Urban Walkways select Fethard for first 'Wallway'

It is official. Following various visits to the town and inquires with different organisations, the European Agency for Urban Walkways has selected Fethard to be the first location in Ireland for a Wallway.
In recent years we have welcomed and grown accustomed to the Blue and Green Ways which are seen as a welcome boost to local economies. This present initiative, which involved the Walled Towns Wallway Committee working in tandem with Urban Walkways, is the first in Ireland to promote business and healthy lifestyles in a recognized historical setting. Fethard has been chosen as it is viewed as the best preserved small medieval walled town in the country.
This initiative comes as part of the new walkway linking Burke Street and Barrack Street; it proposes to extend the pathway and convert it to a Wallway which would continue for most if not all of the existing route of the Town Wall. As people in Dublin will lose some of their front gardens for the new Bus Corridors, people here whose rear gardens back on to the Town Wall may lose about six feet of their plots so as to facilitate the new Wallway. Compensation will be paid.
It is envisaged that there will be minimum disruption to traffic or to everyday activites during construction. Negotiations have already been conducted with the Central Council of the GAA and other bodies are expected to follow suit.
The local Council, as one of the supporting bodies, has also agreed to provide special grants-not exceeding 5 thousand euros per household-for individual and voluntary groups who might wish to launch a small business, ie like a takeaway cafe or rent a bike scheme on the route of the Wallway.
The surface of the Wallway will be tarmac, inner fencing to properties will be put in place, those who have access already via the wall will not lose that access, no new access will be granted however, the existing pedestrian crossings and new ones where necessary will be erected at each of the six roads that cross the route.
Tipperary Rural Tourism Group have broadly welcomed the plans which should be available for viewing in the Town Hall – note the Wallway is coloured in red. The date for the local consultation should be announced shortly and will be broadcast on local radio stations.
Fethard to the fore once again!
Clocks go forward this weekend!
Don’t forget to set your clocks forward by one hour at 1am on this coming Sunday, March 31, officially the start of Summer Time, also called Spring Forward and Daylight Savings Time. Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later than the day before giving us more light in the evening.
Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, of Gus Breen, Burke Street, Fethard. Gus; deeply regretted by John, William, Patricia, Monica, Dermot and Brendan, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.
Reposing at McCarthy’s Funeral Home on Friday, March 29, from 5pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, on Saturday, March 30, at 11am. followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.
Family flowers only please – donations if desired to the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland.
Coffee Morning to support Junk Kouture national finalists

Students will host a fundraising coffee morning at Fethard Horse Experience, Town Hall, Main Street, Fethard, on next Friday morning, from 9.30am to 12-30pm, where you can see how the costumes, including all accessories like hats and jewellery, were assembled. Do come and talk to the teams who created them.
The money raised from this event will go towards the costs of sending both teams to Dublin on May 2. Students will also advise and explain the online voting system in place for this part of the competition. This voting will account for 10 percent of the students’ total marks in deciding the overall winning teams in Dublin. The remaining marks will be awarded on the students’ presentation of their costumes to the judges, who will view the costumes earlier that day and discuss the making of the outfits, and lastly modelling on the cat walk to music of their choice, just 60 seconds to impress!
Died Recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, of Douglas Hannigan, Fr Tirry Park, Fethard. Douglas; deeply regretted by his mother Philomena, brothers Geoffrey and Jonathan, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.
Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, on Thursday, March 28, from 5pm with removal to the Holy Trinity Parish Church at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Friday at 11am, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.
Fethard Senior Citizens Club
Fethard Senior Citizens’ Club will meet at the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, on Tuesday, April 2, at 7.30pm. Reminder to members to please deliver your tickets to a committee member by March 29 in preparation for our Easter raffle.
‘No show like a Joe show’ at Fethard Ballroom

The Drifters showband, featuring Joe Dolan and his brother Ben Dolan, as they appeared in the New Spotlight Annual 1967. Fethard Ballroom welcomes back Joe Dolan’s family and his original band to take the stage again in Fethard on Saturday, May 4, at 8pm, when they proudly present ‘Remembering Joe’ The Joe Dolan Show -As it Was!

Members of Fethard Ballroom's organising committee for the 'Remembering Joe' show in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday, May 4, featuring the original Joe Dolan Band. Tickets at €25 are available from Fethard Post Office and Marian's Clonmel. Bar extension and disco to follow. L to R: Seamus Barry (Chairman Fethard Ballroom), Eileen Frewen, Sean O'Donovan, Anne Nevin and Michael O'Rahilly.
In Fethard Ballroom’s heyday, in the 1970s, there was one popular man who always pulled the crowds, in fact, we’re told by the manager of The Country Club, as it was known then, that Joe Dolan packed in 1,400 supporters to the hall, a record attendance never to be broken. Those who were lucky to be present at that dance will remember, there was no room to dance, and hardly room to move.
Joe Dolan was loved throughout Ireland and broke many hearts when he died suddenly on December 26, 2007. His family and band members have continued to play music in memory of Joe and these touring shows popularity continues to grow wherever they appear.

The Drifters showband, featuring Joe Dolan and his brother Ben Dolan, as they appeared in the New Spotlight Annual 1967. Fethard Ballroom welcomes back Joe Dolan’s family and his original band to take the stage again in Fethard on Saturday, May 4, at 8pm, when they proudly present ‘Remembering Joe’ The Joe Dolan Show - As it Was!
Fethard Ballroom welcomes back Joe Dolan’s family and his original band to take the stage again in Fethard on Saturday, May 4, at 8pm, when they proudly present ‘Remembering Joe’ The Joe Dolan Show -As it Was! Staring, Ben Dolan, Adrian Dolan, Ray Dolan, Sandra Dolan and Karen Carroll. Tickets at €25 are now on sale and can be purchased at Fethard Post Office and Marian’s Clonmel. This show will invoke many memories of the ‘Showband Era’ where romance flourished without a bar extension. But moving on with modern times, Fethard Ballroom will also provide a bar extension on this special occasion, with a disco to follow.
Proceeds of this event will go towards the Ballroom Committee’s maintenance of the roof, leading to many more years’ dancing in our very unique ‘Ballroom of Romance’.
Daffodil Day in Fethard raise €7,000 for Cancer Research

Helpers and organisers of the ‘Daffodil Day’ Coffee Morning and Cake Sale in Fethard, who raised over €7,ooo for The Irish Cancer Society are photographed above at their daffodil stall outside Fethard Post Office.

Members of the Costello family enjoying the ‘Daffodil Day’ Coffee Morning and Cake Sale in Fethard Town Hall on Friday, March 22.

Photographed at the ‘Daffodil Day’ Coffee Morning and Cake Sale in Fethard Town Hall, are L to R: Trasa O'Loughlin holding her baby Ruth, and Carol Neville.

Photographed at the ‘Daffodil Day’ Coffee Morning and Cake Sale in Fethard Town Hall, are L to R: Breda Lee, Mary Hyland, Pat Hyland and Chris Lee.
St Patricks Day Mass in Fethard was interesting!
This message was received following the report of St. Patrick’s Day Mass in Fethard last week.
“I read your online edition of the Nationalist on a regular basis. Your article on St Patrick’s Day Mass in Fethard was interesting as the hymns sang by the children’s choir were passed on by the Patrician Brothers. Also your mention of Goldie and Tony Newport, as I attended the school from 1948 to 1953 and knew Tony well from playing football with him. He went on to represent Tipperary Senior Footballers as goalie. I’m glad to know he is still with us.
I wonder is it possible to research the whereabouts of some of my class mates from Fethard? The ones that come to mind are Paddy Flynn, his cousins Johnny and Percy, John Whyte, Cha Finn, Gus Danagher, Paddy Stokes and Johnny Morrissey. They’re a couple of others whom I just can’t recall.
I now reside in Central Asia, Bishkek Kyrgyzstan Republic. Any news you could obtain would be very much appreciated, Looking forward to your reply."
Kind regards, Liam Cashin, Email: bill.cashin35@gmail.com
Fethard Bridge Club Results
The results of Fethard Bridge Club’s game on Wednesday, March 13, were: 1st Gross, Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh; 2nd Gross, Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny; 3rd Gross, Rita Kane and Kay St. John; 1st Nett, Nell Broderick and David O'Meara; 2nd Nett, Noreen Evans and Mary Nolan; 3rd Nett, Nora Ryan and Gabrielle Schofield.
Bridge starts at 7.15pm each Wednesday. Anyone looking for a partner contact Gemma Burke 086 6064148.
Junk Kouture window display

Pupils from Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School photographed at their window display of both Junk Kouture costumes that qualified for the national final. Standing L to R: Ms Pat Looby (Art Teacher), Mark Fitzgerald, Garrett Ahearn. Front L to R: Rachel O’Loughnan, Nell Spillane, Alison Connolly, Michelle Cronin and Patrick Shine.
On Friday, March 22, students from Patrician Presentation Secondary School, created a window display in O’Sullivans Pharmacy, Main Street Fethard. The display features the two school costumes that qualified to go forward to the Grand Final in the 3 Arena, Dublin, on May 2. This competition, hitting its ninth year running, continues to encourage young designers in second level education to create couture and wearable art from thrash, anything that’s ready for the bin.
Student Enterprise 2019
Best wishes to our First Year and TY Enterprise Students who will represent our school at the County Student Enterprise Final at LIT Thurles this Thursday, March 28.
Secondary School Golf Classic Launched

Photographed above at the launch of the Patrician Presentation Secondary School Golf Classic are staff, students, along with members of the organising committee and management at Slievenamon Golf Club. L to R: Robert Hackett, Ian O'Connor (school staff), Justin McGee (school staff), Michael O'Meara, Dick Prendergast (committee), Noel Maher (school staff), Brian Powell (Slievenamon Golf Club), Darragh Hurley, Pat Coffey (school principal), Keenan Ahearne, Denis Burke (committee) and Brendan Kenny (Slievenamon Golf Club).
Patrician Presentation Secondary School launched their annual Golf Classic at Slievenamon Golf Course on Friday, March 22. This year’s event will be held at Slievenamon Golf Club on Friday, May 24, and Saturday, May 25. Tee times now available in person at the school office or by phoning (052) 6131572 during school hours. We ask you to please support this fundraising event for our school May.
Well done Fiona

Congratulation to Fiona Barry, Tullamaine, winner of the recitation Scór na bPáistí South Tipperary Final on Sunday, March 24. Fiona now qualifies for the Tipperary Final in Cashel on next Sunday, March 31.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on March 20, were: 22, 23, 24 and 26. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150: David Kane, c/o Rita Kane.
The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: Meabh Kenny, The Green, Fethard; Mairead Fallon, Killenaule; and Mary McCormack, Kerry Street, Fethard.
Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, March 27. 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, March 22, were: 1, 7, 17 and 36. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘match three’ winner. One Lucky Dip winner received €50: Roisin Purcell, St Rita’s Camogie Club. Two Lucky Dip winners received €25 each: Nicole Delaney, St Rita’s Camogie Club; and Ciara Spillane, St Rita’s Camogie Club.
The next draw takes place on Friday, March 29, in Burke’s Bar at 7.30pm, when the jackpot is €20,700 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.
The late Sr. Monica Kevin OSU
The death has occurred at Blue Point, New York on Sunday, March 24, 2019 of Sr. Monica Kevin OSU, age 99. Sr. Monica, formerly from Barrack Street, left Fethard in 1935, at the age of 15, to join the Ursuline Order in New York with three other Fethard friends, Nuala O'Brien, Nellie Carey and Kitty McCarthy. The four girls joined Sister Catherine (Evangelist) O’Brien, a sister of Nuala O'Brien who was already there.
Sr. Monica was a regular visitor to Fethard and was the last surviving member of her group from that period. Sister Catherine (Evangelist) O’Brien, died on July 20, 1977; Sister Vincent (Catherine) McCarthy, died on March 23, 1999; Sister Paula (Ellen) Carey, died June 8, 2010; and Sister Philomena (Anne Theresa) O’Brien, died on April 25, 2011.
The funeral arrangements for Sr. Monica are as follows. Wake takes place on Wednesday, March 27, from 3pm to 6pm, with prayer service at 5:30pm. Funeral mass on Thursday, March 28, at 11am. Both the wake and the funeral mass will be held in Our Lady of the Snow Church, 175 Blue Point Ave, Blue Point, NY 11715.
Interment will take place immediately following the mass, at St. Ursula Center cemetery, 186 Middle Rd, Blue Point, NY 11715. May she rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sr. Monica's memory to the Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund. Memorial contributions may be made online at tildonkursuline.org or mailed to: Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk, 81-15 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11432.
Fethard & Killusty Anglers Annual Competition
Fethard & Killusty Anglers Annual Competition will take place on Sunday, April 21, meeting at Thorny Bridge on the river Anner. All members are welcome, and anyone interested in joining can attend the competition. Contact Seán Maher on 085 7050580 or Colm Hackett on 086 8397868 for membership details.]
Died recently in Auckland, New Zealand
The death has occurred in Auckland, New Zealand, on Thursday, March 21, 2019, of Maria Rowe (neé Coady), formally from the Valley, Fethard.
Maria, pre-deceased by her husband Lloyd, is deeply regretted and missed by her sons Shane and Grant, sisters Eileen, Noreen, Theresa and Antoinette, brothers Kevin and Terry, granddaughter, nieces and nephews.
Burial took place in New Zealand. May she rest in peace.
Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, March 31, to the music of ‘Michael Sexton’. 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. For further information or for booking the ballroom, contact Eileen Coady, Tel: 086 0776420 or Peter Grant, Tel: 087 6180541. Email: eileencoady@hotmail.com
Award winning film ‘Symphony Of The Soil’ coming to Fethard
Drawing from ancient knowledge and cutting-edge science, the award-winning film ‘Symphony of The Soil’ is an artistic exploration of the miraculous substance soil. By understanding the elaborate relationship and mutuality between soil, water, the atmosphere, plants and animals, we come to appreciate the complex and dynamic nature of this precious resource.
The film also examines our human relationship with soil, the use and misuse of soil in agriculture, deforestation and development, and the latest scientific research on soil’s key role in ameliorating the most challenging environmental issues of our time.
Filmed on four continents, featuring esteemed scientists and working farmers and ranchers. ‘Symphony of The Soil’ is an intriguing presentation that highlights possibilities of healthy soil, creating healthy plants, creating healthy humans, living on a healthy planet.
This film will be shown in Butler’s Bar, Main Street, Fethard, on Monday, April 8, at 7.30pm. The film, currently travelling all over the country, will be introduced by Richard Auler, followed by a conversation-discussion afterwards. Admission is free and everyone is more than welcome to come along. Please tell your friends!
Fethard Pedallers Cycling Club
Fethard Pedallers cycling club are running a ‘Couch to 50k’ event for those thinking of starting cycling or returning to the sport. Training for this event will run for eight weeks from Sunday, April 14, starting at 9.30am from the car park opposite Fethard Ballroom and Dooks Restaurant. These trained instructors will guide you on safety, how to cycle in a group, how to progress, and will give you lots of tips on how to make the cycling more enjoyable.
As the distance increases, we will stop for coffee/ice-cream! After eight weeks we will run our own Pink Cycle again on Sunday, June 9, in aid of the Fethard & District Day Care Centre and a Cancer charity. For more info contact Paul Shanahan 087 7615408.
Celebrating the bicentenary of Holy Trinity Parish Church
In preparation for our booklet celebrating the bicentenary of Holy Trinity Parish Church in Fethard, we are seeking any early photographs of events at the parish church, such as weddings, first communions, confirmations altar boy groups, Children of Mary and Mens Sodality groups.
All photographs will be scanned and returned. The oldest photos will be included in the booklet and the rest placed on exhibition. Photos maybe also emailed to fethard@mac.com The deadline for sending photographs is April 15, 2019.
Fethard & Killusty Novena 2019
This year’s Fethard & Killusty Parish Novena will take place from Monday, April 8, to Tuesday, April 16, starting times at 7.30pm on Monday to Friday; 7pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday. This year Holy Trinity Parish Church is celebrating 200 years and we invite all to join us for this special Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
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 1982 . . .
Group taken at the Fethard GAA Dinner Dance in Cahir House Hotel and 'Player of the Past' Presentation to Bill Connors, November 1982.

Photographed at Fethard GAA Dinner Dance in Cahir House Hotel and 'Player of the Past' Presentation to Bill Connors in November 1982 are L to R: Johanna Bradshaw, Mattie Bradshaw, Kathleen Bradshaw and Rory Bradshaw.

Group photographed at Fethard GAA Dinner Dance in Cahir House Hotel and 'Player of the Past' Presentation to Bill Connors in November 1982.

Group of Moyglass Macra members photographed at meeting in Moyglass Hall in November 1982.

Group at NACA Presentations in Fethard Arms (December 1982) L to R: Fergus McCormack, Roger Mehta, Tommy Sheehan, Joan Shine, Miceál McCormack, Mary McCormack, Chris Coen, Douglas Hannigan, Moira Casey, Jeff Hannigan and Sean Hannigan.

Printers soccer team: Martin Quinlivan, Pat Barry, Larry Fahy, Billy Byrne, Eddie Anderson, Jeddy Walsh, Ernie Maken (capt) and John Hunt photographed at the Killusty Seven-a-side Soccer Tournament Final, August 1982.

Ballylooby seven-a-side soccer team who beat Printers 2-1 in the final of the Killusty seven-a-side Soccer Tournament, August 1982. Ballylooby Team: Pat O’Brien, Mick O'Brien, Pat O’Brien, Tommy Fitzgerald, P. J. Moloney, Dick Doyle, Pat Phelan (capt), Eamon Condon and Eamon 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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