Fethard Country Market reopens this Friday, June 12

Christy Williams and Dave Curran all ready for the reopening of this Friday’s Country Market at the Town Hall from 8am to 11.30am.

Fethard Country Markets will reopen this Friday morning, June 12, from 8am to 11.30am at Fethard Town Hall, for the best of fresh produce and home baking. This Friday, weather permitting, they may hold the market outside the Town Hall which would be lovely to see in our traditional market town.

Examples of traditional farmers’ market models include rural Ireland farmers markets and Country Markets Ltd, with a dedicated focus on home-produced food and crafts, run on the same morning every week in community-based locations in town centres. Traditional farmers markets are slightly different and only sell farm-grown and added-value products within a strict local radius. The grower/producer sells directly to the consumer.

Country Markets first founded in Fethard
The first branch market opened in Fethard, Co. Tipperary, in 1947 and is still in operation. Of those opened between 1947 and 1974, 32 have remained. Currently there are approximately 55 branch markets around the country.  Hannah Leahy, Annesgift, was born on September 1, 1919, and was one of the founding members of Country Markets in Fethard in 1947.

Hannie passed away on March 27, 2015. Before she died, she was interviewed in 2013 and features on the Country Markets Website, where she gave a delightful talk on how the Country Markets started up in Fethard. The idea was first mooted in 1946 by the Irish Homespun Society and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association. As both the Irish Homespun Society and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association carried charitable status it was not possible to trade on an individual’s behalf. Therefore, Country Markets Limited was established as a totally independent registered co-operative Society and was affiliated to I.C.O.S. (Irish Co-operative Organisation Society) in February 1947.

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto resumed on Friday, June 5, 2020 and the numbers drawn were: 1, 18, 33 and 35. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘match three’ winner. One lucky dip winner received €50: Clodagh Looby, St. Patricks Place, Fethard. Two lucky dip winners received €25 each: Lisa Barlaz, Ard Alainn, Fethard; and Mary O'Mahony, Tullamaine, Fethard.

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 next draw takes place on Friday, June 12, when the jackpot is €25,700 and the seller's prize is €1,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Second Phase of easing restrictions is here
Monday, June 8, we move to Phase Two of the Government's easing of restrictions in Ireland, which most people will welcome. We attach this summary of the changes that will apply, as published in the Daily Mail on Saturday last, June 6 – one of the easiest to understand. If you click on the image it should enlarge to make it easier to read.

Horses in danger of being injured at Newbridge
It was brought to our attention that six valuable thoroughbred horses had to be moved last week from Newbridge in case of being injured due to the increased amount of dangerous rubbish being left in the area. Arrangements had to be made to gather and clear the large amount of litter, empty cans and beer bottles discarded, which are very dangerous to horses and livestock tended at Newbridge, Grove.

Unfortunately, this is very worrying as a warning notice is in place to remind visitors to "Please, leave no litter – dangerous to stock!" If this unnecessary habit continues, the owners will have no option and be forced to end a long tradition with locals wishing to swim at Newbridge. This will call an end to people bathing there, which will be a huge loss to those that use the facility respectfully, which was generously granted to the people of Fethard by the Ponsonby family at Grove. PLEASE TAKE YOUR RUBBISH HOME!



These are some photos of the rubbish picked up on Monday, June 8, about 5 days after the previous clean up at Newbridge, Grove. A couple of things that aren't included, are bottle caps and rubbish thrown into the river. The bottle caps were also scattered liberally in the adjacent fields, which can be lethal to cattle and horses if eaten. Other items found while fishing out cans and bottles, included two towels, a sock and some cardboard boxes from the river, which is pretty annoying.

Europeana Sport - Ireland’s Stories
Europeana Sport - Ireland’s Stories asks people to dig out their sporting memorabilia and contribute to Europeana Sport, a European project on the culture and history of sport.



Fethard Horse Country Experience are rolling out their Europeana sports programme throughout June and July and will be looking for anything sports related, but are going to focus on gathering horseracing, steeplechase and point-to-point or any other horse sports related material.

Europeana Sport - Ireland’s Stories will show the richness and diversity of sporting history in Ireland and amongst the Irish overseas through the collection of stories and memorabilia from fans, players, enthusiasts, past sporting heroes and heroines. These memories will be juxtaposed with those of other countries across Europe showing our similarities and differences but through the decades our mutual love of sport in all its forms.

People can share their stories and memorabilia online or work with a volunteer via the phone or online to tell their stories and send in their photos of past medals, jerseys, triumphs, programmes, hurley sticks, rugby boots, trophies, diaries etc.

In the words of two our Rugby internationals:

Aoife McDermott, Irish National Rugby Team: "I am very excited to experience sport in this way, the memories and stories each item will tell will be incredibly unique. I am particularly interested in the rugby history that will unfold and hearing some of the untold stories”

And Duncan Casey, former Munster and Grenoble player who commented:  “I am really looking forward to the Rugby related stories and seeing the objects people have stashed away and love the idea that they will be linked with similar stories across Europe. Sport is so much part of Irish cultural heritage it will be wonderful for us to share our memories.”

Under the common banner of Europeana Sport - Ireland’s Stories, six coordinating partners from across Ireland - Digital Repository of Ireland, EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum, European Expo2020, Hunt Museum, University of Limerick Conference & Sports Campus and Fethard Horse Country Experience (FHCE) - are each undertaking campaigns focusing on specific sports e.g. camogie, Gaelic football, horse-racing, fishing, martial arts, tag rugby, rowing. Campaigns will start in late May 2020. The campaigns will engage with local communities and enhance local archives, at the same time as helping to improve the mental health of all involved.


This photograph from the Kenrick Collection of Glass Plates was taken of a local barefoot hurler c.1895-1915 by photographer Patrick Kenrick, the eldest of 14 children, born at his home on Main Street, Fethard in 1872.

Normally these collections take place at physical events at which materials are digitised and stories recorded but there is huge community benefit in relieving the current social isolation through virtual contact and in occupying a little bit of spare time in finding the memorabilia.

Over the summer, more partners from galleries, libraries, archives and museums will be asked to take part to increase the speed, breadth and numbers of contributions, including NUIG and the Little Museum.  Ireland is the first country to kick off the Europeana Sport Collections.   It will boost the Irish presence in Europeana and give us a head start for Europeana’s scheduled Autumn campaign.

Died recently in Cork
The death has occurred on Thursday, May 28, 2020, of Sr. Margaret Martley, St. Maries of the Isle, Cork City, and Coolmoyne, Fethard, peacefully, at the Convent of Mercy, St. Maries of the Isle. Sr. Margaret is deeply regretted by her Mercy Community, family and friends. May she rest in peace.

Funeral private in accordance with H.S.E and government guidelines. "We ask that over the coming days everyone who knew Sr. Margaret would take time to light a candle or say a prayer in her memory. A memorial Mass to celebrate Sr. Margaret's life will be held at a later date".

The Sisters of Mercy would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support and understanding. To leave a message for Sr. Margaret’s family, please use this condolence link CLICK HERE.

Good Fethard friends photographed some years ago. L to R: Maureen O'Donnell, Peggy Meagher, Nora O'Donnell and Margaret Martley. The late Margaret was a sister of Denis Martley, Coolmoyne, Fethard. In her early years she served in Peru and was formerly known as Sr. Eugenius. She was also a great supporter of Fethard and Killusty Emigrants Newsletter up to her death on May 28, 2020.

Brother Edward Bonaventure Mockler
We received this note from Joan Kluck following the article published recently on Brother Edward Bonaventure Mockler.

"I live in Edmonds, Washington (just a bit north of Seattle on the West Coast). A friend from Fethard told me of your posting of my great uncle, Brother Edward Bonaventure Mockler. I was excited to read your post as he came to visit us in Bannixtown in May of 1950 mainly because my brother and I we were being Confirmed . He stayed at our home for some weeks returning to Naini Tal, India. My grandmother was his sister, Mary Mockler and she married John Keating. Mary died when her youngest child Rita (Margaret) was around 16 years old. Rita had an opportunity to go to Boston and be cared for by her Aunt Jo and Aunt Gret (Margaret). She continued her life in Boston area. Her other children were Pat Keating/Dublin, Richard keating/Fethard, Ellen Keating/Cloneen (my mother).  My mother married Joseph Morrissey and they ultimately moved to Bannixtown, Fethard.

Brother Mockler head at the College of the Christian Brothers there in Naini Tal, India, and as your said, he was Provincial of his Community for some time. He read us the story 'The Man Eater of Kumain' which was an area around Naini Tal." – Joan Kluck, Washington EMAIL

A Framework for Town Centre Renewal
Tipperary County Council are seeking Expressions of Interest from both Community Groups and the Council itself for grants under the Town and Village Renewal 2020 Grant Scheme.  Closing date for expressions of interest is June 16, 2020. All queries to townandvillage@tipperarycoco.ie or by phone on 076 1065000. This year the scheme is broken into two strands:

Town & Village Main Scheme
The familiar main scheme which targets economic regeneration of towns and villages with a population of less than or equal to 10,000. Some ideas and suggestions are as follows:

• Projects that can respond to COVID-19 challenges and aid the economic and social recovery over the medium term.
• The development of initiatives to encourage town centre living.
• Initiatives which attract increased footfall to the town/village, including those associated with tourism activities.
• Repurposing of existing buildings in town or village centres to facilitate remote working and/or other community use.
• Branding and promotion of the town/village to attract new customers and/or business investment.
• Town safety and accessibility enhancements.
• Car parking improvements expressly designed to encourage increased footfall in town centres.
• Projects that support improvements of Broadband Connection Points (BCPs), and enterprise and remote working hub facilities, to address factors contributing to low occupancy rates.
• Provision/enhancement of local recreational facilities (e.g. Town Parks, walking trails linked to the town/village).
• Enhancement of streetscape and town environment.
• Shop/House front enhancement (especially if done in parallel with other Local Authority Schemes focused on such improvements).
• Conducting/commissioning of Town/Village health checks.
• Targeted actions to tackle minor deficiencies in access, services, site development works and other small infrastructural works that may be needed to support town centre enhancement, including housing and/or commercial development and which form part of an overall plan to enhance the town centre.
• Enhancement of heritage and/or other community assets including through energy efficiency measures.
• Development of quality marks, such as Purple Flag, Heritage Town, etc.

 The second strand is an accelerated measure in response to Covid 19. Again aimed at Towns and Villages with a population of up to 10,000. This strand is seeking projects which can be completed in a number of months aimed at projects that can be completed in a short number of months and examples are as follows.

Measures to deal with Social Distancing requirements.

• The provision of equipment or carrying out of works to temporarily repurpose or pedestrianise public areas to facilitate on street/outdoors trading and/or to make these areas temporarily weather-proof by the use of marquees, awnings etc.
• Adaptation of heritage/community buildings to accommodate multiple local businesses to sell their products and services, in line with public health guidance pertaining to COVID-19.
• Development of a central online platform for a town or village where consumers can continue shop local by virtually visiting the shops in a town or village through a single website.
• Provision of local centralised drive-through facilities for items purchased online or over the phone.
  

Measures to encourage increased footfall

• Collectivised branding/marketing of towns or villages through both traditional and social media channels.
• Capital expenditure associated with festivals or smaller-scale events later in the year when public health guidelines allow.
• Painting and improving shop front facades and other minor public realm improvements (seating, planting/landscaping, deep clean of public areas etc.).
• Investment in adapting public areas, footpaths etc. to make them accessible to all ages and all abilities.

The Closing Date under either strand of the scheme is June 16 2020, and should be completed on the applicable EOI Form available onlineAny queries may be submitted by email to townandvillage@tipperarycoco.ie or by calling the Council's main telephone line: Tel: 0761-06-5000 and asking to speak to a member of the Community team.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Monday, June 1, 2020, of Maureen Long (née Cleary), Farranalleen, Fethard, peacefully, in her sleep, surrounded by love. Maureen was the beloved wife of the late John and mother to her cherished son, the late Gerard, darling mother also to Frances, Rosemary and Paddy, greatly loved mother-in-law to John (O'Connor), Gail Long, John (Hutch) and Gayl Lyons, beloved grandmother to Edward, Jondy, Réamonn, Avril, William, John, Annelise, Lara, Jessica, Sarah, Elaine, Ciara and Callum, great-grandmother of Donncha, Laoise and Órla, Jack and Thomas, Róise and Fionn. She will be dearly missed by her extended family and dear friends.

In line with current Covid restrictions her Funeral, to be celebrated on Wednesday June 3, 2020, at 1pm in St Peter and Paul's Church, Clonmel, and burial in St Patrick's Cemetery, Clonmel, will be strictly private. The Funeral Mass may be watched live at 1pm on Wednesday at St Peter and Paul's Church by CLICKING HERE.

Condolences and messages of support and sympathy for the family may be left on the online condolences page by CLICKING HERE.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Sunday, May 31, 2020, of Jim Costigan, Moyglass, Fethard, peacefully at Sacre Coeur Nursing Home, Tipperary. Jim, beloved husband of the late Mary, is deeply regretted by his loving family Marian, Breda, John and Catherine, daughter-in-law Dolores, sons-in-law Sean and Greg, grandchildren Emma, Laura, Barbara, Carla, Sandra, Kate and Jane, great-grandchildren Saoirse, Darragh, Eabha, Lili, Sam and Ruby, sister Nora, nieces Marie and Nuala, relatives, neighbours and friends. May He Rest In Peace. Due to Government restrictions on Covid-19, the funeral will take place privately. A celebration of Jim’s life will take place at a later time when the restrictions are lifted. If you would like to leave a message of condolence for the family please CLICK HERE.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Saturday, May 30, 2020, of Mina Gorey (née Hayden), St Johnstown, Fethard, and formerly of Old Grange, Graiguenamanagh, peacefully, at home. Mina, pre-deceased by her husband Sean, brother Pat and grand daughter Ruth, is very deeply regretted by her loving family; Lilian, Denis, Paddy and Marina, daughters-in-law Mary (Drangan), Mary (Kilbehenny), son-in-law David, sister-in-law Vera Hayden, grand children Shane, Patrick, Conor, Andrew, Emily, Louis, Austen, Lara and Sophie, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in peace.

Due to Government and HSE restrictions, Mina's funeral will be private. Anybody wishing to leave condolences and messages of support for the family may do so on online by CLICKING HERE.

Fethard Country Markets prepare to reopen in June


Fethard Country Markets reopen on Friday morning, June 12, at 8am. Indoors social distancing will apply and there will be a one in - one out system for customers.

A milestone when the Abymill opened on May 26, 1988

It only seems like yesterday, but, it’s actually thirty-two years since the Abymill Theatre officially opened on May 26, 1988, after eight years of community fundraising by a dramatic voluntary committee and the kind good-will of owner Mrs Pauline Coffey, who sold it to the group for a 'song'. To celebrate the anniversary this week we publish a clip of Fethard's Nano Nagle School pupils singing 'From a Distance' – a song released by Nanci Griffith in 1987 - from a video of the opening concert filmed by Peter Grant.

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

These photographs taken some years ago by Richard Hayes, Burke Street, cover a wide range of people and events that will be of great interest to many of our readers. Let us know what you think?

































Fethard News
Comments or items for inclusion on this website can be emailed to fethardnews@gmail.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.