Post Graduate Diplomas in School Leadership


Congratulations to Helen Coffey and Caitríona McKeogh, both staff members of Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School, who were recently conferred with Post Graduate Diplomas (Hons) at a conferring ceremony in the University of Limerick.

Pictured above is Caitríona McKeogh (Deputy Principal). Helen Coffey (Programmes Co-ordinator) was also conferred on the day, in absentia. The Post Graduate Diploma in School Leadership (P.D.S.L) is jointly awarded and delivered in partnership with National University of Ireland Galway, University College Dublin, and the University of Limerick. The programme is designed to prepare aspiring leaders with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and qualifications for senior school leadership positions.

Speaking to graduates during the ceremony, U.L President Professor Kerstin Mey congratulated the students for their success in spite of the challenges thrown up by Covid-19.

“Your journey through education has been exciting, challenging and indeed not without a great deal of effort and commitment, but today you are celebrating the fact that you have excelled academically and all the while we faced some of the darkest and most challenging days in recent history,” she said.

The commitment, dedication and interest shown by Caitríona and Helen in attaining this laudable qualification equally illustrates their commitment and dedication to the school and to the pupils who attend there.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, July 14. The numbers drawn were 6, 8, 22 and 23. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Grainne Diver. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, July 21, will be €2,050.

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 our next weekly draw. PLAY OUR LOTTO NOW

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, of Brendan Keating, 40 Abbeyview, Fethard, E91 V2A4, and formerly of Cahir, peacefully, surrounded by his family. Deeply regretted by his wife Gina, daughters Natasha, Shannon, Kelly, Emma and Holly, grandchildren Ryan, Amelia, Tadhg and Noah, his father Pakie Keating and Deirdre, sister Marguerite, brother Martin, sons-in-law Ali, Aaron, Keith and Danny, nieces, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.

Reposing at his residence on Friday, July 15, from 5pm to 8pm. Funeral Mass in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, on Saturday July 16, at 11am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Messages of condolence can be left online by CLICKING HERE

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 of Mary Downes, Elm Hill Nursing Home, Celbridge, Co. Kildare and formerly, Market Hill, Fethard, and Cahir, surrounded by her family. Wife of the late Tom Downes and deeply regretted by her family and friends. May She Rest in Peace.

Reposing at Elm Lodge Nursing Home on Thursday, July 14, from 6pm to 8pm for family and friends. Funeral to arrive at the Augustinian Abbey Church, Fethard, for Funeral Mass on Friday, July 15, at 11.30am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Messages of condolence can be left online by CLICKING HERE

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, of Sean Redmond, Western Road, Clonmel, in his 92nd year. Sean passed away peacefully at Croi-Oir, Our Lady’s Hospital, Cashel. Predeceased by his brothers T.J. and Bobby, his sisters Marie, Philomena, Pat and his son-in-law Hugh. Sean will be sadly missed by his loving wife Phennie, daughters Hilary (Murray), Anne (Mannion) and Bobbie (Hall), grandchildren Claire, Karol, Mark, Hubert Óg, Luke, Clara, Maria, John, Paul, Fearghal, Dearbhla, Cliodhna and Darragh, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law Martin and Eamonn, nieces and nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. Sean will be fondly remembered in Fethard as a participant in Fethard Players pantomimes of the mid-1950s and later as a taxi-driver and church singer, accompanied by his daughter Bobbie. May Sean Rest in Peace

Reposing at O’Donoghue’s Funeral Home, Kickham Street, Clonmel (E91 PK19) from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, July 14. Removal at 10.40am on Friday from O’Donoghue’s Funeral Home to St. Mary’s Church, Irishtown, for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial immediately after in St. Patrick's Cemetery. If attending it would be appreciated if masks could be worn.

Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to the R.S.P.C.A. Messages of condolence can be left online by CLICKING HERE

Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross, Slievenamon
After a two year absence, the Fethard and Killusty Parish Pilgrimage to to Holy Year Cross on Sliabh na mban will take place again on Sunday, August 14, 2022, with our usual start time of 1 pm from the Hill Wall. We look forward to seeing you there.

We must take this opportunity to offer our condolences to the family of the late Tommy Butler, Coolenure, who died recently, for many years Tommy provided the amplification for our day of pilgrimage, may he rest in peace.

The ‘Grey Ghost’ Centenary Festival in Moyglass weekending Saturday, July 30 & Sunday, July 31.

The Grey Ghost was a Lancia armoured car that ran on rail tracks and was used by the Free State Army to patrol the railway lines to prevent disruption to services. It was nicknamed ‘The Grey Ghost’, as it was painted grey and ran on a petrol engine, which was very silent in comparison to the regular steam engines.

The re-enactment of The Grey Ghost Ambush will take place at Moyglass Festival at 2.30pm on Sunday, July 31, as one of the many other events included in the ‘Grey Ghost’ Centenary Festival

The ambush of the Grey Ghost on the railway line to the west of Moyglass village is a very unique event in the history of the Irish Civil war. The Grey Ghost was a Lancia armoured car that ran on rail tracks and was used by the Free State army to patrol the railway lines to prevent disruption to services. It was nicknamed ‘The Grey Ghost’, as it was painted grey and ran on a petrol engine, which was very silent in comparison to the regular steam engines.

The Irregulars or anti treaty forces were causing huge disruption by blowing up bridges and uprooting sections of the railway lines. the railway lines were practically the only means of transporting goods and were vital for getting food supplies delivered throughout the countryside. The Seventh Battalion of the Third Tipperary Brigade IRA planned an ambush on The Grey Ghost on Sunday, October 15, 1922. The Grey Ghost ran from Clonmel to Thurles and passed through Fethard, Farranaleen, Laffan’s Bridge and Horse and Jockey.

A land mine was placed on the track as it approached on its journey to Thurles, but it failed to explode. The anti-treaty forces then blockaded the line by placing rocks on it between the two bridges to west of the village and waited for its return journey. After it passed under the bridge on the Silverfort road, they dislodged the coping stones from the bridge and thus trapped The Grey Ghost. The irregulars hid behind a ditch which was underneath the level of the track and a ready-made trench for the ambush. In the darkness the treaty forces on the Grey Ghost were firing into the trees at a higher level and missing their intended targets. The attack lasted for about an hour and ended when petrol leaked onto the track and the IRA threatened to set fire to the car and burn its occupants. The Free State forces had little option only to “give up the ghost”. 

Many of the pro-treaty forces had minor injuries, mostly caused by shrapnel, and they were treated by the anti-treaty forces who then invited them over to Moyglass Village for drinks in the local pub. This unique event of the Civil War resulted in no deaths, and ended with an auld session in the pub. It could have been so different, as it was in most other attacks, where thousands were killed and resulted in almost eighty executions.

The Civil War divided families and the ambush of The Grey Ghost also had brothers on either side. This resulted in tearing families apart and to this day – one hundred years later – we are still witnessing the repercussions of the treaty and the wranglings caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol. – (Matty Tynan)

THE ‘GREY GHOST’ CENTENARY FESTIVAL MOYGLASS
Programme of Events


Full scale ambush by experienced actors, will perform the re-enactment of The Grey Ghost Ambush in Moyglass at 2.30pm, on Sunday, July 31.

Saturday, July 30

• Tractor Run: Registration 3.30pm Start 4pm. All Tractors Welcome and Food on return to the Village Inn. Music by ‘Folk That’ at 10pm       

Sunday, July 31

• Entertainment for all the family – Amusements, Food, Ice Cream, sweets etc on site.
  
• Laser War Game: similar to a real battlefield. Archery; Artisan and Food Stalls, Model Car Stall, Book Stall, Kids Tractor Run around Hall, Fish in water, Golf Putting, Sweets in Jar, Steady Hand, Vintage Quiz, Welly Throwing etc
• Old Local Railway Line: Display of items and photos connected to old local Railway Line
  
• A Living History Display with the weapons and uniforms of the period by Lord Edwards Own.
• Static Vintage Display of Cars, Tractors, Stationary Engines. Vehicles of the period will be of special interest; Threshing to bring back the memories for some and novelty for the younger generations.
• Girls Fire Dance Display
• Art Display of art specially created by pupils of Moyglass, Ballinure and Killenaule Schools to Commemorate the Grey Ghost Centenary.
• Family Fun Run Registration 10.30 am Start 11.30am
  
• Colour Party Parade led by Piper  2pm
  
  
• Re-enactment of The Grey Ghost Ambush at 2.30pm
  
• Full scale ambush by experienced actors, 'Lord Edward’s Own' and 'Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Group' with national and international experience of such events.
  
• The Armoured Car complete with machine gun will be ambushed and 1200 rounds of ammunition will be discharged to recreate the actual ambush.
  
  
  
  
• Entertainment 3pm to 5pm
  Music and entertainment by Aisling Rafferty with Noel Ryan. Aisling is the 2022 Glór Tíre winner and is a rising star on The Country Music scene. Guest singers Tadhg Maher and Mary Boland Prendergast.
  
  
• Dog Show at 4pm Dog Show organised by John Smullen.
  
  
• Commemorative Leaflet: A commemorative leaflet will be on sale and a commemorative plaque will be erected in October.
  Proceeds in aid of local community activities. Organised by Coolmoyne and Moyglass Vintage Club.
  
  
• Raffle for Vintage Car Raffle to be held in September.

This event is grant aided by Tipperary County Council.
Admission €10 – Family Ticket €15 – Children U12 Free

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Wednesday, July 12, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 1, 2, 14 and 27. No Jackpot and four 'Match Three' winners who received €40 each: Paul Fitzgerald, Debbie Hickey, Valerie O'Meara, and Alice Lawrence. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Christopher Quinn.  The next draw takes place on Tuesday, July 19, when the jackpot is €11,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom


Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, July 17, to the music of ‘Peter Burke'. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Admission is €10, which includes tea and cakes. For further information or for booking the ballroom, contact Eileen Coady, Tel: 086 0776420.

Big Picture - St. Patrick's School Athletic Club 1970

See how many faces you can recognise in this photograph of St. Patrick's Athletic Club, which was formed in the Patrician Brothers School Fethard in April 1970. Included in the group are Brothers Luke Moroney and James Moran, with the club athletes and their medals / trophies won during their first year. Brother Luke died the following year on November 7, aged 61 years.

You can zoom in closer to see more detail by clicking the photograph to zoom-in and double-clicking the photograph to zoom-out. If you can help with further information please let us know. Your comments, names or corrections are always welcome to: fethardnews@gmail.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

Fethard Vollyball's halcyon days in Ireland and Europe?
This week we have a selection of photographs taken of girls teams from Fethard Presentation Convent's halcyon volleyball days competing in Ireland and Europe, under the direction of Sr. Fidelis, who introduced Volleyball to the school in December 1970.

If you have any comments, memories or any further information, we would love to hear from you. Email: fethardnews@gmail.com

Cadette Volleyball Team 1970-71. Back L to R: M. Duggan, G. Skehan, L. Roche, R. Fitzgerald. Front L to R: A. Dunne, Y. Holohan and R. Smith.


Senior Volleyball Team 1970-71 Back L to R: N. Delaney, N. Hanrahan, G. Smyth, M. Gorey. Front L to R: H. Frewen, M. O'Connell (capt), M. Maher, and R. Leahy.


6th Year Team (winners of the School League 1970-71). Back L to R: M. Teehan, P. O'Dwyer, G. O'Shea, G. Smith, M. Gorey. Front L to R: M. O'Connell, N. Delaney, and M. Maher.


Top three in school tennis tournament 1970-71 L to R: Mary O'Connor (3rd), Norma Hanrahan (2nd) and Mary O'Connell (1st).


Presentation Convent Cadette Volleyball team 1971 who won the FISEC league in the East Muster region. Back: Patricia Morrissey, Elaine O'Meara, Trudy Hanrahan, Josephine O'Brien, Lillian Gorey. Front L to R: Rita O'Connor, Bernie Gahan, Helen Roche and Angela Dillon.


Senior Team 1971-72 Back L to R: R. Fitzgerald, N. Hanrahan, J. Keane, R. Leahy. Front L to R: A. Dunne, J. Egan, H. Frewen, L. Roche, and H. Gahan.


Presentation Convent Junior Volleyball team who beat a team from the Brigidine Convent, Abbeyleix, in the All-Ireland final of the inter-schools Junior Volleyball competition in Carlow. May 1972. Ther team included: Yvonne O'Donovan, Margaret Mary O'Connor, Maura O'Callaghan, Catherine Newport, Ann Hayes, Mary Morrissey, Elizabeth Holohan, Lillian Gorey, Pattie Harrison and Bernie Gahan


Volleyball team 1974 Back L to R: Anna Costigan, Suzanna Maher, Mary Ahearne, Catriona Fallon, Cathriona Ward. Front L to R: Mary Morrissey, Ann O'Riordan and Majella Morrissey.


Welcome home All-Ireland Champions 1974 at the school.

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.