Music in the Tholsel

Photographed at the Culture Night at Fethard Tholsel are L to R: Terry Cunningham, Tania Opland, Mike Freeman and Pat Looby.

The Tholsel in Fethard came alive with the sound of music last Friday evening for Culture night. And what music! Tania Opland and Mike Freeman gave a virtuoso performance of music through the ages; traditional, folk, contempory and classics with a modern twist. They took us on a whistle-stop tour of music from such diverse places as Alaska, the Appalachian mountains, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Macedonia. Tania sang in Russian, French Creole and Greek. They played guitar, violin, whistle and recorder as well as the more esoteric hammered dulcimer and the hurdy-gurdy. Mike played percussion on a native American Indian version of the bodhrán while Tania introduced us to pipes from South America while Mike played percussion on a native American Indian version of the bodhrán. The large audience was generous with applause and the musicians thanked them for their appreciative response throughout the evening.


Maureen and John Whyte, Main Street, photographed at the Culture Evening at Fethard Tholsel. John and Maureen are also celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

The Tholsel was the perfect setting for our culture evening. The musicians played in front of one of the magnificent 17th century fireplaces. The subdued lighted reflected off the lime-rendered walls, glimmered on the deep-set windows and it was reminiscent of the great halls and minstrel galleries of old.

The evening was hosted by the Fethard Historical Society, funded by the Arts section of Tipperary County Council, in collaboration with the Fethard Business & Tourism Group who were delighted to showcase the Tholsel to the public as part of the national celebration of our heritage. Jimmy O’Sullivan, FBTG, spoke briefly about the restoration to date of the Tholsel, which dates from the early 1600s, and explained that the recent funding from Fáilte Ireland of €198,000 will be used to see the project through to completion.

We look forward to seeing the Tholsel restored to its former glory and once again providing a vibrant focal point on the Main Street.

Extravaganza proceeds presented to Hospice

Matty Tynan, presenting a cheque for €10,000 to Phil Kehoe, Tipperary Hospice, proceeds of the Coolmoyne and Moyglass Vintage Club's silage extravaganza. Also included are Breda Ryan and Mary Morris from Tipperary Hospice, and organising commmittee members.

Coolmoyne and Moyglass Vintage Club had a very successful day at the silage extravaganza and on last Saturday night, September 19, those who helped were invited to a presentation night at The Village Inn, Moyglass. The night was a thank you to all who helped with the event and to hand over the proceeds to South Tipperary Hospice. People again travelled long distances to be present and as usual a huge local crowd turned out to lend their support. Larry Kenny very kindly arrived to take the photographs (published with this article) and the club appreciate his help.


Photographed at the presentation night in Moyglass are L to R: Michael Horan, Leslie Entwistle, Lar Fanning and Sean O'Donovan

The silage Extravaganza was a huge success and reports of this unique working event, with some of the rarest harvesters and tractors ever seen working in one site, have appeared on vintage magazines throughout Europe and further afield. The reporters were so impressed with the event that most of them dedicated five to eight pages of coverage and praised the level of organisation and safety standards present at the biggest working event in Ireland in 2015. The club is surprised with level of interest that the extravaganza has created and it surely has put Moyglass on the map throughout many countries.


Photographed at the presentation night in Moyglass are L to R: M.G. Ryan, Michael Fahey, Tom Halley and William O'Neill

Club chairman Matty Tynan welcomed the attendance and had a special welcome for Breda Ryan and her colleagues who represented South Tipperary Hospice, the charity which was chosen to receive the proceeds of the event. The South Tipperary Hospice is a voluntary organisation, officially launched on Friday, April 6, 1990, and with the generosity of the people of south Tipperary was able to recruit its first two Home Care Sisters in October of the same year. The movement provides help and expertise to patients and their families at home, in hospitals and nursing homes. It was a most worthy beneficiary of the event and Coolmoyne and Moyglass Vintage Club were delighted to hand over a cheque for € 10,000 to help the organisation carry out the wonderful work which they perform to help patients and families in their time of need. The cheque was signed by club secretary Pat O’Loughnan and Club treasurer Seamus Barry.

Henry remembered

Photographed at the presentation night in Moyglass are L to R: Timothy, Owen, Phyllis and Harry O'Callaghan, Matty Tynan. Phyllis is a sister of the late Henry Smith who was a committee member and remembered on the night.

On a sad note the chairman reminded the attendance that we had lost one of our founding members with the sudden death of Henry Smyth during the week. He spoke fondly of Henry who was truly a great character and the attendance at his funeral spoke volumes for the high regard the community had for Henry. Henry was a noted cattle dealer in his early years and then turned his hand to providing a local taxi service. He was known far and near and in the last few years he provided a school run for the children of Moyglass primary school. The school children and members of Coolmoyne and Moyglass Vintage Club provided a guard of honour at his funeral. Henry has passed on but the hundreds of stories about Henry will remain in circulation for many years to come. RIP Henry. A minute’s silence was held on the night in honour of Henry.

Community Text Alert meeting
A meeting to finalise the Fethard Community Text Alert project will be held in the Tirry Community Centre at 8.30pm on Thursday, October 1. Mr James O'Neill, Community Alert Development Officer with Muintir na Tire, and members of the Garda Síochána will attend the meeting. Any outstanding forms can be handed in to the Community Office in Barrack Street. All are welcome to attend.

Happy 90th Birthday Tom

Former Tipperary and Munster footballer, Tom Keane, Barrack Street, Fethard, photographed on the occasion of his 90th Birthday with members of his family, John-Joe, Cyril, Mary and Michael.

Thanks from GOAL
On behalf of everyone at GOAL, I want to express my sincere thanks for your generous donation of €1,032.70, proceed from a cake sale in Fethard towards our work with the Syrian people. Your contribution will help support people trying to survive as best they can in Northern Syria – as well as Syrian refugees who have crossed the border into Turkey. Without your generous support, our efforts to help the people of Syria would not be possible. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Barry Andrews, GOAL CEO.

Rugby Club’s ‘Cash-4-Clobber’
Please support Fethard & District Rugby Club with our Cash-4-Clobber fundraiser. Bring along bags of unwanted clothes, (any condition), shoes, boots, bags, soft toys, curtains, blankets, sheets and old mobile phones, to clubhouse at any training time. Not allowed are pillows or duvets. All proceeds will go to help pay for the new lights.

Tipperary writer launches quirky evocation of boyhood and rural life in sixties Ireland

Postcard of Main Street Fethard 1962.

Fethard man John Fogarty’s new book ‘Scenes from an Indian Summer’, which tells the story of a 12 year old boy coming of age in the summer of 1963 in a small Tipperary town, will be launched by Tipperary poet, writer and Aosdana member Michael Coady on Friday, October 2, at the Abymill Theatre, Fethard.

The book was shortlisted for the John Murray Show/ RTE1/RTE Guide book prize. It is set in a small Tipperary town during the summer of 1963, the summer of Kennedy and the Beatles, in a poverty- stricken, pre-industrial, rural society characterised by subsistence living and mass emigration. The book captures the essence of that particular summer in a quirky evocation of rural boyhood and the places, people and events, the challenges and changes, that colour the life of a twelve year old boy who is coming of age just as that rural world is about to be transformed forever as the sixties progress.

Best-selling Irish author, Ferdia McAnna, described Fogarty as ‘a lovely storyteller with a very laid-back style’. He said that ‘Scenes from an Indian Summer’ was ‘beautifully written and quirkily funny with scenes that live long in the memory . . . if you wanted to capture a summer in the sixties he has done it magnificently.’

The idea for the book came from observing the restricted and controlled way in which children are obliged to spend their summers nowadays, in this, the age of the summer camp.

Fogarty says - “We are living in a risk society with parents in almost constant fear for the safety of their children, and, consequently, there is little autonomy in the way that children are allowed to play and interact. Which is in stark contrast to the supposedly more oppressive 1950s and 1960s when boys gallivanted freely across miles of countryside, wherever their instinct and curiosity might take them. In writing ‘Scenes from an Indian Summer’ I wanted to tell a coming of age story and also recreate the sense of freedom and constant movement that characterised rural boyhood experiences in those days”. John Fogarty lives in Fethard and is married to Veronica. They have a son, Joe, and a daughter, Maryanne. (– The Nationalist, September 17, 2015)

Senior Day at Fethard Day Care Centre
Fethard & District Day Centre Ltd will hold a Senior Day on this coming Friday, September 25, from 10.30am. All seniors are welcome.

Senior Citizens' Club resume monthly meetings
Autumn has arrived and Fethard Senior Citizens' Club has resumed their monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month. New members (over 60) are very welcome to join. Come along to the Tirry Centre on Tuesday, October 6, at 7.30pm. Have a chat, a cuppa and be informed by a relevant speaker each month, finishing with the occasional game of bingo!

Restoration of a Fethard ‘gem’ will create a unique tourism attraction

Fethard Tholsel (Town Hall) exterior after recent renovations

The town of Fethard is mounting an impressive bid to become an integral part of a new national tourist trail capitalising on its unique medieval and ecclesiastical heritage. The beautifully restored Tholsel in the town centre has had many purposes over the centuries - an alms house, fire station, courthouse, library, country market, school classrooms, corporation building and sports hall to name but a few since it was built in 1604. It is now being transformed to accommodate an ambitious project that is designed to secure a vital role in a new Ireland’s Ancient East tourism initiative receiving significant backing from the government.


Project advisors Michael O'Boyle with Anthony Fitzgerald photographed during renovations at Fethard Tholsel (Town Hall).

The three-storey building is in the process of being turned into a spectacular tourism gem that will involve state of the art technology to bring to life the story of Fethard’s medieval and ecclesiastical heritage. Visitors will experience a wonderful journey over three floors of the Tholsel building taking them from the twelfth century to the present day in a unique experience. The Tholsel, an historic landmark in the town centre, has been tastefully restored to showcase the wonderful character of the building. Striking views - of the wonderful panorama that contains Fethard’s medieval wall, the Holy Trinity Church built in 1489, Slievenamon and the surrounding countryside from windows throughout the three floors and from a second floor terrace - greatly enhance the visit.

The new interpretative centre will be the main attraction in the building which will also accommodate a tourist/information hub, exhibition spaces and a high end retail outlet. It will also feature a history of the horse in Fethard from medieval times to the present day of the world renowned Coolmore Stud. Horses left for Cheltenham and Aintree long before the arrival of Coolmore and horses were trained in Grove before they left for the First World War and this history of the horse in the town will be illustrated by the most modern technology.

It is hoped that the first visitors will walk through the centre in late 2016/2017 and that Fethard, with the town equipped with such a unique attraction, will link in with the heritage trail taking in Cashel, Cahir and Kilkenny.


First floor interior of Fethard Tholsel (Town Hall)

“We will have a product that will be of a very high quality, it will be state of the art, a very different tourism experience that will act as a catalyst in creating more business for the town and put on display the incredible history of Fethard in a beautiful setting,” said Maurice Moloney, a member of the Fethard Business and Tourism committee that took on the project. The committee embarked on the project in 2010, identifying a purpose for the historic but derelict building that was central to a desire to create business in the town and promote tourism.

The project was granted €198,000 in government funding last week in a tranche of funding tied into ‘Ancient East’ projects throughout the east and south east of the country. That funding will allow phase two of the project to start. It will go out to tender in the near future and it is hoped that work on phase two of the project will start in early 2016. Welcoming the funding, Maurice Moloney said people were beginning to take notice of the project now and what it means for the town. “It is very exciting, people are starting to buy into it now” said Mr Moloney. He said Fethard would have an, “absolute gem, a world class centre” when work was completed.


Members of the Fethard Business and Tourism Group photographed at this year's fundraising Festival 'Community Fun Day' L to R: Peter Grant, Ann Moloney, Maurice Moloney, Gráinne Bagnell, Jimmy O'Sullivan and Marie Murphy.

€400,000 of public money has already been invested in the building and now the committee will proceed to spend the most recent government allocation of €198,000. After that the project will be completed through finance raised from fundraising and private and philanthropic sources. The building was in a very poor state of repair when it was taken on by the committee which has been given a long-term lease on the building by Tipperary County Council. “It was in shocking disrepair. The committee, consisting of a small group of people, came together as there was a feeling, with businesses closing in the town, that something was needed to provide a focal point to bring tourism back into the town and generate more business in the town,” said Mr Moloney. The centre will tell the story of Fethard dating back to the twelfth century when the town was granted its first charter and the Augustinians arrived in the town. “The centre will tell that story which will encapsulate the history of Ireland” said Mr Moloney.


Fethard Tholsel (Town Hall) exterior after recent renovations

The Heritage Council, and the Irish Walled Town Network, describe Fethard as ‘one of the finest medieval walled towns in existence in Ireland, if not Europe . . . a treasure trove of historical features, with several castles and churches, all located within a short walking distance of one another’. The scenes of medieval daily life will be recreated by a visual and audio spectacular. Market days, the fair, will be brought to life for the visitor in a stunning presentation.

The committee has received welcome support from Heritage Council of Ireland, Walled Towns Network, Adopt A Monument, Tipperary County Council, the Church of Ireland, the O’Sullivan family and Fethard Community Council of which the business and tourism committee is a subsidiary. “We have worked closely with public representatives and Minister Tom Hayes acted as a conduit with the Minister for Transport and Tourism who included the project in the funding announced last Wednesday,” said Mr Moloney.

The Tholsel is one of the oldest public buildings still existing in Ireland. In the 1600s the Fethard Tholsel was the largest almshouse in Ireland, which served the poor living outside the town’s medieval walls. Now it will have a much broader remit as it welcomes people from all over the world. (– The Nationalist, September 17, 2015)

Bridge Club results
Bridge has resumed at the Tirry Centre after the summer break. The results of our game on May 20, the last game before the summer break, were as follows:
1st Gross, Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh; 1st Nett, Anne Connolly and Eileen Frewen; 2nd Gross, Berney Myles and Alice Quinn; 2nd Nett, Marie Delaney and Annie O’Brien; 3rd Gross, Noreen Evans and Carol Kenny; 3rd Nett, Joan Hayes and Teresa O’Brien.
On September 30 we will be playing for sponsored prizes. Please note that bridge now starts at 7.15pm sharp! Anyone looking for a partner please contact Berney Myles at 6132038.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on September 16 were: 6, 9, 22 and 26. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150: Peter Gough, St. Patrick’s Place, Fethard. The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: Eileen Connolly, Garrinch, Fethard; Margaret Walshe, Barrack Street, Fethard; and Michael Shine, Congress Terrace, Fethard.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, September 23. The Jackpot is €6,700 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €670. All proceeds go towards community projects in Fethard, and we thank you for your on-going support.

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA / Sports Centre Development Lotto would like to thank all our supporters, far and near, who participate in our weekly lotto draw to promote sport in our community.

The numbers drawn on Friday, September 18, were 2, 18, 19 and 20. There was no jackpot winner and one match three winner who received €100: Donna Keyes, Clonmel. Next week’s draw will take place in Fethard GAA Park dressing rooms on Friday, September 25, at 7pm. The jackpot is €14,600 and the sellers prize is €420.

Help with third level college fees
Vincent de Paul Society, Fethard Conference, invite applicants who need help with Third Level College expenses, to contact any member of the Fethard St. Vincent de Paul conference for an application form which must be returned before October 7.

Convent Community Hall back in full swing
Summer is now officially over and Fethard Convent Community Hall is back in full swing with Bunny Hop on Monday mornings, Irish Dancing on Tuesday afternoons, Parent/Minder Toddler Group on Thursday mornings and Ballet Classes on Friday afternoons. Saturdays and Sundays are also starting to fill up with party bookings.
If you would like any information on any of the classes or would like to book a party/event please contact (052) 6131000 or 086 8743752.

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

Fethard's finest athletes 2002 L to R: Ryan Laslett, Conor Prendergast, Lolo Trehy, Michael Costello, Shane Gorey, Kevin Quigley and Ben Walsh.


Miceál McCormack and Jack Ryan photographed in Kerry Street in 1960s during the visit of Tom Hanlon and his wife Peg and family.


Remembering two brothers, John (26) and David Phelan (24), Baptistgrange, Fethard, who tragically died shortly after 8pm on Sunday night 4th August, 2002, when their motorbike was involved in a collision at the top of Market Hill.


Fethard Boy Scouts who carried their troop and the national flag at St. Patrick's Day morning mass at Holy Trinity Church, Fethard, 2002. L to R: Damien Shine, David Kennedy, Paul McCarthy, Philip O'Donnell, Dermot Culligan, John McCarthy, Declan Doyle, Ciar�n Barrett, Bobby Phelan and Mike McCarthy.


Photographed above are Fethard camogie team who were beaten by Portroe in the County Intermediate League Final 2002. Back L to R: Pat Sheehan, Laiose O’Connell, Jennifer Keane, Niamh Sheehan, Imelda Ryan, Louise Wade, Nora O’Meara, Sandra Maher, Vanessa O’Donnell, Edel Fitzgerald, Audrey Conway, Fiona Conway, Declan Browne. Front: L to R: Jean Morrissey, Sharon (Lawton) O’Meara, Caroline (Fitzgerald) Quinlan, Ailish Sheehan, Annette Murphy (sponsor), Sandra Spillane, Gillian Murphy (sponsor), Joan O’Donnell, Jennifer Fogarty, Lisa McCormack, Marie Houlihan, Mia Treacy and Emily Sayers.


Coolmoyne Creamery, closed its doors for good on Friday, 27th September 2002 after 108 years service to the community. The occasion was marked by inviting past workers and neighbours for refreshments, photographed above.


Carmel Kelly (neé Kenny), Dublin, sent us this photograph taken outside Centra on The Green some years ago. Photo includes, on bicycles Bridie Hanrahan (left) and Philly Kenny (right), standing at door Agnes Allen, ?, Kathleen Kenny and Ronan Kelly.

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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