‘Such is life’ in Moyglass


Ned Kelly goes to the scaffold – (State Library of Victoria)
Many believe that the last utterance by Ned Kelly just before his hanging were three simple words; Such is life. Whether uttered with weary resignation or an acceptance of misfortune, the notion that the quote is attributed to Ned Kelly survives today. Ned Kelly was executed on November 11, 1880, at Old Melbourne Gaol, Australia, and buried there in a mass grave.

Ned Kelly was an Australian outlaw, whose father, John 'Red' Kelly was baptised in Moyglass Church on February 20, 1820. Living in his home in Clonbrogan, Moyglass, he was later found guilty of stealing two pigs at Cashel Court on January 7, 1841, and sentenced to 7 years transportation to Van Diemen's Land, the original name for the island of Tasmania in Australia. READ MORE . . . .

Ned Kelly festival weekend in Moyglass

The Moyglass Ned Kelly festival weekend, from July 27 to July 28, brought the Village and surrounding areas to life with a variety of events. The festival was run to raise funds for three deserving charities: C-SAW, IWA (Tipperary Branch) and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

The events kicked off on Saturday evening when over fifty tractors took part in our annual ‘Tractor Run’. This was a sight to behold with a huge variety of vintage tractors, some of these machines were seventy-years old and had no problem taking to the road. It was also great to see the run supported by some modern tractors and this gave a great insight into the huge changes that have taken place over the intervening years.


Displaying their 1942 Crossley Oil Engine at the Ned Kelly Festival in Moyglass are L to R: John Burgess (Piltown), Seamus Dunne (Piltown) and Phil Byrne (Kilsheelan).

The drivers with no cabs really enjoyed the lovely weather and were able to participate in their shirt sleeves, a welcome change. Ray Walsh led the run with his jeep and flashing lights to warn oncoming traffic. M.G. Ryan was the lead tractor with his Muirhill. The tractors left the village towards Fethard and turned left up Ballybough onto the Killenaule road. Grace Pollard and her family very kindly controlled the traffic at this cross. The run then proceeded into the town and turned right up the Cashel road. Maurice Blake controlled traffic at the Ballroom Cross. The run continued and turned right at Nora Casey’s cross and went through Liam O’Connor’s farm and returned to Moyglass via Farranaleen. Here everyone was treated to food in The Village Inn.


Photographed at the Moyglass Ned Kelly Festival Weekend are L to R: Fiona Slattery, John Smullen, Donie Slattery, June Nugent and Marian Smullen.

Later on that evening, The Sheehans played to a packed audience in the pub. It was most enjoyable to see and hear the number of local singers who participated. Denis Healy and Michael Boland sang a duet, to be followed by Sean Gleeson, Mary Boland Prendergast, James Gleeson, Kevin McGivern and Paddy Shelley.

The Ryan Brothers, Coolmoyne Cross, celebrate 50 years in business

Ned Kelly Festival Director, Matty Tynan, making a special presentation to the Ryan family Coolmoyne, marking their 50th Year in business in the area. L to R: M.G. Ryan, Mrs Breda Ryan (mother), Thomas Ryan, Matty Tynan and Larry Ryan. The Ryans first started cutting silage on July 23, 1969, for Timmy Hyde, Camas, Cashel. They cut first silage locally for Jim Barry, Rathbritt, on August 11, 1969, and have continued for the past 50 years.

Sunday morning saw The Ryan Brothers of Coolmoyne Cross, arrive with a cortege of their vintage machinery to celebrate their fifty years of silage cutting. They had the oldest tractor on display, a 1944 Allis Chalmers. Mrs Breda Ryan was on site as was Jim Barry, who was one of their first customers. Matty Tynan, on behalf of Coolmoyne and Moyglass Vintage Club presented a specially commissioned plaque to Toss Ryan, Larry Ryan and M.G, Ryan to mark the occasion. The plaque was hand carved by Bernard Tynan and showed the machines that they used as they commenced in business.


Full group of friends and customers at the presentation

The next event was the cycle run, which saw over forty cyclists leave Moyglass Community Hall in splendid sunshine. They continued into Fethard, Cloneen, Mullinahone and had a welcome pit stop in Ballingarry – thanks to Imelda Goldsboro for organising same. The cyclists returned to Moyglass via Killenaule and were treated to refreshments by Eileen Ryan and Liam Sweeney. Each cyclist received a unique Ned Kelly key ring and certificate.

This was followed by the 5K run/walk, with over 100 enthusiasts taking part. Some enjoyed the chat and the walk and the more serious contestants ran the route in around 25 minutes. Lorcan Lambe was participating in his first 5K and said afterwards, “It was tough but thoroughly enjoyable.” Key rings and certificates were presented to each participant followed by tea and refreshments enjoyed by all in the hall.


Renowned musician, Joan O'Brien, Fethard, making a guest appearance at the Moyglass Ned Kelly Festival Weekend

Later, the audience were treated to music by Joan O’Brien, Denis Healy, Gerard Healy and Brian Meehan. The Denise Moloney dancers gave an exhibition on the newly erected platform. Thanks to Mark and Adam Tynan who spent many hours preparing the platform.


Denis Healy, Gerard Healy and Brian Meehan providing music at the re-enactment

Vintage display of cars, tractors and engines


The audience were also able to view the vast array of vintage tractors, engines and vintage cars on display all day. It was very heartening to see so many young enthusiasts arrive with their tractors and stay around to chat with other owners. Among the 1950s’ tractors were a 54 David Brown 25D, two Ferguson 20 diesels, Ferguson 20 TVO, 1957 Ferguson FE 35, and a Fordson Dexta. 1960s’ tractors included MF 35, 3 MF 65s, MF 165, David Brown 770, David Brown 880 and a Fordson Super Major. 1970s’ tractors included Ford 4000, Ford 7000, Ford 7600, MF 133,MF 135, MF 165, MF 550, MF 1200, 2 Muirhills and an Ursus C 385. 1980s’ tractors included David Brown, Ford 3000, John Deere 3350, MF 290 and a Zetor Crystal. There was plenty of food and Ice Cream available as well as artisan stalls.

Ned Kelly bank robbery re-enactment

Cast members of the Ned Kelly 'Bank Robbery' re-enactment at Moyglass Festival. Back L to R: Charles McCarthy, Helen Guiry, Mary Boland-Prendergast, Marguerite Tynan, Majella Walsh, Alan Bourke, Seamus Barry, Mary Tynan, Liam O'Connor , Tom Gilpin. Front L to R: Matty Tynan, Brian Guiry and Ann Marie Bourke. Also in the cast were Peter Tynan and Pat O’Loughnan.

The Ned Kelly re-enactment of the bank robbery at Jerilderie on February 8, 1879, captivated the audience. Many thanks to Anne Williamson for helping with rehearsals and costumes. The people who participated in the scenes were Tom Gilpin, Seamus Barry, Peter Tynan, Alan Burke, Majella Walsh, Ann Marie Bourke, Liam O’Connor, Charles McCarthy, Mary Boland Prendergast, Mary Tynan, Marguerite Tynan, Matty Tynan, Pat O’Loughnan, Helen Guiry and Brian Guiry.


Photographed at the Ned Kelly Festival in Moyglass are L to R: Billy Blake, Joe Walsh, Tom Kelly and Matty Tynan.


Group watching the re-enactment of Ned Kelly Bank Robbery

Jerilderie is where Ned Kelly produced his famous 8,300 word document. In this Jerilderie letter Ned Kelly states how his family were persecuted by a corrupt police force and basically forced him into the lifestyle for which he became famous. It also proves that Ned Kelly was highly intelligent to be able to write this letter, while on the run in a wild countryside.


Young Tipperary fan losing his 'battle' at the Ned Kelly Festival in Moyglass.


Photographed at the Moyglass Ned Kelly Festival Weekend are L to R: Daisy Craig-White and Hanna Lacy


Photographed at the Moyglass Ned Kelly Festival Weekend are Back L to R: Alex Koster, Mickey Power and their daughters Julianna and Jona.


Photographed at the Moyglass Ned Kelly Festival Weekend are Back L to R: Margaret Guiry, Deputy Mattie McGrath T.D., Rory O'Connor, Mario O'Connor. Front L to R: Jack Kenny and Nicola Guiry.

Dog Show

'Best in Show' winner at the Moyglass Festival dog show was Mary Flynn, Crohane, Killenaule, and her Rottweiler dog 'Sansa. At the presentation are L to R: Marian Smullen, Mary Flynn and John Smullen.

The dog show followed, and we are very grateful to John and Marian Smullen of Moyglass Boarding Kennels for looking after the show and their continued sponsorship of rosettes and trophies. Also our thanks to Michael Phillips and Gain Feeds for their support.


Photographed at the Ned Kelly Festival dog show in Moyglass are L to R: Leah Ryan-Webster holding her dog 'Spot', Orla Tynan holding her dog 'Brady' and Ruby Hall.

The puppy class was won by Mary Flynn with a beautiful Rottweiler pup, who went on to win the best in show. Others to win rosettes were Alan with ‘Bruce’, Eve with ‘Lollipop’, Jamie with ‘Jack’, Leah with ‘Spot’, Orla with ‘Brady’, Kate with ‘Chloe’, a lovely whippet, Sean with ‘J’, and Laura with ‘Penny’. The large dog class was won by Daniel with a terrific looking Rottweiler, Lesley was second with her German shepherd ‘Diesel’. The rescue class was won by Laura with ‘Penny’ and second was Finn with ‘Shaggy’.


Ella Morrissey at the Ned Kelly Festival dog show in Moyglass with her her new 'British Bulldog' friend.


Photographed at the Ned Kelly Festival in Moyglass are L to R: Jodie Gilpin holding baby Elle, Sonia Cummins and Marian Gilpin.

‘Mock Wedding’ at Village Inn
The ‘Mock Wedding’ held at the Village Inn, was a truly professional performance and had the audience in stitches. Lesley Entwistle and Lar Fanning deserve great praise for the time and effort that they spent on this fabulous production. I have no doubt that people will want to see this again. The cast for the Mock Wedding were Paddy O’Connor, Alan Bourke, Mary Boland Prendergast, Ken Whelan, Marion Gilpin, Mary B. Ryan. Lar Fanning and Lesly Entwistle. Thanks to all for their help. Sean Ryan provided the sound.


Dancing at the Moyglass Ned Kelly Festival Weekend were L to R: Ariana Krasniqi, Katie Norris and Lily Langton.


Photographed at the Moyglass Ned Kelly Festival Weekend are L to R: Aaron McGarry, Luke Lacy and John Lacy


Photographed at the Moyglass Ned Kelly Festival Weekend are L to R: Sarah Ryan and Wesley Ryan.


Helping at the Ned Kelly Festival in Moyglass are L to R: Sean O'Dea, Martin Hannigan and John Slattery.

The night rounded off with an auction and raffle and the hamper winners were Nick Bruzon (sponsored by Kenny’s Centra Supermarket), John O’Dwyer (sponsored by Mary Tynan), Pat O’Rourke (sponsored by Majella Walsh) and Billy Ryan (sponsored by Pat Keaveney). We are very grateful to all those who gave sponsorship and made donations for the event. It is great to see people are willing to help and raise much needed funds for charitable causes.

Fethard’s Senior Ladies Football team entertain home followers

Fethard Ladies Senior Football team photographed before their first home match in the Senior Championship played on Wednesday night, July 24. Back L to R: Jessie McCarthy, Muireann O’Connell, Carrie Davey, Kate Davey, Leah Coen, Meabh Elle Ryan, Aine O’Connell, Alison Connolly, Lucy Spillane, Maggie Fitzgerald, Meabh O’Loughlin, Aoife Morrisey, Nell Spillane. Front L to R: Megan Coen, Sophie Ryan, Lauren Dowling, Katie Ryan, Heather Spillane, Aine Ryan, Jess Gleeson, Lily O’Mahony, Grainne Murray, Kelly Ryan and Niamh Hayes.

The Fethard Ladies Football Club’s first home match in the Senior Championship took place on Wednesday night, July 24, in the Barrack field. The club hosted the Brian Boru’s ladies at 7.30pm and provided the crowd with a great display of football.

There was no lull at half-time either as Fethard’s U6, U8 and U10 teams took to the field to entertaining the large crowd of fans that attended to support their Fethard team. After another high-scoring game, the final whistle score was Fethard 4-8 to Brian Boru’s 6-13.

A big thanks to all involved in the club your hard work and commitment makes these nights achievable, huge thanks too to all our Fethard supporters your support is greatly appreciated.

Sports Achievement Award nominations for July
The following six nominations were received for the Butler’s Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award for July.

1. David Flanagan – Greyhound trainer David has trained 12 winners in July which brings his total so far this year to over 50 winners.
2. Sean McGarry Thompson – Sean had four wins on the junior archery circuit at New Ross, Astona, Dunbrody and Three Counties.
3. Sam Donovan – representing Clonmel A.C., Sam also won an U10, 60 metre ‘B’ gold medal to add to his recent Community Games success.
4. Michael Allen – Michael’s greyhound ‘Crackling Blitz’ won four races at Thurles Track during July including a sweepstakes final.
5. Fethard & Killusty boys U12 Soccer Team – Munster champions at Community Games by beating teams from Limerick, Clare and Kerry. They next play a team from Roscommon in the All-Ireland semi-final.
6. Lily O’Mahoney, Grainne Murray, Rose O’Donnell – all members of the Tipperary U15 Camogie Team who won the shield final of the Joe O’Brien Tournament held in Ferns, Co Wexford.

The winner for July will be announced at a special function in Butler’s Bar on this Friday night, August 2. All are welcome.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, August 4, to the music of ‘Jimmy Hogan’. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 9pm to midnight. Admission is €10, which includes tea and cakes. For further information or for booking the ballroom, contact Eileen Coady, Tel: 086 0776420, Email: eileencoady@hotmail.com

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday, July 24, were: 3, 4, 10 and 26. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150: Catherine Kearney, The Green, Fethard. The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Friendship Club, Tirry Centre, Fethard; Dorothy Connolly, The Green, Fethard; and Maria Murphy, Coleman, Fethard.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, July 31. 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 26, were: 9, 19, 27 and 31. There was no jackpot winner and two ‘match three’ winners who received €50 each: John Sheehan, Killusty; and Johnny Quinn, Clonmel.

The next draw takes place on Friday, August 2, in Burke’s Bar at 7.30pm, when the jackpot is €22,500 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.

Holy Year Cross Pilgrimage to Slievenamon takes place on Sunday August 11

Setting off on the 2011 pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon are L to R: Mary O'Keeffe, Rena Sheehan, Helen O'Keeffe, Megan O'Keeffe, Kieran Duggan, Larry O'Keeffe and Billy Prout. This year's pilgrimage takes place on Sunday, August 11, 2019

The annual parish pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon takes place on Sunday August 11, with our usual 1pm start from the wooden cross by the Hill Wall.

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 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.

Articles invited for Annual Emigrant's Newsletter

Preparing for Killusty Show’s Fancy Dress Parade back in 1988 are members of the O’Donnell family and friends – one of the photographs received for this year’s Emigrants’ Newsletter.

Work on compiling 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

Judo winners taken on Parish Church steps with medals won in the All-Ireland championships, Palmerstown, Dublin. March 1990. Back L to R: Kenneth Sheehan (silver), Pat Doocey, P.J. Tobin (bronze). Middle L to R: Stephen O’Donnell (gold), P.J. Colville (silver), Avril Colville (bronze), Aine Doocey (bronze), Valerie Colville (silver). Front L to R: Michael Costelloe (bronze), Eric O’Donnell (gold), Kevin O’Donnell (bronze), Jackie Grant, Patrick Marshall and Matthew Grant.

Fr. Michael Kennedy photographed with a group from Clonmel at a Youth Day held at the Rosminian House of Prayer, Glencomeragh, Kilsheelan in March 1990.


Photographed a Youth Day held at the Rosminian House of Prayer, Glencomeragh, Kilsheelan in March 1990 are L to R: Kathleen Quigley, Michael Barry and John Moore.


Fr. John Cully photographed with a group attending a Youth Day held at the Rosminian House of Prayer, Glencomeragh, Kilsheelan in March 1990.

Photographed at Fethard GAA Dinner Dance May 1990 are L to R: Louise Gleeson, Elizabeth Burke, Mary Ryan, Fiona Boland and Ann Marie Quinlan.


Joe Allen with the Hackett brother and friends at Fethard GAA Dinner Dance May 1990.


Former Coolmoyne Hurlers L to R: Michael Ryan, Mick Ahearn and Michael Quinlan photographed at Fethard GAA Dinner Dance May 1990.


L to R: Fr. Tom Everard, Kathy Guinnan and Fr. James Meehan photographed at the official opening of the new St. Joseph the Worker Church in Moyglass on March 25, 1990.


L to R: John Foley, James Simpson, Archbishop Dermot Clifford and Michael Smith photographed at the official opening of the new St. Joseph the Worker Church in Moyglass on March 25, 1990.

For Facebook members, many of these photos are also published on Fethard Faces and Places from the Past page. This Facebook page is used for sharing old Fethard photographs with members of the group and is open to anyone interested in joining.

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.