Four Awards in Legal Studies for Mia Treacy


Fethard woman Dr Mia Treacy, Lecturer in Educational Policy at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick has been awarded 4 prizes at the graduation ceremony for the Diploma in Legal Studies held at the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, Dublin. Established in 1541, the School of Law at King’s Inns is the oldest formally established institution of professional legal education in Ireland.

Mia won the Diploma in Legal Studies Prize, the Antonia O'Callaghan Memorial Prize, the Eamon Leahy Memorial Prize, and the Meliosa Dooge Memorial Prize. The Diploma in Legal Studies Prize is awarded for the highest overall grade leading to the award of the Diploma in Legal Studies. The Antonia O'Callaghan Memorial Prize is awarded for the highest grade in Constitutional Law. The Eamon Leahy Memorial Prize is awarded for the highest grade in Criminal Law whilst the Meliosa Dooge Memorial Prize is awarded for the highest grade in Family Law.

Mia was presented with the Eamon Leahy Memorial Prize by Thurles-native and former Minister Mary Hanafin, who also graduated on the day, and is current Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Eamon Leahy was a Senior Counsel at the Bar of Ireland and is the late husband of Mary Hanafin.

Big Picture - ICA Group / Council for The Blind

See how many faces you can recognise in this group photograph of an Irish Countrywomen's Association outing or possibly a Council for The Blind. The photograph was supplied some years ago by Mick Phelan, who was married to Maura O'Keeffe, Kiltinan. Mick had a box of old photographs from his sister-in-law, Dolly O'Keeffe, who is fondly remembered locally for her tremendous work with the Council for the Blind and the local ICA. Any information about this group, the event and names of those in photograph would be greatly appreciated.

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

Aine represents Ireland in Europeans Championship
Fethard Ladies Football Club would like to wish Aine Connolly the very best as she represents Ireland in the Europeans Championship in Harpury.

Hartpury is pleased to be hosting the FEI Dressage and Eventing European Championships for Young Riders and Juniors from July 25-31, 2022. The Championships will take place over 7 days and will feature the very best 14-21 year old riders competing in the disciplines of dressage and eventing. This is an outstanding achievement and we would like to wish Aine the very best of Luck.

5k Fun Run/Walk at Fethard Town Park


Paul Ryan, Killusty, is running the London Marathon in October to raise funds for Crumlin Children's Hospital, and as part of the fundraising we are holding a 5km fun run/walk in Fethard Town Park on Sunday, August 14 at 11am. Paul's little nephew Shane is presently undergoing treatment for Leukemia in Crumlin so this cause is very close to our families heart. Thanks in advance for your support.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, July 21. The numbers drawn were 3, 10, 14 and 18. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Fiona Ryan. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, July 28, will be €2,100.

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

Road Surfacing starting Tue, July 26 on Rocklow Road

Cllr Mark Fitzgerald asks you to please spread the word, there will be disruption on Rocklow Road, Fethard, due to resurfacing to commence on this coming Tuesday, July 26. The work should be substantially completed by Friday, July 29, unless there are delays due to unforeseen weather or other factors.

Works take place from junction of Main Street out past the schools and the new Fethard Town Park. There will also be some follow up works associated with raising manhole covers and roadmarking to be undertaken after the builders holidays in August 2022. Tipperary County Council wish to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused to local residents and businesses.

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, July 19, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 4, 13, 20 and 29. No Jackpot and one 'Match Three' winner who received €150: Jessie McCarthy. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Patrick Lawrence.  The next draw takes place on Tuesday, July 26, when the jackpot is €11,200. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Concert proceeds in aid of the Ukrainian Refugees

Martin and Maura Kavanagh, organisers of the recent Dublin College Acapella Group 'Trinitones' concert held in St. John's Cathedral, John Street, Cashel, in aid of the Ukrainian Refugees at Fethard Convent, are photographed above presenting the proceeds, €5,505, to members of the Fethard and District Day Care Centre Board of Directors, outside the Presentation Convent Chapel in Fethard. L to R: Martin and Maura Kavanagh, Fionnuala O’Sullivan, Mollie Standbridge and Mary O’Connell.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom

Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, July 24, to the music of ‘Teddy & Cathal Barry'. 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.

Appreciation, the late Tom Butler, Coolenure
The late Tom Butler, who died on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, was Patron of County Tipperary Community Games. He first became involved in 1970 through his great friend, our current President, Breeda Christie, who established the games in County Tipperary in 1969. Tom then organised a meeting in the old ICA Hall in Fethard – known then as the 'Nissen Hut'.  He was elected Chairman at that meeting and was responsible for sowing the seed in the Fethard & Killusty Area, resulting in great excitement, enjoyment, honour and glory with many medals coming to the town and surrounding area, and still does.

Tipperary competed in the first National Finals in Santry Stadium, Dublin in 1970. Gold medals were won by boys U12 relay team which included Richard Fallon, Fethard, along with teammates from Carrick-on-Suir, Thurles and Tipperary Town. In the early days it was possible to enter a county relay team from various areas. A silver medal was won by Conor Lonergan, Fethard, in the U14 Long Jump. Pierce Dillon competed in U10 athletics and Marie Christie was also a member of the girls U12 relay team that won gold medals.

Tom went on to play a leading role in the organisation at Area, County, Provincial, and National level events, where he was highly respected, and his opinions always valued.

Fethard & Killusty Girls' Volleyball team won gold at the National finals in 1974; silver in 1985, 1986 and 1987. All won in Mosney. Alice Ryan, who later became Tom’s daughter-in-law, was manager of the 1986 silver medallists.  More silver medals were won by the girls’ volleyball team in Athlone in 2010, when Tom's granddaughter, Lucy Butler, was a member of the team. Again, Alice Butler acted as a team manager, and Tom's son Kieran, covered the event as photographer.

Tom was also one of the Tipperary delegates attending numerous National AGMs, which were held all over Ireland.  He acted as county manager at the National Finals in Mosney and was a member of the National Security Committee. He was a perfectionist in his work.
Our current President, Breeda Christie also has great memories of their travels and good times spent while working together. Athletics was close to his heart, but Tom was also an award-winning farmer, and well known countrywide for hosting farming events and seminars on his own farm at Coolenure.

Tom and his wife Mary reared a wonderful family.  Their children competed successfully in Community Games and now their grandchildren are also carrying on the tradition competing in various events.  More recently his grandson Tom won a county medal in athletics. He was so proud of all their achievements.

The County Tipperary Community Games flag was draped on his coffin on his final journey and, in the words of his son Kieran, “The one who seldom rested, has gone to rest!”   Sincere condolences to his wife Mary and to all the Butler family.  We are so proud to have been associated with Tom. May he Rest in Peace. – (Peggy Colville)

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

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.