Dr. Milne’s delivery was interesting, laced with a gentle humour
Photographed at Dr Ida Milne’s most informative lecture held in the ICA Hall, Fethard. L to R: Win Harwood, Terry Cunningham, Catherine O’Flynn, Dr. Ida Milne, Mary Hanrahan, Maureen Maher, Mark Tobin and Dóirín Saurus. In front is young Emma Murphy.
The Fethard Historical Society recently hosted Dr Ida Milne who delivered a most informative lecture on Stacking the Coffins, Influenza, War and Revolution in Ireland 1918-1919 based on her book of the same name. While it was indeed a serious topic Dr. Milne’s accomplished delivery was interesting, informative and, at appropriate times, laced with a gentle humour.
The effects of the Spanish Flu in Ireland have been largely ignored by historians until relatively recently. Not surprising given the understandable focus of the new Irish Republic on the aftermath of the Rising, World War I, the War of Independence etc. That omission is currently being addressed in an Irish context by Dr Milne and her colleagues Dr. Patricia Marsh and Dr. Catríona Foley.
Over 800,000 people in Ireland, a fifth of the then population, succumbed to the Spanish Flu and at least 23,000 people died from it. It was unique in that those who died were either young men aged between 20 and 35 (that same demographic who were losing their lives in World War I) or children under five. Surprisingly, it had little effect on the elderly. Lots of young families were badly affected as they lost the man of the house who was, of course, the breadwinner.
Lots of sportsmen too were affected and there was an interesting implication for Tipperary football. Wexford beat Tipperary in the All-Ireland Football final on 16th February 1919 (deferred because of the epidemic in the autumn), winning a record four-in-a-row titles which still stands; Davy Tobin, Tipperary’s top scorer was unable to play that day as he had ‘Spanish Flu’.
While many doctors prescribed copious amounts of whiskey or brandy as a remedy, various other suggested cures included Oxo, Bovril, eucalyptus oil and even strychnine solutions! Experience showed that careful nursing combined with good nourishment and plenty of (no-alcoholic) liquids proved the best treatment for the disease.
Pierce McCan of Ballyowen
The most famous Tipperary person to die of the disease was undoubtedly Pierce McCan of Ballyowen. President of the East Tipperary executive of Sinn Féin, he had been arrested in May 1918 under the trumped-up charges relating to the so-called ‘German Plot’ and imprisoned in Gloucester Jail, England. While incarcerated, he was elected as a Sinn Féin MP for his constituency in the 1918 general election. However, he never sat in Dáil Éireann, dying in prison on March 6, 1919, from the flu. He was only 35 years old. Sinn Féin reported Pierce McCan’s death as an example of the unjust treatment Irish Nationalists received at the hands of the British Government.
A fascinating aspect of Ida’s lecture was her account of the interviews she did with survivors of the flu. These first- hand narratives revealed how families sometimes lost several members and how economic circumstances were changed by the loss of one or both parents. They also told the story of small children who survived against the odds, and lived well into their nineties or hundreds to tell the tale.
One lasting legacy of the 1918-1919 pandemic is the global influenza-monitoring system run by the World Health Organisation. As Ida relates in her book it has also left a physical imprint through the graves of the dead, the pages of cemetery records, and the thousands of news pages and new histories documenting its effects.
The lecture ended with a lively question and answer session followed by refreshments. Attendees also had the chance to buy Ida’s book which is indeed, as Cormac Ó Gráda, Professor Emeritus UCD, described it, ‘A very fine book on an important topic.’
Róisín's Hair Salon, The Square, raise €650 for Fethard Critical Illness Fund
Róisín Blake, proprietor of Róisín's Hair Salon, The Square, Fethard, is photographed above handing a cheque for €650 to Dinny Burke, representing Fethard Critical Illness Fund. Róisín and her staff raised the money with various in-house promotions and special 'Bank Holiday' events for the local charity. Staff members at the presentation L to R: Shannon Hickey, Dinny Burke (Fethard Critical Illness Fund), Róisín Blake and Siobhán Lyons.
Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on this coming Sunday night, December 2, to the very popular music of ‘Muriel O’Connor and Fran Curry’. 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.
Carol Service at Augustinian Abbey
The annual Christmas Carol Service at the Augustinian Abbey will take place on Sunday December 9, at 6pm featuring the Fethard Choral Society and the children from Holy Trinity National School, Fethard. Refreshments for all will be served afterwards in the Abymill Theatre. All are invited and welcome to come along.
St. Vincent de Paul help for Christmas
Fethard St. Vincent de Paul society invite applications for those who may need help for Christmas this year. Please contact any member of the Fethard Conference before November 30, for application form. You can also call Tel: 085 8086099.
Invitation to Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland
Canon Barbara Fryday and congregation would like to invite everyone to the annual festive Christmas Carol Service which takes place in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland Fethard on Sunday 16th December at 7pm. This celebration of the birth of Christ will include all well-known carols and readings outlining the Christmas story.
Fethard Choral Society will also be present to sing some favourite Christmas carols. Refreshments will be served afterwards, and it is hoped that there will be a large attendance to enjoy this annual event.
Award for Killusty Tidy Towns
Congratulation to Killusty Tidy Towns who received the award for the highest increse in marks in the small settlement section of the recent Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Awards. Photographed above are L to R: Una Kirwan, Christy Williams and Louise Coen.
Patrician Presentation Secondary School Recent Bereavement
Principal Mr Coffey, Ms Fogarty and all the Secondary School staff offer their sincere condolences to Sr. Maureen and the Presentation Community on the recent death of Sr. Celsus Ryan, on Thursday, November 22. Sr. Celsus had a great interest in the Secondary School down through the years and always extended a warm welcome to staff members on their visits to the convent. Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.
Volleyball News
Well done to the Cadette A Volleyball team on a good performance in the Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge on Friday last. The girls came out on top after three sets against St. Mary’s Naas and Presentation Kilkenny. The girls showed excellent spirit after coming back to win from behind in both games.
They later lost to a strong Newbridge side who are currently All-Ireland champions. The following girls were involved in the competition: Carrie Davey, Leah Coen, Michelle Cronin, Alison Connolly, Heather Spillane, Nell Spillane and Ciara O’Meara.
New shops open on Main Street, Fethard
Mandy Quigley in her new shop ‘Fethard Flowers by Mandy’ on Main Street.
A recent welcome site on Fethard’s Main Street was the opening of two new shops to brighten up the street and encourage shoppers back to Fethard. Local Mandy Quigley, who worked from home for many years, also took the plunge and moved to Fethard where she has more room to display her products and easier access to her customers.
Noel McNamara, who owned a thriving butcher’s shop in Abbey Road, Clonmel, decided to move to Fethard and work his trade in a less hectic environment.
Noel McNamara in his new Butcher’s shop on Main Street, Fethard.
We are delighted to see new businesses open in Fethard and we wish both the very best in their new venture.
Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party
Fethard Senior Citizens’ Club will hold their Christmas Party on next Sunday, December 2. Following 11.30am Mass at the Augustinian Abbey, members may avail of Walsh’s bus to the Anner Hotel, Thurles, for lunch. Please submit any outstanding tickets to a committee member in preparation for our Christmas raffle.
Charlie McGettigan back to Crocanoir
T
wo great nights of music and drama coming up at the end of the boreen at Crocanoir. On Saturday, December 1, we are delighted to welcome back Crocanoir favourite Charlie McGettigan – the Eurovision winner is a master singer, songwriter and storyteller and always a pleasure to meet.
On Sunday, December 9, the renowned local drama group, The Fionn MacCumhaill Players, will stage John B. Keane’s, 'The year of the Hiker'. Early booking advised for both shows. For tickets or information contact John Bermingham at Tel: 086 8907329. Thanks for all the support.
Kids Christmas at Gaules, Burke Street, Fethard
Fethard Bridge Club Results
The results of our game on November 14 were: 1st Gross, Nell Broderick and David O'Meara; 2nd Gross, Tony Hanrahan and Keith Woodlock; 3rd Gross, Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh; 1st Nett, Noreen Evans and Noel O'Dwyer; 2nd Nett, Judy Doyle and Joan Hayes; 3rd Nett, Nora Ryan and Gabrielle Schofield.
This Wednesday, November 28, we play for the Nett Turkey prize and next Wednesday, December 5, we play for the Change of Partner Turkey prize. Bridge starts at 7.15pm. Anyone looking for a partner contact Gemma Burke 086 6064148.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on November 21, were: 3, 11, 17 and 20. There was no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: Noelle Cummins, Slievenamon Close, Fethard; and Tom Tobin, Moyglass, Fethard.
The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: Orla Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; Philip Butler, Main Street, Fethard; and Dermot Darcy, St. Patricks Place, Fethard.
Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, November 28. 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 finish AstroTurf Project
Fethard GAA Club’s AstroTurf pitch now finished off with tarmac place and a better path for wheelchair access.
The Fethard GAA Club would like to thank everyone far and near for their generosity over the last year by supporting our lotto, we have brought the club's facilities to a better standard and we could only have done this with your support. On Friday, November 23, after a two-year AstroTurf project, we finished off the ground with tarmac and put in place a better path for wheelchair access.
Lotto Results
The numbers drawn on Friday, November 23, were: 2, 9, 26 and 34. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘match three’ winner. One luck dip winner received €50: Noelle Cullinan, Clerihan. Four lucky dip winners received €25: Stephanie Johnson, Main Street, Fethard; Stephen Fitzgerald, St. Patrick’s Place, Fethard; Hazel Sheehan, Killusty; and Annette O’Donovan, The Valley, Fethard.
Our jackpot is still standing at €20,000, with a lot of people getting very close to winning over the past year. We hope someone can get a bit of luck and take this prize before Christmas. The club will hold its last draw of the year on Friday, December 21, in the Well Bar at 9.30pm. This draw will have an additional thirteen prizes as follows: 1st out after main draw will receive €500, followed by two draws for €250 and ten draws for €100.
Bedtime Story Books Launch in Fethard
Pamela Walsh is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and being a mother of two, knows and understands how important it is for children to have a good night’s sleep. What better way to start the sleep process than a 'relaxing story' as her children like to call it. This short story can help your little one to relax and feel calm at bedtime and can create a wonderful bonding time for your family to enjoy. This book may help your child to drift off to sleep while they listen to a wonderful relaxing story read by you.
If you would like to know more about these books you can come to the official launch in Fethard Horse Country Experience on Sunday, December 2, from 11am to 12.30pm.
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
These are a selection of photographs taken in 1999 . . . a lot of changes since then . . .
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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