Died in Clonmel
The death has occurred on Saturday, February 4, 2017, of Margaret ‘Peggy’ O’Dwyer (née Dunphy), 66 Griffith Avenue, Clonmel. The late Peggy was mother of Martha Sheehan, Garrinch, Fethard, and pre-deceased by her husband Sean, who was a great supporter of Fethard Country Markets. Peggy died peacefully at her home, in the loving care of her family, carers and South Tipperary Hospice Movement. Beloved mother of Martha, Margaret, Deirdre, Aiden, Barbara and Kevin. Sadly missed by her six loving children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, fourteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, brothers Tom, Billy and Paddy, nephews, nieces, neighbours, extended family and friends. May Her Soul Rest in Peace.

Reposing at her home on Monday from 4pm to 8pm. Removal on Tuesday, April 7, at 12.15pm for Requiem Mass in St. Peter and Paul's Church at 1pm Funeral Mass on arrival at 1pm, followed by internment immediately afterwards in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Waterford Road, Clonmel.

Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired to South Tipperary Hospice Movement. House private on Tuesday morning please. Ar dheis Dé go raibh ar a hanam dílis.

Popular postman John Fogarty retires after 35 years' service

Local postman, John Fogarty, making his way around the Coleman, Coolmoyne, Tullamaine postal route for the last time on Friday, January 27, 2017 (Photos taken by Larry Kenny)

Local postman, John Fogarty, made his way around the Coleman, Coolmoyne, Tullamaine postal route for the last time on Friday, January 27. It was bittersweet experience for John as he had served on the route for almost thirty years. During that time he had been treated with kindness and generosity by the people he met every day. He had seen children being born, grow up, go way, come back, get married, build houses, begin their own families – generations succeeding generations – the joy of lives beginning and the deep sadness of lives ending. John started on the postal route in 1987, following in the footsteps of his late father, Joey, who had also delivered on the same route for the twenty years that preceded John’s appointment. But John’s time has come too and he will now be succeeded by his brother, Kevin.


Photograph taken in November 1987 of John's father, Joey Fogarty's retirement as postman after 20 years delivering on the same route as John. To mark the occasion postmistress, Anne Connolly, made a presentation on behalf of the staff. Left to right: Joe Danaher, Laoise Fogarty (Joey's wife), Joey Fogarty, Anne Connolly, John Fogarty and Davy Lawless.

Later on that same evening, John had his retirement party with family and friends in Butler’s Sportsbar, Fethard. This proved to be a very memorable occasion and a fitting conclusion to his long years working as a postman in Fethard.

Members of John’s family, including his son Joe and girlfriend, Rebecca Smith, from Huntsville, Ontario, who made the long journey from snowy Canada, were there. Present also was Anne Connolly, who had been postmistress during most of John’s time in Fethard sub-office and her son, Barry, who was postmaster when the postmen were relocated to Clonmel DSU (Delivery Service Unit) in 2012. Also present were some of John’s colleagues from An Post, including Pat Brett and Davy Lawless, retired colleagues who had served with him in Fethard sub-office before relocation to Clonmel DSU.


John Fogarty photographed with his work collegues from An Post, Clonmel and Fethard, on the occasion of his retirement after 35 years service. (Photos taken by Larry Kenny)

The evening kicked off with speeches and presentations to mark the occasion. Mark Moloney, secretary of the local branch of the CWU (Communications Workers’ Union), spoke and made presentations on behalf of the union to John and his wife Veronica. Dick Nugent, mails manager at Clonmel DSU, then spoke and made a presentation to John on behalf of An Post in recognition of his long years of service to the company.


Dick Nugent (right), mails manager at Clonmel DSU, making a presentation to John Fogarty on behalf of An Post in recognition of his long years of service to the company.

John himself then delivered an entertaining speech that reflected on his time as a postman and how fortunate he was in being able to celebrate his retirement with family, friends and colleagues. A number of colleagues over the years, he said, had not had that privilege.


John and Veronica Fogarty (centre) photographed with their son Joseph and daughter Maryanne at John's retirement party held on Friday, January 27.


John Fogarty photographed with his brothers and sister at his retirement party last weekend. Back L to R: Frank, Jim, Kevin. Middle L to R: Bernard, Pat, John, Tom. Front L to R: Martin, Gerry and Anna. Missing from photo was Joseph, who was unable to attend.


Photographed at John Fogarty's retirement party are cousins L to R: Becky Fogarty, Maryanne Fogarty and Jennifer Fogarty.


Formalities over . . . John Fogarty (right) sharing a lighter moment with two of his Fethard work colleagues at his retirement party in Butler’s Bar. L to R: Dave Looby, Paul Trehy and John Fogarty

The real business of the night then got underway: a celebration with an astonishing variety of music from the Pheasant Pluckers, a few songs from the man himself, some hilarious storytelling from John’s cousin, Walter Dunphy, a rafter-raising rendition of ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’ from John’s colleague, Sean Quirke, and some songs from Jane Hayes. All of which had people singing, laughing and chatting in a uniquely happy atmosphere that buzzed and crackled all night with goodwill.


Pheasant Pluckers who provided the music for John Fogarty's retirement. Back L to R: Joe Kenny, Barry Connolly, John Shortall, Maresa Dolan. Front L to R: Jimmy Trehy, Dom O'Driscoll and Marc van Dommelen.

As John had said in his speech, the night was about an ending, the end of his time with An Post, but for him it was a ‘happy ending’ in the company of family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers. Tomorrow it would be time to move on to ‘pastures new’.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing on Sunday Night, February 5, to the music of ‘Sam O’Doherty’. 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.

Patrician Presentation School news

Fethard Patrician Presentation volleyball team who were unsuccessful in their All-Ireland A Shield competition final against Naas in Portlaoise recently but were promoted to ‘A’ level.

Volleyball
Unfortunately our Cadette Girls’ Volleyball team was unsuccessful in their All-Ireland A Shield competition against Naas in Portlaoise recently. However, the girls have moved up to ‘A’ level this year and showed great determination and skill, coming within five points of Naas in the end. Well done to the girls and their P.E. teacher, Ms Helena Walsh. The school is also proud of Laura O’Donnell and Caoimhe O’Meara who ably refereed some matches on the day.

Junk Kouture
With the deadline for entries fast approaching the Transition Year Pupils in the school are busily putting the final touches to their outfits, deciding on theme music and writing the signature descriptions of their outfits. Four groups of T.Ys are working on their entries and we wish the best of luck to them and their teachers.

Le Chéile Conference
Principal, Mr Michael O’Sullivan will attend the Annual Le Chéile Conference in the Hudson Bay Hotel near Athlone next week. The student body will be ably represented at the conference by 5th Year Pupils: Emma Cronin, Coleman and Shauna O’Neill. The girls will join representatives from the other Le Chéile Schools in presenting our school ethos and have already worked on a DVD presentation for the occasion under the guidance of Ms McKeogh and Mr Maher.

Mock Exams
All our exam students are focused on the Mock Exams which will be held in the school in early February. Students are encouraged to prepare well for these exams and are helped by their teachers to develop good study habits in the run up to the exams.

Catholic Schools’ Week
As usual the school will celebrate Catholic Schools’ Week. This year’s theme is, ‘Catholic schools: Learning with Pope Francis to care for our common home – The Earth’. We will also celebrate St. Brigid’s Day on February 1, Candlemas Day, February 2 (Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple), which is the Feast Day of the Patrician Brothers, and the Feast of St. Blaise on February 3. Thanks in advance to Fr. Gerry Horan OSA who will do the Blessing of the Throats on the Feast of St. Blaise.

Tipperariana Book of the Year

Members of Fethard Historical Society photographed with the winner of the Tipperariana 'Book of the Year' for 2016 at the presentation held last weekend in the Abymill Theatre. The winning book was 'Lorrha People in the Great War' by Gerard O'Meara. L to R: Frances Murphy, Catherine O'Flynn, Ann Gleeson, Gerry Long, Mary Healy, Gerard O'Meara (author), Mary Hanrahan, Terry Cunningham, Pat Looby and Marie Murphy. This year’s Book Fair will be held in Fethard Ballroom on Sunday, February 12.


Dóirín Saurus, Fethard Historical Society, presenting the winning author Gerard O'Meara, with the Tipperariana 'Book of the Year' award for 2016, for his publication, 'Lorrha People in the Great War'.

Fethard Rugby Club
Five girls teams all win to make it a perfect week for Fethard
Congratulations to the five Fethard girls’ rugby teams who were very busy in the past week playing wonderful rugby and all also successful. Starting with our U18 girls winning 87-0 against Middleton Youghal to book a place in the Munster Cup semifinal. Well done to the following squad for a wonderful season so far: Susie Doyle, Ciara Morrissey, Dorothy Wall, Katelyn Fleming, Sarah Garrett, Aoife Hayes, Isobel Kennedy, Orla O'Donnell, Katie Ryan, Therese Ryan and Niamh Roche. Looking forward to having Leah Scott and Kate Gayson back playing soon.


Fethard Girls Youths Rugby Team who were succesful last weekend

Our U13 Girls then took part in the Munster Girls Tournament in Bruff and won all three of their matches. Team was Lucy Fogarty, Sarah O'Donnell, Ella Shelley, Niamh Flatley, Lia Coady, Sophia O'Brien, Ciara McCarthy, Aoife McCarthy, Siobhan Bergin, ably lead by U13 captain, Kate Flannery, who scored many tries and offloaded a handful of tries. A bright future ahead for all these girls.
Our U15 girls beat Middleton Youghal last Saturday by 8 tries continuing their winning streak, following their Munster League final won last month.

Fethard girls minis rugby team who played a fabulous Munster girls’ tournament in St Mary's RFC at Grove Island.

Our U10, U12 and U15 girls also played powerful rugby, with our U15 girls winning 38-0 in St Mary's and now though to the Girls Munster Cup semifinal. Great tries scored by Faye Dowling (2), Jen Fogarty (2), Eabha Fitzgerald and Nicole Vaughan, ably assisted by Karen Bennett, Matilda Magner, Mairead McCarthy, Aoibhe Gayson, Annica O'Connor and Lucy Murphy. Wishing a speedy recovery to Niamh Doyle who was injured last week. Furthermore, good luck to the girls next Saturday in the Munster Cup semifinal in Carrick against Listowel.

Our U10 and U12 girls joined teams from Abbeyfeale, Bruff, Listowel, St Mary's and Tralee for a fabulous Munster girls’ tournament in St Mary's RFC at Grove Island. Wonderful performances from these two teams led by Aoife Fleming, Ciara Fleming, Lia Coady, Niamh Flatley, Ella Shelley, Evelyn Gayson, Siobhan Bergin, Claire Mee, Aine Connolly, Ciara Fitzpatrick, Isobel O'Donnell, Phillie Gilman, Alice Sheehan Walsh and Miley Walsh. Thank you Sharon and company for hosting us all and looking after everyone so well. All very much appreciated, especially the lovely soup!

See you all training on Monday in Rosegreen at 7.30pm and on Friday in Fethard at 8pm. Check out our website fethardrfc.ie for more information and pictures. Also follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on January 25 were: 11, 21, 26 and 28. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winners who received €150: Stephan Byrne, Knockgraffon, Cahir.

The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Breda Wilson, Rathkenny, Drangan; Margaret Walsh, Barrack Street, Fethard; and Anna Bradshaw, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, February 1. 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, January 27, were 1, 8, 17 and 32. There was no jackpot winner and two match three winners who received €75 each: Fiona Ryan, Tullamaine; and Denis O'Meara, St Patrick's Place.
The next draw takes place on Friday, February 3, when the jackpot is €20,000 and the sellers prize is €1,000. 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 and Killusty Community Games Swimming
The Community Games Swimming County Finals will take place in Thurles Pool on Sunday, March 12, with the girls’ warm up taking place at 10am and the competition starting at 10.15am. The boys’ warm up takes place at 1.45pm with the competition starting at 2pm. These times might change according to entries.

The closing date for entries online is March 5, when the competition programme will be printed so no changes allowed. A swimmer can take part in one individual event and a squad event on the day. Please note, U8 competitors must be able to swim one length of the pool.

The swimming programme of events as follows:

• Individual: Freestyle Boys & Girls (U8 & Over 6) 1 length, 25m;
• Freestyle Boys & Girls (U10 Over 8) 1 length, 25m;
• Freestyle Boys & Girls (U12 & Over 10) 2 lengths 50m;
• Freestyle Boys & Girls (U14 & Over 12) 2 lengths 50m;
• Freestyle Boys & Girls (U16 & Over 14) 2 lengths 50m;
• Backstroke Boys & Girls (U10 & Over 8) 1 length 25m;
• Backstroke Boys & Girls (U12 & Over 10) 2 lengths 50m;
• Backstroke Boys & Girls (U14 & Over 12) 2 lengths 50m;
• Backstroke Boys & Girls (U16 & Over 14) 2 lengths 50m;
• Breaststroke Boys & Girls (U12 & Over 10) 2 lengths 50m;
• Breaststroke Boys & Girls (U14 & Over 12) 2 lengths 50m;
• Butterfly Boys & Girls (U14 & Over 12) 2 lengths 50m;
• Butterfly Boys & Girls (U16 & Over 14) 2 lengths 50m.
• Swimming Squads: Boys & Girls (U13 & Over 10) panel of 6 – four to swim and two subs – 4x25m lengths.
• Freestyle Boys & Girls (U16 & Over 14) panel of 6 – four to swim and two subs – 4 x 50m.
• Medley order: Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle.
• U16 Breaststroke for boys and girls will be run as a Pathway Event, County Competition only for this event, entries on the day.

Tipperary Authors for Book Fair

Since the Tipperariana Book Fair was first held in 1996, it has been the custom to invite the authors of ‘Tipperary’ books – published in the preceding year - to come to the fair to promote, sell and sign their books.

The custom will continue on Sunday, February 12, when many authors will attend the Ballroom with their published 2016 ‘Tipperary’ books. Every year around forty books of various types are produced across County Tipperary. This includes the very substantial ‘Parish Journals’ that are annually produced, as in Fethard (of course), but also in Killenaule, Glengoole and Ballingarry for instance. Then we have the more pure history type journals published like the wonderful Boherlahan-Dualla, Cloughjordan and Silvermines publications, and some major works of historical research on a specific topic. In the past year both, ‘46 Men Dead – the Royal Irish Constabulary in County Tipperary 1919-1922’, by John Reynolds, and ‘Lorrha People in the Great War’, by Gerard O’Meara, fall into this category.

The list, however, also includes books of poetry, humour, recipes, books on sport - especially the GAA – and this year we have Rearcross FC’s publication, ‘Celebrating 50 years of Soccer in the Slieve Felims 1966 to 2016’. Another gem is, ‘Mogorban 1816-2016’, a beautifully produced small book tracing the 200 year history of Mogorban Church and its Church of Ireland parish and families.

The coming week will see the naming of the Tipperariana Book of the Year for 2016 from one of the many great books produced in the county. For further information on the upcoming Book Fair on Sunday, February 12, or to donate books to the Historical Society stall, you can contact us by email at bookfair@fethard.com or by phone 086 3905373 or 052 6131537.

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 Carnival c.1960s passing outside the Parish Church where it is interesting to see all the business premises in operation across the road from L to R: Percy Dillon's Chemist Shop, Lil McCarthy's Sweet Shop, Kay Fahy's Ladies Hairdressing, Fethard Bakery, O'Connell's Furniture and Electrical Shop, Jack O'Shea's 'While U Wait' and another shop premises but can't make out the name. Maybe some one will be able to pinpoint the year thses Carnival photographs were taken. Information to fethardnews@gmail.com

Fethard Carnival Fancy Dress entries 'My Story by Nicky Rackard' and 'Padraig Puirseal, Irish Press Reporter'.


Fethard Carnival Fancy Dress entry 'Black & White'.


Fethard Carnival Fancy Dress entry 'Stars from Cork Film Festival visit Fethard'.


Fethard Carnival Fancy Dress entry 'Flower Queen'.

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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