Fethard Playgroup Reopens on Monday

Fethard Community Playgroup, Rocklow Road, will reopen on Monday, September 4. Morning sessions take place from 9am to 12 noon and afternoon sessions from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. For further information contact Tel: (052) 6132316.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Friday, September 1, 2017, of Kathleen Fitzpatrick (née Dunlevy), late of Powerstown Park, Clonmel and Moorstown, Fethard, peacefully in the loving care of the staff of Willowbrook Lodge Nursing Home.

Kathleen, predeceased by her husband Joe and grandchildren Louise and Adam, is sadly missed by her loving family Frank, Mary and SueAnn, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister Oonagh, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. Rest in Peace.

Reposing in SueAnn and Sean O'Donnell's house, Willow Wood Lane, Moorstown, Fethard, on Monday, September 4, from 4pm to 8pm with prayers at 7.45pm. Funeral arriving at Powerstown Church at 11.20am for Requiem Mass at 11.30am on Tuesday. Burial immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only. House private on Tuesday morning please.

Yoga Classes resume on September 11
Yoga Classes will resume in the Tirry Community Centre, Fethard, on Monday, September 11, at 8pm. Classes are suitable for beginners / intermediate and booking is essential as places are limited. For further details contact Peg at Tel: 086 3027927.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, of Jim Houlihan, Glengoole Village, Thurles, and formerly Tullow Boreen, Fethard. Jim, deeply regretted by his wife Mags, daughters Kari and Leona. May He Rest in Peace.

Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, Friday, September 1, from 5pm to 7pm. Arriving Saturday morning to Church of the Sacred Heart, Killusty at 10.30am for 11am Mass and burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Daring escape from Clonmel County Gaol
To mark the 150th Anniversary of the daring escape of Laurence O’Brien from Clonmel County Gaol, an evening of lectures will take place on Thursday, September 7, from 7pm to 9pm, at Tipperary County Museum, Mick Delahunty Square, Clonmel. Admission: €10.

Speakers on the night will be historian and author Owen McGee, Irish in the American Civil War expert Damien Shiels, and genealogist and historian Maura Kiely on Laurence O’Brien.

Communicating with Exotic Trees
This is a meditative workshop taking place at Clonacody House on Sunday, October 1, hosted by Earthwise and Clonacody House, and focusses on perceiving tree energies.

When Jackie Queally took a year to meditate one by one with the Celtic Trees, she wrote a book called Reconnecting with Celtic Trees. Through the process she felt a new cycle was taking place and wondered how best to introduce this notion of an entirely new energy cycle that the planet is entering.

After visiting Clonacody House she realised that the exotic tree species growing there offered a doorway into this new consciousness. By engaging with an array of more exotic trees (or at least non-Celtic trees) she feels we can free ourselves of old habitual thinking and renew our senses and also renew our soul search at Michaelmas, an important time of the year.

The workshop takes place in Clonacody House – a beautiful yet warm-hearted Irish country house near the enchanting village of Fethard.
Come and explore its grounds, enjoy a gluten-free lunch and refreshments, and above all meet like-minded people in this special day to mark the turn of the seasons well. The cost of the workshop is
€95. Please pay in full, using PayPal, to info@earthwise.me or you can contact Jackie directly at jackiequeally@gmail.com for bank transfer details.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday Night, September 3, to the music of ‘Tommy Carroll’. 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.

ETB Evening Training Programmes
Tipperary Education and Training Board is now enrolling for Evening Training Programmes in Cashel, Tipperary, Thurles, Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir  and Nenagh. Courses are available in Palliative Care, Afters School Support, Team Leadership, Hairdressing, Makeup, Art, Security, Catering, Health & Safety and many more.

Courses fees may not apply if you are in receipt of a social welfare payment. Please contact 052 6134348 or www.tipperaryetb.ie

Medieval Carvings and Mason’s Marks in Fethard

A most interesting recessed carving in Chapel Lane, Fethard.

As part of the Fethard Historical Society’s celebration of Heritage Week 2017, archaeologist Dr Louise Nugent welcomed a crowd of forty or so to her walkabout in Fethard last Thursday night as she explored the stone-carved heritage of Fethard. As well as interested locals and other Tipperary natives, there were people present who had travelled from as far afield as West Cork, Dublin and Kildare.

Louise began her walk at the Town Hall where she spoke about the three heraldic plaques that adorn the façade of the 17th century building: the Everard foundation plaque, the arms of John and Amy Everard (the benefactors of the original Alms House), and the arms of the Butlers of Dunboyne, who lived in Kiltinan castle. She first explained the origins of heraldry in the Middle Ages and outlined the general rules governing the bearing of arms, before talking about the particular features of each plaque and their significance.

The group then made its way down to the carved doorway on Main Street, that is the entrance to David Gorey’s studio. Louise sees this type of craftsmanship as very much a continuum of the folk art that evolved in the 18th and 19th centuries. She pointed out how important such art is in telling the story of our nation and how necessary it is to preserve it for posterity. Today, modern craftsmen like David draw on those stories and motifs from the past, reinterpreting them in a new way for the present generation.

The stone carving of a two-tailed cat beside the doorway led Louise onto tales of the Gobán Saor, a well-known figure in Irish folklore, whose origins reach back to the time of the ancient Celtic gods but who appears in tales from every century as a master craftsman with a hint of the rogue about him. While stories of the Gobán Saor exist all over Ireland, he has a particular affinity with Tipperary, especially with Derrynaflan where it is said he was finally laid to rest. Interestingly, from an archaeological point of view, the carving of a two-tailed cat, the motif most strongly associated with the Gobán Saor, is found predominantly in Tipperary.

In Chapel Lane there is a most interesting recessed carving which in fact incorporates two different pieces, one above the other. The first is a simple name plate inscribed ‘Russel’. The second piece, dating from the 18th century depicts a bishop, possibly St. Patrick, the origins of which are still unknown. Perhaps it relates to a church that once stood on this site, perhaps it refers to the time the houses on Chapel lane were built, or it may have originally been erected elsewhere and subsequently moved to its present location. The Fethard Historical Society would be most interested in hearing from anyone who has any further information about this carving.

The Abbey Church, founded in 1305, was the final port of call on Dr. Nugent’s fascinating tour and here the focus was on Mason’s Marks. The practice in medieval times was for individual master stone carvers or masons, as they were known, to inscribe their work with a symbol particular to them. Nowadays that allows historians to identify the work of ancient master craftsmen and to trace their travels from one location to another. In the Abbey, there is a proliferation of such mason’s marks to be found in and around the 15th century arches beside the main altar. While 13th century mason’s marks were usually made of just simple lines or hatchings, these 1400 examples are much more elaborate: interlaced stars, Celtic knots, a three-leafed sprig and an elegant, long-fingered hand among others. The evening concluded with refreshments and much lively discussion in the ICA Hall.

Help with third level college fees
Vincent de Paul Society, Fethard, have a limited fund for families who may need help with Third Level College expenses this year. Those interested are asked to contact any member of the Fethard St. Vincent de Paul conference for an application form.

Bingo in revamped Ballingarry Community Centre
All new 'Bingo' will commence in the revamped Ballingarry Community Centre on Tuesday night, September 5, starting at 8.15 pm sharp. Over €1,500 in prizes and a new jackpot sheet with tables for all the bingo players. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Submissions for Annual Emigrant's Newsletter
Articles and photographs suitable for publication in this year's Annual Emigrant's Newsletter are now invited. Please contact Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, Tel: (052) 6131663 or by email to: newsletter@fethard.com

If emailing photographs please send them at full resolution and included caption with names or any other relevant information. Current photographs such as weddings or other family events are also welcome.

Old photographs are always very popular with our many readers at home and abroad. These photographs evoke wonderful memories of the colourful people who lived among us in the past and in many ways influenced the development of our community. As time moves on we can sometimes forget those who shared our town, streets and houses. Today’s generation may be completely diverse but will also play their part and influence the development of Fethard in this period of history as other generations also did in the past. The Annual Newsletter plays a part in acknowledging the past and recording the present for the future. If you would like to play a part, please consider writing an article? It doesn’t matter if it’s short or long, it would be more than welcome.

Dualla Show attracts huge Crowds

Monster trucks, wrestling and cookery demonstrations - combine this entertainment with show jumping, livestock judging and lots of family fun and you have the Dualla Show! The annual Dualla Show took place yesterday,  Sunday, August 27, and more than lived up to all that was promised!


Stephen Atkinson displaying his artistic balloon blowing skills at Dualla Show.


Crowds showing great interest in the Tractor Pulling display.


Great excitement on the fast ‘Mega Dance’ wheel at the Dualla Show

Live action from the 'Wrestling Warriors' at Dualla Show


Jamie Skehan from Fethard encouraged by his dad Jerome to hang on at the 'Hang Tough Challenge' at Dualla Show


Photographed at Dualla Show are Back L to R: Sophia O'Meara, Kyle Shelley, Kaylin O'Donnell, Anisha Donohue, Emma Shelly. Front M to R: Micheál Quinlan, Jessie Horgan and Mackenzie Thompson.


Photographed at Dualla Show are Majella and Michael Hayde from Fethard with their daughter Aileen and son Mark.


Willie Ryan and his wife Catherine from Fethard photographed at the Dualla Show.


Photographed at Dualla Show are L to R: Aisling Power, James Gaule, Moira Gaule and Nicole Gaule.

Welcome to our new Parish Priest
Following the recent retirement of Canon Tom Breen as Paris Priest of Fethard and Killusty, the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, has appointed Fr. Liam Everard to take his place, effective from August 12, 2017.

We are happy to report that Fr Tom will remain in our parish and has now moved residence to the curate’s house on the Cashel Road. We extend a hearty welcome to our new Parish Priest, Fr. Liam Everard, who has taken up residence in the Parochial House, Rocklow Road, and wish him support and best wishes in his new role in Fethard and Killusty.

Happy Birthday Junie!

Junie Lawless, Fethard, photographed with friends on the occasion of his 30th birthday celebrated at the Clonmel Park Hotel on Saturday, August 26. Back L to R: Andrea Carroll, Rosanne Carroll, Junie Lawless, Aoife Sheehan, Darragh Byrne, Sophie Lovie. Front L to R: Ben Johnson, Laura Stocksborough, Molly O'Meara, Rachel O'Meara, Erica McGrath and Rebecca McGarry.

Fethard Rugby season kicks off to a winning start
Fethard Rugby Club seniors got their season off to a winning start with a narrow victory over a touring Kildare side. The match was played under lights on Friday night last in ideal weather conditions. The match was very evenly contested with the home side having the upper hand in the scrums and the tall Lilly Whites dominating in the line outs. Around the 20-minute mark, a clever kick ahead by Conor Kavanagh saw the speedy winger William Morgan win the race for the touchdown. To be fair, the Kildare side also mauled their way up the pitch and were rewarded with a try of their own.

The drop off was secured by Kildare but, when a forward got isolated, a turnover was secured by Ashley and when the ball was moved, Gary Kavanagh broke the defensive line to score.

Changes were made by both sides at half time with everyone from both panels now on the pitch. Tommy Gahan made a great break up the wing but just caught on the line. The Kildare team spent the next 10 minutes in the Fethard 22 and eventually got over to level the scores. But the home team had the final say when some great phases of open rugby saw the stocky centre Jamie Knapp crash over in the corner for the final score of the game.

Richie Houlihan had a fine game before going off with an eye injury. Paul Maloney was strong in the lineout but also covered a lot of ground. Overall it was a good blow-out to begin our season and thanks to Cill Dara for coming down. Training continues every Wednesday and Friday and new players are always welcome. For more information please contact 086 8388205.

Our 18s are back training and other teams will be back shortly, our girls section continues to expand. Mini training starts back on Friday, September 8, and this is a great opportunity to have your child coached in this great game in a safe and friendly environment by top class coaches. So why not give your boys or girls some more sporting opportunities and bring them along on September 8. We look forward to seeing you.

Coolmoyne School Reunion fast approaching

Coolmoyne National School c.1939. Back L to R: Mr. P. O'Dwyer (teacher and County Tipperary hurler), M. Hennessy, J. Treacy, Miss Treacy, Miss Wall, Miss Wall, P. Hennessy, T. Heffernan, 3rd Row: A. McCormack, J, Barry, S. O'Brien, W. Morrissey, J. O'Brien, J. Hogan, S. Moloney, D. Markley, P. Grant, M. Morrissey. 2nd Row: M. Barry, R. Maher, T. Treacy, M. Flanagan, M. McCormack, T. McCormack, M. O'Brien, A. O'Brien, M. Hennessy. Front L to R: P. McCarthy, K. Fahey, A. Treacy, C. O'Brien, F. Hogan, J. Flanagan, M. Flanagan, W. Morrissey, and M. Flanagan.

The eagerly awaited Coolmoyne School reunion will take place on Saturday week, September 9, commencing with the option of attending mass at 7pm in Holy Trinity Parish Church followed by a ‘Meal, Music and Memories’ in Fethard Ballroom at 8pm sharp. The reunion will conclude with a gathering in Coolmoyne Ball Alley on Sunday afternoon, September 10. All are welcome.
There is a big interest in this reunion (not restricted to only past pupils) so please purchase your ticket at Fethard Post Office costing €20 as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Tickets are also available from any of the following: Sean O’Donovan 086-2594337, Catherine O’Connell 086-3525743, Maura O’Connell 087-9739027 (Killenaule), Kay Lyons 086-3429383, or Joan Leahy Ryan (062) 62872 (Cashel).

Coffee Morning this Friday in aid of The Irish Pilgrimage Trust

A Coffee Morning will be held in Fethard Town Hall on this coming Friday, September 1, from 10am to 1pm in aid of The Irish Pilgrimage Trust – a registered charity in Ireland for the past 40 years. The Trust travels on pilgrimage and on holiday to Lourdes with young people with special needs, from all over Ireland.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on August 23, were: 10, 12, 25 and 31. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winners so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Jim Keane, Knockelly, Fethard; Sarah Grant, Barrack Street, Fethard; and Megan & David Sceats, c/o Thelma Griffith.

The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: Breda Wilson, Rathkenny, Drangan; Martin Burke, Main Street, Fethard; and Liam O'Connor, Knockelly Road, Fethard.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, August 30. 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.

Well done to Leaving Cert students

School Principal Mr Michael O’Sullivan and Deputy Principal Ms Mary Ann Fogarty, photographed with some of the Leaving Cert students when collecting their exam results.


School Principal Mr Michael O’Sullivan and Deputy Principal Ms Mary Ann Fogarty, photographed with Leaving Cert students after collecting their exam results. L to R: Ms Mary Ann Fogarty, Megan Coen, Ciara Hayes, Carrie Davey and Mr Michael O’Sullivan.


Successful student Timmy Hurley photographed after collecting his results with School Principal, Mr. Michael O’Sullivan, Deputy Principal, Ms Mary Ann Fogarty (left) and Nuala Hearne (staff).

GAA Sports Development Lotto
The numbers drawn on Friday, August 25, were: 3, 16, 31 and 34. There was no jackpot winner and no match three winner. The €50 lucky dip winner was David O'Donnell, Coleman. Four lucky dip winners received €25 each: Martha Sheehan, Garrinch, Fethard; Ann Marie Jones, Moyglass; Sabrina Cahill, c/o Merry's Clonmel; and Cha Houlihan, c/o Bob Fitzgeralds, Clonmel.

The next draw takes place on Friday, September 1, 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.

Sandra Ryan a key player in the Irish women's Australian Rules Football national team
Congratulations to Sandra Ryan, Fethard, now living in Australia and a key player with The Alfa Irish Banshees – the Irish women's Australian Rules Football national team – who won the 2017 AFL International Cup final played in the Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, on Saturday, August 19. In a nail biting finish, with the Irish up by less than a goal, the ‘Irish Banshees’ held the valiant Canadian women out to secure a famous win.

Since first moving to Australia in 2007 on a one-year working holiday visa, Sandra was recruited by fellow Irish to play Gaelic football and Camogie for the Central Coast GAA Club. In 2008 the GAA joined forces with the AFL (Australian Football League) to start the annual Compromised Rules competition.

Sandra, along with some other Irish friends, then set up an Irish ladies’ team where she got her first taste of AFL. She then got involved with the Bondi Shamrocks team and was later one of three Irish players selected to play on the NSW state team to compete in the AFL National Championships in 2011.

Sport-loving Sandra has continued to represent her club, UTS Shamrocks, at International level and has really enjoyed her many years playing AFL – Melbourne’s main sport – the equivalent of hurling in Tipperary.

Irish women win Aussie Rules World Cup in a thriller
Ireland Banshees 4.1 (25) to Canada North Lights 3.3 (21)


Ireland pose for a team photo during the 2017 AFL International Cup Womens Grand Final match between Canada and Ireland at Etihad Stadium on August 19, 2017, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media)

The Alfa Irish Banshees, the Irish women's Australian Rules Football national team have won the 2017 AFL International Cup this morning in the Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. In a nail biting finish, with the Irish up by less than a goal, they held the valiant Canadian women out to secure a famous win. Women's Aussie Rules has never been more popular with the new semi-professional league that started this year and it was Ireland's only women's AFL player, Cavan woman Laura Duryea that lifted the cup alongside co-captain Onora Mulcahy from Cork.

Ireland celebrates winning at full time during the 2017 AFL International Cup Womens Grand Final match between Canada and Ireland at Etihad Stadium on August 19, 2017, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media)


Ireland celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2017 AFL International Cup Womens Grand Final match between Canada and Ireland at Etihad Stadium on August 19, 2017, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media)

Canada led for most of the game but Ireland managed to get ahead in the final quarter before putting up an impenetrable defence in the final five minutes to repel attack after attack from the Canadians. The Irish goal scorers were Linda Connolly, Aisling Gillespe, Maebh Moriarity and Colleen Quinn with the best on ground award going to the impressive Sydney based Carol Breen. Speaking after the game Irish joint-manager Brendan Kelly said, "We are delighted with the effort the girls put in against a very strong Canadian team and the celebrations will go long into the night after waiting six years to win the most important competition in women's international AFL".

Listen to the Irish Team celebrate in song after winning the AFL International Cup in the Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. . . . . our thanks to AFL Media and Scott Barbour for the photographs and to Cáitlín, PRO Irish Banshees, for information and report.

Congratulation to the full Alfa Irish Banshees team squad as folows. 1. Claire Donnelly (Tyrone) – Ulster Kookaburras; 2. Amanda Maginn (Down) – Ulster Kookaburras; 3. Rachel McGee (Donegal) – Ulster Kookaburras; 4. Sarah O’ Donovan (Cork) – UCC Crusaders; 5. Laura Flannery (Kerry) – Dublin Angels; 6. Emma Kelly (Derry) – Ulster Kookaburras; 7. Fiona Roarty (Donegal) – Ulster Kookaburras; 8. Carolann Cassidy (Donegal) – Ulster Kookaburras; 9. Olivia McCann (Armagh) – Ulster Kookaburras; 10. Onora Mulcahy (Cork) – Wandsworth Demons, London; 11. Laura Corrigan Duryea (Cavan) – Melbourne FC; 12. Carol Breen (Waterford) – UTS Shamrocks, Sydney; 13. Niamh Hainsworth (Dublin) – UTS Shamrocks, Sydney; 14. Linda Connolly (Mayo) – Wandsworth Demons, London; 15. Clara Fitzpatrick (Down) – Diamond Creek, Melbourne; 16. Megan Creegan (Longford) – Sydney University; 17. Molly Cullen (Wicklow) – Dublin Angels; 18. Marie Keating (Limerick) – UCC Crusaders; 19. Aisling Gillespie (Donegal) – Ulster Kookaburras; 20. Rachel Fox (Sligo) – Pert Angels, Western Australia; 21. Sandra Ryan (Tipperary) – UTS Shamrocks, Sydney; 22. Colleen Quinn (Tyrone) – Ulster Kookaburras; 23. Gillian Behan (Kildare) – UTS Shamrocks, Sydney; 24. Emma Treanor (Galway) – UTS Shamrocks, Sydney; 25. Maebh Moriarty (Armagh) – UTS Shamrocks, Sydney; 26. Leona Russell (Donegal) – Ulster Kookaburras; 28. Aine Higgins (Galway) – Galway Magpies; 29. Deborah Geraghty (Dublin) – UTS Shamrocks, Sydney; 30. Christine McCutcheon (Cavan) – UTS Shamrocks, Sydney. Coaches: Tom Madigan, Roger Clarke, Brendan Kelly (Antrim); Team Manager: Pat Leavy (Westmeath); and Tour Manager: Paul Ryan.

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 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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