A New Year welcomed with open arms!
Enjoying the New Year celebrations in Lonergan’s Bar are L to R: Kyle Griffin, Dorothy Curran, Derry Curran and Ena Griffin.
Fethard social life was buzzing last weekend in local hostelries as families, friends, visitors and strangers gathered to welcome in the New Year of 2018 and bade a fond farewell to 2017.
Memories were recalled and embellished stories were told of days past and the many local characters that lived in those times. The year will also be remembered by future generations for many reasons, some that have not yet passed the test of time and others for various personal reasons. We particularly remember those community stalwarts that died in the past twelve months and acknowledge their contribution to the betterment of everyday life in Fethard.
Fethard friends ringing in the New Year in Butler’s Bar, Fetharfd.
We welcome the challenges of managing a ‘new’ Fethard that continues to change with the times and yet hold on to its ever-important roots. This beautiful town has existed way before anyone on our long list of known ancestors and will continue to exist when we are long gone. It is a privilege for some of us to share it for this short time and for others, it may be quite the opposite. However, we take this opportunity to thank all those who continue to strive to help make this town a better place to live, for now and future generations to follow.
Enjoying the New Year celebrations in Butler's Bar are L to R: Francis Lonergan, Geraldine Lonergan and Nicola Lonergan.
 Enjoying the New Year celebrations in Fethard
Enjoying the New Year celebrations in Lonergan’s Bar are L to R: Nicky Noonan and Clodagh Bradshaw.
Enjoying the New Year celebrations in Lonergan’s Bar, Fethard, are L to R: Nicola Harrington, Rachel O’Meara and Kayleigh Higgins.
Members of the Hickey family enjoying the festive celebrations in Fethard. L to R: Leanne Hickey, Noelle Freeman, Amanda Hickey and Michelle Lawton.
Enjoying the New Year celebrations in Fethard are L to R: Noel Maher and Joan O'Meara.
 Members of the Holohan family from Killusty enjoying the New Year celebrations in Fethard
Enjoying the festive celebrations in Fethard are L to R: Daiana Adamczak, Shannon Tierney and Mariola Adamczak.
John Slattery and friends enjoying the New Year celebrations in Fethard.
Enjoying the New Year celebrations in Butler's Bar are L to R: Francis Lonergan, Geraldine Lonergan and Nicola Lonergan.
Members of the Allen family enjoying the New Year celebrations
L to R: Maura Ryan, John Pollard, Monica Pollard and Brud Roche enjoying the New Year celebrations in Fethard
Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
After a fantastic New Year’s Eve dancing to the music of T.R. Dallas, Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on this coming Sunday Night, January 7, to the music of ‘Declan Aungier’. 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.
New Year's Day Meet in Fethard
Tipperary Foxhounds leaving Fethard by the North Gate on their traditional New Year’s Day Meet in Fethard
Sports Achievement Award Nominations for December 2017
The Butlers Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award nominations for December 2017 are as follows.
- Harry Kelly – his charge ‘Grand Trango’ was a useful winner at Limerick racecourse during the Christmas festival meeting.
- Fethard Ladies U15 Rugby team – winners of the Munster League beating high profile St Marys in the final played at Thomond Park, Limerick.
- Ben Coen – a young apprentice jockey with a bright future who had two winners at Dundalk on December 17.
- Fethard Ladies Minor Footballers – County A Minor Champions beating arch rivals Aherlow in the final played at Monroe.
- Evelyn Fogarty – who ran a very creditable time in the Calgary half-marathon in Canada.
- Galteemore Kickboxing Club Fethard – brought home a haul of twelve medals from an International Kickboxing Federation event in Galway.
- Patrick Colville – Patrick has recently achieved Level 2 in swimming which qualifies him to swim at Munster Development Level 2.
- Fethard Ladies U18 Rugby Team – beaten in the final of the U18 Munster by Waterpark/Carrick-on-Suir which was played at Thomond Park, Limerick.
This is the final monthly award for 2017 which will be announced on this Friday night next, January 5, at Butler’s Bar. The individual winners of each month will now go forward to the overall Sports Achievement Award for 2017.
Pre-Baptism Meeting
A pre-baptism meeting will take place in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, on Monday, January 8, at 7.30pm, for parents who wish to have their child baptised during the coming weeks. This meeting is subject to demand so you are asked to please contact Fr. Liam Everard P.P. or Canon Tom Breen prior to attending.
Goal Mile festive run for charity
Group of dedicated walkers and runners braving the cold weather on Christmas morning to raise funds for the annual ‘Goal Mile’ in Fethard.
The organisers of this year’s ‘Goal Mile’ in Fethard would like to thank all who came along to participate and to give their support in this year’s run and walk to raise funds and awareness for GOAL's programmes in the developing world.
This year, Christmas morning was a particularly cold and persistently wet one so it was not at all surprising that numbers would be down on last year. What was even more surprising is, by the end of the day, we were only €25 down on meeting last year’s target. The final count was €975.
On behalf of the poorest of the poor across the world who will benefit from all the money raised, we sincerely thank you for your support and hope to see you all again next year.
Fethard Country Market Hamper Winner
David Curran (left), Hon.Treasurer Fethard Country Market, presenting the Fethard Country Market’s Christmas Hamper to draw winner Marie Smyth, Burke Street, Fethard. Also included is Christy Williams, Killusty, a member of Fethard Country Market.
The Annual Draw for the Fethard Country Market Hamper was won by Marie Smyth, Burke Street, Fethard. Fethard Country Market is taking a short break over the holiday period and will return to normal on Friday morning, January 19. However, eggs will still be for sale in the Town Hall on Friday, January 5 and Friday, January 12.
Fethard Country Market wish to thank all of their customers for their support throughout 2017 and look forward to seeing them all again in the New Year.
Thirty Years Ago – Fethard Historical Society formed
As we welcome 2018 today, thirty years ago we welcomed the formation of a new Fethard Historical Society in response to locals wanting to know a little more about the town where they lived.
This interest began to grow following a talk by the late John Bradley M.A. (Director of the Urban Archaeology Survey) in Cahir Castle in August 1986, when he declared, “Fethard is, I would think, probably the most important small medieval town in Ireland without any doubt. Its preservation and its proper development as a historic town is a matter of national importance.”
A few locals at this talk, invited Mr Bradley to come to Fethard and give a talk in Fethard. The following year on June 28, 1987, as part of Fethard Festival, Mr John Bradley came to Fethard and spoke on ‘Fethard and its Buildings.’
The lecture was attended by over 80 people and included a walk around Fethard, where Mr Bradley held his audience captivated. Mr Bradley in his talk said,
“What we can say of Fethard, is, that it is the most important small medieval town in Ireland and I would hope, in the future, that we will endeavour to try and preserve the medieval character, while making new developments as these both should go hand-in-hand. Fethard is, remarkable, still one of the undiscovered spots of Ireland, and as a result of its past, Fethard actually has a great future.”
Historical Society Formed in 1988
Due to the keen interest shown in the preservation and development of Fethard’s Town Wall and other historical sites, Fethard and Killusty Community Council called a meeting on Tuesday, March 23, 1988, to form a Historical Society.
At its inception, the proposed aims of the Society were itemised as follows:
- To Preserve and protect all our remaining historical features.
- To generate a greater awareness and appreciation of our most historical town.
- To actively promote Fethard as a significant Tourist Centre.
- To gather and catalogue a full historical record of the area i.e. songs, folklore, stories, photographs, etc.
- To publish and review progress annually.
The meeting was very well attended and the ensuing discussion revealed much enthusiasm interest and knowledge of local history. The committee of fourteen was elected as follows: Peter Grant (chairman), Joe Ryan (vice-chairman), Mary Hanrahan (secretary), Denis Burke (treasurer), Joe Kenny (public relations officer), Marie O’Donnell, Pat O’Shea, Christy Mullins, Michael O’Donnell (Owning), John-Joe Keane, Jimmy O’Connor, Vincent Doocey, Diane Stokes and Mary Healy.
GAA Sports Christmas Lotto Results
The numbers drawn on Friday, December 22, were: 3, 8, 14 and 33. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘match three’ winner who received €100: Shannon Coffey, Tullamaine. Two Lucky Dip winners received €25 each: Cathal Hurley, Strylea, Fethard; and Liz McCormack, St Patrick’s Place, Fethard.
Colm Hackett (centre), winner of €500 First Prize in the Fethard GAA Christmas draw, receiving his cheque from club chairman, John Hurley. Also included the photograph is promoter Marie Smith, representing the Well Bar. Marie was presented with a Christmas Liqueur Set kindly sponsored by Merry’s Clonmel
The Christmas Bonus Draw Results were as follows: €500 won by Colm Hackett, Cashel Road; €250 won by Con Hurley, The Green; €250 won by Katie Hayes, Cattaganstown; and €100 each to the following: Mary & Benny Morrissey, Con Hurley, Liam Smith, Gillian Fogarty, Anna O’Sullivan, Mary Hurley, Declan Kenny, Stephen Fitzgerald, Jack Spillane and Bertie Moroney.
The committee of Fethard GAA/Sports Centre Development Lotto would like to thank our supporters near and far who participate in our weekly lotto draw and wish all a very Happy New Year. The next draw will take place on Friday, January 12, when the jackpot will continue at €20,000 and the sellers prize €1,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.
Texas Hold'em Card League final
Full group of card players that took part in the Texas Hold'em Card League at Butler's Bar Fethard. Back L to R: Philip Butler, Anne Marie Butler, Niall Hayes, Stephen O'Meara, Glynn O'Meara, Sean O'Hara, Darragh Corbett. Front L to R: Johnny Ryan, Steven Harrington, Brendan Keating, Richard Hayes (League Winner 2017), Kenneth O'Donnell and Keith Woodlock.
A Monday night game of poker has been taking place at Butlers Bar for 10 years or more. About five years ago we decided to run our competition on a league basis with players accumulating points for a top five finish weekly. These points are then totalled at year end and a league winner is declared. This year's winner is Richie Hayes and as league winner he carries the points advantage to the end of year game which carries with it a valuable purse.
In Festive Mood at Butlers
Enjoying the festive season in Butler's Bar are good friends, originally from The Green, Concepta (Healy) Hurley, and Eileen (Carey) Connolly.
The ‘Kelly Gang’ and the Augustinian Connection
No doubt the most colourful family to emerge from the community of Clonbrogan, Moyglass, were the Kellys whose most famous member Edward (Ned) has become immortalised in folklore as Australia's most famous highway man or fighter for justice, depending on one's point of view. In fact, more has been written about Ned than any other Australian in history.
Ned Kelly 1854-1880 – This photograph, commissioned at Ned Kelly's request, was taken on November 10, the day before his execution. Ned Kelly wanted the photograph for his family and also for posterity. He didn't want to be remembered as a criminal as he never saw himself that way.
One interesting little snippet, which may be of local interest, is Ned Kelly's connection with an Irish Augustinian priest, Fr Charles O'Hea OSA. When Ned's father, John ‘Red’ Kelly, had completed his jail sentence in Tasmania, he took up employment as a farm-hand north of Melbourne. He settled there and in late 1854 his third child Edward was born. Fr O'Hea arrived in the area at this time and, naturally enough, would have made contact with his fellow Irish, the Kellys. In any event, Ned was baptised by Fr O'Hea in 1855.
In the following years the Augustinian engaged in prison chaplaincy at the local Pentridge Prison and no doubt encountered Ned Kelly again when as a teenager he served a sentence there in the 1870s.
Fr O'Hea's final encounter with Ned Kelly was a tragic and poignant affair, when in 1880, Ned was hanged at Old Melbourne Jail he was accompanied to the scaffold by none other than the man who had baptised him as an infant twenty-five years before – Fr. Charles O'Hea OSA.
By a huge coincidence, he who had ministered to Ned at his birth, comforted him in his final moments of life.
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 Presentation Convent 5th Year Students who made Christmas Cakes, December 1971. L to R: Bernadette Lawlor, Marie Carroll, Yvonne Maher, Miss A. Stephens (Domestic Science teacher), Angela Dunne, Anne Harrington and Kathleen Ryan.
Junior infant class at Nano Nagle School Fethard, December, 2003. Back L to R: Corey Carroll (Slievenamon Close); Bradley Phelan (Slievenamon Close); Sadhbh Horan (Tullamaine); Andrew Phelan (Coolmore); Luke Brastock (Strylea). Middle Row L to R: Ross McCormack (Woodvale Walk); Thomas O’Reilly (Barrack Street); Tony O’Reilly (Barrack Street); Connie Coen (Knockelly Road); Timothy Hurley (Slievenamon Close). Front L to R: Vanessa Pike (Woodvale Walk); Erica McGrath (Woodvale Walk); Joseph O’Connor (North Gate House); Rachel O’Meara (Garrinch); and Chloe Burke (Woodvale Walk). Missing from photo is Thomas Phelan (Slievenamon Close); Kyle McGrath (Slievenamon Close); and Nathan Thompson (St. Patrick’s Place).
Old school friends meeting up over Christmas in Lonergan's Bar on December 24, 2008, were L to R: Tom Grant, Sinead O'Brien, Jennifer Frewen and Caroline Croke.
Photographed with Santa at the Slievenamon Golf Club 'Christmas Party' on December 9, 2007, were Back L to R: Mary and Percy Butler, Majella and Michael Hayde. Front L to R: Laura Butler, Santa, Mark Hayde and Aileen Butler.
Photographed at the Christmas Party Night at the Castle Inn on December 22, 2008, were L to R: Tony Fennessy and Phil Tobin.
Christmas Hat Party in aid of the CRC (Central Remedial Clinic) in Burke's Bar, Fethard, December 2003
Judith and Marie Moclair at the Christmas Hat Party for CRC Santa Bear Appeal held in the Bridge Bar, Fethard, December 2003.
L to R: Johnny O’Connor, Phil Shee and John Shortall at the Christmas Hat Party for CRC Santa Bear Appeal held in the Bridge Bar, Fethard.
L to R: sisters Liz Kennedy and Lydia Kelly (wearing the winning hats) at the Christmas Hat Party for CRC Santa Bear Appeal. 2003
Lisa and Kari Laaksonen at the Christmas Hat Party for CRC Santa Bear Appeal held in the Bridge Bar, December 2003.
L to R: Dóirín Saurus, John Cooney and Liam Heffernan at the Hat Party, December 2003.
L to R: Mary Shanahan, Edwina Newport and Paul Shanahan at the Christmas Hat Party for CRC Santa Bear Appeal, 2003
L to R: Philomena Shee, Janneke van Dommelen and Suzanna Manton at the Christmas Hat Party for CRC Santa Bear Appeal held in the Bridge Bar, December 2003.
L to R: Ann Walsh, Gerard Manton and Mary Hanrahan at the Christmas Hat Party for CRC Santa Bear Appeal.
Bert van Dommelen and Joe Kenny at the Christmas Hat Party for CRC Santa Bear Appeal held in the Bridge Bar, Fethard, on Saturday night, December 27, 2003.
Bill O’Sullivan and Teresa Roche at the Christmas Hat Party for CRC Santa Bear Appeal held in the Bridge Bar, Fethard, December 2003.
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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