‘Pride of Place’ – Fethard chosen as Tipperary’s entry in Community Tourism category

Photographed at Fethard's presentation for the 'Pride of Place' Community Tourism award. L to R: Mairéad Winters (Tourism Office Tipperary County Council), Tim Corballis, Deirdre Cox (Tipperary County Council), Catherine Britton, Aisling O'Callaghan (Co-operation Ireland), Eddie Sheehy (Judge), John Briggs (Judge), Laura Condon (Manager FHC Experience), Terry Cunningham and Mary Hanrahan (chairperson Fethard Historical Society).

On Monday last, September 2, judges John Briggs and Edward Sheehy from the prestigious IPB Pride of Place Awards visited Fethard. Known as the ‘Oscars’ of the community sector, IPB Pride of Place is an annual all island competition organised by Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance. It aims to acknowledge and celebrate the vital work being done by community groups to improve their local area.

Fethard was nominated by Tipperary County Council in the Community Tourism category. The judging started in the Fethard Horse Country Experience with a presentation which encompassed everything from Fethard’s foundation in the early 1200s to the restoration of the Abymill Theatre in the 1980s. After this, the judges, accompanied by Aisling O’Callaghan, from Co-operation Ireland, were shown around the FHC Experience. On the way they met with a variety of representatives from the local community who spoke to them about the rich history and heritage of Fethard. This was followed by a tour of the town which included Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, the Medieval Town Wall, the Watergate Sheela-na-gig, the Augustinian Abbey, the Abymill Theatre and the new East Gate Park.

The results of the competition will be announced at the end of November. Fethard Community Heritage Centre would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who gave their time to meet and speak with the judges on the day. In particular, we wish to thank Deirdre Cox, from Tipperary County Council, who guided us throughout the entire process.

Mary Anne retires after 41 years of excellent service

Mary Anne Fogarty who retired as Deputy Principal of Fethard Patrician Presentatiopn Secondary School this week after 41 years of excellent service.

This week Patrician Presentation Secondary School bade farewell to our wonderful colleague and friend, Mary Anne Fogarty. Mary Anne has given 41 years of excellent service to the management, teachers, students and community of Fethard and we wish her all the very best in her retirement.

Not a person of half-measures, Mary Anne gave everything to her roles as both teacher and Deputy Principal. Mary Anne was that rarest of people both a traditionalist and a modern thinker. She reflected the values of our founders in word and deed – her aim being to bring quality education to all. Yet, Mary Anne was also very well versed in the educational changes in a modern and rapidly changing Ireland. She was a consummate professional – personable, compassionate and approachable.

Patrician Presentation Secondary School and community is indebted to her for the French exchanges that she organised, bringing many students abroad for their first time. Students stayed in French families' homes and so got a real insight into French culture, as well as visiting the tourist sites.

For those who were lucky enough to work with Mary Anne, her ability to see the good in everyone is inspiring. She is a 'people person' with understanding and compassion. Every individual is seen as unique and she devoted her time and talents to bringing out the best in her pupils-inspiring hope and gently igniting imagination. Fethard will always have a special place in Mary Anne's heart. She is wished well and will be remembered with affection by all.

New First Year Students welcomed

Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School’s First Year pupils photographed with staff teacher Ms Yvonne Murphy and Mr Justin McGree, Mr Pat Coffey, principal; Mr Billy Walsh, deputy principal and Ms Caitríona McKeogh, year head.

We are delighted to welcome a new cohort of First Year students to Patrician Presentation Secondary School this year. We very much look forward to working with them and their families over the next 5-6 years here in the school. The new Junior Cycle offers many opportunities for exciting teaching and learning in Patrician Presentation that will equip students with the knowledge, values and skills that they will require for their senior cycle and beyond. We also offer a wide array of extra-curricular activities.

Galtee Mor Kickboxing Club's first 'Big' event at Monroe

Photographed at the tournament are Back: Aran Larkin, James Purcell, Amy Costin, Dillon Costin, Ciara Crowley, Eric Costin, Adam O’Sullivan, Dylan Carroll. Front: Daniel Coffey (head coach), Nathan Costin (assistant coach), Jayden Coffey, Killian Coffey, Katelyn Coffey, Caolinn Kelly, Dylan Corbett, Reiltin Kenny-Casey, Hayley Farrell, Ali Crowley and Barry Crowley. Missing from photo were Shaun Maunsell and Cian Murray.

Galtee Mor Kickboxing Club held their first ‘big’ show at Monroe Sports Complex on Sunday, August 25, with over 180 fighters taken part and over 200 spectators in attendance.

The President of IKF, on the Black Dragon Kickboxing Club’s site was very complimentary of the event when he reported the following.

“What a cracking IKF Sanctioned Light Contact Tournament today in Clonmel. Promoter Daniel Coffey was delighted with the turnout and two matted areas and one boxing ring were flat out all day. Around 180 fighters were all matched up with some fighting twice and others even three times to facilitate fighters who may not have been matched straight away.

Lots of club coaches doubled up as officials and refereed and judged all day without complaint and parents helped the coaches to get their kids ready for action and everyone worked together to help run the event. This is what the true spirit of martial arts is all about – just get on with things and forward March at all times.

The venue was an impressive sports hall with excellent facilities and plenty of free parking and our great friend and supporter, Patrick White, was there with his son and they provided everyone with top quality martial arts equipment from their mobile shop. A public address system was also in place to help call fighters to their respective areas. The Order of Malta was also on hand with a fully equipped ambulance to help keep everyone safe. Several IKF Clubs were in action but it was particularly nice to see some outside clubs attend from Waterford, Kilkenny City, Mullinavat and Wexford.

Well done again to everyone and a huge thanks to all the hard-working officials, the superbly well behaved appreciative parents and supporters, the Galtee Mor set-up crew and of course to all the fighters who are the future of our sport. There was tea/coffee and hot food available on site and the day came to an end just before 5pm. Fair play to promoter Daniel Coffey who took a chance on running such an event in the height of the summer – it certainly was a great success.”

Sports Achievement Award Nominations for August
The following sixteen nominations were received for the Butlers Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award for the month of August.

1. Fethard Mens Rugby Team – unusually, a team from Fethard Rugby Club won the Kevin O’Dwyer Memorial Soccer Tournament held in Moyglass.
2. Emily Sayers – A second place finish for Emily and her horse ‘HSB Limited Edition’ at the RDS Horse Show in the mares and geldings 4 years and upwards class.
3. Fethard Ladies U17 Gaelic Footballers – winners of Division 1 Summer League beating Galtee Rovers in the final.
4. Alison Connolly, Nell Spillane, Carrie Davey, Niamh Hayes and Leah Coen – these five young ladies played on the Tipperary U17 Gaelic Football team that won the All Ireland title. The competition took place over a weekend in Abbotstown and Tipp won all seven matches.
5. Lucy Spillane – a member of the Tipperary Intermediate Ladies Football team who have qualified for the All-Ireland final by beating Sligo in the semi-final.
6. Fintan Rice – a great run by Fintan in the Boston Scientific Half Marathon finishing second in the Over 50 class.
7. Harry Kelly – the best winner so far for Harry when his charge ‘Great Trango’ won the feature Handicap Hurdle on day five of the Galway Racing Festival.
8. Fethard & Killusty U12 Boys Soccer Team – National Community Games silver medallists, after beating Roscommon in the semi-final, but were narrowly beaten by Cavan in the final played in UL.
9. Sean McGarry Thompson – gold medallist for Archery at a competition held in Ashgrove Co. Kilkenny.
10. Sarah Garrett and Dorothy Wall – these two ladies from Fethard Rugby Club have been selected to play for the Munster Senior Ladies Team.
11. Fay Dowling and Jen Fogarty – Munster U18 selection is the reward for these two young outstanding rugby players.
12. Ben Coen – another four winners this month for the prolific young jockey with a bright future.
13. Max Watchman – individual gold medal for this young rider when he and his pony" ‘Cuffesgrange Cavalidam’ had five clear rounds at the FEI Pony European Championships held in Poland. He was also a member of the team that also captured gold in the team event for Ireland.
14. Tom Watchman – Tom, on board his pony ‘Ocean Des As’, were members of the Irish team that won gold at the FEI Pony European Championships held in Poland.
15. Alison Connolly, Megan Quigley and Ali O’Connell – three of St. Rita’s Camogie Club players who represented Tipperary at U17 level and won a prestigious tournament held in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
16. Joe Murphy – seven winners this month for local trainer Joe, including a fine winner at the Galway races in ‘Galtee Mist’.

The August winner will be announced at a special presentation function in Butler’s Bar on Friday night next, September 6. All are welcome to come along.

Fethard Ballroom Annual General Meeting
Fethard Ballroom will hold their Annual General Meeting on Monday, September 23, at 8pm in Fethard Ballroom. All are welcome to come along.

Portrait for Alice

Local artist, Marie O’Hara, presenting Alice Leahy with a portrait she painted to mark Alice’s work with the homeless in Dublin for the past 40 years. L to R: Charlie Best, Marie O’Hara, Donal Leahy and Alice Leahy.

South Tipperary Beekeepers ‘Honey Show’
South Tipperary Beekeepers Honey Show will take place on Sunday, September 22, in the old Clonmel Technical School. Judging will take place on Saturday and the show is open to the public on Sunday where there’s a super display of all products of the hive, plus lots more! Club officers are Gerry Clancy (chairman), Erika Reeves (secretary) and Anne Ryan (treasurer). For further information and lots of hints and advice on beekeeping you can visit their website at www.southtippbees.com

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, September 8, to the music of ‘Checkers’. 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 Ballroom Annual General Meeting
Fethard Ballroom will hold their Annual General Meeting on Monday, September 23, at 8pm in Fethard Ballroom. All are welcome to come along.

Biddy gets her hands on Liam!

Biddy Kearney (Fitzgerald), St. Patrick’s Place, Fethard, delighted to hold the Liam McCarthy Cup again. Biddy is a lifelong supporter of Tipperary Hurling Team.

New members invited for Fethard Choral Society
Calling all singers (specially men!) who would like to join Fethard Choral Society. Rehearsals have resumed in the Abymill Theatre on Sunday evenings at 8pm. If you can sing in tune just come along and join in - there is no audition. You will be made very welcome!

Credit Union Opening Hours
Please take note. The current opening hours for Fethard Credit Union on Saturdays (10am to 1pm) are changing to 1pm to 3pm, coming into effect on Thursday, October 3. All other days are staying the same.

The new opening hours in Fethard are as follows: Thursdays from 10am to 1pm; Fridays from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm; Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm.

Yoga Classes starting soon
Eight weeks of Yoga classes will commence in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, Fethard, on Monday, September 16, starting at 7pm. The classes are suitable for both beginners and intermediate.

Yoga is a great means of enhancing physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. In health terms, yoga can help develop flexibility, suppleness and muscular strength without causing strain. It also increases energy levels and help tone the body. Booking is essential. For further details contact Peg at Tel: 086 3027927.

Annual Harvest Festival
The annual Harvest Festival Service will take place on Sunday, September 15, at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, Fethard. At this service we give thanks for God's created world and the bountiful harvest we all enjoy but, at the same time, remembering those who are not as fortunate as ourselves. Everyone is very welcome to attend, and we are very pleased that Fethard Choral Society will sing at the service as usual. Refreshments will be served after the service.

Ladies Football Success

Well Done to Fethard U17 Ladies Football Team on winning the County League Final on Sunday, August 25, in Littleton.


Five members of Fethard Ladies Football club who were picked for the U17 All Ireland Blitz that was held in Abbotstown on Tuesday, August 20. This is the first time that Tipperary won this competition. All five girls started and played the Final which is a fantastic achievement for both the girls and the Club. L to R: Ailson Connolly, Nell Spillane, Carrie Davey, Niamh Hayes and Leah Coen.


Fethard’s Lucy Spillane who is on the Tipperary Intermediate Team that are through to the All Ireland Final on September 15, in Croke Park. Fethard Club would like to wish Lucy the best of Luck on this great achievement.

Fethard Juvenile GAA
Fethard Juvenile GAA Club was well represented at last weekend’s inter county hurling tournaments. Darragh Spillane was full back on the U15 ‘A’ Team that finished 3rd in the Arrabawn Shield. Jack Quinlan won a Tony Forristal All-Ireland U14 ‘A’ medal playing at midfield in the competition. Jack gave some magnificent performances all day and one particularly good performance against Galway in the semi-final. The club is very proud of both young men and congratulations to them on their success.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday, August 28, were: 4, 7, 12 and 32. There was no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: Gemma Burke, Red City, Fethard; and Jack Connolly, The Green, Fethard.

The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Orla Lawrence, c/o Patsy Lawrence; Lar Looby Snr, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; and Dermot Darcy, St. Patricks Place, Fethard.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, September 4. 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 30, were: 15, 20, 24 and 31. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘match three’ winner who received €100: Paula Gahan, Strylea, Fethard.

The next draw takes place on Friday, September 6, in Burke’s Bar at 7.30pm, when the jackpot is €23,000 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.

Articles invited for Annual Emigrant's 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

Clonmel Arms Hotel on 21st February, 1979. A lot of the Five Star staff and friends in the background holding up the bar including Frank Carroll, Joe Carroll (Ardfinnan), Mary Carroll (Fethard), Mary Casey, Frank Olney and Marianne Butler. The four sitting in front are L to R: Anne Bonelli, Alan Doyle, Marie Doyle and Gus Bonelli.

Enjoying the sunshine at Rás Sliabh-na-mBan in Kilcash on Sunday, June 27, 1993 are Front L to R: Ciara and Sara Egan, Ballypatrick; Claire Foley, Kilcash; Niamh Tobin, Cashel. Back: Claire and Brian Egan from Ballypatrick.

Caroline, Kenneth and Julie Cahill from Kilsheelan, pictured at Feile Chill Chais on Sunday, June 27, 1993


Fidelma O’Neill, Elm Park, Clonmel, minding baby Daniel McGurn at Strawberry Fair, Ferryhouse, Clonmel on Sunday, June 27, 1993


Jimmy Ryan, Powerstown, and Brenda Ryan, Wolf Tone Street, Clonmel, at Strawberry Fair on Sunday, June 27, 1993.


Willie O’Connell, Clonmel A.C. at Rás Sliabh-na-mBan in Kilcash on Sunday, June 27, 1993.


Local Ballingarry boys getting ready to have a game of hurling on June 29, 1993. L to R: Thomas Hayes, Tony Walsh, Noel Webster, Adrian Webster and Liam Cleere.


Susan Hayes and Patsy Ivors pictured on June 29, 1993, at a plaque erected by Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann in honour of local musician Larry Wall-Fitzpatrick who died in 1955.


Br. Raymond Forde, principal of St. Patrick’s National School Fethard, pictured with pupils on his last day teaching in Fethard on June 30, 1993. Br. Raymond’s retirement marks the end of 120 years of the Patrician Brothers association with the town.


Standing with the Parish Priest outside the Patrician Brothers Monastery in Fethard on June 30, 1993, are the last Brothers to live there. L to R: Br. Paul (retired), Canon James Power, Br. Raymond, and Br. Ultan (retired).

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.