. Back L to R: Danny Croke, Joe Costello (RIP), Mick Teehan, Davy Sullivan, Willie Fleming, Paddy Walsh, Bill Gleeson (RIP), Frank Fogarty, William Gleeson. Front L to R: Davy Ryan, Michael Gleeson, Pat Tobin and Eddy Sheehan.


Bernard Fogarty also posted this photo of a Moyglass FC team 1975 Back row: Pakie Harrington, Ed Healy, Georgie Williams, Arthur Daly, Ed Sheehan (player/manager), Mick Teehan. Front row: Christy Healy, Noel Sharpe, Philly O'Connell, Mattie Tynan, Davy Williams and Bernie Fogarty.

Fethard & Killusty trip to Medjugorje 2015
Next year’s Fethard & Killusty parish trip to Medjugorje, operated by Joe Walsh Tours, will depart on August 12, 2015, and return on August 19, 2015. A special group rate of €669 per person sharing has been organised which includes flights, accommodation with breakfast and evening meal. There are some single rooms available at an additional cost of €22 per night. Deposit (when booking) €200. For further information contact David Woodlock at Tel: (052) 6131077 or 087 2522028.

Fethard News
Items for inclusion on this website and 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.

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