Sharing Stories and Making Connections!

Special guest speakers who took part in Fethard Historical Society's Heritage Week Events in the Abymill Theatre on Friday, August 24. L to R: Rachel Murphy who spoke on the new Digital Atlas of Fethard; Barry O’Reilly who spoke on ‘Forward with Fethard’; Sarah Gearty who gave an outline of the Irish Historic Town Atlas of Fethard and the information it contains; Mary Hanrahan, Chairperson Fethard Historical Society; and Marie Taylor who spoke on ‘Continuity and Change in the parish of Fethard 1185-1665’.

To mark National Heritage Week and European Year of Cultural Heritage, Fethard Historical Society hosted three separate events on Friday last, August 24.

The theme for this year’s Heritage Week, ‘Share a Story, Make a Connection’, was a perfect fit, as the society has endeavoured over the past thirty years to tell the story of Fethard in all its rich diversity. The society is always conscious of the need to connect with the young people of Fethard as it is they who will, hopefully, be the future custodians of our unique heritage. This year, they invited the Transition Year students of the secondary school under the aegis of their Art teacher, Ms Pat Looby, to depict their favourite aspects of the town. The resultant drawings were displayed in the Abymill and are also reproduced in the Digital Atlas of Historic Fethard.


Photographed at the Fethard Historical Society's Heritage Week Events in the Abymill Theatre on Friday, August 24, are L to R: Pat Looby, Fethard Historical Society; Jennifer Moore, Editorial Assistant, Irish Historic Towns Atlas, and Pat Reid, HeritageMaps.ie Project Manager, Heritage Council.

Introducing the panel of speakers Mary Hanrahan, chairperson, stated how fortunate the society is to have ready access to such erudite historians with whom it has long association. The seminar began with Marie Taylor’s presentation, ‘Continuity and Change in the Parish of Fethard: 1185-1665’. Marie’s talk gave a very interesting overview of the Anglo-Norman manorial settlements surrounding Fethard such as Rathcoole, Coolmundry, Peppardstown, Tullamaine and Crumpsland (now Crampscastle).

Barry O’Reilly then followed with, ‘Forward with Fethard: Developing the Historical Picture’ an insight into the many sources relating to Fethard, particularly the estate maps and how best to interpret them. Barry emphasised the importance of referring back to such primary sources even as new archaeological material comes to light.

Dr David Butler’s lecture focused on those branches of the Butler family within a fifteen-mile radius of Fethard. The family most nearly associated with the town is the Butlers of Dunboyne who resided in Kiltinan Castle. They were patrons of the Augustinian Abbey and several were buried there including the infamous Bishop Butler of Cork.


Some of the Transition Year students from Patrician Presentation Secondary School who contributed drawings for the Digital Atlas of Fethard. Left to R: Róisin O’Grady (Heritage Officer, Tipperary County Council), Pat Coffey (Principal Patrician Presentation Secondary School), Megan Hackett, Rachel Proust, Ashley Bradshaw, Rachel Murphy (Digital Atlas Project Leader), Daragh Fenlon, Laura O Donnell and Liam Hickey.

There was a short interval for refreshments during which Pat Reid, Heritage Council and Jennifer Moore, Irish Historic Towns Atlas, displayed their respective information stands.

After the break, Sarah Gearty explained the background to the Irish Historic Town Atlases, how they link into the European Historic Town Atlases and how they can be used.

Rachel Murphy then proceeded to explain how her project to develop a digital atlas came into being. She took the audience through the various stages, including the Transcribathon, and the conversion to digital format of the maps and information.


Photographed at the Fethard Historical Society's Heritage Week Events in the Abymill Theatre on Friday, August 24, are L to R: Róisin O'Grady, Heritage Officer, Tipperary County Council; Eileen Condon, Education Officer at Tipperary Education and Training Board; guest speaker, Dr. David Butler, who spoke on 'The Butler Influences in and around Fethard'; and Maura Barrett, local historian and writer.

The second event was a guided tour of Fethard led by Mary Hanrahan starting in the Augustinian Abbey, Burke Street, Court Castle, The Town Hall, the medieval Holy Trinity Church, the Town Wall, the Síle na gig at Water Gate and then returning to the Abymill along the river walk. Along the way visitors, many of whom were in Fethard for the first time, were introduced to such highlights as the Harry Clarke Studio window, the Dunboyne Chapel, heraldic plaques, the scaled model of the Town c.1650 and the replicas of Fethard’s famous medieval wooden statues. There were stories too of General Thomas Francis Burke, female wood carvers, Blessed William Tirry, Amy Everard, the coming of Cromwell and the Jolly love story.


Photographed at the Fethard Historical Society's Heritage Week Events in the Abymill Theatre on Friday, August 24, are L to R: Pat Reid, HeritageMaps.ie Project Manager, Heritage Council; and Howard B. Clarke, Royal Irish Academy and editorial board member of the Irish Historic Towns Atlas. He is also Professor Emeritus of Medieval Socio-Economic History at University College Dublin.

On returning to the Abymill, there was just time for most welcome refreshments before Sarah Gearty took to the stage again, this time to launch the Historic Town Atlas for Fethard. Sarah also presented Pat Coffey, Principal, Patrician Presentation Secondary School with a copy of the Atlas and thanked him for his support and use of the school’s facilities during the project to digitalise the Atlas.


Mary Hanrahan, Chairperson Fethard Historical Society, taking a group on a guided walk of medieval Fethard as part of this year's National Heritage Week events organised by Fethard Historical Society.

In conclusion, Mary Hanrahan thanked all those who participated in the events and expressed Fethard Historical Society’s gratitude to the Heritage Council for funding this event and for their ongoing support. Mary also thanked the project volunteers, the Irish Historic Town Atlas at The Royal Irish Academy, Prof. Tadhg O’Keeffe, Róisin O’Grady (Tipperary Heritage Officer), Ordinance Survey Ireland and the Patrician Presentation Secondary School for their support.


Sarah Gearty, Cartographic Editor of 'Irish Historic Towns Atlas, no. 13, Fethard', presenting Pat Coffey, Principal Patrician Presentation Secondary School, with a copy of the Atlas in appreciation of his help and use of the school premises and facilities while processing the information for the new Digital Atlas of Fethard.


Enjoying the break at Fethard Historical Society's Heritage Week Events held in the Abymill Theatre on Friday, August 24, are L to R: Ute Hickey, Rosemary Ponsonby and Michael Hickey.


Photographed at the Fethard Historical Society's Heritage Week Events in the Abymill Theatre on Friday, August 24, are L to R: Liam Hickey, Billy Mitten and Patrick Shine

The Fethard Historical Society can be contacted at history@fethard.com and on their Facebook page. The Digital Atlas for Fethard can be accessed online at www.digitalatlasfethard.com

Fethard Community Playgroup
Fethard Community Playgroup will be reopening on Monday, September 3. Morning session starts at 9am and ends at 12 noon, afternoon sessions 12.30pm until 3.30pm. All parents who wish to avail of the free year to bring child's pps number on the day, also a scrapbook with child's name on it.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on this coming Sunday night, September 2, to the very popular music of ‘Dave Lalor’. 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.

Big send off as popular principal retires in Cloneen

Ann Walsh photographed with staff members on the occasion of her retirement as principal at Cloneen National School

The village of Cloneen was abuzz with chatter, laughter and song on June 16 this year. A large crowd had gathered in the Church of Our Lady of the Nativity to bid farewell to the popular principal of the local national school, Ann Walsh.

After holding the rein for 10 years and teaching in the school for 18 years, Ann decided her time had come to relax and enjoy her retirement. Her husband, Michael and sons Paul and David were among the many family members present to help in the celebration of her retirement mass.

The mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Fr. Lambe and the beautiful singing was provided by the Cloneen choir and the children from the school. The music was expertly performed under the guidance of choir mistresses Mary Noonan and Gillian Coulter.

The children of Cloneen N.S. played a large part in the mass, with readings, hymns and reminiscences of stories about Ann in times gone by. Offertory gifts were presented, which included the school bell and memorabilia of all the 37 years of teaching in Ann’s career.

The Deputy Principal, Una Kiernan said some poignant words on her experience teaching with Ann and Ann herself finished the mass with her fond memories of her time in Cloneen N.S. She also paid tribute to SNA’s Aileen White and Trish Fitzgerald on their departure, and thanked them for their contributions to the school over the years.


Ann Walsh photographed with her family on the occasion of her retirement as principal at Cloneen National School L to R: Paul Walsh, Ann Walsh, Michael Walsh and David Walsh

The congregation then filtered over to the school grounds where a marquee was kindly erected by Milo McGrath and a fantastic spread of cakes, buns, coffee and tea was generously provided by the parents of the school and the Parent’s Association.

The Board of Management made a presentation to Ann along with another presentation from the Parent’s Association. The weather was mild, and the atmosphere was relaxed. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all and it was a deserved tribute to a lady who gave her all for the good of the children of the surrounding area of Cloneen National School.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Thursday, August 30, 2018, of Billy Heffernan, The Shop, Ballyduff Village, Kilmeaden, Waterford, and formerly of Fethard, Co. Tipperary.

Reposing in University Hospital Waterford Mortuary Chapel on Friday, August 31, from 5.30pm with prayers at 6pm. Removal at 6.30pm to St. Nicholas' Church, Ballyduff Lower. Requiem Mass on Saturday, September 1, at 11am followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery immediately afterwards.

Out for a riverside walk

Local girls taking a walk by the Clashawley river in Fethard L to R: Tasha McGarry, Shannon Thompson, Sinead Regan and Holly Keating.

Fethard Scout Group registration
Fethard Scout Group will soon be resuming meetings and activities following the summer break. Registration for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers will take place on Thursday, September 6, from 8pm to 9pm in the Scout Den (former Boys’ National School), Rocklow Road. All youths registering must be accompanied by an adult.

To continue to provide an active, challenging and varied programme for young members, each section (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers) will need adult volunteers who are willing to help our leaders at meetings and outings. Volunteering as little as one meeting per month would be very much appreciated.

Adults interested in volunteering please contact Group Leader Rachel at Tel: 086 8472069. Garda vetting through Scouting Ireland, will be sought for all new volunteers.

• Beavers (age 6 to 8) will meet on Mondays from 6.30pm to 7.45pm. Activities include: Introduction to scouting skills and adventure, Art and Crafts, County events and competitions, games and lots of fun.
  
  
• Cubs (age 9 to 11) will meet on Mondays from 7.15pm to 8.45pm. Activities include: Backwoods cooking, Pioneering, map and compass orienteering, First Aid and much more.
  
  
• Scouts (age 12 to 17) will meet on Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm. Activities include: Pioneering, camping, hikes, first aid, day trips, adventure sports and more.

Summer Tapas Evening in aid of Tipperary Rape Crisis Centre

Organising committee members photographed at the Fundraising Summer Tapas Evening for Tipperary Rape Crisis and Counselling Centre held at Dooks Fine Foods. Delicatessen & Restaurant, Fethard. L to R: Tom O'Gorman (chairperson), Natasha O'Keeffe (Manager of the Centre), board members, Jimmy O'Sullivan, Eileen Heneghan, Alan Moore and Terry Looby.

Tipperary Rape Crisis Centre welcomed the opportunity to hold a Summer Tapas Evening with Dooks Fine Foods Restaurant in Fethard, on Friday, August 24. It was a very successful evening with much needed funds raised for our service. TRCC would like to thank Richard and his team at Dooks for their exceptional food and service.

It is encouraging to work with local businesses and companies such as Dooks Restaurant that support our commitment to tackling sexual violence and working towards the elimination of sexual violence through campaigning, research, education, and awareness raising.


Photographed at the Fundraising Summer Tapas Evening for Tipperary Rape Crisis and Counselling Centre held at Dooks Fine Foods. Delicatessen & Restaurant, Fethard are L to R: Fionnuala Healy, Catherine Sheridan, Ciaran McConigley and Frances O'Brien.

For over thirty years, the Tipperary Rape Crisis Centre and Counselling Centre has been at the heart of Tipperary delivering vital services. We work towards highlighting the need to eliminate sexual violence against women, men, children, and young people and to create a safer society. Our services depend on the generosity and active involvement of the Tipperary community.

The Tipperary Rape Crisis Centre provides support and services to survivors of rape, sexual trauma, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual violence. We support women, men and young people. Unfortunately, child sexual abuse happens to far more children and young people than most ever believe. Many of our clients present, having suffered historical child sexual abuse. In fact, around 65 per cent of women who contact Tipperary Rape Crisis Centres are adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The Centre provides free counselling to survivors of rape and child sexual abuse (male and female) and to their families, friends, or anyone affected by sexual violence and trauma. We provide services to young people from 14-18 yrs with parental or professional referral.


Photographed at the Fundraising Summer Tapas Evening for Tipperary Rape Crisis and Counselling Centre held at Dooks Fine Foods. Delicatessen & Restaurant, Fethard are L to R: Theresa Kidd, Nuala Kavanagh, Natasha O'Keeffe and Mike Kidd.

At the Tipperary Rape Crisis Centre, we know how important it is to have outreach services in other towns and communities in the county. We currently offer our services in Cashel, in Carrick-on Suir and Thurles by appointment.

Tipperary Rape Crisis Centre runs education programmes for students throughout Tipperary. Sexual violence education and awareness talks are offered to Post Primary Schools covering sexual violence, consent, relationships and other related topics.


Photographed at the Fundraising Summer Tapas Evening for Tipperary Rape Crisis and Counselling Centre held at Dooks Fine Foods. Delicatessen & Restaurant, Fethard are L to R: Tom O'Gorman, Mel Stokes, Bill Looby, Eileen Heneghan, John Stokes and Terry Looby.

Over the last 18 months, our news has been dominated by headlines relating to sexual violence which has led to an increased unprecedented demand for our counselling services. This demonstrates that our work to prevent sexual violence is needed now more than ever.


Photographed at the Fundraising Summer Tapas Evening for Tipperary Rape Crisis and Counselling Centre held at Dooks Fine Foods. Delicatessen & Restaurant, Fethard are L to R: Marie Flynn, Cecily Purcell, Paddy Flynn and John Purcell.

Why not organise your own event to raise funds for Tipperary Rape Crisis Centre, with your family, friends or work colleagues? Whether it be a coffee morning, table quiz, denim day, golf classic, or any other creative fundraising opportunity. If you are thinking of organising an event, we will provide information, posters and leaflets to help you promote it locally. Email tipperaryrcc@gmail.com or call (052) 6127677 or 086 6697971 for further details. You can also reach us at TRCC Website www.trcc.ie and free phone 1800 340 340 for support.

Elocution and Speech & Drama
Group Classes or private tuition in elocution and speech and drama will resume in early September for Fethard and Lisronagh area. Small classes with limited availability will cover exam preparation for Leinster School of Music & Drama and Irish Board of Speech & Drama. For further details please contact Nancy Farrell 086 3432526

Aldi Community Games National Finals

Fethard & Killusty U14 girls football team that won bronze medals representing Munster at the Aldi Community Games National Finals. Back L to R: Micheál Spillane (coach), Sandra Spillane (coach), Grainne Murray, Ciara O'Meara, Lily O'Mahony, Heather Spillane, Aoibhinn Collum, Willie Morrissey (coach), Ed Collum (coach) and National Community Games Medal Presenter. Front L to R: Kelly Ryan, Kaycie Ahearn, Clodagh Foley, Mary Anne Fitzgerald, Aine Connolly, Nicole Delaney, Lucy Kenny, Emily Spillane, Isobel Maher and Katie Wyse.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on August 22, were: 1, 14, 24 and 28. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150: Anne Connolly, Main Street, Fethard.

The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: Ger McCarthy, Kerry Street, Fethard; Mary O'Dwyer, Knockelly Road, Fethard; and Dermot Kane (online ticket).

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, August 29. 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 24, were: 1, 4, 23 and 24. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘match three’ winner who received €100: Paddy Turner, Old Bridge Clonmel. Two Lucky Dip winners received €25 each: Tina O’Mahoney, Merry’s Clonmel; and Niall Connolly, Garrinch, Fethard.

The next draw takes place on Friday, August 31, in Burke’s Bar at 7.30pm, when the jackpot is €20,000 and the seller's 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.

St. Patrick’s Place Reunion
The next meeting of St. Patrick’s Place Reunion steering committee will take place on Next Tuesday, August 28, at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, and we invite anyone interested in helping with the event to come along. Photographs stories and any memories would be more than welcome.

Confusing house numbers

Houses No 1 to No 74 in St. Patrick’s Place, Fethard. The houses numbered in green are the correct numbering as used today. The original houses No 19 to No 28 shown in yellow, were changed when the houses were renumbered in 1970.

At the moment a list of occupants that lived in all the houses is being compiled and we would appreciate your help with any information of anyone who lived in St. Patrick’s Place, particularly from the earlier years after 1941, when the first 28 houses were built. At present there’s a total of seventy-four houses in St. Patrick’s Place, built at four different stages with the first twenty-eight built in 1941. In 1952 a further ten houses were built; in 1966 twenty houses were added; and the last sixteen houses were built in 1970.

In 1970, the houses were re-numbered in an anti-clockwise direction, which resulted in the original houses from No19 to No 28 being changed to No 65 to No 74. The original houses No 1 to No 18 retained their original numbers. This created a little confusion with postal services for a short while and unfortunately will again when we receive information referring to those living in houses No 19 to No 28, for the St. Patrick’s Place Reunion. We hope the attached photograph will help explain the houses affected.

Don’t forget our next meeting of ‘St. Patrick’s Place Reunion 2018’ will take place on Tuesday, August 28, at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre. All welcome. Information, photographs or questions can be emailed to reunion@fethard.com

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.

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



FCA group taken at Kickham Barracks in 1965. L to R: Tom Ryan (Carrick-on-Suir) John Fogarty (Fethard), Pat Lonergan (Carrick-on-Suir), Connie Coen (Fethard) and Willie Moroney (Carrick-on-Suir).


’Going Home from the Poker Classic’ Fethard Festival Parade 1980. L to R: Barry Connolly, John Ward, Edmund O’Neill, Ted Connolly, Jimpy Connolly and Michael Whyte.


Fethard Business in 1913


Members of Fethard Foróige Club photographed with leaders at their meeting on Friday, April 27. 2007, before heading off for a trip to the cinema in Clonmel. The club held their meetings every Friday evening in the ICA Hall from 7pm to 8.30pm.


Fethard GAA members photographed at the grave of John Keating in Calvary Cemetery Fethard where he was honoured by South Board as part of the Centenary Celebrations in South Tipperary on May 27, 2007. L to R: Joe Ahearn, Sean Moloney, Tony Newport, Dick Fitzgerald, Liam Connolly, Percy O'Flynn and Austin Godfrey.


Photographed at the training session for Fethard Ladies Football on March 10, 2007 are L to R: Áine Proudfoot, Aileen Butler, Annie Prout and Alana Coady.


Photographed at the training session for Fethard Ladies Football on March 10, 2007 are L to R: Jade Pattison, Laura Ryan, Áine Phelan and Amy Pollard.


Photographed at the training session for Fethard Ladies Football on March 10, 2007 are L to R: Jane Kenny, Áine Phelan, Jean Anglim, Emma Hayes and Hanna Daly.

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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