Fethard Ballroom – continuing the work of improving facilities at popular venue


Fethard Ballroom, originally the Capitol Cinema which first opened in January, 1946, was converted to a ballroom in 1967 when acquired by a group of local business people know as, ‘Fethard Enterprises’, headed by Paddy O’Flynn, and officially opened in December of the same year as the ‘Capitol Ballroom’. Since then it has seen many changes but has always retained its Ballroom status – whatever about the ‘Romance’.

In 1972, Wexford business man Danny Doyle purchased the hall, renamed it as ‘The Country Club’, and added Fethard to his list of fourteen other hugely successful dance halls run by him in Ireland at that time. As the golden ballroom dancing years ebbed, Danny Doyle closed the Fethard ballroom in 1988 and put it up for sale. The ballroom was left derelict for some years before community action ensured it would survive as one of the few remaining ‘Ballrooms of Romance’ left in Ireland. In 1992, after much haggling, the Ballroom was purchased by Fethard & Killusty Community Council and, with a tremendous community effort, was re-opened as a community facility on March 17, 1993.


Kevin Barry and Maggie Maher enjoying the social dancing at Fethard Ballroom last Sunday night

Today, twenty-five years later, the Ballroom has continued to flourish as a fantastic venue for social dancing. It is still run by a changing but dedicated group of community volunteers that maintain this hugely beneficial community asset used continuously for a variety of functions.

Every Sunday night, social dancing attracts visitors from all over the South-East to come along and dance on the spacious dance floor and listen to some of the ever-popular dance bands from far and near. As the love of country music and social dancing continues to grow, the committee have responded with refurbishing the hall to the highest standards while retaining a friendly and social environment that ‘romance’ at all ages can flourish.


Jack Kenny, cutting the ribbon to official open Fethard Ballroom's new fully equipped wheelchair toilet on Sunday night last, July 15, at their weekly social dancing night. Photographed with local wheelchair user Jack are L to R: Seamus Barry, Chairman Fethard Ballroom, the extremely popular duo, Fran Curry and Muriel O'Connor, who provided the music on the night, and Eileen Coady, Ballroom Treasurer and Bookings Tel: 086 0776420.

On Sunday last, Holy Cross had almost 9,000 dancing in the rain to country music, back in Fethard Ballroom, dancing also continued on Sunday night, without the rain, to the wonderful music provided by ‘Muriel O’Connor and Fran Curry’. At the usual tea and refreshment social break between dancing at 10.30pm, the ever-working committee officially opened their new fully-equipped wheelchair toilet.


Photographed at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday night last are L to R: John Joe Turner and Margaret Turner from Cashel.

Congratulations to all involved and to a fantastic facility that has stood the test-of-time through generations of dancers and lovers of all ages.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on this coming Sunday night, July 22, to the very popular music of ‘Dermot Lyons’. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 9pm to midnight. Admission is €9, which includes tea and cakes.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Monday, July 23, 2018, of James (Jimmy) Barry, Tullamaine, Fethard, peacefully at home. Jimmy, predeceased by his wife Kathleen, loving father of Seamus, Kay, Tom, Michael, Eamon, John, Mary, Noel and Paul, is deeply regretted by his brother Michael, sisters-in-law, Mary and Grace, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends. May he rest in peace.

Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, on Tuesday, July 24, from 4pm with removal to the Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Wednesday, July 25, at 11am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.

St. Patrick’s Place Reunion Meeting
The next meeting of the St. Patrick's Place Reunion 2018, will take place at Tirry Community Centre, on Tuesday, July 31 (last Tuesday of the Month), starting at 8.30pm. All interested are more than welcome to come along. Bring your photos and stories.

Meetings will continue to be held on the last Tuesday of each month where you can come along and share your ideas and join our steering committee that will organise the event for later this year. For further details contact Joe Ryan at Tel: 086 6036995.

Fethard do well at Community Games Munster Finals

U14 Munster Champions – Fethard & Killusty U14 Girls GAA Team and mentors pictured at the Aldi Community Games Munster Finals in U.L. on Saturday, July 7, 2018. Back L to R: Micheál Spillane, Clodagh Foley, Heather Spillane, Lily O'Mahony, Kaycie Ahearn, Katie Wyse, Jessica Moloney, Grainne Murray, Sandra Spillane, Ed Collum. Front L-R Emily Spillane, Nicole Delaney, Isobel Maher, Aine Connolly, Ciara McCarthy (Captain) Kelly Ryan, Mary Ann Fitzgerald, Lucy Kenny and Aoibhinn Collum.

Congratulations to competitors from Fethard & Killusty Area who did so well at the Aldi Community Games Munster Finals in University of Limerick on Saturday, July 7.

Fethard & Killusty U14 girls football team were super, having a runaway victory over Waterford in their semifinal and facing formidable opponents from Cork in the final. But the Tipp girls took no chances, they defended well in the first quarter, availed of all opportunities that came their way and showed they were a force to be reckoned with at half time. They kept up the pressure in both phases of the second half with each girl playing their part to ensure victory. Their co-ordination, speed and ability to read the game proved their dedication to training was worthwhile. Final score was Tipperary 4-8, Cork 2-5.

Photographed on the right is Ciara O'Meara, Captain Fethard U14 Girls GAA team, as she proudly holds the Munster shield aloft following her team becoming Munster Champions in U.L. on July 7, 2018

These girls are a credit to their mentors Micheál ‘Hammer’ Spillane, his wife Sandra and Ed Collum whose commitment to the sport is endless. Community Games are very grateful for their support and lucky to have them. The side-line was full of Fethard supporters which added to the excitement of the occasion of becoming Munster champions.

The national final of U14 girls’ football will take place on Sunday, August 19, due to the National Programme being streamlined some events will take place all on one day.

Team members were: Emily Spillane, Isobel Maher, Kelly Ryan, Nicole Delaney, Aine Connolly, Mary Ann Fitzgerald, Clodagh Foley, Katie Wyse, Heather Spillane, Lucy Kenny, Kaycie Ahearne, Lily O'Mahony, Grainne Murray, Jessica Moloney (goalie), and Ciara O'Meara.


Fethard U14 girls GAA team and some supporters prior to their final against Cork in University of Limerick

Earlier in the day the Area contested both U14 and U11 Tag Rugby semi-finals and again, each competitor played their heart out but were unable to hold the challenge of Clare teams one of whom held the title of national champion last year. It is a great achievement to represent one's county at a Munster final where the children will have benefited from the experience. Huge thank you to Polly Murphy, coach assisted by her daughter Lucy who provide so many opportunities for the children despite having so many other commitments.


Fethard Killusty U11 Tag Rugby Team that participated in Aldi Community Games Munster finals. Back L to R: Cormac O'Donnell, Richard Murphy, Alec Knightly, Miley Morrissey. Front L to R: Thomas Murphy, Criostóir Sheehy, Sam Knightly,Christopher Lee and Emaleigh Cuddihy Hold ing the banner are members of U14 Tag Rugby team, Amy Costin and Ciara Donald-Besso (right).
presentation of certificates.

The U14 Tag Rugby Team consisted of: Amy Costin, Paddy Ryan, Ciara Donald Besso, Jack Stokes, Zoe Prout, Aine Connolly. The U11 Tag Rugby Team members were Emmaleigh Cuddihy, Alec Knightly, Sam Knightly, Christopher Lee, Miley Morrissey, Richard Murphy, Thomas Murphy, Criostóir Sheehy and Cormac O'Donnell. Again, it was lovely to see all parents enjoying themselves in the sunshine on a memorable day for all involved.

Fethard Pedallers raise €5,000 for charity from ‘Pink Cycle’

Fethard Pedallers Cycling Club presenting two cheques, each for €2,500, to representatives from their two chosen charities this year – Fethard & District Day Care Centre and The Irish Cancer Society, proceeds of the groups recent ‘Pink Cycle’.

The Fethard Pedallers Cycling Club had the great pleasure of presenting a cheque for €2,500 to each of the two charities supported at their recent ‘Pink Cycle’ – The Irish Cancer Society and Fethard & District Day Care Centre.

This cycle was a phenomenal success and was very well supported by cycling clubs throughout the country and the Tipperary Sports Partnership. It was great opportunity for all to help raise funds these two very worthy charities in our community. The fantastic help from the hardworking Daycare Committee and helpers, who provided lovely refreshments on the day, was greatly appreciated.


Fethard Pedallers presenting cheque to Irish Cancer Society. L to R: Mairead Mullally, Alice Butler, Sinead Hyland, Biddy O'Dwyer, Paul Shanahan, Deirdre Lannigan, Mike Power and Kieran Butler.


Fethard Pedallers presenting cheque to representatives from Fethard & District Day Care Centre.

‘Senior Day’ at Fethard Day Care Centre
The Fethard & District Day Care Centre are holding a Senior Day on Friday, July 27, from 10.30am. The Chiropodist will be in attendance and all seniors are welcome. Please note that the next Senior Day will be held on Friday, September 28.

Hospice Support Collection
The Fethard Support Group for South Tipperary Hospice would like to thank sincerely all who supported their recent annual church gate collection held in Fethard, Killusty and Moyglass. A total of €1,319 was collected for which we are most grateful and your continued support for this deserving cause is most appreciated.

Evening sun from Rocklow Road

Evening sun shines on Fethard and Slievenamon showing shades of 'Blue and Gold', from a slightly different field than what we are used to. Photo taken from Rocklow Road, Fethard on July 16, 2018.

Pre-Baptism Meeting
The next pre-Baptism meeting will be held in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, on Monday, August 13, at 7.30pm for parents who wish to have their child baptised during the coming weeks. Meetings are subject to demand. Please contact Fr. Liam Everard P.P. or Fr. Tom Breen A.P. prior to attending.

Cutting Loose in Holycross

Enjoying the 'Cut Loose' County Music Festival at Holycross on Sunday last are Back L to R: Monica Walsh, Carol O’Mahoney. Front L to R: Patricia Keeley and Laura Keeley.

Silage Extravaganza 2018 – will go ahead despite grass shortage

Coolmoyne and Moyglass Vintage Club set out to run our second Silage Extravaganza for July 29, 2018, with two main ambitions, namely, community camaraderie, and to raise much needed funds for South Tipperary Hospice. After monitoring grass growth over several weeks we have reached a decision that adequate grass will not be available for a full proper working event this year, as our area had little or no rainfall since early May. As a result of these weather conditions and in fairness to exhibitors, we decided to give adequate notice that our event will still go ahead without the usual silage cutting.

Our main ambition still remains and we have rearranged events to compensate for the change. We will hold our tractor run on Saturday evening which will consist of road and farm driving and a barbecue, music and craic on return to Joe Trehy’s farm at Mobarnane. A marquee will be erected to cater for drivers and patrons.

We will also stage a vintage silage harvesting demonstration, a vintage hay making demonstration, and a harvest threshing, that will be part of our new list of events for Sunday, July 29 (see poster above). We have also discovered a rare round silage pit adjacent to us and the land-owner has kindly given permission to visit and view same. The silage for these pits would have been cut and drawn and compacted using horses. A most interesting discovery that had been overgrown for years.

Photographed at the 2012 Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club show are L to R: Sean Cordial, Michael Kirwan, Jim Ryan and Richie Ryan. This year’s static show will take place on Saturday and Sunday July 28 and 29.

All other events including record attempts for the most County Tractors and most MF 65 tractors will go ahead as advertised. We would be delighted if entrants still brought along their Vintage Silage harvesters for the static display. The County Sea Horse will make its first visit to Ireland and all makes of vintage trucks, cars, and bikes are most welcome.

T.R. Dallas, Sabrina Fallon and local artists will provide music and song. A platform for dancing will also be provided. A dog show will allow patrons to bring along their favourite pet. A full range of kids’ entertainment will be on site, including Bouncy Castles etc.

We are also in the process of producing a novelty calendar which will be very interesting. These calendars will be on sale on the day and will also be available after the event. The Gardai will also have a stand at the event with the possibility of the mounted unit and the Garda Command Vehicle being on site (depending on other demands).

Although we bow to ‘mother nature’, we are hoping that with these additions and your continued support we will have a mighty weekend that will bring enjoyment to both entrants and patrons.

– Matty Tynan (Chairman)

Articles invited for Annual Emigrant's Newsletter 2018
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: emigrantsnewsletter@gmail.com

Help is always needed gathering articles and photographs, indeed, one of the most time-consuming chores is trying to put captions to the 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 by the Legion of Mary in December 1959 and is 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 'first newsletter' was discovered in a drawer by Pat Shine, formerly from Crampscastle and now living in London. Today, over fifty years later, the newsletter has grown into a full colour 200-page production and is still posted free of charge to all our emigrants living throughout the world.

Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross
This year’s annual pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon will take place on Sunday, August 12. The annual parish pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon takes place each year on (or nearest suitable date) the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady.

The Holy Year Cross was erected by the people of the parish to commemorate the Marian Year and was blessed by the late Rev. Patrick O’Donnell, Archbishop of Brisbane, Australia, on August 15, 1950. The cross was originally made of wood and was illuminated both on Christmas night and Easter time using a lamp powered by wet batteries. By 1974 the wood of the Holy Year Cross had to be replaced by a concrete structure.

Toddlers Summer Party

Fethard Toddler and Parent Group will hold their Annually Toddlers Summer Party on Thursday, July 26, from 11am to 1pm, in the Fethard Convent Community Hall. All are welcome to come along and join us for a ‘Beach Party Disco’ with lots of fun games and dancing. All parents and toddlers welcome, and if you do have older children at home, do bring them along as well! The cost is €3 per child which includes light refreshments.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Cúl Camp
Fethard GAA Cúl Camp takes place from August 20 to August 24, open to boys and girls aged 6 years to 13-year-olds. Registration online at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie where you can select your nearest venue, available places and book online. Cost for first child is €60; second child €50; third and fourth €40. Supervisor is Ann Marie Moroney Tel: 087 7973829

Games include Hurling, Football, Camogie, Ladies Football and Rounders and early booking is advisable as only those registered online can be guaranteed their gear to arrive on time.

Augustinian pilgrimage to Knock

The annual Augustinian pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Saturday, July 21. The cost for anybody wishing to participate is €20. Please contact The Abbey, Fethard, for further details. Tel: (052) 6131273.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on July 11, were: 6, 10, 21 and 24. There was no jackpot winner and three ‘Match Three’ winners who received €50 each: Eddie Crotty, Killusty; Mary McCormack, Kerry Street, Fethard; Abigail Sheehan, St. Johnstown, Fethard.

The following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: Sarah Standbridge, Saucestown, Fethard; and Seamus Moloney, Cloneen. Total prizemoney paid out this week was €250.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, July 18. 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, July 13, were: 8, 32, 34 and 36. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘match three’ winner. One lucky dip winner received €50: Mary Lynch, Coolmore. Four lucky dip winners received €25 each: Pamela Burke, c/o Sarah Healy; Chrissie Cummins, St Patrick’s Place, Fethard; Imelda Ryan, Killenaule; and Esther Breen, Barrack Street, Fethard.

The next draw takes place on Friday, July 20, in Burke’s Bar at 7.30pm, 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.

Native American to lead Famine 1848 Walk, July 28 at 3pm
Choctaw native, Waylon Gary White Deer, will lead this year's Famine 1848 Walk in Ballingarry, on Saturday, July 28, at 3pm.

The Walk commemorates the Famine and the 1848 Rising and remembers all those who suffered, died and emigrated. The Walk will recall the extraordinary act of kindness of the dispossessed Choctaws to the starving Irish during the Great Famine. The starting point for the Walk is the Young Ireland and National Flag monument in the village of The Commons.

The Walk covers 1½ miles and concludes at Famine Warhouse 1848, the state national heritage museum. Light refreshments will be served. On the afternoon of Sunday, July 29, there will be free guided tours of the site. All are welcome.

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 Patrician Presentation Secondary School Debs Ball, held on August 30, 2001. Slideshow of photographs from the event.


Perhaps the most noteworthy feature in 1979 was the fielding of a Fethard GAA Junior Hurling team, considering no Intermediate player was eligible to play. Fethard went on to win the Junior Hurling League that year. The photograph above was taken at the celebrations afterwards in the Fethard Arms. The Junior Panel was: Pat Ryan, Michael Downes, John Barrett, Chris Aylward, Chris Looby, Pat Sheehan, Willie Prout, Eddie Fox, Michael Kenrick, John Gazely, Martin Bolger, Richard Hayes, Waltie Moloney, Gerry Lawless, Anthony Colville, Maurice Harrington, Paschal Hanrahan, Willie O’Donnell, Lory Byrne and Fr. O’Gorman.


Edwina Newport and Hannie Leahy photographed in Newports Shop on Main Street in January, 1999.


Paddy Dahill's house on The Valley, up for sale in January 1999


Kerry Ryan photographed with her mother Patrician Ryan, in 1998.


Burkes Bridge Bar presently, this photograph was taken when Jack O'Shea moved to Fethard and bought this, his first pub, he later moved further up Main Street and bought what is now Butler's Bar. Jack and Dick Burke married two sisters, Breda (Burke) and Rita (O'Shea).


The late Jack Ryan from Kerry Street as many would remember!


The Square, Fethard, when all the shops were active as shops . . .


Athletes from Fethard pictured at the County Community Games Finals at Roscrea on Sunday, June 28, 1998. Back L to R: Brian Sullivan, John Noonan, Eoin Sullivan. Middle L to R: Danielle Lawrence, Stephanie Lawrence, David Sullivan, Aoife O'Keeffe. Front L to R: Sarah Gleeson, Ciara O'Keeffe and Tim Gleeson.

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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