'Big Picture' – Were you there in 1968 ?

This photograph, taken on the morning of Sunday, April 28, 1968, when a large group of Fethard Boys and Girls received the Sacrement of Confirmation from His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Morris, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, in Holy Trinity Pariish Church. At that time Confirmation was held in the parish every three years. Were you there? You can zoom in closer to see faces more clearly by clicking to zoom-in and double-clicking to zoom-out.

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Friday, July 17, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 11, 18, 33 and 36. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘match three’ winner. One lucky dip winner received €50: Siobhan Whyte, Fethard. Two lucky dip winners received €25 each: Adrian Bradshaw, St Patricks Place, Fethard; and Mike Grayson, Ladies Football Club.

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, July 24, when the jackpot is €26,300 and the seller's prize is €1,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Rugby Academy Ireland: Girls Summer Clinics


Rugby Academy Ireland is an academy based in Kilashee House, Nass, Co Kildare. We run a full or part time academy program for aspiring players who wish to develop and improve their rugby skills.

We have a number of events coming up over the next few weeks for girls aged from  12 to 18 listed below. All clinics are €50 per-person and run from 10am to 4pm.

• Friday, July 24: Senior Girls (15-18) rugby clinic with Fiona Hayes (Munster u18 Girls Head Coach, UL Bohs Head Coach and former Irish International)
• Friday, July 31: Junior Girls (12-14) rugby clinic with Jess Myles (Ardee CCRO, Leinster Rugby & North East Girls Asst Coach).
• Friday, August 7: Junior Girls (12-14) rugby Clinic with Grace Davitt (Malone RFC Women's Head Coach & former Irish International).

Summer Camp
Residential & non-residential options available.

• Senior Girls (15-18) from Monday, August 24, to Wednesday, August 26.

To book on to any of the courses, and to find out more info, you can visit our website. Please don't hesitate to get in touch.  Caoimhe Morris, Women's Coordinator, Rugby Academy Ireland. Tel: 087 1351686.

Holy Year Cross Pilgrimage to Slievenamon
People are asking if this year's pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon will take place – well the answer, as of now, is yes, but things may change between now and our proposed date of Sunday, August 16, 2020.

This year's event will be scaled back compared to previous years. We will not have the usual organised procession starting from the Wooden Cross at the Hill Wall and continuing to the Holy year cross. Instead, people can make the climb at their own pace and say their own prayers on the way up. At the cross we will recite some prayers to remember all those who took part in the construction of the first Holy Year Cross in 1950.

We will then make our own way back to O'Donnell's Field where Mass will be celebrated at 3pm approx. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions we will not be able to provide the usual tea and refreshments, but you can of course bring your own and enjoy them in this most beautiful setting. If any changes or restrictions come about we will let you know in good time.

Tribute to Jim Shine, 1945-2020
The following obituary was written by Ben Shine, dedicated to his late brother, Jim Shine, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, England, and formerly of Burke Street, Fethard, who died on Thursday, June 25, 2020, aged 75.


Brothers Ben (left) and Jim Shine, Fethard

A forensic-minded scientist with a love of fun and mischief, Jim Shine was a devoted husband, loving father, brother, grandfather, loyal friend and wonderful colleague, who will be enormously missed by friends and family.

Born on May 28, 1945, to Ben and Nessa Shine, the young Jim grew up in Fethard, Co. Tipperary, with younger brother Benny. A talented artist from a young age, he enjoyed football and hurling, and was a gifted sprinter in his early days.

Educated at the local Patrician Brothers School, Jim served as an altar boy at the local Augustinian church before being awarded a scholarship to the De La Salle College in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. A diligent student, in his teens he was awarded another scholarship to St Joseph’s University College, Co, Carlow. 

Invariably, wherever Jim could be found, so too could music be heard. A lifelong love was forged at a young age and he played the accordion and tin whistle as a youngster, before mastering the guitar. With a natural feel for music, he could lift any instrument and pick out a tune at will, a skill which stood him in good stead as a young man in London when he would perform on stage in a band, together with his father Ben on the violin.

The Shines emigrated from Ireland to the UK in 1963, and he completed his education in London before starting work at Rank Hovis McDougall in 1965, an organisation to which he would dedicate his entire 40-year career as a cereal scientist. 


Jim shine loved London of the sixties and as the decade drew to a close he met Siobhan. In a whirlwind romance they married in 1969.

Jim loved London of the sixties and as the decade drew to a close he met Siobhan. In a whirlwind romance they married in 1969, just six months after meeting. The skeptics of the day said it would never last, but they could hardly have been more wrong as the couple built a life and loving family over more than 50 years until Jim's death. Their children Ossian, Tara and Liam; and nine grandchildren, always remained the guiding light of Jim's life, and the recipients of his love and generosity.

After just a few years of marriage, Jim earned a promotion which brought with it a change of pace and lifestyle for the young family as, in 1973, Jim swapped the bright lights of London for Yorkshire's East Riding, exchanging nights of playing the pub circuit with his band for more sedate, rural pursuits, including Yorkshire village cricket. Jim continued to climb the professional ladder. He was rewarded with another promotion and in 1979 the family, now of five, moved to the south coast. 


The late Jim Shine and his wife Siobhán

In the 1980s Jim's career flourished as he became a pre-eminent expert in grains and an authoritative voice on trade bodies; travelling widely throughout Europe and global wheat producing giants including Canada and China always searching for, in his words, the perfect wheat for the perfect flour for the perfect bread. Throughout these travels Jim would make firm friends as well as burnish a talent for after-dinner speeches, a skill which would later prove useful.

Jim's expertise was widely recognised by colleagues and beyond. European mill owners speak fondly of him, while another industry leader would say, "...with Jim (a problem) never seemed like a problem -- more an education, given with a wry smile and a twinkle in the eye".


The extended Shine family including children Ossian, Tara and Liam; and nine grandchildren, who always remained the guiding light of Jim's life, and the recipients of his love and generosity.

That ability to impart knowledge led to Jim producing videos and lectures for Chemistry students at the Open University. 

Showing great capacity for balancing a demanding career with the challenges of home life, while his career was growing Jim simultaneously took an increasingly large role at the nursing home run by Siobhan. An instant hit with the elderly residents, he befriended many and performed numerous roles from driver, to musical entertainer, to Father Christmas on many occasions. An enthusiastic and skilled cook at home, Jim applied his scientific attention to detail in the kitchen, and loved nothing more than cooking for always appreciative friends and family.

An active member of the Knights of Saint Columba for most of his life, in 1988 Jim joined the Catenians. Their central tenets of friendship, family and faith spoke to the essence of Jim and for more than 30 years he greatly cherished the friendships forged in the Catenian family. He was the President of the Southampton Circle from 1999-2000 and also 2012-2013, during which second term he co-hosted a very successful Centenary Celebration. He became renowned for his after-dinner stories and jokes, a capacity for which made him a highly popular visitor to other circles while President.

Provincial President from 2003-2004, fellow Catenians describe Jim as always encouraging, helpful and thoughtful, and generous with his time and experience. 


Jim Shine with his brother Ben in recent years

After retiring from his career in 2005, Jim was able to further indulge his love of travel with more trips to such far-flung places as Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka, always immersing himself in the culture, and making friends with the locals. His favourite trips, though, were always to Ireland - the country he left in 1963 but which had never left him. Irish music continued to run through his veins and from the comfort of his Hampshire home he remained immersed in the minutiae of Irish politics. Obscure Irish newsletters were an ever-present on his iPad, and he took great pride and pleasure in speaking Irish to his grandchildren in Co. Cork.

Family remained his focus to the end, and he was never happier than when playing with his grandchildren; speaking Irish to them, playing music with them, fishing with them, teasing and joking with them. Singing to them, reading to them and even flying down a zipwire with them. 

His absence leaves a hole in many lives, but we feel his love still.

MY BIG BROTHER JIM - 1945-2020

As kids we lived together
We fought, we laughed, we cried,
We did not always show the love
That we both had inside.
We shared our dreams and plans
And some secrets too.
All the memories we share
It’s what bonds me now to you,
We grew to find we have a love
That is still very strong today
It’s a love shared by our families,
That will never fade away.
You are my brother not by choice
But by the nature of our birth,
I could not have chosen a better one,
You were the best on earth.
Especially proud of all your achievements,
and the Legacy of your family.
‘Ar Dheis Dé go Raibh a anam’

— Ben Shine (Jim's ashes will be taken home to his beloved Ireland, to be buried in the family grave at a later date.)

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Sunday, July 19, 2020, of Joe 'The Chief' O'Shea, Spafield Crescent, Cashel, and formerly of Coolmoyne, Fethard, unexpectedly at home. Joe ‘The Chief’, beloved son of the late Elizabeth and brother of the late William, is deeply regretted by his heartbroken wife Noelette, son Diarmaid, daughter Pamela, his little companion Frankie, relatives, neighbours and many wonderful friends. May He Rest In Peace.

Due to Government restrictions on Covid-19 private family only Funeral Mass takes place on Tuesday, July 21, in St. John the Baptist Church at 12 noon and can be viewed on churchcamlive.ie/cashel followed by Burial in Dualla Cemetery. If you would like to leave a message of condolence for the family online please CLICK HERE.

Keating family information requested
Bernard Adsett sent us this request for information.

“I am wondering if you can help me or point me in the right direction. My wife’s grandfather, Thomas Keating, came from Fethard and went to England with the Hartigan family about 1910. Thomas had siblings – two sisters, Noreen or Norah, and Mellor. Mellor we think was married to the Station Master and had a son Liam. If it helps, he had a seriously bad broken leg while still in Fethard. He settled in England and married in 1913 and had two children, William and Norah. My wife is trying to trace some family history and maybe when it is safe would also like to visit Fethard.”

Any help you can give us would be much appreciated. Thanking you in anticipation. Bernard Adsett (Email: bernard.adsett@outlook.com)

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

Residents of Fr. Tirry Park, Barrack Street, some years ago. L to R: Nell Mullins, Alice Keane, Angela Flynn, Neddy Reilly, Kathleen Walsh, Bessie Carey and Nora Burke. – October 1981


Three girls holding their Clonmel Credit Union trophies for Irish Dancing (October 1981). L to R: Rachel Hickey, Pamela Butler and Debbie Coen.

The following photos were taken at the Cloneen Community Sports Centre 'Buffet Dance' held in Fethard Ballroom on December 18, 1981.


Pat and Breda Mullally, celebrating after winning the 'Big Draw for a Car' at Cloneen Community Sports Centre's fundraising 'Buffet Dance' held at Fethard Ballroom on December 18, 1981.


Group at the Cloneen Community Sports Centre's fundraising 'Buffet Dance' held in Fethard Ballroom on December 18, 1981.


Group at the Cloneen Community Sports Centre's fundraising 'Buffet Dance' held in Fethard Ballroom on December 18, 1981.


Jimmy Ryan, Watergate, enjoying a dance at the Cloneen Community Sports Centre's fundraising 'Buffet Dance' held in Fethard Ballroom on December 18, 1981.


Group at the Cloneen Community Sports Centre's fundraising 'Buffet Dance' held in Fethard Ballroom on December 18, 1981.


June and Shay Ahessy at the Cloneen Community Sports Centre 'Buffet Dance' held at Fethard Ballroom on December 18, 1981.


Group at the Cloneen Community Sports Centre's fundraising 'Buffet Dance' held in Fethard Ballroom on December 18, 1981.

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.

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