Annual Newslettter 2000

BLESSING OF NEW FOOTBRIDGE L to R: Canon James Power P.P., Mr. Jimmy Harney, Tipperary S.R. Co. Co. and Rev George Alexander Knowd.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF NEW FOOTBRIDGE BY TOWN WALL The official opening of the new footbridge over the Clashawley took place on Monday evening 26th June, 2000. The 'Millennium Bridge' was opened by Chairman of Tipperary SR County Council, Cllr Pat Norris, photographed above with community representatives and County Council officials. L to R: Fr. Ben O’Brien OSA, Peter Grant, Kitty O’Sullivan, Michael Graham (Town Engineer), Cllr Pat Norris, John Quinn (Director of Community Enterprise), Mary Carroll, Dan Walsh, Cllr John Fahey and Jimmy Connolly. FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Dedicated to our friends and relations living away from home

Published by the Fethard & Killusty Emigrants’ Newsletter ISSN 1393-2721

Layout and design by Joe Kenny,Kenny Photo Graphics, Fethard Printed by Modern Printers Kilkenny

Cover photograph: First sunrise of this millennium taken over Slievenamon on the 1st January,2000, by Joe Kenny from Bennett’s Hill,Fethard.

All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy,recording, or any information stor- age and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Table of contents A trip down memory school! ...... 62 Manned flight ...... 84 A working summer ...... 25 Marriages in the Parish ...... 19 Abbey Christmas Greetings ...... 7 Meals on Wheels ...... 66 Abymill Theatre ...... 75 Meet again after 50 years ...... 105 Acknowledgments ...... 126 Millennium Musings ...... 76 Another milestone? ...... 5 Nano Nagle School Groups ...... 115 Arriving in the promised land ...... 36 Ode to a poet (poem) ...... 44 Church of Ireland ...... 7 Of economic and other migrants ...... 71 Deaths in the Parish ...... 21 Old school / new school ...... 54 Donations Received ...... 124 Old town spirit (poem) ...... 110 Eily Cahill ...... 94 Our dear departed 2000 ...... 20 Exchange trip with St. David’s ...... 47 Outing of the Millennium ...... 87 Fethard & District Credit Union ...... 83 Parish Christmas greetings ...... 6 Fethard & Killusty Community Council .45 Patrician Presentation School ...... 117 Fethard & Killusty Community Games . .34 Poems from Frances Long-O’Connor . . .91 Fethard & Killusty Anglers ...... 16 Remembering Mary Slattery ...... 70 Fethard Boy Scouts ...... 17 Researching Killusty records ...... 92 Fethard Bridge Club ...... 120 Roundup at Kiltinan ...... 9 Fethard Civil Defence ...... 14 Slievenamon Golf Club ...... 122 Fethard Country Markets ...... 61 Snippets from Millennium year ...... 28 Fethard Day Care Centre ...... 50 Social life in Fethard in 50’s & 60’s . . . . .79 Fethard GAA Club ...... 101 St. Patrick’s Boys School ...... 51 Fethard Historical Society ...... 86 St. Rita’s Camogie Club ...... 35 Fethard Judo Kwai ...... 67 Table of contents ...... 4 Fethard Macra na Feirme ...... 94 The ‘quarter-to-four’ from Farranaleen . . .58 Fethard Tidy Towns ...... 50 The Clashawley (poem) ...... 18 Fethard Town Renewal Scheme ...... 48 The Monroe Murphys ...... 120 Fethard Youth Club ...... 103 The Well Golf Society ...... 15 Goldie’s shop ...... 98 Top award for Fethard museum ...... 109 Irish Red Cross Society ...... 75 Trip to Bordeaux ...... 88 Juvenile GAA Club ...... 52 Tullamaine revisited ...... 121 Keep it alive ! ...... 106 Twas scorching hot in Fethard ...... 22 Killusty Pony Show ...... 65 Where is Barrettsgrange ...... 68 Legion of Mary ...... 8 Where it all began ...... 112 Let Fly Coolmoyne ...... 111 Who owns those hills? (poem) ...... 114

4 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Another milestone? Joe Kenny (editor) milestone set in my life, as a the National Library of Ireland have Achild, was living long enough recognised the value of these publica- to see the year 2000 arrive. Now that tions in recording local folklore and I’ve reached it, I’m not so sure that I social history. They now store a copy have another. of each issue in their Research Library Entering the new millennium this in Dublin and the Local Studies year did have one effect — making Department at the County Library in me realise that life back in the 1960’s Thurles. We have supplied them both is ancient history to our young people with copies of the available past issues of of today; which also means — it’s this Newsletter since it began in 1959. ‘our’ turn to write articles for the Very few of us alive today will live Annual Newsletter. The torch has to celebrate the next century. We now passed to another generation! look to a new generation, not yet born, Since the age of 12 when I joined for aspirations to reach that goal. It the other 32 members of the Boys may not be as significant as was wel- Intermediate Praesidium of the Legion coming a new millennium but I’m sure of Mary, I’ve always had a fascination it will still be a milestone for many with the Emigrants’ Newsletter. future generations to come. As for Seeing your name in print, as a myself, I’ll revert to looking at every member of a team or in a school class coming New Years Day as a milestone was even a greater thrill. It was often from now on — a lot more achievable a competition among kids to count and many more occasions to celebrate. how many times you were mentioned. I take this opportunity to invite all Over the years, I began to appreciate our emigrants and readers to submit the great store of information that is articles or photographs for next year’s collected in every issue, each one issue (as soon as possible). I thank all recording the previous year’s births, those who contributed articles this deaths, marriages, highlights of the year, especially those who have writ- year’s events, sporting results, and ten for the first time. It is never an memories of those who share their easy task to record your thoughts on life’s experiences. paper and often the biggest obstacle is I must say it still fascinates me to just beginning or knowing where to look back over old issues. Many sto- start. This year, please promise to ries that may have been lost forever, if have a go, why not make it your New the authors had chosen not to write Year’s resolution for 2001. them, are preserved for future genera- I wish our emigrants and readers at tions in the pages of those issues. It is home a very Happy Christmas, a mar- also a great tribute to communities that vellous New Year.

Send articles for publication, addresses for mailing list to: Address: Editor, Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. Tel: 052 31663, Fax: 052 31817, Email: [email protected] Donations, letters, etc. Address: Carmel Rice, Brookhill, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. Tel: 052 31134 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Parish Christmas greetings ell another year has gone by, To all the readers of the Annual Wwhere has it gone? That's Newsletter, we wish you all the very what we often wonder at this time of best for the year ahead, you are all in the year. It doesn't seem all that long our thoughts and prayers at this time ago since we were beginning the new and in the days ahead. We know that millennium and the new century, now you still think of us here in Fethard we have well and truly begun this new and Killusty, and you look forward to era, the 21st century, well at least the receiving the annual copy of this first year anyway. newsletter. In recent times you have The past year has brought its differ- kept in touch (probably more closely ent days to us, the good and the bad, than many of us who live here) with the happy and the sad, mostly I sup- the news on the Fethard website, pose the majority of us live out our which is undoubtedly one of the best days in ordinary ways. This past year in the country. might be one that will be remembered We thank all those who have put this as the year that began the new century issue together, and a special thanks to and millennium, but as we come to the Joe Kenny, I'm sure that without his end of another 12 months, it is impor- hard work Fethard and Killusty would tant for us to look back and see how seem to be a lot further away for those the year has gone for us. who live across the seas and far over Of course in looking back we also land. look to the future to what next year May God bless and protect you all may bring to us, we don't know, but and your loved ones in the year ahead. please God we will always be prepared for what is around the corner. Canon James Power P.P. and Fr. Seán Ryan

Our local priests of the parish photographed at the Millennium Pilgrimage to Slievenamon on Sunday 21st May, 2000. L to R: Fr. Michael Twomey OSA, Fr. Sean Ryan C.C., Canon James Power P.P., Fr. John Meagher OSA and Fr. Ben O’Brien OSA Prior. 6 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Church of Ireland oly Trinity Church was beauti- The time of our weekly church ser- Hfully decorated for last year’s vice has changed. Morning Service annual Christmas Service and also for now takes place at 9.15am. This our annual Harvest Festival, we would seems to be a much more suitable time like to thank all those who helped and for most people and is borne out by the all who attended both events. increase in our weekly attendance. This past twelve months was a year The key to the churchyard (when without fundraising activities for our locked) can be collected from John church but we are planning to have Whyte in the Main Street if required. some events during the coming year. The key to the historic church building We ask for your support for these is available from Brian Palmer, The when organised. Green, Fethard. Abbey Christmas greetings he exciting time-change hap- as the possibility loomed large for a Tpened. The Jubilee Year came while that the Friars would not be liv- and now is almost gone, each moment ing here. And dramatic for the Friars giving way to the next. 2001 is next, themselves, accustomed as we are to time to change the car? Maybe! changing, not only from one town to This year marked a great change for another, but from country and even us Augustinians in Ireland. We had no from continent. The relentless pas- new recruits to the Order here for a sage of time had seen the good many years and in the passages Augustinians disappear from North of time we were getting thin on the Africa in St. Augustine’s own life- ground. The Provincial and his time. Beginnings in many places had Council decided to do something that been snuffed out over the centuries. had been talked about for a long time. They died out in France like so much They decided that certain residences else after the Revolution. But from the would no longer house the Friars time the Augustinians came first to although everything possible would England and then to Ireland in the be done to continue their presence in 12th and 13th centuries, we had held the places where they had been. Since on, however precariously, even though Fethard and Callan were only 17 the English Province did eventually miles apart, the decision was taken give way after Oliver Cromwell and that from next June a community of was re-established from Ireland. The four would reside in Fethard only and realisation that we are dying out in administer Callan from here. This was Ireland now really struck home fol- a dramatic change for the people in lowing the decisions taken earlier this Callan who, like many others regard year. the move as such a format for closure. The immediate "security" of the Dramatic too for the people of Fethard Abbey is secure but only for the next

7 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 four years. Further than that nobody wish you all a very happy Christmas can forecast. Nonetheless the future of and every blessing in the coming year. Frs. Twomey and Meagher and myself You will be remembered in our will come to an end with the prayers throughout Advent and all of Provincial appointments next year. Christmas. We are all grateful to the Such appointments are made every people of Fethard and the surrounding four years when everybody is in the countryside for the welcome and sup- frame for a change of residence. port so much in evidence and for so It falls to me, for the eighth time, to long a time. May the Lord always be wish all the readers of this Newsletter with you. the compliments of the season. We Fr. Ben O’Brien OSA Prior Legion of Mary reetings from the Legion of People are active in the apostolate GMary! Members wish all when they attend daily Mass, when readers a peaceful Christmas and they attend the May and October New Year. We approach an important devotions, when they attend and par- celebration of the two thousandth ticipate in the May and the Corpus year since the birth of Our Lord and Christi Processions. Saviour, Jesus Christ. They help all of us to recall the Legionaries realise the importance presence of Christ when they raise a of the Blessed Mother, without hat or a cap, when they make the whom the Birth of Christ would not Sign of the Cross as they pass in front have come to pass. This is a good of a Church. time to recall the honour and the How many now recall the days respect due to Our Blessed Mother when they stood for the reading of and the debt of recognition and grat- the Gospel and they genuflected each itude we owe to her. We pray to her time The Holy Name was read out? and to The Holy Spirit to assist us in Today, we are merely asked to bow the apostolate we share in bringing our heads when we hear the name, Christ into evidence in our daily Jesus. lives. The membership of the Legion is How many of us can clearly recall very low. If you cannot join us you the instructions we received concern- can at least spread Christ’s kingdom; ing the truths and practices of our you can spread the consciousness of Faith? Christ’s Presence among us. The lit- We recall the training we received tle we can do can become great if we on the reverend genuflection in front work together and pass on these of the Sacred Presence in the time-honoured practices to our Tabernacle, on the reverend making youth, to our children. The aposto- of The Sign of the Cross, on the late is ours! recognition of the Holy Name of What a special Birthday we can Jesus. celebrate and share this year!

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Roundup at Kiltinan by John Fogarty f I close my eyes even now I can sloping down to the Clashawley river, Isee them; long tails streaming rising gradually from our left to the behind, coarse, matted manes flying, tree topped hill where Mrs Grubb was galloping in my imagination as once buried. Sliabhnamon keeping watch they galloped across the Long Range over all, its familiar, motherly curves at Kiltinan in the eternal sunshine of gauzed in a blue heathery haze. To our those lost summers, yellow dust hang- right stood the towering, inscrutable ing in the air, unshod hooves rumbling bulk of the castle, its windows gazing on the sun-hardened ground; mares, always towards the ageless mountain. foals, ponies, half-breds, big boned A ragged band of boys from the hunters, ungainly piebalds with huge town, we stood flapping our arms and hairy hooves, summer coats gleaming shouting - a bit fearful of the pounding in the bright sunshine; browns, greys, hooves - trying to turn the galloping chestnuts; half wild, untamed, many horses onto the tree-lined avenue from had never felt a saddle on their backs where they could be funnelled into the or a bit in their mouths. And ahead of castle yard. At the far side of the the main bunch, the unmistakable avenue, beyond the ivy-covered leader, head held at a lordly slant as Pigeonhouse, obscured by rows of elm they thundered past, was Eagle’s Nest, and beech, stood another line of shout- a full stallion. Never saddled, never ing boys. Hustling the herd along, rid- stabled, Eagle’s Nest, a name that ing bareback, Indian style, brown legs sang in our young imaginations, sang gripping the flanks of nippy little of wildness, freedom, open spaces. ponies, were the Croome-Carroll girls. It was the Sunday roundup at When Eagle’s Nest led the herd onto Kiltinan. We stood spaced out in an the avenue we broke from our line uneven line, the ground behind us thinking we had them. Instantly the

Mrs La Terriere looking at her ponies in the yard at Kiltinan Castle.

9 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 crafty stallion swung cheekily around To us there was something strangely and suddenly the entire herd was fascinating and romantic about this pounding back towards us, eyes wild, woman who lived alone in an ancient nostrils flaring, and we were running castle with her dogs, had a herd of backwards in a frenzy, clapping, half-wild horses roaming freely over shouting, whistling, trying to turn her unfenced land, came out for a short them. time on these ‘roundup’ Sundays to ‘Run for it!’ someone roared. Like look them over, then disappeared into frightened rabbits we scuttled for safe- her castle again. (“The oldest inhabit- ty. ‘Where’s Frank Fogarty?’ someone ed castle in Ireland”, Fethard people shouted. Wheeling round we saw him would proudly say). She never ques- fall and disappear under the trampling tioned our presence there, letting us hooves, saw the entire herd gallop over explore as we pleased. him, stood in horror, picturing all We knew she had met terrible those flying hooves pulping him to tragedy in her life, losing her husband, shreds, ran fearfully to the spot as the Capt. Callaghan, in The Great War and last horse passed over him — only to her only son, Rory, in the Second see him rise in the swirling dust with- World War. For years she had been a out so much as a scratch. familiar sight on the winding roads ‘They all lepped over me,’ he pro- around Fethard, clipping along in her claimed, proudly. ‘Ya feckin’ eejit!’ pony and trap after grandly sallying roared Pat, his brother, landing him a forth through the arched gateway of boot on the arse. Kiltinan, bound for some gymkana, or By now the horses had raced down to view a horse, pony, or donkey that the sloping range in front of the castle had taken her fancy. and across the river, forcing the girls to Seen from behind she looked like a wheel away in pursuit once more as man. She was dressed in corduroy we cursed Eagle’s Nest to high heaven trousers, brown, tweedy body coat, for all the work he was putting on our and wide, peaked cap. We always poor legs, already weary after our long stood silently to one side as she moved trek from Fethard in blazing sunshine. easily through the shifting horses, When they finally charged through the accompanied by Evie Croome-Carroll. arched gateway and into the castle Two women in love with horses, yard we rushed after them, quickly soothing them with soft words, dragging the heavy timber doors shut. unafraid, stopping, pointing, looking Inside, the horses milled around, them up and down with a critical eye. snorting and squealing, slithering on Sometimes Mrs La Terriere would the gravelly yard, nipping and kicking indicate a promising animal that she one another, long forelocks hanging wanted to keep in the yard. This ani- over dilated, frightened eyes. Shortly mal was then culled with much curs- afterwards the heavy iron gate under ing and neighing and waving of arms the bell tower screeched open. Mrs. La and manoeuvred into a stable. When Terriere, cane in hand, came stiffly her inspection was over she returned to through the arched gateway to inspect the castle, the gates were dragged open her beloved horses. once more, and Eagles’ Nest led the

10 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

The Roaring Spring at Kiltinan herd back to the freedom of the Long fever and excitement of chasing the Range. horses around the Long Range. The As soon as the horses had galloped spring water from the Boiling Pot was off we darted away along a path that ice-cold and pure in our mouths, mak- looped around the foot of the massive, ing us gasp when scooped in cupped rocky outcrop that supported the cas- hands to our burning faces. We lazed tle. The narrow path fell away on our backs in the shade of tall old between tall clumps of vicious nettles trees whispering ancient secrets above and patches of sharp toothed briars us as we gazed up at the rough beetling that left red stripes on our bare legs. face of the rock, bearded in ivy and The path brought us to the foaming weeds, that eventually gave way to the mill wheel that pumped water - for flat symmetry of the castle. Owl cooking and washing - from the sounds blown through our thumbs ‘Roaring Springs’ to the castle. echoed away between old, knotted tree Drinking water had to be drawn by trunks. Time and again we were hand from the ‘Boiling Pot.’ drawn to the stillness of this place, a There was mystery down here in the stillness that spoke of other times, shadow of the castle and the dappled other worlds. shade of the trees and the cool sound We speculated on the story of the of the shallow river gurgling over its priest - Bishop Tynan - whose blood stony bed and the white water roaring was said to stain the rocks in the from under the castle and the black Roaring Springs. I imagined him water squeezing through the sluice- falling, falling from way up there onto gate and the swans gliding serenely on the rocks near where we lay, and the the glassy water above the bridge. It terrible evil of those who had thrown was cool and strangely quiet after the him to such a grisly death. His killers

11 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 were said to have endured horrific and cabbage stalks and old bones, no- deaths: one was said to have grown one wanting to be last, thinking of the devil’s horns and died roaring; another priest’s ghost, scrambling on hands had been kicked to death by a mad and knees over the last few yards as horse. The grass, it was said, had the ground rose steeply, everyone for never grown on their graves. A creepy himself, until we burst into daylight in tingle ran along our spines as we spoke the castle courtyard, and milled around of the awful things that could befall panting and cursing. The courtyard anyone who harmed one of God’s echoed with accusations, counter- anointed. We jumped up then and accusations, and terrible threats. went tearing back and forth across the ‘You did it!’ ‘No I didn’t, he did!’ swaying footbridge that spanned the ‘I’ll bloody well brain ye!’ Clashawley. We crept to the mouth of A muffled outbreak of barking the murky tunnel that ran steeply down sounded inside the castle. from outside the castle kitchen almost ‘Will ye whisht or she’ll be out to us to the pathway and stood peering with the bloody dogs!’ uncertainly into the dark opening, When we’d got our wind back and smelling old damp stones and musty the shouting had subsided into mutter- mortar. Suddenly someone at the back ings, we rambled into the yard where screeched:. ‘Aaaaah, the ghost of the the horses had been, ducking into murdered priest!’ Boot it!’ ‘ Boot it!’‘ empty stables, climbing into dusty And we booted it. Into the black haylofts; swallows flashing round us hole, elbowing and pulling one anoth- as we zig-zagged through the arches of er back, laughing, sobbing, weak with the long cow byre. There was an eeri- fear and excitement. Someone fell, ness about the deserted, weedy yard, cried ‘Mammy, Mammy’, and was the open stable doors, the hollow trampled on. We stumbled over stones echoes in the empty byre; as if old

Swans on the river at Kiltinan in 1972

12 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 ghosts from centuries past were there Our stomachs were roaring at us in the shadows, watching, waiting for now, telling us that it was time to go, us to go. time to set off on the long struggle We ran along overgrown pathways homewards. Away with us then across in the walled garden, searching for the North Rock, past the ruined church delicious apples called ‘Beauty of of St. Senan, where old headstones Bath’ (we called them leaned crookedly in a ‘Beauty Bats’), cracked wilderness of nettles green pods and sucked and scutch grass, the out sweet young peas, names of the dead long stood and marvelled at faded away, their sto- the headstones in the ries forgotten. A herd of Dog Cemetery, erected goats busily picking at to the memory of Mrs La the ivy on the crum- Terriere’s dogs, thinking bling walls. We ducked how eccentric it was for through jutting slabs of anyone to raise a head- mottled limestone, and stone over a dog. Yet we onto the road through were secretly moved by the windowless shell of the poignant verse Ryan’s old house. inscribed on the head- Wearily we faced the stone to Tommy, Master three twisting miles that Rory’s pet dog. lay between us and the town of "And the little Ghosts that trot behind us Fethard, torturing ourselves as we Untiring from the Past, toiled along on our crooked-heeled May at some golden, glittering Gateway, shoes, dreaming of ice cream and Find us, and know ‘tis Heaven at last." chocolate and bottles of fizzy orange We lingered on the hill where Mrs that we would never have; throwing Grubb was buried (sadly, Mrs La ourselves in the dusty margins of the Terriere, her daughter, would join her road where grasshoppers sang, vainly here a few, short years later). We hoping that someone would come spoke quietly now in this hallowed along in a car or a tractor or a horse spot - as if in a church - compelled to and cart - anything - and carry our silence by the haunting tranquillity of weary bodies home. these magical surroundings, the endur- ‘Maybe Stevie Connors’ll be going ing limestone structure of the ancient to town’ someone said, hopefully. But castle, horses calmly nuzzling the he wasn’t, and we streeled along, stop- waters of the river shaded by over- ping, starting, moaning, full of pity for hanging trees, the storied mountain ourselves and our skinned heels, until turning to sacred purple now, trees we caught sight of the jagged top of casting long shadows as the evening the Protestant church and heard the sun dipped slowly westward; the air bells of the Abbey and Parish church- alive with the twittering of birds; a es in unison beating out the Angelus strange dreamy atmosphere hanging and new strength flowed into our legs, over all. and we trotted the last mile home.

13 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Fethard Civil Defence e once again look back on on standby to provide assistance to Wwhat has been a very active Clonmel during the water alert on the year for our unit. Our weekly training Killurney Water Supply. takes place in the Tirry Centre every A number of our members have left Tuesday night under the direction of the Unit this year, due to moving on to Tony Kennedy, Instructor. Training third-level education and we wish covers many areas of Civil Defence them the very best of luck and thank activities from basic rescue, use of them for all their help while with us. radios and the more adventurous river A very special welcome to all the new crossings with the use of ropes and members who have enrolled since pulleys. October and hoping to see many more Some of our members attended over the coming year. Annual Camp in Lahinch, Co. Clare A First Aid course was provided for on the June Bank Holiday weekend. the students in Transition Year in the Again, our Rory took full control of Secondary School. the kitchen and, as usual, did a won- Sunday, 25th June was our fund rais- derful job. We covered many duties ing event Ð a stretcher push from around the county and at local level. Fethard to Killusty. It was a very suc- We provided First Aid cover for the cessful and enjoyable day. We would horse trials at Grove, the local Sports like to thank all who supported us. Day and Community Games. We were The funds raised will be used to pro-

Members photographed at their Sponsored Stretcher Push from Fethard to Killusty which took place on Sunday 25th June. The proceeds will enable the local branch to spend over £1000 on much needed equipment and supplies. L to R: Marie O’Meara, Paul Kenny, Rory Walsh, Tony Kennedy, Emma Morrissey, Declan Kenny and Philly Croke. Edel Bradshaw in the stretcher. Also in the unit are; Theresa Coffey, Ruth Higgins, Pa Looby and Ronan Maher.

14 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 vide First Aid equipment and other been very active for the past few years items for our Unit. and hopefully we can succeed in get- Looking ahead to the New Year, we ting it moving again. would hope to recruit some new mem- We wish all our friends and support- bers for our Fire Unit, which has not ers the very best for 2001. The Well Golf Society

Members of The Well Golf Society photographed at the presentation of the clubs '1999 Golfer of the Year' trophy to Matthew Tynan, in The Well Bar, Burke Street. Back L to R: Paul Kavanagh, David Lawton, John Hurley, Ted Cummins, Jimmy Butler. Front L to R: Michael Leahy, Matthew Tynan (winner), Mick Smith (proprietor The Well Bar) and Michael Flaherty. he well golf society began this and Mary Nugent. We would like to Tyears outings at Clonmel golf thank our generous sponsors without club and continued through the year whom this draw would not be a suc- with outings in Carrick, Cahir, West cess. We look forward to next year’s Waterford, Waterford Castle, and outings and new members are more Callan. Our golfer of the year award than welcome anytime. was won by David Lawton. David played consistent golf throughout the DID YOU KNOW year and featured regularly in the Each First Friday dedicated people prizewinners. At our A.G.M. held on spend a half hour or an hour praying the 18th February this year, the fol- before The Blessed Sacrament lowing officers were elected: Pat Exposed in The Abbey Church. These Woodlock (captain); Michael Leahy people give of their time and their (secretary); and David Lawton (trea- prayers for all of us. We wish them continued health to enable them to surer). Our Easter draw was once continue in this dedicated effort. again a great success A great nights More people could volunteer to entertainment was had in The Well bar accompany them in their vigil. with music supplied by Seamus Hayes 15 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Fethard and Killusty Anglers he annual general meeting of The remaining competitions were TFethard and Killusty Anglers cancelled due to very low water condi- was held in the Tirry Centre on Friday, tions. 18th February at 8 o’clock. The offi- Fishing on club waters this year was cers elected were: Thomas Fogarty very poor. The Clashawley in particu- (chairman); David Grant (secretary); lar fished very badly with very few Mattie Fleming (treasurer). trout caught from Grove downstream. Committee: George McGrath, Tom Upstream from Grove into Whelan’s Sayers, Jim Sayers, Tony Quigley, and Bog was really bad with some fisher- Norman O’ Regan. men failing to catch any trout in this Spring Competition Results stretch of water. 1st George McGrath The Anner and Little Anner fared a 2nd Willie McGrath bit better, but considering the amount 3rd Mattie Fleming of rods fishing the river all season, John Sayers Competition returns were very low. 1st Mattie Fleming 2nd Eddie Casey We will be hoping for a big 3rd George McGrath improvement next season.

Members of Fethard and Killusty Angling Club photographed at the weigh-in at Kiltinan Gate following their 'Spring Competition' for the Pat O’Shea Cup (30th anniversary of the competition this year) which took place 0n Sunday 30th April 2000. Front L to R: Tom Fogarty, David Grant, William McGrath, Mattie Fleming and George McGrath. Back L to R: Ciarán O'Connell, John O'Connell, Paddy Prendergast, Stafford Kent, Jim Sayers, Norman O'Reagan, Tony Quigley, Michael Fogarty, Liam Boland, John Fleming, Denis McGrath, John Sayers and Tom Sayers.The winners were: 1st George McGrath (4 trout weighing 2lb 11oz), 2nd William McGrath (7 trout weighing 2lb 7oz), 3rd Mattie Fleming (4 trout weighing 1lb 7oz). In the junior section Ciarán O'Connell came first with a catch of 1 trout weighing 7oz, and second was John Fleming with 1 trout weighing 4oz. 16 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Fethard Boy Scouts — 27th Unit

Fethard Boy Scouts and leaders photographed on 14th October, 2000, before heading off to climb the Galtee Mountains. Back L to R: Bobby Phelan, John McCarthy, David Kennedy, Damien Shine, Sean Cloonan, Philip O'Donnell, Richie McCarthy. Front L to R: Dermot Culligan, Fintan Maher, Lory Kenny, Paul McCarthy, Mike McCarthy, Kieran Barrett and Kevin Maher. he Fethard Cub Pack had anoth- Day and attended both the May Ter busy year out and about. We Procession and the Corpus Christi attended the Regional Cub quiz in Procession. Cahir early in the year. In February Our Scouts first activity of an action Aaron O’Donovan won the individual packed year was being host to over 80 event at the Regional Cub Swimming scouts from the region at the Regional gala in Carrick-on-Suir. We were back Quiz held in the Ballroom. At other in Cahir, this time with our hiking activities our troop won the under-13 boots, for the Regional Cub Hike in Regional Orienteering event in April. March which, between the drops of In May we made our annual trip to rain, was an enjoyable day. Parsons Green, Clogheen, for the Ten eager cubs headed to Mt. Regional Shield, where our cooking Mellary Scout Centre for May bank- skills and knowledge of knots were holiday annual Regional Cub fun tested. We went to Ardfinnan in June weekend. Summer sunshine ensured for the Regional Sports day where we that spirits were high for the duration dominated in the under-13 events tak- of the weekend, with activities including home medals in all events. ing hiking, a campfire and lots of At a local level, hikes to Grove games to keep everyone busy. wood featured regularly throughout This year, unfortunately, we did not the year, where the art of pancake go camping to Parson’s Green in June cooking was perfected among other for the Cub Pack’s Annual camping things. We also spent an afternoon on weekend due to the unavailability of Slievenamon in May, for the Parish leaders. Pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross. We paraded to Mass on St Patrick’s This year’s summer camp was to

17 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Castlegregory, Co. Kerry. It was 12 ed to Mt. Mellary Scout Centre, the years since we had camped there and Regional Fun weekend in early as in the past, we camped with the November. scouts of the Clonmel and Ballymac We would like to welcome John Units. We had an action packed time McCarthy and David Kennedy better where we undertook activities includ- known in scouts as "Mac’ and ‘Stiff’ as ing hiking, rafting, water activities and leaders and welcome back to a more cooking, despite the appearance of the active role as leaders to both Bobby "Kerry Rain’ on more than one occa- Phelan and Philip O’Donnell. sion. Finally we would like to thank all Following the summer break, things who supported us and our fund-raising got off to a high with a hike to activities during the year and wish Galtymore, in early October. We head- everyone well in the coming year.

The Clashawley

By John Joe Keane

A harbourer of life Flowing down to the Anner, Swollen in wintertime, Remembering that lost tanner.

Brickaleens, red breasts and routags Before and after school, Catching pigeons in the Kennels loft Beside the strange whirpool.

Summertime bathing at Newbridge, The water wheel at Coffey’s Mill, Tennis pavilion, back of Burke Street, A childhood, one great thrill.

Water hens in the Abbey Rock’s mud, Bright moonshine before dawn, A stolen kiss, a water cress sandwich By the springs of the Mullinbawn

No matter where Fethard’s people are, They will always answer the call. That unique sound of the Clashawley Gracefully murmuring by the Town Wall.

18 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Marriages

Weddings in the parish Claire Williams, Killusty to Mr Derek Landy, Clonmel (Killusty) Deborah Guiry, Peppardstown, to John Dunphy, Dunhill, Co. Waterford (Killusty) Mildred Lawlor, The Valley, to Kenneth Morrison, Scotland (Killusty) Jill Barrett, Market Hill, to Shay Ryan, Coolenure (Fethard) Jimmy O'Meara, St. Patrick’s Place, to Sharon Lawton, St. Patrick’s Place (Fethard) Mary Horan, Tullamaine, to Mark Mansfield, Ballinakill, Co. Laois (Fethard) Caroline Fitzgerald, Monroe, to Michael Quinlan, Tullamaine (Fethard) Annette Croke, Barrettsgrange, to Mr Jarleth Connolly, Ballinasloe (Killusty) Jacqueline Conway, St. Patricks Place, to Mr Chris Findlater, Halifax (Fethard) Corina Morrissey, Cashel Road, to Robin Roe, Borris-in-Ossory (Killusty) Aaron O'Flaherty, Killusty, to James Spencer, Staffordshire (Killusty) Catherine Sheehan, Cloneen, to Paul Ryan, Clonmel (Killusty) Verona Holohan, Killusty, to Tommy Walsh, Kilcash (Killusty) Denis Hannon, Crossard, to Elizabeth Molloy, Clonmel (Killusty) Siobhán Sheehan, Rathmacarthy, to Patrick McDonald, Killeshin (Fethard)

Weddings outside the parish Ted Connolly, Main Street, to Ms. Colette Hendrick, Dublin (Dublin) John Fitzgerald, Crampscastle, Fethard, to Ann Marie O'Neill, New Inn (Holycross) Eugene Walsh, St. Patrick's Place, to Ms. Tracy Ryan, Clonmel (Powerstown) Eleanor Morrissey, Tullamaine, to Alexander Mühlwald, (Marlfield) Paul Wyatt, Jossestown, to Xequina Berber, USA (San Francisco) Caroline Grant, Clonmel, to Hugh O'Donnell, Grangebeg (Clonmel) Jennifer Cummins, St. Patrick's Place, to John Harkin, Carlow (Powerstown)

Photographed above is Greta O'Donovan, Burke Street, Fethard, who celebrated her 70th birthday on Sunday 24th September. Greta is pictured above with her family by Fethard's Town Wall on her special day. L to R: Meta, Denis, Kathleen, Andrew, Greta, Marie, Michael, Christine and Vera.

19 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Our dear departed 2000 from available photographs

Eddie Butler Eileen Dillon Mick Smith Mary Slattery Johnny O’Brien

Eddie Dineen Eileen Cahill Evie Croom Carroll Mick Toomey Mick Breen

Paddy Dalton Tate Croom Carroll Peggy Kenrick Giles Blundell Nellie Fitzgerald

David D’arcy Billy Smyth Mary Quinn Jim Fahey Margaret (Peggy) Fahey

Mary Fleming Margaret Cummins Maurice O’Gorman Nellie Kelly ‘Gentleman Jim’Connell

20 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Deaths in the parish he following is a list of deaths that occurred in the parish during the year. TWe have also included many of the deaths (from information supplied) that occurred away from Fethard and in brackets, the place of funeral service if known. Allen, Gussy, Barrack Street (Grimsby, England) Fahy (O’Shea), Bridget, Coolmoyne (England) Anglim, James Patrick, Lisronagh (New Jersey) Fitzgerald, Nellie, The Green (Calvary) Blundell, Giles, Slievenamon (Fethard) Fleming, Mary, Barrettstown (Calvary) Boland, Michael, Moyglass (Moyglass) Gazley, Josie, Woodhouse (Moyglass) Breen, Mick, Killerk (Ballyclerihan) Gleeson, Josie, Cloran (Cloneen) Browne, Pat, Woodvale Walk (Calvary) Godfrey, Mary, Derryluskin (Calvary) Burke, Margaret, Crampscastle (Calvary) Kelly, Nellie, St. Patrick’s Place (Calvary) Butler, Edmond, Garrinch (Calvary) Kelly, Tom, The Valley (England) Byrne, Philip, Claremore (Kilsheelan) Kenrick, Peggy, Burke Street (Calvary) Cahill, Eileen, Coolmoyne (Rathcoole) King, Tommy, The Green and England (England) Carroll, John, Rocklow (Mombassa) Maher, Mary, St. Patrick's Place (Calvary) Carroll, Miriam, Menlo (Holy Trinity Parish Church) McCarthy, Martin, Tullamaine and Barrack St. (Calvary) Connell, 'Gentleman Jim', Barrack Street (Calvary) McEniry, Ann, Knockelly (Cahir) Croke, Kathleen, Derryluskin (England) Morgan (Mullins), Peggy, Chapel Lane (England) Croome Carroll, Evie, Donoughmore (Powerstown) O’Gorman, Maurice, Canon Hayes Court (Cappawhite) Croome Carroll, Tate, Donoughmore O'Brien, Johnny, Canon Hayes Park (Calvary) Cummins, Margaret, Mockler’s Terrace (Calvary) O'Brien, Mai, Cloneen (Cloneen) Dalton, Anne (Sayers), The Green (Peterborough) Quinn, Mary, Lowesgreen (Rosegreen) Dalton, Paddy, New York and Redcity (New York) Ryan, Mary (Neville), Woodhouse (London) D'arcy, David, Killusty (Derby) Slattery, Mary, Rocklow Road (Calvary) D’arcy, Per, Killusty (Killusty) Smith, Mick, Coolbawn (Moyglass) Dillon, Eileen, Rocklow Road (Calvary) Smyth, Billy, Cashel Road (Calvary) Dineen, Eddie, Kerry Street (Calvary) Toomey, Michael 'Mick', Market Hill (Cahir) Fahey, Jim, Crampscastle (Calvary) Wilkinson, Thomas, Killerk (London) Fahey, Margaret, Crampscastle (Calvary)

Fethard Patrician Brothers School - Munster Champions 1985 Front: L to R: Rory Keane, Ciarán O’Dwyer, Liam Cronin, Liam Ryan, Gerry Murphy, Justin Maher, Chris Coen, Johnny Connolly, Willie Casey, Willie O’Meara, Adrian Bradshaw. Back L to R: John Noonan, Gerry Horan, David Kane, Eddie Casey, Eddie Sheehan, Liam O’Dwyer, Paul Hayes, Fergus McCormack, Malachy Brett, Colm Kehoe, Pat Broderick, Brian Burke and David Hogan. 21 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

‘Twas scorching hot in Fethard by Tony Synnott t was my second visit to Fethard four people set off for Fethard on foot. Iwhen I first felt the heat. But, let Forty or so minutes later that felt like me tell you about my first visit to days to me, a spare wheel and a heavy Fethard before I felt the heat. — duty jack arrived and we were soon My sister May and her husband on our way again. The walkers must Steve O’Connor invited me to visit have reached Fethard, as they were not them in their flat above Sean seen on the road. Henehan’s shop on the Square. The My mind was in turmoil, would my year was 1946 and I was twelve years sister May have tired of waiting for the old. bus and have gone home? Would any- On the appointed Saturday, I was one in Fethard know where she lived, scrubbed to a shine and my unruly hair you see, in my mind’s eye Fethard was was plastered down at my home on at least as big as Clonmel and may William Street in Clonmel. My even have been bigger. I didn’t realise Mother took me to the bus outside she had a view of the Main Street from Duggan’s Pub on Gladstone Street and her front windows, not to mention the paid the conductor for the single half walkers who had obviously passed the —fare to Fethard. I was thrilled and news of the breakdown to the people apprehensive in equal measure. on Main Street. Thrilled because it was my first solo However all turned out well, I had a journey, apprehensive because I had most enjoyable day with lots of treats, been given so many instructions about including a shilling from Steve on good behaviour, polite manners at departure, which made me think that table and to anyone I might meet in I’d never see a poor day again. Fethard. The return journey on The journey home to Clonmel was Saturday night was to be by Cahir most enjoyable too. Mr Taylor got a Machine Bakery delivery van, in the blow by blow account of the days hap- care of Clonmel Town Councillor and penings. The crusty bits of grinder I family friend Jim Taylor (Jim was picked off the passenger seat during Mayor of Clonmel sometime later). the eight miles to Clonmel were only "Meet the van at the shop on Kerry delicious. I slept well that night after Street at 8.30p.m. sharp and get there my first solo and most profitable out- early." Those last words from my ing. I wonder if any bread is delivered Mother as the bus pulled away were on Kerry Street at 8.30 p.m. on a still ringing in my ears at Lisronagh. Saturday night nowadays. My thoughts soon changed as we The second visit, the second of approached Clonacody. The bus came many hundreds to Fethard was either to a grinding halt and the words "punc- 1948 or 1949. I was then a tenor drum- ture" and "no spare" were passed from mer in the Clonmel Boys Club Pipe passenger to passenger. A passing Band. The Band was engaged to lead lorry, they were scarce in those days. the Fethard Carnival Parade. We were took the message of our misfortune to transported as usual by Fennessey’s the bus garage in Clonmel. Three or hackney cars, the lead car driven by

22 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

23 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Teddy Fennessey had a trailer attached During that time the other Band mem- which carried the pipes and drums. I bers went about spending their mea- usually had a seat in Georgie’s car, as gre pocket money, but yours truly the craic with him was always ninety. headed off to the Valley and the home At the top of Market Hill we passed of Steve O’Connor’s mother. I knew four men from the Old Bridge in that my own mother had gone there Clonmel who were walking to after watching the parade. Two of Fethard, such was the popularity of Steve’s aunts were there on holiday Fethard Carnival. All along Congress from England, also Steve and my sis- Terrace and Kerry Street, the entrants ter May and several others. A wise for the Parade were lining up. move if ever there was one. I was The Band took up position at the treated like a prince, high praise for crossroads by the Cinema. In 26 years the band, my own performance was in various pipe bands I have never favourably commented upon, I got a encoun- great feed tered heat and depart- like ed six Fethard shillings enjoyed and six- that June pence to day. As the good. I with all sang the fancy dress loudest if parades it not the was slow sweetest on moving. the journey By the back to The French 'Dion' Quints' at Fethard Carnival. time we Includes: Maureen O'Donnell (Yvonne), Joan O'Connor (Annette). Clonmel that reached Mary Kenny (Cecile), Noddy Hennessy (nurse). night. As I Newport’s m entioned shop, every member of the band was earlier I have been back to Fethard perspiring. The heat of the sun, the hundreds of times since 1946. I cycled pure wool of the uniforms, the excite- from Clonmel; I motored from ment of seeing so many people lining London to Fethard, Gloucester to the street and cheering us on and the Fethard, Birmingham to Fethard, extra effort put in to please an appre- Motherwell in Scotland to Fethard and ciative audience brought us almost to countless times from Clane in the the point of collapse. County Kildare. All visits are like The Band Secretary rushed into ‘home-comings’ and many are memo- Newport’s and re-appeared with sev- rable but none come near to that Fethard eral bottles of red lemonade. It was Carnival Day and those lovely six unheard of to refresh a Band on the shillings and sixpence. Perhaps another move. I can taste it still. time I’ll tell you some more details of We were given an hour off whilst my visits, especially about my sister the Irish Dancing was taking place. Phyllis and the mushrooms!

24 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

A working summer by Tom McCormack illage played a large part in the Napier to go thinning beet to Pat Teconomic well-being of most Dwyer of Knockelly. farmers in the post-war era, especially Jim and I became friends after the in Tipperary. Sugar beet was always late Brother Albert caught both of us one of the main crops as it had two and four others playing "Twenty- advantages, (i) farmers were assured Fives" in the small Leaving Certificate of a fixed price per acre depending, of room at the end of the school corridor. course, on the quality and (ii) Thurles In later years Jim emigrated to Sugar Factory was only a mere half England where he married Eileen hour’s drive so this ensured quick Maher from St. Patrick’s Place. delivery to a factory which, at the After informing me that we would time, was booming but now sadly get a pound a week, which was then a closed. full six days, I agreed to go with him. Some reasonable employment was Under normal circumstances workers attached to the beet crops especially in were paid by the drill but as we were mid-summer and mid-winter. During on a weekly wage our work varied. summer holidays school boys, as they The following Monday morning were known then, had the opportunity after our discussion Jim and I hit for of earning a few bob by thinning beet. Knockelly. I was wearing a pair of It was in this atmosphere that I white runners or "guttys" which I used allowed myself to be persuaded by Jim when playing handball. As we entered

Fethard First Communion c.1938. Back L to R: Tom Sayers, Mick Keyes, John Delaney, Michael Stokes, Michael Cummins. Middle Row L to R: Gerry Mackey, Sean Walsh, Peter Murphy, Chris Mackey, Bill Meaney, Brendan O’Donnell. Front L to R: John McDonnell, Frank McCarthy, Austin Cassells, Tony Newport, Master Crotty, Jim Noonan, Seamus Greene and Jim Napier.

25 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 the farmyard Pat came forward to wel- house. While proceeding up the lad- come Jim, who had worked there the der to the loft, someone would always previous year. Looking down at my produce a deck of cards and with a cut feet he enquired where the "tennis for deal, the game of "Twenty-Five" match" was being held. I was dumb- would commence. struck as Jim, amid great laughter, Pat was a fine player but he lacked introduced me as "The Red Rocket - the cunning of some of his compan- Rod Laver" who after his Wimbledon ions. Mick Keane was an expert at the success was visiting Fethard. game then . . . he still is! Jim Napier We spent our first day thinning beet always had a deck and a few games in a big field near Anglim’s entrance. were usually played on the step of the Crawling on your knees, as the midday Everard doorway before retiring to sun burned into your back, you earned Mick Maher’s of St. Patrick’s Place. your pound. Now and again you Around this time Jim was courting raised your head, hoping the headland Mick’s daughter, Eileen. I had served might be nearer. At one o’ clock we my time playing poker and twenty- were called to dinner which was the fives in Croke’s of Rocklow Road after usual time in most homes. Here we sat school. Ned Lawless and Jim round the kitchen table with Neddie Cantwell were a bit like Pat, too hon- Lawless, Jim Cantwell and Mick est for us fellows. The games would Keane. carry on well past dinner-hour until Pat himself and his sister ate in a Pat’s sister Maggie, missing move- small room off the parlour. Mrs Jim ment around the yard, would come Flynn, mother of John P. O’Flynn (a looking for him. man who wrote a wonderful article in After the thinning of the beet, it was last year’s Newsletter), was house- time for saving the hay. In those days keeper and cook. the hay was cut with a horsedrawn There was a set menu daily consist- "mowing machine". This was done by ing of bacon and cabbage and, believe the man in charge, Ned Lawless, and it or not, it was enjoyed by all. who Maggie always referred to as However, due to a poor stomach, Jim ‘The Boss’. After a few days we Cantwell had the privilege of roast would turn the hay with forks, then beef which sometimes looked enticing into small cocks and later into trams. to the rest of us four. This longing was Baling was light years away in those soon forgotten when Mrs Flynn days. During those long warm after- strolled into the kitchen with steaming noons Mrs Flynn would arrive with plates of ‘hard-cured’ bacon and cab- jugs of scalding tea and thickly but- bage. This would be followed by a tered brown bread. ‘skillet’ of new potatoes tossed onto a As the summer progressed Pat’s sis- jute bag on the centre of the long, ter, Maggie, brought me in from the oblong table. I can say with certainty, fields and set me to work around the those small potatoes vanished pretty orchard. I spent the last days of that quickly! After the grub, and with a summer mowing and clipping the half-hour left of our dinner hour, Pat grass around the apple trees, and clip- and the five of us would hit for the out- ping hedges. I don’t know if Maggie

26 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 gave me this job because she liked me a fortune. Shortly after that sum- or that she was suspicious of me. All I mer Jim emigrated to England. I remember is that she kept peering commenced work in a new bakery through the white lace curtains from that had opened on the Main Street. the sitting room. Fifty years have passed since that On Saturday evenings, Mick summer. Pat Dwyer, his sister Keane would bring out a single-bar- Maggie, Ned Lawless, Jim Cantwell relled shotgun from the shed and and Jim Napier have all passed to we’d go shooting rabbits, which their eternal reward (R.I.P.). Mick were quite plentiful then. The gun Keane is still playing "Twenty- was tied with twine, which held the Fives" with a good deal of success. stock to the barrel. I often wonder I, after fifty years, have commenced how we escaped being blown to playing again, with a little success. bits! As I ponder on those from time to Afterwards, in the farmyard, Pat time, that summer always stands out would pay Jim and myself our in my mind, and at times I wish I week’s wages. He’d forage in his was back there again, but, as my waistcoat pocket and then hand us a wife Kathleen would say "Life isn’t pound each. To both of us this was a Rehearsal", and isn’t that true.

Large group taken after making the annual pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon, includes: Christie Williams, Pat Ryan, Tony Newport, John Tobin, Jackie Aylward and wife, Mick Halpin, Tom Sheehan, Cathleen Keane, Mick Keane, Margaret Keane,Cly Mullins, John Harrington, Agnes Allen, Bill & Babe Maher, ‘Cap’Holohan and Fr. Cunningham. (photo supplied by Nellie Ryan, St. Patrick’s Place)

27 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Snippets from Millennium year

Christmas 1999 side the illuminated Town Hall with Canon James Power P.P. and Fr. Ben live music from the Pheasant Pluckers O'Brien OSA, Prior, complimented and lots of free goodies distributed to Fethard and Killusty parishioners on the children present by two beautifully their excellent attendance at the dressed 'Millennium Clowns'. The church services during the Christmas Millennium Eve celebrations went off period. The Carol services in Holy literally with a bang! The most impres- Trinity Church of Ireland also attract- sive fireworks display ever seen in ed a full congregation. The weather Fethard lit up the night sky for an hour over the holiday period was quite following the pealing of the local good. Unfortunately the Childrens' churches bells at midnight. The crowd Meet of the Tipperary Foxhounds at attending enjoyed the festivities in a Grove coincided with high wind and most orderly manner with no undue rain which, we might add, did not mar shouting or disturbance. in any way the enthusiasm and enjoy- Last Abbey Lotto ment of the 102 mounted juvenile fol- Marianne Shortall, The Valley, won lowers of all ages. The Fethard & the £1800 Jackpot in the last Killusty Community Council started Augustinian Abbey Lotto draw in the Millennium celebrations on January. The new Community Lotto Wednesday night 29th December, out- commenced on Tuesday 17th April.

The bridge at Jesuit’s Walk that carried the old Clonmel-Thurles railway line over the roadway was seriously damaged in a mysterious accident in December 1999. Apparently a large truck attempting to negotiate the narrow structure almost demolished the old landmark. The stonework on the bridge was a marvellous example of the art of the stonemasons of the 19th century. It was repaired in February, 2000, by Tipperary S.R. County Council. 28 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

LIGHTING UP THE NEW MILLENNIUM A group photographed at the Community Council’s 'Millennium Party' held on 29th December outside the Town Hall. The 'Pheasant Pluckers' provided live music with lots of entertainment and freebies for the kids. The event was part funded by the "Millennium Events Awards'. Married 45 years defunct Twilight Serenaders. He emi- Congratulations to John and Gladys grated to the USA and gave the drum O'Flynn who celebrated 45 years mar- kit to his nephew in Dublin. His riage on Saturday 5th February. John nephew, now married and living in P. O' Flynn left Killerk, Fethard, in London, never followed up on his January 1954 and travelled to drumming career. After talking to Yorkshire, England, where he met locals in Fethard, Jim found the drum Gladys in September and married her still emblazoned with the Twilight on the 5th February 1955 Serenaders logo and drove down espe- George Plant cially the Sunday after to give the The traditional date of the annual drum to Brendan Kenny and would not George Plant Commemoration except a penny for it. It was then changed this year to Sunday March passed on to Pauline Morrissey (nee 5th, at St. Johnstown Churchyard, Sheehan) daughter of the late Tom Fethard. March 5th is the actual date Sheehan who was the celebrated lead- of the anniversary of the death of er of the Twilight Serenaders. George Plant, executed in Portlaoise Ear to the ground prison on March 5th 1942. RTE featured local organic farmer Beat this drum! Fintan Rice on their 'Ear to the The base drum of the old Fethard Ground' television program on RTE 1 dance band The Twilight Serenaders, on Monday night 20th March. of the forties and fifties returned to Skoda agency Fethard by an extraordinary coinci- Local garage proprietor Frank dence. Jim Cauley a former member Meagher was given the Skoda main of Mick Dell's famous band, pur- dealership for the Tipperary area. chased the drum kit from the then Frank needs no introduction in the 29 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 motor trade in Tipperary or indeed in by raising the required sponsorship for Ireland. His many rallying successes her entry in the national "Granny of have long since marked him as one of the Year". Europe's leading rally drivers. Frank Trocaire Collection returned to rallying this year and fin- The Lenten Trocaire Collection in ished fourth in his new Ford Focus at Fethard and Killusty Parish amounted the Cork Rally. to £2,600 this year - a 25% increase on Dr Mattie says goodbye last year's figure. Dr Mattie Corcoran, having taken up High Jump an appointment with the South Eastern Local athlete Jacqui Stokes, compet- Health Board, relinquished his prac- ing for her new club Border Harriers tice at Main Street, Fethard. Dr Molly A.C. England, won the ladies 100m Owen, Ardsallagh, took over Dr high jump and long jump at a British Corcoran's practice. athletics meet in Derbyshire. Kyleavalla Bridge Record price for horse Superficial damage to the truck and Coolmore and associated studs paid slight structural damage to the bridge in excess of the record 40 million dol- was the only harm caused when the lars in purchasing Kentucky Derby famed 'Kyleavalla Bridge' collapsed winner Fushachi Pegasus. The horse under the weight of a fully laden truck will retire next year to Coolmore’s which failed to cross the Anner over American Ashford Stud. the historic bridge. New barbers shop opens People in Need Elizabeth Burke set up a Nellie Ryan, St. Patrick’s Place, Gentleman's Barbers Shop in Burke raised over £600 for "People In Need" Street.

Mrs Mary Grant, Killerk, celebrated her eightieth birthday with her family and friends at Hotel Minella Clonmel, on 20th May, 2000. Mary is photographed above with her family. Back L to R: Pat, Roger, Peter, Seamus, Gerry and Tom. Front L to R: Breda, Mrs Mary Grant and Siobhán. 30 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Glanbia Fethard & Coolmoyne Area Advisory Committee held a special function in February to honour six of their long serving members who retired from the committee pictured here: L to R: Joe Hayes, David O'Meara, Mick Ahearne, Dermot Rice, Jim Barry and Gerry Hogan. New houses on Rocklow Road Rugby captain Building commenced of six semi- John Stokes, Knockbrack, a playing detached four bedroom houses on the member of Clonmel Rugby Club, cap- Rocklow Road. The development is to tained the Munster junior rugby team be called 'Cois Falla'. in the junior inter-provincial against Daring robbery Ulster at Larne on 2nd September. Fethard was outraged when news of New jockey a break in at the Bridge Bar, Main Shane Walsh, Grove Road, was Street, became public knowledge. Mr granted an amateur riders license by Dick Burke, retired proprietor, his the racing authorities. wife and brother were locked in a The Far East room during the raid. No one was The Presentation Sisters, having dis- charged with the robbery yet. tributed ‘The Far East’ magazine for Drangan & Cloneen GAA over 30 years, have now ended their "A History of the GAA in Drangan involvement. and Cloneen 1885-2000" was Quick thinking Val launched in Cloneen in July. While Quick thinking and prompt action dealing primarily with the GAA in by Val O’Dwyer prevented far more Drangan and Cloneen, it also contains serious damage being caused when a much of interest to the people of car caught fire while approaching Fethard, Mullinahone, Ballingarry, Main Street. Val entered the burning Killenaule, Grangemockler and vehicle and succeeded in moving it Kilsheelan. The book is available to safely away until the arrival of the Fire order for £12 (plus p&p. Tel: +353 Brigade from Clonmel. (0)52 31549 or +353 (0)52 52125. New taxi service Chris wins Captain’s Prize Mr Senan Murray, Redcity, estab- Chris Coen won the Captain's Prize lished a new taxi service this year and at Slievenamon Golf Course. may be contacted on 086 400 1882.

31 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Honors for Professor Irish Business’. Caroline is managing Professor William T. Coffey, director in Ireland of Novell, the fifth Innisfall, Burke Street, Fethard, has largest software company in the been awarded the degree, Docteur world. Honoris Causa, on October 13th, by Teachers strike the University of Perpignon, France, Patrician Presentation Secondary by virtue of his contributions to School teachers went on strike on Chemical Physics. The significance Tuesday morning 14th November. of Professor Coffey's honour is The members of the ASTI voted in shown in the fact that this single favour of specified industrial action in honour is achieved by just half of pursuit of their national pay claim. 1% of the membership. Pigtail for CAT scan appeal Community TV Miceál McCormack, Kerry Street, The Killenaule/Fethard BBC1, cut off his pigtail to raise funds in aid BBC2, UTV and Channel 4, signal of the St. Joseph's Hospital Cat Scan was restored to the area following the Appeal Fund in conjunction with the issue of a temporary licence. The Tipperary GAA referees All-Star annual subscription was set at £50. Football Challenge. Top business woman Hospice Coffee Morning Caroline Lonergan, The Square, The sum of £963 was raised at a Fethard, was listed at 24 in the list of Coffee Morning held in Fethard in aid ‘The 50 most Influential Women in of South Tipperary Hospice.

Kathleen Walsh, Barrack Street, celebrating her 92nd birthday at Fethard Day Care Centre on 16th March. Also included in photograph are Peter Napier, Jimmy Lawrence and Nelly Ryan.

32 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Cheltenham connections Fethard may not have produced any local trained winner at Cheltenham this year. Nevertheless, the local connection with the famous racing festival was well maintained. Fethard amateur riders had mixed fortunes. P.J. Colville was going very well on the Mouse Morris trained ‘Leonardo’ in the National Hunt Chase when a very bad mistake by his mount gave P.J. no chance of staying in the plate. P.J. was carrying on a family tradition as his late father rode ‘Willie Womkins’ to victory at Prestburn Park in 1973. His Uncle T.J. Ryan rode five Cheltenham winners in the eight- ies. Keith Culligan riding ‘Little Buck’, had a great run in the Greyhound success Foxhunters chase. Where or what Tim O'Riordan, local veteran grey- would Cheltenham be without hound owner, had his vast knowledge Fethard's official representative the and expertise in greyhound matters one and only Jimmy Ryan. A regular fully vindicated in his judgement in annual attendee for well over 20 years purchasing three greyhound pups in Jimmy has by now become one of the 1998. The three puppies from a first better known Irish characters of the litter of both sire and dam Arrigle meeting. Phantom and Springmount Dame, Tee on Gee, Mooncoin Harry and Lady Representatives appointed Dame all won on their initial outings. The Irish Council of “People with All three received rave notices on Disabilities”, Tipperary County the national press sporting pages. ‘Tee Network, have appointed Bernard A. on Gee’ winning by a distance was just Walsh, Burke St. Fethard, as a repre- .06 seconds off the ‘325’ track record sentative on the South Eastern Health in making his winning debut at board, to deal with the issues affecting Mullingar. people with disabilities in the South Eastern Health Board Area of County All-Ireland waltzing champions Tipperary. Congratulations to Marina Mullins, Mr Michael Walsh, The Valley, and Fethard Folk Farm, and her dancing Tony Newport, Congress Terrace, were partner Eddie Murphy, Kilkenny, who appointed as Fethard’s representatives won the Munster and All-Ireland on the St. Joseph’s Hospital Parent’s Waltzing Championship held in the Welfare Committee. Suggestions Lady Gregory Hotel, Gort, Co. which may help in-patients welfare Galway. will be brought to the attention of the Both are members of St. John’s committee. Ballroom Club in Kilkenny.

33 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Fethard & Killusty Community Games

he first year of the new millenni- have competitors in Mosney. Tum went well for Community Our under 16 girls volleyball team Games. Young people from the area defeated Lismore. Co. Waterford in participated in art & model-making, the Munster final and went on to win athletics, judo, under-10 GAA and silver medals at the ESB national under-16 girls volleyball. In the coun- finals. The team consisted of ty art final, Cathal Maher from Dun Vanessa O’Donnell, Monroe; Sarah Aoibhinn won his fourth successive Healy, The Green; Ashley title and represented Tipperary at McCormack-John, Monroe; Zoe Mosney. Our only qualifier for the Cooney, Main Street; Evelyn National Finals in athletics was O’Connor, St. Patricks Place; Ailish Anthony Feery from Killusty who O’Connell, Coolmoyne; Sarah took part in the boys under 17 Standbridge, Knockelly; Helen marathon for the second year in a row. Frewen, Tullamaine; Miriam Carroll, Those who won county titles in judo Crampscastle; Mary Gorey Main were: Michelle Bradshaw, The Green; Street; and Evelyn Fogarty, Bernadette Costello, Stacey Grace, Brookhill. The coaches were Denis Christopher Sheehan, Stephenie Burke and Bernie O’Connor and Lawrence, all from Woodvale Walk team manager was Rita McCormack- and D. J. Gorey, Redcity. John. The officials from Fethard at Unfortunately all were runners at the the national finals were Joe Keane, Munster finals in Listowel so for the Micheál McCormack, Bernard Feery first time in 15 years Fethard did not and Peggy Colville.

Congratulations to our local six Dublin City Marathon runners - Alice O’Gorman, Diane Halpin, Neilie Hall, Paddy Halpin, Michael Halpin and Tom Halpin who raised over £2,400 for South Tipperary Hospice in this year’s marathon.

34 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 St. Rita’s Camogie Club

St. Rita's Camogie team, Fethard, photographed by the Town Wall on 4th June 2000. The team won the 1999 County Junior 'A' Championship and the 1999 County League. This year they are promoted to Intermediate Championship level.

aving beaten Clonoulty in few occasions when victory was Hboth the Junior ‘A’ County there for the taking. Championship Final and the Junior We have won all of our matches A League Final last year, we were in the League and at the time of promoted to Intermediate status. writing are awaiting the fixture for The players have adjusted our County semifinal. Hopefully admirably to this transition but this we can emulate some of last year's level boasts a faster, tougher and success. The panel of players for more physical style of camogie. this year includes: Jean Morrissey, However, this promotion has Sandra Maher, Edel Fitzgerald, afforded us the opportunity of Fiona Conway, Emily Sayers, playing against top calibre players Imelda Spillane, Norah O'Meara, on a regular basis - many of the Sandra Spillane, Jennifer Keane, double All-Ireland winning Senior Marie Holohan, Niamh Sheehan, side hail from Intermediate clubs Kay Ryan, Audrey Conway, Mia therefore injecting flair, skill and Treacy, Bernie Horan, Caroline pace into the competition. We were Quinlan, Sharon O'Meara, Vanessa knocked out of the Championship O'Donnell, Laoise O'Connell, having been narrowly beaten on a Jennifer Frewen.

35 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Arriving in the promised land by John P. O’Flynn John P. O’Flynn left his home in Killerk on 2nd January 1954 and headed for a new life in England at the age of 26. The first 26 years of his life in Ireland was covered by an article published in last years Fethard & Killusty Newsletter, ‘Accentuate the positive’(pages 10-17). John’s remarkable life- story, including his coping with 40 years deafness, continues here with his arrival in England. fter leaving Fethard, the impression of the place was one of Aremainder of my journey to foreboding as the building was very England is still a bit hazy. However, I medieval looking. eventually arrived in Leeds on a fine There was a lovely kitchen garden frosty morning in January 1954. After near the house which reminded me of a cup of British Rail tea and one of those around Fethard. Some distance their famed stale sandwiches I made up from the monastery there was a my way to the city where I got a bus walled in wood about one acre in for Ilkley which is fourteen miles from extent, which had the Stations of the Leeds. Cross on the wall. A footpath went the Arriving at Ilkley whole way around. It was a very tran- The first thing I did when I arrived at quil place indeed. The priests were Ilkley was to go in to a pub and sam- called the Passionate Fathers and there ple my first pint of British ale. The were also monks (lay brothers). beer was called Tetley's and it was A man called Brennan from Kildare, brewed in Leeds. I liked this ale so who was the son of an Irish policeman, much that from then on it was my managed the farm. There was also a favourite ‘swally’. Yes, I know being married man working there who lived an Irishman, I may roast in hell for all in a tied cottage in the Farmyard. eternity for forsaking the black stuff. After five weeks there I was woken After making some enquiries, I was up one morning at 2am by the steward directed towards the Monastery, which who handed me a note saying the pigs was on the side of a hill about three were out and he needed me to help him quarters of a mile from the town. It round them up. I took a look out the was set in about two hundred acres of iced over window and told him to feck land behind the Monastery, some hilly off, which he did. The next morning I and some very flat, which also con- was taken in to see the Father Vicar; tained the farm buildings. My first this was the great man’s title. He said

Priest’s house in Ilkley 36 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

I was not suitable for farm work and to the farm on one April morning. If I he would pay my fare back to Ireland. remember rightly it was a fine April I said, "no way was I going back to morning. We started work mid-morn- Ireland", so he gave me a week’s ing but unlike at an Irish threshing notice. I had a look in the local paper there were only about ten helpers. An to see what jobs were going and saw a Irish farm would be swarming with farmer by the name of Fred Dalby was men, and the kitchen would also be looking for a man, only seven miles chock-a-block with women, all of down the road from Ilkley. them eager to display their culinary For the record, there is no difference skills. After the threshing was under between an English farmer, and his way for a few hours, Fred came around Irish counterpart, they both have to with the beer. He gave each of us a lit- graft pretty damn hard to earn a crust. tle bottle of Black Label, in contrast to Fred had an old Fordson tractor, an Irish farmer and his big milking shades of my young days here when I bucket full of the black stuff, and all of was gadding about Tommy Flynn's us swigging two mugs before return- tractor. I did all the ploughing and till- ing to our allotted tasks. ing for Fred. This came about one day But wait . . . when the threshing was as we were working with Eric, Fred's finished we all trooped into the kitchen brother, who had just starting to for a long awaited meal. Flo, Fred’s plough. I said to Fred "I have never wife, had done all the cooking on her seen such rooting in all my born days", own and when we were seated she so he then put me on the tractor to planted a plate in front of us with one teach me a lesson. sausage and a spoonful of mashed Now I had a lot of experience of spuds plus a bit of cabbage. Fred did ploughing in Ireland with various the honours with the beer — another types of tractor and both with mounted little bottle of Black Label — and and dragging types of plough. that's an English threshing. Then Everyone knows that Irishmen are every one departed without an offer of ploughmen par-excellence so Fred was a cup of tea to anyone. The next suitably impressed with my work and farmer whom I worked for was called from then on I was given all the tractor Johnson, who lived just a few yards work. One day I was up the field har- from Gisburn village. I only stayed rowing when the tractor fan cut a there three or four weeks as I did not swath through the radiator and three like him one little bit, even though the weeks later it was still not repaired. bed and board was ok, it was just the So with no tractor I soon lost interest man himself I could not stomach. and had a look in the paper again. This There is always some one whom time I got in touch with a farmer in you could not like, although that per- Gisburn, Lancashire. son may be ok in every way. That's Gisburn just the way it is, one of those things Here, I would like to recount my really. He never once wrote anything experience of a day threshing on an out for me, just waved his arms about English Farm. I was very surprised to as if I was a sheep dog. see a tractor and threshing mill roll in I was soon on my way again this

37 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 time to a William Booth who had a It came about like this. One Saturday farm over in Fezior, a small hamlet, night I wanted to go into town at eight under a limestone outcrop. This out- thirty, but he wanted me to go out for crop extended for about a mile, and another load of hay with John Towler. was some two or three hundred feet I refused point blank as I had been high. Back behind this was an exten- working from six in the morning till sive moor full of potholes or what we nine at night for five days. Anyway, in Tipperary call ‘gullies’. Booth's was we had a bit of a scuffle, and his wife a dairy and sheep farm, he had about who was also in the milking shed, ran thirty cows, some cattle and about into the house and a few minutes later three hundred sheep. He was a very a police car rolled up. The police wait- well off farmer given that the farm was ed till I had packed up and got the all limestone rock. He also had lots of money that I was due and then took me hay fields, which he saved as both as far as the main road and dumped silage and hay for winter feed, no me. I was really glad to see the back of tillage of any kind in this hilly district. that place as I had no friends of any In addition to myself he had two sort. Indeed I never had a friend from other men, John Towler from Settle, a the moment I left Killerk till the day I nearby town also under a huge lime- met my future wife Gladys, when I stone outcrop, that would make the went to live in Skipton. Rock of Cashel look like a little garden Skipton and Burnsall rockery. The other man was from the This town is a little jewel set in love- West of Ireland, and I never got his ly surroundings, it has a Castle, and name. I certainly don't remember it during the war was an army garrison now. I should point out here, that the town similar to Fethard in years gone Yorkshire and Lancashire farmers used by. It has low hills sweeping up from to employ Irish migrant farm workers just outside the town and ends in beau- mostly from the West of Ireland. tiful moorland covered in heather. It is My wife Gladys told me about the a joy to behold in the autumn when the hiring fairs held in her hometown heather is in full bloom, shades of Skipton up to the early fifties. Of Slievenamon here. When the clouds course nowadays all farmers have trac- drift overhead they throw their shad- tors and lots of hay making machinery. ows in a similar fashion producing a Some farmers had as many as four kaleidoscope effect on the hillsides. huge tractors and a yard full of On market days it was full of stalls and machines of all kinds. crowded somewhat like Fethard used The Irish workers used to gather in a to be on fair days in the fifties, but pub called the Cross Streets where they without all the cow dung and urine. would take over a room for them- Also like Fethard it had, and still has, a selves. I went in the room once but water wheel, but the wheel had water when they found out I was deaf they fed in via a chute on top, whereas the lost interest. They were a close knit one in Coffeys mill was undershot, group and could not, or would not, which I think is the term used. The bother to write out things for me. town also had an iron foundry, a small However, I soon fell foul of the boss. paint factory as well as a very large

38 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Fair Day in Fethard in the 1950’s mill, which produced sewing thread. say here in Yorkshire "all the world is When I got into Skipton I put up at queer except me and thee, and even the Royal Oak hotel. On Monday I thee is a little queer". The Yorkshire went to the labour exchange and soon people have a lovely wit and sense of was on my way to the Red Lion Hotel humour, no doubt about it. The only in Burnsall, a lovely little Dales vil- fly in the ointment was I had to work lage with the river Wharfe flowing unsociable hours, finishing most through it. This river is somewhat like nights at 10pm. I had all day our own river Suir, a sister river in fact. Wednesday and half day Thursday off The village is a focal point for anglers instead. I lived high on the hog here and hikers surrounded by limestone for five months. Great food, and lots hills, with a smattering of lead here of my favourite Tetley’s Bitter ale. and there. It was also a magnet for This life was a million light years landscape artists who were selling away from that of a farmer’s labourer. their work to the Dalesman magazine, Everyone would write out for me and which was produced in Clapham, a the chef was good to me food wise. village not far from Burnsall. My The pub used to have a lot of anglers main tasks here was to wash the dish- staying who would go fishing in the es and clean up the pub bar and do early morning and come back around some ‘pearl diving’, (army slang for nine with a brace of trout. The waiters cleaning out the toilets). The manager cleaned and prepared the fish and was a grand man, decent, understand- afterwards the chef would cook them ing, and sympathetic to me. I really for the anglers. The river was just a did like working for him, though his few yards from one of the dining wife was a bit odd. But then as they rooms. 39 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

NOVEMBER 1954 ing and was also secretary of the November nineteen fifty-four Skipton club. I accepted her invitation arrived. One day the manager sent for to call to the club and the following me and imparted some very bad news Wednesday evening I came from — the porter who used to work there Burnsall as I was still working at the was coming back and I would have to Red Lion there. On my way to her go but he was giving me a chance to house I bought a bunch of flowers. find another job first. I didn’t hang When we met, we both pointed at each about and went straight back to other and said "you!" As the weeks Skipton, staying at the Royal Oak once went by we became very close and more. What a contrast between the then she dropped a bombshell. It two pubs, the Royal Oak was a dump. turned out she was already engaged to It cost me four pounds ten and every another lad and had been so engaged blessed morning the land lady's dog for the previous six years. used to pee against the leg of the Some few weeks after, Gladys and kitchen table. This money only got me myself discovered we both had the bed and breakfast and I had to buy all same ambitions, to have a home of our my other meals, own and a few which was ok kids, so we by me as there decided to get were plenty of married. This places to buy caused Gladys food in the some more hard town. When I thinking, as she worked at the was seven years Red Lion I older than me. I came to Skipton was twenty every seven years old Wednesday for then, but I con- a look around The Royal Oak in Skipton vinced her that town and it wasn’t long before I got the age difference would not matter familiar with the place. one little bit. Also of course, we were One day while walking I came of different religious denominations. I across a door that had a notice saying remembered a particular couple. He ‘Skipton Hard of Hearing Club’. Next was twenty-six and she was forty-six; to the club was a sweet and tobac- the age difference did not bother them, conists with advertisement cards in the and their marriage lasted. Gladys then shop window. I decided to place an told her fiancée she wanted to end their advert asking for a pen friend but did- engagement. n’t have any great expectations of With this out of the way another receiving a reply. However, hope problem arose in the shape of her springs eternal as they say. father and the rest of her family. Her Some days later a letter arrived at the father was a painter and decorator by Red Lion for me. This was from a trade and had his own decorating busi- Gladys Hillary who was hard of hear- ness. He was not overjoyed at the

40 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 news his daughter was going to marry about 22 miles from Skipton. a deaf penniless Irish labourer. Gladys Bradford was very headstrong and once she got At that time I was working at an the bit between her teeth no power on engineering factory in Bradford City. earth could hold her back. She soon We returned from our honeymoon on made it clear to all her family that she Monday and on Tuesday moved to our was getting married. new rooms. When we moved in, all we Gladys was hard of hearing and owned was a bed, a small table and two could never understand my broad chairs. Later we got some furniture on Tipperary accent. As I of course was easy payments. One of the articles we stone deaf, she had to write every thing bought was a kitchen cabinet for out for me and I did the same for her so £11.00 and we still have it in our hall- no misunder- way 44 years standings arose. later. They don't Another thing I make furniture always admired like that these and still admire days. in Gladys is her Our first child, great organising a daughter was skills. She soon born on the 17th had all the November 1955, arrangements and we christened made for our her Kathleen. wedding day. Fifteen months Neither of us after we moved to wanted to marry Bradford we in the others managed to get a church, so we council house on settled for a the Buttershaw Registry Office estate and here wedding. When we stayed for thirty years. Here we had decided John and Gladys on honeymoon in Blackpool the wedding date too our two sons I then had to save up for the wedding Micheál and Paul was also born. So ring and a decent suit to get married our dreams had at last come true — a in. On the morning of the wedding I home of our own and three lovely chil- had £3.00 in my pocket, but luckily dren. On the 6th October 1986 we enough Gladys had a few quid saved moved to our present address, a lovely up to pay for the expenses incurred. two bedroom council house. One of To this very day she maintains I only the advantages in renting a house is married her for her money. Gladys you have no hassle with repairs as it's booked rooms for our honeymoon, all down to your landlord. which was only a weekend in During the years after moving to Blackpool. Somehow or other she Bradford I had a wide variety of jobs as found two rooms for us in Bradford, it was very difficult to hold one down.

41 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

The O’Flynn family L to R: Paul, Kathleen, Gladys and Mick. Every order had to be written out for you know", that counts. We used to me, although at some times I could have fishing matches and on three follow given signs. Whilst working as occasions I came second. Sid used to a labourer in an engineering factory I write everything out for me and kept decided that if I was an engineering me informed about things I needed to turner I wouldn’t have the problem of know. trying to understand orders. Once I One day on my rounds, I noticed he made the decision to become a turner I had an idle lathe. Sid told me the oper- applied to the employment exchange ator had left so I asked him if he would to go on an engineering course at the consider me for the job. He said he government Skills Centre in Leeds. would take it up with the machine They refused as I could not hear or lip shop manager, David Godfrey, and as read so it would be impossible to teach luck would have it David was also one me such complex work. Well as they of Gods chosen children — another say, "God helps them who helps them- kind and sympathetic man. He said he selves". My next move was to visit our would give me two weeks trial and if I city library and study books on centre did not measure up it was back to lathe turning, and other books pertain- labouring. By then I had a very good ing to the engineering trade. The fac- knowledge of lathe work and measur- tory where I worked had an angling ing instruments, both English and met- club and the secretary was a foreman ric, micrometers, dial gauges etc, so I called Sid Schofield who was in never looked back. When I retired charge of the centre lathe line. Sid was with ill health in 1980, I had worked as a very understanding and sympathetic a capstan setter operator for some ten man. It is a well-known fact that if years. I had upgraded from the centres you want to get on in this vale of tears, to the big capstans. it is never "what you know", but "who By now my balance was gone and I

42 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 also had an operation for two slipped time. Next she saw a Mr Jones, a love- discs in 1976, having worked for sev- ly man from the Welsh valleys, he had enteen years with one disc out. For looked at my ears on several occasions those of you who never had such an but there was nothing he could do ailment, it is like having a constant about it. toothache centred in the hip bone as in Next she saw a Mr. Tucker who also my case. I decided to teach myself said there was nothing he could do for watercolour painting as a form of ther- me. However, Gladys was not beaten apy, a hobby which I still enjoy very yet, and somehow or other she discov- much to this day. ered a Mr Raine who was making the Through our married life I never deaf hear again using cochlear earned big wages and I don't know how implants, so she got in touch with him Gladys managed on the little money through Mr Tucker. left after I finished boozing at the Mr Raine granted me an interview in weekends. Yes, I was your typical Irish June 1992 and told me he would see if husband. One wonders how women there was anything he could do about put up with such treatment and today, my deafness. You knew where you when I think of how short of money I stood with Mr Raine from the start, as kept her, I could cry. How she could he wrote out his questions for you and keep on loving me through all this I also gave you a straight answer. He will never, never know. Thank god she soon had me back in hospital for some had such a strong character. During all scanned photos. The results of these this time she managed to keep a roof were very good, so he then sent me to over our heads and food on the table. If Addenbrooks hospital in Cambridge to it was left for me to manage we would see a Mrs Ivy Court and John Hartnel. be homeless, that's for sure. John already had this type of implant It was very hard for me to write this done and he was very happy with it. but I suppose we all have a down side, Early in September 1992 we got the but I never raised a hand to her, so I sup- nod from Mr Raine to say the opera- pose we must be thankful for small mer- tion was lined up for February 22nd cies. All this happened in the early years 1993. I was told to report to the hospi- of our married life and as time went on tal at 1.30pm and to check in for the I mended my ways. The booze can operation at 8.30am on Friday morn- take over and control ones life very ing. On Friday morning we headed for quickly as it tends to creep up on you. the theatre at 8.15am. I was back in the Today, it is only a bad memory for both ward again at 12.30pm. Mr Raine did of us, all buried and behind us. a brilliant piece of microsurgery and I Hearing Again did not feel any pain what so ever after From the moment we came to live in the operation. Six weeks later the big Bradford Gladys set about trying to day arrived March 4th 1993. We all have something done about my hearing gathered in the room for the big switch loss. I had given up all hope of hearing on. When all was ready, David sounds ever again. But Gladys had dif- Baugley, the audiologist from ferent ideas about it. First she saw a Addenbrooks checked out the sound Mr Otty who said she was wasting his processor to make sure it was working

43 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 and also checked out Mr Raine's hand- part in group discussions, I can yet hear iwork. By the time this was done Mr the second hand of a wristwatch ticking Raine had almost chewed his fingers in a quiet room. Being able to hear the off. When David had ‘beamed me up’, sounds around me is what the proces- Ivy took over and switched on the sor is all about, and understanding sound processor, then the big "will it, speech is the icing on the cake. I can won't it" decision arrived. A clunk, also use the ‘phone now. followed by a tiny voice saying Gladys and myself now have no "hello" was the first spoken word I need to communicate using pen and had heard in forty years, here too, paper. I will always be grateful to my conflicting emotions took hold, Gladys for all the effort she put in on immense joy at hearing Gladys’ voice my behalf, to enable me to enjoy the for the first time ever. The joy I felt world of sound, and what a noisy at hearing Gladys for the first time is world I have returned to. indescribable. Seven years had now The joy of it all. Thank you gone by and it was wonderful being God. Stop the world "I want to back in the world of sound again. get on". Though I can only understand speech on a one-to-one basis and can’t take

Ode to a poet I don’t know many poets, in fact I know but one. He goes by the name of Jim O’ Keeffe, from the foot of Sliabh na mBan. Now Jim was once a neighbour, as a youth he went to sea, and visited many places, unknown to you and me. But his mind would often take him back to Clashawley’s water side. And to be among the folks he loved, he hoped one day to reside. But the times they were a changin’ all the old folks nearly gone. Not too many school friends now, round the foot of Sliabh na mBan. So now he is Dun Roamin’ no more will he go to sea. For he’s made his home by the water side down in lovely Kilmore Quay.

— By Kevin Ryan (Killusty)

44 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Fethard & Killusty Community Council e have come to the end of yet In recent months we have been Wanother busy year for Fethard involved in many projects to con- & Killusty Community Council. The tribute to the development of Fethard officers for the current year are: Joe town and it's environs. Kenny (chairperson), Edwina Newport In April 2000 Fethard & Killusty (secretary), Fr. Ben O'Brien (treasur- Community Council acquired a licence er). Board of Directors: Peter Grant, to operate a Community Lotto in Jimmy Connolly, Diana Stokes, Brian Fethard. The aim of the Lotto is to gen- Sheehy, Helen Carrigan, Bill Kennedy, erate a fund that can be made available Alice Butler, Thelma Griffith, James for the betterment of Fethard and its Roche and Jimmy Lawerence. inhabitants. We would like to take this

Fethard residents expressed their dismay at the lack of respect by motorists for pedestrians, cyclists and those in charge of animals at a public meeting called by the Fethard & Killusty Community Council on Monday 2nd October. This meeting was called due to the many complaints received by the Community Council concerning the ever increasing danger to residents when using our roads. Following a lengthy discussion on various solutions, it was decided that the most effective immediate plan would be to encourage all locals to report speeding cars to the local Garda Station. If you see a car breaking the speed limit or driving dangerously, write down the registration number, the place, and the time, on a piece of paper and hand it in to the local Garda Station. If everyone acts similarly it won’t be long before the chief offenders are identified. This action will be supported by ‘Community Speed Watch’ signs erected on all our roads. Photographed at the public meeting are Back L to R: Geraldine McCarthy, Rita Kenny, Brian Sheehy, Michael Fitzgerald, Joan Woodlock, Paddy Croke. Middle L to R: Michael O’Riordan, Carol Kenny, Ann Lynch, Fr. John Meagher OSA, Frank Coffey, Eamon Delahunty. Front L to R: Cllr John Fahey, Diana Stokes, Clare Sullivan, Kathleen Nagle and Brendan Morrissey. 45 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 opportunity to thank all our ticket sell- Upper Main Street and the Square, as ers over the past months and we would part of the EU funded Village and like to encourage any clubs or organi- Urban Renewal Scheme, has been sations in the parish to become ongoing all year. There have been involved in the Community Lotto - it is many delays in the completion of this by supporting each other that we help work resulting in the Community ourselves. Council being unable to erect a full In May the Community Council was complement of Christmas Lighting for involved in an exchange visit with the the second year running. We have Welsh town of St. Davids. This been assured that the Square will be exchange was co-ordinated under an ready for December 2001! Interreg project to create links between On Monday October 4th the the towns - both similar in size and also Community Council organised a pub- having much of their medieval origins lic meeting to target the ongoing prob- remaining. lem of speeding in Fethard, particular- Members of the committee travelled ly on the approach roads to the town. to St. Davids for a weekend followed The consensus of this meeting was to by a return visit to Fethard by a contin- report offenders to the local Gardai. gent from Wales three weeks later. The We are currently working towards get- outcome of this exchange was the pro- ting speed reduction measures, such as posal to establish a web-site linking speed ramps and signage, provided in both towns and also to establish joint the town. projects between the primary schools. In November last members of the On June 25th last Cllr. Pat Norris on Council signed the Contract for the behalf of Tipperary S.R. County purchase of the Convent Hall from the Council officially opened the foot- Presentation Sisters. We are glad to be bridge over the Clashawley. This in a position to secure the future of the brings the Riverwalk in the valley to hall for use by the Community of near completion. The final phase of Fethard. Our intention is to render the this project is the illumination of the hall suitable as an Adult Training Centre area, including the renovated section of with the provision of a Cyber Café and the Town Wall, which should be Childminding facilities on site. finalised next year. Plans are presently underway to Fethard has been selected for inclu- build an extension to the Fr. Tirry sion in the Town Renewal Scheme Community Centre, on Barrack Street, 2000. This scheme, which encourages to improve the facilities of the centre. the renovation of certain vacant and These improvements will benefit the dilapidated sites in the Town Centre by Day Care Centre, and others, and they means of tax incentives to the owners, will also comply with the impending has been implemented since July 24th South Eastern Health Board regulations last. It is hoped that the general appear- for the operation of such a facility. ance of the town and streetscapes will We would like to take this opportu- improve over the next few years as a nity to thank all those who have con- result of this scheme. tributed to work of the Community The work on the realignment of Council during the past year especial-

46 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 ly the Supervisor and participants of Centre. Also, if any citizens of Fethard the Community Employment Scheme. have any issues which they would like We would like to invite any individ- to have addressed please contact uals in the community who are inter- Edwina Newport (Secretary). ested in the development and promo- On behalf of Fethard & Killusty tion of Fethard to become involved in Community Council I would like to the Community Council. Meetings are wish all Fethard people, both at home held on the second Tuesday of every and away, a very Happy Christmas and month in the Fr. Tirry Community prosperous 2001.

Exchange trip with St. David’s

Members of Fethard Community Council and local representatives photographed with representatives from St. Davids, Wales, outside the Tirry Community Centre on Saturday 29th April. n Friday 31st March, 2000, ing and seeking opportunities for sus- Omembers of Fethard and tainable development. The following Killusty Community Council and local representatives travelled from Fethard: representatives travelled on the first Joe Kenny, Fr. Ben O'Brien OSA, leg of an exchange trip with St. Jimmy Connolly, Peter Grant, David David’s in Wales as part of WICC Sceats, Mairead Croke, Mary Project exchange trip on Sustainable Hanrahan, Chris Nevin, Dóirín Saurus Rural Communities. The trip, organ- and Terry Cunningham. The group ised by Tipperary SR County Council was accompanied by two facilitators, and facilitated by TRBDI, offered both Brian Connor, BP Connor & communities the chance to look at Associates; and Bridgit Kirwan, each others town with the aim of learn- TRBDI. Workshops were held in St.

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Davids which included a presentation public toilets, library, information cen- by the Fethard group on the historical, tre and access to local research infor- social and economic situation in mation already computerised by the Fethard. The workshop explored the Fethard Historical Society with the aid possibility of creating joint projects of the Students Summer Scheme. that would benefit both towns. The workshop was facilitated by At the end of April, the Fethard and Seamus Hoyne, Tipperary Energy Killusty Community Council hosted Agency Limited, and was attended by the return visit from St. David's Peter Jenner and Christine Grimshaw Community Council representatives. from William Battle Associates, A joint workshop took place in the Management Consultants, Swansea; Tirry Community Centre on Saturday Brian Connor, BP Connor & 29th April to identify future projects Associates; Councillor Susan that could be developed between both Meagher; Councillor John Fahey; communities. Richard Thornton and Shan Williams St. David's were very impressed from St. David's County Council; and with the community effort in Fethard the following Fethard representatives: and were interested in projects like the Joe Kenny, chairperson Fethard & Abymill Theatre, Country Markets, Killusty Community Council; Edwina Credit Union, Ballroom and the pro- Newport, secretary Fethard & Killusty duction of the monthly Parish Community Council; Mairead Croke, Newsletter. It was decided to com- supervisor Fethard and Killusty mence with the following projects: a Community Employment Scheme; joint website which would encourage Chris Nevin, chairperson Fethard the exchange of information between Historical Society; Diana Stokes, both communities and begin new chairperson Fethard Tidy Towns; Terry exchange projects; identifying joint Cunningham, Rural Enterprise Officer ventures in tourism and the develop- Teagasc; Peter Grant, David Sceats, ment of a multipurpose resource cen- Mary Hanrahan and Dóirín Saurus. tre which would house a tourist office, Fethard Town Renewal Scheme ne hundred small towns in private dwellings, the owner-occupier OIreland, including Fethard, are can write off 50% of construction to get an injection of new life thanks costs, allowed at a rate of 5% a year to a tax incentive scheme. Housing over ten years, against total income. and Urban Renewal Minister Bobby In the case of refurbishment, the Molloy described it as "an unprece- owner-occupier can write off 100% of dented opportunity" when the incen- construction costs allowed at the rate tives came in to effect on Monday of 10%, over ten years, against their 24th July. The Town Renewal Scheme total income. The designated areas will provide tax breaks related to the for Fethard's tax incentives are cost of construction or refurbishment marked on the map on the following of dwellings. For new construction of page. 48 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

This page lists the incentives recommended by Expert Advisory Panel on Town Renewal, Department of the Environment and local Government.

49 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Fethard Day Care Centre he Annual General Meeting of at this time of year with all the flowers TFethard Day Care Centre took in full bloom. Later on, everyone place in the Tirry Community Centre enjoyed a delicious meal in Lawlors on Thursday night. The committee Hotel, Dungarvan. This was followed were complimented on their running by a session of song, dance and fun. of the centre throughout the year. A The Day Care Centre closed for the special appreciation was expressed to Summer and reopened on Monday 4th the workers on the Community FÁS September. A very sincere 'thank you' Scheme and also the voluntary helpers is due to all who worked so hard for who attend every day. The outgoing the good of the centre during the past committee remains unchanged for the year, especially, the kitchen staff, vol- coming year. untary workers, committee members, The Day Care Centre certainly was a musicians and the participants of the hive of activity when Tipp FM visited Community Employment Scheme. the centre during the year and spoke to Thank you also to the people of many of the members. We had the Fethard who supported so generously, pleasure of hearing the recording our church gate collection for the cen- broadcast on the following Monday. tre. Over £550 was donated and great- On Tuesday 26th June, the annual out- ly appreciated. ing from the centre took place. Next year we hope to commence Seventy members set out for a lovely work on our long awaited extension to drive through the Vee, a beautiful sight the centre in Barrack Street. Fethard Tidy Towns he elected Tidy Towns commit- Main Street & Rocklow Road tee members for 2000 are: Diana 1st Fionuala & Jimmy O Sullivan T Burke St. & Abbey Road Stokes, Ann Cooney, Peter Grant, 1st Austin O Flynn Anna Cooke, Chris O’Dwyer, The Green & Barrack St. Thelma Griffith, Nellie O’Donovan, 1st Patricia & Pat Byrne Brian Sheedy, Pat Fitzgerald, Teresa Tirry Park & Cannon Hayes Court 1st Mr. Paddy & Margaret Grant Roche and Jimmy Lawrence. 2nd Mrs Phyllis Wall Results for the year 2000 Garden St. Patricks Place. Competition are: 1st. Mary O’Shea Area Categories 2nd. Pamela & Liam Sweeney Slievenamon Close 1st Mary & Benny Morrissey Knockbrack - Spitalfield - Mocklers Terrace Strylea & Cedar Grove. 1st Nora & John Coffey 1st Majella & Jim Smyth The Valley & Watergate Woodvale Walk 1st Pat & Joan Culligan 1st Rita Doyle Kerry Street - Congress Terrace & Red City 2nd Anne McGarry 1st Madge & Jimmy Hurley Cashel Road 1st Margaret Smith Our thanks to this year’s judges

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Rosemary & Roseanna Ponsonby, and Best Business Premises our sponsors for making this competi- Marie & Michael Allen Best Large Garden tion possible: Coolmore Stud; Mary & Don O’Connell Tipperary S.R. County Council; Gerry Best Overall Area Long, Vet Surgeon; Stokes & Quirke Strylea & Cedar Grove Auctioneers; Paul Ronan; Dawn Fresh Very Good Effort Barrack St. Foods; Glanbia; Mrs. Rosemary Chris & Mary Mackey, Bob & Noreen Maher, Ponsonby, Grove. Esther Breen, General Results Anthony & Patricia Fitzgerald. During the year we also held many Best Baskets meetings with councillors and town Dymphna & John O’Donovan engineers to highlight areas that need Best Window Boxes attention. We also commenced work Dolly O’Connell on the grounds at Fr. Tirry Park. St. Patrick’s Boys School

This year’s Sixth Class boys class from St. Patrick’s Boys School Fethard. Back L to R: Richard Lalor, Christopher Horan, Edmund Sheehan, Craig Pollard, Cathal Maher, Patrick Holohan, Paul Walsh, Dermot Culligan, Eoin Delahunty. Front L to R: Stephen O’Meara, Jonathan Hall, Jeff Coady, Christopher Thompson, Gerard Lawless, David Conway and Niall Hayes. t Patrick’s Boys National School basketball, swimming and more Sis a four teacher school with 95 recently athletics — is an essential students currently on roll. Last year part of school life. To date this year 22 was a busy one, not just in educating pupils took part in the primary schools the children in all areas of the curricu- cross County Championships in lum, but also in all areas of sports and Thurles. Richard Lalor (6th class) competitions. won bronze while his brother John Sport — hurling, football, soccer, (3rd class) came 5th. This was no 51 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 mean feat for two first time athletes. actors and debaters in our midst. Our school was also represented at Last year was also very busy with the primary schools swimming Gala in preparations for Communion and Nenagh by Patrick Holohan (6th Confirmation. We had 35 boys con- class), Aaron O’Donovan (5th class), firmed on May 12th. Then on May Dick Walsh and Dave Gorey (4th 27th 15 of our boys received the class) Aaron and Dave were placed 3rd Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first and 2nd respectively. time. They were both lovely cere- In a recent Clonmel Library monies and a big thank you to every- Competition Dean Sharpe, Michael one who helped to make them such a Smyth and Padraig O’Shea received special occasions. prizes for drawing their favourite Our thanks also to Ann Walsh, Pokemon characters. Coolmoyne. We are indebted to her Our Parents Association sponsored a for getting another computer for our competition for the senior and junior school through the "Ireland on classes in the last school year. For Sunday" give-away. seniors it was an essay competition. The highlight of any school year is Cathal Maher who was then in 5th the School Tour and last year was no class came first for his story ‘It was exception. We travelled to Killaloe April 2010 ……’. Activity Centre. A great day was had The junior classes had an art compe- by all enjoyed by teachers, parents and tition. The winners were Matt pupils alike. O’Sullivan, Andy Walsh, Dave Gorey More recently our pupils helped to and Darragh Dwyer and also Jack raise money for Hospice by participat- O’Sullivan. Many thanks to the ing in a non- uniform day. Parents Association for sponsoring These are just some of the events this competition. that took place in our school last year. Martha Sheehan continues her We the staff and pupils would now like speech and drama classes in the to take this opportunity to wish you all school. The boys very much enjoy a very Happy Christmas and prosper- these classes and we have some fine ous and safe New year. Juvenile GAA Club he Annual General Meeting of Michael O’Dwyer stepped down as Tthe Fethard Juveniles took place chairperson after years of service to on 10th February, 2000 in the Tirry the Juveniles, we would like to take Centre. The following officers were this opportunity to thank him most sin- elected for the coming year, cerely for his hard work and commit- Chairperson- Josie Fitzgerald; ment over the years. Secretary- Caroline Sheehan; The most successful of our underage Treasurers- Ann Darcy, Teresa Leahy. teams were under/12, beating a very Committee- Susan O’Meara, Marie strong Ardfinnan in the south semifi- Ryan, Laura Lyons, Ian O’Connor, nal, but unfortunately lost out to Martin O’Connor, Austy Godfrey and Moyle Rovers in the south final. The Mary Godfrey. under/8 and under/10 teams travelled 52 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Group photographed on the final day of Summer Camp in the GAA Field (14th July 2000) to Clonmel for the Clonmel due to all teams and trainers who Commercials Perpetual Shield. never gave up trying until the final A very proud and happy under/10 whistle blew. team proved victorious beating all The under/11 ground hurling team teams on the day. gave great enjoyment playing very The under/8 narrowly lost out to well over three Saturdays.The third Moyle Rovers in a closely fought final. Saturday finished in Semple Stadium The under/l0 team was as follows: with medals being presented to the Edmund Sheehan, Cathal Gorey, Ben team at the end of the day. Walsh, Adrian Lawrence, Christopher Many thanks to all trainers who Sheehan (C), James Kelly, Aaron have given their time so generously to O’Donovan, Andrew Walsh, Paul look after & train the Juveniles over McCarthy, Owen O’Connell, Glen the year; more parents involvement Maher, J.P. McGrath, Gavin and support would be greatly appreci- Fitzgerald, Keiran Ryan, Thomas ated in the coming year. O’Connell. Subs: Adam Lyons, Kevin On a final note, our Summer Hayes, Jerome Ahearne, Dave Gorey Camp proved very successful again and Darren Prout. with over 180 children in atten- The under/14 & under/16 football dance. The highlight of the week teams were unfortunate with their was the medal presentation with championship opposition proving a Declan Browne and John Leahy pre- little too strong. In the Hurling all senting the hard fought for medals. teams were in the ‘B’ group but some Sincere thanks to all involved in of these teams proved a little too making our Summer Camp and strong for our hurlers, great credit is sporting year a happy one.

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Old School / New School by Conor Kane he secondary school students of for, we were paid a visit by one of the Ttoday don’t know how lucky secondary teachers - Miss Lysaght - they are! who told us about the new school Hold on - before you yawn and turn which was to be built in Fethard. The the page, this isn’t going to be one of Department of Education would be those "we had it hard in them days" paying a large chunk of the costs, homilies about walking four miles to while the rest would be raised locally - school in bare feet and eating worm through a draw. sandwiches for lunch. But it has to be Ah yes, the draw. It proved to be a said that even in the short few (nine) big hit, with everyone in the town and years since I left the Fethard further afield keen to support the con- Presentation Sisters/Patrician Brothers cept of a modern educational facility Secondary School, things have come a for Fethard (while the prospect of a long way on the Rocklow Road. first prize of a car or £1,000 every The "new" school building (I sup- month probably had something to do pose it’s not really new any more) is an with it). Before long, crowds were impressive sight and conveys the gathering in the old convent hall image of a modern, bustling, 21st cen- beside the river one night every month tury educational establishment. to witness the draw taking place. On Especially for those of us who have one famous occasion, during the sum- only seen it from the outside during mer of 1985 (I think), one of the worst visits to the home town and never had thunderstorms ever seen in the area the privilege of actually being taught couldn’t prevent the draw from going there. In my day, to use the dreaded ahead. Although it was interrupted a words, such a fine place was still only few times by power cuts. That was the a dream. When my classmates and I night (I think) that the late Fr were in sixth class in primary school, Stapleton pulled his own name out of under the guidance of Bro. Raymond, the barrel as the winner of the seller’s we were used to seeing all of the sec- prize of £1,000. It caused great hilari- ondary students walking down the ty at the time, and not the slightest bit path from the monastery towards the of jealousy. convent. ‘Where are they going?’, we Anyway, getting back to the point, would wonder. ‘Why do they seem to within a year we ourselves were sec- be spending their time walking from ondary students. one place to another?’ Of course, there was no sign of the It wouldn’t be long before we’d find new school at this stage. And five out the answer. In the meantime, talk years later when we were leaving, still of a ‘new school’ started to circulate. not a bit of earth moved or concrete While we were still living in the rela- mixed. It took an angry public meeting tive luxury of national school, with one night some time after that, again in about 10 minutes of homework every the convent hall, to persuade the local night and school reports things that big politicians that the local people were brothers and sisters got into trouble fed up waiting. The timely appoint-

54 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Visit of Minister of Education, Mary O'Rourke, to Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary school about the proposed new extension. Back L to R: Bill O'Sullivan (Board of Management), Noel Davern T.D., Dick Prendergast (Principal), Br. Phelim (Provincial of Patrician Brothers), Michael Leonard (Teacher), M. O'Gorman (Teacher). Front : Mary Ann Fogarty (Teacher), Sr. Breda, Mary O'Rourke, (Minister of Education), Michael Ferris T.D., and Sr. Carmel. (May 1990) ment of Noel Davern as minister for They may have been years past their education helped, of course. He might sell-by date, they may have been freez- have only held the cabinet office for a ing cold in winter, they may have had few months, but that was enough. sandbags on the roof to prevent them But that’s going off the point again. blowing away, and they may have When we started secondary education leaked during wet weather, but they in September of 1986, we found out were still good enough for us (accord- what all that walking was about. ing to the all-knowing and wise depart- Arriving early, we would go first to the ment of education). dressing room beside the field and try Another thing about those prefabs and get a seat. (What the point of going was that when you were put outside for in early was I’ll never know because acting the maggot, not that that ever everybody just sat there - except when happened to me (I hope Sr Breda isn’t there was the odd bit of homework to looking down on me now), it could be catch up on.) Then it would be down very cold and you’d also feel like a bit the path which runs between the field of a fool with all of the other classes and the primary school to the convent looking out at you. section of the school and the infamous During our first year in secondary, prefab buildings. the whole thing was a bit of a novelty. Now just a bad memory, those pre- For the first time since senior infants, fabs were where we spent a significant we had girls in the same classroom as part of our time in secondary school. us and that was fairly mad. And the 55 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School boys volleyball team who reached the All - Ireland semi-finals in 1990. Back: Patrick Croke, Anthony O'Meara, William Cuddihy, Jimmy O'Brien, Kenny Hackett and Jimmy O'Meara. Front: Luke Hackett, Patrick Hackett, Patrick O'Sullivan, Patrick Walsh and Michael Conway. new regime of classes lasting 35 or 40 Mr Burke will no doubt testify, it was minutes, with a different teacher for my presence on the field that made it each class, took a bit of getting used all worthwhile/good for a laugh. On to. But apart from the longer home- one occasion during a training match I work, it seemed better crack at the did manage to score a goal which was time. That didn’t last long. As time described by the aforementioned Mr went on and we realised that we were Burke as one of the most spectacular expected to do more than make smart he’d ever seen on the field (he was comments to the teachers and chat probably trying to encourage me so with the girls, it got more serious. that I wouldn’t give the whole thing up We didn’t spend all our time during and deprive him of a weekly guffaw). first year in the prefabs. There would As far as I remember, Ciarán Hayes be trips down to the convent hall for crossed the ball from the right and I PE (always a pleasure for somebody as beat off the challenge of Ray Ryan unfit as me), and the music room for (who probably wasn’t bothering as it musicianship. In the other direction, was only me) and got to the ball in we would go back up the long tarmac time to volley it past Eamonn Horgan path to the old monastery school build- in the goal. The latter said it was a ings for science in the labs, where Mr fluke. I’ve never forgiven that O’Farrell would entertain us with his Killenaule . . . person. flashy experiments and Watergrasshill As time went on we moved into sec- accent. ond and third year and for both of Not forgetting a double period of those years, and fifth year, we were games every Wednesday afternoon. As mainly based in the monastery section.

56 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

This little arrangement was fine by us likes of Donny Tobin, Michael as the brothers were generally regard- Quinlan and I, we always seemed to ed as softer than the nuns (when I was take the flak for others (didn’t we going to school anyway). But there lads). Especially from Mr O’Gorman. were certain teachers who, the boys Now, I’ve said it. thought, went a lot easier on the girls. Then as time went on, there were no In some classes it seemed that the girls brothers left teaching at post-primary could be laughing their heads off with- level and Mr Prendergast took over the out reprimand but if a male interrupted duties as principal, before the arrival in their mirth with a gentle cough, he 1990 of Mr Britton. For Mr Britton, would be on the receiving end of a stiff arriving at a school which was made lecture. Looking back on it now, we up of about 10 different and uncon- were probably just being paranoid. nected buildings must have been a bit Maybe I had a bit of a reputation at the of a culture shock. By that stage, how- time, but I seemed to get the blame for ever, the rest of us were well used to it. a lot of stuff. It was probably just that As I said already, when I left in 1991 I was stupid and, whenever I was talk- there was still no progress on the new ing or messing, managed to get school. It was only after my friends and caught. Others were more clever about I were gone did that happen. (Was this it - they never seemed to get into any deliberate). Anyway, I think we pre- trouble. I’m not going to name names ferred it the way it was at the time. After here but I’m thinking of a certain all, if everything’s in the one building Neville from Kilnockin whose first there’s much less scope for dossing name begins with J, and a Boland from between classes on the pretext of going Killenaule whose first initial is A. The from one prefab to the other!

Presentation Patrician Secondary School Fethard quiz team October 1990. L to R: Geraldine Daly, Conor Kane, David Woodlock and Niamh Ward. Plaques were presented to the team by Mrs Mary Morrissey (chairperson Fethard Credit Union) and a cheque was presented to the school.

57 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 The ‘quarter-to-four’ from Farranaleen by Pat Tynan eople notice the end of summer place indeed for a lady from the parish of Pand the arrival of autumn in their Moyglass to end her days. I felt like cry- own special way. It may be a change in ing out that she did not belong here in the weather, the evenings drawing in, or the mayhem that is London, she comes simply the first golden leaf falling to the from a better place and a different time. ground. As we grow older summers As I walked away from the London never seem to be as good as they were hospital my thoughts were with my Aunt when we were young. The trick of age Mary a feisty Tipperary woman now suggests that the summers of our approaching her final hours. I wanted to younger days were warmer, longer and run back into the hospital and rescue her much more fun than they are now. from her plight, take her home with me When winter arrives we are confronted and make her better. It all seemed so by, what for the older generation is, the wrong that she would be leaving us all loneliest time of the year. The long dark for good. evenings of winter find many alone, My aunt Mary passed away on Sat 7th often bereaved, family grown up and October in the London hospital. moved away with little but the memories However, her journey through life had of their younger days for company. As started some seventy six years earlier in October creeps in I always remind the townland of Woodhouse, Fethard, myself that I am only eight weeks away Co. Tipperary. from my mothers annual cry of "ah sure Now Woodhouse and the rural Ireland it’s only for the children." This phrase that Mary Neville left in 1950 was a very alerts me to the fact that come what may different place to what it is today. As the mother is about to swing into full saying goes "you can't eat the scenery." Christmas mode. Many Irish people like my aunt and Some weeks back I found myself uncles were forced to emigrate to seek walking out through the imposing employment in England. The quarter to entrance of the London hospital. My four train from Farranaleen Station had Aunt Mary Ryan a steadfast pillar of our become synonymous with parting, emi- family had been taken ill. There’s an old gration and the starting point of exile in saying "If you want to make God laugh, a foreign country. I often wonder how tell him your plans," well no one had frightened and lonely people like my planned for this to happen. When I was mother and my aunt were when they first a young boy my Aunt Mary was old and set off from Farranaleen and what must it when I grew old she seemed to have have been like for their parents to see remained young. them leave. My grandparents James and Like Slievenamon she was always Bridget Neville saw five of their seven there and somehow we as a family children leave for England. thought she would always remain so. As As a small boy I recall the comings I walked out of the London hospital into and goings, the joy and excitement of a cold dark October evening the waiting for relatives to arrive and the Whitechapel Rd seemed a very harsh shedding of so many tears when it came

58 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 for them to leave. How many times had ones who sent the money home." There is aunt Mary looked out through the rear a slight feeling of guilt in the modern window of a good neighbour’s car as it Irish society that perhaps as a race we pulled away from Woodhouse to make have not recognised or honoured the the journey to Farranaleen. She would thousands of people who paved the way have seen the same sight through the car for others from the famine to the fifties. window that we all did leaving With the little money they spared from Woodhouse, that of my grandparents or hard work on a foreign soil they kept in my own case, sometime later, of my families at home in Ireland clothed and grandfather, a solitary lonely figure fed, or helped in some way to keep the standing in the middle of the road, wav- body and soul of Ireland together during ing goodbye, hand- her difficult days. kerchief in hand. I can recall the It’s hard to imag- clothes parcels, ine what the pain of wrapped in strong separation must brown paper and have been like for twine held together people back then. with sealing wax Some like my aunt that would arrive at would return on a Woodhouse on a regular basis, others regular basis. less frequently and Today we know many, as the great that some who emi- song "Kilkelly" grated returned tells, never set foot home using the in Ireland again. money and knowl- There is many a edge that they had derelict cottage gained in England along the roads of and America for the Ireland where this good of Ireland. It is story was repeated a sad fact that many over and over again. that left lost their As my uncle Jimmy James and Bridget Neville. Bridget (nee way and ended up often said to me, "sure O’Neill, St. Johnstown). Photo taken at Disney destitute. what was there here Photographers in Clonmel when they were A number of soci- for them in those about 21 years of age. eties now exist in days? Nothing! but a lifetime of dragging England to see that the needs of the less and tearing." There was little employment fortunate that emigrated in the fifties are then in a rural community other than farm taken care of. A proud race and fiercely work. Paid for the dry days, laid off on independent, the Irish often fail to ask for the wet days, or if you were lucky full help in the big cities around the world. time employment on one of the estates. For many who came over in the forties In England the resident Irish media the help has arrived too late. now refer to the men and women who Most like Aunt Mary made good and emigrated in the forties and fifties as "the became part of the fabric of England

59 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 while at the same time remaining as true been gone for many a year; the station to her Irish roots as the day she left the house is now a family home, and the parish of Moyglass. I am pleased to say shop we knew as Lyon’s has changed she never lost her Irish accent, or indeed hands. Employment in Ireland is now her homely Irish way. better than it has ever been, and fewer I often think back to those special days people have to leave the country to find during the fifties when Aunt Mary and work. other family members would return With the recent passing of my aunt I home from England. Her arrival or for have become mindful of the fact that that matter the arrival of any guest at time moves on and stops for no one. Woodhouse was always preceded by my My Christmas card list to Ireland has grandfather being in a state of great become depleted down through the excitement. All hedges would have to be years, and holidays home see me visiting clipped, flower beds weeded, gate pillars many of the old friends I knew in the and fireplace whitewashed. The final graveyards of Moyglass and Magorban touches would be the trimming of the chapels. roadside ditch, and last but not least For my part I am pleased to have lived Granny’s grave in Magorban would be through the fifties and experienced the cleaned and tidied, not that it ever need- culture of two countries. I left the parish ed it. This ritual was repeated year in of Moyglass in 1956 when we drew the and year out. Jack Brien my grandfa- water from the well and electricity was ther's friend would stop at the gate and just coming to the area. Almost overnight discuss as he and Jim called them "the I was living in the centre of London. visitors." One thing that I am most grateful for is Jack would also be in preparation for that I knew the people of that time, his daughters Peggy and Pat returning decent hard working folks who always from England. had a warm welcome for you whatever At Sunday mass in Moyglass "the vis- their circumstances. itors" would stand out from the locals. When I left Ireland, I missed the One thing distinguished them - their friends I knew around Moyglass terribly, clothes. It was especially true in the case but my loneliness in England was made of the women who returned to rural all the easier by people like my Aunt Ireland bringing with them the latest Mary who understood how I felt leaving fashions from the city. my grandfather and all that I loved Today you can have ice cream or behind in Tipperary. Her home and her lemonade whenever you want it; back presence in it was like a little bit of then it only came as a treat on Sundays Ireland lifted up and placed in the centre after mass. As a child you knew that of London. It was to her home that many when the "visitors" were home it was a leaving Ireland stopped off when they good time for presents and pocket first came over from Ireland to England, money. The sixpenny dish - ice cream in me included. a glass dish with strawberry juice on it, I am pleased that I got to say goodbye or red lemonade purchased from Lyons to my aunt just before she died. After sit- shop in Moyglass was heaven on earth. ting with her for some time on the Friday The railway station at Farranaleen has evening before she passed away, she

60 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 squeezed my hand and said in her own into the cold London night reflecting on particular style, for she was well known the life and times of a true Irish aunt. for plain speaking "go on son it’s time At the time of writing the clocks are for both of us to bugger off, go home to going back and November is almost your family." I knew, and Mary knew, it upon us, funny how the dark evenings was time to go, she to her maker and me bring a sense of loneliness.

A Moyglass entry in the Fethard Carnival Fancy Dress Parade back in the 1940's called "Moyglass Tinkers". Photograph includes Sean Hanrahan and friends. Fethard Country Markets ethard Country Market contin- together with pot plants, bedding Fues to trade on Friday each week plants, and shrubs of various types to from 8am to 11am at The Town Hall suit all our customers. Confectionery Fethard. During these hours a wide items are a big attraction also; these range of goods are on display for our include various types of tarts, home customers. These include such pro- baked bread, and several cakes. Our duce as, free range eggs, cabbages, let- special Christmas Market is usually tuce, potatoes, onions, etc. All our veg- held on the second last Friday prior to etables are grown using traditional the Christmas Festival. This year this organic methods. There’s a wide event will take place on 15th choice of freshly cut flowers available, December 2000.

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A trip down memory school! By L.N.K.

recent visit to the Presentation way up the Main Street hill. However, AConvent brought the memories in he swung, freewheeled from the gate of my schooldays there flooding back. and landed by the small wall with rail- It was interesting that night, swopping ings which graduated in height from stories of our schooldays, to discover the ground up to about two feet, on the that my memories are just that, my right hand side. I was deposited and memories. I don’t know why I off he went. The options here were: up thought, up to that time, that everyone the steps past the little cemetery with remembered the same things. the rows of white crosses and on up left My earliest memory of attending into the yard; up the steps and straight school in the Presentation Convent is on up towards the Convent building, being delivered to school off the bar of then turn left over towards the my father’s bike!!! It was, of course, Verandah; or down the side of the Hall the old Presentation Primary School I to the left hand side, past the bicycle attended. This delivery took a huge sheds and on to the prefab at the back sacrifice on the part of the cyclist, as he of the hall. Of course, this last option had to swing in the Convent gates after was only ever taken by the sixth class the small downward slope off the girls. All the rest of us little ones took bridge, thus losing all the momentum the first route. which would have carried him half- The yard was a wonderful place to

Presentation Convent classroom in the late 1950’s

62 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 play, in its elevated position on top of come, and turn us into foam" immedi- the Hall. It afforded great views of all ately springs to mind. As I said, I was the Cashel Road and the Bridge and never in her class, but the glass parti- over towards the Valley. It was sur- tions allowed us full access to all the rounded on one half by classroom lovely singing going on next door, so buildings in a U-shape and the other much so, in fact, that one day I remem- half by white railings and was surfaced ber us all starting to sing along, much in a lovely smooth sort of poured con- to the annoyance of our own teacher at crete, which provided a perfect surface the time. for iceskating on frosty mornings. I There was one more classroom in remember going to school, in the days that block, making up the U-shape of when I was responsible for my own the building. Between Sr. Philomena’s transport, up to an hour early to "skate" room and this last classroom was a on the ice before one of the elderly room known as the Cookery Room. nuns used to come and sprinkle salt on There was a cooker in there, so I sup- it. (Her name escapes me now but I pose some cookery was done at some remember she had a dreadful shake). stage, but I never cooked there. I used No matter how early we arrived, soon to practice the piano there in the after she arrived with the salt, I think evenings after school. I remember Sr. we eventually gave up!!! Peter used to sell sweets there at The classrooms were, as I men- lunchtimes during Lent, to make tioned, arranged in the building around money for the Missions. I think it was one half of the yard. Compared to in the Cookery Room that the vest- newly built schools, the arrangement ments for the Missions were sewn in of the buildings was, I suppose, a small the evenings. Sr. Peter used to organ- bit unusual, but we didn’t know that at ise this too. the time. Separate from this U-shape The last room in this building was at there was a classroom, on its own, at the top of a narrow, winding staircase the top of the steps. I was never in that and was called the Dark Room. We one, I don’t know why. There was one were all trooped up here in single file big room for the babies on the left as as a treat to watch slide shows. I you came into the yard, then there were remember Nature shows and a great classrooms with half wooden/half glass film about St. Bernadette. I think it partitions running along the back sec- was probably the mention of insurance tion of the yard, these, however were and fire in the same sentence that accessed from the back, the door oppo- brought the sudden end to the the slide site the Verandah. I remember being in shows, because about half-way one of these for third class, and Sr. through primary school they stopped Philomena was teaching in the room and we never went up into the Dark next door. I never had the pleasure of Room again. being taught in primary school by Sr. The only other room off the play- Philomena, I wish I had, because she ground was the Lunchroom. You had used to play the violin and teach her to be staying in school for your lunch classes all sorts of lovely songs. to be allowed in there. Sr. Clements "Maryanena, Maryanena, come, oh used to look after the Lunch Room

63 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 every day and she was hugely popular piano teachers in my day, I even think with all of the school children. I used that was the order of their music to envy the country girls so much, just rooms, starting at the bottom. I used to having to go over to the Lunchroom be scared of the photograph of the for their lunch instead of having to child leaning over the cliff to get the walk all the way home. There was a flower with her guardian angel leaning big Burco boiler in there and loads of over her to save her from falling. I different coloured cups for the tea. It used to love when Mother Agatha was always steamed up in there on the turned on the metronome to get the cold days of winter. I mean, really timing right on a piece of music. Tick- steamed up, water running down the tock, tick-tock, the hypnotic rhythm, I walls kind of steamed up, but that just could listen to it all day. added to the attraction of the place for There are not too many more places me. The grass is always greener . . . that made up the school except for the The toilet block was a separate bicycle shed, obviously only used if building behind the others, accessed you cycled to school, and last but by through a narrow laneway between the no means least, the Hall. classrooms and the lunchroom. I was The Hall was a massive place. fascinated by the sizes of the toilets, There wasn’t a thing that wasn’t done they graduated from tiny ones for the in that Hall at one time or another. To babies class up to a standard size for name but a few of the activities, (to go sixth class, and were like steps of through them all in detail would be stairs. You know you really had it another year’s article!!); St. Patrick’s made when you got to sixth class in Day Concerts, Drildas Plays (I discov- that Primary School, you got to use the ered years later these were Drill big toilet and your classroom was a Displays), Sales of Work, School prefab on a different level to the rest of Concerts, Fethard Players plays, the school down beside the River. Macra na Feirme plays, Passion Plays, However, I never made it as far as the Masses, Gymnastics, Volleyball, prefab classroom because I was the Basketball, Dancing classes, School first sixth class to be taught in the new Assemblies, Elocution exams, Ceilidh school on the Rocklow Road (the dancing, Career Guidance Seminars, orange grove; Sr. Claver). All the Fashions Shows. You name it, it took excitement of the big move, tinged place in the Hall at some time or with sadness at realising that I would another. There was a grand stage with never get to enjoy all the perks that red velvet curtains, and wings and went with being the sixth class in the lights and ropes for closing the cur- old school. tains, two sets of them. There was a Further up along from the toilet room backstage where you would wait block, through a small gate, were the until it was your turn to go on, and you music rooms. Four small rooms, each weren’t allowed speak in there in case furnished with an upright piano, a you’d be heard out front, as they say. press and two or three chairs. Mother There was an exit at the back of the Agatha, Sr. Philomena, Sr. Finbarr and hall behind the stage, beside which Sr. Rapheal, I think they were the four was a flight of steps that led up to the

64 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Presentation Convent class in the 1970’s Yard. You could go down the front I got a bit sidetracked writing this steps - in the front door of the Hall - article, as it was intended to be an an up onto the stage - out the back door - account of my days in primary school, up the back steps - across the Yard and but somehow evolved along the way back in the front door again, all of into a retrospective tour of the school which gave rise for tremendous dra- and its buildings. These buildings matic effect as you could disappear off housed the development of countless stage and appear in the Hall again like schoolchildren down through the magic. However, you weren’t allowed years, myself included. Whilst the run across the Yard, as the effect of a structures themselves may no longer classload of children doing this was exist, the happy memories of days like a herd of elephants on the roof of spent there will remain with me the Hall, which somehow gave the always. I hope by revealing them in game away, as well as frightening the this article, I may have jogged some living daylights out of the audience. happy memories for you. Killusty Pony Show he story of Killusty’s year night had by all’ for the 200 who came Tbegins on 22nd November 1999 to celebrate. Betsy O’Connor received when the Committee held a party in a surprise presentation of a Peter the Fethard Ballroom to thank all who Curling drawing and promised she had contributed to the success of would not retire for the time being as Killusty Pony Show since its incep- Secretary. Noel Byrne, chairman, wel- tion. The Ladies Committee provided comed all who had come and handed a most succulent meal to music by the over to Christopher Horsman for a Pheasant Pluckers and it was a ‘great short history of the show. Tom

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Robinson, chairman of the Irish Pony Welsh Champion in Muskerry Society and oft-times judge at Killusty Charisma. Niamh Melody of thanked the committee on behalf of Ballymacarbry won the Butler the guests. A collection of pho- Connemara Championship with Ard tographs from early and late shows Rion Na h’Uidhre. Basil Brindley’s kept everyone guessing. Condene Morning Glory added the The Show itself was held on 1st July Coolmore Killusty Championship to a 2000 and relocation to a larger venue long list of others in the 2000 season. at Claremore Killusty posed problems Jane Byrne graciously accepted Tara for the organisers initially but these Bricknell’s Show Hunter Pony were successfully overcome and the Championship for Murdy. Lorli Show was adjudged a great success Higgins of Kildare did likewise for the and much the better for having all sec- Novice Show Hunter, Delight of tions in the one field. The Committee Rathnaleen. Sean Byrne’s Inspector will face the problem of a wet day Morse won the Novice Working when it arises. We were saddened in Hunter Championship. Rebecca the week before by the demise of Evie Dromey’s Marlfield Gilly was reserve. Croome-Carroll so long a supporter of The Clonmel Oil Open Working Killusty and found time to attend her Hunter Champion was Ann Synnott’s funeral on the days before and after Ballivor Belle. the Show. All in all, the show was a great suc- As usual, prizes went to all corners cess. The new field and a new set of of Ireland but some stayed at home working hunter fences worked a treat too. The AIB young stock Champion and all our volunteers were so very was Peter Byrne’s Wyndham Peek-a- helpful. The show will be the first Boo from Wicklow with Pat O’Brien’s Saturday in July as usual in 2001 and Rathsallagh Style in reserve. Pat also it is hoped that any emigrants at home took the Best Local Cup. The at that time will take in the sights. A Milestown Mills Broodmare job will always be found for those who Champion was Michael Hourigan of would like to relive past times. Limerick’s Ahane Sue with Norma Officers at time of writing are Noel Cook’s Garryhack Pride in reserve. Byrne, Chairman and Betsy O’Connor Michelle McMahon of Cork had the Secretary. Meals on Wheels pproximately 25 meals are year pupils from the secondary school Adelivered to the homes of our assist the drivers during the school senior citizens three times per week year. Their help is greatly appreciat- September through June and twice a ed and is a valuable contribution to week in July and August. The staff in the community and an opportunity for the Day Care Centre prepare the them to give that contribution and to meals with some voluntary help, but share in the larger family, the parish the delivery itself is carried out of Fethard. entirely by volunteers. The transition

66 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Fethard Judo Kwai

Winners in the under 25kg final of the County Community Games Judo finals held in Fethard in may. L to R: Daniel Hickey (joint third), Woodvale Walk; Niall O'Donnell (winner), Cahir; Ben Walsh (silver), Main Street; and Tommy Sheehan (joint third), Woodvale Walk. ow in its 18th year and with magnificent performance, Liam Hally Nclose on fifty members one can who collected a bronze and Eric now say that Fethard Judo Kwai is O’Donnell. All however held their indeed back to the forefront in Irish own in what was stiff competition. Judo. Under the tutelage of Eric The Munsters followed in mid- O’Donnell and Valerie Colville the December with no less than seventeen club has gone from strength to travelling to the University of strength with twenty members com- Limerick. For most it was their first peting at both Munster and National competition. In total the club collected level compared to eight the season three gold - Stephenie Lawrence, Roy before. Gorey and Eric O’Donnell. Four silver The club’s first challenge, the Irish - Roy, Tony, D.J. and Richard Gorey Open, which took place in Santry in and ten bronze - Tommy and late October was indeed their toughest. Christopher Sheehan, Michael and Competiton was indeed very strong Bernadette Costello, Cathal and with competitors coming from Richard Gorey, Tony Gorey, Samantha Denmark, Britain and America taking Feary, Grace Maher and another medal part. Because the standard of this com- for Stephenie Lawrence. Aaron and petition is so high only our very expe- Frank O’Donovan, Daniel Hickey and rienced competitors competed. They Padraig O’Shea also fought gamely being Roy, Tony and D. J. Gorey, their for their first outings. All in all a mag- cousin Richard who won gold with a nificent day for the club.

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The All-Ireland's soon followed in the clubs seasoned competitors had January in the Canon Hayes Centre in another excellent day collecting a total Tipperary Town where all nine com- of four golds, five silver and two petitors collected medals. Once again bronze. gold for Richard Gorey and Stephenie Our last trip was to the Mini Mon Lawrence, silver for Roy Gorey and Competition held in Portmarnock, bronze for Cathal, Tony and D.J. Dublin. This competition is aimed at Gorey, Liam Hally, Christopher beginners to give them experience. Sheehan and Grace Maher. More or Eight in all travelled - Padraig O’Shea, less the same team then travelled to the Ben Walsh, Michael Costello and Galway Open held in Salthill, another Bernadette Costello, Michelle competition that attracts foreign com- Bradshaw, Grace Maher and Cathal petitors. The club had another fantastic and Richard Gorey. They collected one weekend. On the Saturday, Roy Gorey gold, two silver and five bronze. A won a great gold with an exhibition of great way to end the season. the finest Judo that day and his twin Although the coaching is of the brother Tony collected a bronze. On utmost importance, the club would not the Sunday more medals were collect- have been so successful without the ed, a silver by D.J. and two bronze help of the following people - the from Cathal Gorey and Grace Maher. club’s secretary Rose Gorey, treasurers A step up in weight saw Richard Gorey Helena O’Shea, Sharon Maher and and Stephenie Lawrence come away Annette O’Donovan. The club would empty handed, but after their many also like to take this opportunity to successes during the year they were not welcome back Michael Sheehan that disappointed. Derryluskin, Fethard and Kenneth Some of our members competed at O’Donnell a former Irish Youth National level in the Waterford Open International whose contribution to the which was held in W.I.T. for the first club has been so valuable down time. Daniel Hickey, Damien through the years. We the Fethard Judo Morrissey, Michael and Bernadette Kwai are looking forward to an even Costello, Matthew Fitzgerald, Seamus more successful new season and O’Keeffe, Michelle Bradshaw and would like to wish all our friends, rela- Samantha Feary all of whom per- tions and neighbours a peaceful and formed brilliantly on the day. By now happy Christmas. Where is Barrettsgrange? recent advertisement in the of national and international courier ANationalist advertising a 76 vans and household domestic appli- acre farm and dwelling house at ances repair men have arrived in Barrettsgrange has produced a flood of Fethard looking for various towns- enquires from far and near enquiring lands and have experienced some dif- "Where is Barrettsgrange". I wonder ficulty in finding where they are look- how well we know our own parish and ing for. district? During the past year drivers How many of the following towns- 68 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 lands could you give directions to if Grove, Higginstown, Kilbragh, you were asked by a lost deliveryman Kilknockin, Killavallagh, Killavally, or visitors seeking the spot from where Killerk, Killsallagh, Killusty, Kiltinan, their ancestors emigrated. Knockboordan, Knockbrack, Annesgift, Ardsallagh, Ballinaclere, Knockelly, Kyleavalla, Loughcapple, Ballintemple, Ballybough, Madamsland, Milltownmore, Ballygammon, Ballynaclera, Moanbarron, Moanbeg, Moanmore, Ballyvadin, Bannixtown, Mocklerstown, Moneypark, Monroe, Barrettsgrange, Barrettstown, Peppardstown, Prospect, Bawnkeal, Boolagh, Brodeen, Quartercross, Rathavin, Rathcanty, Butlersland, Byrnskill, Rathcoole, Rathdrum, Rathkenny, Cappadrummin, Carrigeen, Rathkenty, Rathmacarry East, Castlehiggins, Clarebeg, Claremore, Rathmacarthy, Rathsallagh, Rathvin, Coleman, Coolanure, Coolmore, Redcity, Rocklow, Roebucksland, Coolmoyne, Crampscastle, Crossard, Saucestown, Slainstown, Spitalfield, Curraghscarteen, Derryluskin, Strike Lower, Strike Upper, Drumdeal, Everardsgrange, Tinnakelly, Tullamaine, Tullow, Farranaleen, Farranshea, Fehoonree, Walshbog, Fethard, Friarsgrange, Garrinch, Glenagaddy, Gortagea, Wouldn’t it be a good idea if some- Gorteenshamrogue, Grangebarry, one came up with a map of the area Grangebeg, Grangeduff, Grawn, showing all the townslands?

Pupils of Killusty National School presenting a check for £642 to Dr. Muchan, Cashel, towards the St. Joseph's Hospital CAT Scan Appeal. The check was the proceeds of a sponsored walk to Slievenamon and was presented on 16th November by Ciara Aylward and Seamus Holohan.

69 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Remembering Mary Slattery o anyone who knew her, being Like all grannies, Mary loved the Table to call Mary Slattery a company of her family and liked friend was a priceless treasure, some- catching up on all the local news while thing which many of us nowadays baking tarts on a Sunday afternoon. sadly take for granted. Like many of Her personality and generosity her generation, stretched far the door of beyond the walls Mary’s home on of Fethard and the Rocklow she was often Road was surprised to always open, meet someone and friends and who would say, strangers alike "I had tea once were greeted in your house." with the same After a short welcome, "The illness, Mary kettle is just passed away boiled." Mary quietly. Her had a tremen- final moments dous love of life were a true and this was reflection of her never more evi- life, sitting at the dent than in her fire watching her garden where favourite video, every plant was Bachelors in an individual Trouble. Mary’s and each shrub Mary Slattery having a ‘flutter’ on the gaming death has left a had its own spe- machines in Tramore last year. void in the com- cial story. Mary always spoke fondly munity, and those who knew her, knew of her life in Fethard and especially the meaning of a true friend. the years spent in Ballinard Castle with the late Mrs Carlton for whom DID YOU KNOW she cared. Her carefree attitude to life The Pro-Life group in Fethard are was an example to us all and she asked heartened with the local support for nothing more than a good laugh, a given to the pre-born child and the bob or two on Pat Eddery and her mother. Support is given by prayer, by game of bingo where she spent many attending meetings, or by speaking to others of the respect due to all our lit- hours with her friends. One of her tle ones, born and unborn. Your con- favourite bingo stories is of the night cern lightens the burden for those she won a live turkey at Christmas who strive to protect those who as yet bingo in Moyne, Templetuohy. have no voice, no means of defence in Although the creature was boxed, he their expectation of Life. created havoc on the bus home.

70 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Of economic and other migrants by Tommy Healy few years ago I was back in obtaining employment at home was AFethard during the school remote unless you were blessed with October half term holiday. It was the parents who had either the material week of the Presidential Election substance to put you in their business which saw Mary Mac Aleese dis- or the "pull" to get you a job in some patched to Aras an Uachtarain. state enterprise. Since most of us had Walking up the Rocklow Road during neither the inevitable result was emi- election day, I was asked by a friend of gration. my parents’ generation if I had voted The features we could not help notic- yet. I replied that, being non-resident, I ing as we progressed through school did not have a vote. The incident were everywhere — the older brothers prompted me to recall that I had never and sisters of friends leaving for voted in any Irish election for I had left England amidst tears and recrimina- home before I was old enough to so tions. The fact that the fathers of sever- qualify and had spend all the interven- al lived in England, sending home ing years in England. money for their family’s support. The A year or so ago I read on the great increase in the population each Fethard web site that a frequent August as exiles returned for their fort- announcement at Sunday Masses is the night’s holiday, the appearance of some request for prayers for the souls of at Christmas enjoying a fleeting break. those who had left Fethard many years All these and more conditioned the rest ago, usually for Britain, and whose to the acceptance of emigration as the mortal existence has now ended. The only realistic solution to our own article went on to say that the emigra- employment problems as the end of tion of the period 1945 to the late schooldays approached. We were politi- 1960’s was on a par with the exodus of cal and ideological fodder, we would the post Famine times, for probably solve the basic problem of Irish society half a million or more had departed in for governments which had not a clue the post war period and for most their how to approach it nor, I suspect, the exile was to be permanent. guts to face it. These were the well fed The article set me thinking of both inheritors of the War of Independence, my own experience and those of my who, having secured their own place in generation. The Fethard we grew up in the sun, did not give a damn about the in the 1950’s was one where the reality rest and who, in a pernicious arrange- of emigration was as much a part of the ment with all the vested interests both scene as the mist rolling over Sliabh na lay and clerical, were content to let the Mban and as recurring. It was a fair remainder of us go to hell. Instead they expectation that the end of your assured us that the solving of the emi- schooldays meant the need to buy a gration problem was the highest decade single ticket for either the boat train to on their beads while doing little of any Rosslare or the faster, more comfort- practical significance to tackle it. These able plane from Dublin. The hope of were the disreputables whose politics 71 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 were the replay of the Civil War but Above all I recall an Ireland where whose social policies were as barren as second level education was not free their political origins were absurd. and thousands left school at age four- Yet while mass emigration was the teen with little by way of formal qual- curse of our childhood, little was done ification to seek their way as best they to prepare those who would experi- could. "Cherishing all the children of ence it to face and cope with its reali- the nation equally", where that section ty. It was as though to do so would rep- of the 1916 Proclamation was con- resent some terrible loss of face. To cerned the politicians of the ’50s were ignore it would cause all profoundly it to go away. dyslexic. Meanwhile the I have expressed school curriculum my long suppressed was geared to create frustration with the a culture where con- politicians of the tact with the wider ’50s whose speeches world would not hap- I often listened to at pen for it would not election rallies held be necessary. I refer after Sunday Mass. to the enormous pre- The other influence, ponderance of the the predominant one Irish Language in the in all our lives was school curriculum. I the church. recall at a distance of Independence in forty years now the 1922 gave the hugely dispropor- church, by virtue of tionate amount of its holding the usual- time given to the ly unquestioning study of Gaeilge to allegiance of the the neglect of the 95% of the popula- more practical disci- tion who were its plines. I recall the adherents, an unpar- sheer rottenly inade- alleled influence on quate standard of its Ciss Casey photographed after Mass in the so many aspects of teaching by staff who Abbey Church in the 1960’s Irish society. Its role were often totally ignorant of any seemed to be to influence policies and other subject, their having emanated events to create a narrowly confession- from the Gaeltacht giving them ascen- al state whose social policies were dancy in the teaching profession. I usually narrowminded and whose remember a curriculum devoid of the basic aim seemed to be to secure com- sciences and modern foreign lan- pliance with its own doctrines by the guages where Latin was deemed a whole body politic. Its concern for vital subject for there was also an emigrants seldom was with the fact expectation that some of us might pos- that they had to leave more so with the sess a vocation for the priesthood. fear that they might lose their religious

72 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 faith when they had departed. The tration the antics of a clergy who pos- only prelate who had the moral sessed so little vision and who were so courage to condemn mass emigration easily corrupted by power. The events and to demand that something be done of Dr Noel Browne’s Mother and about it was the late Dr. Lucey, Bishop Child Bill of 50 years ago still rankle of Cork. The rest seemed to be content in the memory of many a little older or at least resigned to see it continue than I as an example of the scandalous for, I suspect, they feared that the type abuse of power by a cabal of clerical of economic growth which would backwoodsmen. solve the problem would also present What of the fate of those who emi- problems for them, a fear which now grated? For many the result was mate- seems to have been realised but which rially beneficial. Jobs in the Britain of has happened in great part because the ’50s and ’60s were plentiful and they are now seen as irrelevant by well paid. Many settled, put down those who have created and benefited roots and became as much a part of the from the ‘Celtic Tiger’. In fact I recall local scene as it is possible for emi- the reaction of so many of the clergy in grants to do. They made careers, the 1960s when the first fruits of Sean bought houses, reared families and Lemass’s programmes for economic contributed to their adopted communi- expansion began to show as warning ties as they would have if they had their flock against the dangers of remained at home. However, they felt materialism, this at a time when emi- semi-detached, not fully a part of gration was still a significant problem. British society by reason of their ori- Do not conclude that I am anti- gins and the history of the two coun- Catholic, I am not. I still practice the tries and no longer in any meaningful faith but have long viewed with frus- sense a part of Irish society. The ten-

Fethard group at a London Reunion in the 1970’s

73 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 sions of the Northern Ireland conflict plation of the future of the ‘tiger ‘ often emphasised their peculiar situa- economy. It appears that we are still tion and they often became the ones the skeleton in the neighbour’s cup- who bore the brunt of local anger board, out of sight and conveniently when the conflict flared up over there. out of mind. We have not become a part of society A few weeks ago I watched an edi- here as our brethren of a previous age tion of ‘The Late Late Show’ on Tara did of American Society when they TV, the satellite arm of RTE. The sub- settled on the other side of the ject was asylum seekers, their experi- Atlantic. ences in Ireland, and Irish attitudes to For some their experience of exile this until recently unthinkable phe- has been almost entirely negative and nomenon. I was happy to note that even destructive. For many of those while at present the attitude of most whose career path was that of the was positive and welcoming there was, building trade their lives were an end- I was saddened to note a number of less succession of building sites, tem- dissenting voices. One in particular porary hostel accommodation and all disturbed and annoyed me. A particu- the discomforts of the nomadic exis- larly outspoken lady expressed the tence. Their recreation was the public view that Ireland might be swamped, house, their diet was often extremely a stance reminiscent of the fascist ten- unhealthy and the result was ill health dency. Reference was made to eco- and premature death. These were, to nomic immigrants as if the reality of quote Fr. Denis Faul, " the ulcerated such was totally unknown to Ireland Irishmen" neglected by Ireland and ill- which has produced more of the vari- used by Britain. They rebuilt the war- ety than most countries. Those of us damaged cities, constructed the motor- economic emigrants (immigrants to ways, dug the drains and created the where we settle) have the energy to get physical reality of modern Britain. up and go and the initiative to survive They paid a heavy price for their exile and contribute to our host society. and Ireland should have their fate on Those who now oppose such a move its collective conscience. are the lineal descendants of the A few years ago a report by one of "Know Nothings" who opposed Irish the learned medical bodies here stated immigration to the USA in the 19th that the Irish in Britain are the only century and like their cultural fore- immigrant group whose health and bears they have learned nothing. well-being do not improve as a result Ireland is a prosperous country, thanks of their coming to settle there. They in no small part to those who emigrat- have a greater incidence of ill-health ed in the recent past and acted as a both physical and mental and their life safety valve for Irish society. It should expectancy is lower than their relatives be tolerant and welcoming of others at home. It is a disturbing reality but who now find themselves in the posi- one which I suspect excites little con- tion of those of us who had to leave cern in Ireland bound up as it seems to and it should be prepared to see them be with the concerns of the Moriarty as a long term asset to Ireland not a and Flood tribunals and the contem- short term liability.

74 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Irish Red Cross Society

Fethard Red Cross members photographed with participants who completed a First Aid Course. Missing from photo are Mary Tierney, Bannixtown, and Ann Cooney, Coolbawn. nce again it is time to give an herbs for healthy living. On both Oaccount of the Fethard branch occasions the ladies committee pro- activities for the year 2000. vided a beautiful tea. In May, Nurse Ellen Keane and A Red Cross first aid course will Tony Lawlor of the Tipperary commence in the near future. We branch came to the Fethard ballroom hope there will be a good attendance to demonstrate one of the newly and that the members, as in the past, arrived cardiac defibrillation units will show the same enthusiasm. New for use at events at which the Red members are cordially invited to join, Cross are on duty. They also gave a especially young people interested in talk on heart disease in which the a medical career. The experience large attendance showed a great gained in the Red Cross would be interest. Later in the year we had a helpful in their chosen field. The visit from the owner of Pamela’s Red Cross also sends aid to war-torn healthfood store in Clonmel and she countries and countries devastated gave a talk on healthy eating and by famine or other disasters. Abymill Theatre his past year saw the Abymill took to the boards with Seamus Hayes Tbecome very much the theatre of and The Abymill Youth Drama Group youth. Many of our stage shows came who staged the ever-popular "Grease". from the very young and the teenage Nano Nagle National Primary years. Patrician Presentation school School staged a lovely childrens’ show transition year students, under the in the late Spring. Here we were direction of Marian Gilpin, staged delighted by tiny tots to pre-teens. "Jesus Christ Superstar" last Visiting shows are also very suc- December. It technically suited the cessful when visiting the Abymill — Abymill and went down very well with Thurles Drama Group filled the house the audiences. In April our youth again with "Da", a bluegrass band from

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Alaska called "McLeod" played to a cast of seventeen with some favourite packed, very good and enthusiastic returns from the past. audience. Abymill Board: Austin O'Flynn Every Thursday night we still hold (administrator); Michael McCarthy our ever popular Bingo with Gerry (chairman); Marian Gilpin (secretary); Fogarty calling the numbers for his Agnes Evans (treasurer). Committee: huge following. Carmel Rice, Joe Kenny, Eileen Following our summer recess the Maher, Noelle O'Dwyer, Mary Fethard Players beat all our attendance McCormack, Jimmy O'Shea, Bernard records with their eight-night run of Walsh, our caretaker Christy Mullins this year’s production, a comedy - and ancillary staff Mary and Benny "You Can't Take it With You". A big Morrissey.

Fethard Players cast of "You Can't Take it With You" Back L to R: Lisa Rice, Eoin Whyte, Gerry Fogarty, Seamus Hayes, Vincent Murphy, Ann Marie O'Sullivan, Joe Hanly, Derek Newport, Eoin Powell, Eoin Maher, Marian Gilpin, Michael McCarthy. Front L to R: Mia Treacy, Percy O'Flynn, Ann Connolly, Carmel Rice and Mary O'Connell.

Millennium Musings by Mia Treacy iving in the clichéd "Global The reason for solidifying images of LVillage" technology ensures that the inhabitants of this medieval town communication has never been as eas- Fethard in the year Y2K? Serendipity. ily accessible or entertaining. Which of these images is the most However, this representation often evocative? Which one encapsulates the proves aloof and subsequently lacks very essence of Fethard people? the subjective kernel which embraces Which one is unique to our proud, his- people, their present lives and aspira- toric birthplace? tions, which renders itself emotive, Is it the intangible camaraderie of thus allowing for a personal connec- the peaked-capped men who endeav- tion. This association can materialise our to keep a time-honoured tradition through present day images. alive by congregating each Sunday

76 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 morning after Mass at McDonnell’s of Jesuit’s Walk or the banks of the corner? This re-enactment of their Clashawley? In retrospect, would the youthful days entitles them to be trudge through Sparagoleith have referred to as “The Corner Boys” — been that difficult? although it is many decades since they Is it the gritted teeth of determina- donned short pants, the boyish grins tion in the Barrack Field as the Fethard sparked by a witty comment or footballers play their unique and enhanced yarn remain. Inclement admired style of fast-passing football weather or arthritic joints fail to inter- in an attempt to emulate the successes rupt this savoured and unfortunately of past generations and retain the endangered observation of Fethard much deserved pride of the parish? rush-hour! Is it the disillusionment of a recent- Is it the inimitable drawl (incorpo- ly returned emigrant enticed by the rating the guttural tongue-rolling ‘r’) lucrative Celtic Tiger, yet uncomfort- in the ultimately rhetorical question able with the inevitable changes and “Well, how’re ya goin’ on?” and the evolutions? paradoxical response "Fine, sure ‘tis Is it the tolerance displayed by the wicked nice altogether!"? townsfolk whose sleep is relentlessly Is it the angst-ridden face of a young interrupted by the reassuring clip-clop school schamer on the ominous jour- of horses’ hooves on the still-darkened ney homeward bound after several streets of early morning? This melod- hours of blissful, illicit freedom ic sound is synonymous with a town derived from the deceptive anonymity which arrogantly claims to be the

England's ITV camera crew visited McCarthys Hotel to interview Andrew Lloyd Webber for their South Bank Show. The program, presented by Melvin Bragg, featured Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton speaking about their new musical 'The Beautiful Game' which was conceived in Fethard. They are photographed above in McCarthy’s while having a quiet pint. L to R: Ben Elton and Andrew Lloyd Webber. 77 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 home of the racehorse. Such claims possibilities are endless and exciting. may be justified considering the However, in their absence the locals admirable achievements of Fethard- manage to provide relentless entertain- bred horses, jockeys, trainers and own- ment — in particular, the Camogie girls ers. This empowering tradition coupled dubious need to have an elevated danc- with the inevitable daily proximity of ing platform (tables) after a County racehorses ensures that Fethard people Final victory! — regardless of status — maintain an Is it the confusion etched in the inno- avid interest in National Hunt racing, cent face of a child who is the product of surreptitiously awaiting that elusive the ever spiralling dysfunctional family? emergence into the hallowed winners’ Is it the blatant fear of a family who enclosure of Cheltenham or Aintree of realises that a child has become a Fethard horse — a scenario which has embroiled in the infuriatingly addictive resulted in prolific celebrations in the drug scene? pubs of this walled-town. Is it the creative juices that irrevoca- Is it the effervescent anticipation of a bly flow to ensure another talented pro- night out in the untainted, unique envi- duction of the Performing Arts in the rons of McCarthy’s Hotel? In another atmospheric Abymill? Or perhaps it is town, name-dropping would inevitably the profoundly powerful image of a become common place but here such grieving crowd, ignoring logic and would be frowned upon. The famous common sense, by following the are ignored yet welcomed and expect- hearse on its enforced journey through ed! Who shall amble across the floor- Burke Street on its way to Calvary boards tonight? A notorious jockey? A Cemetery? soccer legend? A world-renowned Tradition or superstition? A composer? A T.V. personality? A Cromwellian curse steadfastly Formula-One racing manager? The remains.

St. Patrick’s Place, June 1967 L to R: Philomena and baby Benny Morrissey, Mary Fox and Rita Callaghan on horse, Johnny Cummins, Christy Allen, Noel Sharpe, Patricia and Anne Morrissey.

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Social life in Fethard in 50’s & 60’s M.K. hat marvellous times we are families that they didn’t have the avail- Wliving in, this dawn of the able cash to spend on material goods - New Millennium! How lucky and for- luxuries not necessary for the day-to- tunate are our modern youth and day living. teenagers with all the material, techno- And how did the children and logical and monetary advantages at teenagers occupy themselves in those their disposal. They have their Sega- years? No Internet, no mobile phones Mega and Nintendos, their fifty-seven and no fifty-seven T.V. channels. In varieties of television channels (not hindsight, they didn’t have enough much on any of them), their dotcom hours in the day. I don’t know whether here and dotcom there and then those it’s because of the change in surround- ubiquitous mobile phones, without ings or the fact that we are older, but it which they can’t move one hundred always seems that life was simpler, yards without having to use them. people were happier and towns and vil- This latter reminds one of the story of lages were safer in the ’50’s and ‘60’s. the engaged couple who go out for an The year was also divided into two evening meal - both arrived with the distinct seasons - you had Summer and latest model of the mobile. From the you had Winter. The summers extend- starter course to the petit fours each of ed from early May to mid-late our individuals are on the mobile to October. These were long warm their respective friends giving an sunny days with the occasional, wel- account of each course of their meal. come, warm shower of rain to "keep Not a word is spoken to each other down the dust". The winters, general- during the whole course of the meal! ly, lasted from December to mid- But isn’t this progress? Many times March. These months were noted for we’ve seen children as young as 7-8 their cold, damp long nights, short years sauntering around with mobile days with the frequent flurry of snow phones dangling between their ears and severe frost. The remaining two- and their cheeks. to-three months were just an interlude It’s a big change from the ’50’s and - winding down one season and ’60’s - yes, it is 40 to 50 years ago! We preparing for the next one. Because of only had wireless - not radios - then; the consistency of the weather one no television, no playstations or any of knew what to expect and when to get it the present technological parapherna- and so you could plan your time and lia currently in common usage. From days accordingly; unlike presently the history, the stories and the people when there is no noticeable variable themselves, who lived and grew up in difference between summer and winter. those times, life was simpler and much Summers in Fethard forty to fifty happier. This is post World War 2 and years ago were idyllic for children and the rationing years of the ’30’s and adults alike. The younger generation, ’40’s. The men and women of that era devoid of all the "gizmos" now at their were so concerned with providing disposal especially "that box in the food, clothing and education for their corner", were occupied and fulfilled

79 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 from early dawn to the last ray of sun- much for specialist workers. During light usually around 10pm or 11pm. the "play breaks" and lunch breaks at One of the major events to look for- school one’s first priority was to climb ward to each May and sometimes the Rocklow Road wall to see how the again in September was the Circus. "Big Top" was progressing. Miracle One got excited when they saw the of miracles by one o’clock the manual promotional posters dotted around the work was completed and the artists town - in shop windows and on E.S.B. were readying themselves and the ani- poles from late February/early April mals for the matinee. Come 3.30pm, advertising the coming to town of the once we had deposited our books and Circus in the next month. The large schoolbags at home, we headed multi-coloured poster hit you like a straight for the Barrack Field to gain thunderbolt as you went up or down early admission for a good front-row the town. You had elephants from seat for the 4pm show. Of course, Thailand, tigers from India, lions from some would hang around the general Africa and so on. Then you had the area of the Big Top and instead of pur- flame-throwers from Russia - the first chasing their admission tickets, would and only visit to Ireland at enormous "mooch" around to see if there were expense, the trapeze artists from Italy any loose ends of the canvas where and the clowns, Coco and Bonzo, from easy and free access could be gained. France. Even though the circus would Invariably, there was always on one or not be coming for another four or five two "free entry points" but after five or weeks, we waited with frenzy and six individuals gained access the seam anticipation for the Big Event. was detected and that put an end to When the day at last arrived, a group that "freebie". us would gather on the Cashel Road The show itself was great fun, but it around 8am to see the large trucks and always transpired that the Russian multi-coloured decorated caravans flame-thrower, the Italian trapeze artist come within the town confines. For and the French clowns were all from whatever reason they always entered either England or Dublin, but that did- the town by the Cashel Road. We still n’t worry us once. They performed had one-and-a-half hours to while their respective acts, which they did away before the school bell rang for with great versatility and expertise. classes and so we would follow the The circus normally performed for five entourage of caravans and cages up to to seven days and it was intriguing to the Barrack Field where, later on, they see how those involved mingled with were to perform their matinees and the local community and at the same evening shows. It was fascinating to time carried out their own daily chores watch these people unload and assem- in relation to day-to-day living, and to ble the "Big Top" in double-quick time. their twice-daily performances, that There were no such things as roadies were always played to full houses. and "stage-erectors" then to carry out Once the lights went out for the last these duties. Instead, the work was show, the artists donned their masks done by the same artists who were and costumes and began to dismantle going to perform in the circus - so the Big Top - this would be around mid-

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‘Player’s Please’ Bus visits Fethard in the 1960’s night - load up their trucks and caravans the actual event. and be ready to move out at maybe 6 The group in total numbered am the following morning and move on between six or eight individuals, but to their next destination. they carried out such numerous and Another occasion of joy and excite- diverse functions that, from an out- ment was the announcement that the sider’s perspective, one would imagine "fit-ups" would be coming to town. that there were forty or fifty people in These were the theatrical and variety the group. The same individuals drove shows of Harry McFadden and George the trucks, loaded and unloaded same, Daniels. It was during the period erected the stage settings and props, before we became a global village, did the choreography and finally per- when the modes of transport and the formed their various acts with such speed and availability of same made grace, versatility and passion. Their access to the "Big Shows" in Dublin, expertise that made those "so-called London and Broadway attainable by actors" from the celluloid screen and everyone. The long, dark nights of big-named theatres seem as if they winter - at a time when televisions didn’t deserve to do the make-up for were non-existent and the wireless these local artists. Apart from the could only be purchased by some variety acts of song and comedy, these households, the variety shows were a “fit-ups” performed a different great source of distraction from the drama/comedy play each night for the routine and mundane winters. These duration of their stay. You had “The shows normally "encamped" in the Colleen Bawn”, “The Red River Town Hall for ten to fourteen days at a Valley”, “The Informer”, “The White visit. Like the circus, there was a great Headed Boy” et al performed by Tom sense of anticipation when the Cowley and Moira Deady (of The announcement of their pending visit Riordans fame), Ray McNally and became known four weeks before Ronnie Masterson (late of the Abbey

81 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Large crowds arriving at Fethard Carnival in the 1950’s Theatre) and the unforgettable Denis Harry McFadden was the Elvis on this Franks who, like Miceál side of the Atlantic. He was young, MacLiammor, was one of the great slim, good-looking with a quiffed exponents of Shakespearean acting to hairstyle, a fabulous electric guitar grace our shores. player (long before such guitar became The audience participation in these popular) and a great singer. To hear shows was no less important a function him perform "Wild in the Country", than that of the actors themselves. "Love Me Tender", "Jailhouse Rock" With their heckling, cajoling and and "Blue Suede Shoes" you could involvement in the performance close your eyes and be forgiven for onstage it was reminiscent of the 17th thinking you were in Caesar’s Palace in century Shakespeare and Garrick days Vegas listening to the real Elvis. where, with the open air theatres you When the visiting troupes from the had full audience participation and the Circus and the Variety Shows had left cheers or jeers of the audience deter- and kept us in anticipation for their mined whether a play was successful returning visits in twelve months, the or not. social night life for the younger gener- Apart from the serious side of the ation reverted back to the Capitol shows you had the singing interludes, Cinema, where nightly performances where one of the artists would don his and Sunday Matinees of the latest sequins and picklewicks and perform blockbusters from Hollywood were the latest hits from Johnny “Pride of shown on the silver screen. Now we Wails” Ray, Guy Mitchell, Pat Boone, could escape from reality and leave the Billy Fury and Elvis. This was the world behind us as we lost ourselves in time before the onslaught of the films like “The Big Country”, “Gone Beatles, Rolling Stones and the rock With The Wind”, “High Noon”, “The group phenomenon of the sixties. Fastest Gun Alive” et al. In addition

82 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 you had the British comedies and the money we spared by avoiding the thrillers from Pinewood and the Ealing balcony was spent on vice habits of studios. For a brief period the boys cigarette purchases and some extra became Randolph Scott, Roy Rogers, "junk food" of chocolate and crisps. Hopalong Cassidy and Glenn Ford It would interesting to contrast the while the girls likened themselves to habits and hobbies of the current eight Grace Kelly, Shirley MacLaine, to fourteen year olds with those from Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren. the ’50’s and ’60’s. Admittedly, gener- For the younger generation the ations change and each have their own Sunday matinee was a terrific way to individual wants and needs and with while away the afternoons especially the emphasis on material gain and during the long, damp winter days. A wealth in the last decade, it is difficult certain clique of us would go every to see the present younger generation Sunday and, though endowed with satisfied and having a fulfilled life hav- admission fare for the more ing to make do with the simple things respectable seats in the balcony, we that gave so much joy and happiness to instead opted for the cheaper seats their parents in earlier years. down "with the gods" in the pits and Fethard & District Credit Union riday morning opening has now £8.75 return from Thurles to Dublin. Fbecome extremely popular and Our membership is expanding all complements Saturday night. This is the time and remember our dividend an important year for all credit unions on shares of 3.5% is still very much with the ISIS project taking centre ahead of our banking institutions. We stage. Delegates travelled to Belfast to would particularly encourage our the A.G.M. this year, which was held youth to become members, as once in the very beautiful Waterfront you have set the pattern and developed Theatre. the habit of being a good credit union The primary school quiz proved to member it is something which will be be as popular as ever and ended in an a benefit for life. exciting tie break between Cloneen Opening Hours for business: NS and St Patrick's School Fethard. Tuesdays 7.30pm - 8.00pm (loan It is now nearing AGM time again applications only); Fridays 10am - and we would invite and encourage 12.30pm; Saturdays 7pm - 8.30pm. our members to attend. This year the Board of Directors: Rev. Canon J. Credit Union sponsored a perpetual Power (Hon President), Marian Gilpin plaque for business and enterprise to (Chairperson), Kate Healy the Patrician Presentation Secondary (Treasurer), Eddie O'Brien School Awards Ceremony. It was (Secretary). Credit Committee: Kay awarded to Mary Gorey of Main Spillane, Mary Morrissey, Sean Street, Fethard. Callaghan, Angela Dillon White, Our rail tickets to Dublin are as pop- Jonathan Gilpin. Supervisor: John ular as ever despite disruption in train Barrett. Tellers: Betty McLaughlin, schedules, and are very reasonable at Phyllis Healy. 83 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Manned flight by Vinny Murphy

Photographed with Mick Smyth’s EI-AUE Rally 100 plane at this airfield at Coolbawn in the 1970’s are L to R: Joe Collins who was the Chief Flying Instructor in Birr at the time, Tim Webb, Joan Smyth, Mick Slattery, Grace Smyth, Michael Smith and Adrian Corcoran. anned flight has interested me matical genius to fly an aircraft. I had Msince I was about eight years enquired about lessons in Waterford old. My first interest in planes was Airport and intended sometime to take stirred by a visit to Shannon Airport at least one lesson. Then out of the which was a First Communion treat. I blue a friend brought me to Moyne air- was given a book which detailed field near Thurles where she was going manned flight from early balloons to for a flying lesson Ð a Christmas pre- the Wright Brothers to the Concorde. sent from her husband. That was my Watching the comings and goings at first time in a light aircraft. I began fly- Shannon that day was enough. I was ing lessons the following week and hooked! have been flying ever since. Around this time there was a flying In the first lesson you learn the club at Michael Smyth’s airfield at basics about the aircraft, how it works Coolbawn Cross. I spent many hours and how you work in it. After a brief watching the little white aeroplane fly- introduction on the ground, you sit into ing over the town. I have since met the aircraft with the instructor and are people who came to Fethard from as shown how to operate the controls. far away as Waterford and Birr to get You start the engine and you learn the their pilot’s licences in the 1970’s. first lesson Ð how to taxi to the runway. Around the same time another regular A combination of nerves and igno- sight in the skies was the Camp rance of the controls makes the first Rockwell balloon. attempt to taxi in a straight line some- I had always wanted to fly but never thing akin to a chicken running around gave it serious consideration thinking, a farmyard Ð all over the place. The incorrectly, that you had to be a mathe- instructor then takes the plane off and, 84 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 once airborne, hands the controls over to get the licence, going to Moyne to you. This is the first step towards when the weather permitted to get air- becoming a pilot. Eventually you learn borne and acquire the skills and the to taxi in a straight line, take off, fly necessary number of hours to qualify and, most important, how to land for my licence. And it has been most again. The day finally arrives when rewarding. Ireland from the air is spec- your instructor feels that you have tacular. When I began flying, one of undergone enough training to follow a my dreams, which I fulfilled this sum- fixed circuit and return to the airfield mer, was to fly to the Aran Islands. I with both yourself and the plane in one flew first to Birr, over the bogs and the piece. You go solo. It is your first time Slieve Blooms, then over the Shannon to fly the plane with nobody to help which glistened for miles, dotted with you if things go wrong. It sounds cruisers enjoying the summer sun- daunting but you will have flown the shine. From there I went to Galway, circuit so many times, you know you over Connemara, then out to Aran Mor. can do it. It only takes about ten min- The return trip was via the Cliffs of utes, but it changes you forever. All Moher, the Burren, Miltown Malbay, those hours sweating it out in the cock- Tarbert and back to Kilsheelan, all in pit have paid off. You have now got five hours. your wings. Michael Smyth’s airfield is no There is still a lot of work to be done longer with us but Pat White’s strip in before you get your full private pilot’s Derryluskin is now the focus for peo- licence that will enable you to bring ple flying around the area. Regular passengers with you. Monday night visitors fly in from airstrips all over became study night in Joe Davy’s the country. There are training facili- kitchen in Littleton. There I learned all ties dotted all over the country some, I needed to know to pass the five writ- like Moyne, operating out of a farm ten exams to get the full licence. strip and some out of major airports. Unlike school, this was not a chore, as If your dream is to fly (for fun or for a I really wanted to learn. living), check it out. Who knows what It took three years from start to finish it might lead to?

Vinny Murphy photographed with his Piper plane at Pat White’s airfield at Derryluskin, Fethard.

85 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Fethard Historical Society or Fethard Historical Society the the most successful bookfair to date with Fyear 2000 could be considered booksellers, dealers and buyers happy the Year of the French with members with their afternoon’s work. travelling to France on two separate The Student Scheme ran during the occasions - in July to the Vineyards of summer months with nine students kept Bordeaux (report on page 88) and in busy on a computer database of parish September to the Battlefields of the two death and birth records. World Wars. On Trinity Sunday the Historical In April Chris Nevin as chairperson Society hosted our second Festival and Mary Hanrahan as PRO formed part which commenced with a fancy dress of the Community Council delegation to parade through the Main Street, culmi- St. David's in Wales. nating in activities and barbecue by the As always it was a busy year for the Town Wall. Society with our usual mix of lectures Mary Hanrahan PRO was available to and day trips. Lectures included: facilitate conducted tours of Fethard to History of Seeds by Anita Hayes; visiting groups and the Historical Painters of the early 20th Century by Society also reprinted the Fethard Peter Murray, Curator of the Crawford Tourism Brochure for the benefit of vis- Gallery, Cork; The Wine Geese itors to the Town. Worldwide lecture by Ted Murphy of the The Historical Society were delighted Wine Museum Kinsale; Aspects of to be associated with the Secondary Norman Influence in South Tipperary by School by sponsoring prizes of book Liam O Duibhir. tokens to 2nd year students in recogni- Day Trips took us to Moorestown tion of the high standard of their history House, Glengarra Wood and the Motte of projects. Knockgraffon; The EcoBooley & FHS member Jerry Long was elected Mitchelstown Caves; Terry's Millennium PRO of the Federation of local Historical Mystery Tour (report on page 87) which Societies at their AGM on 8th October brought us through history from the 2000 hosted by Longford Historical Passage Tomb at Knockroe to the Waste Society. Disposal Plant in Clonmel facilitated by Lest I forget, our AGM was held on Dr. Muiris O'Sullivan; Mr. Gilles the 28th March 2000 and the following McBain and Mr. Liam O Duibhir. officers and committee members were Unfortunately trips to Waterford and elected:- Chairperson: Chris Nevin; Vice Kells, Co. Kilkenny had to be post- Chairperson: Dóirín Saurus; Secretary: poned. Margaret Newport; Vice Secretary: Poetry readings were given by Catherine O'Flynn; Treasurer: Gemma Michael Coady from his new book 'Full Burke; PRO: Mary Hanrahan; Planning: Tide' and Denis O'Driscoll who in addi- Peter Delaney. Committee: Joe Kenny, tion to his poetry read extracts from his Diane Stokes, David Sceats, Peter Grant, memoirs. Terry Cunningham and Kitty Delany. Our Annual Tipperariana Bookfair Committee meetings which are open was held in February and described as to all members are held in the Abymill

86 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Theatre on the last Tuesday of every message of peace and happiness to all month. As the Newsletter goes to Historical Society members and read- print we look forward to our Christmas ers of the Newsletter both at home meal at J's restaurant and send a sincere and abroad. Outing of the Millennium by Terry Cunningham

he year 2000 Ð The Millennium Our first stop was out in the TÐ and I suppose a Historical Commeragh Mountains, below Society should do something to mark Coumshingaun, the corrie lake gauged this point in time Ð and we did. out by the glaciers during the last Ice At 9 am, on Saturday 26th August in Age which ended around 10,000 B.C. the Year of Our Lord 2000, twenty As the world got warmer, people four of us set out Ð on a lovely fine spread north across Europe and warm sunny day Ð from the Town Hall reached Ireland, maybe by 7,000 B.C. in Fethard to go on the outing of the (Mesolithic Age). In South Tipperary Millennia. the oldest known major site is the Yes Millennia, as our plan was to go Knockroe Passage Grave (near back in time, to go back to places asso- Ahenny) which dates from 3,000 B.C. ciated with other Millennia and to con- (Mesolithic or New Stone Age) and it template what the world was like then was there that we went next. and to somehow better understand (But we did stop for a ‘full works’ where we have come from and where millennium breakfast in the Park Inn we might be going. in Carrick on the way). We headed south past Grove Wood Dr. Muiris O’Sullivan was with us in where oaks have stood, we think, since Knockroe Ð a wonderful warm two Ice Age times. hours we spent there Ð and he also

87 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 pointed out the Standing Stone near the great woods. Shea’s Cross (2,000 B.C) and the Hill Then we had high tea Ð a real high Fort of Carrigadoon (1,000 B.C. Ð tea laid on in the hall in Kilcash Ð and Bronze Age) and then onto Kilkieran, we ate like lords and ladies as a harper, just over the border in Co. Kilkenny. Steve Haggerty played the old tunes. There we saw the La Tene style stone And so to the present Ð modern from around the year 1 Ð The Time of times (but aren’t all times modern Christ, (our Iron Age) and the other while you’re living them) to the year Christian era remains, especially the 2000. We ended up in Clonmel’s shin- wonderful high crosses. We then ing new Sewage Works where Gilles headed for Kilcash after drink and McBain Ð a thinker, who thinks the big sandwiches in Delaney’s pub in the picture Ð contemplated where modern Slate Quarries. life might be taking us! In Kilcash Liam O Duibhir took us And so home to bed. But not before through the medieval periods, espe- some of us had a drink or two to toast cially the Butler era, and the fall of the the millennium and to get re-focussed Gaelic Order and the cutting down of for the next 1,000 years.

Trip to Bordeaux by Mary Hanrahan his year’s trip to Bordeaux was a Our first full day in Bordeaux began Tfirst for the Fethard Historical for most of us with Mass in the impos- Society; the culmination of six ing surrounds of St. André’s cathedral. month’s planning by Mary Hanrahan Nothing daunted, we sang along tune- and Chris Nevin. Inspired by Ted fully in our very best French! We had Murphy’s lecture on "The Wine arranged an afternoon walking tour of Geese", we had decided to follow up the city to give us all an introduction to the Irish connections within the vine- the sights and sounds of Bordeaux with yards of Bordeaux, and in particular an overview of its history thrown in for that of the Barton Family who once good measure. Bordeaux is breathtak- lived in Grove, Fethard. ingly beautiful with splendid 18th cen- Our final itinerary comprised visits to tury buildings, numerous little Chateau Haut Marbuzet (MacCarthy), squares, broad tree-lined "allées", Chateau Lynch-Bages, Chateau imposing monuments, its famous Kirwan, Chateau Batailly and, the flower-free, wrought-iron balconies "pièce de résistance", Chateau and, at the heart of it all, the stately Léoville-Barton. river which is its life-blood. We all had As our group of sixteen awaited take- our favourite places and mine was the off in Shannon, anticipation was high superb Place de Quinquonces with its and our only worry as organisers was magnificent fountain. that the trip would not live up to expec- We had devised our itinerary so that tation. Such fears were groundless! The we had a balanced mix of organised congeniality of our fellow travellers activity and time at leisure to pursue overcame any slight hitches along the individual interests. In practice, this way and Bordeaux itself was magic. worked out very well for everyone as

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Fethard Historical Society members enjoying the hospitality in Bordeaux. Bordeaux, like all cities, afforded lots derful world of wine. It’s impossible of activities: retail therapy in the aptly to nominate a favourite Chateau as named Golden Triangle, bargain-hunt- each had its own particular charm, ing in the Rue St. Catherine, antiques from the family-run Haut Marbuzet, in the Arab quarter, river trips, music where the son of the house showed us recitals, art exhibitions, museums, around, to the vast enterprise that is including one of the French Chateau Lynch-Bages, from Chateau Resistance. There simply wasn’t time Batailly that opened especially for us to see and do everything. even though they were officially on A major pleasure for all of us was holidays to Chateau Kirwan where M. eating out in the city. The choice was Schyler and his guide Astrid launched endless, the food and wine superb (and what can only be termed a charm highly affordable) and the service offensive that swept us collectively off excellent. One wonders how Ireland our feet! A definite highlight of our compares for our French visitors. trip was our meeting with Mr. Anthony And, of course, there were the Barton who gave us a guided tour of Chateaux which was our reason for his beautiful formal gardens, complete coming to Bordeaux in the first place. with swans, followed by a dégousta- They proved fascinating, varying as tion of his famous wine. Mr. Barton they did in appearance and size, but was born in Straffan House in Co. each imbued with its own unique phi- Kildare and his ancestors owned losophy of wine and wine-making. Grove house in Fethard. It is interest- And each one determinedly confident ing to note that the wines of all the that its way was undoubtedly the best! above Chateaux enjoy a very high rep- We learned that wine-making is not so utation. Needless to say, we are now much a way of making a living but all, even the non-drinkers among us, rather a whole way of life. We were wine experts "sans pareil". privileged to meet the proprietors We also spent a day in the enchant- themselves in Chateaux not usually ing medieval town of Saint Emilion open to the public and from them we whose houses seem to tumble head- gained a unique insight into the won- long down the hillside on which it is

89 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 built. It is a bustling, pedestrianised lit- French gentlemen asking us to dance, tle town, no bigger than Fethard, a one-eyed Moroccan who was to be crammed with restaurants, wine shops, avoided at all costs, a chance meeting galleries and craft shops. The with an Algerian waiter we had met Monolithic Church and the catacombs earlier in the week who was patently were every bit as awe-inspiring as we delighted to renew our acquaintance, had been promised. Just to keep us in and a certain chic Parisienne who touch with the 21st century, there was added that special "je ne sais quoi" even a cyber café so we could e-mail unique to Frenchwomen. the folks back home! The next thing we knew we were We were lucky enough to be in winging it back to Shannon laden with Bordeaux for Bastille Day, the French great memories, unanimously agreed national holiday. Celebrations began that Bordeaux had been a resounding the evening before with a spectacular success. Everywhere we went we fireworks display down on the quays. received a warm welcome and won- On the day itself we had been invited derful hospitality. It was a week-long to meet Professor Michael Scott, round of good food, good wine and President of Les Amis D’Irlande, an good company with a sprinkling of association of people living in history thrown in for good measure. Bordeaux who are either Irish them- Now all we need is a little time to plan selves or have Irish ancestry. Professor our next trip - the Chateaux of the Scott and other members of his Loire, perhaps, or possibly the castles Association arranged a wine reception of the Rhine. Qui sait? for us in the Continental Hotel and we spent a most pleasant couple of hours with them. Apart from Professor Scott DID YOU KNOW himself, who is Dublin-born, they The Cenacle consists of a group of peo- were members of the "Wine Geese" ple who come together on the second families such as MacCarthy. Phelan, Friday of each month at 7 pm in the Clarke etc., all with a great enthusiasm Abbey shrine. All laity are welcome to for Ireland and all things Irish. We come to pray in this Marian Movement for Priests. Information will be given to were particularly touched that they those who inquire through the priests, were willing to give up precious time or through those involved in the group. on their national holiday to spend time with us. (An interesting footnote: Prayer groups are not new in Ireland. It Professor Scott’s father was the is heartening to know that the Rosary is prayed daily before the 10am Mass in Dublin architect of the same name the Parish Church. The loyal leaders who designed the RTE buildings and are always ready to start on time, usu- Busarus). ally twenty minutes before Mass time. A fitting finale to Bastille Day, and A Holy Hour is held each Thursday to our French holiday, was provided 7.30 to 8.30 pm in the Abbey. People by the open-air dance in front of the come to pray for their intentions and Opéra House that evening. A wonder- for vocations to the priesthood. All are ful time was had by all. Memories of welcome and are encouraged to attend. that night include distinguished

90 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Poems from Frances Long-O’Connor

rances Long-O’Connor, Fethard, is Fa relative of poet and patriot John Cantwell, Market Hill, and recently published a book of his poems. She was also involved in the Fethard Historical Society’s commemoration of the centenary of his death on 2nd December 1998. These three poems are from her own collection. WINTER Sometimes Ð Winter wheels in on Wings of wind, Whipping leaves To woeful doom. LA ROSE DERNIéRE Sometimes the winter’s Exquisite rose, Wan and white, So delicate, Wearisome in On your slender Endless night. Stem, will you down Yet there are those days My winters days When wild and wide, Echo, etching Sunbeams dance Distant days of At winter’s side. Long lost summer?

FOR MY ANCESTRAL MATERNAL MOTHER IN 1999

31st December 1999 Inexorable, the dark images spiralling down Has pulled its shade about The centuries. Pestilence My house and the hours of And purgatorial pain The year drain away like Persist and yet her gaze Water through stone. In vigil Transcends night’s deepening dark I wait and this waiting is As down the ages she discerns A crucifixion as blue-robed Her daughters’ daughters moving She bends, crooning over her Through the circle of her soul. Slumbering child. Caught up Prefigured, I am transfigured, In the lore of the child, another Scribed in the skeins of her time Woman stands upon a hill To carry seeds of generating. Pondering a vortex of

91 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Researching Killusty records by Michael Hall The following information supplied by Michael Hall, Kyle, Drangan, will be very beneficial to anyone researching their baptismal or marriage records in Drangan, Cloneen and Killusty nformation re Baptisms and townland. All above are at the south IMarriages in Drangan, Cloneen side of the road from Lismolin Cross and Killusty. going west to the Two Trees, next to All records before July 1826 deal Barrett's Cross then going south to with the Catholic Parish of Cloneen Crohane Church and then to a small and Killusty. Records from July 1826 bridge at west or Killenaule side of onwards deal with the Glasheen's Cross. That Catholic Parish of road is the dividing line Drangan and Cloneen. between Drangan and Mullinahone and Ballingarry Catholic Drangan were joined Parishes. before 1826, therefore, Before July 1826, the Drangan Baptism and Baptism and Marriage Marriage Records Records for the above before 1826 are in the townlands and part Mullinahone Record townlands should be in Books. the Ballingarry Record In July 1826, Drangan Books and I have seen was joined with names from Crohane, Cloneen. Killusty Graiguenageha and joined with Fethard. Moyne in the Killenaule Drangan got part of Record Book. Killusty Catholic Parish On 10th November Michael Hall, author of this article, (the Civil Parish of is photographed above at the Holy 1840, Drangan Catholic Peppardstown) and part Year Cross at Crohane, Drangan. Parish received from got, all of Curraheen Michael is a rare treasure and an Moyglass Catholic townland, plus half of endless mine of information, not Parish, part of the Civil alone for his native parish of Rathkenny townland and Drangan, but for all County Parish of St. Johnstown, a small part of Tipperary. namely: all Lismoynan Knockelly townland. townland, plus part of St. Killusty Baptism and Marriage Johnstown townland now known as Records up to July 1826 are with Bawntafoora, plus a small part of Cloneen Records and are now stored Kilkennybeg townland. Therefore, in the Parish Priest's house in Drangan. Baptism and Marriage Records before No townlands were given in early 10th November 1840 of the above town- book records. lands should be in the Killenaule and In 1826, Drangan Catholic Parish Moyglass Record Books. received all Upper Crohane plus half Killusty Lower Crohane townlands plus part of To avoid expulsion under Penal Shangarry townland (now often called Laws, local priests had to register in Wilford), plus nearly all Lismolin Nenagh as Parish Priests after an Act

92 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 of Parliament 1703 which improved Lord Lismore’s land. Killusty’s the situation for some priests. No present church was opened in 1883. other clergy were to be allowed, only It was built by Fr. Thomas H. the Parish Priest. Some priests went Kinane P.P. Fethard & Killusty. on horseback to Nenagh from this area Kiltinan Parish to register. In 1704, Rev. Geoffrey Kiltinan Parish c.1200 is mentioned Sall P.P. Clerihan and Killusty (1704- in the Register of Hospital of St. John 1713) was registered in Nenagh as P.P. the Baptist, Dublin, by E. St. J. of Coleman, Newchapel and Brooks. It states in The Preface that Ballyclerihan (roughly modern Philip de Worcester gave the church of Clerihan parish), and as P.P. of Kiltinan to Oseney Abbey, Kiltinan, Crompstown, Coolmundry, Oxfordshire, England, c.1200. Peppardstown and Everardsgrange An article written by Mark (roughly modern Killusty Parish) with Hennessy states that a grant of 60 parts of Fethard, Drangan and acres in the Manor of Kiltinan was Cloneen. Killusty was in Kiltinan made by David, son of Philip, to Parish but the church was in Killusty. Hospital of St. John the Baptist, This union of Clerihan and Killusty Dublin, c.1200. The Hospital of St. lasted until c.1773. Fr. Luke Shee was John the Baptist was a daughter house the last P.P. and was probably one of of Oseney Abbey. the Shee’s of Cloran, Cloneen. Kiltinan was also listed in Papal In 1773 Killusty was united with Taxation 1291 and 1302. The church Cloneen until 3rd July 1826, since in Kiltinan was in ruins in 1615. then it has been united with Kiltinan Civil Parish Townslands: Fethard. There was a thatched Ballynaclera, Boolagh, Claremore, church in Killusty in the 1700’s Cappadrummin, Clarebeg, Grangebeg, which was built chiefly at the Killavally, Killusty North, Killusty expense of Mr Redmond Purcell. In South, Kiltinan, Loughcapple, Visitation 1847, it was mentioned Moanbarron, Rathkenty, Tullow and that Killusty Church was built on Walshbog.

In May this year a Manchester United jersey, signed by all the players, was presented at Coolmore Stud Farm to Dr. O'Regan, St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel, to help raise funds for the hospital's 'CAT-Scan Appeal'. L to R: Christy Grassick, manager Coolmore Stud Farm; Alex Ferguson, manager Manchester United; Dr. Paul O'Regan, St. Joseph's Hospital, 93 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 ‘Eily’ Cahill by John Fogarty he hearse turned left off the strolling happily along with her stick TMain St, leaving the town by an and her message bag — her ‘balancing unfamiliar route, through the old bag’, she called it. Dressed always in North gate and out the her purple overcoat, Rocklow road, then woolly cap and yellow slowly made its way to wellies, Eily was a dis- the old graveyard at tinctive figure. On Rathcoole, followed by Fridays she would a long cortege of cars make the trip to carrying mourners. We Fethard with Mary were going to say our Hayes, sitting regally last farewells to Eileen beside Mary in the blue Cahill of Coolmoyne, Mini as they motored affectionately known as along the winding road ‘Eily.’ into town. The high- The ancient burial light of her summer place and ruined church was taking part in the at Rathcoole is situated Carnival Parade with down a winding leafy Evie Croom- Carroll laneway, far removed from the manic when she was transported from the rush and bustle that goes with today’s Cross to the Barrack Field by trap or so-called ‘Celtic Tiger’ economy. And coach. Her greatest joy was the it seemed somehow appropriate that ‘cuartaíocht’ to the houses of her Eily should have the peace and tran- neighbours. She was a gentle soul who quillity of this secluded spot as her last never raised her voice or spoke ill of resting place. Because Eily moved anyone. gently and unobtrusively through life, On most other days of the week she rarely straying far from the quiet fields would make her way across the fields of her beloved Coolmoyne to her great friend, Lizzie O’Shea’s She was a familiar sight in the area, house. Fethard Macra na Feirme t is hard to believe that another We have had our share of success in Isuccessful and eventful year has competitions this year with our Dublin passed for Fethard Macra Na Feirme. city talent team reaching the All- As with every other year we have been Ireland semi-finals of the novelty act kept on our toes during 2000. with their sketch "Challenged Times" Our year began with our Christmas written by club member Chris party, which was held in Cahir House O’Riordan. Our debating team also Hotel. The South Tipperary clubs did us proud in the All Ireland quarter attended to make it an enjoyable night finals. We were also successful in all round. South Tipperary finals with our ladies

94 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Members of Fethard Macra Club photographed at their club meeting held to finalised plans for their 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance' which took place on 7th October in the Clonmel Arms Hotel. indoor soccer team finishing in 2nd Rockwell and Patricia Morrissey rep- place being narrowly beaten on penal- resented us at the ‘Queen of the Land’ ties by Clonoulty. Clonmel Show competition in Tullamore. proved to be a successful venue with the As with every club we have to do club finishing joint 1st in the "Design a our share of fund raising. The past Garden with a Patio" competition and year has been no different. We joined Eoin Whyte, runner-up in the U/23 forces with the Historical Society at Sheep Stockjudging. Both our male and their ‘Pattern Day Festival’ where we female basketball teams were 2nd and had a sponge-throwing stall. We our creative challenge team was also in would like to thank our members who 2nd place. In volleyball we reached the volunteered to put their heads through final and were narrowly beaten by the stock while the children lined up to Killenaule. We took to the stage again throw wet sponges at them. Our next in Macra Capers and finished 3rd. Our fundraiser took place in the form of a novice public speaking team were wor- karting competition, which was held in thy winners with the team of Aideen conjunction with Tipperary Raceway O’Donnell, Linda Nevin, Daryn & Karting Centre. We had a total of O’Meara and Sinead O’Brien. 54 teams taking part. The competition Brendan Morrissey had a busy year began on the 8th May and ran to the finishing in 2nd place in the All 25th June when the final was won by Ireland quarter-finals of the impromp- Lonergans pub team. First prize con- tu public speaking. He won the sisted of £150 plus a trophy to each Culchie Festival in Shrule, Co. Mayo team member. R.I.P were the second and he travelled to Wales for the place team and also received trophies. European rally. Members took part in Anthea Browne of the R.I.P. team won the ‘Know your Agriculture’ quiz in the individual driver’s competition and

95 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 claimed another trophy and £150. We out of recycled materials. would like to thank Mike Barry of It is not all-hard work however as Tipperary Raceway and Karting we play soccer and volleyball on a reg- Centre for sponsoring the trophies. ular basis. This year we have also We continue to have our apple pick- played olympic handball and ing day and this year we held a table rounders. We hold barbeques, go quiz in aid of Telethon. We also had bowling, karting, & canoeing. We our sponge-throwing stall at were well represented by Lorraine Slievenamon Golf Club in aid of a Morrissey in a blind date competition CAT scan appeal. Kevin Whyte and and we finished in 2nd place in a car Lorraine Morrissey, two of our more treasure hunt. adventurous members, took part in a This year we had a club exchange drag queen (with escort) night in aid of between Fethard Macra and a young the women’s refuge in Clonmel and farmers club in Scotland. Thirteen finished in 3rd place. We are begin- members headed off on the 27th of ning to wonder about them since! July. We attended an agricultural show This year sees the club in another where some members took part in a All-Ireland with members taking quad competition. We also took part in part in The Futuristic Fashion Show, a tug-o’-war competition; let’s just say which will be held at the National we weren’t last and will be remem- Rally on Saturday 25th November bered! Some of the other highlights of 2000. Members taking part are our trip included bowling, going to a Jennifer Frewen, Linda Nevin, theme park where we also went out on Darren McGrath, Sinead O’Brien a lake in paddle boats, discos, and and Brendan Morrissey as compere shopping in East Kilbride to name but for the above models who have a few. We arrived home on the 1st of designed their outfits completely August. A group of 8 joined us for a

Fethard Macra na Feirme committee taken at their Annual Dinner Dance in Galtee Hotel Cahir c.1957. Back: Paddy Walsh, Pat Molloy, John Skehan, Tom O'Dea, Dick Hennessy, Michael Smyth, Paddy Heffernan, Joe Hayes. Front: John H. Delaney, Rody Holohan, David Hurley, Henry Quinn, Nat Burke, Pierce O'Donnell, Denis McGrath and Dermot Rice. 96 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 return visit from the 24th to the 28th of At our AGM, held on Tuesday 4th August. Some are still travelling! July, the following officers were elect- Everyone involved had a thoroughly ed: President Matt Hennessy; Vice- enjoyable time. President Patricia Morrissey; Again in Fethard Macra romance is Chairperson Lorraine Morrissey; Vice- in the air. Our congratulations go to Chairperson Brendan Morrissey; John Fitzgerald & Ann-Marie O’Neill Secretary Avril Colville; Asst. and also to Corina Morrissey & Robin Secretary Deirdre Cleary; Treasurer Rowe who were married during the Adrian Morrissey; Asst. Treasurer year. We wish them the very best of Tom Grant; P.R.O. Mairead Croke; good fortune, health and happiness. Asst. P.R.O. Darren McGrath; 2000 was a very special year for the Recruitment Officers Brendan Fethard Macra as we celebrated our Morrissey & Eoin Whyte. 50th Anniversary with a well attended Our club meetings take place every Dinner Dance in the Clonmel Arms second Tuesday night in Lonergans. Hotel. We also produced a booklet Our members come from all walks of where we had a brief look back at life so if you are interested in enjoying some of the illustrious achievements yourself, making new friends, learning and entertaining moments in the club’s new skills, improving your social life existence. A word of thanks must go and availing of travel opportunities to all those who helped in any way to Macra is the place for you. Any of the make it an interesting booklet and a above committee members would be very enjoyable night. We would also delighted to hear from you. like to thank the many unsung heroes We would like to thank all those throughout the years for bringing the who helped make the past year a suc- Club to the success it is today. cess for the club.

Jaunting in the ‘60’s L to R: Alice Stapleton, Dolly Bulfin, Mary Bulfin and Ann O’Sullivan.

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Goldie’s shop by Tony Newport he decision by Goldie Newport the first two customers were Dinny Tto retire from business and close Mullins and the late Jim O’Sullivan. her shop on Main Street last August The war broke out shortly afterwards, brings an end to an era of the day-to- food was rationed and coupons were day life of Fethard. It might be looked required for tea, sugar, bread, butter, on by many as just the closure of etc. A few of my mother’s friends, another small shop but to those of us such as Mrs Murphy, Rocklow Road, who ran it for many years it meant asked if she would oblige them by tak- much, much more. ing their ration coupons and this is On the death of Morty Hanrahan, how the shop started selling groceries. who ran a druggist shop there, the My mother was a woman who was premises were purchased by my late always ready to help. During the early mother, Catherine Newport. Prior to years of the war a large company of Morty Hanrahan, the building housed Irish soldiers was camped at a jewellry store from which the old Lakefield. The lads frequented the school clock in Coolmoyne National blacked-out town at night, although School came. there was no cinema and nowhere to Our family used the premises as a go, so my mother decided to open a dwelling house with a small shop sell- restaurant where the soldiers might ing confectionery, ice cream and fruit. drop in for a cup of tea. Many a good The shop was opened to relieve the fry-up was cooked in the kitchen and pressure on the newsagents shop fur- served in the two upstairs rooms. ther up the street. Following renova- When the boys’ secondary school tions carried out by contractor Larry opened in the old laundry she took Kenny, the shop opened in 1939 and compassion on the boys eating their

Group of Fethard ladies celebrating in the 1960’s. Front L to R: Kitty Sharpe, Mrs Sergeant Byrne, Nessa Shine (nee O'Donovan), Dot Mullins. Back: Stasia Kenrick, Philly Kenny, Tiny Morrissey, Peggy Whyte and Mary Gunne. 98 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Paddy Murphy making a presentation to Goldie Newport on behalf of the Parish Church Choir in December 1992. Goldie was, and still is, the longest serving organist in the church. lunch in the street, especially on cold, ment could be found. Just recently I wet, winter days. She converted an asked Annie if she could not have outside kitchen in the store to a tea- found any time to go nursing other room where the boys brought their than January 1949. "You were respon- own food. She supplied the tea, milk, sible for my misfortune," I said, as I sugar and a warm fire in Winter, all for sort of drifted into the shop and there I the princely sum of 1/= (5p) per week. remained. Of course I was only jok- Many of those boys, now scattered ing. Though the hours were long, the world-wide, called to see her whenev- shop became a way of life as much as er they visited Fethard to thank her for a living. what she had done for them. The I recall the many customers and Burke brothers of Killenaule, J.J. in friends, the crowds waiting for the late particular, now retired back here from edition of the Evening Herald. The city Australia, is still a regular visitor fifty edition, delivered first by the 8.30pm years later. train and later, following the closure of Through a mutual love of music, the railway, by the 9.30pm bus, carried mother became friendly with a Mr the declared runners for the following McCari, a tea salesman from day’s racing. On nights before impor- Waterford. Because of this she was tant race meetings, keen racing men able to help out many local farmers at came from as far away as Cashel to get threshing time with an extra allowance an Evening Herald. This made for a of tea which was like gold dust at the pretty long day, especially when the bus time. was sometimes an hour late! I started working in the shop in 1949 Our own delicious home-made ice through circumstances beyond my cream, which became well-known and control. Annie (Evans) O’Brien, who popular over a wide area, was enjoyed was working with us at the time, left to by young and old alike. The pre-bot- commence nursing in England. I was tled milk was supplied by Coffeys, asked to bridge the gap until a replace- Brodeen and Jack Cummins, Main

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Street. My late father was up making Killenaule from a leaving certificate ice cream at 6am in the summer. It class of the early fifties. I often won- was a time consuming job continued der where they all are now. by yours truly. I also mastered the art I have already mentioned Annie of transporting a full pail of milk by O’Brien. Some of the others who bicycle from Brodeen. I never lost a worked in the shop during the forties pail or spilled a drop even when flying were Betty Kennedy, Kilcommon, down the railway hill. I remember the Biddy Sisk, Mitchelstown, Biddy Moyglass girls Peg Hannigan, Nonie Leahy and Kathleen Ahearne. More Heffernan, Mary Heffernan, Mary recently we had Noreen McCarthy, Anglim and Mary Walsh cycling into Marie (Lawless) McGrath, Noreen Fethard on summer evenings and con- Harrington and Rebecca (Conway) suming dish after dish of Newport’s Bradshaw who is still with us. These ice cream. all helped out when my father was I have very special memories of the forced to retire and I moved up to the many generations of schoolchildren newsagency. Goldie took over then who came into the shop over the years, and held the fort up to her recent from the junior infants to leaving cer- retirement. tificates. The annual visit by Brother I remember the many commercial Damien with his First Communion travellers, always addressed as Mr., the class, whom he treated to ice cream. van delivery men with bread, fruit and The evening visits by the secondary confectionery, most of them, like the school girls from Killenaule before girls from Moyglass, no longer with boarding the Shamrock bus. The girls us, the carnival days, and much, much were not allowed out until the nun in more. I have spent fifty-one years charge could see the bus coming down behind the counter, though now in Market Hill. There was a mad dash semi-retirement helping Edwina. I then up town to buy some refresh- intend to hang in there for as long as I ments before getting on the bus. I can because it has been such a big part recall Kathleen Fitzgerald, of my life for so long, I could not live Poyntztown, Mai Brennan, without it. All that remains to be said, Ballynonty, Mary Grogan, Thurles, on behalf of Goldie and myself, is - Kathleen Lalor and Lil Dunne, thanks for the memories.

Fethard ICA members pictured after making a presentation to Mr Kevin Muldoon, Cashel. c.1980

100 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Fethard GAA Club fter a very successful year in all Alan Phelan, Shay Ryan, P.J. Ahearne, Agrades except Senior Football Glen Burke (0-1), John Hurley, Carl in 1999, our A.G.M. for the first time Maher (0-1), Kenneth Byrne (0-2), in its history voted unanimously to Brendan Brett (0-5 2f) and Keith change the structure of senior football Woodlock. Subs: Robert Ryan, and intermediate hurling by bringing Johnny Neville, Ken Hackett, Rubaird in outside managers for a trial period Broderick, Paul Hackett, Ian Kenrick, of two years. On the field of play in Paddy Cooney, Colin Allen and John 2000 our senior footballers did not O’Meara. achieve any awards to date. Our inter- Our team played the Intermediate mediate hurlers got to the south final, Championship in 2000 without any where we lost for the third time to success. We had a great run in the Ballybacon / Grange and after a gru- Munster Junior Tournament where on elling county quarterfinal versus Galtee 1st April 2000 we drew with Croom Rovers in a replay by 0-6 to 0-3. (Co. Limerick): Fethard 0-10, Croom Junior Football ‘A’ 1-10. The replay was played on 16th On 12th December 1999, we beat April in Mitchelstown where we Emly in the county final on a score- recorded a 3-11 to 2-11 win over line, Fethard 0-10 (0-6), Emly 0-9 (0- Croom. Team: Miceál Seán 5). The team did us proud and brought McCormack, John Kelly, Michael to Fethard the first county title in this Ryan, Ken Hackett, Keith Woodlock, grade since 1929. Team: Miceál Seán Michael Ahearne, Alan Phelan, David McCormack, Michael Fitzgerald, Morrissey (0-2), P.J. Ahearne, Glen Michael Ryan (captain), John Kelly, Burke (0-1), Kenneth Byrne (0-2), Michael Carroll, Michael Ahearne, Colin Allen (2-2), Carl Maher (0-2),

The Nationalist GAA Awards 1980. Back L to R: Willie Boland, Willie Stapleton, Jerome O'Dwyer, Dick Cummins, Paddy Ahearn, Joe Ahearn , Mick Byrne. Front L to R: Jim Gleeson (Drangan), Kitty Ahearn, Pat O'Keefee (The Barracks Kiltinan), Phil Shea (The Mill Cloneen), Jimmy Hickey (Drangan) and Dick Allen. 101 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

John Hurley (1-0), Brendan Brett (0- Byrne, Conor O’Donnell and Jason 3). On 5th June 2000 we met a fancied Nevin. Listowel Emmetts. Although short The semi-final was versus Galtee four of our original team, we put up a Rovers : Fethard 4-10, Galtee 1-15. great performance, going down by 1- Our next game was the County Final 16 Listowel, 1-13 Fethard. on 9th May when Fethard 0-14 (0-6), Under-21 Football Kildangan 1-6 (1-2). There was only Our first match was played on 5th one change from South Final team, February 2000, when we beat Cahir 2- Brian Coen (0-2) for the injured Glen 11 to 2-6. In the South semifinal the Burke. This was our fifth County Title score was: Fethard 3-18, Moyle in this grade. Rovers 0-8; in the South final: Fethard Under-17 Football 0-11, Ardfinnan 0-11. The replay was In the inaugural year of this compe- played on 8th April 2000 : Fethard 3- tition, which was played early in the 20, Ardfinnan 3-8. Team: Tommy year, we were successful in the final Gahan, Michael Carroll (captain), versus J.K. Brackens. Score: Fethard 1- Michael Ahearne, Nicky Murphy, 12, J.K. Brackens 1-9. Team: Ronan Alan Phelan, Cian Maher, Keith Maher, Allen Burke, John O’Meara, Woodlock, Kenneth Byrne (0-1), Patrick Looby, Paul Hackett, Aidan Fitzgerald (0-1), Conor Diarmuid Burke, Ian Kenrick, John McCarthy (0-6 4f), David Morrissey Needham (0-1), Glen Burke (0-6), (0-3), Glen Burke (0-2), Kenneth O’ John Hanrahan (0-1), Owen Doyle, Donnell (0-1), J.P. Looby (1-2), Carl Brian Coen (0-2), Nicky Noonan (0- Maher (2-4). Subs used: Garreth 1), Ronan Allen (0-1), John Noonan

County and South Tipperary Under 21 A football champions 2000. Back L to R: Jason Nevin, Cian Maher, J. P. Looby, Tommy Gahan, Keith Woodlock, Kenneth Byrne, Karl Maher. Front L to R: Nicky Murphy, Alan Phelan, Glen Burke, Michael Carroll (captain), Conor McCarthy, Michael Ahearne and Kenneth O'Donnell. Kids in front are Ronan Fitzgerald and Megan Coen. Missing from photo are David 'Cha' Morrissey and Aidan Fitzgerald. 102 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

(1-0). Sub used - Patrick Ahearne and Hurling medals. Our deepest sympa- Paul Morrissey. thy is extended to the families of all In the Minor Championship a run of Gaels who passed to their eternal bad luck left us depending on other reward during 2000. results to qualify for the last four in the south, which was not to be. We are still in the Junior ‘B’ Hurling County Championship South final and also the South Senior football semifinals. We made early exits in Minor ‘B’ Hurling, Under-21 Hurling and Junior ‘B’ Football. The Officers of the club for 2000 are: Chairman - Gus Fitzgerald; Secretary - Noel Byrne; Treasurer - Nicky O’Shea. Congratulations to Michael Ryan and Miceál Spillane who brought Munster and All-Ireland honours to Joe O’Dwyer, St. Patrick’s Place, celebrating his the parish when they won Intermediate 90th birthday this year. Fethard Youth Club by Rita McCormack-John (secretary)

he Fethard Youth Club has been petitions, as well as providing up to Tin operation since September thirty young people with a secure envi- 2000. "How long will that last?" and ronment in which to chat, socialise and "I didn’t even know it existed", are make friends. The major event in the comments we have heard over this club’s calendar to date was our repre- period of four months. Well, it’s here, sentation at the Tipperary Regional it is in operation and it is making an Youth Services inter-club Millennium impact. Variety Show at Oola. The club entered For those of you who want to know three acts, and a selection of old and what we are about - here it is! new singing and dance routines. The The club is a member of the club members involved got a great Tipperary Regional Youth Services reception and a big plaque to take home. and we cater for a senior group of Well done to Tara, Tracy, Amy, Ashley, young people Ð those in the 13 to 18 Kelly-Anne, Vicki, Michelle, Melissa age group. Our venues are the local and Kira whose talent and behaviour did ballroom and the Fr. Tirry Centre and the club and Fethard proud. The girls the club runs from 7.45pm to 9.30pm put a lot of practice and commitment on Saturday nights. To date we have into the acts and it paid off. They could run indoor soccer, volleyball, a drama not have done it alone, however, and the workshop and a trip to the theatre, support and encouragement from the photography and Christmas card com- rest of the club, including the lads, was

103 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 wonderful. Thanks Darren, John H., ed at every meeting and club night and Kyle, Kieran, John, Steven, Brian, going away presents other problems. If John, Adrian, David, Jamie, Russell, you enjoy the sometimes manic buzz of Glen, Connie and anyone I might have teenagers and want to offer your ser- forgotten. Those who went to Oola to vices, the club needs you. support the club were helpful and well On a final note, it is not easy to get a behaved and everyone had a great time. youth club going and even harder to There will be many more events to keep it running. We would like to follow including a soccer tournament thank everyone who has helped us in January. We would like to see a along the way thus far: Noreen couple of boys’ and girls’ teams Ahearne at the Fethard Arms for host- entered. We are short of girls at the ing our quiz, the Ballroom Committee moment as they make up only one- who have supported us, The Fr. Tirry third of the membership, so come Centre, everyone who attended the along ladies and join. quiz, sponsored it and supported us in The point I’m trying to make is that any way. I would like to thank the things are happening, teenagers are leaders for their spirit and their will to attending and participating, so why not succeed. So thank you Edwina, drop in and see what we are all about. Michael, Claire, Mary, Tony and The secure environment mentioned ear- Marie. You keep things going. But the lier can only be maintained by the con- greatest thanks of all go to the young tinued presence of adult leaders. While people who turn up every week with we welcome your children, we would enthusiasm despite rain or cold. also welcome your help. We are a Without the members there would be group of six leaders presently, five of no club – here’s to the Fethard Youth whom have already completed their Club 2001. leader training. Four leaders are need-

Photographed above are some of the boys and girls who attended the first meeting to form the Youth Club in the ballroom on Saturday 12th August, 2000.

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Meet again after 50 years by Brendan Kenny

Jimmy McInerney (centre) with Joe Dalton (left) and Gus Cummins in Lonergan’s Bar, Fethard.

t the end of the war in 1945 Joe one Sunday Joe asked his friend John ADalton, like many others, left McCormack, who hails from Nine Mile Fethard to get work in England. He House, did he every hear of a man settled down in Peterborough with his called Gus Cummins. John said no but wife Anne (nee Sayers), who is a he had met a man called Jim Cummins member of one of Fethard’s oldest fam- who had only recently moved to ilies — still going strong to this day we Peterborough from London to live with are glad to say. his daughter as his wife had died. John Joe is now retired. He has his family said that he had given him his telephone reared and making their own way in number. life. He looks after Anne who sadly Armed with this information Joe has not enjoyed the best of health over decided to ring when he got home. the past number of years. Joe and When the phone was answered the Anne, like many of our emigrants, conservation went like this - Joe said look forward to the newsletter every "Hello Gus". "I’m sorry you must have year and read it from cover to cover. the wrong number my name is Jim" Over three years ago while Joe was came the answer. Joe said "You may reading the subscriptions pages at the be Jim over here but back in Fethard back of the Newsletter to see what part you’re Gus". "Who have I" Gus of the world his old friends are living, answered and amid great excitement he noticed one of them, Gus Cummins they arranged to meet the next morn- was living in Peterborough. Thinking ing at mass in St. Oswald’s Church, this was a mistake, as he knew Gus Lincoln Road, as they are both daily had settled and raised his family in mass goers but being from different London, he decided to check it out. parts of Peterborough they attend dif- In Peterborough there’s a fairly close ferent churches and this was the rea- knit Irish community and after mass son they had not met before this.

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Well anyway, Joe turned up at mass Fethard to live in England. They now the next morning and after looking make up for lost time by keeping in around and waiting for the mass to end daily contact and meeting every week- there was still no sign of Gus, so back end for a few pints and a chat about home he went and was only back in old times. They also come home on the door when the phone rang. Gus holiday to Fethard together where they asked him why he did not go to meet enjoy meeting old friends and a few him? Joe explained to Gus that he was pints in Paddy Lonergan’s pub. there but they must have missed each Joe was a member of Tom Sheehan’s other. They arranged to meet again in band ‘Twilight Serenaders’ and is half an hour outside Young’s chemist hopeful that when Gus and himself shop in the town centre. When they come back in May next year they finely met they realised that they were could meet up with another man - already after meeting one another at Billy Mackey - whom they haven’t mass and they even shook hands with met since 1945. Billy Mackey was each other during mass but hadn’t also a member of The Twilight recognised each other. Serenaders. So Billy, if you read this, This was the first occasion they had let us know and we will arrange a met in the 50 years since they both left reunion.

Keep it alive ! by Bert van Dommelen e fell for traditional Irish world and because of that get influ- Wmusic long before we ever enced by partners of many cultures came to Ireland. To be more precise: (though I must say the American way Irish music finally brought us there. of life has the most impact, because Now, ten years on, it is by no means we see lots of American tv-shows and the main reason for our regular visits films). We also have a reputation of anymore, but it still remains one of the hospitality: people from countries that major attractions. were at war could always come to us. Why? That's a tough one. Centuries ago people from Belgium First, let me explain to you that and France found shelter in Holland, Holland is very different from Ireland. and some of 'our' most reputed artists For a start: it is totally flat; no hills or were from those countries, like the mountains. It also is very crowded. We painter Frans Hals and some famous live with 15 million people in a coun- composers. try that is roughly one third of Ireland. The consequence of all this is that So the little greenlands we have are we did not develop much of a Dutch sacrificed: we have to build apart- culture. It is a mixture, a bit Dutch, a ments and one-family-houses, as we bit Belgian, a bit Caribbean, a bit call the buildings of two floors and a Surinam, a bit Indonesian, a bit loft that dominate our ever-growing German, a bit English and more than suburbia. a bit American. Traditional music We have a tradition of international doesn't have much of a chance that trade; we do business all over the way; that is best preserved if for-

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Playing music and entertaining our senior citizens at Fethard Day Care Centre are L to R: Janneke van Dommelen, Jimmy Lawerence, John Pollard, Bert van Dommelen and Pauline Morrissey. eign influences are limited. impression of purity, freshness, the Our older people listen to jazz, special flavour these instruments gave country or classical music, the mid- to the music. Never heard something dle-aged to jazz and the likes of the like that before. Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bruce Few years later, the English folk Springsteen and the old rock & roll revival blew across the North Sea. We heroes, while the young generation is listened to Fairport Convention, divided between Spice Girls and 'as Fotheringay and all these other great many beats per minute as the comput- musicians with their Celtic approach. er will give you'. Or people listen to We discovered fine Scottish bands like tear-jerking songs, which is a category Silly Wizard, the Boys of the Lough on its own in Holland (like in and the Tanahill Weavers - I still enjoy Germany, for that matter). their music - and went to the Edinburgh My generation - I am 50 - was Folk Festival for many years to listen to brought up with Beethoven and Little and have sessions with our favourite Richard, Cliff Richard and Keith bands. Heard Paddy Glackin play - in Richards. And with Bob Dylan of those days he was the all Ireland fiddle course. Only at the respectable age of champion - and were thrilled by his 35 we found out there was interesting skill and by the charm of a solo fiddle Dutch traditional music. We had to go playing reels, jigs and airs. to the Edinburgh Folk Festival for it - And at home, we discovered the that about says it all. Fury's, the Wolfe tones - 'Irish to the Right in the middle of the Beatles- core' - and the Clancy Brothers. We and Stones-mania that came over even started a band and performed Holland like a flood, we first heard a songs like 'Four green fields' , 'Down Dubliners song, that made a small hit by the glenside', 'Bold Fenian men', in Holland. Don't ask me which song it 'Vale of Avoca' and 'Jug of punch'. And was: it may have been 'The wild rover' 'The town I loved so well', of course, or 'Whiskey in the jar' or one of their one of our all time favourites. We even many other evergreens; I really don't played for Irish people living in remember. What I do remember is the Holland, on two Saint Patricks Day's. 107 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

They were very, very nice to us, but part of the explanation. they must have thought: Do you know Trouble, sadness and poverty seem what the songs are about? Never made to influence the music: melancholic any remarks, except for one time we sometimes, but vivid - `it won't bring tried to do a song in Gaelic (we us down' - on other occasions. And we guessed we had it phonetically right, suppose the landscape has more than a we were even instructed by a neigh- little to do with it as well. You can hear bour from Dublin, but is must have the atmosphere of the landscape and sounded horrible). the pace of living in At last, we decided to the music. go to Ireland to see all Nowadays, prosperi- these places that were ty is growing rapidly mentioned in the songs. in the independent Dublin, Galway, Republic of Ireland; Kilkenny, Kildare, tv's, computers and Galbally, Sligo, you planes bring foreign name it, we've seen it. cultures to the Celtic And we heard people Tiger. We are of course play traditional music - more than pleased you had to search long and are doing so well hard sometimes, but we (though we would like always found a pub the prices of houses where, sitting behind not going up like a many pints, musicians rocket). were performing tunes But there is a danger and songs that we knew, Peter Napier singing a song at the Fethard to it: Ireland could turn or - even better - that Day Care Centre into just another west- were new to us. ern Europe country, with the same We wondered how Irish traditional American-based culture we all have this music could have survived so well, side of the North Sea. Signs are there: while Dutch folk music had practical- your suburbs are getting bigger and big- ly died out long before we were born. ger, young people are drinking It is the isolation Ireland has lived in Budweiser instead of Guinness, and for so long, we guessed. And, of parking your car in Clonmel on a satur- course, it has a lot to do with the his- day afternoon is just as hard as in the tory of the countries. For ages, we did city of Rotterdam (400.000 inhabitants). not have to fight against being slaved; All this could lead to a slowly fainting except for five years from 1940-1945 national identity and, as a result, to nobody tried to take our independence declining interest in your national her- from us. War and not being entitled to itage, of which the music is an impor- your own national identity are horri- tant part. ble, of course, but they do bring people So: be rich, be happy, be independent, together. They make people aware and live in peace, but don't forget to stay proud of their country and culture and Irish and to play Irish music. Keep it sing about it. That, we think, is a major alive!

108 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Top award for Fethard museum

Marina (left) and Margaret Mullins (centre), Fethard Park and Folk Museum, receiving an award for Most Improved Voluntary Museum, jointly funded by Michael Starrett (back), CEO Heritage Council and Paula Ridley (right) director Gulbenkian Foundation. ethard Park and Folk Museum ments" made in recent years. The other Fhas received an award in the category winner was the Sheelin 1999 Museum of the Year Awards, Antique Lace Museum in Fermanagh. jointly funded by the Gulbenkian A special commendation went to Foundation in London, and the Carrick-on-Suir Heritage Centre, in Heritage Council in Kilkenny, which respect of an exhibition that dealt with were announced at a ceremony in the the history of the area and examined National Museum of Ireland in all classes of society. The judges rec- Dublin. The prestigious award scheme ommended that the centre could enter is run in association with the Northern the awards scheme again when the Ireland Museums Council. Butler plate has been put on view. The Fethard museum was joint win- Speaking at the ceremony, Aidan ner in the Most Improved Voluntary Walsh, director of the Northern Museum category, which is open to Ireland Museum Council said: "These museums which do not enjoy regular museums owe their existence to the funding from official bodies. The judges enthusiasm of those involved, who are described it as "a busy and lively muse- to be credited for recognising impor- um that attracts enormous crowds on a tant artifacts and aspects of local his- Sunday including many families with tory and the local connection to the children who rampage enthusiastically national and international story". all over the colourful play area and The awards were presented by enjoy a tea service in the old bus that has Ms. Sile De Valera, TD, Minister been converted for the purpose" and for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and praised the "considerable improve- the Islands. Presentations were 109 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 made in five separate categories. Heritage Council, commented: "As the 1999 marked the eighth year of museum community continues to build Gulbenkian Foundation and Heritage on and enhance the quality of its service Council Museum of the Year Awards. to all its customers, so too does the stan- The awards were founded to encourage dard of entries continue to rise. These display and innovation in museums, as awards are a recognition of the contri- well as to stimulate educational work. bution to our local and national heritage Michael Starrett, chief executive, the of those involved in this work."

Old Town Spirit by John Joe Keane Sun shining on Madam’s Bridge Into town from Kilknockin on a summer’s morning. down the Green with care. On the river, blackgnat and sedge The history of Barrack Street eases the fish’s soul of yearning. and of the Barrack Field wall so rare.

Trees adorn Main Street Striding up the Rocklow Road and the Town Square, dear old Sparagoleith. Burke Street is busy A run down Chapel Lane, with greetings to spare. on the Cashel Road, pitch and toss at play.

Over the Weir at Coffey’s Mill, Navigating Watergate Street up the Valley and Jesuit’s Walk. heading for Patrick’s Place. A chat in Kerry Street, Admiring nature at Knockbrack Wood; great to hear the elderly talk. Fethard, a town into grace.

Gus Maher and Philly Kenny photographed at Christmas Party 1987 (photo supplied by Gus)

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Let Fly Coolmoyne by David Morrissey

To mark the Golden Jubilee of Coolmoyne winning the 1950 County Junior Hurling title, a most enjoyable function was held in the Fethard Arms on Friday 25th August, to honour the surviving members of the team pictured above L to R: Tony Newport, Cly Mullins, Joe Ahearn, Stephen O'Brien, Dick Hayes, Jack Wall (sub) and Jim McCormack. nly one hurling team represent- There was music and song, stories Oing the parish of Fethard and short and tall, hangovers bought and Killusty has won a county hurling title. sold Ð in other words, a great night. This feat was achieved by the The M.C. for the evening was Paddy Coolmoyne junior team of 1950 who Finnucane, sports commentator for won south and county honours. Tipp FM radio, who gave a detailed Early this year somebody with a long pen picture of each of the recipients. memory suggested that it was an The presentation was made by our achievement worth honouring in its parish priest, Canon James Power. golden jubilee year. A committee was Music was provided by John Pollard promptly formed and plans formulated and his trusty "squeezebox". Jimmy to mark the event with a function. The Trehy video-taped the event. For the committee consisted of Frank Coffey, record the team was: Tony Newport, (chairman) Mary Godfrey (secretary), Paddy Murphy RIP, Paddy Ahearne RIP, Joe Ahearne (treasurer), Jimmy Barry, Joe Clarke RIP, Stephen O’Brien, Sean Mick Quinlan, Tom Noonan, Derry McCormack RIP, Peter Walsh RIP, O’Dwyer, Austin Godfrey, Sean Jerome O’Dwyer RIP, Cly Mullins, Moloney and Michael O’Dwyer. A Jimmy (Slicks) McCarthy RIP, Paddy very successful draw was held which Dalton RIP, Michael McCarthy RIP, Jim raised ample funds to cover the func- McCormack, Joe Ahearne, Dick Hayes. tion and presentation. Twenty-fifth Panel: Jack Wall, Mick (Toby) August was the date and Joe Ahearne’s McCormack RIP, Bro. Dominic Lyons Fethard Arms the venue. A fine meal RIP, and John Collins. was provided for sixty guests including Stephen O’Brien travelled from surviving players and representatives. England for the event and Michael

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McCarthy Jnr. travelled from London togged out in the John McGrath’s coal to accept on behalf of his late father. shed in Friar Street and the after-match To get back to the playing fields, showers were left to God. The post Carrick Davins were beaten comfort- match celebrations were confined to ably in the south final. Rockwell church gate post mortems after the Rovers had a similar fate in the county sodality. Different times indeed! senior final held in Cashel. Cashel A balance of £663.54 remained and was also the venue for the final where this was presented to St. Joseph’s Rahealty were the victims. The team Hospital CAT Scan appeal.

Where it all began by Jimmy Ryan ell I have promised the editors was very good at. The best time to be Wfor years to write a few lines absent without leave was from for the Emigrants Newsletter and here September to Christmas when the goes. Well I am still living in the room trashings were on. Perrey Napier RIP I was born in, on the thirteenth of May and myself were known the country 1937. There was no hospitalisation in from Cloneen to Coolmoyne and those times. Nurse Walsh who lived in Coolbawn to Coleman; all the the Back Green was the maternity machine men driving for different nurse and that was farmers knew us. that. At about the age of Well my first ten I was able to academy was the drive the tractors Convent and Sister and we became dab Terisita. Austin hands at drinking O’Flynn was my mugs of porter out sparring partner of the bucket and then, both of us the quarter cask. went up to the Not many farmers monastery via the wanted the trashing convent lane. What on a Friday because a shock leaving the that was a fast day; holy nuns and then no meat, only been thrown in with mackerel from all the roughs from Jimmy Slattery the country. It did from Clonmel and not take long to get there was no ice in acclimatised. We them days so I will were as good as the leave it to your own Jimmy Ryan and Sean Ward in the 1950's rest of them after a at Newbridge imagination as to its week learning new freshness. Those tricks of all descriptions, from how to were the days before T.V. We just had skin a rabbit to smoke in the cycle the Capitol Cinema for Sunday where shed and skame from school which I you got in free if you said you were

112 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 pumping the organ in the Abbey for Duffy’s came in May and Fosset’s in Joan Goldsborough; it finished up October. Harrington’s sandpit was the there were an awful lot of organ main place then but as the gravel was pumpers. Of course we had serials in extracted the field got smaller and then them days. Johnny McBrown, The transferred to the Barrack Field and there Phantom, Captain is a popular belief that Marvel and Hopalong I ran away with the Cassidy etc. They Circus. Not true. The were our gods and we circus ran away with tried very hard to act me! In later life I out the parts. The town worked for the three was split up into differ- big English ones ent gangs - Main St, Chipperfields, Billy Burke St, St. Patrick’s Smarts and Bertram Place, where I threw in Mills. In the 60’s these my lot. Kerry St had a big tops could seat up gang, as did the Valley to 4,000 people and which was known as were nearly always Mulligans gang; full. remember Declan? Well there was no The youngsters swimming pool today often ask how then, just the river we passed the time. where you started off Well the day was at Breen’s Bridge, never long enough as then to the Kennels the season of the and you graduated to year changed so did the New Bridge the games. From where the test was to spinning tops we dive from the bridge graduated to the toss clear the five foot school. Every type ledge of concrete of a scoundrel and and end up in the rogue attended those hole. Remember! Sean and pontoon was the Ward, if you could do favourite card game. it, so could I, anything It was quicker to lose for a dare. money at that than One of Jimmy Ryan’s most talked about entries Every orchard had 25’s. There was also in the Fethard Festival Fancy Dress Parade. to be visited; every hunting rabbits on a Sunday with every one had its own speciality. McCarthy’s dog in the town. Mick Dempsey, Hotel was first on the list; there was Kilsheelan and Airds on the Green many the mishap crossing the pipes were the principal rabbit buyers, but over the river. Mulligans, the Convent the ‘Mixie’ put paid to that. was tried out, the Rectory for pears Well I suppose I have to write a bit and the best thrill of it all was the Post about the circus. The two big ones, Office glass house for grapes. I

113 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 remember John Whyte and J.J. dances in the town hall because there Morrissey as it was called then "fecking are too many of the girls still around. apples" with me. Then we worked for When "Rock and Roll’ came out first it Dick Gough mucking out stables and was nearly impossible to get the local riding out the horses. Sometimes you bands to play it. They said it was only would get half a crown and that would a flash in the pan and it would never be for the seven days, but we loved it. last. That was the era of crewcuts and Also Mrs La Terriere’s ponies when the start of the denim jeans. half of us were Red Indians and the So now you young ones you see how other half Cowboys, often there would we passed the time. There was many be around thirty to forty of us down the more stories but I think for this year I long range, bareback, charging one have covered most of them - the hazel another like in the films; how we nuts in Grove Wood and the hunts up escaped serious injury is just a miracle. the Robber’s Glen. There was never a I also gave a term at Ward’s Garage dull moment. We lived a carefree life of serving petrol and mending punctures charm and there was always excitement for ten shillings a week and 10 Aftons a to be found around the next corner. day but sure a young man was getting Well that’s all for this year folks, to educated in the way of the world, learn- be continued next year and to all my ing how to curse and a few more things. friends overseas and in Ireland a Happy I won’t say too much about the Christmas and a Joyful New Year. Who Owns Those Hills? by John Fogarty Who owns those hills, those high green hills, that shelter Fethard town? Kilnockin Hill… and Bennetshill, where Cromwell once looked down. Who owns that gentle mountain, that mountain blue and brown; it looms above the soft green hills that shelter Fethard town? A storied place called Sliabhnamon, where brave Fionn once looked down. Who owns those ruined castles, those castles tumbling down, so grey upon the fresh green hills that shelter Fethard town? Barrettstown, Knockelly, Crampscastle, where Normans once looked down. Those bright green hills, those holy hills, that sacred mountain brown, stood long before men and castles — when God alone looked down. 114 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Nano Nagle School Groups 2000

Junior Infants Class at Nano Nagle Primary School. Back L to R: Ms. Margaret Gleeson (teacher), Rachel O'Meara (Woodvale Walk), Gary Bradshaw (The Green), Shane Moloney (Kerry Street), Emma Hayes (Burke Street), Emma Walsh (Ballintemple), Joseph O'Hagan, (The Square). Third Row L to R: Shannon Dorney (Slievenamon Close), Donal Walsh (The Green) Colin Grant (The Valley), Emma Morrissey (Barrack Street), Brian Healy (The Green). Second Row L to R: Kevin Allen (Slievenamon Close), Darrell Needham (Slievenamon Close), Tara Horan (Tullamaine), Vincent Lawrence (Woodvale Walk), Jade Pattison (Spittlefield), Gerard Gorey (Jesuit’s Walk), Áine Phelan (Coolmore). Front Row L to R: Jack Connolly (The Green), Adam Hall (St. Patrick's Place), Jessie McGrath (Rathcoole), Anastasia Blake (Kilnockin Road) and Aobh O'Shea (The Valley).

This year’s Sixth Class at Nano Nagle Primary School Fethard. Back L to R: Denise McGrath, Martina Ryan, Katie Murphy, Tracey Burke, Donna Ryan, Chloe Power. Front L to R: Kate Maher, Emma Smyth, Samantha O'Brien, Rosanna Needham and Laura Burke.

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COLEMAN SCHOOL c.1905 Back L to R: Katty Crotty, Paddy Anglim, Maggie Smith, John Woodlock, May McCarthy, Lil (Alice) Breen, Jack McCarthy, Bridie Carey, (?), Mollie Anglim, (?), Hannie Woodlock, Tom Hurley, Margaret Dobbyn. Third Row L to R: Miss O'Donnell (teacher), George Anglim, Bridgie Flynn, J. O'Meara, (?), O'Donnell, O'Donnell, Katie Smith, Willie Breen, Maureen Egan, Maggie Meara, O'Sullivan, Mary Clancy, Mary Mockler. Second Row L to R: Dick Anglim, Wallace, Alice Hurley, Wallace, (?), Jerome Guirey, Bridie Clancy, Mary Mockler, Lena Butler, Willie Smith, Hannie Hartigan, (?), Maggie Anglim, Miss O'Donnell (sister of teacher Miss O'Donnell). Front L to R: Nellie O'Meara, Jack Flynn, Michael Mocklair, Mary Wallace, Jim Flynn, Kathleen Mockler, Maud Mocklair, Mike Meara, Mike Clancy, Maggie O'Dwyer, Tom Mocklair and (?).

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY A very 'Happy Birthday' to Mrs Alice Keane, Tirry Park, and formerly Knockelly, Fethard, who celebrated her 90th birthday on Monday 3rd July. The above family photograph taken at the celebration was supplied by her son Joe. L to R: Maureen, Jim, Peg (Margaret), Paddy, Alice, Michael and Joe. Missing from the photo are Tom, Sean and Theresa.

116 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Patrician Presentation School nce again September saw us Gorey being the most successful in the Oback on the treadmill of time. - past year. at the start of a new academic year. Transition year had a very success- Congratulations to our leaving certs, ful run with the musical "Jesus Christ and junior certs on their examination Superstar". They also did very well in achievements. Many of our leaving their help with "Daffodil Day 2000". certs have moved to college, training In May they travelled to Delphi, Co. programmes and apprenticeships. Our Meath where they spent three days in junior certs are now the present transi- the outdoor pursuits centre. This year’s tion year, and are on work experience transition year have travelled to as I write. Dublin on a In sport, our historical/artis- football team tic trip. They were the first are currently school team to rehearsing the ever win the very popular U18 - a musical momentous "Oliver" which landmark. Our they will stage volleyball girls in the Abymill got to the final Theatre in of the commu- December. nity games in This year a Mosney. new prefect Great credit is Anthony Keane, Kilmore, winner of the The Perpetual system has due to Mr Burke Padraig Pearse Centenary trophy presented by Mr. been estab- and Ms Ernan Britton (Principal) to Anthony for his excellence lished and Ian O'Connor for in Irish language and history in the Junior Cert class at O'Connor 6th Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School. coaching this year is head team during the summer holidays and boy and Elaine Williams also of 6th we now welcome to the P.E. depart- year head girl. Other 6th year prefects ment Ms Jill Cunningham. are Lisa Hanrahan, Aideen O'Donnell Debating: Our senior debating team and Ross Maher. captained by Aideen O'Donnell with Peter Kenny 5th year, performed Thomas Grant, Terence Fahey, John admirably on piano in the A.S.T.I. Lonergan and Ross Maher were doing Millennium Concert held in the exceptionally well in the Concern Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny. debate until Concern seemed to over- A number of very successful look the fact that they existed. retreats and prayer/carol services Concern did apologise, but this is poor were held throughout the year. The consolation to a strong team. Young leaving certs travelled out to theirs to entrepreneurs were sprouting in many Gracedieu in Waterford and a spiritu- of the classes in the school, Mary al day in Glendalough on their last

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Fethard Patrician Presentation School Awards Ceremony (29/9/00) Photographed after the Fethard Patrician Presentation Students Awards ceremony are: Front L to R: Mary Gorey, winner of the Credit Union sponsored Young Business and Enterprise Perpetual Trophy; Fr. Michael Barry, past pupil; Mr Ernan Britton, school principal; Michael Woodlock, past pupil and sponsor of awards; T.J. Maher, past pupil and guest speaker; Anthony Keane, winner of the ‘Pádraig Pearse Perpetual Memorial Cup’. Back L to R: Alison Holohan (joint best attendance 4th year); Sarah Kennedy (1st year pupil of the year); Emmet Burke (best attendance 3rd year); Evelyn O'Connor (3rd year pupil of the year); Eoin Fanning (5th year pupil of the year); Una Prendergast (2nd year pupil of the year); Brian Kennedy (best attendance 1st year). day in school as a class group. the school in acknowledgement of their Friday September 29th was the official dedicated service. celebration opening mass of the year 2000 The fourth, fifth and sixth year choir for the Patrician Presentation Secondary sang joyful yet meaningful hymns accom- School in Fethard. This millennium year panied by Kevin Hickey, musical director marked the initiation of a new 'awards for the transition year shows. The beauti- ceremony' for students. Principal, Mr. ful 'Atlas' piano was kindly loaned for the Ernan Britton, welcomed all in his open- day by John Shortall, also a past pupil. ing speech — staff, pupils, board of man- The soloists from the pupils were Jodie agement, parents association and parents. Gilpin, Kersty McCarthy, and Lisa He particularly welcomed Fr. Michael O'Donnell. Ross Maher and Daryn Barry, celebrant, and Canon James Power O’Meara assisted Kevin on guitar. P.P., Mr T.J. Maher, national president of Mr T.J. Maher then presented certifi- Macra, and Mr Michael Woodlock, cates for excellence in attendance to Brian Flancare, past pupils along with Fr. Barry. Kennedy, Claire Ryan, Emmet Burke, Bill He emphasised that this was not just a day Hunt, Ali Holohan and Eoin Fanning. to celebrate the opening of a new school Marian Gilpin, on behalf of the board of year, but also a day to remember two col- directors of Fethard and District Credit leagues who had died in service — Mrs Union, then presented a perpetual trophy Anne Maher and Sr. Breda O'Connor. A for business and enterprise to Mary Gorey commemorative picture was then unveiled for her involvement and success in the in the presence of Mr Paddy Maher and 'Young Entrepreneurs' competition. the Presentation Sisters, to be displayed in Past pupil Mr Michael Woodlock then

118 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 proceeded to present awards which he had A note of sadness was evident in the sponsored himself; the awards for excel- mass that was dedicated not only to the lence and contribution to class year groups memory of Anne Maher and Sr. Breda but last term went to Sarah Kennedy (1st year), also to Jason Barron, a 19 year-old past Una Prendergast (2nd year), Evelyn pupil who was killed so tragically last O'Connor (3rd year), Eoin Fanning (5th weekend. year) and David Kennedy (6th year). The ceremony concluded at 1pm with the Rebecca Carroll (5th year) received a repli- general consensus of opinion that it had ca of the Padraig Pearse Perpetual Trophy been a day of looking forward to the future that she had won last year. This year’s as well as remembering all who had done so winner of the trophy, awarded for much in the past — the Brothers and Sisters, excellence in Irish, History and English in Timmy O'Connor, Bro Albert — all were the Junior Cert, was Anthony Keane, remembered with fondness and gratitude. Kilmore. Conor McCarthy and Marie As the years moves to a close the princi- Holohan, both now at college, received pal Mr Ernan Britton, the staff and students sports awards for football and camogie greet you, our newsletter readers, near and respectively. Ian O'Connor and Elaine far, many of you past pupils. We, extend to Williams were declared 'head boy' and 'head you and your families our wish for a happy, girl' for the new academic year 2000-2001. healthy and safe 2001.

Michael Shelly and Mike Breen (right) photographed in Lonergans Bar. John Michael (Mike) Breen, who died this year, was a farmer and agricultural contractor. He was very mechanically minded. Socially, he was a character in his own right - well known for his wit and humour. One of his comments was "The circus has left town and us clowns are left behind". Another wisecrack was, "They are all leaving town and gone to jeopardy." When asked why, he replied, "To get work, because all the jobs here are in jeopardy." Mike took a keen interest in Irish politics his teacher being Uncle John Woodlock. Mike was well-known and liked throughout the surrounding areas. He is sadly missed by his family, friends and neighbours.

119 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Fethard Bridge Club ethard Bridge Club continues to standing members of the club. Eileen Fthrive and we play every loved bridge and seldom, if ever, missed Wednesday night in the Tirry Centre. her Wednesday night game. Our President’s Dinner was held in At our AGM on 24th May 2000 the Hotel Minella on 14th May 2000 and following officers and committee were the President’s elected:- presi- Prizewinners dent Anna were Nora Cooke; vice Lawrence and president, Nora Rosemary Lalor. Lawrence; sec- Player of the Year, retary, Gemma for which the Burke; treasur- O’Flynn trophy is er, Bernie presented, was O’Meara; assis- Moira McInerney, tant treasurer, and the Club Annie O’Brien; Championship, for ‘Committee Prize’ winners Berney Myles and Margaret PRO, Tony which the Hayes Hackett (right) being presented with their prizes by Hanrahan; com- trophy is awarded, tournament director John Lucey. mittee, Nell went to Moira McInerney and Nell Broderick, Breda Walsh, Berney Broderick. Our Christmas party was Myles, Margaret Hackett, Frances held in the Tirry Centre on 13th Burke, Alice Quinn and Betty Walsh. December 2000 at which our Christmas May we take this opportunity to prizes were presented. wish all bridge players (and non- The club was saddened this year by the bridge players!) at home and abroad a death of Eileen Dillon, one of the long- very happy and holy Christmas.

The Monroe Murphys by Mamie Morrissey e came to live in Fethard in gave everything of themselves to pre- WNovember 1936. We lived in pare us for life. We had great neigh- the town until we moved to the cottage bours Danaghers, Caseys, Cummins, at Monroe in March 1937. Cassells , Fergus’s and Shines. I have My father worked as a farm labour- some very fond and happy memories er when work was available, my moth- of them all. er worked hard at home looking after There was one funny incident. My us all. I am the oldest of 15, so she ate friend came up to our house one day no idle bread. We worked in the sum- on her father’s bicycle. I was going to mer months thinning turnips, beet etc town for some groceries, she asked if I as times were hard, but we had a happy would carry her on the bike. I got on childhood. the bike, she got on the bar, and just as We went to school to the we went over the railway bridge she Presentation Convent where the nuns said " Mamie we have no brakes" by

120 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 then we were speeding. A lorry came goods from the railway, and he put an down the railway road, so we were on end to our sport with a packet of salt. the grass verge and landed up on the Peter worked at Annesgift for Major ditch, which was a mass of nettles. Hughes; the jackdaw went to work with When we picked ourselves up we were him. As Peter cycled along, the jack- covered with stings on our faces, daw flew from telegraph pole to pole, hands and legs. We always had ani- and went around the farm all day wher- mals at the house - dog, cat, pigeons, ever he was working, but when evening rabbit, ferrets and a pet jackdaw. Every came, the jackdaw was always home night my first, so moth- mother fed all er knew she the animals on could put up a large tin tray, Peter’s dinner. all of them ate There was- together; no n’t much vari- fighting. ety in enter- We also had tainment. We an ass which had no radio. was used to Television draw water wasn’t in from the judy Ireland, so we at the end of played cards, Ward’s house, and in the and to draw Summer we timber from Mary and Paddy Murphy, Monroe, Fethard. (c. 1960's) went to the Grove wood to keep the home fire platform at Kilnockin or Downey’s burning. Cross, and in later years to the 4p hop During my early years we had some in the hall in Barrack Street. very hard winters. We had heavy rain Our ambition of course was to go to then the frost came and the roads were Mick Del in the Town Hall, but 5 shillings like glass with ice. Of course we had a was hard to come by in those days. great time skating on it, down the railway I wish a happy and peaceful hill, which was fine until poor Tommy Christmas to each and everyone, at Slattery’s pony fell, with his load of home and abroad. Tullamaine Revisited ipperary Foxhounds committee The card consisted of four races, two Tcame up with an excellent idea of which are confined to Tipperary to mark the new Millennium. By kind Hunt members — a ladies and agents permission of the landowners, over race. The organisation of the event whose land the old point-to-point took was perfect but the day did not turn out place, they organised a once-off as expected due to a fatal accident hap- Millennium Hunt Race Day which pening on the course resulting in the was held on Sunday 27th February. tragic death of Jimmy McCann who

121 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 was representing the Meath Hunt in sportsmen and women who participate the Inter Hunt Chase. A pall of gloom do so in that full knowledge, and descended over the entire course fol- Jimmy McCann was no exception. lowing the news of the tragedy. May he rest in peace. As a mark of Spectators gathered, shocked, in respect to the late Jimmy McCann, the groups to discuss the tragic accident. rest of the Tullamaine card was aban- These things can, and unfortunately do doned and the meet of the Tipperary occur in equestrian sports whether Foxhounds arranged for Dromwood they be three day eventing, racing, on Monday 28th February was also hunting or whatever. The brave cancelled. Slievenamon Golf Club

Slievenamon Golf Club committee photographed at the clubhouse, Clonacody. Back L to R: Ernie Makin (vice captain), Kevin Lalor (president), Brendan Kenny (secretary), Pat Lonergan (captain), Robert Reed (competitions committee), and Michael Kenrick (competitions committee). Front L to R: Arthur Daly (chairman), Rena Kelly ( ladies captain), Fr. Ben O'Brien OSA (treasurer), and Pattie Leonard (vice ladies captain). ethard was one of the first towns played in the different courses around Fin the country to have a golf the county, we had no course in the club back in the 1890’s. This was in locality. the Deer Park on the Grove Estate. This all changed over three years We also had another golf club on ago when Kevin Lalor and John Kilnockin Hill overlooking the town, Carrigan who was a neighbour and which was in existence in the 1920’s also a very good friend of Kevin were and 30’s but since then, while we had approached by a group of prominent plenty of people from the town who business men with a view to starting a

122 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 golf course on land which would part of the John Mitchell’s chain of incorporate both their farms. While golf shops; these will be finished in discussions were still going on, but May 2001. before they reached fruition, John The second part of this develop- was tragically killed in a car accident, ment will then start and will include so naturally then the development twelve ensuite bedrooms and a dining could not go ahead as planned. room, a new gymnasium, sauna and Before the tragedy Kevin and his jacuzzi. wife Margaret had visited various The course development is also golf courses around the country get- ongoing at the moment and the par of ting advice and doing research into 62 will be extended to 65 when the the viability of a golf course. They fist stage of this development will be decided in the aftermath that they finished at the end of 2001. The sec- would go ahead on their own and start ond stage of the course development their own 18-hole golf course. will finish in early 2003 and this will After getting the course designed bring the par of the course to 71. and a year of hard work from Kevin We are not forgetting the social side and his team of workers it was of things either and with this in mind opened to the public in 1998 on a pay we started a Social Club and this and play basis with a portacabin for includes Bridge, which we run on his office and shop. This proved very Monday nights and we also run class- popular with the public and it was es for beginners. At the time of writ- very successful in attracting a lot of ing the games of 25’s for turkeys are people to play golf for the first time. proving popular with members. When A new clubhouse which included the new extension to the clubhouse is gents and ladies locker rooms etc was finished in May the Social Club will finished in early 1999 and it was really get going with a lot of exciting decided to form Slievenamon Golf things planned for the future. Club in June ’99. We have the dis- With the future in mind we would tinction of becoming the last golf like to send a special invitation to our club to become affiliated to the overseas friends if they would like to Golfing Union of Ireland in the last become members of Slievenamon Golf century when it was announced our Club for the very special price of £100. application was approved at their This will entitle the member to free AGM which was held in The golf and the use of all our amenities Hibernian Hotel, Mallow in when on holiday and we will also send November 1999. you our gift pack which will include a In the past year the club has gone golf cap and golf top with our logo and from strength to strength with a mem- also some other club items. bership of over 400 of which over 80 The address of the club is of these are ladies. At the moment the Slievenamon Golf Club, Clonacody, club is extending the clubhouse to Lisronagh, Co Tipperary. You can include a lounge bar plus dining area, contact the club at 052 32040 or at kitchens etc. This development will our website address: also include a golf shop which will be www.slievenamongolfclub.com.

123 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000 Donations Received Acknowledged below are donations (£5 and over) received from readers and organisations up to 30th Nov. 2000. We would also like to thank all those who wished to remain anonymous.

Ahearne, Bridie, Youghal Cummins, Kathleen (Dwyer), Clonmel Ahearne, Joan, Dublin 22 Cummins, Liam, Clonmel Allen, Augustine, RIP, Grimsby Cummins, Dick & Margaret, Fethard Allen, Vincent, Edenderry Cummins, Mrs. R., Hemel Hempstead Anglim, George K., Texas, USA Cummins, Tom & Ellen, Goatenbridge Anglim, Mrs. Nan, New Jersey Curran, Mary, Clonmel Anglim, Monica (Woodlock), New Jersey Curran, Sr. Laboure, Galway Arkell, Joan (O’Donnell), Warwick Curran, Timmy, Welwyn Garden City Armstrong, Monica (Dwyer), Northampton Curtin, Jacqueline (Moloney), Stillorgan Augustinian Abbey Fethard Dalton, Joe & Annie, (Sayers), Peterborough Aylward, Chris, Clonmel Dalton, Michael, Howard Beach, N.Y. Aylward, Mrs Mary, Bray Daly, Majella, St. Patrick’s Place, Fethard Aylward, Tony & Paula, Naas Danaher, Mrs Bridie, London W14 Barden, Kit, Dunstable Darcy, Mr & Mrs Phil, Kent Barnard, Brian, Castine, Maine Davern, Honor (Mulligan), Cashel Barrett, Angela (McCarthy), Ardfinnan Davin Haran, Mrs Lois, New York Barry, C.C., Rev. Fr. Michael, Borrisoleigh Dawson, Martina, Cappamore, Limerick Barry, Michael, Kilkenny Dawson, Sheila (Cummins), Southsea, Hampshire Barry, Rose (Ryan), Lismore Day, Mrs. N. J., Bognor Regis Bogue, Michael, Clonmel Delaney, C.P., Parsons Hill, Fethard Bowes, Philomena (Murphy), Melbourne Devereux, Noreen (Henehan), Dublin Bradley, Teresa (Fogarty), Bognor Regis Devlin, Rainy (Healy), West Virginia, USA Bradshaw, Kathleen (Fleming), Fethard Dewan, David, Ontario, Canada Breen, Monica, Clonmel Dillon, Percy, Rocklow Road, Fethard Brett, Teresa (Leahy), Kilfeacle Dixon, Patrick, Enniscorthy Burke, Eamonn & Nora, Tralee, Co. Kerry Downey, James, Bournemouth Burke, Frances, Farranshea, Fethard Evans, Bob & Karin, Germany Burke, James, San Francisco Everard, Richard, Holland Burke, Patrick J., Santa Monica, USA Fadugba, Joan (Pollard), London NW6 Burke, William, Kilmore, Clonmel Fahey, Betty (Bradshaw), Clonmel Butler, Jenny, J's Restaurant, Fethard Fahy, Brigid (O’Dwyer), New York Butler, Mike, Limerick Fahy, Joseph, Cheshire Butler, Pat, London NW2 Farrell, John, Boldmere, West Midlands Byard, Dr. Donal, Cincinnati, USA Feery, Tommy, London E3 Byrne Healy, Peg, New Jersey Fennell, Kathleen, Middlesex Byrnes, George, Texas Fethard Boy Scouts Cantwell, Bill, Florida Fethard Bridge Club Canty, Mary (Casey), Tramore Fethard Civil Defence Carey, Johnny, Fethard Fethard Community Games Carrigan, Eithne, New York Fethard Folk Farm & Transport Museum Carroll, Brendan & Val (Morrissey), Isle of Anglesey Fethard Historical Society Carroll, Mary (Morrissey), Nuneaton Fethard Legion of Mary, Cathie, Alice (Mulcahy), Hants. Fethard Macra na Feirme Coady, Johnnie & Mary, Dorset Fethard Patrician Presentation Parent's Association Coady, Michael & Elizabeth, Manchester Fethard Red Cross Coen, Michael, London W1 Fitzgerald, Con, Bradford Coffey, Rita, New Ross Fitzgerald, Paddy, Wrexham Colville, Tony & Maeve (O’Shea), Tullamore Fitzgerald, Tony, Clonmel Comerford, Esther (Nevin), Kilkenny Fitzpatrick, Jo Beatty, Long Island, NY Condon, Mary Lucille Fitzpatrick, Thomas, Bronx, New York Condon, Mrs.B., London SE19 Flaherty, Michael, Killusty Connolly, Joan, (O’Meara), Ballybunion Flanagan, Frank & Rita (Fitzgerald), Bristol Connors, Brian, Wisconsin, USA Flanagan, Walter, Wantage, Oxon Costican, Sr. Nora, Callan Fleming, Denise (McGrath) Clonmel Croke, Wm. London SE3 Flynn, Denis, Redhill, Surrey Crossman, Breda (McCarthy), London E17 Flynn, Pat, West Yorkshire, England Cummins, Eddie & Ellen (Smith), Clonmel Fogarty, Joey and Leish, Congress Terrace, Fethard Cummins, Gus, Peterborough Fogarty, John & Veronica, Garrinch, Fethard Cummins, Joan (Sayers), Cashel Fox, Andy, Thurles Cummins, John, Dublin 5 Gallagher, Kathleen (Mackey), Croydon, Surrey

124 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

Gavin, John, London NW1 Maher, John & Anne, Southport, USA Gibson, Mrs M., Tullaroan Maher, Tess, Coolenure, Fethard Gildea, Josie (O’Connell), Romford, Essex Manning, Patricia (Ryan), Middlesex Gleeson, Francis (Walsh), Thurles Mannion, Cathryn (Byrne), Athlone Glover, Orla (Broderick), Lancashire, England Marshall, Tom & Patricia, Portlaoise Gough-Risk, Mrs. Patricia, California Martin, Lucy (Wyatt), Lawrenceville, Georgia Grant, John, Sudbury, MA, USA McCahery, Monica (Kearney), Manchester Grimson, Douglas, Queensland, Australia McCarthy, Don, Leixlip Gunne, Sean, Clonmel McCarthy, Jackie (Murphy), Nenagh Haide, Theresa (Quinlan), Bucks. McCarthy, Kitty, Fethard & New York Hally, Kathleen (Slattery), New Inn McCarthy, Mrs Shiela, Cambridge Hanley, Tom, Northampton, USA McCarthy, Patrick, London N1 Hanlon, Mary, Dalkey McCole, Nora (O’Shea), Perth Hanlon, Mrs M., New Jersey McCormack, Mrs Leonora, New Zealand Hannigan, Dorothea (Schofield), Cashel McCormack, Thomas, Gwynedd, Wales Hanrahan, Alice (Phelan), London W4 McGrath, Peggy (Carroll), Cashel Harris, Neil & Di, Reading McLaren, Mary (Ryan), Kent Hayes, Anne (Byrne ), Illinois McLaughlin, Mary (King), Dorchester, Mass. Hayes, Joe & Eleanor, Bantry, Co Cork McLellan, Billy & Phyllis (Quinlan), Clonmel Hayes, Joe & Mossie (McCarthy), Fethard McNamee, Mary (King), Wantage, Oxon. Hayes, Pat & Mary (Anglim), Brisbane McNulty, Mary (Maher), Bedford Hayes, Rev. Fr. Matthew, Bath Meagher, Bridie (Phelan) RIP, Birmingham Healey, Sharon, Bartholomew, California Meaney, James J., London SW19 Healy, Marion, Cork Meaney, Michael, Ipswich Heffernan, Larry & Inger, Oslo, Norway Meehan, Ellen (Moore) Oklahoma Heffernan, Michael J., Stafford Moloney, Patrick F., Bucks. Hehir, Mary (O’Dwyer), Bronx, N.Y. Moloney, Tom, Northampton Henehan, Paddy, Dublin 20 Mooney, Anna (Skehan), Belfast Hennessy, Mary (Darcy), Aherlow Moore, Mary (Gorey), Drogheda Hetterley, David & Frances (Kenrick), Hereford Moriarty, Monica (Sayers), Kilsheelan Hickey, Mrs Stephen, Lixnaw, Co. Kerry Morrissey, Colm, Delgany, Co.Wicklow Hoey, Cathleen (Murphy), Birmingham, England Morrissey, Dominic, Dublin 5 Homfray, Rev. Kenyon, Convoy, Co. Donegal Morrissey, J.J., Tralee, Co. Kerry. Howard, John & June, New York Morrissey, Mamie, Fethard Hunt, Maureen (Mackey), Staffordshire Morrissey, Mary, London N19 Jakeman, Rodney, Cheshire Morrissey, Patsy, Swords, Co Dublin Johnson, Dr. Brian & Joan (Carey), CT, USA Morrissey, Sean, Newcastle Upon Tyne Jordan, Margaret (Peg Cummins), Celbridge Morrissey, Teresa (McCarthy), Ballymacarby Kane, Conor, Wicklow Mulcahy, Jackie, Lincoln, England Kane, David, Essex Mullins, Denis, New Jersey Kane, Dermot, Dublin 8 Mullins, William, Marlow, Bucks Kane, Danny & Rita (Kenny), Fethard Murphy, Muriel (Mullins), New Ross Kavanagh, Rena (Keyes), Waterford Murray, Pat, Watford, Herts. Keane, Joe, Portlaoise Murray, Tom, Fethard Keane, Joseph, Manchester, England Nagle, Anastasia (Kelly), Bansha Keane, Mrs Alice, Fethard Napier, Nora (Hickey), St. Albans Keating Family, London SW16 Neville, Michael, Cork Kelly, Mary (Cummins), Middlesex Neville, Roger, Tullamore Kennedy, Rev. Fr. A. B., Portumna Neville, Seamus, Tramore Kenny, Maura (Stokes), Dublin 6 Nevin, Christine (Tobin), Fethard ’99 & ‘00 Kevin, Sr. Monica, New York Nevin, Gerry, New York Lavin, Michael James, New Jersey Ní Shuileabháin, Aíne, (Ann Smith), Blackrock Lee, Johanna (Josie O’Donnell), London E4 Nichols, Betty (Dineen), Warwick Lee, Monsignor Christopher, Cashel O’Brien, Jane, Floral Park, N.Y. Lines, Ellen (Flynn), Milton Keynes O’Brien, Mary London NW3 Lonergan, Mark & Ann Marie, San Francisco O’Brien, OSU, Sr. Philomena, Blue Point, N.Y. Lonergan, Tony & Ellen (Ryan), Dublin 14 O’Brien, Sally (Finn), Fethard Lonergan, William, Ballina O’Carroll, Lila, California Looby, John & Patricia (Halloran), Surrey O’Connor, Rory & Kate Richardson, San Francisco Looby, Paul, Camberley, Surrey O’Connell, Gabrielle (Hayes), Limerick Lovatt-Dolan, Elizabeth (Quirke), Dublin 14 O’Connell, Jimmy, Hornchurch, Essex Low, Mrs E., Liverpool O’Connell, Mrs Freda, Scunthorpe Lynam, Ann (Morrissey), Dublin 12 O’Connell, Peg (Darcy), Basildon, Essex Mackey, Barbara O’Connell, Peter, Victoria, Australia Mackey, Denise, London SW16 O’Connell, Seamus, Barking, Essex Maher, Geraldine, Kilkenny O’Connor, Biddy (Henehan), Middlesex

125 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2000

O’Connor, Mary, Westport Sheehan, Patrick, London N17 O’Donnell, Anna (Mackey), Niles, Illinois Shine, Nessa (O’Donovan), London E7 O’Donnell, Jimmy, Dublin 16 Skehan, Anna, Bramley, N.S.W. O’Donnell, Mary (O’Meara), Ontario, Canada Skehan, Anne, Fethard O’Donnell, Michael, London N4 Skehan, CSsR, Rev. William O’Donnell, Tony, Dublin 9 Skehan, John T, Claymont, USA. O’Donovan, Gretta (Fleming), Fethard Skehan, Nicholas, Dublin O’Dwyer, Martin & Aggie, Folk Village, Cashel Slattery, Bernard, Hollywood, FL O’Dwyer, Tom, Roscrea Slattery, John, Coolmoyne O’Flynn, Peggy, Ballincollig Somers, Helen (Marshall), Blackrock, Co. Dublin O’Gorman, Paddy, Woking, Surrey. Sparks, Kathleen (Murphy), Barking, Essex O’Hanrahan, Patrick, London W9 Squires, May (O’Dwyer), Essex O’Keeffe, Jim, Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford Staehelin, Linda, (Kane), Galway O’Keeffe, Larry & Helen (Cummins), Clonmel Stapleton, Martin & Rita (O’Grady), Dublin 7 O’Mahoney, Laura (Ward), Ballybay Synnott, Thomas, Basildon, Essex O’Neill, Hal, Cork Synnott, Tony & Phyllis, Clane, Co. Kildare O’Neill, Hugh, Luxembourg Szwarc, Agnes (Culligan), Kent O’Neill, Ken, Dublin 6 Tierney, Patrick, Cork O’Reilly, Nellie, (Murphy), Melbourne. Tingley, Ellen (Culligan), Seven Oaks, Kent O’Riain, Padraig, Baile Atha Cliath 13 Tobin, Michael, Oak Lawn, USA O’Shea, Patrick, Mexbrough, South Yorks Torpey, Kitty (Strappe), Cambridge O’Sullivan, Marie, Main Street, Fethard Trehy-Halliday, Max, Sydney O’Sullivan, Michael, Rathvin, Fethard Trehy, Jimmy, Donoughmore, Lisronagh O'Donnell, James, New York Tumpane, Breeda (Lucey), Naas O'Flynn, John P., Bradford Tyska, Katherine (Sayers), Brooklyn, N.Y. Orski, Patricia (Morrissy), Beckenham, Kent Van Brederode, Catherine, Florida Ostler, Alice (McInerney), Southampton Van Dommelen, Bert & Janneke , Netherlands Phelan, Gus, Crampscastle, Fethard Vinten, Joan (O’Shea), Maidstone, Kent Phelan, John, Clonmel Voss, Eileen (Morrissey), Surrey Phelan, John, Cork Wade-Palmer, Eileen (Doherty), Hampshire Phelan, Kathleen (Elsie), New York Walker, Eleanor (O’Donnell), Australia Pius, Sr., Thurles Walsh, Dan & Patty, Marlfield Poulin, Anna, Alexandria Walsh, Gerard, Pickering, Canada Power, Ned, Wolverhampton Walsh, Joan (Maher), London NW10 Purcell, Tom, Fethard Walsh, Mary (Fahy), Portlaw Reed, Chris & Carmel (Gavin), Middlesex Walsh, Mrs. Agnes, Lincolnshire Reeves, Maureen (Fogarty), Warwick Walsh, O.S.A., Rev. Fr. Joseph, Victoria, Australia Ryan, Ann (Neville), Thurles Walsh, Rita, New York Ryan, Donal, Kentucky, USA Walsh, Tony, Ormskirk, Lancs. Ryan, Jimmy, Watergate, Fethard Whelan, Kathleen (Quirke), Clonmel Ryan, Johnny, London SE3 White, Marie (Dineen), Leamington Spa Ryan, Mary (Murphy), Cashel Whyte, Eileen (Leahy), Drangan Ryan, Michael J, St. Albans, Herts. Whyte, John, Fethard Ryan, Philip, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow Whyte, Michael, Leicestershire Ryan, Thomas, London NW3 Wilkins, Christine (Sayers), Taghmon, Co. Wexford Sayers Family, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard. Wright, Ann (Flanagan), Wantage, Oxon Sayers, Buddy, Hants, England Wyatt, Frank, North Carolina, USA Sayers, Tony, Peterbourgh Wyatt, Kathryn, Amsterdam, Netherlands Scanlan, Pat, Clonmel Wyatt, Kevin, Phoenix, Arizona Sharkey, Neil, Galway Wyatt, Paul, San Francisco Shattock, Jack & Pam (Myles), Essex Wynne, Monica (Dwyer), Clonmel Sheehan, Don, Cincinnati, Ohio If, for any reason, we have omitted your name, please let us know and we will acknowledge your donation next year. Acknowledgments Joe Kenny (editor) would like to thank Lydia Church Gate Collection in Fethard, to I(Newport) Kelly for typing; Agnes Evans for organising fundrais- Carmel Rice for looking after corre- ing events, and a special thanks to all spondence and donations, and Brendan those who make annual donations Kenny for distribution. I would also which help make the whole publishing like to thank all who subscribed to our of this newsletter possible.

126 CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR 'SANTA BEAR APPEAL' The Pheasant Pluckers photographed with some of the many children and adults who joined them singing carols in aid of the Santa Bear Appeal on 21st December, 2000. The amount collected on the night was £297.

CHRISTMAS HAT PARTY NIGHT AT BURKE’S BAR A selection of hats worn at Marianne and John Shortall's 'Party Night' in aid of the CRC Santa Bear Appeal held on Saturday 18th December, 2000, in Burke's Bar, Main Street. Over £150 was raised for the Appeal. There is peace in a solitary moment lost in God’s creation The majesty of the century’s first sunrise over ancient ground The jewel green grass beneath our feet Fleeting moments all Yet, like the ancient mountains, solid and everlasting So is the promise of our Saviour’s birth.

(Kimberley Hendren, North Carolina)