Annual Sports Achievement Awards presented

Annual winners in the Butler's Bar Annual Fethard Sports Achievement Awards photographed at the presentation of awards on Friday, January 15, 2016. L to R: Tony Lawrence, representing sponsors Molson Coors; Lucy Spillane (Ladies Football) winner of the ‘Young Sportsperson of the Year’ award; Charlie Manton (goalkeeper with Tipperary Minor Football Team) winner of the 2015 Butler’s Bar Annual Sports Achievement Award; Kate Davey (Fethard U16 Ladies Football team) accepting the ‘Team of the Year’ award on behalf of her comrades; and special sporting guest, Kieran Bergin, who plays hurling with his local club Killenaule and the Tipperary senior inter-county team since 2013.

A large crowd turned up on Friday night last for the presentation of the annual Butler’s Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Awards, which this year included some new categories to cover the wide range of nominations received over the year. Special sporting guest at the award presentation was Kieran Bergin who plays hurling with his local club Killenaule and with the Tipperary senior inter-county team since 2013. Bergin is a nephew of Jack Bergin, who was a Tipperary selector when they won the All-Ireland title in 2001, and is also a first cousin of former Galway Footballer Joe Bergin. The 2015 annual award presentation was sponsored by Molson Coors, represented on the night by Tony Lawrence (area manager).

The first and new category was, ‘Young Sportsperson of the Year’, which was won by Lucy Spillane (Ladies Football) with Tommy Anglim (Fethard Rugby) voted runner-up. The second new category was, ‘Team of the Year’, and this was won by the Fethard U16 Ladies Football team with the Fethard U18 Mens Rugby winning the runners-up trophy.

Two special ‘Encouragement Awards’ were then presented to acknowledge those young people participating in non-mainstream sports. The first award was presented to Robert Hackett for his extraordinary angling skills at such a young age and the second award to Aine Ryan for her many achievements at all levels in Tae Kwon Do.
The Butler’s Bar Annual Sports Achievement Award winner was then announced, Charlie Manton, to great applause. Charlie, a very popular winner, represented Fethard GAA Club by playing in goal on the hugely successful Tipperary Minor Football Team that reached both the 2015 Munster and All-Ireland minor football finals – beaten by Kerry on both occasions.

The evening concluded with lots of sporting chatter and wonderful light refreshments prepared by Marianne Shortall.

Rare �triplets� born on Fethard farm

Percy Butler and his daughter Aileen, photographed with their rare Freisian triplets born on their farm at Saucestown, Fethard, on January 3.

A Friesian cow on Percy Butler�s farm has beaten odds of 105,000 to one by giving birth to triplets at Saucestown, Fethard. Percy says, his family have being farming for over 80 years in the area and never before have they had triplet calves born on their land.

The triplets, two bulls and one heifer, were born on Sunday, January 3, and are thriving despite not being officially due until January 15.Percy and his daughter Aileen may have a busy time ahead but were both delighted with their rare opportunity to rear triplets on their family farm.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Saturday, January 23, 2016, of Paddy Cormack, Kilnockin, Fethard, and Willowbrook Nursing Home, Mocklershill. Paddy, deeply regretted by his sister Mary Harrington, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.

Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, on Sunday, January 24, from 5pm, with removal to the Augustinian Abbey Church, Fethard, at 7pm, to arrive at 7.30pm. Funeral Mass on Monday at 11am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council
The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place on Thursday, January 21, at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, Fethard. Anyone interested in getting involved in local community work are more than welcome to come along.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom

Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday, January 24, to the music of ‘Adrian Ryan’. 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.

St. Rita's Camogie Club
St. Rita's Camogie Club are now back in action and training for our U14s and U16s will commence on the AstroTurf pitch in Killenaule on Monday, January 25, from 7pm to 8pm. We look forward to all girls attending.

Table Quiz on Friday
A Table Quiz in aid of Cystic Fibrosis / Build4Life will take place in Butlers Sports Bar on Friday, January 22, at 9.30pm. Sandwiches will be served on the night and there will be a raffle for various hampers of goodies. Please lend your support by organising a team which will cost €24 for a table of four.

Dancers ready to ‘Strut Their Stuff

Fethard ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ team ready to strut their stuff on Saturday, February 13, in Hotel Minella, Clonmel, for Fethard’s first ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in aid of the Convent Community Hall. Tickets are now on sale at €25.

The well-rehearsed Fethard dancing team are now well prepared and ready to ‘strut their stuff’ on Saturday, February 13, in Hotel Minella, Clonmel, for Fethard’s first ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in aid of the Convent Community Hall. Tickets are now on sale at €25, from Fethard Post Office, Gaules Bar, Roisin's Hair Salon, Hilda Laslett, June Gough and Pamela Sweeney. A great night’s dancing display and competition is guaranteed from the fifteen participating couples, coached by Ruth Quinn, which takes place at 8pm on Saturday, February 13, in Hotel Minella, Clonmel. This should be a great fun night out with after show dancing to the fantastic big band sound of ‘Brass and Co’ from Waterford. There will also be some great prizes to be won in our raffle on the night. Please come along and support your local community.

Fethard Bridge Club
The results of Fethard Bridge Club game on Wednesday, January 6 were: 1st Gross, Noel and Kevin O’Dwyer; 2nd Gross, Betty Walsh and Monica Anglim; 1st Nett, Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny; 2nd Nett, Carol Kenny and Gemma Burke.

This Wednesday, January 20, we play for sponsored prizes and next Wednesday, January 27, we play the second round of the Player of the Year competition. Please note that bridge now starts at 7.15pm sharp! Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 6132038.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on January 13 were: 4, 11, 13 and 18. There was no jackpot winner and four ‘Match Three’ winners who received €40: Abigail Sheehan, Reflections, Fethard; Michael Russell, c/o Seamus Moloney; Bridget Lonergan, c/o Patsy Lawrence; and Richie Nevin, Ballintemple, Fethard.

The three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners who also received €50 each were: Richard Allen, Cashel Road, Fethard; John Connolly, Clonmel; and Danny Croke, c/o Kitty O'Donnell.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, January 20. The Jackpot is €8,950 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €895. All proceeds go towards community projects in Fethard, and we thank you for your on-going support.

Fethard Athletic Club’s ‘Santa Run’ proceeds

Photographed at the Fethard Athletic Club's cheque presentation to STGH are L to R: Miceál McCormack, Noreen Harrington, Bernie Hopkins (STGH), Fran Tyrell, Olivia Butler (Head of Childrens Ward), Paraic McCormack (Event Founder), Aine Doocey (STGH & Fethard AC) and Richard Cummins (STGH & Cashel Red Cross).

Members of Fethard Athletic Club presented a cheque for €1,000 to Olivia Butler, head of the Childrens Ward at South Tipperary General Hospital, proceeds of the club’s third annual ‘Santa Run’ in Fethard at which just short of 1000 people young and older took part. Fethard AC would like to thank everyone that supported this event and are delight to announce that we will do it all again on Sunday December 18, 2016.

Commemorating 1916
As everyone now realises – but maybe didn’t at the time – the 1916 Rebellion was the beginning of the end of British rule in most of Ireland. It quickly led up to the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922 and subsequently the declaration of the Republic of Ireland in 1949. So it is without question the great turning point in recent Irish history. One would have to go back three hundred years to the Flight of the Earls in 1607 (the exile of the Chiefs of the great Irish Clans; O’Neill, O’Donnell etc.) to find an equivalent seminal moment in the history of the Irish people.

The Fethard Historical Society will be marking the hundred anniversary of this seismic event with a series of events throughout the year.

Bilingual Exhibition
The realisation that the Irish Language – the language of the vast majority of the Irish population for two thousand years - was fast disappearing under British rule energised many of the leading thinkers of the time to place great emphasis on the nurturing of the language and its preservation. The whole Gaelic Revival Movement of that time - of which the GAA was one example in sport, was one of the central motivations that led to the urgency of the leaders of 1916 to ‘do something before it was too late’.

A national Exhibition of thirteen colourful panels (covering the actions and people of the 1916 Rising) with the information in both Irish and English, will be brought to Fethard in February by the Historical Society as part of their yearlong programme to commemorate the event that led to an independent state for the Irish nation. The twenty-first annual Tipperariana Book Fair on Sunday, February 14, will also cast an eye back to the Ireland of 1916. Further details will follow in the coming weeks and anyone who wishes to contact the Historical Society with ideas or information, especially on local interest, can phone 086 390 53 73 or 052 6131537.

Happy 90th Birthday Kitty

Mrs Kitty Ahearne, Main Street, Fethard, photographed on the occasion of her 90th Birthday with her children Mary, Mona, Anne and Nickey.


Catherine, Caroline and Lea photographed at Kitty's birthday


Aoibhinn and Connor photographed at Kitty's birthday.


Caroline and Nickey photographed at Kitty's birthday.


A very special 'Happy Birthday' to Mrs Kitty Ahearne, Main Street, Fethard, who is photographed above on the occasion of her 90th Birthday celebrated with her extended family.

Fethard Rugby News
Fethard U-9 rugby team played their first match of the New Year away to Kilfeacle. Despite losing 6 tries to 2, Fethard put in a very good performance against a stronger more physical Kilfeacle side. Oran Gahan was Fethard’s try scorer and was greatly assisted by Jack Stokes, Adam Ruttle, Gavin Neville, Charlie Walsh and Sean Fitzgerald in yardage gained. This was augmented by great tackling by Emmaleigh Cuddihy, Bill Smyth, Sam Austin, Shane Ryan, Paddy Ryan and Tadhg O’Brien. Great all round play by Rory O’Brien, Ben Ivers and Noah Flynn showed that there is a great conveyor belt of talent coming through in Fethard.

Many thanks to the parents who travelled and supported, without whom we wouldn't have a rugby team. Best wishes and speedy recovery to Sean and Rory. Hoping to see everyone at training on Friday night at 6.45pm ahead of a home blitz in Fethard on Sunday next at 10am.

Side Saddle Day with the gallant Tipps

Tom Freyne MFH photographed with his wife Jacqui, riding side-saddle.

The Tipperary Foxhounds are holding a Side Saddle Day followed by their legendary Hunt Ball on Saturday, February 27. The meet is taking place in Cloneen, and there will be a stirrup cup in the grounds of Friarsgrange, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Tomas Ronan. The Tipps look forward to welcoming side-saddle guests and their partners, and will ensure they have great fun over their lovely country, also it is a great viewing meet for those supporters on foot.

There is a deal in place for those hunting side-saddle and wishing to attend the Ball that evening: €50 for ladies to hunt or €100 for ladies to hunt and attend the Hunt Ball (partners welcome at the same rates). Please contact Jacqui Freyne: Mobile 087 2629950 or email jacqui.freyne@gmail.com with your queries. We ask all guests to please book in. For more details the event is posted on the Tipperary Foxhounds’ Facebook page.

For those wishing to book tickets for the Ball at €60 each, please contact Trish Mulhall, Tel: 087 2750773, who has tickets and is already taking bookings. The venue is the Minella Hotel, Clonmel, and Trish has a great menu picked for dinner, followed by dancing to the one and only Brass & Co. There shall also be an auction, with fabulous lots on offer, not to be missed! Get your tickets booked early and get this show on the road, it promises to be a fabulous night.

2016 Book Fair and 1916
The twenty-first annual Tipperariana Book Fair will take place in Fethard Ballroom on St. Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14, 2016. It can be expected that material – pamphlets, books, posters – relating to the 1916 Rebellion will be brought to Fethard by the thirty or more book dealers who take part in the fair every year. This will also be a good opportunity for people to have ‘memorabilia’ from that period valued by the dealers on the day.

The Fethard Historical Society, who organise the fair, plan to have a display of books and material relating to 1916 and the War of Independence on show on the day. There will be some secure glass display cases and the society would love to hear from people who have material that they could lend for use during the fair. Material of local interest would be a great attraction on the day and hopefully some items relating to Fethard and the surrounding parishes will surface before St. Valentine’s Day.

Book donations gladly accepted
The book fair is the Historical Society’s main fund raising event of the year and donations of books and book collections – which are then sold on the society’s own bookstall at the fair-are very much appreciated. Anyone wishing to donate books or who wishes to discuss the display of War of Independence material can email bookfair@fethard.com or can phone (052) 6131537 or 086 3905373.

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

Killusty Anglers meeting in the 1960s. Back Row L to R: Tom O’Shea, Jim Ryan, Mick Bogue. Middle Row L to R: Jack O’Flynn, Neddie Cummins, Jack ‘Sprig’ Nagle, Capt. Curtin, Dick Fitzgibbon. Front Row L to R: Johnny Keating, Ned O’Shea, Major Hughes and Helen O’Connell.


Nano Nagle Primary Sahool sixth class at Nano Nagle Primary School (October 25, 2001). Back L to R: Aoife O’Meara, Lisa Ryan, Stephanie Lawrence, Danielle Ferncombe, Sinead Coffey. Front L to R: Patricia Cooney, Jenny Quigley, Sinead Delahunty, Sarah Moloney and Patricia Rochford.


Fethard Youth Club members with their Drugs Awareness certificates received on Wednesday, June 27, 2001. Back L to R: John Hannigan, Charlotte Escalon, Brian Conway, Niall Maher, Ashley McCormack-John, Anthony Hanrahan, Kyle O’Donnell. Front L to R: Rita McCormack-John (leader), Adrian Allen, Sinead O’Mahony (Drug Project Worker), Tracy Coady and Claire Hannigan (leader). The following also received certificates: Tara Ryan Louise Nagle, Ciarán Duggan Eoin Maher and Eoin Delahunty.


Confirmation Day April 29, 1982. First cousins L to R: Daren Bradshaw, Karl Cooke, Audrey Moloney, Anna Bradshaw, Kevin Bradshaw and Rory Bradshaw.


Members of the Croom Carroll family photographed in the Abymill Theatre on May 12, 2001.

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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