Died in England
The death has occurred in England of Billy Morrissey, North East Lincolnshire, and formerly from Grove, Fethard. The late Billy, predeceased by his wife Sheila, died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 92, on March 19, 2025. Billy's sister was Eileen Halpin, formerly of Grove Lodge, Fethard.
Shaun Morrissey from Cheshire, with family members on a visit to Fethard on June 11, 2016. Shaun’s father came from Grove Lodge and like many of his generation had to leave Fethard to find work. He left in 1949 but he always thought of Fethard as his home. Back L to R: Elaine Livermore (daughter of Billy Morrissey), Bob Livermore (husband of Elaine), Shaun Morrissey (son of Gus Morrissey), Chris Morrissey (grandson of Gus Morrissey), Scott Mackay (husband of Maggie).Front L to R: Fliss Morrissey (wife of Shaun), Karen Halpin (daughter of Olie), Olie Halpin nee Morrissey (formerly of Grove Lodge), Kyle Mackay (grandson of Gus Morrissey), and Maggie Mackay (daughter of Gus Morrissey).
Billy was a great supporter of Fethard's Emigrants Newsletter, and never lost his love of Fethard. He often told his good friend, the late Kathleen McCormack (née Castles), how much he would have loved to walk over the Convent Bridge and out the Cashel Road again for a chat. Always reminiscent, he loved to hear all bout Fethard and was kept updated with photographs and news from the McCormack family on the Cashel Road. Funeral arrangements later.
Congratulations to Matthew Burke, Fethard
Congratulations to Matthew Burke who played as tighthead prop for Nenagh RFC, who became the first Tipperary team to win the Munster Senior Challenge Cup in its 140 year history, played on Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Thomond Park.
A new name was etched onto the Bank Of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup as Nenagh Ormond RFC were crowned champions.The final score was Nenagh Ormond RFC 32, Old Crescent RFC 20.
The Nenagh Ormond team: Josh Rowland; Davy Gleeson, Angus Blackmore, Willie Coffey, Conor McMahon; Ben Pope, Nicky Irwin; Mikey Doran, Dylan Murphy, Matthew Burke; Jake O’Kelly, Kevin O’Flaherty (c); Joe Coffey, Evan Murphy; John O’Flaherty. Replacements: John Healy, Colm Skehan, Sean Frawley, Fionn O’Meara, Rob Buckley, Charlie O’Doherty, Derek Corcoran
Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in the Parish Lotto on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The numbers drawn were 15, 20, 21, and 23. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Liam Hayes. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, March 27, 2025, will be €5,000.
We are delighted with the support shown for our Parish Lotto, it is a fundraising initiative that is of great benefit to the parish. Please pass the word on and invite friends and family to take part. You can join, see the draw results, and details of how your support is making a big difference at: https://www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/fethardkillusty
Fethard Students excel in the Student Enterprise County Final
Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School Transition Year students left a strong impression, evident in their passion for their enterprise. Their venture, ‘Erase & Shine’, received the prestigious ‘Innovation Award’ in the senior category. This achievement is a testament to months of research, collaboration, and hard work. L to R: Mr Ian O’Connor (Business & Enterprise teacher), Micheál O'Rahilly, Kelvin Ryan, Thomas Murphy, Tadhg Cuddihy, and Mr Billy Walsh (School Principal).
On Friday, March 7, Fethard’s Patrician Presentation Secondary School students took part in the Student Enterprise County Final hosted by the Local Enterprise Office Tipperary in TÚS, Thurles. Junior and senior students, accompanied by their Business & Enterprise teacher, Ian O’Connor, displayed their innovative talents and collaborative spirit.
Junior students Luke Keane, Adam McGarry, and Robert Carey (1A) captured attention by scooping the ‘One to Watch’ award with their entry SK Sports Rack; their creative project demonstrated the students' bright potential.
Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School First Year students captured attention by scooping the ‘One to Watch’ award at the Student Enterprise County Final with their entry SK Sports Rack; their creative project demonstrated the students' bright potential. L to R: Adam McGarry, Robert Carey, and Luke Keane.
The Transition Year students Tadhg Cuddihy, Thomas Murphy, Kelvin Ryan, and Micheál O’Rahilly left a strong impression, evident in their passion for their enterprise. Their venture, ‘Erase & Shine’, received the prestigious ‘Innovation Award’ in the senior category. This achievement is a testament to months of research, collaboration, and hard work.
Opportunities such as these highlight our students' talent, creativity, and enterprising skills. They help students reach their personal goals and encourage collaboration across school departments, allowing colleagues to share their talents and work together to achieve common goals.
The event culminated in celebrating students' and teachers' hard work and dedication across Tipperary. We were thrilled to receive the Overall School Award for both the school and the Enterprise Teacher, who, year after year, has encouraged his students to explore possible enterprise opportunities. It is a well-deserved accolade that fills us with immense pride for everyone involved.
Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Social Dancing continues at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday night, March 23, 2025, to the music of, ‘Unity’. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a terrific night’s social dancing from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Admission is €10, which includes tea and cakes and raffle.
GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for March 18, 2025, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 1, 10, 12 and 28. We had no Jackpot winner and one Match 3 winner Christopher Quinn, who received €150. One' lucky dip winner received €100: Christopher Quinn. The next draw takes place on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, when the jackpot is €30,000.
Fethard Day Care Centre
Fethard and District Daycare Centre recently hosted a combined St. Patrick’s Day and International Women’s Day celebration in The Convent Chapel. Below are some photographs from the happy occasion.
Trailer for Ireland's first talkie discovered
In late 1931 and early 1932 scenes were shot for the first 'all talking picture' (ie talkie) to be made in entirely in Ireland with an all-Irish cast and scenes. Entitled 'Sweet Inniscarra', the bulk of the filming took place in the Cashel area although shooting was also carried out in counties Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford and Wicklow.
'Sweet Inniscarra' was directed and produced by an Irish-American named Emmett Moore. The actors who were all amateurs, hailed from dramatic societies in Cashel, Fethard and Portarlington.
The plot of Sweet Inniscarra was centered around Gerald O'Carroll's love for Kate O'Donoghue. Although her father's preference was a wealthy major as a suitor for his daughter, O'Carroll ultimately wins the day and they marry.
The film encompassed music, song and dance, was 72 minutes in duration and shot in black & white on nitrate film. It was shown in cinemas in the USA in 1932 and in Ireland in 1933. In the decades that followed the film was believed to have been lost or destroyed.
Over the course of a six-part radio documentary, Tom Hurley has been investigating the story of Sweet Inniscarra, its cast, its producer Emmett Moore and examined some of the unsuccessful efforts made over the years to try and locate a copy of the film. In episode six Hurley reveals the outcome of his own attempt to find a copy.
It transpires that when the film was shown in the US its title was changed from Sweet Inniscarra to The Heart of Ireland. This made it harder for Irish researchers over the decades to track it down in America as many had been unaware of the title change. Like others before him, Hurley was unsuccessful in his endeavour to find a copy of Sweet Inniscarra but his research did lead to the unearthing of a trailer for the film which lay undiscovered in the UCLA Film & Television Archive, Los Angeles.
Hurley reveals that, "The element was contained in a 400 foot can and contains 16 distinct title cards. There is no moving footage, no soundtrack and it is tinted green to associate it with Ireland. The trailer is made up of text only. It is on nitrate film and looks like it's never been projected. It looks pristine. It's a complete mystery how the UCLA Film & Television Archive acquired the trailer. It comes under what they call an anonymous donor category.
They had even been unaware that they possessed it until conducting a search of their archives for the documentary. There was no date on the trailer but there's a good chance it can be dated to 1932 when Sweet Inniscarra / The Heart of Ireland was being shown in cinemas across America. The trailer runs for about two minutes. Although the actual movie hasn't been discovered, I’m informed that this can be regarded as a significant find as it's a small piece of evidence of how Sweet Inniscarra was presented in America."
The documentary entitled 'Sweet Inniscarra' produced by Tom Hurley is available to listen to on Tipp Mid West Radio. The sixth and final episode which explores the discovery of the trailer airs this morning 14th March at 11am on the station.
Fethard & Killusty Community Council to receive €100,000 funding for Convent Community Hall
Michael Murphy T.D. passed on the good news to Fethard & Killusty Muintir Council CLG on March 11, that we are to receive €100,000 funding to deliver enhancement and refurbishment work on Fethard Convent Community Hall. The committee were delighted with the news that they are to receive this much-needed funding and stated it will ensure the future of the Convent Community Hall use in providing essential public services in Fethard & Killusty.
The announcement under the Community Centre Investment Fund represents the latest capital investment in upgrading Community Centres and will see grants of up to €100,000 provided to successful projects. The funding will be used to upgrade, renovate and refurbish Community Centres, Parish Halls, Scouts Clubs, Youth Hubs, Family Resources Centres and Sports Complexes across the country.
The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development to support community and voluntary groups and organisations around the Country. The Tipperary fund is administered by Tipperary County Council on behalf of the Tipperary Local Community Development Committee (LCDC).
Fethard & Killusty Community Council would like to thank Deputy Michael Murphy and Cllr Mark Fitzgerald for delivering the ‘Good News’.
Fethard Community Games 'Got Talent'
Daffodil Day ‘Walk/Run’ at Fethard Town Park
Local Sports Clubs, in conjunction with Fethard Daffodil Day committee, have organised a Daffodil Day Walk/Run 5K to take place on Friday, March 28, starting at 7.30pm at Fethard Town Park, in aid of Irish Cancer Association. All are invited to take part and support this most worthy cause.
Big Picture - Operation Transformation 2014
This photograph was taken of participants in the Operation Transformation 'weigh-in' held in Fethard Convent Community Hall on January 29, 2014, with group leader Biddy O'Dwyer.
You can zoom in closer to see more detail by clicking the photograph to zoom-in and double-clicking the photograph to zoom-out or use the controls when you hover at the bottom of the photograph. If you can help with names or further information please let us know. Your comments, names or corrections are always welcome to: fethardnews@gmail.com
Faces and Places from the Past
This week we have a variety of photographs taken in 1995. We invite people to let us know any missing names, including first names, or any other information that we can add to our files for future generations. If anyone can help us, please do and send any comments, photo information, names, to fethardnews@gmail.com
Fethard First Communion June 3, 1995
Fethard First Communion June 3, 1995
Fethard First Communion June 3, 1995
Pupils from Killusty National School who recently received their First Holy Communion at The Church of the Sacred Heart, Killusty on May 25, 1995 are L to R: Patricia Lee, Sharon Duggan, Gillian O’Shea, Lucy Sheehan and Ciara Hickey.
Members of Civil Defence pictured at their stall on Main Street at Fethard London Reunion Festival held on July 2, 1995. Includes Mickey Mullins, Joe Strappe and Tommy Gahan.
Pat Culligan leading his son 'One Little Indian' on his pony in the Fethard London Reunion Festival & Fancy Dress Parade held on July 2, 1995.
Taking part in the 'On Your Toes' display at Fethard Festival Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995 were Back L to R: Lisa Walsh, Susan McCormack, Donna Walsh, Fiona Ryan. Middle L to R: Emma Fitzgerald, Norah O'Meara, Stephanie McCormack. Front L to R: Siobhán Cleary and Eleanor Roche.
Taking part in the 'On Your Toes' display at Fethard Festival Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995 were Back L to R: Aoife O'Meara, Aideen O'Donnell, Fiona Maher, Hannah Sheehan. Front L to R: Evelyn O'Connor, Tara Mullins, Alice Delahanty and Helena McCormack.
Group of dancers from the Fethard “On Your Toes” school who led the Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995. Pictured in St. Patrick's Place after the parade.
Group of dancers from the Fethard “On Your Toes” school who led the Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995. Pictured in St. Patrick's Place after the parade.
Group of dancers from the Fethard “On Your Toes” school who led the Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995. Pictured in St. Patrick's Place after the parade.
'Squaws in the Move Looking for a Reservation' one of the entries in the Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995. L to R: Ann Marie Connolly, Jane Hayes and Sara Healy.
"Fethard's Wall Draws Them All" – Nano Nagle National School entry in the Fancy Dress Parade held on July 2, 1995.
Please send any comments, photo information, names or stories, to fethardnews@gmail.com
Fethard News for inclusion on this website
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.
Listen to Tipp FM Radio Live for local News
|
