Girl Guides come to experience Fethard
Róisín Mooney, current captain of the Irish Junior Ladies Archery team, photographed with local leaders and Girl Guides by Fethard Town Wall where they had classes in Archery.
Irish Girl Guides International Camp ‘IGGNITE 2017’ – the biggest Girl Guide camp ever in Ireland – took place from July 30 to August 6 on the extensive grounds of Rockwell College when 1,800 Girl Guides and their leaders from around the world based their camps for ten-days and took part in a wide range of activities including rafting, rocket building, yoga, music and coding workshops. Other activities took part in the surrounding areas and towns to show examples of our rich historical heritage. Fethard was chosen to be the location for one of the off-site trips.
Every morning during the past week Fethard residents were delighted to see the arrival of busloads of buzzing Girl Guides – approx forty-five girls and their leaders – visit our town. A different group of girls visited each day and all appeared to be very enthusiastic to participate and enjoy the various activities arranged for Fethard.
One of the activities each morning was Archery, enhanced by the backdrop of Fethard’s Town Walls and the rippling sounds of the Clashawley river. Guide leader Róisín Mooney who is current captain of the Irish Junior Ladies Archery team and a member of Wicklow Archers Club, was the instructor for this event, which proved very popular. The girls were all given the chance to show their archery skills under the watchful eye of Róisín, who also gave valuable tips and instruction on the sport.
Local tour guide, Colm McGrath, photographed outside Fethard Town Hall while taking a group of girl guides on a tour of Medieval Fethard last weekend. Also included are visiting leaders Sarah Anderson and Rachel McGinnety
Local tour guide Colm McGrath, dressed in appropriate costume, gave each group a very imaginative and informative tour of medieval Fethard and the many interesting features often overlooked. Again the girls were showed great interest and were really impressed with Fethard.
One can only compliment the organisers of such a huge event that is so educational at many levels and also showcases the beautiful country we live in.
Seán Tyrrell’s ‘Message of Peace’ show for the Abymill
Saturday, August 19, will see music, song and history coming together in the Abymill Theatre, when the Fethard Historical Society host the one-man ‘Message of Peace’ show performed by noted folk singer Seán Tyrrell, from the Burren in County Clare. Sean Tyrrell’s unique voice and musical talent is relatively undiscovered in our area as he spends a lot of time touring the USA and Canada.
“If you're lucky, you come across a voice like Seán Tyrrell’s once in a lifetime. When he sings I feel alive.” – Brenda Fricker (Former Oscar winner).
This special event is the society’s way of marking the 150th Anniversary of the Fenian Rising of 1867, which was led by Fethard man Thomas Francis Bourke. Furthermore, another Fethard man, Michael Doheny, founded the Fenian Brotherhood in New York nine years earlier so it is only fitting that they both be remembered in their home place in 2017.
The show itself, ‘Message of Peace’, consisting of songs with some commentary, was devised by the singer himself and focuses on the life and legacy of another Fenian leader, poet and author John Boyle O’Reilly. A man whose poems are as relevant now as they were when first written; the title poem and song being a perfect example. Tracing his journey from early childhood, set against a backdrop of famine, revolution, and penal servitude for life in Australia.
Evening begins with Cheese and Wine Reception
The show begins at 8pm, but the evening opens at 7.30pm with a Cheese and Wine Reception in the foyer. The special price for the evening’s entertainment is being kept at €10 to ensure that as many as possible can attend this anniversary event. Booking is not required and admission will be taken at the door. For further information if needed email: history@fethard.com or Tel: 086 3905373
Fintan Vallely, writing in The Irish Times, describes Seán, “Tyrrell is one of those strong performers who explode the weakness of any cast iron classification of song, he is a great singer.”
Sports Achievement Award winners for June and July
Butler’s Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award winners for the months of June and July were presented on Friday last, August 4, at Butlers’s Bar.
Liam Downey (left), representing sponsor, J.C. Kenny Wine Distributors, Galway, presenting the July Sports Achievement Award to Luke Coen who represented Ireland at the European Junior Eventing Championships in Millstreet
The June winner was local horse trainer Joe Murphy, Crampscastle, Fethard. Joe’s stables had a remarkable run with seven winners on the board including two listed races at The Curragh and Navan.
The July winner was young Luke Coen – Luke, son of Ann and Shay Coen, Killusty, had the great honour of representing Ireland at the European Junior Eventing championships, which were held this year in Millstreet Co. Cork.
The July Sports Achievement award was presented by Liam Downey, representing sponsor, J.C. Kenny Wine Distributors, Galway.
Slievenamon Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross
The annual pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon will take place next Sunday, August 13. This year’s event will be all the more poignant as our genial host of many years, Jimmy O’Donnell is no longer with us. His calm and welcoming presence will be sadly missed; we must also remember Bab Donovan who like Jimmy was ever present at the annual event. It is sad to think that these familiar faces that we have known since childhood will no longer be with us. We will remember them in our prayers.
As usual we will begin at the wooden cross by the Hill Wall, all we ask is please be on time at 12.45am, as we won’t be hanging around for long after the start. Mass will be celebrated at approximately 2 45pm when all the walkers return to O'Donnells field.
So we invite you to get out of your comfort zone and come and join us on this special parish occasion. Sure you may have a few aches and pains the next day, but you will still be very glad you did it, and that cup of tea you will get on your return will, probably, be the best you have ever tasted. (KTR)
Walk to Rathcoole Graveyard on this Thursday
The Fethard Historical Society have organised a group walk to Rathcoole Graveyard this coming Thursday evening, August 10, leaving Madam’s Bridge at 7.30pm. The actual ‘walk’ is the main focus of this free event where the walkers can exchange stories and information about the ‘off-road’ route known as the Monroe Walk.
The pathway, on the right before you come to the Car Boot Sale on the Cashel Road, runs along by the Clashawley river, under the old Railway Line at Breen’s Bridge and emerges again quite close to Rathcoole old church and graveyard where further stories can be exchanged. Stout walking gear is needed as the path is rough in places and wet vegetation has to be catered for if the evening is wet.
Participants can bring a snack with them should they need sustenance for the return journey. The group will be back at base again after two hours. For further information email: history@fethard.com or Tel: 086 3905373.
Paige is crowned U14 World Champion Dancer
Eleven-year-old Paige Gavin, photographed with her mother, Kathleen Gavin-Prev Nevin, daughter of Christine and Michael Nevin who formerly lived on Rocklow Road, Fethard. Paige recently won the U14 World Lyrical Improv Dance Championship held at Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.
Congratulations to Paige Gavin, the daughter of Kathleen Gavin-Prev Nevin, originally from Fethard, who won the U14 World Lyrical Improv Championship held at Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, from July 28 to 30, 2017.
Eleven-year-old Paige, granddaughter of Christine and Michael Nevin who formerly lived on Rocklow Road, Fethard, started dancing in 2015 after returning to Ireland from Dubai. She started off with one hip-hop class a week, but now takes up to four classes a week including ballet, lyrical and advanced ballet.
At only eleven-years-old, she won the under 14 category, which involved dancing in seven first rounds with only three qualifying from each round. Paige then danced four more rounds to reach the final four, with one winner from each category: under 10, under 14, under 18, and over 18.
Congratulations to Paige, her instructors and her family for this tremendous achievement and the start of a very successful dancing career for this young star.
Abigail's 'Hen Party'
Abigail Sheehan (front third from left), Fethard, celebrating with friends on the occasion of her ‘Hen Party’ celebrated on Sunday night last in various venues in Fethard, photographed on this occasion having good fun in Lonergan’s Bar.
Fethard Annual Emigrant's Newsletter
Work on the production of this year's Annual Emigrant's Newsletter has now commenced. We invite anyone interested in submitting articles or photographs for this year’s issue to contact Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, Tel: (052) 6131663 or by email: newsletter@fethard.com
We are very much aware that some people find it difficult to put pen to paper but have very interesting stories to tell. So if it helps, we can arrange to have someone call and interview you at your own convenience. Help is always needed gathering articles and photographs, indeed, one of the most time-consuming chores is trying to put captions to photographs with correct names. Other ways people can help is interviewing, writing articles, typing or inviting others to write articles in good time for publication.
The first issue of the Fethard & Killusty Emigrants' Newsletter was published in December 1959 (dated 'Christmas 1960'). On checking the dates of the events and deaths featured in the newsletter we discovered that they all happened in 1959 so we concluded that the Newsletter was published in December 1959 and posted in January 1960. This very 'first newsletter' was discovered in a drawer by Pat Shine, formerly from Crampscastle and now living in London. We send our sincere sympathy to Pat on the death of his wife, the late Josie Shine (née Murphy), who died on May 12, 2017.
Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday Night, August 13, to the music of ‘Sam O’Doherty’. 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 Ballroom AGM
Fethard Ballroom will hold their AGM in the ballroom on Tuesday, August 22, at 8pm, and all are more than welcome to come along.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on August 2, were: 18, 19, 23 and 31. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Paula Carey, c/o Eileen Connolly; Cathal Hurley, Strylea, Fethard; and Patricia O'Meara, Woodvale Walk, Fethard.
The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: John Connolly, Clonmel; Therese Barrett, The Green, Fethard; and Abigail Sheehan, Reflections, Fethard.
Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, August 9. 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, August 4, were: 2, 7, 11 and 14. There was no jackpot winner and one match three winner who received €100: Danny Keogh, Ballingarry. Two lucky dip winners received €25 each: Pat Sheehan, Garrinch; and Marylyn Keogh, Carrick-on-Suir.
The next draw takes place on Friday, August 11, 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.
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).
Fethard Horse Country Experience shortlisted in prestigious IDI Irish Design Awards 2017
Fethard Horse Country Experience has been shortlisted as a Finalist in the 'Collaborative Design' category of the IDI Awards 2017. The 19th annual Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) Irish Design Awards, recognise, celebrate and promote exemplary design vision, uncovering emerging talent and honouring outstanding achievement across all disciplines of Design in Ireland. Event Communications, designers of Titanic Museum Belfast and Guinness Storehouse Dublin, put forward FHC Experience for the prestigious award and winners will be announced at an awards gala ceremony in Temple Bar on Friday, September 15, in Meeting House Square.
The 'Collaborative Design' award will recognise an extended team of designers working together from different disciplines. Approaching a design problem with different perspectives can provide for remarkable successful and interesting results.
Since opening in May 2017, FHC Experience has welcomed over 3,000 native and international visitors and is continuing to drive footfall into the beautiful medieval town of Fethard. To keep up to date with all news and events from Fethard Horse Country Experience please visit www.fhcexperience.ie
Ameniety Area open for viewing on Tuesday next at 4pm
Tipperary County Council will open the proposed new amenity area between Burke Street and Barrack Street on Tuesday next, August 8, at 4pm for anyone who wishes to see the site and the area involved. Please wear strong shoes or boots as ground is uneven. All are welcome to come along.
Fethard to honour its Fenian Leaders in Song and Story
 Saturday, August 19, will see the Abymill Theatre in Fethard host a special event to commemorate the Fenian Uprising, which occurred 150 years ago in 1867, at Ballyhurst, near Tipperary Town. Central to the whole Fenian movement were two Fethard men: Thomas Francis Bourke, who was born in Fethard on December 10, 1840, and was baptised in the local Catholic Church three days later. From the register we learn that the family name was spelled Burke; and Michael Doheny, who was born on May 22, 1806, in what he called Rockfield, Brookhill, outside Fethard. As fate would have it, both men now lie buried close together in Calvary Cemetery in New York City.
The celebrate the amazing life and times of these Fenian 'rebels against the crown' the Fethard Historical Society are holding an unique evening of 'History in Songs' on Saturday, August 19, in the Abymill Theatre at 8pm. This event with special guest, folk singer Seán Tyrrell, a native of the slower moving West of Ireland, is priced at €10 so as to allow as many as possible to participate in the 150th Anniversary of an event that was led by natives of Fethard and that ultimately led to Irish independence in the 1920s.
Bourke and Doheny fought on opposite sides in the American Civil War
 A fascinating aspect of the two Fethard men's story is that, while they both fought together for Irish freedom, they fought on opposite sides in the American Civil War (1861-1865). Michael Doheny sided with Abraham Lincoln and The Union, while Bourke fought on the Confederate side with the '7th Louisiana Infantry'. Bourke was badly wounded during the Civil War and walked with a limp for the rest of his life. However, that didn't stop him from coming back to Tipperary and leading the failed uprising at Ballyhurst on horseback on March 5, 1867, where he was captured.
The late Mary Healy from The Green, Fethard, unveiling a plaque marking the birthplace of Michael Doheny at Brookhill, Fethard, on Sunday, December 4, 1988.
Heritage Week events
The major Seán Tyrrell event on Saturday, August 19, is one of three events being promoted by the Fethard Historical Society during Heritage Week, which takes place nationwide from Saturday, August 19, to Sunday, August 27, (see www.heritageweek.ie). The other two events are: 'Fethard Mason's Marks and Carvings' with Dr Louise Nugent on Thursday evening, August 24, at 8pm, tour €5 and meeting at the Town Hall; and a Guided Tour of Medieval Fethard on Saturday, August 26, starting at 2.30pm and meeting at the footbridge in The Valley Park. Tour €3 Adult, and €5 Family. For further information email: history@fethard.com or Tel: 086 3905373 or 087 9009722.
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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