Parish Church Lotto Draw Results

Josephine Prout pictured with her granddaughter after receiving her prize in this week's Parish Lotto draw on Thursday, June 24.

There was no winner of this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, June 24. The winning numbers were 9, 15, 21 and 23. The winner of the weekly draw of €30 was Josephine Prout. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, July 1, will be €1,125. Thanks to all for your continued support.

Please pass the word on and invite friends and family to take part. You can help our Parish in a real, practical way.  Thank you for your support and the best of luck in the weekly draw. PLAY OUR LOTTO NOW.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, of Judith V. Butler (née Webb), Tullow, Fethard. Wife of the late Edward Theobald, adored mother of Jennifer, Diana Smith and Caroline Morshead, and loving partner of Christopher Horsman; Judy will be greatly missed by her sons-in-law Robert and Arthur, grandchildren Kerry, Christopher, James; great-grandchildren Teddy, James, Eleanor and Maeve.

Messages of sympathy and support for the family may be left online by CLICKING HERE

Due to current restrictions, a private Family Service will take place in the Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, Main Street, Fethard, at 3pm on Wednesday, June 30, followed by burial in the adjoining Cemetery. 

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Friday, June 25, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 9, 13, 21 and 32. There was no jackpot winner and two ‘match three’ winners who received €50 each: Frank Barrett, Market Hill, Fethard; and Julia Flynn, Clonmel.

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, July 2, when the jackpot is €30,000 and the seller's prize is €1,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Fethard Town Park Guided Tour

Maurice Moloney (Fethard Town Park) showing the on-site plans for Fethard Town Park to one of the groups.

On Saturday afternoon, June 12, 2021, Caroline Madden (Project Manager) and Maurice Moloney (Fethard Town Park), took individual groups on a guided tour of Fethard Town Park site on Rocklow Road where they enthusiastically painted conceptual pictures of the planned amenities to become a reality in the coming months and years.

An open invitation was issued to the public, to come along and view the site and ask any questions they may have. The tour attracted many interested individuals and representatives from local community groups, including Fethard & Killusty Community Council, Fethard GAA, Fethard Rugby Club, Fethard Ballroom. In attendance also were; Fr. Liam Everard P.P., Dr. Molly Owens (GMS) and public representatives, Michael Lowry TD, Senator Garret Ahearne, and Cllr Mark Fitzgerald.

The project will have a specific focus on health and well-being and will provide community facilities and state of the art recreation amenities for Fethard and the surrounding communities. Caroline Madden (Project Manager) pointed out the area reserved for the new Primary Care Centre situated just above the parochial house on Rocklow Road. The centre will have its own separate entrance and will also house both local medical centres currently in use in Fethard. Completion is not expected until late 2022.
Maurice Moloney (Fethard Town Park), explained how the project was unfortunately delayed due to Covid restrictions on construction, and complimented the site contractors, Tony Patterson Sportsgrounds, on the huge progress achieved since they returned to work in May. It also thanked locals for their ongoing co-operation and advised them to expect a lot more traffic to the site in the coming weeks.



Maurice went on to show where the new Fourth Generation (4G) pitch will be located. This all-weather pitch with a surface of synthetic turf, will cater for all field sports and is similar in size to Limerick University and Musgrave Park, Cork – if not larger!  These new pitch surfaces are still in the early stage of development and are designed to eliminate the requirement for any infill products, whilst still meeting all the performance and testing requirements required by the sporting governing bodies. This pitch is expected to be completed and ready for use by November, 2021. He went on to propose that, when completed, Fethard will be suitable to host inter-county and championship games in multiple codes of sports.

Maurice explained that the project received funding through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and how lucky we are in Fethard to receive the support of the Magnier Family at Coolmore, who supplied the site and a significant financial contribution to the project; along with Tipperary County Council and the Diocese of Cashel and Emily who also donated land to the project.

Following questions asked, Maurice pointed out the area for the new walkway, which is already marked out inside the boundary wall on the Rocklow Road. This will join up with the original walkway from Rocklow Road to Strylea, and then come back down Strylea to re-join the Town Park. There will also be a walkway through the park giving direct access from the housing estates to the schools. Over 1,000 trees will be planted in the Town Park with lots of recreational walks and further amenities for the community.

Memorial benches, plaques, and bricks
Considering this project will cost well over €6,000,000 when completed, a huge fundraising effort is underway to meet the anticipated extra costs and running of the Town Park. If you wish to help there are various opportunities available on the Town Park Website, where you can sponsor any of the following and have a family member (or friend) remembered, with their name on a park bench, a brick or a tree. For Full Details CLICK HERE

Fethard Burkes' Bridge Bar Darts Outing to Galway 1963

Burkes Bridge Bar Darts Team and supporters photographed on their outing to Galway in 1963.  Back L to R: Tom O’Brien, W. Meaney, Billy Murphy, Johnny Conway, Jim ‘Boy’ Danagher, Paddy Shine, Paddy Miles, Johnny Murphy, Jack Shine, Derry Curran, Pat Mullins, ?, Michael Mackey. Third Row L to R: John Carey, Jack Leahy, Peter Murphy, Willie O’Meara, Peter Napier, Mikey Slattery (Green), Paddy Murphy, ? Smith, Billy Smith, Arthur Daly, Mick Dineen, Tom Griffin, Jim Bulfin, Larry Fahey. Second Row L to R: Tom Browne, Dinny Shine, ? Spillane, Christy Mullins, Mikey Slattery, Dick Burke, Joe McNamara, Jim Curran, Ned Shine. Front L to R: Miceál McCormack, ?, Jim Cooney, Dick Curran, Jack Ryan, Joe Collins, Patrick Ryan (Mayor of Galway), John Woodlock, ?, and ?.

Your comments, names or corrections are always welcome to: fethardnews@gmail.com

Galway Bus Trip 1963
The following excerpts are taken from the recollections of the trip, written by Miceál McCormack and published in the 1993 edition of the Fethard Emigrants’ Newsletter.

In this day of fast travel and world circumnavigation within hours it is worth recording for posterity the activities of Burkes Bridge Bar tour by bus to the ‘City of the Tribes’ in 1963. Dick Burke, proprietor of the Bridge Bar, arrived to Fethard some five years prior to this, and took over the pub then owned by his brother-in-law, Jack O’Shea.

His ‘dart mad’ customers suggested an excursion to Dick Burke’s home county of Galway, so names were taken and a bus was organised. For many weeks beforehand, those wishing to travel had time to pay towards the fare (£1-2-6). The two dart teams were selected, A and B, and the time and date for departure were arranged – Ascension Thursday, departing from Lower Main Street at 9.20am. Suits, shirts and ties were the order of the day with the odd topcoat thrown in for good measure. Johnny Murphy’s taxi had to be acquired to accommodate the late arrivals. Memory recalls the odd verse of ‘Slievenamon’, ‘Galway Bay’ and ‘Galway Shawl’ being sung on the outward journey.

Around midday the bus arrived in Galway where they were met by the Mayor of Galway Patrick Ryan and some photos taken for posterity. Pendants were exchanged. Mrs McCormack, Dressmaker, Kerry Street made the Fiodh Ard pendant. After lunch we had some free time to tour the city before the dart games at Glynn’s pub at 7.30pm. Glynn’s pub was a hive of activity with music, singing, dancing and darts galore – a rare festive occasion. No one seems to remember if we won the darts or lost, but – to name just a few – Arthur Daly, John Woodlock, Johnny Conway, Derry Curran, Peter Murphy, M.R. Dineen, Jim Cooney, Paddy Murphy, Pat Mullins, Tom O’Brien and Willie Carey all had great games.

Closing time asked the usual question, “Will we ever get on the road?” By midnight we had  left the city, happy and free. Six miles down the road, someone knew someone in Oranmore and we had to go in for ‘one for the road’. Around 2am, to the sounds of the ‘Galway Shawl’, we departed the hostelry and headed for Slievenamon. Those were the days, simple and honest. The following year we made a trip to the Failte Hotel in Killarney for more darts – but that’s another story!

Ben Coen – “Right up there with the very best in Ireland”

Ben Coen riding ‘Create Belief’ to victory for trainer Johnny Murtagh in Royal Ascot on Friday, June 18, 2021.

Fethard Community Games wish to congratulate our former competitor, Ben Coen, on his fantastic achievements as a jockey, the most recent highlight was winning the Sandringham Stakes (Handicap) on ‘Create Belief’ for trainer Johnny Murtagh in Royal Ascot last Friday, June 18, 2021.

Nineteen-year-old Ben, son of Ann and Shay Coen, Killusty, has a long history competing as an athlete in Community Games, taking part in a wide range of events and winning a fair share of medals. He excelled in Athletics, first competing in the county finals of U8 60m in 2009, progressing to U10, U12 and up U14 in 2014. Ben won gold in the county finals of U10 100m in 2011 and represented Tipperary at the National Finals in Athlone where he reached the semi-finals.

Ben always had a love of horses. He rode forty winners on the pony racing circuit and had his first winner on the racecourse while still at school, when landing the Ash Brothers Building Contractors Handicap (Division 2) on ‘Timia’, for trainer Keith Clarke at Dundalk on November 17, 2017.  Ben has since gone from strength to strength with a total of 1369 rides to date and riding big winners on a regular basis.

Ben’s cousin, top jockey Andrew Slattery, along with Ben and his friend Gavin Ryan (champion apprentice jockey champion in 2020), used to leave school in Killenaule on a Friday afternoon and later appear on TV riding winners that evening. In January this year, Ben was appointed number one jockey to the expanding training operation of former legendary jockey, Johnny Murtagh, who described the talented teenager as, “the real deal” and “right up there with the very best in Ireland”.

Royal Ascot Racecourse located in Ascot, Berkshire, England, is the Olympics of flat racing and to ride there is an honour. Riding a winner is a dream come true! Ben and Gavin had seven rides each in Ascot this year. In addition to ‘Create Belief’, Ben finished 3rd in the Commonwealth Cup on ‘Measure of Magic’, 4th in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes on ‘Champers Elysees’ and 4th on ‘Mirann’ in Duke of Edinburgh Stakes. Gavin was 3rd in the Ribblesdale Stakes and 4th in The Coventry Stakes. We wish all of these talented young jockeys continued success.

Tipperary Greenway – a huge benefit to Fethard


The Tipperary Greenway Project was first established in 2018, to organise the raising of funds for a feasibility study to examine the potential of creating a Greenway between Clonmel and Thurles via Fethard.  The feasibility study will examine the prospect of using, where possible, the former rail line that linked Clonmel to Fethard and Thurles, and also other possible options.

This is a fantastic project to support local rural communities with huge benefits for our health and wellbeing, providing safer walking and cycling, tourism, business opportunities and a link with other greenways and blueways already established or planned. A feasibility study will come up with a choice of acceptable plans offering alternative routes where difficulties exist and is the first step on the ladder that will also provide a cost-benefit analysis on the potential a Greenway will have for our region.

To help fund the Feasibility Study we ask for your support CLICK TO SUPPORT and get further information

Background
On Tuesday, October 23, 2018, the first public information meeting regarding the possibilities of developing a ‘Thurles to Clonmel Greenway via Fethard’ was held in the Anner Hotel, Thurles.  The packed meeting was chaired by Cllr. Jim Ryan, a long-time advocate of greenways, joined by Cllr. Kevin O'Meara (Mullinahone), David Morrissey, Declan McGann, Seamus Weber and Jane Ryan. Apologies were received from Cllr. Imelda Goldsboro and Ciara McCormack who were unable to attend.

Following a very enlightening question and answer session the meeting unfolded many brilliant ideas and viewpoints from those in the room, there is a huge sense of a real shared vision and optimism overall for this project.
One of the main objections to the Greenway came from affected landowners who already have other developments in place where the originally railway track existed. It was then explained that a feasibility study would reveal many alternative routes and that only up to 40 percent of the original track may be needed to complete the greenway. It was also stressed that nothing would happen without the consent of the landowners. It was also explained that when the railway line closed back in the 1960s, Iarnród Éireann surrendered the land back to the landowners and was now in their possession.

Overall it was agreed that the project will only succeed with good will from all involved and the realisation of the huge benefits a greenway could make to a community. Immediate benefits, as seen in the Waterford/Dungarvan Greenway, would see a huge increase in tourism and visitors, a safe place for family walking and cycling, an upsurge in local business, accommodation and a future for rural development.

Fethard Community Garden Group
Eastgate Park, the new garden off Burke Street, is home to a new community gardening group, which warmly welcomes all those who are interested in gardening. Drop in if you have some time to spare, meet new people and have some time out! The group meets on Saturdays, at 11.30am in the garden.

Newsletter articles are now invited for this year!
As we approach almost half-way through 2021, a reminder to consider writing an article for this year’s Emigrants Newsletter seems appropriate.

So please drop us a line and some photographs and we will do our best to include them in this year’s issue due to go to printers in early November. Days fly into weeks and weeks into months, so what better time to start than now. Articles and photos can be submitted by email to: emigrantsnewsletter@gmail.com or by post to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, E91 XR26.

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

Fethard & District Photos from the past . . .

This week we have a selection of photographs from our files and if you can help with names, comments or further information, we would love to hear from you. Email: fethardnews@gmail.com


"It's raining outside!" L to R: Niamh Kenny, Mary Tynan and Tina Kenny inside with 'Jock', at Greenville 1981.

Students of Presentation Convent, Fethard, winners of the under-14 Volleyball Association of Ireland League and also winners of Tailteann Games. Back L to R: Helen Hogan, Norma Maher, Anita Gaynor, Orla Broderick, Halaine Woodlock. Front L to R: Lisa Rice, Anna Judge (P.E. Teacher) and Carmel Slattery. (June 1981)


Group of ladies looking after the catering at Killenaule Festival 1981


Moyglass Tennis Team 1981

This photograph was copied for the late Jo O’Connor (née Barrett), The Green, many years ago. The well-dressed group may have been on an outing or some other event. It appears unusual that the ladies would take off their bonnets and leave them on the ground. Any information welcome?


Members of the O’Meara, McCormack and Costello families photographed after swimming at Newbridge, Grove, Fethard, in summer 1981.


Group photographed at St. Mary's Hurling Club Function and Medal Presentations held at Hearn's Hotel, Clonmel (1979)

At the close of the 1980/81 season, Moyglass Badminton Club has had an outstanding successful year, winning all five cups and twenty-one trophies. The highlight was their victory in the third division Tipperary league when they had a fine win over Sologhead in the final. This cup hadn't been won by Moyglass since 1969. The successful team are pictured above Back L to R: E. McGettigan, Anthony O'Dwyer, M. Hunt, Marian Ryan, Richard Nevin, Hugh Browne. Front L to R: Carol Cunningham and Frances Hunt.


Fancy Dress Dance fundraiser for Cloneen Hall, held in Fethard Country Club Ballroom (1979)

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.

Would you like your business promoted on Fethard Website?
If you have a business in Fethard or close surrounding area and you would like your business promoted on the Fethard website then please do the following: Email tina.mulhearne@tipperarycoco.ie your business name, website address, a good quality image (can be your logo) and a line about what your business is about.