Thumbs Up for €2,600,000 Boost for Fethard's Town Park
(Eamon Lacey, The Nationalist)

Thumbs Up for Fethard Town Park Funding – Community members involved in youth development in Fethard are delighted with the news that Fethard Town Park project is to receive €2.6m funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Cllr Garret Ahearn is photographed on site discussing the plans on Monday, November 11. L to R: Triona Morrisson (Principal Holy Trinity National School), Cllr Garret Ahearn (Mayor of Clonmel), Paul Kavanagh (Fethard & District Rugby Club), Pat Coffey (Principal Patrician Presentation Secondary School), Caroline Madden (Town Park Project Manager) and Lorna Bermingham (Youth Work Tipperary). (Photo: Joe Kenny)

Work on an ambitious multi-million-euro project set to transform the town of Fethard will start in the spring of next year. The Fethard Town Park project, which received a massive boost last week with a €2.6m government regeneration grant, is expected to take eighteen months to complete. The project will consist of a grass pitch, full-size all-weather pitch, dressing rooms, a gym, intergenerational hall, health consultation rooms, parking, a sensory garden, a 2.5m walkway, a cafe and open parkland.

Lands for the project have been gifted by Tipperary County Council, by Coolmore and by the Cashel & Emly Diocese. Coolmore are providing a €1 million benefit in kind donation as well as providing the full-size all-weather pitch. Extensive engagement with the community has already taken place with representatives of schools, sporting and cultural organisations, a wide range of community groups concerned with health and wellbeing, voluntary and statutory agencies as well as business interests in the town. A door to door consultation survey will be carried out to involve everybody in Fethard in the process of delivering a project to meet the needs of everybody in the community.



“Everybody in the community has a role to play. This is the start of something so much bigger than we ever thought”, project manager Caroline Madden told a meeting held in Fethard on Monday night. Ms Madden said that up to now the main drive had been focussed on securing funding. Now that funding has been secured, she said that all of the groups involved in the community project could move on with ensuring the project was delivered for the town and the surrounding area.

Maurice Moloney of Coolmore said there had been a huge amount of goodwill shown towards the project from within the community. “Every organisation in the community has come together and they are determined to deliver something really special” said Mr Moloney. He said the project was about much, much more than a sporting facility and it would be designed to offer something special to the entire community of all age groups.

Planning permission for the project was granted by Tipperary County Council in June of this year. The meeting on Monday night heard that the project would have a transformative effect on the town of Fethard greatly enhancing its attraction as a place to work and live. It would also have an enormous impact on communities in the surrounding towns and villages within a wide radius of Fethard and it would be of such a high standard that it would also have an impact regionally.


A meeting was held in Coolmore Stud on Monday night, November 11, to discuss plans for the Fethard Town Park project. Those in attendance included (from left) Caroline Madden, project manager; Bill O'Sullivan, Fethard Community Group; Anthony Fitzgerald, Tipperary County Council; Deputy Michael Lowry, Maurice Moloney, Coolmore Stud; Valerie Connolly, Tipperary Sports Partnership; Sonja Reidy, Tipperary County Council; and Clonmel Mayor Garret Ahearn. (Photo Colin Kenny, Primus)

The entire community to benefit in Fethard
Editorial Comment (Nationalist, November 14, 2019)

One of the greatest boosts for a Tipperary community was unveiled last week with confirmation that Fethard is to receive €2.6m funding for a major regeneration programme. The news was received with enthusiasm as the scheme will benefit the entire community. And that's the beauty of the project as it's very much an all-inclusive community undertaking that involves a huge range of groups in the town.

Major players are Tipperary County Council and the world-famous Coolmore Stud but the impact of this development will stretch to a myriad of groups and their members. Its name - the Fethard Town Park project - probably doesn't do justice to the scale of the operation. Situated off the Rocklow Road in the historic walled town, the plan incorporates a suite of sport, recreation and health facilities from all-weather pitches to a gym, adventure playground, walkway and community space. Sports clubs, community organisations, health projects, schools and local businesses came together with a shared vision to create a facility which promotes physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Its proximity to the local primary and secondary schools will ensure that the park will be at the very heart of the community. This inclusivity will guarantee its success as everyone can claim ownership of the project. It's no surprise that a community such as Fethard rallied to the cause with such effect. It's a town that has long punched above its weight, gaining national and international acclaim for its wonderfully preserved town walls, its unique place in Irish history and its recognition as the true home of the thoroughbred horse.

The Town Park will be another significant addition to its community resources. A town that has brought all its key players together to push for such a far-sighted facility deserves all the success it gets as a result.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, November 17, to the music of ‘T. Bone Country’. 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

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. Application forms will now available at the back of both Churches and from Centra Supermarket. Please return same to any member of the Fethard Conference before November 30.

‘Murder Mystery High Tea’ in aid of Fethard ICA
All are invited to attend and support our ‘Murder Mystery High Tea’ in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday, November 30. Admission is €10 euro per person and a great night’s entertainment guaranteed along with a lovely tea! Proceeds are in aid of Fethard ICA Hall maintenance.

St. Rita’s recent comeback wins the October Sports Achievement Award

Members of the St. Rita's Junior Camogie Team, winners of the Butler's Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award for October, photographed with members of coaching team at the presentation. Back L to R: Aine Ryan, Mary O'Mahoney, Edel Fitzgerald, Kate Davey, Leah Coen, Mia Treacy, Imelda Ryan, Sandra Spillane. Front L to R: Michael Ryan, Katie Ryan, Carrie Davey, Lucy Spillane, Nell Spillane and Kay Spillane.

The winner of Butlers Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award for October was St. Rita’s Junior B Camogie Team who won the club’s first adult County Championship in twenty years by beating Lorrha in the final, played recently in The Ragg, Thurles. A second half Lorrha surge just wasn’t enough to see off the challenge of a faster and slicker St Rita's of Fethard. Player of the Match was Carrie Davey (Fethard) and scorers for Fethard were Lucy Spillane 1-4 (0-2 frees); Alison Connolly 1-2, Leah Coen 0-1. Winning by four points leaving the final score: St Rita's 2-7, Lorrha 1-6.


Members of the 1999 St. Rita's Camogie Team that won the County Junior A Camogie Championship and League – the last adult team from the club to achieve county honours – up to this year's success by the St. Rita's Junior B team. L to R: Sandra Spillane, Mary O'Mahoney, Mia Treacy, Imelda Ryan and Edel Fitzgerald.

Two other St Rita's teams were also nominated for the October Award – both county league winners – St. Rita’s U16 B team who beat Ballina in the final; and St. Rita’s U14 B team who beat Cashel King Cormacs in their final. This was a red-letter-year for St. Rita’s Club and many of the successful team of 1999 are still involved in coaching the new players and attended the award presentations in Butler’s Bar on Friday, November 8. The award was presented by Mary Godfrey (Award Selection Committee), representing this month’s sponsor J.C. Kenny Wine Distributors, Galway.


Mary Godfrey, representing this month’s sponsor, J.C. Kenny Wine Distributors, Galway. presenting the 'Mentor of the Month' award to Micheál Maher.

The winner of the ‘Mentor of the Month’ award was Micheál Maher. Micheál is current chairman County Community Games; recipient of the Tipperary ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award; chairman Fethard & Killusty Community Games; Games Director Tipperary Community Games; member of the County Development team and delegate to Munster Council; previously enjoyed a very successful career in Rallying as co-driver to the late Frank Meagher, who died in an accident on March 10, 2002.


Edel Fitzgerald receiving the Butler's Bar Sports Achievement Award on behalf of the St. Rita's Junior Camogie Team, from Philip Butler (proprietor) and Mary Godfrey, representing this month’s sponsor J.C. Kenny Wine Distributors, Galway.

Nominations are now being taken for the December Award at Butlers Bar.

GAA Mass for deceased members
Fethard GAA Club will hold their Mass for deceased members on Saturday, November 15, at 7pm, in the Holy Trinity Parish Church. All are welcome to come along.

Fethard Medical Centre
Dr Molly Owens and Dr Jaco Oosthuysen, together with Sandie Gleeson (practice nurse), Jean Hayde, Sonia Bonelli and Liza Ward (administrative staff) are delighted to announce our new GP partnership – Fethard Medical Centre.

We are already well known to the Fethard community and look forward to providing enhanced services over the coming years. As always, we are committed to providing the highest level of modern medical care to all our patients, while maintaining a friendly practice environment, which is welcoming to all.

Anniversary Mass for Fr. John Meagher OSA
The second anniversary mass for the late Fr John Meagher OSA will take place in the Augustinian Abbey on this Sunday, November 17, at 11.30am.

Memorial Mass this Sunday at Fethard Augustinian Abbey
United Nations International Day of commemoration for road traffic victims is celebrated on Sunday November 17. To mark this special occasion a memorial service will take place in the Augustinian Abbey Fethard at 11.30am. It will be very much a community occasion. Members of the emergency services, secondary school students and other community groups will participate. Everybody is invited to attend especially all who have in any way been touched by road traffic tragedy. Anyone who wishes to bring along a memento (photo etc) of a loved one is most welcome to do so.

Great successes for Patrician Presentation in both Volleyball and Football

Patrician Presentation Secondary School Cadette Boys’ Volleyball team that now face St Paul's CC of Waterford and Mary Immaculate in their next round to be played on November 25. in Moyle Rovers Sports Complex.

Senior Boys’ Volleyball
Last week our senior boys' volleyball team travelled to Athlone I.T. to play teams from Roscommon Community College and Grange Community College from Donaghmede in Dublin in the first round of the national competition. Despite the lengthy journey and tired legs, Patrician Presentation Secondary School’s team were comprehensive winners over Roscommon CC in two straight sets. The second match up was much closer needing to go to a third decider to overcome Grange who, to date were unbeaten in four matches. Fethard’s next matches are in Mountrath on Monday November 18th against Mountrath senior boys, a team from Dublin (tbc) and Coláiste an Eachréidh from Athenry. As this is a league competition, with the top teams going straight into finals, and our opponents having already dropped points, just two wins in these three matches would be enough to see Fethard reach the national final on Dec 12th in UCD. A special thanks to the team mentor and coach, Mr McGree, Nell Spillane for acting as assistant referee and Alison Connolly and Michelle Cronin who were scorekeepers on the day.

Cadette Boys’ Volleyball
Fethard won the first match against Coláiste De hInse two sets to nil with emptying the bench from our panel of seventeen. The second game was much closer with Patrician Presentation going down to the hosts Mountrath in a close set 25-19. Fethard recovered very well, however, and had a blistering start to the second set thanks to twelve unanswered serves from Charlie Hackett. Patrician Presentation went on to win the second set comfortably. From there out, Fethard dominated and took the tiebreak set comfortably on a score of 15 to 9.

We now face St Paul's CC of Waterford and Mary Immaculate in our next round on November 25. in Moyle Rovers. Well done to all involved and to team coach and mentor, Mr McGree.

Patrician Presentation School v St Anne’s Secondary School Tipperary Town
On Friday, November 8, Patrician Presentation Secondary School played St Anne’s Secondary School, Tipperary Town, in the third round of the Munster ladies Gaelic football competition in the local Fethard GAA field.

There was great talent on show and commitment displayed by Fethard in this competition, after previously beating Presentation Secondary School Clonmel and receiving a walkover from Our Lady’s Secondary School Templemore.

Patrician Presentation Fethard started strongly going into an early lead with points from Maggie Fitzgerald, Áine Connolly and Leah Coen. Leah found the back of St Anne’s net on the 10th minute; however, St Anne’s got more assertive in the match and begged back the lead with a goal and two points to leave Fethard leading at half time five points up at the break.

The second half was a very open with both teams finding the net on numerous occasions. Goals from Lucy Spillane and two from Leah Coen gave Patrician Presentation a comfortable lead however the St Anne’s grew in confidence and stuck the net themselves on a couple of occasion also. After a tit for tat second half Fethard began to gain a commanding lead with Patrician Presentation Secondary School Fethard winning in the finish with a final score line of Fethard 6-11 to St Anne’s 2-5

Best for Fethard in the backs were Michelle Cronin, Mary Anne Fitzgerald, Lucy Spillane, Carrie Davey, Kelly Ryan and Grainne Murray, while at Midfield Allison Connolly and Lucy Spillane worked very hard throughout the match tracking up and down the field. Maggie Fitzgerald Heather and Nell Spillane were very strong going forward in the half ward line. In the forwards Leah Coen and Áine Connolly were very good throughout the match.

Patrician Presentation Secondary School has now qualified for a Munster Quarter Final against Pobal Scoil Trionode, Youghal. Congratulations to all involved including Mr Cummins, Ms Murphy and Micheál and Sandra Spillane.

Geography Field Trip
Our senior Geography classes accompanied by Ms Barrett and Mr McGree took part in a field trip in Tramore last week. The students carried out a geographical investigation onsite. This is a requirement for Leaving Certificate Geography. Students had a number of tasks to carry out on the day. These tasks included looking at the profile of the beach as well as an analysis of the beach material. Some students showed great bravery in entering the cold water to carry out a survey of the types of waves. It was a great educational experience for all involved despite the poor weather conditions on the day.

GAA €1,000 Scholarship

GAA Club Chairman P.J. Aherne presenting a €1,000 Scholarship to Patrician Presentation Secondary School Principal, Pat Coffey, on behalf of Fethard GAA Club. Also in the picture are Mary Godfrey and Stephen Fitzgerald.

Community Games Annual General Meeting
Fethard & Killusty Community Games AGM will take place in the Tirry Community Centre on Wednesday, November 20, at 8pm. Good news is the present committee are prepared to continue to keep the show on the road but are very anxious to have a good attendance for a chat to review our successful 2019 and to plan the 2020 campaign. There is a wide range of events to choose form. New faces are very welcome and opinions on the best way forward would be very much appreciated. Please give us one hour of your time.

Cross Country Finals
The County Finals of the Cross-Country events will take place in Thurles Crokes A.C. on Thursday, November 21. Registration from 6pm. Races will commence at 7pm.

Races for U10 (and over 8), Boys and Girls Cross Country Race 600m (county event only). Medals for top four.

U12 Cross Country Race, Boys and Girls, run 500m on the night (the top six qualify for Tipperary Relay Team for National Finals, two run 400m and two run 600m in the relay and two subs) Medals for all six.

U14 Cross Country Race, Boys and Girls, run 700m on the night (top 6 qualify for Tipperary Relay Team for National Finals, two run 600m and two run 800m and two subs). Medals for all six.

U13 Cross Country Race, Boys and Girls, run 1200m on the night (top five to qualify for Tipperary Team). Medals for top five.

The Mary Doyle Trophy will be presented to the Area with the most participants on the night.

Fethard Bridge Club Results
The results of our game on Wednesday, October 30 were: 1st Gross: Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh; 2nd Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John; 3rd Gross: Anna Cooke and Eileen Frewen; 1st Nett: Mary Nolan and Theresa O'Brien; 2nd Nett: Noel O’Dwyer and Bill O'Sullivan; 3rd Nett: Yasmin Woodlock and John Woodlock.

On November 20, we play for the Gross Turkey prize. Bridge starts at 7.15pm each Wednesday. Anyone looking for a partner contact Gemma Burke 086-6064148.

Opening Meet of Tipperary Foxhounds

Mary and Gerry Fogarty photographed with their extended family at the Opening Meet of Tipperary Foxhounds in Fethard on October 28.

November Cemetery Rosaries for the Holy Souls
Rosaries for the Holy Souls will be recited in the following cemeteries during the month of November. On Sunday, November 17, Rathcoole Cemetery at 2.30pm; Red City Cemetery at 3pm; and Tullamaine Cemetery at 3.30pm.

On Sunday, November 24, Killusty Cemetery after 10am Mass; and Kiltinan Cemetery at 2.30pm; and Kilmaclugh Cemetery at 3.15pm.

Please join in the Rosary for the Holy Souls. All are invited to come along and remember our loved ones who have passed on to their eternal reward.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday, November 6, were: 2, 3, 16 and 24. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner, so three drawn tickets received €50 each: Fionn Kenny, c/o Carol Kenny; Rena Sheehan, Killusty, Fethard; and Christy Aylward, c/o Tom Purcell.

The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Fr. Tom Breen, c/o Jimmy Connolly; Eddie Crotty, Killusty, Fethard; and David Kane, c/o Rita Kane.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, November 13. 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, November 8, were: 4, 16, 27 and 35. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘match three’ winner. One lucky dip winner received €50: Monica Aherne, Prospect, Fethard. Two lucky dip winners received €25 each: Michael Purcell, Kilknockin View, Fethard; and Maura Clooney, Cluain Ard, Fethard.

The next draw takes place on Friday, November 15, in Burke’s Bar at 7.30pm, when the jackpot is €24,000 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.

Christmas Flower Demonstration

Mandy Quigley looking forward to her Christmas Flower Demonstration on Thursday, December 5, at Slievenamon Golf Club, startring at 7.30pm

A Christmas Flower Demonstration by Mandy Quigley of ‘Fethard Flowers by Mandy’ will take place on Thursday, December 5, at Slievenamon Golf Club, at 7.30pm. Admission is €10 and tickets are available from Slievenamon Golf Club. Refreshments and raffle on the night.

Emigrants Newsletter – Donations
Anyone who still wants to donate and be acknowledged in this year’s publication can do so by contacting Carmel Rice, Brookhill, Fethard, or Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, or alternatively by Credit Card or PayPal online at www.fethard.com/donate/ All donations of €10 and over will be acknowledged in this year’s Newsletter.

Last call for reports, articles and photographs
We remind those preparing club or organisation reports or individuals preparing articles, that the deadline is fast approaching and after which, we can’t guarantee inclusion due to limited space and postal cost restrictions.

You can also make a secure donation by Credit Card or PayPal by clicking the 'DONATE' link below.

New Addresses
If you have relatives abroad that you wish to receive the newsletter you can also send us their address by email to: emigrantsnewsletter@gmail.com or hand them in to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, or Carmel Rice, Brookhill, Fethard.

Faces and Places from the Past
The following are a selection of photographs of faces and places taken in our locality that may bring back memories to many of our readers and visitors to fethard.com Please send any comments or photo information, names and event, to fethardnews@gmail.com

Some photographs taken in and about our area twenty-five years ago . . .


Pat O’Gorman (centre) pictured in Fethard after his family arranged a surprise visit to his native town. Pat worked at Rice’s farm in Brookhill, Fethard, until he was 17 years of age, he then left for England and wasn't back home since. On his arrival met many of his old friends and neighbours and was also brought on a tour of the farm where he worked and the house where he lived. L to R: Mrs. Susan Carol Rogers, Pamela and Pat O’Gorman, Janice Maureen May (daughter), Dermot Rice, Brookhill, and Chris Nevin, proprietor of The Gateway B&B where he stayed while in Fethard. (Photograph taken May 26, 1994) .


Two local lads on a bicycle made for two cycling on Main Street, Fethard on June 6, 1994.


Fr. Denis Shanahan and Mrs Frances Harrington pictured with the six boys who received their First Holy Communion after Sunday Mass in Killusty on June 12, 1994.


Photograph taken from Fethard Ballroom balcony of a large crowd at 'The Paddies' during the London-Fethard Reunion Festival Dance held on June 24, 1994.


Community Council chairman Bernard Walsh presenting award and bouquet of flowers to Ann-Marie O’Meara, Fethard, who was chosen as the 1994 Festival Queen at the Fethard-Killusty London Reunion Festival Dance in Fethard Ballroom on June 24, 1994.


Together again after 25 years are these Fethard Patrician Presentation School classmates pictured at their Leaving Cert Class of 1969 Reunion held on June 25, 1994, after taking part in a tour of the old and new secondary school in Fethard. Back L to R: Michael Smith, Martin O’Mahoney, Vincent Woodlock, Jimmy Hayes, Michael O’Sullivan and Abe Kennedy. Middle: Kathleen (Keane) Maher, Carol Cross, Peggy (Delahunty) Fox, Ann (Tierney) Boyle, Seamus Maher, Frances (O’Flynn) Ryan, Eva (Hackett) O’Keeffe, Patsy (Sayers) Kirwan. Front: Gemma (Kenny) Burke, Matthew Tynan, Anne (Shelly) Fortune, Gerry O’Riordan and Patricia (O’Connor) Clear.


Celebrating their 50 anniversary on June 26, 1994, were the members of Fethard Macra Na Feirme club and to mark the occasion their entry in the 1994 Fancy Dress Parade won the ‘Best Group’ award.


Members of Juvenile GAA Club photographed at Fethard Killusty London Reunion Festival Fancy Dress Parade held in Fethard on June 26, 1994.


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.