County Development Plan
Please note that Tipperary County Council is currently undertaking a variation process of its County Development Plan. This will affect the rural towns and villages (not including Fethard as the settlement plan was reviewed recently).
Cemetery Mass at Templemartin, Jesuits Walk
Approximately fifty people attended the Cemetery Masses held at Templemartin Church at Jesuits Walk, on Wednesday evening, July 19. Canon Tom Breen P.P., assisted by Mary Connors and Gus Fitzgerald, celebrated Mass and gave a short talk on the unknown history of Templemartin Church and remembered all the babies, unbaptised and maybe baptised, that were been buried in the ruins of the old church. It was a common practise at that time for families to bury un-baptised children in the ruins of old unused churches as they weren’t allowed to be buried in ‘consecrated grounds’. Parents travelled secretly by night and chose a spot inside local church ruins for such burials. Now that more decency and common sense prevails, it is no longer used since the late Canon Christopher Lee’s time as Parish Priest in Fethard.
Photographed at the Cemetery Mass at Templemartin Church are L to R: Gus Fitzgerald, Canon Tom Breen P.P. and Mary Connors.
Following Mass many interesting points were discussed as to the origins of Templemartin also known as Teampall Mhairtín (St. Martin’s Church) and the name, ‘Jesuit’s Walk’. Although it was agreed that the Jesuit Order of priests, founded in 1534, were never situated in Fethard, it was a puzzle as to why the road is known or called Jesuit’s Walk.
Photographed at the Cemetery Mass at Templemartin Church are L to R: Michael Kenrick, Sr. Marie Fletcher, Mary Kenrick and Marie Murphy.
Photographed at the Cemetery Mass at Templemartin Church are L to R: Bobby Phelan, Tom Murray, Terry Cunningham and John Fogarty
Michael O’Donnell, in his definitive book on the history of Fethard, suggests that there may have been an earlier settlement in the Templemartin area and that such a settlement about the old church may date from no earlier than the first half on the 1100s.
In September 1840, John O’Donovan, surveying St. Martin’s Church for the ‘Antiquities of the County of Tipperary’ collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840, records the following information on the ruins.
“At the distance of about twenty perches from the town wall on the south side and in the Townland of Garryinch there is a small old church in ruins called Templemartin (Teampull Martain) i.e., St. Martin's Church. Its south wall is nearly destroyed but the others are tolerably perfect. It is twenty-nine feet long and seventeen feet broad. Its north wall is three feet two inches in thickness and twelve feet in height and built of hammered limestone cemented with lime and sand mortar. It had three windows, one on the north wall, another on the west gable a third on the east but they are all now disfigured. There is no burial ground attached to this little Church.”
Regarding the name ‘Jesuits Walk’, we can refer to Tadhg O’Keeffe’s ‘Irish Historic Towns Atlas, no. 13 Fethard’, published in 2003, in which he records the name ‘Jesuits Walk’ being mentioned in the following dated documents:
- Jesuits Walk 1759 (Visitation bk, 28);
- Unnamed 1763 (Swiney);
- Jesuit's Walk 1787 (Barton papers, B, 21);
- 1815 (RD 693/50/475707);
- Jesus' Walk 1840 (OS);
- Jesuits Walk 1850 (Val. 1);
- 1886 (Val. 2);
- Jesuit's Walk 1904 (OS).
Photographed at the Cemetery Mass at Templemartin Church are L to R: Deputy Mattie McGrath, Canon Tom Breen P.P., Gus Fitzgerald and Cllr John Fahey, Cathaoirleach Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District.
Michael O’Donnell also records that, between 1708 and 1703 the road leading from Templemartin to Clonmel was mentioned as being in need of repair, which would suggest that the only road to Clonmel was over Watergate bridge, through Templemartin and along the east side of Market Hill. The road from Madam’s Bridge would have let to Cashel.
The late Canon James Power P.P. photographed saying Mass, assisted by Fr. Sean Ryan and Fr. Ben O'Brien OSA, after blessing a newly erected plaque erected in memory of all the infants buried in the grounds of Templemartin church ruins on October 6, 1996. The Mass was attended by over 150 people who showed their appreciation with a loud round of applause at the end.
Time may well uncover some of the many mysteries that surround Templemartin and the many happy souls that its un-consecrated stonewalls embrace. For now we can only pray for guidance.
Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday Night, July 30, to the music of ‘Brendan McGee’. All are 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 Horse Country Experience
Fethard Horse Country Experience is currently attracting a large number of visitors to our town and is now offering a special introductory admission offer up to August 31, of €5 per person with children going free when accompanied by an adult. Opening hours are from 10am on 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and on all Bank Holidays.
National Heritage Week
As part of National Heritage Week this year the centre will also hold an Open Evening on Friday, August 25, from 7pm to 9pm, with free entry on the night for all, including an informal recital by local harpists, Margaret Anne and Mary Kate Geehan. All are welcome.
Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on August 13
The Fethard & Killusty annual parish pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon will take place on Sunday, August 13, with the starting time of 12.45pm from the Hill Wall. As the walk from the designated car park in O’Donnell’s field to the Hill Wall will take about twenty minutes, we ask you to keep this in mind when you are planning your walk to the starting point, which will commence as close to time as possible. For those unable to make the climb, Mass will be recited in O’Donnell’s field at 2.45pm. Please invite your friends to come along and take part in this annual pilgrimage.
The Holy Year Cross was erected by the people of the parish to commemorate the ‘Holy Year’ and was blessed by the late Rev. Patrick 0’Donnell, Archbishop of Brisbane, Australia, on August 15, 1950. The cross was made of wood and extended 12’ by 9’ and each year the Holy Year Cross was illuminated both on Christmas night and Easter time using a lamp powered by wet batteries. In 1974 the wood of the Holy Year Cross had suffered from the extreme climatic conditions on Slievenamon over the years and had to be replaced by a concrete structure. That year the annual procession also had Stations of the Cross with smaller crosses erected at intervals from the entrance to Slievenamon.
European Masters Athletics Championships
Over next weekend the club will note a ‘red letter’ day with two of our master athletes, Miceál McCormack and Bernard Feery, taking part in the Emac European Masters Championships in the European City of Culture, Aarhus, Denmark, which is a three-hour train journey from Copenhagen.
Earlier in the year an opportunity arose to take part in these championships and two of our master athletes decided to take up the challenge. Some severe training has ensued by both athletes who are well primed to compete in the games at V5 (over-55) and V8 (over-70) categories. Over 3,800 athletes from 40 countries will take part in the championships with Ireland having 61 athletes entered.
This is a wonderful occasion for the Fethard Athletic Club members to have the honour of wearing the green vest and represent Ireland at this level. Miceál will compete in the 4kg Shot and the 5,000 metres Walk; Bernard will compete in the 4K Cross-Country, the 10,000 metres Track and half-marathon. Both have already have won medals at All-Ireland levels and will also do the town proud at European level. Best of luck to all involved.
Happy 94th Birthday to Mary Morrissey
Happiest birthday wishes to Mary Morrissey, St. Patrick's Place, on the occasion of her 94th birthday. Looking as beautiful as ever Mary was happy to receive 'hugs and kisses' from all her extended family of 11 children, 28 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren, along with best wishes from her friends all over the world and at home.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on July 19, were: 11, 15, 20 and 24. There was no jackpot winner and three ‘Match Three’ winners who received €50 each: Marie Niland, c/o Anne Daly; Anna Bradshaw Cooke, St. Patrick’s Place, Fethard; and Anne Connolly, Main Street, Fethard.
The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: Emma O'Donohoe, Glengoole, Thurles; Helen Crotty, Killusty; and Brian Sheehy, Garrinch, Fethard.
Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, July 26. 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.
Vandalism at Augustinian Abbey
Unfortunately we report an incidence of vandalism at the Augustinian Abbey graveyard reported on last Friday night when a group of youths, boys and girls, were late-night partying on the grounds, which is becoming a regular occurrence around Fethard. At a time when others are working hard to make Fethard a pleasant place to visit and live, this is an extremely worrying development that our community should make every effort to stop.
All reports can be made with the strictest confidence to An Garda Síochána or by contacting Garda Shane O’Neill at Fethard Garda Station on 086 8580355 or (052) 6131202 or contact Sergeant Kieran O’Regan at Clonmel Garda Station on (052) 6177640.
GAA Sports Development Lotto
The numbers drawn on Friday, July 21, were 3, 4, 25 and 30. There was no jackpot winner and two match three winners who received €75 each: Mick Conway, c/o Gaule’s Pub, Burke Street; and Joe O'Meara c/o Butler's Sports Bar, Main Street.
The next draw takes place on Friday, July 28, when the jackpot is €20,000 and the sellers prize is €1,000. The committee of Fethard GAA/Sports Centre Development Lotto would like to thank all our supporters near and far who participate in our weekly lotto draw. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.
Public Consultation on new Fethard amenity
A Public Consultation will take place next Friday, July 28, from 3pm to 6pm at the Tholsel Centre in Fethard, where you can meet the designers and give your opinions. Please come along and all members of the community are invited to attend. The consultation is in relation to putting in a new public amenity area on the Tipperary County Council owned site situated between Burke Street and Barrack Street.
With local people, the Council wishes to draw up a Plan for the existing disused site located between Burke Street and Barrack Street, Fethard (Click for Map). Before drafting begins, the Council wants you to assist with the plans for the Site.
Key items for discussion are as follows:
- How the site can contribute to the historical charm of Fethard town?
- How the site can act an amenity for tourists and locals?
- How the site will be maintained and managed in the long term?
- How the development of the site can be funded?
- Concerns regarding the proposal and how they may be dealt with.
It is hoped that this site will deliver a new public amenity for everybody in the community in the form of a new park along the external face of Fethard Town Walls and that the plans will be supported by the local community.
Please send us your thoughts Online (Click Here), via email or letter, to the addresses provided below or via the on-line submission form by August 4, 2017.
Emails should be forwarded to: fethardpark@tipperarycoco.ie
Written Submissions should be forwarded to:
Carrick on Suir Municipal District Office
Civic Offices
New Street
Carrick-on-Suir
Co Tipperary
All submissions should be clearly marked with the heading ‘New Park in Fethard’.
Fethard Pedallers invite beginners to take part
At a recent Fethard Pedallers committee meeting one of the items covered was the running of a beginners / improvers group to help people new to cycling or those returning after a break from the sport. The club have organised a beginners group, which will commence from Fethard Ballroom Carpark on this Thursday, July 27, at 7.30pm and will run for 6-8 weeks, starting at your own pace and working up to 40k plus over the period.
Fethard Pedallers at the Killenaule 70km
The distance will increase week by week and at a suitable pace will make sure nobody is left behind. There will be five or more of the main group also on these outings to offer advice to anyone interested. All you need is a bike in good safe working order, a helmet and an interest in cycling and having a bit of fun.
At the end of the training period we hope that participants will continue to keep up the sport and join the club to progress further. Club membership is only €10 this year plus cycling Ireland insurance of €40. Please let us know if you are interested or need information by contacting us at Tel: 087 7615408 or by e-mail at fethardpedallers@gmail.com and leave a message. Looking forward to your feedback.
Paige Gavin making a name for herself on world stage
Paige Gavin, daughter of Kathleen Gavin (née Nevin) and granddaughter to Christine and Michael Nevin, formerly from Rocklow Road, Fethard, will dance at the world championship of Lyrical Dance, which will be held in Strafford-on-Avon in England from July 28 to 30. Paige is just 11-years-old and moved back to Cashel from Dubai two years ago. She is currently a pupil at the Little Flower Primary School, Ballytarsna, Cashel, and recently started a hip hop class at The Academy of Dance in Cashel.
Last September she started Ballet and Lyrical Ballet and her first competition was last November. Since then she has excelled at dance and is now placed 6th in world rankings at level-2, solo under-12. Paige is a very talented dancer and we will hear a lot more about this young girl.
‘Back the Track’ and support the Tipperary Greenway
Supporters of the proposed Clonmel-Fethard-Thurles Greenway were not disheartened with the lack of support from local councillors and have stepped up their campaign to promote this European and Department for Transport, Tourism and Sport strategy for the future development of Greenways in rural Ireland.
The benefits to a town like Fethard would be immense, for many reasons, including safer walking and cycling in an area where it is unfortunately unsafe to do so any more on our public roads. With Fethard’s business focus now on tourism for survival it makes tremendous sense to bridge the connection with Clonmel with a very scenic walking and cycling path that will attract a whole new variety of visitors to our medieval town. As happened to other greenway developments in Ireland, it also procures huge business opportunities to cater for these visitors all along the route, countryside and towns. Fethard is now also part of the Ancient East Tourist Trail and the proposed greenway is another very good reason to attract visitors to our town.
Sign a petition at Centra
Supporters of this project are asked to sign a petition, currently available at Centra Supermarket, Fethard, and in Tesco’s Clonmel, and to also ask support of your local councillors. Acknowledging the fact that one of the main stumbling blocks may be the land already in use by private owners, but has been overcome in other areas, as the greenway doesn’t have to use the old railway line religiously and many good alternatives are available.
Senior Day at Fethard Day Care Centre
Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold their next Senior Day on Friday, July 28, in the Tirry Community Centre from10.30am. The Chiropodist will be in attendance and all seniors are welcome.
Security advice for Fethard households
 As the holiday season approaches and Fethard children finish their exams and school for the summer, families travelling to warmer climates for their holidays will leave their homes vacant for the duration of these holidays. During this time homes are very vulnerable to being burgled causing distress and upset for the homeowners upon their return.
With this in mind the local Garda are offering a number of tips that can help deter your home being burgled.
- Have a neighbour watch your house. Neighbourhood watch is one of the best things ever started for burglary prevention. Make sure your house looks like someone is living in it while you are away – this may involve a trusted neighbour opening and closing your curtains, turning your lights on and off or parking their car in your driveway.
- Try to avoid discussing your holiday plans where strangers may hear details of your absence from home.
- Have a neighbour collect your mail when you're away. Mail in the mailbox signals burglars that no one is home.
- Try avoid posting Facebook updates from airports or while on holidays. This is an indication that your home is vacant.
- Leave any important documents and valuable items with other family members or a bank. Alternatively if you have a safe installed in your home you should store them in this safe.
- If you normally leave valuable bicycles or similar items in your shed, you may consider putting them into your home.
- Ensure all windows and doors are securely locked and if your home is alarmed ensure it is set before leaving.
- Contact your local Garda Station with the details that your home will be vacant. This allows Gardaí to keep an eye on your home where possible.
For further information and other crime prevention advice please contact Garda Shane O’Neill at Fethard Garda Station on 086 8580355 or (052) 6131202 or contact Sergeant Kieran O’Regan at Clonmel Garda Station on (052) 6177640.
Coolmore Family Day 2017
The annual Coolmore Family Day took place on Saturday, June 17, 2017, and this is a link to view the photographs in a web gallery that can also be shared on Facebook. CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS
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
Tony Newport photographed on the occasion of his marriage to Mary Kenny, The Green, in 1958. L to R: Bert Newport, Ciss Newport, Tony Newport, Mary Kenny and Maggie Kenny.
Jack O’Shea’s Bar and electrical shop, on Main Street, photographed in the late 1960s. Jack was the local agent for Bush TVs - one of the first TV sets in Ireland which were beginning to get popular at that time.
Fethard Railway Station House in 1970
Junior Boys Group at Fethard GAA Summer Camp 2005
Senior Boys Group at Fethard GAA Summer Camp 2005
Intermediate Girls Group at Fethard GAA Summer Camp 2005
Senior Girls Group at Fethard GAA Summer Camp 2005
Fethard under-16 girls’ volleyball team who represented Tipperary at the Community Games Munster Finals in Cork on July 9, 2005. Back L to R: Sarah Hayes, Debbie Lawrence, Sinead Coffey, Maryanne Keane, Lisa Anglim, Niamh Fanning. Front L to R: Ida Carroll, Leslie Looby, Carrie Sweeney, Sarah Conway, Chloé Gough and Gráinne Horan.
Children from Fethard Community Playgroup, December 2005. Back L to R: Sean Walsh, Caoimhe O'Meara, Ben Coen, Matilda Magnier, Cathal O'Mahoney. Middle Row L to R: Keylin O'Donnell, Chloe Nolan, Alison Connolly, Lucy Cummins, Lucy Spillane. Front L to R: Hanna Dolan, Maggie Fitzgerald and Leah Coen.
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 fethardnews@gmail.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.
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