Lesser Spotted Journeys – if you've missed it!
Fethard featured last weekend on UTV’s ‘Lesser Spotted Journeys’ programme and was received very favourably by those who viewed the programme. The presenter, Joe Mahon, covered a wide range of interesting local topics in a very easy-going relaxed manner, which also very much helped those who were interviewed.
For those who missed the programme it can still be viewed on the UTV Ireland Player at www.player.utv.ie search for Lesser Spotted Journeys broadcast on October 9. It will be available for the next four weeks. The UTV version will also be available on the UTV Player.
Died in Canada
The death has occurred in Edmonton, Canada, of Mr Eamon Maher, late of 20 St. Patricks's Place, Fethard. Eamon, pre-deceased by his parents Stephen and Mary, his sister Lily (Fitzgerald), is survived by his wife Rose, daughter Martina, grandchildren and his brother Michael (Dublin). Internment takes place in Canada.
May he rest in peace.
The late Eamon Maher photographed with his friends outside a house (maybe St. Patrick’s Place ?) some years ago. L to R: Bill Maher (Main Street), Michael Maher, Eamon Maher and maybe Vincent Allen, Killusty? (all corrections accepted to: fethardnews@gmail.com)
Parents' Associetion Table Quiz
The Patrician Presentation Secondary School Parents' Association are holding their annual table quiz on Monday, October 17, at 8pm in the Convent Community Hall. Adult table of four will cost €28, and a student table of four will cost €20. Prizes for adults and students and all monies raised will go towards school supports.
Day Care Table Quiz in Butlers Sportsbar
A table quiz in aid of
Fethard and District Day Care Centre will take place on Friday October 21, in Butler's Sportsbar on Main Street. The Day Care Centre is a tremendous service that serves the older members of our communities living in Fethard, Killusty, Killenaule, Moyglass, Drangan and Mullinahone.
The Centre provides a warm, comfortable setting for daily gatherings, where clients can meet, play a game of Bingo, do arts, crafts and exercises suited to their needs. They are served hot nourishing meals, cooked in a state of the art kitchen. Meals on Wheels are also provided three days a week. Please come along and support this great cause.
Fethard on UTV Ireland (SKY 116) Sunday at 5pm
Joe Mahon, presenter of UTV's 'Lesser Spotted Journeys' visits the small medieval town of Fethard in Co Tipperary, where he discovers how rats helped to defeat the Normans, explores some very old buildings that are still looking their best and tries his hand at the potter's wheel.
Tune in next Sunday, October 9, at 5pm on UTV Ireland (Sky Channel 116) for a delightful and independent one-hour look at our lovely town of Fethard.
UTV's 'Lesser Spotted Journeys' crew photographed at Rocklow Road where they spoke to Joe Kenny about the Kenrick Collection of Glass Plates and the Annual Emigrants' Newsletter. L to R: Billy Gallagher (sound), Joe Mahon (presenter), Vinny Cunningham (camera), Patrick Mahon (research) and Orlagh Bann (sitting).
A Wonderful Experience . . .
Thanks to the Carmelites Lourdes Group from Mitchelstown for giving myself, Joe Kenny and son Jack the opportunity to visit Lourdes for the first time this October.
While walking home on Saturday night, October 1, by chance we heard some enticing music from the grotto area so we changed our direction to see hundreds of pilgrims queuing at the entrance to the 'Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes'. We were unexpectedly brought through a side entrance where wheelchair users are given priority. Approaching the Basilica we met the beginning of a torchlight procession where thousands of Spanish pilgrims were gathered . . . the following video from my phone will maybe give some an idea of the intensity and belief in the air. But to even better that, a uniformed young man came up to us and brought us from the back of the crowd, up to the very front of the altar where we joined other wheelchair users. It rained lightly but both of us were very happy to get wet from Lourdes rainwater falling over our heads.
A very moving ceremony that brought me closer to what I expected . . . was it by chance . . . I don't think so!
Cookery Course starting in Community Hall Fethard
A six-week Cookery Course will commence ay Fethard Convent Community Hall on Wednesday, October 12, from 10am to 12 noon. The cost per class is €5 and the course tutor is Eileen Bowden. All are welcome to take part. For more information or to book a place, please contact Margaret O'Neill on 087 6536374.
Augustinian Mission Appeal, Oct 22 and Oct 23
Some of the very grateful people who benefit from your donations to the work of the Augustinian Missions in Africa.
On behalf of the Augustinian community in Fethard, permit me to say ‘hello’ to those who worship in the Augustinian Abbey Church and indeed to all the lovely people of Fethard. I first arrived in Fethard in December 2012, under the cover of winter darkness to begin my missionary work as an Augustinian from Nigeria. Since then I have happily integrated in the Fethard community and quickly adjusted to discussing the weather in the absence of any other topic with people I meet on my travels.
For the past three years I have also being making mission appeals in the Abbey Church to support the Augustinian foreign missions. Every year, people have been very generous in their donations to this appeal and I would like to sincerely express my deep appreciation to this response of generosity. Your donations have touched lives and saved lives in the missions. Indeed, I’m also happy to mention that the mission appeals have also helped in my education and in making me a priest. I remain forever grateful to all of you for that.
Some of the very grateful people who benefit from your donations to the work of the Augustinian Missions in Africa.
This year’s appeal comes up again at all masses on Saturday, October 22, and Sunday, October 23, in the Abbey Church. As usual I count on your kind support and generosity. Like in all charity appeals one euro can change and save a life. You have done it before and I believe you can do it again and receive the Lord’s blessings.
This appeal is always open so you can drop your donations at anytime, any day, to the Augustinian Abbey Church in Fethard.
Thank you to all. Fr. Lazarus Barkindo OSA
Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing on Sunday Night, October 9, to the music of ‘Jason Travers’. 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.
Fethard host Liam Connolly Tournament 2016
A large crowd gathered in Fethard last Saturday morning, September 24, to witness some of the best games of hurling to be seen at this year’s Liam Connolly Under 8 Hurling Tournament.
Fethard U8 GAA team that took part in last Saturday's Liam Connolly Hurling Tournament
Under difficult weather condition these young stars showed skill, passion and pride of their jersey, to battle it out to see who would be crowned 2016 champions. All group games were very closely contested with only a puck of a sliotar being the difference between most teams at the final whistle. When all scores were counted we were eventually left with the pairings for the finals. Kilsheelan and Ballingarry would contest the shield final while Killenaule, the 2015 champions, would go into battle against Holycross Ballycahill in the cup final.
Holycross Captain receiving Liam Connolly Cup from Sean Connolly
Both these matches showcased everything good about hurling, and after 20 minutes of outstanding skill and effort, Kilsheelan lifted the shield trophy, while Holycross Ballycahill were crowned cup champions for the first time.
The organisers would like to thank all teams who helped make this year’s tournament a huge success and we will definitely be keeping an eye on the progress of some of these players over the coming years. A very big thank you also to the Connolly family and particularly, Clonmel Oil, for their continued support of this fabulous tournament in memory of the late inter county hurler and footballer, Liam Connolly.
Tournaments like this cannot happen without the help and support of some dedicated people so we also take this opportunity to thank both referees, Paddy Ivors and Miceál McCormack, and secondly to Fethard Juvenile GAA club and parents who helped on Saturday morning and throughout the year. Your help and support is greatly appreciated.
Nominees for September Sports Achievement Award
The following ten nominees were received for the Butlers Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award for September.
St. Rita’s U14 Camogie Team– winners of Co Tipperary ‘C’ League beating Portroe in the final.
Fethard U14 Hurlers – winners of the County ‘B’ Title beating Eire Og Annacarty in the final which was played in Dolla.
Fethard U10 Boys – finished off a great year by winning the Ned Meagher cup and shield in Cloneen having earlier in the season won a co. title at community games level.
Fethard U12 Hurlers – County B winners following an epic victory against near neighbours Rosegreen.
Ryan Walsh – Nominated because of his achievements at U14 hurling with both Tipperary and Fethard.
Ross McCormack and Dorothy Wall – both won Inter Provincial titles with Munster rugby U18 teams.
Jimmy Smith and Ed Collum – these two men both finished in the top 10 in the Masters section of ‘The Filthy 150’ – Irelands biggest Cross Fit competition.
Slievenamon Golf Club – a club team featuring six Fethard lads recently won the All Ireland 4 ball competition beating Greystones 4-1 in the final.
Fethard Ladies Junior B Footballers – County Final winners beating Gortnahoe by 1 point in the final.
Brian Manton – driving his Nissan Micra this 10 year old Junior Hot Rod driver is featuring very strongly at recent Tipperary Raceway events.
The winner will be announced at a special function in Butlers Bar on Friday night on Friday next, October 7 at 10pm.
James Connolly - A Full life Lorcan Collins will give a talk on 'James Connolly - A Full life', on Thursday, October 13, at 8pm at the Abymill Theatre, Fethard. Lorcan is the founder of the ‘1916 Rebellion Walking Tour of Dublin’ and author of the ‘1916 The Rising Handbook’. He is also the instigator of the hugely successful ‘O'Brien 16 Lives’ series in which he himself wrote the book on James Connolly.
Connolly, born in Scotland to Irish parents, was a soldier in the British Army before he became involved in Irish politics. Writer and humanitarian, he worked in America and Ireland devoting much of his time to the improvement of conditions for workers everywhere. He set up and was leader of the Irish Citizen Army, that joined up with the volunteers and other small groups in the GPO Rising in 1916. He effectively took command of the rebels in the GPO and following the surrender and his court martial, the particular circumstance of his execution to which he was carried on a stretcher sealed public opinion in Dublin in favour of the rebels.
Lorcan Collins is well known from his media appearances and is a leading historian of this period and his admiration for and knowledge of James Connolly should make this talk of great interest.
Scarecrows wanted for Harvest Dance In conjunction with our Harvest Dance we are holding a 'Build a Scarecrow' competition. Your scarecrow needs to be adult size and handed in on Wednesday, October 26. We decided not to put in lots of rules and regulations as its just a fun element to our dance so its open to all ages but no different age categories adults can help children. The winner will be chosen by a non committee member on Saturday and announced at the harvest dance Saturday night. We hope to display the scarecrows on the square the following week. So start building your scarecrows now!
Fethard Ballroom will host a ‘Harvest Dance’ in aid of CARE (Cancer Aftercare Relaxation Education) support centre in Clonmel, on the bank-holiday weekend Saturday, October 29. Music will be provided by the exciting ‘JigJam’ bluegrass band featuring local musician Gavin Strappe, followed by D.J, Kumar.
Tickets are now on sale from Fethard Post Office and Dalton’s Pharmacy at €10 each. Door’s open at 9.30pm with full bar extension. Over 18s only and a strict door policy will apply.
Fethard ICA October meeting
Fethard ICC Guild will hold their October meeting on Tuesday, October 11, at 8pm in ICA Hall at Rocklow Road. Our speaker this month is Heather Bailey who will discuss the game of Whist with us. The ‘yellow group’ are in charge of catering on the night.
Our craft night continues every Monday night at 8pm in ICA Hall and non-members are also welcome to come along.
Fitness Classes starting in Fethard Ballroom
The following classes are starting next week in Fethard Ballroom: a Circuits class will commence on Tuesday, October 11, from 7.15pm to 8.15pm; Low Impact Aerobics will commence on Thursday, October 13, from 10.45am to 11.45am (ideal for those new to exercise).
Both classes are suitable for all fitness levels. The cost is €7 per class and for more information please contact Bobbi on Tel: 087 2130414.
Happy 90th Birthday Sarah
Congratulations to Sarah Mullins who celebrated her 90th Birthday on Tuesday, September 27, with extended family and friends. The group photographed afterwards at a meal held in Raheen House, Clonmel.
Fethard Bridge Club Results
On September 28 we played for the Free Sub Gross and the results were: 1st Gross and winners of the free sub, Bernie O'Meara and Anna Cooke; 1st Nett:, Margaret Mary McCormack and Breda O'Grady; 2nd Gross, Monica Anglim and David O'Meara; 2nd Nett, Eileen Frewen and Vincent Cummins; 3rd Gross, Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny; 3rd Nett, Carol Kenny and Gemma Burke.
Next Wednesday, October 19, we play for Hallowe'en prizes. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 6132038.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on September 28 were: 9, 12, 16 and 18. There was no jackpot winner and four ‘Match Three’ winners who received €40 each: Carmel Gahan, Kylenagranagh, Cloneen; Eileen Connolly, Garrinch, Fethard; Liam Hayes, Red City, Fethard; and Ursula Lawrence, Woodvale, Walk, Fethard.
The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Marie Butler, Garrinch, Fethard; Monica O'Shea, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; and Tony Maher, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard.
Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, October 5. The Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €1,000. All proceeds go towards community projects in Fethard, and we thank you for your on-going support.
GAA Sports Development Lotto
The numbers drawn on Friday, September 30, were 7, 14, 32 and 36. There was no jackpot winner and one match three winner who received €100: Orla Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard. Two €25 Lucky Dip winners were: Tomás Twomey, Cork, and Ger Lonergan, Rosegreen.
The next draw takes place on Friday, October 7, when the jackpot is €20,000 and the sellers prize is €940. 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.
Fethard Rugby Club
Fethard senior rugby team made the long journey to Killorglin on Sunday last to get their league campaign under way. Conditions were very windy and Fethard started very slow, allowing Killorglin a penalty which they converted. The game ebbed and flowed for the next twenty minutes and a good maul from a lineout saw Fethard cross the line but unfortunately the referee didn’t see the ball being grounded. Killorglin piled on the pressure in Fethard’s 22 and following a long phase of pick and go, the home team got in under the posts to leave the half time score ten -nil, to the Kerry side.
The second half saw Fethard take the game to the home team with Shane Kavanagh and Richie Carroll making hard yards and Mark Ronan, Brian Murphy and Jonathan Spillane more than holding their own. On a rare visit to Fethard’s 22 the home team converted a penalty, but dominant play by Fethard saw Gary Kavanagh slot three long range penalties. The Kerry side added another 3 points but Fethard got their back line moving with a series of side-to-side movements that saw Connie Coen score in the corner. With 10 minutes remaining the score was 16-14 to the home side, who ran out winners.
A lot of positives can be taken from this game and a lot of work to be done, especially on lineouts. Our Seniors First XV are at home next Sunday, October 9, when they play Dungarvan at 2.30pm in Fethard. So come along to watch and support our local guys. Our seconds are away to Waterford City on Saturday night. The 18s are also away to City. For more match info visit our Website at www.fethardrfc.ie
Fethard U16s
Fethard 16s played Nenagh on Sunday morning at home and ran out deserving winners after a slow start. A good pack performance laid the foundations and David Gunn, Eoghan Obrien and Cillian White were to the fore. Rob Barton had a fine game at scrum half, while Eoin Walsh, Patrick Griffin, Ryan Walsh and Sean Prendergast had fine games. Fethard 16s play Clanwilliam away in their first league game next Sunday morning at 11am.
Fethard 14s
Fethard 14s played Kilfeacle on Sunday morning in their first league game, which they won well. Congratulations to them on a winning start. U14 boys are at home next week against Cashel at 11am. Training continues every Friday night at 6.45pm for all youth teams and minis, while girls’ training takes place at 8pm.
Girls' Rugby
Congratulations to Dorothy Wall of Fethard Girls Rugby who played three thrilling games recently for Munster U18s in the girls’ Inter Provincials. This was a great achievement for Dorothy who only took up rugby last season.
Girls Rugby training for 6 to 18 year-olds continues on Friday nights at 8pm to 9pm and Monday evening in Rosegreen at 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Come along and enjoy the fun.
Visitors to Fethard Terry Cunningham photographed with family friends on a visit to see Fethard's medieval Holy Trinity Church. L to R: Terry Cunningham, Montse Paloma, Claudia Congregado and Naoise Cunningham. Montse and Claudia were visiting from Talavera, Madrid.
Club reports needed for Annual Emigrants’ Newsletter
Fethard & Killusty Emigrants’ Newsletter remind all secretaries and club correspondents to submit their reports for inclusion in this year’s Newsletter as soon as possible to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road.
Reports should be typed or emailed to newsletter@fethard.com Alternatively they can be handed in to Joe Kenny. We also welcome individual articles (long or short), stories of long ago, funny incidents, photographs, particularly old class photographs or photographs of local characters.
The first Fethard Emigrants’ Newsletter was published by the Legion of Mary back in 1959 and posted free of charge as it still is today, 57 years later. We have copies of all published issues from 1965 to the present, but one. We are just missing the 1964 (8 page) issue, which was also the first commercially, printed Newsletter by the Sporting Press Clonmel. Can anyone oblige?
'An Autumn Evening in Concert'
Fethard Holy Trinity National school presents 'An Autumn Evening in Concert' in the Holy Trinity Parish Church on Friday, October 14, at 8pm . The Clonmel Concert Band (South of Ireland Band Champions 2016) will perform with the Unity Singers from Kilkenny and very special guest, Bass Baritone Derek Ryan.
Tickets are €10 and the proceeds from the night will fund a new Musical Programme in the Holy Trinity National School. Tickets are available from Holy Trinity National School and the Post Office in Fethard, Marian’s Bookshop , Clonmel, The Village Grill, Clerihan, Cloneen Post Office and Killenaule Post Office.
This will be a unique occasion with sixty musicians and singers performing in the Parish Church in Fethard.
Annual Emigrants Newsletter Donations
If you would like to make a donation to Fethard & Killusty Emigrants' Newsletter using PayPal please do so here.
All donations of €10 and over will be acknowledged in this year's publication, unless you specify to remain anonymous.
We are also accepting new addresses or change of addresses of family members and emigrants living away from home. The Fethard & Killusty Newsletter is now in operation for over 55 years and posted free of charge to our emigrants living in over 25 different countries throughout the world.
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.
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
Lunchtime in Fethard back in 1999
This photo of Main Street, in the 1980s, was posted by John Healy, originally from The Green, and now living in Australia.
Some of the replies posted on 'Fethard Faces and Places' on Facebook:
Rose Ryan Barry posted this lovely photograph of the Slattery family outside their house at Kilknockin.
This photo was taken around 1913 at a hunt meeting in Fethard (we believe) but the exact location is hard to pinpoint . . . maybe somebody out there would have an idea where it could have been taken?
These are some of the replies from Facebook:
We had other comments from our viewers on this site and the general consensus is that Looby's Yard, Burke Street, is the correct location. Looking at some old photographs from the area would also confirm this, if you can allow the modification of the three upstairs windows in the building across the road, were removed at some period and replaced by two higher-level dormer windows.
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.
This site is maintained by Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.
By using this site you accept the conditions of our Disclaimer document which can be read by clicking below. DISCLAIMER
Lorcan Collins will give a talk on 'James Connolly - A Full life', on Thursday, October 13, at 8pm at the Abymill Theatre, Fethard. Lorcan is the founder of the ‘1916 Rebellion Walking Tour of Dublin’ and author of the ‘1916 The Rising Handbook’. He is also the instigator of the hugely successful ‘O'Brien 16 Lives’ series in which he himself wrote the book on James Connolly.
In conjunction with our Harvest Dance we are holding a 'Build a Scarecrow' competition. Your scarecrow needs to be adult size and handed in on Wednesday, October 26. We decided not to put in lots of rules and regulations as its just a fun element to our dance so its open to all ages but no different age categories adults can help children. The winner will be chosen by a non committee member on Saturday and announced at the harvest dance Saturday night. We hope to display the scarecrows on the square the following week. So start building your scarecrows now!
