Congratulations to John and Margaret Fitzgerald, Monroe, Fethard who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October 2013, photographed with their family above.

Sr. Monica Kevin OSU, originally from Barrack Street, photographed on a visit to Presentation Convent Fethard in August 2013. L to R: Sr. Clement Wall, Sr. Maureen Power, Sr. Winnie Kirwan, Sr. Monica Kevin and Sr. Celsus Ryan.

Front Cover Photograph – Fethard’s Three Centenarians 2013 Celebrating their 100th Birthday this year L to R: Nellie Shortall, Josie Casey and Chrissie Byrne. 2011 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013

Dedicated to our friends and relations living away from home

Copyright © 2013

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

WWW.FETHARD.COM

Layout and design by Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard Printed by Modern Printers Kilkenny

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 informa- tion storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

1 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Table of contents A Fethard Pre-Nuptial Agreement . . . . 238 From Market to Mill - 100 Years . . . . 126 A fitting Fethard farewell ...... 152 Graveyard Committee ...... 5 A Funeral in , 2008 ...... 16 Great times in Fethard ...... 244 A Ramble Down Memory Lane . . . . . 108 Greengage Summer ...... 111 A song for Fethard ...... 238 Holy Trinity National School ...... 231 A year in Fethard ...... 200 Irish Walled Towns Network ...... 226 A year to remember? ...... 3 Joe Ahearne, Fethard (1920-2013) . . . . 60 An ambush ...... 216 John Davin, Rathsallagh ...... 242 An Ornate Double-Arched Bridge . . . . 118 John Joe’s Corner ...... 240 Augustinian Abbey ...... 8 Jollys for a coffee ...... 90 Bulfins and the Fethard connection . . 141. Legion of Mary ...... 6 Burges, William (1806–1876) . . . . . 179 Marriages ...... 205 Car Boot Sale - celebrating 30 years . . . 228 Memorable trip to Lourdes ...... 93 Christmas Memories ...... 243 Moulson Family honoured in Clogheen 171 Convent Community Centre ...... 169 My memories of Community Games . . . 94 Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club . . 161 My time in West Africa ...... 188 Demise of Main Street Shops ...... 154 Newsletter Contact Details ...... 168 Do You Remember . . . 1999 ...... 37 Our Dear Departed 2013 ...... 206 Donations Received 2013 ...... 220 Parish Greetings! ...... 6 Dush . . . my boyhood hero! ...... 101 Rathcoole connection with Nano Nagle 105 Faith in the heart of . . . . . 208 Senior Citizens Club ...... 78 Fethard & District Day Care Centre . . . 167 September ‘72 ...... 185 Fethard & District Rugby Club . . . . . 156 Sing, sing a song ...... 98 Fethard & Killusty Community Council 163 St . Patrick’s Stone, Rathsallagh . . . . . 11 Fethard & Killusty Community Games .134 St . Rita’s Camogie Club ...... 175 Fethard Bridge Club ...... 177 Table of contents ...... 2 Fethard Business & Tourism Ltd . . . . . 234 The Capital ...... 245 Fethard Choral Group ...... 57 The Day it Began – First Day of WWII . . 236 Fethard Fever Hospital 1849 ...... 12 The Gambler ...... 114 Fethard GAA Club ...... 58 The Green, Fethard & World War One . . 21 Fethard Historical Society ...... 80 The many lives of Stevie O’Connor . . . 148 Fethard Historical Society - 25 Years . . . 81 The Summer of ‘59 ...... 181 Fethard ICA Guild ...... 36 Thirty-eight years teaching in Killusty . . 225 Fethard Ladies Football ...... 63 Three Hundred Years of life ...... 223 Fethard Piano Exams 2013 ...... 211 Through the eyes of a brother ...... 72 Fethard Scouts 27th Tipperary Group .212 Tipp Ladies managed by local man . . . 69 Fethard Soldiers ...... 24 Treasures from the Past ...... 198 Fethard Sports Achievement Awards . .247 Ups and Downs, Ins and Outs . . . . . 248 Fethard Tidy Towns ...... 138 2 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

A year to remember? by Joe Kenny (Editor) n eventful year is slowly com- if ever, and definitely not by men! Aing to a close. It will be one Local small businesses and some of those special years that many will large businesses took a real hammer- remember for varying reasons, some ing over the past few year’s recession for good and some for bad. and this became very obvious this One of the highlights of 2013 was, year with the closure of XL Grocery and I think we can safely claim, that Shop (formerly Whyte’s Grocery) on for the first time in Fethard’s long Main Street; SPAR Supermarket (Tom history, we celebrated the birthdays Hennessy) at Kerry Street; Newport’s of three centenarians in the parish Newsagency on Main Street, after 93 in one year. Our heartiest congratu- years service to the Fethard commu- lations to Chrissie Byrne (Killusty), nity; and Dawn Fresh Foods Factory, Josie Casey (Derryluskin) and Nellie formerly Lydon House Exports, built Shortall (The Valley) who together on the Road in 1974, and have created a unique record that taken over by the Waterford based will not be surpassed for a long time, Dawn Meat Group in 1984. Other

100-year-old Josie Casey, Derryluskin, receives a huge round of applause at a special Mass in Holy Trinity Parish Church Fethard to mark the occasion of her 100th Birthday on September 3, 2013. Josie is photo- graphed here with Fr. John Meagher OSA, Canon Tom Breen P.P. and Fr. Anthony McSweeney C.C.

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noticeable effects of the recession, 1993), and in Killusty we have the enforced shorter opening hours for Soccer Club (formed in 1969) and some businesses, tighter restrictions Pony Show (formed in 1962). For in credit, severe cutbacks in employ- the younger generation we’ve had ment, high emigration and, unfortu- various youth clubs based in the nately, also an increase in suicides. old Tirry Club since the 1960s. These If all that wasn’t bad enough to clubs later continued to operate bear, we were also required to pay a from Fethard Ballroom up to today lot more for everyday services along where they are based in the suitably with the new property tax and a equipped Convent Community Hall. metered water supply – a big change Others still surviving today are the from ten years ago when the banks Fethard Scouts (founded January would literally ‘throw’ money at you! 1987) and Girl Guides (founded Another notable feature of 2013 November 1987). Last but not least, was the great work by voluntary the ‘Emigrants Newsletter’ is still sur- community groups and individuals viving since its first publication by who appear to never fail in their the Legion of Mary in 1959. commitment to fellow inhabitants There are many other voluntary and their community. This year groups in Fethard that have, and still alone we have the Fethard Players provide fantastic support to the com- celebrating their 100th anniversa- munity over the years and maybe ry; Fethard Historical Society their someday we will be in a position to 25th anniversary; Abymill Theatre fully acknowledge this contribution its 25th anniversary; not to mention before it is stifled and slowly eroded all the long-standing organisations by ridiculous regulations and indi- that have provided community ser- vidual indifference. vices for decades such as the GAA Fethard is very lucky to have (founded 1887), Legion of Mary such a vibrant community and to (founded 1852), ICA (founded in be such a wonderful town to reside. 1926 by Olivia Hughes), Country This year we may seem to have lost Markets (founded 1947), Community a lot of ground but, as over the past Council (founded as Fethard 800 years, Fethard has adapted and Development Association in 1967), learned how to survive. I have no Community Games (founded 1967), doubt that we will leave this town Day Care Centre (founded 1996), well poised for the next generation Athletic Club NACA (founded 1956), and a better place to live in, like our St. Rita’s Camogie Club (founded ancestors also did for us. 1912), Bridge Club (founded 1975), I take this opportunity to wish all Senior Citizen’s Club (founded our readers at home and away, a very 1982), Meals on Wheels (founded Happy and Holy Christmas and a 1967), Fethard Ballroom (re-opened Very Prosperous New Year! ◉ 4 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

Graveyard Committee by Gerry Long his year the Graveyard clean- The committee would like to Tup group expanded their thank all those who aided in the amount of activity. The number of purchase of this equipment, princi- cemeteries cleaned went from two pally Tipperary SR. County Council to three when Rathcoole was added who grant aided the committees to the existing Tullamaine and red efforts and whose staff and officials City were also cleaned. were always helpful and courte- Overall the ous towards our cleaning opera- requests. tions were very One of the major well supported by problems which the volunteers who was encountered gave their time during this sum- and labour during mers efforts was of the long summer course the extreme- evenings and did ly good weather a splendid job on which under nor- the undergrowth of mal circumstances briars ivy and grass is to be welcomed. etc. which infested It was however the graveyards. The responsible for Committee greatly extremely fast rates appreciates these of regrowth thus volunteers and making some of the new hands are good work already always welcome. Pat Bourke, John Barry, Jimmy O`Shea, and undertaken moot. Jarlath Connolly at the Marker Cross at The dry sum- Rathcoole Graveyard summer 2013. However by con- mer facilitated the tinuing this work the painting of the Marker crosses in the committee feels that it gets easier graveyards a job that was impossible and more an act of maintenance with the previous years wet weather, from year to year. again we would like to thank our A program of works for the next great team of painters who under- year is already in progress and we took the work. The effort was also look forward to next spring and greatly aided by the acquisition of summer when this program of new equipment, which proved far works can be undertaken. For fur- more suitable for the various tasks, ther information or if you would like which were necessary during the to volunteer please contact Seamus cleaning operations. Barry at 086 2547162. ◉ 5 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Parish Greetings! reetings to all at home to reach out to each other. Why not Gand away as we approach start this Christmas and New Year to Christmas and the New Year. reach out? Who am I? As we journey Fr. Anthony and I send our greet- through life the real challenge is ings and best wishes to all at home allowing God to guide us on the and those in far off places, Australia, path to fulfilling our true destiny Canada etc. May you have hap- and being able to answer the ques- piness, peace and understanding tion, ‘Who am I’, honestly. In today’s this Christmas in your homes and world it’s hard to hear God’s call a place for the child in your with all the distractions but he does hearts. ◉ say, come follow me. We are called to be Christians Fr .Tom Breen and Fr .Anthony McSweeney Legion of Mary he Legion of Mary, Fethard, the prayers many of you offer toward Twish to send greetings to the growth of faith in the Parish. You all readers for a happy, contented encourage fellow parishioners with Christmas and New Year. We ask Our your constant attendance at daily Blessed Mother to shower all parish- Mass; at the rosary; at our graveyard ioners and readers with the many rosaries in November and rosaries blessings and graces received from in October and May; at processions her Divine Son which will strengthen in May and at Corpus Christi. We can our Faith and aid us in living authen- look back and observe that the effort tic Christian lives. to come together to pray has been The Legion of Mary meet each worthwhile. Monday and any new member will Legion members visit nursing be made welcome. Members are a homes. They enjoy speaking to lay movement who wish to make many of our Fethard friends now liv- faith the aspiration of life in order ing in these homes; they are always to achieve personal sanctity. This is made welcome by these people the goal of a Christian determined to and come away refreshed and reach eternal salvation. Being in the happy to have met such patient and Legion helps members to work seri- thoughtful natives of our locality. In ously toward this goal. order to appreciate the work being Life is more pleasant for all of done by the Legionary you might us when we help one another. The wish to come along to our meetings Legion of Mary members appreciate and learn first hand how we pray

6 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER and work. hospitality. Our common goal leads The meetings have Fr. Meagher us to give our best efforts in the lives as Spiritual Director. We are so happy we lead so that one day we may join to be enriched by his presence each those of our parishioners who have Monday evening. Thank you, Father, successfully completed their jour- for your support and direction given neys here and now praise and glorify so kindly and cheerfully. We express the Blessed Trinity in Eternity. appreciation to the support of our Your Legionaries wish you well parish priests, the Presentation Sisters during the Christmas season and and the ever-present Augustinian throughout the coming year. ◉

L to R: Michael Coady, Johnny Coady and Annie Coady, Tullamaine, Fethard

7 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Augustinian Abbey

Welcome to Fr. Lazarus Barkindo OSA, a Nigerian Augustinian

am reminded by the faithful There I spelt out the situation of Ieditor, Mr Joe Kenny, to start the Augustinians in where thinking of writing a report from the we are all on standby facing the Abbey for the Newsletter of 2013. possibility that some communities How quickly the year has gone and must be closed. I then appealed to with the clocks going back one hour you readers to pray to our ‘Lady of we are reminded that Christmas is at Fethard’ that we continue to minister the corner. here in Fethard. Thanks be to God So on behalf of the Augustinian we are not closed and behold the community in Fethard, I wish all same community of four friars have you readers at home and overseas a been re-appointed to continue on in blessed Christmas. Fethard. The Abbey has survived the scare Three ladies celebrated their that it might be closed as noted on 100th birthday this year while in our pages 8-9 in last year’s Newsletter. community, and Fr. John Meagher

8 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER celebrated his 97th birthday this year. here in Fethard community but a He is healthy and strong and always chaplain to St. Augustine’s college eager to get on with his walks. Dungarvan. He drives there each day, A unique addition to our com- five days a week. munity came in December 2012 in As for myself, I will go down as the person of Fr. Lazarus Barkindo the last Prior of Fethard. We were OSA, a Nigerian Augustinian. He has amalgamated to the two communi- since settled in very well into the ties in Dungarvan. The Prior, Fr. Tony community and ministry within the Egan, who resides in Dungarvan church. He is also delighted with is now also the Prior of Fethard. It the friendly reception of the local will be interesting to see how this people as he takes his walks around experiment works over the next the town. couple of years. What can I write about Fr. Gerry Finally on behalf of the commu- Horan who has completed his nity of four, I wish you all a Happy twelve years here the last eight of Christmas and a Prosperous New which he operated out of Fethard as Year. ◉ our Provincial. He is again resident Fr .Martin Crean, OSA

Fr. Martin Crean OSA photographed with Geraldine Maher, formerly from Main Street, at a reception in the Abymill Theatre following the Christmas Carol Service in the Augustinian Abbey on December 16, 2012.

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Redcity ladies L to R: Moll Dalton, Lois Burke and Nonie Dalton c.1980

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St. Patrick’s Stone, Rathsallagh by Gerry Long

he location of a monolithic Folk tradition and memory have Tstanding stone at Rathsallagh, long been understood to point to is not really surprising. a basic truth which underlies that The surrounding area is rich with tradition, as well as that the fact that remains of early habitation. Ring the stone had stood from the remote forts and the nearby small but impor- past and so may be a site of either tant moat at Rosegreen are ample territorial boundary or pagan ven- evidence of a vibrant early history, eration. This would add weight to the now forgotten, in the area. The stone idea that in the past it had a ritual which was called St. Patrick’s Stone function which with Christianisation by earlier generations, supposedly was transferred to their principle marked a point apostle in Ireland. in the saint’s Aside from journey from the this, its former site Decies territory in clear view of of Waterford to , an the kingdom of antique sacred the Eóghanacht mountain, as well whose capital as its colleagues was at Cashel, the Comeragh, where the saint Knockmealdown, rested by sitting A current view of the site of St. Patrick’s Stone at and Galtee rang- on it. Rathsallagh, Fethard. The base of the stone is all that es, would also This tale is not remains, some fragments may be in the nearby drain. point to its sacred The stone, however, appears to be at its original site as fanciful as it at but now sadly shortened by the ditch digging process. and magical past. first seems. Firstly, Sadly, like many the present Diocese of Lismore and such antiques the stone fell victim to Waterford terminates just a short dis- land improvement by new landown- tance from the former site of the ers whose sympathy with the past stone. Secondly the well-known was non-existent and so it fell to the compendium by James White, ‘My progress of the bulldozer. Recently Scrapbook’ contains an however, the stone itself, though dam- article by B.J. Long about St. Patrick’s aged, has been located and could progress through perhaps be restored to its former site. which gives a rough guide of the The stone when found, had been saint’s journey through the county truncated and was now about three and places him in areas closely adja- foot and six inches shorter than in cent to the site in Rathsallagh where former times. The remains of the the stone once stood. topmost part having been fragment-

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ed may well be among the rubble have caused the current damage! around it. A drainage ditch had been The author would like to know more cut by it, which stopped at a rise of of the folklore connected with the ground five metres past it. The pro- stone and any information would be gress of the mechanical digger may greatly appreciated. ◉

Anglim children photographed with their friends at Knockelly overlooking the river Banogue c.1945. L to R: Bunny Anglim, Joan Anglim, ?, ?, ?, Teresa Anglim, Mary Anglim, ?. Fethard Fever Hospital 1849 The following article, one of many supplied by the late Michael Hall, Kyle, Drangan, was taken from the Clonmel Chronicle published on Tuesday, March 6, 1849, entitled ‘Fethard Fever Hospital – extraordinary clerical influence ’.

To the editor of the ter of your journal, that you will give Clonmel Chronicle. a place in your next publication irs, Though I am but an to the following statement of facts, Sobscure and very humble undeniable, stubborn facts. individual, holding a few acres of As I have neither talent nor incli- land in this neighbourhood, still, I nation to dilate on these facts, I trust from the independent charac- will allow them to speak for them-

12 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER selves. A poor neighbour of mine, the went into hospital, her fine head Widow Morrissey of Coolmoyne, had of hair would be subjected to the four of her children attacked with scissors, a cruel and inhuman opera- Typhus fever some short time ago; tion to which all persons entering they were removed to the Fethard this particular hospital are, he says, Fever Hospital, where two of them obliged to submit. still continue; a few days back the The Rev. gentleman then actually fifth, and only remaining child, a compelled the poor girl to get out grown up young woman, became of the car, and walk back again (a ill of the same disease; application distance of three Irish miles) to the was made at the hospital for her hut from which she was so lately admission, and the physician of the removed. Her mother vainly protest- institution, with his usual humanity, ing, with tears in her eyes, that food ordered the hospital car to be sent of any kind had not been in her for her. The Rev. Pat Laffan, R.C.C. of cabin for two days, that she had Fethard, was also called upon to neither fire nor candle light, and she visit her, as is usual in such cases, had nothing on earth to give her sick in order to administer the last rites child save a drink of water from an of her religion before her removal adjacent stream. to hospital; this the Rev. gentleman Hearing of this girl’s unexpected refused to do, but directed that she return to my immediate neighbour- should be bought in the car to his hood, and having myself suffered stable yard, stating that he would severely from fever a short time back, there anoint her. The sick girl was I naturally became much alarmed; accordingly removed on Friday last, for notwithstanding the opinion for the purposes of being conveyed of ‘the great medicine man’ above to the hospital, and when within a alluded to, I felt confident that her quarter of a mile of Fethard, and disease was the same as that with three miles from her mother’s cabin, which the rest of her family had was met by the said Rev. Pat Laffan, been attacked. I accordingly, on the accompanied by a medical man. next day, procured the attendance The two doctors, that is to say, the of Dr. Burgess, the respected physi- Doctor of Divinity, and the man of cian of Fethard dispensary; he was drugs, proceeded to examine the accompanied in his visit by Dr. Flynn, patient and held a consultation; the medical officer in charge of the result of which was their coming to Fethard Fever Hospital; what these the conclusion that case was not gentleman thought of the case will one of fever at all, and that the poor appear from their joint certificate, girl should go back to the place which I herewith enclose you for from whence she came. Father Pat, publication. observing with a leer, that if she The unfortunate creature was

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again sent to the hospital and on Doctor’s Report reaching Fethard, her mother, at the poor girl’s most urgent entreat- We the undersigned, hereby cer- ies, called on the Rev. Pat Laffan, to tify that we have this day visited request that he would administer Nancy Morrissey, of Coolmoyne, and to her the usual sacraments of her found her labouring under con- Church before being placed in the firmed Typhus fever. institution. Instead however, of com- plying, he got into a furious passion, Signed John Flynn, M .R .C .S .E and, to use the widow Morrissey’s medical attendant of Fethard Fever own words, ‘began bouncing with Hospital . madness about the floor’, ordering Frances Burgess L .R .C .S.I . . her immediately to quit his presence. Medical attendant to the Fethard and She is now in the hospital, her life Drangan Dispensaries . being in great danger, without having February 24th, 1849 received the last solemn consola- tions of the Roman , and should she die, she will not be Another point of interest the first who were refused those mel- ancholy rites, because they accepted The following excerpt is taken the advantage of the Fever Hospital from ‘Epidemic Diseases of the Great and the services of its physician. Famine’ (18th-19th Century History, There are many other quite Issue 1 (Spring 1996), The Famine, extraordinary proceedings arising Volume 4) out of the reverend gentleman’s mor- bid hostility to the Fethard Fever The temporary fever hospital at Hospital that have been too long Fethard, , which withheld from the public, and it had been opened in June 1847, was is high time that public attention denounced from the altar on sev- should be brought to bear upon eral occasions. The ambition of the them. This letter, however, being parish priest and his , as they already too long, I will conclude for informed their flock repeatedly, was the present; but with your permis- to see grass growing at the door of sion, I shall most assuredly resume the hospital. One of their clerical the subject in a few days. harangues was delivered prior to I remain Sir, Your obedient the opening of a detached conva- Servant, lescence ward. Later that night, the building was maliciously burned to An Observer . the ground. A similar arson attack Herrick’s Cross, near Fethard, had occurred in Belturbet, County Feb 28th 1849 . Cavan, in April 1847. ◉ 14 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

Winner of the Killusty Sheepdog Trials 1955 was Raymond Dunne pictured above being presented with the Mrs La Terriere Cup. Also in the photograph are Jack Ryan, Fethard, Paddy Morrissey, Cloran, Michael O’Flaherty, Killusty, Pierce O’Donnell, Grangebeg and Rody Holohan, Cloneen.

Roche family, The Boreen, Rathkenny, Fethard c.1943. Back L to R: Jack Roche (at gate), daughter Bessie, wife Alice, son Paddy. Front L to R: daughter Peggy, son Billy and daughter Winnie. Other members of the family were Mick, Jimmy, Stephen, Johndy, Ray, Josie, Alice, Mary and Bridie. Jack (father) died in 1945 and Alice died in the 1960s, both buried in Magorban and headstones in Cloneen.

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A Funeral in Lisronagh, 2008

by John Cooney

She was an old timer; of that, we were all sure. Her middle-aged children stood their ground, While her grandchildren of early adult years Appeared more the chief mourners. A country funeral in a country graveyard. There was an element of relief That she had died. The relief of finally going in old age When the last few years were hard, When suffering had come to her In its myriad physical forms. ‘One thing goes, one after another’ Was the matter-of-fact description from her children, None too specific About any organ and its function. The hint of disintegration Was enough to be going on with. We knew already Or suspected what old age might bring; The withering of the senses The weakness of limbs The cantankerous personality The frequent ugliness of features The pain of pain.

Sorrow also came from the family to us Mixed with relief. And then there was gratitude Gratitude for her long life For her fecundity For her presence For the wealth life had bestowed upon her, For all the little stories that emerged about her, For always knowing the right thing to say, For her touch parking – a touch to the car in front and behind, For her own protective shield, For her appreciation of the countryside.

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When the prayers for the dead had been given at the graveside A small man self-consciously stepped from the crowd And for a brief second it seemed As though, the circumstance had got the better of him, And he was about to seek permission to say the few words. Instead, he put a hunting horn to his lips And blew a sound across the cemetery In honour of the deceased Who had allowed the hunt through her lands. As the second of the three blasts spread outward A horse trotted from a nearby meadow to the graveyard wall. With ears upstanding in alertness He neighed. Without shyness he looked in at us And neighed again. The horn blower furtively withdrew into the crowd. The sound which had pierced the air ceased And the air settled back into its slumber. Yet the sound continued in ours ears Not brittle or loud or shrill.

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It remained rather than echoed As we stood in amazement Mesmerised by the standing horse. All of which outdid our regard for the fox Who in open field or deep in cover Would surely not have recognised the false alarm As its heart must pulsate before The supposed coming terror.

Unexpectedly, we were the spectators of a tradition That was ancient, That knew its place, That usually called forth into the countryside Arousing excitement for the chase Or blowing for home But now was calling to the heavens For one of theirs was dead. The bugle of longing poured forth By the open grave of one Who had smoothed over my own rough edges, Who was a mother of a friend, A beloved one of the earth. Tribute to her had been paid in the ritual By these people in their old-fashioned ways: Sowers of seed, riders of horses Carers of cattle, keepers of dogs Great funeral goers, season watchers, These country people, more accustomed To the silence of departure, were a mild lot, Who knew death well on their farms.

Gallopers in a tradition That had trotted from food to fun, And those others, adverse to any pack of hounds, Had stood together to bury the dead. They also shared in that deep yearning And tender longing for life That is to be found within us all But found also within the fox and horse Within the rabbit gripped in the dog’s mouth And within the lamb suckling fiercely On a bottle held by the farmer. ◉ 18 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

Members of the Ryan family from St. Patrick’s Place photographed in 1996. L to R: Maura, Patricia, Kathleen, Johnny, Margaret Cummins (Aunt), Brendan and Danny.

Evelyn , Fethard, and Tony Flynn, Powerstown, with their son A.J. enjoying a riverboat ride at Heritage Park, Calgary, Alberta. Evelyn & Tony emigrated to Canada in 2010.

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Bob Byrne and Báinín Ryan,The Green, in the 1940s

20 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER The Green, Fethard & World War One ethard’s Fair Green was situ- rented, generally by labourers, and Fated outside the town walls to it was not uncommon for people to the north east of the town proper. It move if a cheaper rent became avail- was a level piece of ground used at able, or if the condition of a house various times for fairs, political meet- disimproved. By 1901, the row of ings, football matches, circuses and houses where Thomas Daniell lived as an army parade ground. in 1850 no longer exists. This would The Green was also the name be an extension of the present Back given to the houses built adjacent Green into St Patrick’s Place. Over 20 to the Fair Green. For the purposes houses in the Rock have also gone in of this brief run through the his- the 50 years. The number of houses tory of the area, I have included has dropped to 60 for the area as four “streets” – the Lower Green (on a whole. By 1911 this has been some maps called Lower Green reduced by a further two. Street; this ran from the corner of While the number of houses Moore/Burke St., opposite the Abbey declined between 1901 and 1911, the to the Fair Green itself and includes population of the Green increased the lane facing north to the open from 153 to 203. Many of the hous- Green; the Upper Green (sometimes es had more than one family, and called Upper Green Street, and many were related either directly or which includes a small lane run- through marriage. ning north west to Barrack Street, Subsequently, eight new hous- continuing to the Killenaule road), es were built in a terrace in 1912. the Back Green (a short lane paral- These were constructed on the west lel to Upper Green on the west), side of the Green proper, and fin- and the Rock. Occasionally called ished just opposite the entrance the Rocks, this was a rocky patch to Barrack Street. They were built of ground between the lane off the by the local Town Commissioners. Lower Green and Abbey Street. Because of a shortage of funds, At the time of Griffith’s valuation the Commissioners refrained from (dated 1850 for the town of Fethard) including gardens. The houses were there were 153 houses in the Green. single storey, opened directly onto These were mostly thatched cottages the street and had only a yard at the comprising one or two rooms, in rear. In 1927 four ex-servicemen’s various states of repair. Some were houses were built immediately fur- vacant, and others designated as ther up the street on the same side. ruins. As time went by this pro- These were terraced and had a small cess accelerated. Almost none was front garden, and a larger rear gar- owner occupied – they were all den. To ensure access from the rear,

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This page: Map of The Green area taken from the Ordnance Survey 1904. Opposite page shows Fethard Military Barracks on The Square c1900.

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a lane was created around the back were Catholic, though as we shall see, of these houses, and continued to some were not born so. the Lower Green. This enclosed the We are going to take a closer look ground behind the original eight at some of the families who lived in 1912 houses, whose owners prompt- or were associated with the Green ly annexed it to create their own in the early years of the 20th cen- gardens. tury. We will begin (following article) The occupants of the houses in with those families associated with the Green in the early years of the the British Army. 20th century were mostly general The British Army barracks in labourers, agricultural labourers, or Fethard was one of the oldest in the the occasional craftsman or soldier, country. Initially a cavalry barracks, it with most of the women (whether had a parade ground of over 15 acres. married or not) engaged in some sort Later a battery of the Royal Field of domestic work. There are a num- Artillery was stationed there. It was ber of widows and deserted wives destroyed in 1922 during the civil war. with their children. These families There had been a military pres- depended largely on casual or sea- ence in Fethard for over a century sonal employment for their income. by 1901 and some of the soldiers Many would have depended entirely met and married Fethard girls while on seasonal farmwork, and quite a stationed in the barracks. On census few were related either directly or by night 1901 there were 107 males marriage. In 1901 all the occupants listed there. ◉ 23 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Fethard Soldiers by Michael O’Donnell, a son of Joe O’Donnell formerly from The Green

here were plenty of Fethard of all ages in total living in the Upper Tnatives who joined the army. Green, the Lower Green and the Nicholas Wall of the Green joined Rock -- and exclude women, more the Regiment in 1897 and than one man in three from the saw service in Malta and Egypt, as Green enlisted. If we then exclude well as South Africa during the Boer those too young or too old for army War. He achieved promotion to the service, we see that the proportion rank of Sergeant and was discharged of those ‘of age’ must have been in 1905. He reenlisted in Clonmel in substantially higher, closer to one in October 1914 at the age of 45 years every two. and 107 days. He was reinstated to This list (also published in a the rank of Sergeant, and recom- previous “Fethard and Killusty mended for home service only. At Newsletter”), is incomplete: a sup- least some of his service was as plementary list was to have been a military policeman. He was dis- published by the army authorities charged in 1920 as no longer fit for at a later date, but seemingly never war service. He was 51. was. It does not include Charles Nicholas Wall returned to Fethard, Moulson, obviously, because he and lived out his life quietly through enlisted in , and was no longer the turbulent days that followed. He a Fethard resident at the time of and his wife Johanna, a native of the war. Christopher Keogh is not , lived in the back Green in counted as being from the Green, the house next to Piery Foster. He his wife was living there at the died in 1952. time of his death. Richard Lonergan Most Fethard recruits, however, is included, though his address is joined in that initial rush of enthusi- given as Market Hill. asm that greeted the opening of hos- The Lonergans were long-time tilities in 1914. In a list of 140 names Green residents. Richard’s grandfa- of Fethard men who were due to ther, also Richard, ran a cooperage be presented with Certificates of from his yard on the back Green. Honour published in the Clonmel This Richard Lonergan was grand- Chronicle in 1917, there are 36 from father of James Gorman, Jim Ahern the Green and the Rocks. This list and great-grandfather of Paddy helps to give a benchmark of how O’Donnell, who enlisted, as well the war impacted on this part of as ancestor to Fethard families the Fethard. If we take the 1911 popula- Allens and Hollys. The Lonergans tion as a guide -- there were 98 men were associated with the Green

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Irish Volunteers 1914. This photograph was supplied by Joan Merriman, , back in 1998 featuring the Irish Volunteers in Fethard in 1914. The postcard was belonging to her mother, Mrs Creed, who worked in Fethard Post Office at that time. Michael O’Donnell, from Owning, gave us the following information: “These volunteers often drilled about Kilnockin and they used guns made of timber. But this was not unu- sual as I recall Major Hughes telling me that when he went to Cahir (I think it was) to train he also had to use a wooden gun because of the shortage of armaments. My father also told me that the later, post- 1918, Volunteers were trained by Paddy O’Donnell of The Green and Dick Butler from The Valley. Both had seen service in the British Army. R. M. O’Hanrahan was the Officer Commanding. Row 1: 1. Ned Sheehan, Red City; 2 John Ryan, Sparagoleith; 3 Mickie Napier, Rocklow Road; 4 Jack Fitzgerald, Main St.; 5 not known; 6. Martin Tierney, Kerry St.; 7. Willie Walsh, Monroe; 8. Jim Carty, Sparagoleith; 9. Paddy Gleeson, Knockelly; 10. William Carey, near The Abbey. Row 2: 1. Jimmy Brien, Market Hill; 2. John O’Fitzgerald, The Back Green (later of St. Patrick’s Place); 3. Tom Corcoran, The Valley; 4. not known; 5. not known; 6. not known; 7. not known; 8. Piery Napier, Abbey St.; 9 Mickie Mara, Burke St.; 10. Tom Finn, Burke St. Row 3: 1. Jimmy Connell, St. John’s Hill. 2. Dave Hayes, Mockler’s Terrace. Row 4; 1. Patrick O’Flynn, Burke St.; 2. P.J. Henehan, Main Street; 3. not known; 4 not known; 5. not known; 6. not known; 7. ? Power, Rocklow; 8. Willie Leahy, The Green; 9. not known; 10 not known; 11. Larry Doyle, Back Green; 11. ‘Oily’ Keating, The Valley. Row 5: Patrick Daniel, Watergate St (the man with the beard and large hat); this was all he recalled in this row. Row 6: Did not know anybody. Row 7; Only knew Ned Cummins, Ball-alley.” since the early 1800s and moved to a footballer, and was on the break- cottage (still standing) at the foot of through Junior County winning 1913 Market Hill, probably during the war team with his cousins Tom and Mick years. They were definitely still on O’Donnell and Jim Gorman. He the Green in 1911, according to the worked in the Post Office first as a census, and Dick Lonergan was still messenger, or telegram boy, and later there in 1913 at the time he played as a part-time postman. His job was football for Fethard. to collect packages from the station Dick Lonergan was a handy and bring them to the post office on

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1913 Fethard Football Team nine of whom were from The Green. Front L to R: C. Burke (The Green), T. Saddler (Rathkenny), T. King (The Valley), T. O’Gorman (The Green), Frank ‘Scout’ Butler (The Green), T. Curran (The Valley), P. Keating (The Valley). Back L to R: D. McCarthy (The Valley), Laurence Kenny (The Green), D. Lonergan (The Green), D. Heaney (Kerry Street), M. O’Donnell (The Green), T. Conroy (The Green), T. O’Donnell (The Green), J. Coffey (The Green).

a handcart. For this he was paid the is John Quirke, who is noted in ‘The princely sum of 2/3 (two shillings Tipperary War Dead’ by Tom and and threepence, around 30c) per Ruth Burnell. We are not 100 percent week. He left the post office in 1911, sure, but we think he is one of the and while he originally enlisted in Quirkes who lived further in the the Royal Irish Regiment, he later Lower Green from the O’Donnells. transferred to the London Regiment This John Quirke joined the Irish where he joined the 8th (City of Guards and was killed in France in London) Regiment – the Post Office 1917, aged 22. His mother and father Rifles. Here he reached the rank are given as Johanna and Robert of Corporal. Richard Lonergan Quirke of the Lower Green, Fethard. was killed in action in France in Another of the same 1913 team September 1917. as Richard Lonergan that joined up The Certificate of Honour list was Frank ‘Scout’ Butler. The Butlers does include three from “The Rock”, lived next door to the O’Donnells on which may be a different designa- the Lower Green. Frank’s three broth- tion from “The Rocks”, because the ers enlisted too. All joined the Royal family names are not familiar. Dublin Fusiliers. James Butler was Missing from this list, inexplicably, killed in France in 1916, and Thomas,

26 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER who it seems had been awarded the didn’t expect to be called upon for Military Medal in the Balkans, was the exhibition match in Dublin that also killed on the Western front in November. He was in Smith’s pub, 1917. frequented by ex- and current British The third brother Pad Butler sur- soldiers on the Main Street (next vived the war. He is the only one of to McCarthy’s) enjoying a Saturday the brothers whose records survive to night drink when he got the word any extent. Like his brother Thomas that the selected goalie had cried he was on the Mediterranean expe- off. He is reputed to have said that he dition in 1915. He was captured wouldn’t have had as much to drink at Kavala in present day Greece, if he knew he’d be playing the next and held as a prisoner of war in day. He sat beside Tommy Powell Philippopolis (now Plovdiv) in from Clonmel on the train to Dublin. Bulgaria. Many years later Bob Byrne It was November 21, 1920, Bloody would refer to him – behind his back Sunday. of course -- as “The Bulgarian”. He The story of Bloody Sunday is wasn’t released until the war ended, well known, and I won’t go into the and was initially awarded a 30 per- details here. of Tubbrid, cent disability pension for malaria Cahir and an active Volunteer, also suffered while in captivity, though played for Tipperary on Bloody this was removed on review. His dis- Sunday. He subsequently gave a first- charge papers note his ‘good char- hand account of the treatment of the acter’. I’m sure he’d have preferred players by the Crown Forces to the the pension! Pad worked at odd jobs Bureau of Military History. They were around Fethard, including for a time lined up against the railway embank- the Rectory. He lived with his family ment wall in front of a firing party. in Harry Dobson’s old, small cottage They fully expected to be shot. facing the ex-servicemen’s houses. I don’t think Scout talked a lot He subsequently moved from there about his experiences. He did tell to St. Patrick’s Place. Tom O’Donnell many years later that Scout himself seemed none when accosted by one of the Black the worse for wear from his war and Tans, he had saluted and rattled experiences. He was an outstanding off his unit and service number. footballer and went on to play for “Where’s your rifle, soldier?” the Fethard through the latter part of Black and Tan asked. the glory days (they won six titles “I left it back in Flanders!” in the 1920s), and Tipperary. He also quipped Scout. represented Munster when this was a Whether it made any difference serious achievement. it is hard to say. Afterwards, Tommy He hadn’t been on the All Ireland Ryan was told by an officer that winning Tipperary team in 1920, and the players were never going to be

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shot, they were “only” hostages for riences left him, like many of his the good behaviour of the crowd! comrades, badly shell-shocked This. Scout may have told Paddy explains his reason for adopting O’Donnell this story, for Paddy used what the hippies and rainbow people the same trick when stopped by now call “an alternative life ”. soldiers near Cahir later on during Dan just did not conform. He the troubles. drew his pension each week and Scout continued to live in the drank it. He slept rough, that was Butler’s house on the Lower Green, his way. With his full-length beard next door to the O’Donnells, tipping and St. Patrick-like staff he was quite away at odd jobs. One of the things an imposing, if somewhat, unusual he was very handy at was thatching, figure. Also, he always wore a grain and he thatched the O’Donnell’s cot- sack across his shoulders fastened tage next to his own. Tom O’Donnell in front with a six inch nail. He pos- reckoned Scout could turn his hand sessed a fine singing voice and when to anything. He supplemented his in singing form he sat on one of the meagre income by playing soccer, large square stones at “Bob Byrne’s usually in Tipperary Town, for which corner” on the Green, and gave full he would be paid, and at which he voice to the Rose of Tralee which also was a good goalie. was one of his favourites. One British soldier who returned Dan Trehy, for all his eccentrici- from WW1 much the worse for ties, was a decent man. He had many his experiences was Dan Trehy. He houses in the parish where he was was born in the Green in 1884, and always welcome to a cup of tea and became a gunner with the Royal a seat by the fire. He took ill one Garrison Artillery. Burns could have night on the Green around fifty years called him the Mesopotamian, or ago. The local people made him as more probably the Arab, because comfortable as possible in a ruined he served in the Middle East, seeing house where the telephone kiosk on action in North West Persia (now the Green now stands. The following Iran) and Iraq. The whole war was morning he was dead. horrendous, but the privations suf- Dan Trehy died in the house that fered by some of the British forces in had been vacated by Pad Butler, this theatre were extreme. and previously occupied by Harry Here is an excerpt from Tony Dobson. Newport’s article in the 1993 Fethard Reputedly, the first Fethard man Newsletter: to be killed was Michael Dagg. (He “Dan Trehy, a native of the Green, was not however, the first to die. This served in the British Army and saw dubious distinction fell to Patrick more than enough of active service Mahoney who joined the Royal Irish during the 1914-1918 war .His expe- Regiment and died before leaving

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Dan Trehy, a native of the Green, served in the British Army during the 1914-1918 Great War.

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for the front, aged 41, in August 1914. He was one of six children born He is buried in Redcity.) Michael to Patrick Dagg and Kate Ryan in Dagg was possibly already a soldier, the lower Green. Patrick Dagg senior because he was in France as early as had come from Derrycloney, near August 13, 1914. There are conflict- New Inn, and was already a widower ing dates for his death: his ‘official’ when he married Kate Ryan, but with date of death is October 17, though no children from his first marriage. his army record indicates he was He was steward (farm man- killed in action on September 15. ager) on the farm of JJ Guiry of Michael Dagg’s family lived in one Peppardstown, but moved to the of the cottages on the lower Green, Green following his marriage. His on the left-hand side as you come up wife died in 1906, and his children from the Abbey. He had been work- seem to have been scattered to vari- ing as an agricultural labourer since ous relations. In 1911, Michael, at at least 1911, and was only 19 at the only 15, has already left home and time of his death. is farm labouring in Kilbreedy, near His death did not act as a deter- Killenaule. John and Richard are rent even to his own brothers. John with their uncle Richard Dagg at Dagg also enlisted early, certainly Derrycloney, near New Inn. Maggie is before Michael was killed, but his down the road in Derrycloney with younger brother Patrick joined up in Dagg’s neighbours and relatives, the 1915. Both survived the war. Byrnes. Patrick and Mary Dagg are at Patrick Dagg is a study in himself. home with their father on the Green.

L to R: Gussie O’Donnell, Annie Ahearne and Paddy O’Donnell in LDF uniform taken on the Green.

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Annie is with her mother’s people and Two. The Number One fired the the Ryans at Milltown close to Guiry’s gun, while the Number Two changed farm. Her uncle, John Ryan, would the magazine. give evidence at an inquest into her Patrick Dagg had married Alice death many years later -- she was Brett before the war. Her mother was killed in an accidental fall from a a Delahunty from the Rocks and bicycle in 1929 – that she had been she had lived in this house further raised there. The youngest, Thomas, down the lane from the O’Donnells. is not entered on the census, but was, He reached the rank of Corporal, we think, being cared for by relatives and was wounded in action in in Killurney. Thomas later surfaces September 1917, an action for which as a farm labourer in Dagg’s farm he was awarded the Military Medal. in Derrycloney, during the war of He was gassed and received a bul- independence, but “mar a déarfá, sin let wound to the shoulder. He was scéal eile”. removed to Grove Military Hospital Given their background, I sup- in London, and returned to Fethard pose it’s not very surprising that on furlough for a short time at the these lads would be eager for adven- end of that year. ture and some change in what must He returned to England and for have been very hard lives. some reason he transferred to the Patrick Dagg joined the Royal 3rd Lancs and Yorks Regiment before Dublin Fusiliers. He became a Lewis his discharge from the Army in 1919. Gun specialist. This was a distinc- He was awarded a 30 percent pen- tive gun with an aluminium cool- sion on account of the wounds he ing sleeve giving it a characteristic suffered. His pension was made pay- long tubular shape, and a circular able to his wife in the Green. Shortly pan-shaped magazine sitting on top. after his discharge from the Army he It was also unusual in that it was joined the RIC. air-cooled. Most automatic weap- This seems a strange thing to do ons at that time were water cooled given the situation in the country, as it was not otherwise considered and his record indicates that he may possible to keep the barrel cool have only served for some months. In enough in extended firing to give it this period he and his family moved a reasonable service life. A Lewis gun from the Green to Lakefield Lodge, team usually consisted of two men, the lodge of the O’Brien estate, close though on combat operations as to Clonacody Cross. By this time many as five men could be deployed their second child Margaret Mary in the team, the additional members had died. Paddy O’Donnell would carrying spare magazines in special say that Pat Dagg was well known canvas bags. Their role was to pro- and that no one in Fethard had any vide rifle cover for the Number One problem with him.

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But his subsequent actions indi- in the Green; three Higginses, sons of cate that somewhere along the line Thomas Higgins, an army sergeant; he ran into difficulties, and in 1922 he Jack Slattery, another neighbour of and another ex- RIC man embarked the O’Donnells, whose relatives still from Liverpool for Canada. Prior to live on the Green; and Jim Gorman, departure they had been staying a cousin, who died from a burst with their families on the same street appendix in 1927. in West Derby, Liverpool. Pat Dagg was This made Jack Slattery, Paddy accompanied by his O’Donnell, four Butlers, wife Alice and daugh- and John Quirke all ter Catherine, now from a small lane of their only child. Their houses branching off immigration papers the Lower Green. Three show that their pas- of that group were sage was paid for by killed, a tally probably the “RIC Authorities.” representative of the This, and the fact that country as a whole. also accompanying There were others, them were William whose stories tangent Fairclough Jones, on ours – Jim Ahearne, Maryanne O’Donnell, The Green another ex-RIC man, another cousin, later a and his wife, indicate some sort of postman in Fethard and one the official support or sanction for the four ex-servicemen who lived in voyage. It is difficult not to come to the 1927 houses; Thomas Shine, the conclusion, then, that Pat Dagg brother of MaryAnne and with the did have some problems and was Green as his address and also sub- forced to emigrate arising from his sequently a postman; Jack Carey, not RIC membership. from Fethard at all but Coolbawn, The Dagg family settled in but who was a neighbour of the Montreal and after some other work, O’Donnell’s on the Green after- Patrick got a job with Canadian wards, and who remembered the National Railways. day Willie Redmond was killed, Others from the Green listed for and the news travelling down the Certificates of Honour include: Mick line. Mick Shea, not from the Green Cummins; his brother Tom, who was either, but who lived there in the gassed, and died from complica- 1930’s before moving to St Patrick’s tions related to this in the 1930s; Place. Mick put his foot over the three Fitzpatricks, all of whom seem parapet of the trench to check if it to have been sons of the shortsight- was safe and had his heel blown ed RIC man who reputedly tried to away. He walked with a limp ever arrest the pump following a fracas afterwards. ◉ 32 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

One of the first secondary school classes in Academy House (the old Fethard Laundry)

Katie O’Brien and Eddie O’Brien outside Boland’s Photography shop in Market Street, Clonmel.

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Tom and Ned King taken outside their home on the Back Green.

L to R: Dick Keating, Johnny ‘Luggy’ Leahy, Ms Strappe and Dennis Coffey.

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Lory Kenny with his first wife, Ciss (Dooley) outside their shop on the Green. Ciss died 16th May 1945.

35 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Fethard ICA Guild

Aileen Heverin (author) and Hannie Leahy at the unveiling of a plaque to Olivia Hughes on June 22, 2013 he year 2012-2013 was a busy Bagnell. A good day was had by all. Tyear for our guild, with 28 In June we had a re-launch of members on our books. Our meet- the Olivia Hughes monument on ings are held on the second Tuesday Main Street. It was held the weekend of every month. We take a summer of the Gathering. Light refreshments break in July and August. were served in the ICA Hall. We pur- During the past year we had Tai chased several tickets for the Fethard Chi classes in October, November Business & Tourism Group draw. and December and again after In October several of our mem- Easter for eight nights. We had guest bers and a few non-members went speakers on health and wellbeing, on a weekend trip to An Grianán task and community care and crea- and Newry, everybody enjoyed it. tive writing. We had demonstrations Our AGM was held in March and on beauty products, felting, Reiki, “Go officers elected were: Catherine for Life” and flower arranging. O’Connell (President), Anne During the year one of our past Gleeson (Vice-President), Margaret members, Phyllis McDonald, died. (Secretary), Judy Doyle May she rest in peace. (Assistant Secretary), Phil Wyatt We had our Christmas dinner in (Treasurer). Committee Members: McCarthy’s Hotel, twenty-six mem- Anne Horan, Sheila O’Donnell, Marie bers attended. We held our sum- Crean, Kathy Aylward, Nora Ahearne, mer outing in June to Russborough Frances Murphy and Dolores Cleary. House and Garden, then on to We are always happy to welcome Rathwood with a meal in the Lord new members at any time. ◉ 36 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Do You Remember . . . 1999 hough the prophets of doom century opened the hope was that Twarned us that our advanced Fethard would give an appearance technology would be laid waste of excellence. as the calendar turned from one Over the second half of the twen- century to another yet the peo- tieth century various plans for the ple of Fethard, and especially the improvement and development of Community Council, looked with Fethard’s infrastructure had been hope to a future for the little town, proposed by the County Council. and actively planned for that future. The first appeared in 1967 and this As the year 1999 opened the County was reviewed and revised by others Council, on the advice of the local which were presented in 1972, 1977, Council, presented plans for the 1983, and 1994. It was the hope that improvement of The Square. During the proposals of 1999 would differ the month of January these were from those of former years in that the made available to the people for emphasis would now be on the her- inspection. The plan was intended as itage status of the town and the con- a day-to-day guide for change which servation of the central area that lay would include the renewal of foot- within the old town walls, especially paths and paving, putting in place the medieval aspect. Another Town new street furniture, and improving Renewal Scheme, in which various the public lighting. When the new organisations were requested to par-

Taking part in the Fethard and District Credit Union Primary Schools Table Quiz, January 1999, were L to R: Suzie Harvey, Amy Quigley, Stacey Grace and Tracey Coady.

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A new footbridge was installed over the river Clashawley on Friday, September 17, 1999, as part of the riverside walk development taking place at The Valley, Fethard.

ticipate, was put forward in the July eral valid complaints that there was of this year by the County Council no public sign on either side of the on the urging of the Department Gate to indicate its height and width. of the Environment. This was a six- During the same month of July year scheme which would be imple- the County Council began cleaning mented in two phases and under the river on its north bank from the its terms tax incentives were to be Convent Bridge down to that part of offered to private individuals or com- it south of the Abymill Theatre. With panies who were prepared to build this the Council intended to erect or improve residential, commercial a footbridge across the Clashawley or industrial properties. Fethard was which would join The Pound path- one of four towns eligible under the way and The Valley. By September latter scheme. And so as the town the works on the riverside walk and prepared for the new century two the new footbridge were under way, proposals were in hand to improve and the wall about The Pound was the appearance of the place. being repaired. The final portions of And preserving the local heritage the new footbridge were put in place could be quite a task. For exam- on Friday night September 17, and to ple, during the month of July at complete that operation the tallest least four high-laden trucks got stuck crane ever see in Fethard was on on the North Gate (Sparagoleith) hand for the job. arch. It says much for the ancient As a new bridge was being masons that the structure survived thrown across the Clashawley the attempts on it, but there were sev- another older bridge, however, was

38 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER being seriously damaged. On Friday where the car is also king, has three night, December 10, a truck, or some- such crossings with traffic lights thing similar, struck and damaged on its long Main Street. This makes the stonework of the former rail- ‘mooching’ about so convenient. way bridge that spanned the road at But the Community Council con- Jesuit’s Walk. tinued to strive for further improve- The many wonderful improve- ments. On the night of Thursday 19 ments in hand or planned had in October they sponsored an infor- them no place for the old and the mation session about the renewal lame who would like to cross the schemes proposed for the town. Main Street. Nowadays the car is king They urged the County Council to re- and sometimes, perhaps, a monster connected the town wall floodlight- in the hands of an un-courteous ing to the town lighting supply. The whizz-kid. While the changes were flood lights were first installed by being undertaken many hoped that the Friends of Fethard and switched the County Council would erect a on by President Mary Robinson on pedestrian crossing so that nervous Saturday, July 24, 1993. Due to high senior citizens could transact busi- running costs and the disbandment ness on either side of the street. My of the Friends of Fethard, the lights favourite small town in Queensland, were switched off some years later.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council newly appointed board of directors in May 1999 to take over until the AGM took place in November. Back L to R: Joe Kenny (chairman), Michael O’Hagan, David Sceats, Paddy Croke (FÁS Scheme Sponsor), Fr. Ben O’Brien OSA (treasurer), Peter Grant (FÁS Scheme Sponsor). Front L to R: Megan Sceats, Nellie O’Donovan, Thelma Griffith, Diana Stokes and Edwina Newport (secre- tary). Also on the board is Pamela Lawlor (public relations officer).

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Jack Kenny cutting the tape at the official opening of Sabatini’s Chip Shop, The Square, under the management of Suzanne and Orlando Di Ruzzo. January 16, 1999. On the more private level they chairperson; Edwina Newport, secre- recommended that the Main Street tary; Father Ben O’Brien, OSA, treas- should be lit over the Christmas urer; and Pamela Sweeney, PRO. The period; a bright welcome for the new members of the board were: Paddy century. The Community Council Croke, Thelma Griffith, Diane Stokes, had received a quote from the Rossa Peter Grant, Megan Sceats, David Lighting and Effects group for such Sceats, Jimmy Connolly, and Nellie lighting, but a cost of £4,500 was con- O’Donovan. On them would now fall sidered high and was seen as being the mantle of striving for the better- difficult to collect. The members of ment of Fethard. the Council were hoping for substan- But private individuals also made tial donations from willing sponsors. changes. In May Pierce Dillon retired The Community Council held from his pharmacy business on the its annual general meeting on Main Street. Pierce had maintained November 9, and the committee that his chemist shop here over the pre- would monitor Fethard as the new vious forty-five years and now it century opened were: Joe Kenny, closed. Others, with the hope that

40 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER is always so strong in the human this was another wonderful venture breast, opened new enterprises. A begun by the Legion of Mary and new chip and fast food shop opened the late Don Byard in the early 1960s in the town in mid-January. This was and which is now in the competent Sabatini’s Chip Shop and was under hands of the same Joe Kenny. In the management of Suzanne and 1999 the cost per copy was £4. But Orlando Di Ruzzo. It was situated in for those of us living in Ireland or in the premises formerly known as The South Tipperary the weekly column Lantern. The Castle Inn on Watergate in The Nationalist was a must. The Street began under new manage- year 1999 was the fortieth year that ment on Monday, April 26. The pub local man Tony Newport contribut- was now being run by Noel and ed his weekly report on local events. Irene Sharpe. Noel had worked for Back in 1959 Tony was persuaded by a number of years in Carroll’s Pub the late Brother Albert and the late in Burke Street. Incidentally, over Willie Darmody, then editor of The the doorway of the Castle Inn can Nationalist, to contribute a weekly be read the following inscription: column on Fethard. He did, and so ‘Licensed to Open on all Fair Days Tony succeeded Paddy McLellan of Fethard, 6am’ . Nowadays, only the who in turn had succeeded his very old will know the relevance of father-in-law Bill Tierney. And year that. In the fall of the year Concepta after year Tony continued this excel- Hurley began a fancy goods, small lent work, though there must have toys and gift shop on the Main Street. been occasions when it seemed like Another of the great benefits that a millstone about his neck. Without Fethard enjoyed in this year of 1999 his work, short articles such as this was its web-site. Built up and main- could not have been compiled and tained by a far-seeing Joe Kenny. what he did in his column, week by Throughout this year its popularity week, will in time be woven into the grew and grew, for example during lattice of modern Fethard history. the month of January it was hav- Sadly though, all has not been ing as many as a hundred visits progress and enlightenment. There in a day. And fourteen years later was a time when churches were the site is still a wonderful con- accepted as sacred places and so tact with Fethard whether we are not to be tampered with in any way. abroad permanently or just on holi- But by 1999 that was changing. On day. Despite such changes, and they New Year’s Eve vandals set fire to are coming more and more to be the Church of Ireland building on the new way, the printed word was the Main Street and created £40,000 still holding its own. The Newsletter worth of damage. That there were was sending 1,200 copies each year and are mindless blackguards who to natives living away from Fethard; would take pleasure in attempting

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Fethard GAA stalwarts photographed at a reunion in the Fethard Ballroom in 1999 L to R: Philip Dillon, the late Joe Keane, his wife Margaret Keane, Michael O’Riordan, Pierce Dillon and . to burn down an ancient building was hoped that those who attended and a centre of continuing worship would have a better knowledge of is even still hard to comprehend. the different types of drugs, of the Was the old century to end on such signs of drug abuse, and of the help- a note in Fethard? Commenting on ful sources available to those who the calamity the Rev. George Knowd had to cope. said: ‘It’s a sad reflection on parental But for all the highs and lows training and parental control that the people of Fethard continued to such could happen’. And on Sunday enjoy the benefits of clubs, group- night, August 15, the windows along ings and organisations. Pre-eminent the Main Street and Burke Street among those was the G.A.A., pos- were broken by vandals. On this sibly the oldest club in the town, occasion four youths, who were not and football was the major game. In from the town, were being question this year the footballers went all the by the Gardai. And the same Gardai way to South Tipperary final which were dealing with another menace they played against Moyle Rovers that was becoming increasingly in . The first game ended common in our towns, big and small. in a draw and the replay was again That was drug sales and drug addic- held in Kilsheelan on December 5. tion. On Wednesday night, February On the latter occasion the local side 10, a member of the Garda Drug were well and truly beaten. Another Squad together with a former drug more successful event was the elec- addict gave a talk to all who were tion of Miceál McCormack, who was interested in the Abymill Theatre. It the local club secretary, as vice-chair-

42 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER man of the South Tipperary G.A.A. were, Pat O’Keeffe (1980), Dick Allen Board. If my memory is still sound it (1985), and Liam Connolly (1994). was many a long day since Fethard And heroes such as those did help had a representative at that level, the to keep the G.A.A. spirit alive locally. last was probably John Keating. Over A week-long training session for juve- a twenty-year span (1978-97), never- niles was held in the Sportsfield from theless, Fethard G.A.A. players, both Monday, June 28 to Friday July 2. old and young, have been promi- The ages of the participants ranged nently features in The Nationalist from five to twelve years and some and South Board awards. Senior 162 children turned out each day. footballers such as A.B. Kennedy All the training and supervision was (1978), John Keane (1979), Dinny voluntary. At the end of the session Burke (1983), Michael O’Riordan the kids were presented with med- (1984), Michael Fitzgerald (1991), als. The same sports complex could and Willie Morrissey (1997). Among offer many other facilities. It had the young footballers were Michael three hard courts for tennis. There Fitzgerald (1982), Brian Burke (1983, were also amenities for squash, rac- 1984 and 1985), and quetball and handball for both juve- (1989). Among the ‘golden oldies’ niles and adults. And ‘state-of-the-art’ of the sport who were honoured lighting was installed in the autumn

Frank Meagher’s new WRC Escort rally car stopped outside McCarthy’s on Wednesday evening on its way to the Killarney Rally April 1999. Pictured as it is about to leave are L to R: Bill O’Sullivan, Kieran Hayes, Paul Barrett, Richard Hayes and David Purcell.

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which was, no doubt, an enormous jump. During the previous week she help in training over dark evenings had been successful in Munster, and and nights. she was selected to compete on the The town could also offer a form Irish ladies’ team in competitions of water sport in its active fishing held in Slovenia during the week- club. Despite having such a club end of 22/23 May. And in champi- the first salmon of this season was onships held in Dublin in July she caught not by a line and reel but by a featured prominently. But for others heron at the Convent Bridge. It, how- who had enjoyed success in their ever, bit off more than it could chew day it was the final run. In June the and so when it attempted to rise news was announced that Thomas from the river it could get no farther (‘Tommy’) Leahy of the Kilnockin than the roadway with the fish stick- Road and Leeds died. Tommy, whose ing out of its gullet. The bird landed photo appeared in the 1999 issue outside of Burke’s Bridge Bar where of The Newsletter, was the son of it disgorged its catch. It then flew off Jerry and Bridget Leahy. He was, leaving the fish. What happened to in his day, a brilliant athlete and the salmon? The official fishing sea- his achievements in the 100 and son on the Anner and Clashawley 200 yards sprints were still spoken did not open until March 17 when of long after he had left Fethard. Thomas Fogarty landed a two-and- Back in 1959 he emigrated to Leeds a-half pound trout. In this year a where he made his life. Tommy died member of an old fishing family, Jim after a short illness. At his request Sayers from St. Patrick’s Place and his body was taken home to the Dublin, was selected for the team to Augustinian Abbey where he had represent Ireland in an international served as an altar boy and he was fishing competition held in Slovakia buried in Calvary Cemetery on his between June 24 and 29. The Irish beloved Kilnockin Road. team came eleventh out of a field of But there were other outdoor fifteen teams. sports with local participants. In the At home there was athletics early part of the year local man throughout the year. At the under- Sean Devaney from Grove was active seventeen level the town had Avril in coaching school-children in the Prout and Brian Sullivan. In the game of rugby He was maintain- national indoor championships ing a good local tradition because held in on the weekend of Fethard had a good rugby side in February 6-7 Brian won both the the 1930s. And for women there men’s under-eighteen 800 metres was camogie. By mid February the and the 1,500 metres. At the BLE training of young girls for the local games held in Dublin Jacqui Stokes camogie teams had commenced. had a good win in the ladies’ long This training was undertaken by

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St. Rita’s Camogie Team, Fethard, who won their first county title in thirty-four years when they beat in the final 3-10 to 1-3 on Saturday, May 15, 1999, in Thurles. Back L to R: Mia Treacy, Jennifer Keane, Marie Holohan, Edel Fitzgerald, Caroline Fitzgerald, Niamh Sheehan, Jean Morrissey, Aisling O’Riordan, Imelda Spillane, Bernie Horan, Mary O’Mahony, Vanessa O’Donnell, Gwen Cooke. Front L to R: Laoise O’Connell, Olivia Phelan, Audrey Conway, Nora O’Meara, Fiona Conway, Emily Sayers, Noelle Murphy, Sandra Spillane, Sharon Lawton (captain), and Sandra Maher. In front is Ronan Fitzgerald (mascot) Liam Treacy assisted by Dennis Niamh Sheehan, Audrey Conway, O’Meara. The hope was to present Edel Fitzgerald, Emily Sayers, Fiona teams at the under eighteen and Conway, Mary O’Mahony, Bernie under twelve levels. The St. Rita’s Horan, Sandra Maher, Noelle Murphy, Camogie Club had their first outing Vanessa O’Donnell and Gwen Cooke. of the season when they travelled to A team travelled to The Ragg on for a challenge game Sunday, October 17, to play against which they won by six points. Their a team from Clonoulty in the junior first official game was played against county league. They won. Ballingarry on Sunday, March 28. For younger and less energetic On Saturday, May 15, the junior A girls there was a branch of the Girl team played Clonoulty in the county Guides in the town. At the begin- final held in Thurles. They had a ning of February they resumed their good win. It had been thirty-four weekly meetings on Monday night in years since a local camogie team the Ballroom. As so often happens in had won a county final. The names organisations for children there was of the girls who made up this team a lack of adult help. And this com- are worth recalling: Jean Morrissey, plaint was not confined to the Girl Sharon Lawton (the captain), Imelda Guides alone which was a shame as Spillane, Mia Treacy, Nora O’Meara, such sporting and cultural groupings Aisling O’Riordan, Olivia Phelan, had much to offer to young people. Jennifer Keane, Sandra Spillane, It is worth pausing, perhaps, to recall Marie Holohan, Caroline Fitzgerald, that Ladybirds who were only four-

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Fethard’s young GAA stars photographed at Community Games football in the Barrack Field, May 1999 year-olds in 1999 are now in their late They held their opening meet of the teens – how quickly the years pass! new season in Fethard on Monday Hunting and racing have been October 25, at 11am. A mounted part of the history of Fethard for field of some eighty-five horses centuries past. Records show that and riders left The Square as did a horse-racing had been an element large following in cars. Foxes were in Fethard’s social life since early in plentiful on the occasion and the the eighteenth century. The earliest weather was good. But in this year known was under and to the west the Foxhounds had to discontinue of Kilnockin Hill. Later racing took a service which they had offered to place in the Kilnockin/Coolanure farmers over the previous one hun- area over fields that are now the dred years. This was the disposing property of Coolmore Stud. And of dead animals. The facilities at the within the memory of many there Tullamaine Knackery did not meet was racing at Tullamaine. But where new European Union standards, and was the racecourse at Ballintemple renovation would have been too and what were the years? During the costly for the Hunt to support. Its loss summer of 1999 a query ran in the to local farmers was considerable. A Fethard column of The Nationalist: more positive report with a connec- Was the race meeting held over the tion to the Foxhounds was the full- fields opposite Glenagaddy Quarry? length profile in the English journal I don’t think the questions were Horse and Hound on John O’Shea ever answered. But there are no of Ardsallagh. John had worked in doubts about that well-known hunt- the Captain Williams stables based ing group, the Tipperary Foxhounds. in McCarthy’s Hotel yard and also

46 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER for the Tipperary Foxhounds. He organised a special walk and hunt in had emigrated to England in 1963 aid of local man Hughie O’Brien and had worked about Essex and who was convalescing following Suffolk. Eleven years later he was injuries. Four hundred turned out on appointed as huntsman to the that day walking, on ponies, on bicy- East Essex hounds and there he cles, and in pony-traps, and the ages remained. Another connection with ranged from eight to eighty. They had the Foxhounds was recorded when a wonderful day following the dogs at the end of June a Mr. and Mrs. about Ballyhomuck, Ballyvadlea and Condon called on a visit. Their grand- Garranguile. From John Peel with ‘his uncle was Tommy Ryan. Old folks hounds and his horn in the morn’ to will recall Tommy in his red coat as our own day, people have enjoyed whipper-in to the Foxhounds when hunting with dogs. Coursing with Mrs. Sylvie Masters was the master. greyhounds also had a dedicated Another hunting organisation, the following throughout the year, and Ballylusky White Heather Harriers, on Sunday, November 14, the local was still enjoying considerable sup- club held its first meeting of the new port from their Fethard patrons. They season when dogs competed for the began the year on Sunday, January Dick Burke trophy. 10, with a run about Moyglass and But indoor sports had their over the remainder of the year they patrons and their followers. One had runs at Loughcopple, Cloneen, such was the judo club which began Lismalin, Rocklow, Peppardstown, its year at Galway in March with and Drangan. In October the Harriers some success. Among the Fethard

Fethard Secondary School captured the MacGabann Cup for the first time when they beat Our Lady’s, Templemore, 1-13 to 2-5, in the final played in Dr Morris Park, Thurles, May 1999. Front L to R: John Noonan, Kevin O’Donnell, Alan Phelan, Nicky Murphy, Conor McCarthy, Kenneth O’Donnell, Paul Hackett, Billy Hunt, Ian Kenrick, John Lonergan, Glen Burke. Back L to R: Denis Burke (coach), John Looby, Kenneth Byrne, Cian Maher, John Fitzgerald, Paul Croke, Tommy Gahan, John O’Meara, Damien Cannon, Philly Croke, Paddy Cooney, Diarmuid Burke and Eoin Doyle.

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winners were Eric O’Donnell, Liam the leisure of locals. A Garden Club Halley, Stephanie Lawrence, and was active during the year and it Dan Gorey. It was in this year that took a group to visit the Mallow the founding member and coach, Garden Festival on Thursday. June Johnny Sheehan (1st Dan), resigned. 24. The Flower Show, another old Johnny had been chairman of the Fethard event, was held in the local club since its founding in 1982 Ballroom on Sunday, September 19, and his dedication to judo had in the afternoon. Many stalls dis- been absolute. The club was being played their wares and teas were run by Eric O’Donnell and Valerie served. As always, the profits from Colville who were also coaches to the event were given to local chari- the young participants. Another of ties. The ladies also had an effective the indoor clubs was badminton I.C.A branch in the town. The Bridge which in 1999 was fifty-three years Club resumed its play after the old. The local team consisting of Christmas break on 11 January. In Pat Ryan, Jim Connolly, Ger Browne, 1999 he club had been in existence Catherine Morrissey, Fiona Lawrence, for over twenty-five years and in that and Aisling and Catherine Kenny, year had sixty members. It provided represented the club in a number of a challenging night out on Mondays events including the Munster cham- and Wednesdays in the Tirry centre. pionships in Tralee on January 23-24. And in this year (from September 23 There were other clubs to tempt onwards) the club offered a series

Taking part in the Fethard and District Credit Union Primary School’s Table Quiz January 1999 were L to R: L to R: Tracey Lawrence, Lucy O’Hara, Sarah Costello and Melissa Rochford.

48 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER of lessons for those whose grasp of Tullamore on November 13-14. The the game was weak. They held their reigning queen of the festival was a Christmas party in the Tirry Centre Fethard girl, Lorraine Morrissey. For on December 15, the President’s the needs of the farm owner and Dinner was held in the Hotel Minella worker there was the Irish Farmers’ Clonmel on Sunday, May 9, when vari- Association which was also repre- ous prizes were presented. sented in the town. Young and not so young farm- As can be seen from various ers also had their clubs and rep- references above, the Ballroom (the resentations. There was Macra na old Capitol Cinema which began life Feirme, for instance, which gener- in January 1946) was still function- ally met in Lonergan’s Bar. This was ing and offering patrons dancing a lively social organisation which facilities. Sunday night dancing was attended a number of events dur- popular and well-attended and there ing the year such as Macra Capers was much praise for the excellent at Boherlahan, a basketball com- dance floor and the extensive space petition at Cahir and volleyball in in which patrons could display their Tipperary town. A number of mem- dancing skills. bers travelled to Shrule in Co. Mayo But at the same time Fethard as supporters to Brendan Morrissey had organisations that supplied who was involved in the Culchie and attended to the needs of those Festival. The club held a disco in the whose circumstances rendered Rugby Centre at Clonmel on Friday them unable to cope with their night, January 29. They fielded a daily needs. The local Credit Union table-quiz team and a ladies’ soccer branch still helped those whose team (Catherine Mellerick; Corina, backs were to the wall. In this year Lorraine and Emma Morrissey; the office also opened its door on Caitriona and Bernie Horan; and Friday mornings between 10am and Barbara Ahearne) which compet- 12.30pm. And the Union was run by ed in the Macra All-Ireland finals. people who gave of their time volun- During the summer season the club tarily. Another voluntary organisation organised a Karting Grand Prix at which supported people at a differ- the race track at Rosegreen at which ent level was the St. Vincent de Paul the winner was decided on Sunday, Society which met on every Monday September 12. A total of sixty teams night at the Tirry Centre. The mem- took part in this affair. And at the end bers of such a worthy society are of the same month of September worth recalling: Dinny Burke, Lynn eight members travelled to a farm- Cummins, Vincent Doocey, Father ers club near Cardiff in Wales. They Sean Ryan (then curate in Fethard), ended their season by attending and Peggy Sullivan. Except for a short the Queen of the Land festival at break during the summer months

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they met on every Monday night to as being entertained in the Tirry deal in the best possible way with Centre those who availed of the ser- the needs of unfortunates. The peo- vice were taken on trips to various ple of Fethard were also supportive places. In early March they visited because at its church-gate collec- the Thurles Shopping centre and tion at Christmas the society raised then went on to have afternoon tea £1,000; and this was one of many at the Anner Hotel; and as all of them such demands made on people’s were God-fearing and respectable pockets at this time of year. people they were back in Fethard by And the town could boast of 6pm. The Clonmel Lions Club took voluntary organisations to care for them to Hearn’s Hotel in Clonmel those who lived alone or who were on Sunday, May 9, for afternoon tea, incapacitated. Meals-on-Wheels, for for song, and for dance. And Tuesday, example, delivered dinners to about June 9, they went to Tramore to fly twenty-five people on three days in their kites and whatever else we each week. The meals were prepared ancients do when we’re on a ‘day- in the Tirry Centre by the staff who out’. The centre closed at the end also cooked the meals for those of June and did not reopen again attending the Day-Care Centre. The until the beginning of September. volunteers helped in the preparation During the first half of this year the of the vegetables and later delivered Presentation Sisters were negotiat- the meals in their cars. But, sadly, as ing to have the Convent Hall passed the century ended the number of to the general community of the volunteers was diminishing. More town. The plan was for it to be used and more women, the mainstay of for recreational purposes and to be the volunteer force, were returning to especially used by the people using the workforce as their children were the Day Care Centre. reared. And the Day-Care Centre was Like the Presentation Sisters the also seeking volunteers – the peren- Patrician Brothers were becoming nial cry of all voluntary organisa- hardly more than a fading memory. tions. The voluntary committee run- A reminder of the latter was the visit ning this very worthwhile organisa- of Brother Raymond to the town tion were: Sister Christine (supervi- on June 3. He was the last of the sor); Thelma Griffith (chairperson); Brothers to teach in Fethard and left Julie Wall (secretary); Agnes Evans the town in 1993 – twenty years ago! (treasurer); Mary Fennell (South- From Fethard, Brother Raymond had Eastern Health Board); and the gen- gone to work in Kenya, but by 1999 eral members were, Brian O’Donnell, he had retired to the Brothers’ House Carmel Rice, Noreen Allen, Maura at Tullow, Co. Carlow. The schools of Tynan, Nellie O’Donovan, Megan those two orders were by the latter Sceats, and Jimmy Lawrence. As well year amalgamated and were being

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Timmy O’Riordan and Tom Murray buying their preferred morning read in Newport’s Newsagency, February 1999. staffed by lay teachers. veterans among that cast. The Hogan But some old lay societies sur- Musical Society, which grew out vived the wear and tear of years. of the old Pantomime Society, was One such was the Fethard Players. still very much a living entity. On a By October they were in rehears- Wednesday night in mid-January the al for their production of ‘A Letter members of the Society met to begin From the General’, a play by the auditions for a forthcoming produc- Australian playwright Maurice tion of Fiddler on the Roof of which McLoughlin. The play was produced the producer was to be Waterford- by the veteran Austie O’Flynn who man Bryan Flynn and the musi- had been doing this kind of thing cal director Laura Hennessy from since 1969. The play was staged in Clonmel. The resulting show was the Abymill Theatre between Sunday, staged between Saturday 20 March Nov 21, and Saturday, Nov 27. The and Saturday 27 March with tickets cast were: Marian Gilpin, Lisa Rice, at £5 each. This became the most Carmel Rice, Anne Connolly, Mary expensive show ever staged by the O’Connell, Michael McCarthy, Mia society and consequently when the Treacy, Seamus Hayes and Roger performances came to an end the Mehta. Like Austie there were some funds were in a parlous state. Various

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Rehearsal for Hogan Musical Society’s ‘Fiddler on The Roof’ March 1999. Back L to R: Mary Doyle, Susan McCormack, Edwina Newport, Alex Hunter, Virginie Hyvernat, Jenn McManus. Middle L to R: Tina Whyte, Eimear Gahan, Eithne Horan, Avril Colville, Siobhán Cleary, Kathleen Spillane, Joan Halpin. Front L to R: Mary Kane, Aideen O’Donnell, Amanda Kelly, Mary Fogarty, Eileen Connolly and Elizabeth McCormack.

Rehearsal for Hogan Musical Society’s ‘Fiddler on The Roof’ March 1999. Back L to R: Eoin Whyte, Chris O’Riordan, Ross Maher, Glen Burke, Francis Lonergan. Front L to R: Miceál McCormack, Peter Carroll, John Lonergan, Davy Tobin and Eoin Doyle.

52 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER stratagems were used to improve man of the committee was Michael the finances, such as a Beach Party McCarthy. at the Clonmel Rugby Club on May Other cultural occasions for 29, and later a sponsored walk. But the town were, for instance, the by the end of the year the debt was Tipperariana Book Fair which not fully cleared. The Society’s mem- was held in the Ballroom on the bers did not lose heart, however, afternoon of Sunday, February 14. and so at the end of the year plans Because the event was being held were on hand for a new production. on St. Valentine’s Day the organis- The committee elected to face that ers, the Fethard Historical Society, commitment were: Ellen Shortall were offering a special romantic (president); Michael O’Hagan prize. On the weekend of February (chairperson); Agnes Evans (sec- 27 and 28, the Stray Dog Film com- retary); Miceál McCormack (treas- pany were in the town. They were urer); Marian Gilpin; Joan Halpin; making a film documentary on Geraldine McCarthy; Eileen Maher; the 1848 Rising at Ballingarry and Chris O’Riordan; Jimmy O’Shea. found Chapel Lane ideal for their Both the Fethard Players and needs where they even constructed the Hogan Society were more a mock-up forge at the back of what than pleased to have the delightful was Scully’s yard. On their visit the setting of the Abymill Theatre for film crew made the Abymill Theatre their productions. But the Theatre their headquarters and pressed the was used for other events. Ballet members of the Fethard Players and Ireland came to Fethard on February the Hogan Society into service. In 19, and presented highlights from May the South Pembrokeshire Art Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and the Group from Narbeth came visiting Nutcracker. There was a full attend- to investigate the potential for an ance on the night. That Ballet Ireland artistic union between themselves should include Fethard in their tour and Fethard. Their plan was to cre- reflected great credit on the then ate a working link between them- management of the Theatre. Ballet selves and a similar-sized town. Fifty Ireland came again on Sunday, members of the Dutch Everards, October 3, and again had a full descended from the Meath branch house. On May 8 the Theatre was of that family, came to Fethard on the venue for an Ibsen play ‘Ghosts’ Saturday, August 7. They were led by which was presented by the Impact Richard Everard and were shown Theatre Company. During the year about the town by Dóirín Saurus drama classes were also held in and Terry Cunningham. Visitors who the Theatre. It is worth remembering gave wonderful pleasure to those that the administrator of the Theatre who sat in the Abymill Theatre on was Austie O’Flynn and the chair- Wednesday, September 15, were the

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Irish Chamber Orchestra, which the ordinary visitor. One thing was has been described as a ‘most the Pattern Day festival which was accomplished performing ensem- help on Sunday afternoon, May 30. ble’. The orchestra played works by The pupils from the junior school Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. A paraded from the school grounds, group from the Historical and on to the Main Street and from Archaeological Society, who were there made their way to the Town on a tour of Co. Tipperary, came to Wall. Then a series of festive items Fethard on Saturday, September 18. took place along the area between The group of thirty-five were given a the Town Wall and the Clashawley. walking tour by Mary Hanrahan and Another was Coolmore Stud Farm. Chris Nevin. And a number of French On Wednesday, April 7, the boxer students enjoyed the charms of George Foreman came calling Fethard during the summer months, with his friend, the runner Eamonn as did a small number of Spanish Coughlan. This was Foreman’s first students. Do we realise that there are visit to Ireland. But what brought quite a number of people in western Eddie Jordan to Fethard? He of the Europe for whom Fethard is a very Formula One racing team, quite a real entity? stir was created when his helicopter Cultural groups came readily to landed at the back on McCarthy’s Fethard but what was there to draw Hotel on Thursday, February 11.

Johnny O’Brien and Mick Hogan having a chat up The Green on Friday, 26th March, 1999

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Brian Crowley, the European MEP, binder twine who went to seek work also called during the same month. in an alien culture: the people that The medieval appearance of the the German novelist Heinrich Boll place caught his eye as did the local met and talked to as he travelled to supermarket which even then was Ireland. Some came home on visits displaying its prices in euros and to see their parents, but many never punts. came back and so we forgot them But Sunday after Sunday visi- until we read reference to them in tors both local and from farther Tony’s column in The Nationalist. At came to the car-boot sale at the the end of February Paddy ‘Gordon’ old Railway Station and to walk Ryan, who was born on The Back through the Folk Museum. The muse- Green, died. In his days in Fethard um had received the award of Most Paddy was a member of the old Improved Voluntary category in the Fethard Confraternity Brass Band. 1999 Museum of the Year awards. The Among the prominent local deaths presentation ceremony was held in was that of Sister Alphonsus Noonan. the National Museum, Dublin. The Sister Alphonsus had entered the local museum, which was run by the Presentation Convent as a novice in Mullins family, was described as ‘a 1939 and was professed a nun in the busy and lively museum that attracts same year. She spent the remainder enormous crowds on a Sunday of her life in Fethard as a second- including many families with chil- ary school teacher. No doubt many dren who rampage enthusiastically women still alive will recall her. At all over the colourful play area and the end of August the death took enjoy a tea service in the old bus place of a 93-year-old man who was that has been converted for the pur- associated with another era, now pose’. The award emphasised and only remembered by the very old. gave recognition to the contribution This was Paddy Gleeson from Cloran. that such a place gave to the local Paddy supplied the music for the heritage. open-air platform dancing that was Inevitably death also came call- so popular in the late 1940s and ing both to those in Fethard and to 1950s at Kilnockin and Downey’s those who over the lean years of Cross. He and his likes played for the the 1950s and early 1960s had to love of music and their only payment become what is now called eco- was the contents of a cap passed nomic migrants. As the old century about among the patrons attending ended the news came, month by on the night. An especially tragic month, from England of the death death was that of Johnny McGarry of another old native. These were from Woodvale Walk on Sunday, the people with their sad faces and November 1. He had been mar- cardboard suitcases often tied with ried only the previous July to Anne

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Morrissey from St. Patrick’s Place and December 21. A Christmas tree was had come to live at Woodvale Walk. erected on The Square and lit, as He worked at the Eddie O’Grady sta- was the Town Hall. This was due to bles at Killeens, Ballynonty. the efforts of the local Community Every year brings its changes, Council. Plans had been made to some good and some of sorrow. But have the Main Street illuminated, one thing that continued year in year but this was not to be because of out was the annual danger from pilgrimage to the overhead elec- Holy Year (1950) tric cables. Early Cross on the side morning Masses of Slievenamon on Christmas Day which was held on were now a thing 15 August. And so of the past. Instead the century ended of a 6am Mass in with the traditional The Abbey the ear- walk from Moinfair liest Mass was now Wall up the side of at 8.30am in the the mountain. In Parish Church. this year, though, With Christmas the Mass was not over local people celebrated at the now looked to the Cross but a lit- new Millennium. tle lower down The Community in O’Donnell’s Council planned Field. The Cross, Dick Burke filling the ‘perfect pint’ at to welcome the The Bridge Bar, September 1999 which was origi- new century with nally of wood, was twelve feet high a celebration held on Wednesday and extended nine feet and was December 29, outside the Town changed in 1974 because the wood Hall which was illuminated for that had begun to weather. In that year special event. And the Pheasant it was replaced with a structure of Pluckers again supplied the music concrete. Stations of the Cross were and song. added and some smaller crosses Also to welcome the new centu- placed about. It was planned that for ry the County Council had agreed to the new century a source of modern supply power from the town’s elec- power would be in use to illuminate tric supply so that the south walls the Cross on special occasions. could be emphasised as a feature of And so, again inevitably, Christmas the town’s medieval past. ◉ came round. The Pheasant Pluckers Michael O’Donnell (Owning) sang carols on Tuesday night,

56 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Fethard Choral Group

Fethard Choral Group at practice in the Augustinian Abbey. Back L to R: Fiona Browne, Jim Trehy, John Fogarty, Michael McCarthy, Paul Hayes, Paddy Broderick, Brian Guiry, Bernard Walsh, Michael Kenrick, Joan Halpin. Middle L to R: Tina Whyte, Chrissie Cummins, Josie Fitzgerald, Mary Smyth, Susanna Manton, Marie Murphy, Nell Broderick, Marian Gilpin, Shirley Clooney, Ruth Farrell. Front L to R: Ciara Tillyer, Catherine Smyth, Anita Maguire, Geraldine McCarthy, Laura Hards, Majella Walsh, Mary Healy, Maree Moclair, Noreen Sheedy and Ann Barry (Musical Director). Absent from photo were Maria O’Dwyer, Emma Lalor, Gemma Burke and Amy Lalor. ethard Choral society, under The choir was formed in Fthe musical director Ann September 2012 and has current- Barry, had a very successful year. ly thirty members. They held their They participated in the New Ross first public performance in the Choir competition in May and also Augustinian Abbey on Sunday, sang in the choirs ‘Evensong’ in December 16, 2012, and are currently Saint Mary’s Church, Clonmel as rehearsing for this year’s Christmas part of the ‘The Big Sing’ on October Carol Service which will be held 4, which was introduced by special in the Abbey Church on December guest, Niall Carroll. 15, where the children’s choir from The Choral Group recorded a the local primary and secondary beautiful arrangement of the ‘Little schools will also sing. Drummer Boy’ for the RTE Lyric FM The choir is still open to any competition. male singers who wish to join. ◉ 57 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Fethard GAA Club s the end of the playing sea- who went it alone and won the Ason comes to a close we look South and County Tipperary grade back at our activities for the year. C championship, beating By our standard of others times we Thurles Sarsfields in the semi-final would have to feel disappointed to and Solohead in the final by a a degree, but on the other hand we large margin. Well done to captain have kept the ship afloat for another Jessie McCormack and this inspired year and who knows what 2014 will young team and their selectors Mick bring. Emigration, no work, and peo- O’Mahoney and Eugene Walsh who ple trying to come to grips with the took the initiative to enter the team state of our little country, have put and show the true Fethard spirit. Well GAA activities to one side for the done to all concerned. moment. With perseverance and our On a sad note we lost three back to the wheel, the blues will rise great in Joe Keane formerly again. Thankfully our finances are in of the Green, Andy Fox formerly of good stead due to a great lotto, the St. Patrick’s Place, and Joe Ahearne county board draw committee, and of the Fethard Arms on Main Street. a monetary injection from Coolmore Joe Keane had been ill for a while Stud for which we are more than but nevertheless his passing came grateful. Emigration to the four cor- as a great shock to all and a testa- ners of the world, including New ment to this was the large attendance York, UAE (United Arab Emirates), at his removal and burial. On both New Zealand and Finland, has made occasions guards of honour of GAA it nearly impossible to field teams, people from far and near were in not alone be able to mix with the place along with his work colleagues ‘big boys’, Nonetheless, great credit from Avonmore. So popular was this must be given to the committee and young man we called ‘Dush’ from selectors for getting teams out on the Green, that as his body was laid the day. to rest, Slieve na Mban was rendered We are joined with St Patrick’s impromptu by his Fethard GAA col- in a combination known as Anner leagues. Gaels in minor U21 hurling and foot- One of the great hurling men in ball. Thankfully we are winning in the parish, Andy Fox, passed on after the U21 hurling and might make an a short illness. Andy was one of a few appearance in a south final later this who were responsible for the re-intro- month. duction of hurling to the parish in the The Juvenile committee are seventies. Here again, grand memories also under the same name with the are with us from this man who gave so exception of an U14 hurling team much of his time to the GAA.

58 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

As October drew to a close, our Intermediate Hurling Championship great friend and vice-president of this year. Hopefully in the near future the club, Joe Ahearne, passed away Michael will get a chance to lead the in South Tipperary General Hospital. Tipperary Senior side. Well done. Joe was a man that played our At a medal presentation function games in London in the company held earlier in the year for the win- of Stephen O’Brien, Jim and Sean ning junior footballers. Jimmy O’Shea McCormack and was the second last made a presentation to Michael from survivor of our last county winning the club. Across the water stateside, junior hurling team. Joe was a former Cian Maher captained the chairman of the Fethard Club and a hurlers to yet another championship selector of south winning teams in and Johnny Leahy, Annsgift, won an junior and intermediate hurling. Asian games championship with On a lighter note, congratula- Qatar. tions to Michael Ryan, Tullamaine, Well done lads. Nollaig sonnagh, who managed Tipperary to a go gach duine í paróiste Fhiodh Ard second consecutive All Ireland agus Cill Loiste. ◉

Michael Ryan, Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Manager, with his family after winning the second All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Final in a row, defeating Kilkenny in Nowlan Park.

59 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Joe Ahearne, Fethard (1920-2013) ith great sadness we also with Fethard and a south jun- Wlearned of the passing ior hurling title with his beloved away of Joe Ahearne, who parted Coolmoyne – ‘Let Fly Coolmoyne’. this life and went to his eternal Joe sailed to London in 1942 reward on October 22, 2013, after where he remained playing and a brief illness. Sadly missed by working until 1949 winning All his wife Nora, sons Raymond and Britain senior hurling medals in Joseph, daughters 1948 and 1949, Marie and Noreen, while playing with daughter-in-law and London and clubs grandchildren, fam- ‘Brian Borús’ and ily and friends far ‘Bro Pearses’. He and wide. Joe hailed returned to Fethard from Coolmoyne in 1949 winning attending the local south senior foot- National School ball in 1950. He with his brothers also won junior Mick, Paddy and hurling south and sister Elsie O’Dwyer county in 1950 (nee Ahearne). with Coolmoyne, Mick, Paddy and his pride and joy, Elsie were very and Coolmoyne’s proud GAA Gaels first and only sen- over the years and ior hurling title in had already part- 1951. Joe returned ed this life before to London in 1951 Joe. His other sis- The late Joe Ahearne and came back in ter Pattie is a nun 1952 to get married (Sister Benignus), now in her 89th to Nora Bates in Clerihan church year and living in South Africa. Their before returning to London where he local national school was known as continued to hurl with Chuchullans, ‘Coolmoyne University’. winning London titles in senior Joe started his successful play- hurling in 1954 and 1955. Before ing career as an eighteen-year-old, hanging up his boots he won many winning his first senior hurling south a tournament and Féile. Working title with Fethard in 1938, followed by day as a fitter welder, he worked by county and south senior football as ‘Master of Ceremonies’ at night titles in 1942. In the same year he for Paddy Casey in the Inishfree added a Tipperaryman’s Cup medal Ballroom on Ealing Broadway for

60 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER eight years. Joe then moved into the Joe was very active on the pub business, starting in Peckham Fethard GAA Committee for many where he remained for only eight- years which included the publishing een months moving on then to his of the ‘Fethard, Coolmoyne & Killusty old haunt, The Malvern, Ladbrook Centenary GAA Story 1887-1987’, Grove, North Kensington, where I compiled by his late brother Mick. first met Joe and Nora in 1973. Joe attended nearly every match Joe’s final move home in 1977 that Fethard was involved in since was to the Fethard Arms on Main his retirement. His dedication was Street, previously Scullys Hardware honoured when he became Fethard & Grocery shop with pub. Joe settled GAA Club’s Life President in 2010. into his public house and farm and His true love was the game of hurl- would often say, ‘There’s no place like ing. He will be fondly remembered home, Coolmoyne.” For the following for his partaking of a ‘pinch of snuff’ thirty-seven years the Fethard Arms with the box doing the rounds in became the new home of Fethard the pub, followed by a handkerchief GAA where many a good night’s not far behind. Of course, who could ‘Craic agus Ceol’, sing songs and 45 forget the weekly hard cured bacon Cards were played in the corner, and obtained either in , Tipperary, not forgetting the many presentations Cahir or further afield if required. of medals and awards to past and pre- By hook or by crook they say the fat sent players. There was always plenty would kill you! They must be joking, of food available ably provided by for breakfast, dinner and tea was Nora and assisted by family members, Joe’s motto! Marie, Noreen and their friends. In 1984 when Tipperary won the Joe proudly held the position Minor Munster Final in Killarney, Joe of chairman of Fethard GAA Club travelled with us bringing a picnic from 1990 to 1992. He was also a and, with parking at a premium, selector for many years in hurling, we parked in the railway station in winning south senior hurling with Killarney and out of his bag he took St. Augustines in 1982, in Davin Park, four well-cooked trout, caught in the Carrick-on-Suir, and the same year Anner or Clashawley river (we can’t bringing the south intermediate hurl- divulge the actual source), with one ing title to Fethard when they defeat- for each person present - Mick ed old rivals and friends Kilsheelan Byrne, Martin Cuddihy, and yours – the other half of St. Augustines – in truly – how tasty! the final. He was also involved in Farewell old friend and may the the 1989, 1992 and 2002 success Lord look kindly on your soul. Go at this grade and served on the nDeanai Dhia Trocaire Orthu. ◉ South Board Appeals Committee for almost 30 years. Nollaig O Broin

61 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013

Fethard Senior Football team in the 1960s. Back L to R: Liam Flaherty, Michael Sheehan, Dinny Burke, Liam Connolly, John Fitzgerald, Pat Byrne, Gus Danaher. Front L to R: Waltie Moloney, Ger Leahy, Pop Barrett, Cly Mullins, Davy Fitzgerald, Mick Holohan, Eamon Butler and Sean Moloney.

Coolmoyne Hurling team c1955 Back. L to R: Cly Mullins, Gus Danaher, Liam Connolly, Jim McCormack, Dick Wall, Jack Wall, Tony Newport, Paddy O’Flynn. Front L to R: Gus Neville, Seamus Hackett, Tom McCormack, Christy Williams, Mick McCormack, Mick Dineen and Jimmy McCarthy.

62 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Fethard Ladies Football

Fethard U12 Ladies, county league winners. Back L to R: Annette Connolly (coach), Miceál Spillane (coach), Emma Geoghegan, Coaimhe O’Meara, Amy Brophy, Katie O’Flynn, Lucy Spillane, Ailish Trayer, Ava Hickey, Laura Kiely, Maeve Ellie Ryan, Rachel Prout, Jacqui O’Flynn (coach). Front L to R: Nell Spillane, Alison Connolly, Kaylin O’Donnell, Maggie Fitzgerald, Ciara Connolly, Aoibhe Browne, Leah Coen, Laura O’Donnell, Hannah Dolan, Carrie Davey and Mark Prout (coach).

ethard Ladies Football had a and we hope they keep enjoying the Fvery successful 2013 and the game. following report is a brief review of U10 how we did at each grade. Our U10 footballers commenced U6–U8 training on March 16 and with a The year began early with train- panel of twenty-four girls we played ing starting on Saturday, March 23 several matches and blitzes through- and continuing until we finished out the year. On June 22 we held up on September 28. Training was our own blitz in conjunction with well attended every Saturday espe- the Gathering Festival and we had cially with the lovely weather we teams from Moyle Rovers, Cahir and had during the year. The girls played Clonmel Commercials competing. Clerihan, Kilsheelan, Commercials, The blitz was really enhanced by St. Pats, , Moycarkey and the great selection of bouncy castles, Arravale Rovers. We would like to bucking broncos and several other wish the girls moving from U8 to U10 sideshows provided by Coolmore as the best of luck and the same to the part of the Gathering Festival. girls moving from U6 to U8. These On July 6 we travelled to Monroe girls have shown great improvement to attempt to break the world record

63 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013

Under 14 girls celebrated a well-deserved victory in the County League Final on Monday, October 29. Back L to R: Aoife Sheehan, Aine Trayer, Laura Stocksborough, Laura Cummins, Sally Butler, Ciara Hayes, Molly O’Meara, Ben Coen, Rebecca Kenny. Front L to R: Emily Spillane, Kate Davey, Megan Coen, Carrie Davey, Sadhbh Horan, Aoibhe Browne, Caoimhe O’Meara, Lucy Spillane and Aine O’Connell.

for the ‘largest football mosaic’. to the coaches Sandra Spillane and Each girl got to place a football in Willie Morrissey and thanks to the this record-breaking attempt which parents for their support through- was achieved and is now entered out the year. in the Guinness U12 Book of Records. The U12s com- On August 10 menced train- we travelled to ing on February Staker Wallace in 16, with good Limerick for an numbers attend- inter-county blitz ing every week. playing teams They won all their from Cork and group matches in Kerry which was the championship a great experi- and were drawn ence. Five of our U6/U8 blitz in Clonmel, Back L to R: Taryn to play Clonmel U10s were part of Purcell, Ava Ryan, Emily Davey, Lucy Kenny, Aoife Commercials in the U11½ com- Harrington. Front L to R: Sarah Moore, Emily the semifinal. After Spillane, Zoë Prout and Aine Connolly. munity games a close game with team which won the county final. some great football we booked our Eleven of our U10s are moving up place in the final. Our opponents to U12 in 2014 and we would like to were a strong Slievenamon team wish them all the best. Many thanks who started strongly and despite a

64 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER good second half we were beaten in Semple Stadium, an experience by two points in the end. The league enjoyed by all. We then represented was played after the championship Tipperary in the Munster semifinal and after a series of games we were in Tralee against Glanmire from Cork into the last four, which were played and despite a great performance we off in a blitz format. After drawing were beaten by four points. This was with Templemore and beating Moyle a great year for this group of girls Rovers and Mullinahone we were who were a credit to the club. crowned league champions, finish- U14 ing off a great year for the girls. This Our U14 season could not have was a significant achievement con- finished better with this team com- sidering all three teams played their pleting a league and champion- championships at grades higher ship double. Contesting the County than our own. B Championship they defeated In the U11½ community games Templemore in a thrilling county we had victories over Powerstown/ final, to be crowned county cham- Lisronagh, Clerihan, Cashel/ pions. Things only got better as they Rosegreen and in the county final defeated Brian Borus in the County played in Semple Stadium we A League Final after extra time. A had a comprehensive victory over great achievement by this team who Moycarkey Borris. This was a great played super football all year. result for the club and for the girls As well as the county double, five it was a rare opportunity to play members of the team, Kate Davey,

The Under 16 Ladies Football team that reached the County Final on Sunday, October 20. Back L to R: Laura Stocksborough, Ciara Hayes, Lauren Dowling, Cliodhna O’Connor, Katie Butler, Jessica Dowling, Ciara Tillyer, Sadhbh Horan, Aine Trayer, Annie Prout, Katie Ryan, Louise Fitzgerald, Muireann O’Connell. Front L to R: Laoise Stapleton, Megan Coen, Kate Davey, Molly O’Meara, Jessie McCarthy, Sally Butler, Aoibhe Brown, Sophie Ryan, Anna Slattery and Megan McCarthy.

65 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013

On Saturday, May 25, Fethard Ladies won the Junior C Football League Final. Back L to R: Tomás Keane, T.J. Keane (mascot), Ciarán Tracy, Sharon O’Meara, Edel Fitzgerald, Eimear Barry, Roisín O’Reagan, Hanna Stapleton, Karen Hayes, Aobh O’Shea, Roisín Trehy, Ellen Welsh, Sophie Meehan, Michael Dillon. Front L to R: Marian Harrington, Sandra Maher, Audrey Conway, Emma Welsh, Jessie McCarthy, Kay Spillane, Sarah Smith, Amy Pollard, Nell Trehy and Annie Prout Molly O’Meara, Megan Coen, Ciara back on track and in good stead for Hayes and Laura Stocksborough, the remainder of the championship. were members of the Tipperary Best of luck ladies! U14 team that defeated Clare in the Juniors Munster Final and were unlucky to The Junior ladies started training lose narrowly to Wexford in the All- on the cold frosty nights in February Ireland Final in Nowlan Park. under the scrutiny of Michael Dillon U16 and assisted by Tomás Keane and Our U16s reached the County C Ciarán Tracy. They competed in the semifinal where they lost narrowly Junior C League competition beat- to Boherlahan. In the county league ing Cahir, Thurles Sarsfields and they went one step further. Leading Three Friars from Mullinavat. In by one point with only minutes left the league final played in Monroe in the county final against Lattin- against Mullinavat the girls came out Cullen they were unfortunate to con- victorious on the day playing some cede a late goal. This was a very excellent football. After winning the young team who were unlucky not league it was decided to move up to to win a trophy this season. Junior B for the championship. We Minors beat Galtee Rovers in Fethard, drew Our minor ladies championship with Moyne Templetuohy away and is still in full swing and after a loss to received a bye from . in their opening game, This put us into the semifinal against a fine display against Mullinahone Ballyporeen which was played in in their second game has put them Fethard. In a high scoring game

66 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER which ebbed and flowed the girls done ladies and mentor M.J. Croke. came out on top. In the final we It was a tremendous year for all played Galtee Rovers again, this time involved with the club with both in . Galtee were stronger highs and lows but we will take away than us on the day and had a well- some great memories from 2013. deserved victory. The experience With five county titles won and our gained in the B should stand to the minors still involved in their champi- girls in next year’s championship. onship all bodes well for the future Gaelic 4 Mothers of ladie’s football in Fethard. It was another good year for the The club would like to offer a ladies this year despite participa- huge ‘Thank You’ to all of our spon- tion being lower than other years. sors over the years. Without your However, the ladies put in some support the club would not be able tough training and some tougher to continue. We would also like to games against St Pats and Dualla to thank all the players, parents and mention a few. All the hard work paid supporters who followed us near off as their year culminated in the and far throughout the year. Annual GFM blitz in Portmarnock in Remember new players are October where they performed bril- always welcome. Lets hope 2014 is liantly to win all of their games. Well as good. ◉

Fethard’s Gaelic 4 Mothers team travelled to Portmarnock on Saturday, October 19, to compete in the All- Ireland blitz. Back L to R: Trisha Fitzgerald, Teresa Hurley, Carina Condon, Eleanor Kenny, Aine Doocey, Annemarie Kenny, Alice Butler, Anita Manton, M.J. Croke (coach). Front L to R: Noreen Harrington, Pamela O’Donnell, Annette Connolly, Hazel Galloway and Cabrina Roche.

67 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013

This photograph appears to be Fethard / Killusty hurling team c1950. (Maybe some reader will have more details). Back L to R: Frank Kearney, Johnny Duggan, Tom Sheehan, Micky Flanagan, Ned Sheehan, Bill Meaney, Vincent Allen, Johnny Ferris, Alfie Brett. Front L to R: Pat Ryan, Sean Connolly, Sean Moloney, Liam Flaherty, Gerry Mackey, Joe Barrett and Paddy O’Rourke.

Coolmoyne Hurling Team c1955. Back L to R: Christy Williams, Dermot Barry, Jack Wall, Eamon Butler, Mick Dineen, Tony Newport, Dick Wall, Pat Woodlock. Front L to R: Gus Neville, Jimmy O’Donnell, Joe Clarke, Tom McCormack, Liam Connolly, Cly Mullins, Mick McCormack, Seamus Hackett, Nicky O’Shea.

68 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Tipp Ladies managed by local man

Members of the Tipperary Intermediate Ladies Football management team 2013. Back L to R: John Kinahan (Trainer), Sean O’Donovan (Manager). Front L to R: Mary O’Shea (Selector), Kay Lyons (Administrator) and Elaine Powell (Physio).

ethard local man Sean for Tipperary Ladies Football, asked FO’Donovan was ratified as Fethard native Kay Lyons to join the Tipperary Ladies Gaelic Football team. While the team competed well in Manager in 2012. His management 2012, 2013 was to be their year reaching career started five years ago when an All Ireland Intermediate Final. he supervised the Moyle Rovers The 2013 journey began in Under 16 team. The following year early February when Sean led the Sean managed two Junior teams Tipperary Ladies to a four goal victo- for Moyle Rovers - Junior A and ry over Wexford in the first round of Junior D. Both teams were success- the league. Further victories against ful in their County Finals and the Down and Sligo, a walkover from Junior A team competed in an All Wicklow and defeats at the hands Ireland Quarter Final in Manchester. of Longford, Leitrim and Armagh Following this successful year ensured Tipperary qualified for the he advanced to Moyle Rovers knockout stages. A one point victory Intermediate Team which won their over Leitrim set up a league semi- County Final in 2011. final clash with Armagh. In a tough Sean O’Donovan, when put- and tightly contested game Tipperary ting together his management team were defeated by two points, thus

69 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013

Sean O’Donovan (manager) and team members celebrate their semifinal win at Semple Stadium

ending their Tesco Homegrown A victory over Limerick in the Round National Football League. 2 Qualifier ensured a Quarter Final Sean O’Donovan and his man- against Longford. This was not a agement team continued their game to be taken lightly as Longford training and match preparations for had beaten Tipperary earlier in the the next competition, the Munster year. Tipperary fought hard for a Championship. With only three victory but as the final whistle of teams competing in this Tipperary normal time blew the teams were ensured their place in a Munster level, Tipperary 3-9, Longford 3-9. Final with a loss to Waterford and a Extra time was required to separate defeat over Limerick. The Munster these teams. Tipperary found the Final in Castletownroche, Co. Cork determination to continue and add on July 13 was a tough game in another two points to their score line very hot weather. Waterford, yet while Longford could only add a again, were victorious which meant point. Tipperary claimed the victory Tipperary went into the All Ireland Tipperary 3-11, Longford 3-10. Round 2 Qualifier on August 10, Tipperary Ladies now had a sem- against Limerick. ifinal in Semple Stadium to look Although Tipperary had a com- forward to and it was their premiere petitive National Football League in Semple Stadium, Thurles. With they prepared with even more inten- due care in the preparations Sean sity for the All Ireland Championship. O’Donovan got the ladies ready for

70 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER an even more thrilling game than lead to one point at the half whistle, we, the supporters had seen all year. Tipperary 1-7, Cavan 0-9. In the sec- Fermanagh looked to have the game ond half Cavan mounted the pres- in hand when they had built their sure and Tipperary’s legs began to lead up to eight points at the start of give way. Tipperary were forced into the fourth quarter but Tipperary were errors and Cavan took advantage of tireless and never gave in. Tipperary, this. In the twenty-sixth minute of the who never actually second half Aisling led in the game Doonan, Cavan, was until the hooter fouled for a pen- went, took the victo- alty which Bronagh ry from Fermanagh Sheridan netted. by one point in the Tipperary fought last second of the on and added two game when Claire more points to Carroll and Niamh reduce their deficit. Lonergan com- As the final whis- bined to score a tle blew, Cavan goal and two points. were victorious on It was a game a score line of 1-14 which showed the to 1-12. While ulti- true character of mately disappoint- the team. ed to lose, Tipperary An All Ireland gave of their all and Final and Croke Sinead Delahunty, Castlehiggins, Fethard is a they left Croke Park member of the team and now plays with Park was the next Foxrock/Cabinteely with pride and hon- step for this team. our in themselves, The preparations began in earnest their team and their management. on September 8 and it was no easy Sean O’Donovan and Kay Lyons task for manager, Sean O’Donovan, have been with the team for the last Kay Lyons and the other members two years and have quietly built on of the management team. Cavan the Tipperary Ladies Football suc- were their opponents but Tipperary’s cesses. It is with thanks to Sean late steal from Champions, O’Donovan and Kay that Tipperary Fermanagh, was the talk prior to the continued their eighteenth consecu- All Ireland. Tipperary went into the tive year in All Ireland Finals in Croke final as under dogs, something they Park. A dynamic duo at manage- laid to rest in the first quarter of the ment we look forward to next year game as they took the lead. Cavan, in anticipation of what successes however, came back into the sec- they will give the Premier County, ond quarter and reduced Tipperary’s Tipperary. ◉ 71 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Through the eyes of a brother ndrew (Andy Fox), a proud afternoons in the town hall. Suffice Anative of St. Patrick’s Place, to say we spoke very little on the way peacefully passed away at Millford down, but even less on the way back. Hospice, Limerick on June 24, 2013 Dare I say, I had the edge on him at the age of just 63 years. Andrew’s in badminton, I guess that it’s easy wish was granted when he was laid say that now. Those were great days to rest with his parents in the town playing alongside some of the most he loved so well - Fethard. gifted players in the country. In his younger days Andrew was On the academic front Andrew very active in Fethard GAA proving showed he was an exceptionally tal- to be very accomplished in both ented student. Through natural abil- football and hurling. He went on to ity and his application to study he distinguish himself in both coaching received a scholarship which ena- and administration, and was very bled him to attend Cork University much to the fore when it came to to further his education. Our near keeping hurling alive during chal- neighbour, Johnny Sheehan, very lenging times in the Fethard club. kindly gave Andrew lifts to and from He was a very keen badminton university and this very kind gesture player in his day and I recall many a took a great deal of pressure off our heated battle between us on Sunday father at the time when roads or cars

Fethard players and supporters in the Fethard Arms after winning the South Intermediate Hurling Final 1982. L to R: A.B. Kennedy, Andy Fox, Davy Morrissey, Michael Keane, Noel Harrington and Noel Sharpe.

72 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER were not as they are today. Over the years Andrew devel- On successfully completing his oped a great love for music and studies in Cork he went on to realize song. I am reliably informed he pos- his dream and true vocation, which sessed a fine singing voice, no doubt was to become a teacher. He begin inherited from his mother who was his teaching career in Scoil Ruain a most talented singer in her own in Killenaule where he remained right. While I can recall my mother until illness forced him to retire at a singing all her old favourites at the young age . kitchen sink, to my dismay I never Andrew loved teaching and was heard either of them sing formally, recognised as one who always went and for the record, Andrew would above and beyond the call of duty, never have been found singing let enabling his students to fulfil their alone dish washing at the kitchen true potential and equally important, sink either. to enjoy their time in school. Teaching, sport, coaching, music From a sporting perspective he and song were very much part and coached many great hurling and parcel of what Andrew was all about, football teams in Scoil Ruain help- however, he was first and foremost ing many to represent their county a family person, who was most at various levels. He was held in proud of his Fox and Coffey roots. high esteem by fellow teachers and Compiling a family tree was prob- parents of students he was involved ably his way of saying how important with over the years. both were to him. In 1997 Andrew retired from the His nieces and nephews will career he truly loved and I have no remember him for the kindness doubt but that day proved a very sad and thoughtfulness he had for each day for him as it did for many others. one of them. He loved celebrating Some time prior to his retire- special occasions with his extend- ment Andrew moved to Thurles to ed family who were forever in his live, however, on leaving Fethard thoughts. My sister Mary’s late hus- he requested that the ‘Fethard band, Sean Walsh, was always a well Newsletter’ be sent annually to his loved, respected and important per- new address. This enabled him to son in Andrew’s life and the happi- keep in touch with all activities per- ness he brought into Mary’s life was taining to his hometown. Andrew, most appreciated. and indeed Fethard people through- Andrew loved nothing more than out the world, always found this to wander off in his own time to visit annual newsletter a great and wel- and chat with many of his valued come source of information. Long relatives wherever they were. If ever may it continue and well done to somebody felt unwell or alone, rest those who make it happen. assured he would be there for them.

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Andy Fox (second from right) photographed with principal Frank O’Sullivan (centre), teacher Paddy O’Reilly (left) and pupils from Killenaule Vocational School on the building site of Scoil Ruain in 1980. The school was officially opened in 1981.

His unannounced visits were always At his funeral we were particu- most welcomed. larly pleased to see so many of his Andrew was blessed with many former students coming to pay their great friends in both his hometown respects to the person they rightly of Fethard but also his adopted town believed to be very special and a of Thurles. Our family was always gifted teacher. Photographs of those well aware of how respected and fine hurlers he coached in Scoil popular he was in Fethard. We were Ruain adorned his living room with both taken aback, but pleasantly pride. surprised, to see such huge num- While I am reluctant to mention bers from Thurles turning up for his his many friends for fear of missing funeral. Andrew left Fethard some out on somebody, I feel obliged to twenty-three years ago thinking he make a brief reference to two peo- was going to put manners on those ple who were exceptionally kind ‘Thurles Rogues’. I suspect somehow and supportive to Andrew over the he gave it up as a lost cause, only to years. Mick Hassett, his great teach- find that he himself became one of ing colleague and good friend from them in the end. To all the good peo- his teaching days in Scoil Ruain, ple of Thurles and in particular those who, to his credit always stood by Lovable Rogues in Larry’s, we extend him through thick and thin. Mick our sincere thanks for the way in acknowledged that in Andrew he which you looked after Andrew over probably had the finest teacher ever the years. to grace his school, and in particular,

74 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER his favourite subject, maths. thanks he allowed her to hold his The other person is Andrew’s hand as she sought to comfort him. great friend, Phil. In many ways they Many years ago I stumbled across were very similar which explains why a lovely little story. It was about a they got on so well. They both loved man who had just passed away and a cup of tea and a fag first thing in decided to look back on his journey the morning over a little gossip. They through life. By all accounts he was a loved their music and pints in Larry’s good man, and expected to see the and would often burst into song, to Lord’s footprints alongside his, espe- the delight of their esteemed audi- cially during difficult and sad times ence. One of the greatest things they in his life. But for whatever reason had in common was their willingness it appears there were many occa- to help others. Andrew was a great sions when only one set of footprints person to give help or support but could be seen. On noticing this, the receiving payments, gifts or favours man turned to the Lord and asked, never rested comfortably on his “Why did You abandon me when I shoulders. His words were always the needed you most?” The Lord replied, same, ‘This is a gift from me to you!’. “My son, that was when I carried you, My sister Mary devoted her life for I could never abandon you.” to watching over Andrew when sick When Andrew passed away, and I suspect as a final gesture of strangely enough I found myself

Scoil Ruain teammates and members of the Tipperary Minor Hurling Team pictured accepting a set of jerseys from Bernadette Cantwell, Cantwell Electrical, following the school’s victory in winning the Munster Vocational Schools Hurling Final. L to R: Liam Cahill, Paul Shelly, Pat Croke, Bernadette Cantwell, Michael Hassett (principal Scoil Ruain) and Andy Fox (teacher). April 1993

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L to R: Andy Fox, Mick Breen and Dick Burke pictured outside The Bridge Bar. April 1988

drawn once more to this lovely story her profession, returned once more called ‘Footprints’. For within this as he was laid to rest to thank him for very story I could picture Andrew’s encouraging her and enabling her to footprints walking alongside so believe in herself and her ability. many as they journeyed through life I recall an old friend of Andrew’s while meeting the many challenges requesting one favour of him before set out before them. he passed away. The request was Some of Andrew’s many quali- that Andrew would give grinds to ties are highlighted in the following his three grandchildren thereby instances: enabling them to pass their exams. For the many students who When the time came for each child sought grinds in order to pass their Andrew duly fulfilled his promise exams, Andrew never let them down. despite been a very sick man him- He emphasised this in a selfless way self. If truth be known he had to when one day he pushed his car update himself on a whole new sylla- through a heavy flood rather than bus in order to give the grinds to the let down a young student. That same last child. Once again, each one went student went on to pass his exam on to pass their exams with honours. with honours. It is important to point out that One young girl who reached her Andrew’s principles and integrity true potential and got to the top of would never allow himself to be

76 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER paid for services rendered. Once will remain with me forever. As I sat again happy to state that, “This is a at your bedside with our nephew gift from me to you.” Ronan, not knowing what to say and It must be said, Andrew, like so powerless to help you. I could hear many others, you too had your ‘cross’ you mutter something; what it was I’ll to carry through life, you faced the never know. As I moved a little closer many challenges that came your I whispered to you, “Andrew are you way with great courage and indeed giving out to me again?” Jokingly of great dignity at all times. To your course. With that your eyes opened great credit and despite your own wide and you gave me the biggest difficulties, you were always there smile ever. Once again no words to help others, if only to lighten the were spoken, none were required. load they were asked to carry. Your Thank you Andrew for being a life inspired us all to realise that true kind, inspiring and special brother. kindness lies within each one of us While we miss you, we are happy and our challenge is to find it and that your journey will have taken you show it to others. to a better place, a place where you Finally Andrew, you left me truly deserve to be. ◉ another special memory, one which – Your brother, Eddie

Organising committee for a fundraising dance in Fethard Ballroom in aid of Aiséirí Addiction Treatment Centre in Cahir, April 1983. Back L to R: Fr. John Stapleton, Bill O’Sullivan, Aiséirí founder Sr. Eileen Fahey, a psychiatric nurse, who trained in addiction treatment at the Rutland Centre in Dublin, Ann Woodlock, Jim Kenny, Fr. Tony Lambe. Front L to R: Stan Murphy, Kathleen Kenny, Andy Fox and Maureen Whyte.

77 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Senior Citizens Club

Sarah Cashman, Larry Fahey and Nell Mullins at a Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party in 1981

eetings of Fethard Senior Town and the Glen of Aherlow. The MCitizen’s Club are held on Galtee Mountains were spectacular the first Tuesday of the month and with the bright sunshine and snow; members are served tea, sandwiches it was nearly comparable with the and cakes followed by an invited Swiss Alps. Aherlow House Hotel was guest speaker on relevant subjects the venue for our meal after which such as, ‘Safety in the Home’ or the Easter Bonnets were judged and ‘Health Issues’, other times we have prizes awarded to the best three. a game of bingo. On arrival, each In May we had our annual Mass member gets a ticket for a raffle for in the Tirry Centre celebrated by Fr. hampers or other gifts, which takes Gerry Horan OSA. In June our annu- place during the meeting. We are al outing was to Ballina with a cruise very grateful to Noreen for regularly on which was enjoyed giving us beautiful cushions for our by all as it was a brilliant sunny day. raffle. We had our evening meal at the In March we had a great sing- Lakeside Hotel, Ballina. Our mini along with Joan O’Brien who outing was to Tramore, and Faithlegg brought her accordion. In April we was the venue for the evening meal. had our Easter Party starting with a A great day was had by all. trip to Thurles Shopping Centre, then At our meeting in October, Larry onto Dundrum, Golden, Tipperary Kenny provided a video showing

78 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER club activities and former members who has helped to keep our club from down the years. For November going in any way, financially or oth- the usual table quiz took place and erwise. it is also planned for Mr Joe Burke Officers: Mary Healy to give a talk on the importance of (Chairperson), Mary Butler taking the ‘Flu Jab’ for our Senior (Secretary), Agnes Evans (Treasurer), Citizens. Rosemary Purcell (Assistant As we go to press preparations Treasurer). Members: Annie O’Brien, are in hand for our Christmas Party Eddie O’Brien, Monica Aherne, Phil to be held on Sunday, December 1, Wyatt, Kitty Delany, Nora Lawrence, preceded by Mass in the Augustinian Judy Doyle and Philly Kenny. Abbey, Fethard. A very Happy and Peaceful We would like to take this oppor- Christmas to all our friends at home tunity to thank each and every one and abroad. ◉

Noreen Cummins, Killenaule Road, collecting firewood on The Green 1981

79 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Fethard Historical Society he committee of the Fethard Secondary School Transition Year THistorical Society as elected students completed a scaled model at the AGM on Tuesday, April 30, mark- of our 17th century medieval town, ing our 25th Anniversary, is as fol- initiated by their art teacher, Ms Pat lows: Patricia Looby (Chairperson), Looby. Michael Costello, a former John Cooney (Vice-Chairperson), past pupil and qualified architect’s Mary Hanrahan (Secretary), technician, volunteered his expertise Catherine O’Flynn (Treasurer), Terry to assist. The model was launched Cunningham (PRO), Colm McGrath, on Friday, May 31, along with the Jane Grubb, Kitty Delany, Tim new medieval Walled Town Trail bro- Robinson, Marie O’Donnell, Diana chure. The model is now on perma- Stokes, Gerry Long and Ann Lynch. nent display upstairs in Holy Trinity At the meeting, Kitty Delany, was Church of Ireland. made a life member. Our outing on September 28, The original committee was took in New Ross Dunbrody Café, invited and those present were Ros tapestry, Kennedy Homestead presented with a signed copy of in Dunganstown and a tour of Hook ‘Heraldic Memorials in Fethard’ by Head Lighthouse. Local guide Eileen Gerard . Mary Healy, the one Covey took us on a tour of Hook deceased member, was represented peninsula finishing at the 15th cen- by her daughter Catherine on the tury castle in Fethard-on-Sea. night. The AGM was followed by a On October 13, delegates visited lecture by Cóilín Ó Drisceoil on his Fethard to explore our connections recent archaeological survey of the with the Butler family and possi- Town Hall. bilities of joining the Butler Trail. The 2012 ‘Tipperariana Book of On November 18, Richard O’Brien, the Year’ award went to The Tipperary archaeologist, gave an illustrated Historical Journal, this being the slide show detailing the findings 25th anniversary edition. The guest of his excavations at Rathnadrinna speaker was Dr Martin Mansergh. Ringfort outside Cashel. On February 10 we held our In this year of the Gathering, we 18th annual Tipperariana Book Fair would like to send greetings to all, which proved our best year ever so at home and abroad. We wish them perhaps books are recession-proof every success in their ventures with after all! This year, our medieval fes- a reminder that a ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ tival took place as part of the larger awaits all who return. ‘Gathering Festival’ on June 21-23, Nollaig Shona Dhibh go léir agus organised by the local Business and Ath-bhlian faoi Mhaise Dhíbh. ◉ Tourism Group.

80 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 25 Years of Fethard Historical Society

Pictured at Fethard Historical Society’s lecture on ‘Education in Fethard’ which was given by Prof. Susan Parkes, Trinity College, in the Abymill Theatre, November 1990. L to R : Pakie , Neddie Delahunty, Prof. Susan Parkes, John Holohan MCC and Christopher Lee. November 1990

he Fethard Historical Society intervening years and she is fondly Twas founded on March 23, remembered at this time. 1988, and has been a permanent Three of the original committee feature on the community scene members of 1988 are still on the since that time. The original com- current committee; Marie O’Donnell, mittee formed on that night were: Diana Stokes and true dedication Peter Grant (Chairman), Joe Ryan sees Mary Hanrahan as the secretary (Vice-Chairman), Mary Hanrahan of the society again for the present (Secretary), Denis Burke (Treasurer), 2013-14 term. Joe Kenny (PRO), Committee Members: Marie O’Donnell, Pat Vision of the Founding Fathers O’Shea, Christy Mullins, Michael and Mothers: O’Donnell, John Joe Keane, Jimmy At its inception the proposed five O’Connor, Vincent Doocey, Diana aims of the Society were as follows: - Stokes and Mary Healy. 1 . To preserve and protect all our Mary Healy, who published her remaining historical features . memoirs ‘For the Poor & For the 2 . To generate a greater awareness Gentry’ in the following year (1989) and appreciation of our most his- is the one member of the origi- torical town . nal committee who has died in the 3 . To actively promote Fethard as a

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significant Tourist Centre . been made year on year in pre- 4 . To gather and catalogue a full serving and enhancing the unique historical record of the area, i .e . historic heritage of the old walled songs, folklore, stories, photo- town. In 1988 the Abymill opened as graphs, etc . a wonderful theatre and in the fol- 5 . To publish and review progress lowing years The Friends of Fethard annually . Group did amazing work in restoring It is against this list of the five the Town Wall for its full length along original aims that the success or oth- by the Clashawley River. In more erwise of the society can be gauged recent years, up to one million euro over the past 25 years. Any independ- of public money - from the Heritage ent judge would have to agree that Council, County Council, LEADER, many of the original aims have been and Fáilte Ireland - has been spent achieved and when the Tholsel/ in Fethard on archaeological reports, Town Hall is revamped as a ‘Tourism Valley Park enhancement, Town Wall Hub’ in 2014, it should mean that the conservation and visitor signage and ‘number 3 aim’ will also be well on brochures. the way to being realised in the near Many prestigious publications future. relating to Fethard have been pro- Of course, the Historical Society duced, especially ‘The Irish Historic does not claim the credit for all the Town Atlas No. 13 Fethard’ by the many and varied good things that Royal Irish Academy in 2003 and of have happened over the past twen- course ‘Fethard 1200 – 2000’, a five ty-five years but its relentless cam- hundred page history by Michael paigns at Local Government and O’Donnell (one of the ‘founding National Government level finally fathers’) in 2010. drew the attention of officialdom to The hosting of the Medieval the fact that Fethard is in fact “the Festival over the past seven years in best example of a medieval walled the Valley Park, along by the Town town in Ireland”. Great credit goes Wall, has really convinced local and to the various committees who, over visitor alike that Fethard is indeed the twenty-five years, have put in so a very unique and special place. many hours of their time and effort The work of the Historical Society to finally put Fethard firmly on the has been financed in a very unique heritage map of Ireland and gain way also, via the holding of The for it the national respect that it now Tipperariana Book Fair in Fethard enjoys. Ballroom, an ideal venue, on the sec- Milestones ond Sunday in February for the past There have been many mile- 19 years. The fair attracts over seven stones along the way and also some hundred people to the town every setbacks, but in general progress has year and it has reached a kind of

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‘cult status’ amongst book lovers and of Ireland’s fight to finally achieve collectors at this stage. Independence, the society will be The Future looking at and remembering the Now that the medieval, mainly role that Fethard and Fethard people Norman, heritage of the ‘walled town’ played during those crucial years has been safeguarded (hopefully!) one hundred years ago. and recorded, it is the intention of When you live in the Fethard the Historical Society to concentrate area you can be sure of one thing more on the Gaelic heritage of the - you will never run out of interest- parish and wider Slievenamon area. ing stories from the past. It will take After all, it is this Gaelic heritage that another twenty-five years, at least, to ultimately defines our Irishness and look into all the interesting material differentiates us from all the other available and by then there will be nations of the world. Furthermore, as another fifty years of stories to tell . . . we are entering the ‘centenary years’ our stories ! ◉

My Home Place’, a history project for schools organised by Fethard Historical Society in June 1995, attracted a large number of excellent entries from the pupils of Fethard and Killusty primary schools. The project was designed to encourage pupils to ask and learn about their own families, home and envi- rons. Pictured above are the Fethard pupils who were presented with certificates by Terry Cunningham, Chairman Fethard Historical Society. Back L to R: Eimear Gahan, Pamela Burke, Fiona Maher, Gillian O’Keeffe, Pamela Daly, Linda Corcoran, Aideen O’Donnell, Lena O’Connell. Middle L to R: Sr. Mary, Terry Cunningham, Mary Costello, Gillian O’Brien, Julianne Smith, Edwina McGrath, Donna Walsh, Noel Meaney, Shane Walsh (for Paddy Cooney), Maureen Maher (teacher), Mary Hanrahan (teacher). Front L to R: Lisa O’Donnell, Elaine Williams, Marissa Roche, Nicola Lonergan, Noelle Leahy, Yvette Walsh, Patrice Tobin and Sr. Maureen, Principal Nano Nagle Primary School.

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Joe Keane, Coordinator, pictured with some of the dancers who took part in the ‘Be Active - Be Alive’ event in Fethard Ballroom on Sunday May 16, 1993. Back L to R: Aisling Nagle, Cabrina Roche, John Ryan, Moira Casey, Joe Keane, Nick Casey, Abigail Brown, Susan McCormack, Aisling O’Riordan, Mary Doyle. Front L to R: Richard O’Donnell, Aoife O’Keeffe, Marie O’Meara, Aine O’Dwyer and Thelma Coen.

Photographed at the Patrician Presentation Past Pupils Union Dinner Dance held in the Hotel Minella on March 16, 1982. Back L to R: Leo Meagher, Jim Kenny, Ann Lonergan, Paddy Lonergan, Mary Meagher, Frank Wyatt. Front L to R: Annie O’Brien, Phil Wyatt, Mossie Hayes, Agnes Evans and Ella Kenny.

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Patricia and Jack Maher at the Patrician Presentation Past Pupils Union Dinner Dance March 16, 1982.

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Tom and Eileen Purcell photographed with their family in Burke Street 1980s

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Performing at the Senior Citizens Christmas Party December 1981. Back L to R: Vera Morrissey, Aine Henehan, Mairead Ward, Anna Morrissey, Mary Burke, Gemma Walsh, Seamus Dillon, Gabrielle Hayes. Front L to R: Deirdre Barrett, Linda Kane, Lydia Newport, Eddie Sheehan and Kay O’Riordan.

Photographed in Killusty 1981 are L to R: Josephine Ryan, Ann Carey and Gemma Walsh

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Philip Ryan photographed with his nieces, Roseanne, Susan and Louise O’Meara 1981

Group photographed on a Sponsored Walk 1981

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Neddy Wall (The Weather Man) talking to John Lawlor and Teddy Morrissey 1981

89 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Jollys for a coffee

ou never know the turns and own mother was Eileen Maher Ytwists you’re going to have (called Ellen by her brothers and to take when embarking on life’s sisters, and fondly known by us, her journey. Long ago (way back in the children, as Miss Ellie!). mid 1990s) we harboured the notion We meandered along through that we would like to turn our big old the years occasionally recalling our house into a bed and breakfast and old plans in the rough and tumble of run a coffee shop cum book shop rearing a family and earning a crust. and hopefully in the process help Ger was in the food business on and attract tourists to the town of Fethard. off since the 1980s but through most Around that time, while on a of the nineties and noughties ran a trip to Wexford in connection with launderette business in town. Fethard and Killusty Community Along came the recession which Council, I met with a man called bit particularly badly in this area Pat Nolan from South East Tourism. with a number of shops closing in When he heard I was from Fethard the town in the past two years. We Pat told me that we had the most found ourselves left with an empty romantic love story in our little premises and a big mortgage - the town - worthy of an Andrew Lloyd luxury of choice was taken away Webber musical – and he went from us, we had to try something on to tell me the story of Robert n e w. Jolly and Ellen Meagher. It struck On June 21, 2012, with hearts in a chord with me especially as my our mouths and with more than a

90 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER little valuable help, encouragement est so far was 100 years young! and advice from Jenny Butler, the At first we opened three days a local and well-respected food expert, week to see if there was a demand we took the plunge and started our for a coffee shop. We quickly ascer- own Café – Jollys was born! There tained that there was and gradually was no doubt in my mind about increased opening hours until last the name, having the connections it month when opening was extended did with my own mother and being to seven days a week. such a colourful part of the history Ger starts at 6am each morning of Fethard. baking the scones and making the The café has, so far, been very soups for the day ahead so it’s a well received by the community of very big commitment – but so far it Fethard and the outlying areas, with seems to illustrate that if you have even Roz Purcell and Bressie hav- the time to give to it, it is possible to ing visited in the last year. What we start a viable business in a recession. particularly enjoy is that it seems to We hope that our experience would appeal to toddlers and grandparents encourage others to take the step alike. Our youngest customer to date and start something in some of the was only one week old and our old- vacant premises in town. Every shop

Jolly’s Café staff who helped at the Coffee Morning in aid of the Philippine disaster on November 23, this year. L to R: Gerard Manton, Niamh Crotty, Susanna Manton, Amy Hanrahan, Marie Murphy, Sam Manton and Faye Manton.

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window that’s filled keeps a visitor in he fell in love with an orphan girl, town for a few moments longer and called Ellen Meagher. that has to be a good thing. Here’s to His regiment was soon ordered you Miss Ellie! abroad and Ellen was left behind, but In Jolly’s we have a pamphlet that’s not the end. Clearly a resource- telling you where we got our name, ful woman, Ellen went to London which is reproduced here. where, through a wealthy Jewish gen- tleman who left her his fortune, she Where we got our name herself became wealthy. Not forget- It seems that romance was alive ting her true love, she bought Robert and well in Fethard as far back as Jolly out of the British Army; they the 17th century. Just up the street were married and lived happily at from here is the Holy Trinity Church Knockelly Castle just outside Fethard. where you will find the resting place For more interesting titbits of of one Robert Jolly. In 1680, it seems, Fethard’s fascinating history be sure Robert Jolly was a Private Soldier in to visit the ‘Local Information’ link on a Cavalry Regiment in Fethard where www.fethard.com ◉

Below is the inscription on the early 18th century monument to Robert Jolly in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, set in the south wall of the southern side chapel (now the vestry).

“Here underfoot is interred the Body of Robert Jolly for= =merly of Theobalds in Hartford=shire in England and late of Knockelly Esquire who died the 20th day of August 1709 and in the 52d year of his age.”

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Memorable trip to Lourdes by Judy Doyle

Group who travelled to Lourdes. Back L to R: Vincent Cummins, Judy Doyle, Eddie O’Brien, Mary Cloonan, ,Joan Hayes. Front L to R: Margaret Dorney, Chrissie O’Meara, Richard Nevin and Margaret Harriman. group from Fethard travelled grims, which was our group were Ato Lourdes in June this year evacuated to different hotels and and despite the smiling faces we other buildings. We were glad to get witnessed the worst flooding ever in home again but the shop-keepers, that area of France in over 60 years. hoteliers and locals were still trying Our first day was absolutely roasting to do a big clean up as we departed. but the heat melted the snow up It was a trip to remember. ◉ in the Pyrenees and, coupled with a day of thunder, lightening and torrential rain, the river Gave rose quickly and very soon burst its banks taking away part of the main bridge and flooding hotels and the main Grotto area. Absolute chaos ensued as hotels were evacuated and with power off for several days it was difficult for everyone. Almost all ceremonies were cancelled and the grotto area Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary was completely closed. School youth helpers in Lourdes this year Many of Cashel and Emly pil- L to R: Tara Horan and Michelle Walsh

93 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 My memories of Community Games

Community Games Group returning to Fethard for a reception in the Town Hall, September 1986: Back L to R: Pat Ryan, Concepta Hurley, Maureen Connors, Mandy Conway, Mary English, Mildred Lawlor, Debbie Coen, Margaret (Quinlan) Hogan, Johnny Sheehan, Fr. John Stapleton. Middle L to R: Fr. Anthony Hourihan OSA, Maura Tynan, Noel Heffernan, Peggy Colville, Martin Coen, Dorothy Keane, Alice Ryan, Liam Cloonan, Tommy Butler. Front L to R: Paddy Ryan, Valerie Colville, P.J. Colville, Bro. Raymond, Michelle Fogarty, Jackie Conway, Kenneth Sheehan and Pauline Coffey. first became involved in when my neighbour, Tom Marshall, ICommunity Games through my called asking, “Do you need a lift to children, like many other people who the meeting?” There was a very large were members of the very successful turn out (I wish I could say the same Fethard Judo Club. Valerie, Avril and today) who were convinced by the P.J. returned from a training session Community Games Development one evening in 1985 announcing Officers, Jerry Lyons, from Ballynonty, that their coaches, Johnny Sheehan and the late Mrs Maureen Guiry, and Noel Heffernan, were asking Peppardstown, that this was an up- all parents to attend a meeting in and-coming organisation and we the ICA Nissan Hut with a view to owed it to our children to provide affiliating Fethard and Killusty area them with as many sporting and cul- to Community Games and if this tural opportunities as possible. happened, the children in the parish The area had been previously reg- would be able to experience, ‘the istered with Community Games in magic place of Mosney’. 1970 by one of the founder members, It was a very bad night and I was Tom Butler, Coolanure, who did won- debating if I would attend or not derful work over the years. Conor

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Lonergan, The Square, won the U14 McCormack, Kathy O’Donnell and long jump and Richard Fallon was a Claire O’Riordan, managed by Ann member of the Tipperary U12 boys O’Riordan. Johnny Sheehan and relay team who won gold medals at Noel Heffernan were also in attend- the national finals in Santry Stadium, ance and the speed and stamina of Dublin in 1970. At that early stage Noel Heffernan played a big part in there were no team events and com- the ‘disco’ security later on that even- petitors in the individual events did ing. The girls will know exactly what not have to come from the same area. I mean. Ann O’Riordan and I went The area lapsed to bed at 12.30am but was revived on after making sure that fateful night all competitors in 1985 when the were in bed in their following commit- chalets but were tee was formed: quickly aroused by Brother Raymond the county manag- (Chairman), Peggy er, Breeda Christie, Colville (Secretary), informing us that Concepta Hurley the procedure was and Maura Tynan for us to be ‘out (Joint Treasurers). and about’ with our Committee mem- torches on security bers: Michael duty until around O’Meara, Stephen 4am each morning. McCormack, No beauty sleep in Tom Marshall, Pat Mosney and some O’Donnell, Pat Ryan, of our competitors Michael Sheehan, Pat and Peggy Colville, Spittlefield, with their were among the baby Valerie c.1973 Anne Keane, Joe culprits responsible Keane, Liam Cloonan and Joe Corbett. for keeping us up. We got off to a good start tak- Liam Cloonan was elected as ing part in football, rounders, athlet- chairperson following Brother ics, volleyball and judo with Valerie Raymond’s retirement in 1988 and Colville winning Tipperary’s first gold was succeeded by Joe Keane who medal in judo at the national finals has remained chairman to the pre- and silver medals won by the volley- sent day. Joe carried out a tremen- ball team of: Mandy Conway, Dorothy dous amount of work over the years. Keane, Mildred Lawlor, Pamela I escaped my position of secretary Lawlor, Rebecca Conway, Anna in the late 90s when M.C. Maher Bradshaw, Mairead Croke, Monica took over the role for a few years, Kenny, Margaret Quinlan, Lorraine followed by Bernard Feery who also

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had a big input into the organisation. the Year Award’, and these were just However, I somehow got reinstated some of the many highlights of the again within the last few years and Millennium year. it is far easier to get out of jail but My personal highlights of the ear- I am serving notice that I will have lier years were the success of my 30 years served in the organisation own family and more recently, the in two years’ time and I need a little south final of the U10 football game ‘Me’ time, so if anyone would like between Fethard and Powerstown to volunteer for the position at the which resulted in a draw at full time moment, please feel free. and again after extra time. Following Helena O’Shea has been a an exciting replay, when Fethard staunch supporter over the years were short some players, Powerstown and I would like to express sincere won by a goal. thanks to her, and also to the manag- There were so many good times ers of the various teams I have dealt at finals in Semple Stadium, in with – their co-operation has been University of Limerick, in Mosney super. and Athlone. Debates and Banquets In the Community Games at numerous AGMs held in top Millennium Year, 2000, the county hotels around the country. In the athletics finals were held in Clonmel early years a special train went from for the second successive year; the Cork to Mosney. The Tipperary com- Munster finals took place in Listowel; petitors got on in Thurles and got over 6,000 competitors took part in to know a lot of their opponents the national finals with 1,000 offi- on the journey. Some even fell in cials; over 3.200 miles run in athlet- love and there were tears of joy and ics, 200 miles swam in a 16 hour disappointment on the way home. period; 11,400 litres of milk and However, many lasting friendships 4,300 litres of soft drinks consumed; came from the games which were and 86,968 meals served from the the stepping stone for several stars Mosney kitchen alone. Shane Long, including Sonia O’Sullivan, Niall current international soccer star, Quinn, Colin Farrell, Gary Ryan and ran on the U14 relay Shane Long. (see photograph →) team (he also competed in the high Several members of the County jump in 2001); former competitor Tipperary hurling and football Tracey Culleton from Rosegreen rep- teams, and jockeys Ruby Walsh and resented Belgium in the ‘Rose of Patrick Mullins also had a go in ath- Tralee’; John Leahy, all-star hurler letics, in addition to many more too from Mullinahone was a guest at numerous to mention. It is a truly May weekend being the subject of wonderful organisation and long the profile ‘My local Hero’. Eoin Kelly may it last. ◉ won the Nationalist ‘Young Hurler of Peggy Colville

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Fethard’s Christopher Sheehan and Andrew Walshe tackling a St. Peter and Paul’s player in the under nine and half Community Games football match. Fethard, won. May 1999.

A young Shane Long on the Gortnahoe relay team who won the County Community Games U12 Relay Final at June 1998. L to R: Keith Dwyer, Orry Ryan, Shane Long, Stephen Barnaville and Nigel O’Gorman.

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Sing, sing a song by Eleanor O’Riordan

Goldie Newport practising her music at Holy Trinity Parish Church, November 2013

or many years now I have were involved in a music festival Fobviously been far too young for primary schools here in Kintyre, to write an article for the Fethard Scotland. A suggestion was made Newsletter. Last year’s edition of the that the children might sing one newsletter, however, included a pic- of the songs in English and one in ture of Canon Tom Breen making Gaelic. The general consensus was a presentation of the papal medal that this would be too difficult. I ‘Benemerenti’ to Goldie Newport. of course, upped and said, “When I This medal was to mark over 100 was that age I was singing in three years of service as a church organist languages on a regular basis, English, in Fethard Parish Church for Goldie Irish and Latin.” As a member of and her late mother Mrs A Newport. Goldie’s parish choir this was the I was lucky to be growing up in multilingual standard expected from Fethard in the 1970s and very lucky primary and secondary school girls. to be part of Goldie’s choir. I thought everyone was getting this A few years ago my children kind of musical experience and edu-

98 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER cation! and O Salutaris at Benediction – The Parish choir was mainly wonderful music, also Salve Regina. composed of girls from the Main There was also for me a certain level Street, The Valley, Kerry Street and of terror that I might suddenly forget Congress Terrace. I remember the the next line in these hymns or even Gorey sisters, Angela Dillon, Rita forget midway in a line. I had learned O’Connor and Mary Hayes from the the hymns from listening to the older Main Street, and Anne Shortall from girls in rote like fashion. My strategy the Valley – they were all senior was to keep singing, a bit like when members when I joined. I remem- you are learning to cycle, keep ped- ber very well Angela, Rita and Anne dling at all costs. Shortall singing seconds which was We did seem to be very busy something new for me. It seemed singing every Sunday and also lots difficult enough to sing the melody of Rosaries and Benedictions, espe- but these girls were singing another cially in the months of May and tune. As if by magic, when Goldie put October. Christmas was very busy it together it sounded great. Marion and as young kids Goldie took us out Mulligan also came and sang parts, carol singing. We were in fact singing especially at Christmas. My educa- outside Derek Wall’s pub when the tion was underway. owner and customers invited us in Goldie had five nieces in to sing. We got a great reception and Congress Terrace, a wee choir in itself several packets of crisps. I remember and I was lucky enough to be friend- all the customers telling Goldie how ly with Margaret Newport. When good we were and how they enjoyed Margaret joined the choir, I joined the the carols. I suspect today you would choir. The Congress Terrace girls in need to fill out several forms before the choir I knew quite well because you could take a wee band of carol I was always up at Newport’s sitting singers into a local pub. on the round barrel seat beside the Goldie had regular practices and fire. Mary Newport often fed me cups taught us so many things. She taught of tea and anything else that was on us to hold the hymn book, stand the go. In fact, my son Donald got his up straight and to breath at certain first cup of tea from Mary, but that’s points in the hymn. She would play another story. The Hurleys, Vicky and the line of the hymn then we’d sing Margery, Catherine Newport and it, until we got it. She gave us lots Patti Harrison were all senior mem- of encouragement and told us that bers of the choir and kept the junior children in Fethard had a great ear members right. This particularly was for music. All belonging to me were the case when we were singing in Cork people but I assumed that my Latin. I always listened to the senior ears were geographically connected girls and followed them, Tantum Ergo to Fethard, so I’d be okay.

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Here in Kintyre I am still lucky the shepherd. enough to be part of a choir. The first Goldie’s music has long been year I was part of the choir we had a part of Fethard’s St. Patrick’s Day piece with a chorus which included celebrations, Easter and Christmas the words Ave Maria. The conductor services, weddings and funerals and at the time gave me a very encourag- there is something about that music ing smile as she recognised that this coming from the gallery. My own was for me something very close to father loved it when Goldie pulled my heart and words I was well able out all the stops on the organ and to sing. Thank you, Goldie. the church was full of music. While Goldie told me a story once the technical issues of music and about two tenors in a competition singing are important, Goldie knew singing the hymn, The Lord is My about and made the all-important Shepherd. Both singers technically connection between the music and did a wonderful job but the judge the listening congregation. had to select a winner. The judge Goldie’s music touched people’s selected the winning tenor because hearts. Goldie really knew the shep- he said he felt that tenor really knew herd. ◉

Paddy Murphy making a presentation to Goldie Newport on behalf of the Parish Church Choir. Goldie was celebrating her 40th year as organist in the church and the surprise presentation was made after Sunday Mass on December 20, 1992

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‘Dush’ . . . my boyhood hero! by Willie O’Meara

Fethard senior football team County Champions 1978. Back L to R: Paddy Kenrick, Noel Sharpe, Davy Fitzgerald, Michael Downes, Michael Kenrick, Michael O’Riordan, Pakie Harrington, Joe Allen. Front L to R: Sean Aylward, Pierce Dillon, AB Kennedy, Sean Moloney (captain), Paul Hayes (mascot in front), John Keane, Waltie Maloney and Joe Keane. n May 14 this year, news 21 years since they last won the Oreached the Friary town that title. This one wasn’t going to be Joe Keane, the ‘Dush’ as he was affec- easy either. I went to the game with tionately known, had passed away. my great friend, Michael O’Riordan, This news brought a great sadness whose late father Mick was as pas- to the area because Joe was a huge- sionate a man of Fethard football as ly popular guy in the parish down you could wish to meet. Mick drove through the years and his scoring us over in his white Volkswagen exploits on the playing fields were Variant, with Paddy Heffernan in the legendary. front seat. Growing up as a kid in the sport- Now l know a game lasts for ing town of Fethard, like lots of kids, one hour but, a lot of the time, they you’d have your sporting heroes. are decided by one incident. In this Stevie Coppell of Manchester United case it was probably the penalty was my soccer hero and when it awarded to Fethard in the first half. came to football, it was the ‘Dush’. Jimmy O’Shea always tells the story It all started on the October 1, 1978, about a friend who said, if Fethard when Fethard reached the county got a penalty in the county final, senior football final against Galtee ’s goalie Jimmy Ferris would Rovers from Bansha. The game was know where Joe was going to put it! played in Cashel and it had been In anticipation, a gang of us

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moved out from the side-line to get door and in arrived the players with a better look at this penalty and the cup filled with orange and all the happily saw Joe bury the ball in pupils had a sup. the bottom corner. This game was What stood out for me most at end-to-end stuff and when the final that time was how the locals reacted whistle was blown, Fethard had won to Fethard winning the county title by 1-8 to 0-9. and what it meant to the people of The celebrations that followed the town – the excitement of it all were something that an eleven-year- – and how people talked for ages old kid like me had never seen about the game, discussing it over before. When we arrived home to and over again, giving everyone a Fethard there was a bonfire alight at common link. the ballroom cross to greet the team When the Fethard team trained and fans coming back from Cashel. in the Barrack field, I’d be out there The team was then paraded around watching them as Jimmy put them the town on the back of a truck with through their paces. Jimmy wore his what seemed like every man, woman white t-shirt with ‘Trainer’ printed on and child of the town on the streets the back. I’d also watch Joe as he to welcome them back. The follow- practised his free-taking long after ing day in Br. James Moran’s class training finished. I used often stand in school, there was a knock on the at the back of the goal and kick the

Fethard supporters carrying Sean Moloney aloft with the cup after the 1978 county final in Cashel. Also included are Tom Kearney, Dick Sheehan, Michael Sheehan, Dick Fitzgerald, Michael O’Riordan, Dennis Hannon, Miceál McCormack, Jackie Aylward, Tony Fitzgerald, Jerry Hannon, Brendan Brett and Willie O’Meara (boy with scarf).

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Abe Kennedy with his sister June Ahessy and baby after the County Final in 1978 ball back out to him and remember In 1985, the year I made the sen- him asking, “Who was I, who was my ior football team, my first game was father, did l play and in what position, against Moyle Rovers in Kilsheelan. did I follow soccer?” This game was made more special I couldn’t believe it . . . here was for me as there were players from the guy that had hit the winning the 1978 team still playing and one penalty in the county final chatting of them was Joe, who gave me great away to me. help, advice and encouragement. As already said, Joe’s scoring abil- That same year, Fethard reached the ity was unreal and one score in par- south minor football final which ticular that really stood out for me was played on a baking hot sum- was during a south final in Clonmel mer Sunday in Clonmel against against Commercials. Fethard, play- Slievenamon (a combination of ing into the ball alley goal, were one Moyle Rovers and ). point down with time almost up. Everything that could go wrong in Joe got the ball, virtually touching the first half did exactly that and the corner flag and a Commercials with four minutes to half time, we defender in the way, but Joe did were 14 points down. We kicked four what he did best from an impossible points in quick succession to pull it angle and split the posts with what back to 10 at half time. was to me the greatest point ever Things still looked anything but scored in Clonmel and levelled the good as we lined up for the second game . . . unreal! half. Joe, who wasn’t a selector with

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the team, walked across the field to someone more qualified than me to me and said something to me that l confirm that but one thing l know will always remember, “Willie, the first for sure is, it wouldn’t have been half is over, don’t worry about it, it’s won without the older experienced gone, it’s the scores you’ll get in this players like Michael O’Riordan, half are the ones that will count!” Paddy Kenrick, Michael Downes, That was Joe, even as a spectator he ‘Whack’ Healy and of course Joe always gave great encouragement. Keane. These were players that ten The final score was, Fethard 1-12, years earlier when I was a kid, had Slievenamon 3-5. brought the title to Fethard and Over the following years, playing whose help and encouragement to and training with Fethard was a bril- the younger players was immeasur- liant experience with the great ban- able. To line out and win a county ter and craic in the dressing room title with these players did made it and on the field. The late great Liam all the more special. Connolly used always say when Joe These are only a few memories as would ‘stitch’ one in training, “G’boy to why the ‘Dush’ was my footballing Dush we’re in Europe now!” I imag- hero while growing up in Fethard, in ine ‘twas to do with the oul’ soccer particular to have watched him train- thing that when you were champi- ing and then to eventually have the ons you’d get to play in Europe. honour of playing on the same team Fethard won the title in 1988 as him. with what they say was the youngest “G’boy Dush . . . we’re in Europe team ever to win. You’d have to ask now!” “Up The Blues!” ◉

Fethard Senior Football team, South and County Champions 1988 . Back L to R: John Hurley, Tommy Sheehan, Kevin Burke, Liam Connolly, Jim Butler, Michael Healy, Paddy Kenrick, Michael Downes, Shay Ryan, Michael Ryan, Tom McCarthy, Liam Ryan, Miceál Broderick, Jimmy O’Shea (trainer). Front L to R: Paddy Ryan, Michael O’Riordan (Kerry St.), John Hackett, Owen Cummins, Willie O’Meara, Willie Morrissey, Brian Burke (captain), Michael Fitzgerald, Michael O’Riordan, Gerry Murphy and Joe Keane.

104 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Rathcoole connection with Nano Nagle

he recent announcement by Presentation nuns were part of the TPope Francis that Nano Nagle, town’s life for almost a hundred years foundress of the Presentation Sisters, added to his interest in reading the is to be known as ‘Venerable Nano book just then published, entitled Nagle’, in recognition of her saint- Nano Nagle and the Presentation ly life and work, brought to mind Sisters. I remember thumbing through a telephone call I got way back that book soon after, mainly to see about 1960. At the what it said about time I was serving Rathcoole House, as curate in a city my native home. parish in Brisbane Then after the recent named Yeronga. papal announce- The telephone call ment I borrowed was from Dr Patrick the book from the M. O’Donnell, then library to read it coadjutor arch- once again, this time of Brisbane. with more care. His opening words The connec- were something tion between like this: “Willie, Rathcoole House I am reading just and the branch of now a new book the Nagle family on Nano Nagle by that Nano belonged a man named T.J. Honora “Nano” Nagle, 1718-1784, foundress of to occurred in the the Presentation Order of nuns. This depiction by Walsh, and your old Charles Turner is perhaps the earliest. Charles 1670s and ‘80s, home, Rathcoole, was born about 10 years before Nano’s death. long before Nano gets honourable was born. From mention.” Excitedly he went on to tell at least 1652 Rathcoole was occu- me that there were marriage connec- pied by James and Ellen Kearney tions between her Nagle family and (sometimes spelled O’Kearney). It the O’Kearneys who were occupying appears they were among the head Rathcoole in the latter part of the tenants or estate managers of the 17th century. Clutterbucks, who were Cromwellian Fethard was the native place of adventurers (financial supporters) the archbishop. The town where he who got possession of the confiscat- grew up, its people, and its country- ed lands of Rathcoole, Derryluskin side were favourite topics for him and Bannixtown. whenever we met on relaxed occa- It was unusual at the time for sions. The fact that by that time the Catholics like Kearneys to become

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Rathcoole House in early 1970. The two-storey section is the oldest part and probably incorporates the ‘thatched house’ recorded in the Civil Survey of 1654. The three-storey addition was built partly on the site of the 16th century castle.

head tenants on newly Protestant- tower house would have been hab- held land so quickly after the itable, and probably provided the Cromwellian confiscations. One main living quarters for the Kearneys record mentions that James Kearney and their family. According to the belonged to a notable family from Civil Survey there was also a thatched Cork, and the fact that he had “gent” house in association with the castle, after his name in the records indi- which the Kearneys would have used cates that he belonged to the minor as well, and a garden with several gentry class. His own lands in Cork small cottages, and “an old orchard”. may have been confiscated but his Soon after settling in Rathcoole, “gent” status probably boosted his the Kearneys had their first child, chances of becoming head tenant a daughter named Jane (or Joan). for one of the new Cromwellian They were to have another daugh- owners. The records also indicate ter, named Mary, and at least two that James Kearney was also head sons, John and Michael. In 1669 tenant of Clonbrogan. Jane married Richard Nagle, and in Both Rathcoole and Clonbrogan 1675 Mary married Richard’s broth- then had castles of the tower house er Pierce. They would have known type as their principal buildings. the Kearny family as they too were The one in Rathcoole was in repair prominent Cork people. Richard and despite the destruction caused to Pierce Nagle were granduncles of many tower houses in the rebel- Nano Nagle. lion of the 1640s, but the one in The Nagles were descended from Clonbrogan was described in the high-ranking Anglo-Norman stock, Civil Survey 1654 as “a small old one branch of which was long estab- castle, wanting repaire”. Rathcoole lished in the Blackwater valley in

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Co. Cork. The father of Richard and forfeited. Pierce was James Nagle, whose resi- David Nagle, a brother of Richard dence was Annastissey, close to the and Pierce, was the grandfather of Blackwater and about five miles from Nano. He became MP for Mallow in Mallow. Branches of the Nagle family the parliament of James II. Like his in Co. Cork had much of their lands brothers he was a staunch supporter confiscated in the Cromwellian inva- of James II, and served as captain sion because of their involvement in in the Williamite war. He was, how- the rebellion of the 1640s, but follow- ever, allowed to keep his property in ing the restoration of Charles II to the Ballygriffin near Mallow following throne in England the Nagles, being the Treaty of Limerick. About 1717 staunch Stuart royalists, were restored his son Garret of Ballygriffin married to their lands. Ann Mathew, of Anfield, near Inch, a Like a number of leading grand-daughter of Elizabeth Mathew Catholics Richard Nagle, married to nee Poyntz, Lady Thurles. Nano, their Mary Kearney of Rathcoole, came eldest daughter, was born in 1718. to great prominence when Catholic She founded the Presentation Sisters King James II succeeded to the on Christmas Eve 1775. Although English throne in 1685. Catholics born into a wealthy family and sent became appointed to public offic- to France for her education, Nano es again in Ireland. Richard Nagle asserted early on in her life that became Sir Richard, and was elected the special object of her life was speaker in the Irish Parliament of going to be the founding of schools 1689, and attorney general. However, for the education of poor children. with the defeat of King James and In that dark period of the penal his forces at the Battle of the Boyne, times she pioneered Catholic educa- Sir Richard was detained and his tion through her cabin schools. The lands declared forfeit. By then he Presentation order was to spread to had a numerous family, and he, his 27 countries. wife Mary, and all his children with James and Ellen Kearney of one exception followed James II Rathcoole later lived in Clonbrogan, into exile in France. There he acted where the small castle was probably as secretary of state in the court of again made habitable. They later James II at St Germain-en-Laye. moved to Fethard. Clonbrogan was Pierce Nagle and his wife Joan purchased by the Watson family of Kearney of Rathcoole had only one Clonmel, and they built Clonbrogan child, a son James. She died soon House, a very pleasant and well- after childbirth. Pierce became high designed farmhouse on the castle sheriff of Cork County, and took part, site in the beginning of the 1700s. ◉ like his brothers, in the Williamite – Willie Hayes war of 1689-91. His lands were also

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A Ramble Down Memory Lane by Tony O’Donnell aving read the article sub- and the infant class arrived to the Hmitted by William Slattery school from the convent. Included (I know him as Willie), to the 2012 in that infant class were John Whyte, newsletter it stirred up memories Peter O’Flynn, Jimmy Kenny, Michael for me. I sat beside Willie for a time Cummins, Christy Matthews and in second class, it was probably Brendan Fergus. 1946, and we were taught by Brother Jimmy Ryan didn’t continue his Damian. I remember Willie’s friends schooling in Fethard. It is poignant Tod Keating and Dick Power. Dick indeed that Gus Danagher and Jimmy had the neatest written sum copy Ryan should pass away within two you could wish to see. days of each other in October 2004. If I go back a couple of years The following year, 1947, we had earlier to 1944 for my first day at very harsh weather with heavy snow- school, I recall being brought to falls. When the snow melted there the boys’ primary school when I was flooding everywhere and our was six and handed over to Brother house in Crampscastle became a Christopher. He showed me to a desk victim. The Shine family took in my where two boys were already sitting. brother Paddy and me for the after- The two boys were Gus Danagher noon until the floods had subsided. and Jimmy Ryan. I was with that Mrs Shine was baking soda fruit class for only a couple of weeks bread in an oven pot on an open fire. until they moved into first class The fruit used were dates and when

Old school friends, Michael Cummins and Tony O’Donnell photographed as they renewed acquaintances in Fethard on July 24, 2004, when both met for the first time in many years. Michael, a son of ‘Cautious’ Cummins, formerly from Kerry Street, Fethard, now lives in Yorkshire, England. Tony is originally from Crampscastle and now lives in Dublin.

108 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER the bread had baked and cooled a player to get the ball. That set the little she sliced it up, buttered it and theme for the whole game. It was all gave some to us all with a mug of ground hurling with much pulling, hot sweet tea. I know Alice, Peg and prodding and poking, also a lot of Dinny Shine were there and maybe huffing and puffing. The crescendo other members of the family too. I of noise from the shouting and argu- still remember it to this day as one ing over perceived fouls grew by the of the nicest meals I’ve had and also minute. Then there was a stoppage the thoughtfulness and generosity of over a disputed goal. The ‘umpire’ a good neighbour. had abandoned his post and gone By 1949 hurling was on the off to play with some other children. crest of a wave in Tipperary. Sean The match came to a finish when ‘Glamour’ Walsh was on the Tipp everyone felt tired and anyway it minor team and the ‘three in a row’ was time to go home for our tea. I beckoned for the senior team. declared the match a draw – every- To return to Willie Slattery’s arti- one was happy and agreed it was a cle, I didn’t know his family but I great game and that we would have remember well his other friend Perry a replay. We never did. Napier. During the summer holidays I played my first official hurl- of circa 1950, I and others including ing match in 1950 with St Patrick’s Perry spent our leisure time in the National School against Abbeyleix. I Barrack field playing hurling. It was don’t remember all our team but it during this time that the St Patrick’s would have included Sean Connolly, Place group led by Perry Napier and Sean Moloney and John Slattery. I The Green group led by Joe Kenny was in goal and Liam Connolly was decided to play a hurling challenge fullback. Liam protected me well match. I was not eligible to play that day and Abbeyleix scored only since I didn’t live in either area but one goal while Fethard scored about I was given the dubious role of ref- ten. Fr. Lambe brought the team to eree. A day and time was set for the Billy O’Flynn’s shop and filled the match and for a few days it was like cup with a variety of minerals. It was the build up for the All-Ireland. The a great day for us. appointed day came and both teams In the following years I enjoyed turned up with such a variety of bits hurling and could be found each of hurleys and strange looking sticks evening in the Barrack field after that it looked dangerous even before school instead of studying for my it started. There were a couple of Inter. Brother Albert got wind of my children who were too young to play activities and advised me that it so we appointed them as umpires. would be better to study. I have other I threw in the ball to start the game little stories about Brother Albert and there was a stampede of every such as the day we were in third

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Fethard Minor Football team c.1955 Back L to R: Joe Kenny, Dick Fitzgerald, Tony O’Donnell, Matt O’Gara, Gus Neville, Joe Barrett, Liam Connolly, Peter O’Flynn, John Condon, Austin O’Flynn, Joe Dalton, Perry Napier, Percy O’Flynn, Vincent Allen, Timmy O’Riordan. Front L to R: Pat Woodlock, Gus Danagher, Kevin O’Donnell, Seamus Hackett, Joe Danagher, Tom Leahy, Sean Connolly, Sean Moloney and Bro. Albert.

year and I shouted an answer to a To return to 1954 when Tom question at him – he jumped about McCormack and Liam Connolly six inches but took it with a laugh. brought honour to Fethard in win- Also the day he asked Peter O’Flynn ning All-Ireland minor medals and to sing ‘Oft in the Stilly Night’ - Peter Liam repeated it the following year. obliged and I could see the emotion It was great to be in Croke Park on in Brother Albert’s eyes as he then All-Ireland final days in the late fifties left the classroom. I always thought and early sixties cheering on Liam of Brother Albert as a friend and we Connolly, Matt O’Gara and Tom Ryan. all showed him respect. He certainly In the late fifties I joined New was a class act. hurling club and we won Studying didn’t sit lightly on my two Dublin senior championships as shoulders at that time but when I well as a number of leagues. It was a came to Dublin and was working as great thrill for me to actually play in a draughtsman I completed an even- Croke Park on so many occasions. ing course of study at the College of I didn’t mean to ramble on so Architecture. I was then more than much but there is still a lot can be capable of dealing with architects, written about those far off times and engineers, etc. With my wife Jean we people we have almost forgotten. We were able to provide a good stand- didn’t have much and we didn’t ask ard of living for our seven children for much. and our children in turn availed of I am glad to see Willie Slattery the very good educational system made the trip back to Fethard and I and achieved professional qualifica- hope he was successful in collecting tions in their chosen careers. further history of his family. ◉ 110 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

Greengage Summer by Marian Mulligan-Gilpin he title hints of a misnomer, ters ‘invaded’ our territory. TI do not recall greengages I lived in a parallel universe, the at Villa Therese, ‘though ironically ‘Wild West’ of the Valley and the non- David Curran arrived with delicious consequential existence of everyday greengages to the local Country life in a small Irish town. That sum- Market this August . . . my illusion mer I assumed the self-confessed became reality! The genesis of the title of ‘Chief Scout’, and would perch title is a film I had seen in the myself on the North pillar of the gate, Capital Cinema many moons ago, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Tadhg starring a ‘heart-throb’ of the time, O’Donnell, the visiting ‘Sheriff’ from Troy Donahue. Film ‘buffs’ feel free to the far frontier of Dublin city. correct me. Tadhg was Austie and Percy To me that long summer of the O’Flynn’s first cousin – indeed cous- early sixties had the mysteriousness, in to all the O’Flynn family – and his excitement and appeal of a green- arrival in town was preluded by the gage – my idyllic summer which visit to our house of his lovely moth- seemed to linger forever and even er and father, Maura and Tim, laden though us ‘Valleyites’ were outside with fresh cakes from O’Donnell’s the walled stronghold of Fiodh Ard, Bakery in Artane. colourful and entertaining charac- Tadhg stayed with Nanny O’Flynn

Fethard Carnival 1960s L to R: Nora Gough as ‘The Ranee’, Marian Mulligan as ‘Tokyo Rose’ and Cinta O’Flynn as ‘Off to Ascot’.

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in Burke Street, and would com- My uncle, Dick Gough, had mence his tour of duty at one-thirty bought me a pony from Mrs La each day, after ‘the dinner’ and when Terriere in Kiltinan, misappropriate- he had ‘washed behind his neck and ly named ‘Lovebird. Flighty and far ears’, as Nanny O’Flynn was most from loving she was. I would ‘Scout’ particular about good nutrition and the trail through Joe Coffey’s field, fastidious about hygiene. and summon the sheriff and his My cousin Nora Gough would deputies to follow. A rendezvous with also have decamped here from yet Gerry Fogarty would take place, and another ‘outlaw’ territory. Kildare. we would muster the forces of what- Daughter of Dan and Margo Gough, ever Fogarty brothers were not on a she enjoyed the ‘bandit territory’ of mission of their own. the Valley and promptly took on Tired, and very often drenched the role of ‘saloon to the skin, after sur- keeper’. The saloon viving a July thun- being none other derstorm, we would than the old boil- retire for the even- ing house that my ing to ‘Base Camp’ grandmother, Nora – our orchard in Gough, had used to the shady environs boil offal for pigs of the Valley. Not long before its ‘Wild one for allowing West’ days. his ‘Foot Soldiers’ Nora insisted Marian Mulligan with her little red car, a gift from to go hungry, Tadhg on calling Tadhg her Uncle Dick. Also included are her faithful would feed us ‘Tiger’, a name friends Brandy and Rastus. ‘Beauty of Bath’ which oddly enough suited his savvy from the tree ‘Beauty Bats’ our col- and adventurous nature. Tiger would loquialism – delicious, juicy. summon his loyal deputies Tommy One particular summer’s evening Sayers, Aileen Madigan and the the ‘Beauty Bats’ were hiding high reserves, Marie Shortall, Tony Sayers up on the branches, so Tadhg got and Billy Tracey. Nora would close the brainwave that he would use my the saloon and we would all head brother Declan’s pole-vault to knock to ‘Camp’ in Derek Wall’s sandpit, down the juicy beauties. Declan was where our ‘Council of War’ would very much into the high jump at take place. A foray to the Furry Hill, Rockwell College at the time, and a skirmish in the Valley Field when had put black insulating tape around confronted by ‘The Green’ raiders, the centre of the steel pole for grip, a ‘surprise’ attack on Shortall’s to luckily! ‘borrow’ John as a hostage for a few Screaming with laughter and hours. all holding hands, Tadhg initiated

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Playing in the garden in the early 1960s are Marian Mulligan, Aileen Madigan, and Meg and Ann-Marie Gough who were on holiday from California. the procedure. ‘Hiss! Crackle! a cas- hole for years – a grim reminder of cade of sparks lit the twilight sky as what might have been! the two ESB wires coming into the Jimmy O’Flynn and Joe house had touched and crossed! Messenger from the ESB in Clonmel, ‘Fireworks’, cried Tadhg, and pro- lined us up on the couch in our liv- ceeded to have another go at this ing room and told us that we were exciting event. Just at that moment the luckiest children to be alive. We my father, Bill Mulligan, drove up had succeeded in putting half the the driveway and my mother Mary town out of electricity! appeared at the door (alerted by the A stark reality check, conse- fact that the electricity had gone off). quently I have never forgotten Joe Aghast, they shouted at us to drop Messenger’s name. Having long since the pole, our guardian angel was passed on, I hope he has found his keeping watch. just reward, as indeed is my hope for My parallel universe shattered, all the others I have mentioned who reality took a very long bite, a gap- have gone from us. ing hole burned through the steel My Greengage Summer memories, at the top of the pole. Luckily the some almost ‘Bitter-Sweet’, vivid and pole had been held where Declan powerful, of a time, and precious peo- had applied the insulating tape. My ple who have now grown older. ◉ mother drew my attention to that

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The Gambler by Marie O’Donnell (Grangebeg) ohn Burke, ‘The Gambler’, lived hounds. It is said that as a horseman Jin Grove House Fethard. His no one could beat him over his father was the famous Richard Burke, own country (Tipp) and proof of Master of the Tipperary Foxhounds which he was always placed in the who leased Grove and built up a Red Coat Race, which he established. pack of hounds. Richard resided in He also re-established the Tipperary California for a period. He visited the Hunt Steeple chases at Fethard. home of the Donahue family as he Now back to John who picked wanted to meet his former nanny up his first pack of cards when he who worked there. He also met one of was only six and by the age of eight- the Donahue girls, fell in love and sub- een was a brilliant bridge player sequently married her. Her father was who’d developed an obsession with a distinguished Californian pioneer. mathematical sequences and win- During his residence in California ning streaks. He is described as tall, Richard combined the occupations elegant and a charmer. He studied of practising law and hunting coy- engineering at Trinity but found it otes, hares and deer with a scratch boring compared to the excitement pack of hounds he managed to get of cards. By 1953 he had represented together there. When he came back his country at a bridge champion- to Ireland he built up a pack of ships in Finland. On the way home

Photographed at Grove House L to R: Richard Burke, ?, and John Burke.

114 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER he stopped over in London for a Many of the aristocrats they night and had a drink at the Star pub socialised with had been to Eton in Belgravia where villains mixed together but the man who co-ordi- with toffs. Burke played ‘spoof’ at nated their leisure activities, Aspinall, the bar with painter Lucien Freud, had a chip on his shoulder because bumped into a gangster named Billy he wasn’t one of them. It left him Hill and took a shine to the city. It determined to become leader of the turned into a fifty-year holiday, she pack, especially after he realised that said later. compared to the circle in which he Soon Burke was part of a set that moved, he was cursed with a woe- included the reckless gambler Lord ful lack of funds. Someone describ- Derby, who owned ing John Burke and much of Lancashire John Aspinall once and didn’t flinch said, “Two different even when he once men you couldn’t lost £300,000 in a meet. John Burke single night - the is a kind person. equivalent of £7 mil- The worst man I lion today. At a time ever met was John when gambling was Aspinall. He was a still illegal in Britain, rotten man. His twin Burke ran a notori- ambitions were to ous gaming venture make money and to with John Aspinall. move up the social Another found- ladder.” er member was Aspinall’s first Chancellor George bid to popular- Osborne’s spirited ise himself with grandmother Mary. John Burke 1958 the high-rolling The arrest in-crowd was to of Burke and Aspinall, as well as host a floating game of Chemin De Osborne’s grandmother for illegal Fer, ‘Chemmy’ as it was known, a gaming in 1958 led to a landmark card game popular on the conti- court case which changed the law nent, introduced to London by a and led to the founding of London’s foul-mouthed underworld character famous Clermont Club, meeting known as ‘The Vicar.’ place of the rich. There the pair Aspinall met his future partner-in- made millions, hood-winking high crime, Burke, through The Vicar with society with an extraordinary scam whom Burke used to play poker. The they learned from a leading under- Irishman was never allowed in the world villain at the time. Chemmy games because he was too

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L to R: John Aspinall, John Burke, and Aspinall’s mother, Lady Osborne, arrive for a court hearing, all charged with gaming offences, February 15, 1958.

canny a player and crucially not rich voked a dramatic change: within two enough. Burke and Aspinall estab- years, gambling had become legal. lished their own gaming empire. Four years after the court case Burke later recalled that the collapsed, Aspinall founded the atmosphere was one of luxury and Clermont Club in Berkeley Square amusement. “There was laughter, jok- with Burke as his operations manager. ing and drinking. At the same time it Though gambling was now legal, the was big money. We had games where law said they could charge only a the standard bet was £1,000 which ‘table fee’ and no longer take a 5 per- would be £25,000 today.” cent cut. In 1958, it looked like the game That’s when they started using a was up for the pair when the police scam they’d learned from gangster raided one of their infamous Billy Hill. Known as the ‘Big Edge’, Chemmy parties at a flat leased spe- it involved bending cards almost cially for the purpose by George imperceptibly so that an expert play- Osborne’s grandmother. The accused er planted at the table could tell turned up for the ensuing court case whether they had a high or low in Rolls Royces at the same time value just from the angle of the as some prostitutes. Nerves were crease and could guide the game so strained at the prospect of jail accordingly. sentences that a scuffle broke out “It was psychologically and between tarts and toffs. The case pro- mathematically brilliant”, explained

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Burke. “Einstein would have been portrait painter). He became so suspi- proud of it.” A clever player would be cious of the scam that he had long able to keep a mental record of how ago closed off the private staircase that many cards of high and low value linked the Clermont and his night-club had been dealt and would thus have Annabels downstairs. But he never a better idea of what cards remained fell out with the charming Burke and in the deck. before he died he summed up their Burke was now living in the youth together saying: “It was fun to Mayfair house that once belonged be with ‘Burkie’ and the crowd when to the Aga Khan with his Italian wife it all began. The world will never see Liliana and their daughter Daniela. such people again.” The marriage ended in divorce and During the last two decades of he later married his Swedish model his life he never set foot in a casino. girlfriend, Birgitte Forsberg. After divorce from his second wife Burke’s long-standing partner- he set up home with Caroline Gray, ship with Aspinall was to come to the daughter of Vice-Admiral Sir a dramatic end. The split came after John Gray OBE. He had been living Burke was tipped off by a lawyer, who with her for more than 20 years but was a Clermont member, that the club married her three months before he was being investigated. While he want- died in 2011, aged 87. ed to stop the ‘Big Edge’ scam, Aspinall Just recently I had a visitor who was determined to carry on with it. At spotted the book ‘The Hustlers’ by that point Burke decided to call it a Douglas Thompson on my kitchen day. His conscience was troubling him. table. He told me that he had met Aspinall never spoke to him John Burke a few times and that he again and up until his death in 2000 had given him a copy of the book. accused him of ruining the club by At that time Burke would have been introducing the wrong kind of peo- visiting his sister in Clonmel. Another ple. Burke had moved on. sister was Eve Goodbody, Lakefield. A Having outlived all the scoun- third sister was married to Clement drels he was finally free to give his Carroll, Rocklow, who owned ‘Arctic version of his wild younger days. Storm’ that won the Champion ‘Aspers’, he explained in his 2007 stakes at Newmarket in 1962. My memoir ‘The Hustlers’, “thought he visitor added that he thought he was entitled to rob the rich, the deca- was buried in England and also that dent, the weak and useless people John was not a rich man when he in order that he had the funds to do died. His parents’ grave is beside the what was important in the world.” Catholic Church in Cahir. For more And many people from the old information read ‘The Hustlers’ by days agreed with him about Aspers Douglas Thompson. First published including Mark Birley (son of society’s in England in 2007. ◉ 117 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 An Ornate Double-Arched Bridge

Tinsley Bridge on Grove Estate, built c.1840 by renowned Victorian architect William Tinsley. The bridge is photographed here c.1900 before being partially demolished by the huge flood of 1947. n the Fethard Newsletter of family, the Mocklers of Mocklerstown, I1999 a sharp, clear and pleasing Clerihan. But no hard evidence can photograph (reproduced above) of be found to prove (or disprove) what was called The Tinsley Bridge Tinsley’s assertions on his ancestry. was published. Though the photogra- Young William joined his father’s pher’s name was not made available building firm and began by acquir- it was without doubt that of Fethard- ing some basic training in the trade man Patrick Kenrick who in that of carpentry and brick building. image displayed to perfection the He also learned to produce simple elegant design of the double-span architectural drawings. In those years bridge. But is the life of the architect, a builder of a class above the run-of- William Tinsley who designed the the-mill level was expected by those bridge, still remembered locally? employing him to produce drawings William Tinsley was born in of a house and its exterior that would Clonmel on February 7, 1804. His answer the requirements of the father was Thomas Tinsley who had employer. Young William, neverthe- a building business in that town less, still lacked a working knowledge as did his grandfather Sylvester. The of mathematics and so he enrolled family were Protestant in religion, in a night school in Clonmel while and were reputed to have come to still working by day. In short, he was south Tipperary in Cromwell’s army. self-trained as an architect, but he William also claimed a relationship did gain practical experience in the with the old Anglo/Norman Catholic building trade while working with

118 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER his father. In the account of his life performance was on a high level as that he compiled in old age he tells he flitted through a number of styles that he learned much on architec- (even in his Fethard work) – Italian ture by copying designs from archi- renaissance at Lakefield, castellated tectural books and as he grew older medievalism at Tullamaine, and Ionic he went on trips abroad to study the at Grove House. form of old buildings and monu- Tinsley was no more than nine- ments and to make detailed notes. teen years old when, in 1823, his At every opportunity he made him- father passed full control to him for self familiar with the current trends overseeing a large building project in house design. To help his further at Knockeevan, Clerihan, for Baron improvement he left his father’s busi- Richard Pennefather who was a ness for a time to work under the member of a south Tipperary landed architect James Pain junior, who had family and a Circuit Court judge. trained under the famous English The work to enlarge the house at architect John Nash. But Tinsley, for Knockeevan for Pennefather gave all of that, was never a mere copyist Tinsley the confidence to develop in his plans, even if he did occasion- his talents and when the task was ally borrow decorative detail. And it completed the Baron, being duly has been noted that, though by no impressed, offered further work for means an original genius, Tinsley’s which Tinsley made a set of sketches.

Four years’ restoration work nearing completion at Tinsley Bridge, Grove, July 2008 L to R: John Sheehan, Willie MacClara and Rosemary Ponsonby.

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All this later work was undertaken dowry with the bride. Despite all in 1826. When Tinsley had finished William and Ellen were married in the earlier work at Knockeevan he Clonmel on June 5, 1827. They went received an offer of work from Sir to live with her parents. Hugh Gough to renovate a house at But for the young couple hap- Rathronan, Clonmel. For whatever piness was a short-lived commod- reason the building and renovation ity. In May 1828 Ellen gave birth to was never undertaken, but Tinsley a daughter who lived for only a few did design and build an entrance months. And then to add to the woe lodge to Rathronan House for Gough. Ellen herself contracted tuberculo- Unfortunately, this was burned down sis, possibly from her mother who during the Civil War of 1922/23. had died from it in April 1828. Poor On November 28, 1825, Tinsley’s Ellen died on June 3, 1829, and was elder brother John died and as his buried two days later on the second father was now aging the weight anniversary of her marriage. of the Tinsley construction business Though deeply shaken and fell on William’s shoulders and the crushed by the double tragedy parents were still much dependent Tinsley did not long remain a wid- on its survival for their livelihood. On ower. Even as late as the first half assuming the management William of the nineteenth century women set himself the task of enlarging the died in child-birth and consequently business and clearing all outstand- men re-married twice or thrice in ing debts. At this period, however, their lifetime. A little over a year after William wished to marry his child- his wife’s death, in October 1829, hood girlfriend, Ellen MacCarthy, William proposed marriage to Ellen’s who lived next door to the family cousin, Lucy MacCarthy who lived at home in Clonmel. Dunmore East. In this instance the He summoned up enough cour- girl’s parents had misgivings, but, nev- age to propose marriage to Ellen on ertheless, the wedding took place on April 13, 1826, and she accepted him. New Year’s Day, 1830. As Tinsley wrote For a number of reasons William’s in later life, he and Lucy had ‘twenty- parents were not keen on the match. seven years of happy married life in As it then stood the Tinsley construc- which thirteen children were born’. tion firm could little more than sup- Following his marriage to port the parents and young William, Lucy, Tinsley’s first project was the never mind a wife and possible Protestant Church on the Clonmel young children. Also, the MacCarthys side of Lisronagh. The overall archi- had once been most comfortably tect of this was James Pain, who rep- situated, but by 1826 the family were resented the Munster branch of the in straitened circumstances and so Established Church, but the church there was little chance of a helpful itself was designed by Tinsley and

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Lakefield House, Fethard, from ‘Victorian Architect’, a book depicting the life and work of William Tinsley his building firm were given the task which was designed in the Italian of construction. But for reasons that Renaissance style, stands today as it are not known the Protestant Bishop was constructed. It is a two-storied of Waterford, Richard Bourke, refused block with a low-pitched roof and to pay for the work and, despite a overhanging eves. It has an entrance court case, the Bishop would not and portico supported by four columns did not pay. That church stands today in the Doric style. Otherwise it is a as a roofless monument to an angry plain house and does not have the Tinsley. Up even to his final days at elaborate styles which Tinsley used Cincinnati, William bitterly recalled in his later American buildings. The his treatment at the hands of the importance of Lakefield, which was bishop and the losses sustained at sold by the Pennefather family in Lisronagh. But William’s friendship 1907, is that for Tinsley it was his first with James Pain continued and the effort as an independent architect. latter was greatly to influence the Despite this, it has to be said that it young architect in the years that was an attempt to plant an Italian followed. Tinsley’s next project was villa, more suited to Tuscany, on the more successful. cold and damp landscape of Ireland. This was the design and building When Tinsley was finished of a house at Lakefield on the road at Lakefield, he was engaged by between Fethard and Lisronagh and William Roe (afterwards murdered formerly the property of the Hackett by one of his tenants) to enlarge and family. William Pennefather was the re-model Rockwell House (today employer and the agreement was Rockwell College). In the blueprint signed on August 25, 1831. The house, the Gothic style was used, but all

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that now remains are the entrance Protestant’. The work at Tullamaine hall and stairway. While working was, for William, the most ambitious at Rockwell Tinsley was asked by venture he had yet embarked on. John Palliser to submit a design It was designed and built in the for re-modelling Palliser’s house at Tudor Gothic style and dominated Derryluskan and for his other house by a square battlement, but, unfortu- at Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford. nately, the building was extensively Nothing, however, came of Palliser’s damaged during the Civil War of request, but Tinsley’s reputation as an 1922-23. The house as originally built architect and builder of quality was was not unlike that designed by the spreading among the gentry of south great English architect John Nash Tipperary. for the Lords Lismore at Shanbally, While he was working on Clogheen, or Mitchelstown Castle Rockwell House the owner William which had been designed by James Roe introduced Tinsley to John Pain. Maher was so pleased with Maher of Tullamaine Castle. Maher’s the work at Tullamaine that he rec- house was then a late medieval ommended Tinsley to his brother building which he [Maher] desired Valentine Maher at Turtulla House to have rebuilt. In his journal (today part of the Thurles Golf Club) Tinsley described Maher as ‘hard- near Thurles. Originally Valentine ly more than a nominal Catholic Maher had employed an English with a young and beautiful wife, a architect, Anthony Salvin who was

Tullamaine Castle before its partial destruction and recent restoration taken from a book depicting the life and work of William Tinsley written by J. D. Forbes. Indiana University Press 1953.

122 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER a pupil of John Nash, but for some which leads to the old Kilmaclugh unknown reason Maher was not cemetery) was damaged during the happy with Salvin’s work. The Gothic dreadful flooding in the spring of Revival design which Tinsley submit- 1947. I have not seen the second ted was accepted and the delightful one. As noted, one was illustrated house can still be seen. in the Newsletter of 1999 at page During the time this work was 35, while the other can be seen in in progress William, his wife Lucy, an illustration in the Dictionary of and their children, moved home Irish Architects’ website where it is from Bolton Street to Mary Street in described as an ornate feature of Clonmel. They lived for four years the Grove House demesne and as a in Mary Street where more children fine example of technical skill and were born. William had his work- aesthetic design. shop in nearby Peter Street and it Also during his years at Adelaide was here, while playing among the Cottage Tinsley’s firm built a num- lumber, that his four-year-old daugh- ber of Church of Ireland churches ter, Mollie, was crushed to death. throughout Co. Tipperary. They were In 1836 William designed and built designed by his friend James Pain. Adelaide Cottage in Irishtown to One of them was the little church accommodate himself, his wife, and at Kilvemnon near Mullinahone. his growing family. Incidentally, while And in 1841 the new Protestant he was living in Mary Street Tinsley Bishop of Waterford, Robert Day, suffered a nervous breakdown. In appointed Tinsley as the diocesan 1837 the family moved into Adelaide architect; this post he was to retain Cottage and here they were to live until he left for America ten years for fourteen years until they moved later. Though raised in the Church to the . of Ireland Tinsley had become a While working on his own house Nonconformist in his later religious Tinsley accepted a commission from beliefs. For him, then, the conceiving William Barton of Grove House. He and building of the old Methodist designed and re-built the wings of Chapel at Clonmel, in the Greek the house and added a portico to Temple style, was a labour of love. the entrance in an un-fluted Ionic Strict adherence to Protestantism style. Overall he gave the house a formed the core of his religious Greek Revival and restrained villa creed. He held strong anti-Catholic style which for him was a new depar- views throughout his life: ‘pleasure ture and one that he seems not to seekers and Sabbath breakers’. have again attempted. During his But the most important project time at Grove he designed and built that occupied the last ten years of his two delightful bridges, one of which time in Ireland was the re-modelling (and the one I’m familiar with and of the town of Cahir for its then

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owner the Earl of Glengall. His work ing side of his business and con- here consisted of ‘erecting sundry centrated on the architectural. He ranges of street houses, and in the was influenced to this change by country on his tenants’ farms, resi- the loss of money incurred on the dence, various single houses also’. building of the Protestant Church He may also have undertaken some at Clogheen and a stone bridge at restoration work on . He Kilcoran near Cahir. In his new role records in his journal that he sur- he designed the large grain store on veyed the roof of the castle in April Suir Island, Clonmel, for the Hughes 1846. A fine example, however, of his family, which store can still be seen. work at Cahir is the streetscape run- He sketched various buildings for ning from the the Marquis of railway bridge Waterford around into the town (the old Cashel and Portlaw; Road). And the old police the planned barracks in the design of Cahir latter place, is very appar- though heavy ent to anyone in appearance, who stands is a good exam- at the front of ple of his work. Cahir House He drew up the hotel and looks plans for a new towards the home for Joseph castle and the The Methodist Chapel (former), Clonmel, taken from a Malcomson, the book depicting the life and work of William Tinsley river. The Tudor factory owner, at moulding over the upper-storey win- Mayfield, Portlaw. Today this is a con- dows is still noticeable. Incidentally, valescent home. one of the houses in Cahir has a And before leaving Ireland he stone tablet set into its front which made one more visit to Fethard. In bears Tinsley’s monogram: ‘W.T.’ the spring of 1847 Robert Harvey Tinsley seems to have carried out a hired him to design a mill in the considerable amount of work in that town. This was the Abbey Mill which town and he was lucky to have been today is the Abymill Theatre and fully paid for it because Glengall’s one of the few of Tinsley’s buildings affairs finally ended in bankruptcy; open to the general public. Tinsley the Great Famine of 1847-51 having supervised the work at Fethard until seriously affected the latter’s income. November 1847 when Harvey died From the mid 1840s onwards and his widow discontinued the Tinsley discontinued the build- building.

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By 1848 money was becoming 1859. His new wife was Mary Eliza scarce among the gentry due to the Nixon, but the marriage was a dis- Great Famine. Consequently, building aster though he had three children commissions were falling off, but it with her. Mary Eliza had a violent was not poverty that drove Tinsley temper and on several occasions to America. For whatever reason, on threatened to drown herself in the about September 18, 1851, he, his deep waters of the Ohio river. wife Lucy MacCarthy, and their nine In the fall of 1860 Tinsley became un-married children, sailed from a U.S. citizen, but he did not forget Waterford to Liverpool. The departure the old country. As his health was was not a happy one, and the voyage not good he decided to make a visit across a storm-tossed Atlantic was to Europe. On July 11, 1865, without frightening and unpleasant. Indeed, his third wife or his children, he left the ship was close to being lost at for Quebec in Canada and from sea at one point. And so in the fall there he sailed to the city of Derry. of 1851 they landed in New York to He came south to Clonmel where begin a new life. he stayed for two weeks with his Initially Tinsley thought of married daughter. Later he visited becoming a farmer in the New World, London and Paris. He returned to but eventually he settled on what he Liverpool and sailed from there on knew, architecture. Various Methodist September 22, 1865, to the U.S. He friends in New York recommended never again visited Ireland. Cincinnati in Ohio to him and gave From about 1870 his health him letters of introduction to people began to decline; he seems to have there. Business was slow in coming, suffered another nervous break- but come it did and in time Tinsley down. His final years were unhap- became a notable and successful py as family troubles and financial architect in both Ohio and Indiana problems crowded in upon him. He where he designed various state composed his will on March 11, 1879, institutions and colleges in the clas- and died on June 14, 1885. He was sical manner. buried with his second wife Lucy in In 1854 his wife, Lucy’s, health Crown Hill Cemetery at Indianapolis. began to fail; she suffered from an For those who have an interest intestinal complaint. She died at in such things a complete listing of Indianapolis on November 3, 1857. the works of Tinsley in Ireland can As Tinsley had to work, the task of be found on the Dictionary of Irish rearing the young family fell on his Architects’ website. The site also con- teenage daughter Jenny. But young tains an account of his life. ◉ Jenny found being a foster-mother – Michael O’Donnell (Owning) too much for her and so Tinsley mar- ried for the third time on January 30,

125 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 From Market to Mill - 100 Years

One of many old Fethard Players’ photographs that we would love to identify the play, year and players

his year the Fethard Players ‘Players’ I learned from my grand- Tcelebrate 100 years of ama- mother, Nora Gough, who was teur drama in our lovely town, and involved in the pantomimes, and their present ‘home’, Abymill, cele- subsequently from my mother, Mary brates its 25th anniversary. Gough-Mulligan. My early childhood As secretary of Abymill, and a was filled with anecdotes of the member of the Fethard Players for ‘market house’, as my mother called over 40 years, I feel it incumbent it, now the Town Hall. The stories upon me to take a trip down mem- were colourful and entertaining, ory lane, albeit my lane, and recall and wafting through the avenues of my memories and moments of an my mind are as fond remembered iconic group of players, and a won- names, Liz Brett, Paddy and Babe derful historic building. Anne McLellan, Tom Barrett, Louis The present Fethard Players had O’Donnell, Jim Sullivan, Billy O’Flynn their roots in the Fethard Dramatic and Betty Holohan. Society, which was formed in 1913, As a child I remember many thenceforth continuing as The fascinating nights in the Town Sodality Players, the Tirry Players, Hall watching, in awe, Mary and since 1940 the Fethard Players. Goldsborough, Percy O’Flynn, My earliest memories of the Goldie Newport, Austie O’Flynn, Ann

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O’Neill, and Carmel Brett with Hal Drama Festival, in which they won Goldsborough on lights, bring to us out their section and also the over- wonderful nights of entertainment. all award for the Best Play of the Eddie O’Neill, Anne Connolly’s father, Festival, thereby taking back two was producer supremo in those beautiful trophies plus three indi- days, and his son, Hugh, produced in vidual awards for outstanding act- later years. And of course that extra ing ability. New members introduced member of the cast each year, Nell that year were: Geraldine Arnold Mullins, who formally introduced (O’Sullivan’s Chemist), Pat Barrett, each one of the cast by name from Danny Ryan, Michael Woodlock and her front-row seat and by the end Joe Hanly. They also had ‘on-loan’ of the run gave a running commen- two schoolgirls, Frances Hayes and tary on the storyline of the play. Two Angela Dillon. young teachers, Paddy Broderick I joined the players in 1967, whilst and Eddie O’Sullivan, had joined by still in school and returned in 1973 then with the young Danny Ryan. after my sojourn in UCC for the The 1972 play was a comedy production of ‘See How They Run’ ‘When we are Married’, by J.B. and joined Phyllis O’Connell on Priestly, produced by Austin O’Flynn. continuity. In this production John They played to packed houses for Shortall made his debut on stage five nights in Fethard and then went and Joe Kenny was introduced as on to enter for the Waterford Open our new sound effects man. This was

The second old Fethard Players photograph that we would love to identify the play and the cast.

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the first play produced by Danny tunes were played and songs sung Kane, and following their successful after performances. Percy O’Flynn run in Fethard went ‘on tour’ to the was ‘tea-maker supreme’ and to this Waterford Open drama Festival in day no one would be short of ‘a Dungarvan, where we came second cuppa’ when Percy is around. in the face of very serious compe- Austie was back as producer tition. I remember Joe Hanly and for our next production in January Michael Woodlock having to drive 1974, ‘Ten Little Niggers’, staged in back from near Dungarvan to their the Convent Hall. This challenging respective homes to collect their play was very well received and the forgotten black shoes, whilst the rest murder story was so intense that of the cast waited in trepidation, min- we asked people every night, not to utes before curtain call. reveal the ending. We had a very enjoyable outing My first appearance was the in Dublin that year. We went by spe- following year, 1975, in ‘Rebecca’. cial bus, had a meal in the Clarence Goldie Newport gave an awe-inspir- Hotel and then went to see the ing performance as Mrs Danvers, much talked of play, Sleuth, in the and of course Gerry Skehan, who Olympia Theatre. It was a great treat sadly passed away when Abymill for all to see T.P. McKenna and Donal was under reconstruction. Carmel Donnelly give superb performances. Rice (Mrs de Winter) and Danny Donal O’Sullivan, Jimmy’s father, Kane (Maxim de Winter) played the was assigned as my ‘minder’ by my leads. The players also put on a short mother. It was Donal who first intro- one-act play as part of the concert duced me to the magical world of for the Fethard Festival in July and Leichner stage make-up and ‘lake’, which they repeated in Killenaule which could transform a person in at the request of Canon Hogan, who minutes. was long associated with the Fethard At this time I met many of the Players. A new member of the play- talented group that I would share ers took part in this play - Mary the stage with in years to come, Anne O’Connor. Connolly, Carmel Rice, Danny Kane, In a recent conversation with Goldie Newport, Paddy Kenrick, and Goldie Newport she recalled two Mary Goldsborough. I had the great memorable plays, ‘Michaelmas Eve’ privilege of being on stage with Mary (1967), where she vied for the atten- Goldsborough in her last play, with tion of a young man, Gerry Skehan, Donal O’Sullivan working his artistry with Chrissie Sayers, and ‘Autumn on her stage persona in the commis- Fires’ which was another favourite sioners’ room, which was also the of hers. She also spoke of the great venue for many social cups of tea, passion plays performed in the Town games of cards, and where many Hall, where producer, Eddie O’Neill,

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One of the earliest Fethard Players productions with Joe Coffey as judge, May Grady, Ciss Kenrick and again we would like further information. created the most amazing manual newcomers Billy Kenny as Dr. John sound effects. Goldie also recalled Haydock, Billy McLellan as Inspector winning the Feis in Clonmel with a Slack, and Geraldine Hayes as Lettice one-act play, which was deemed to Protheroe. be the winner by the famous Tomás 1980 saw a new diversion when MacAnna. the Fethard Players provided a range In 1976 we staged ‘Brush with a of entertainment at a variety concert Body’ and the cast were rewarded in the Country Club Ballroom as part for their months of rehearsal by the of the Fethard & Killusty Community marvellous response from the audi- Council’s annual festival; Anne ences, which packed every perfor- Connolly, Carmel Rice and Betty mance and never missed a joke. The Holohan performed a sketch ‘Baby following year 1977 we only man- Chick’ followed by a festival fancy aged a one-act play for Trocaire and production of ‘Tavern in the Town’ also lost two of our stalwarts, Liz Brett which in years to follow inspired the and Mary Goldsborough, who both formation of the Players’ sister group, passed to their eternal reward. the Hogan Musical Society. In 1978 we were back on the Following our production of ‘The boards reviving the 1958 production Late Christopher Bean’ in 1980, the of ‘Drama at Inish’ and introducing Fethard Players revived the tradition- many new faces to the stage. This al pantomime in January 1981, ‘Gone was followed in 1979 by ‘Murder with the Fairies’, written by Billy at the Vicarage’ which introduced McLellan and produced by Michael

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O’Donoghue with Don Byard as Billy McLellan. Sunday matinees in musical director. In April that same the ‘Ballroom of Romance’, as I fond- year Fethard Players also performed ly call it, comedy and laughs with ‘The Heiress’ play in the Town Hall. Billy McLellan. None could forget My next two plays acting in were the humour Billy injected into such ‘The Whole Town’s Talking’ in 1982 moments. and ‘I’ll Get My Man’ in 1983. The In the following years all inter- following year’s play in 1984 was ‘A ested in stage productions, back Letter from the General’, with Carmel or front, music or drama, funny or Rice, Billy McLellan, Rita Kenny, serious, were well catered for with Angela Dillon- so many memora- Whyte, Mary Keane, ble shows such as, Ann O’Riordan, ‘Oklahoma’ (1983), Joe Walsh, Jimmy ‘Are You Right There O’Sullivan and Michael’ (1984), myself. Most of us ‘Fiddler on the were nuns and one Roof’ (1985), ‘Old amusing memory is King Cole’ (1986), that Rita and I were ‘The Homecoming both expecting our - Songs of 50s first babies . . . the and 60s’ (1987), Reverend Mother ‘Opening of the and the seventy Abymill - Concert’ something year-old (1988), ‘The Sound nun! of Music’ (1989), The Hogan ‘Olde Tyme Music Musical Society Hall’ (1990), ‘The was formed at Heart’s a Wonder’ the beginning of (1991), ‘South September 1981 Fethard Players Mary Goldsborough and Eddie Pacific’ (1992), at a well-attended O’Neill on stage in the 1950s ‘Thanks for the meeting held in the Memories’ (1993), newly renovated Tirry Community ‘Oklahoma’ (1994), ‘Hello Dolly’ Centre where the following offic- (1995), ‘Farewell to the Valley’ (1996), ers were elected: Michael McCarthy ‘Magic Moments’ (1998), ‘Fiddler on (chairman); Gemma Kenny (secre- the Roof’ (1999), and the many stage tary); and Catherine Newport (treas- plays also performed. urer). Their first official production On May 26, 1988 Abymill was offi- was another pantomime ‘Goody cially opened by Catherine O’Shea Two Shoes’ in 1982, produced by who did the honours. Catherine was Michael O’Donoghue, assisted by elected as the ‘Mayor of Fethard’ that

130 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER year as part of our Abymill’s Fethard the displaced Jewish sisters, with Festival fundraising drive. Sadly Jimmy O’Sullivan and Geraldine Catherine is no longer with us. McCarthy playing Papa and Mama. Since 1988 I have many engaging Colm McGrath played husband to memories of the Abymill stage – great Ann Walsh, and Maeve Moclair her plays and great people – mother to childhood friend. Austie made a Lisa Rice-Laaksonen on at least three wonderful job of the production, and occasions; married to Percy O’Flynn as usual the set was amazing and the at least twice; the “Lughnatic Women” lightning and music highly effective. as Mary O’Connell christened us, in As our years in Abymill rolled Friel’s ‘Dancing At Lughnasa’ with by I also produced sixteen school Mary, myself, Anne Connolly, Carmel shows, which gave the local sec- Rice and Geraldine McCarthy. ondary school students a wonderful, As the years go by I have fond confidence-building opportunity of memories of Seamus Hayes, Ciarán being on stage. Mullally, Pat Brophy, Liam O’Connor, My stalwart support came, as Roger Mehta and Eoin Powell. I it still does, from Christy Mullins, introduced Austie to young, school- who loves nothing more than going players Deirdre Lawlor and being involved backstage, Johnny Deirdre Dwyer, and of course Conor O’Connor on lights, who was joined McCarthy, Tommy Gahan, and in this year’s production by Michael Belinda McCormack, at a young and Walsh and the ‘Meet and Greet’ team tender age. of Josie Fitzgerald, Trish Ryan with Memorable moments with Mia Maura Gorey, Veronica Fogarty and Treacy and Vincent (Jasper) Murphy. Paul O’Meara always willing to lend I will always remember Mia play- a hand. ing the tragic Mary in O’Casey’s I’m sure there are many more ‘The Plough and the Stars’ (2003), stories and memories out there. with Robert O’Keeffe as her young, These are but a few… But I dedi- patriotic husband. My own son Tom cate them to the memory of all the made his debut with the Fethard players, past and present, who have Players, along with Ciarán Treacy, in ‘trod the boards’ in Fethard town, the 2012 production of ‘The Shadow and whose dedicated performances of a Gunman’. have brought a smile to the face, a By the time we staged Hugh tear to the eye, to many, and to those Leonard’s ‘A Life’ (2010), Colm to come. McGrath had become an established player, and has just finished the 2013 “All the world’s a stage, and all the run of ‘Miss Rose White’, this year’s men and women merely players!” ◉ very powerful and moving play. L’ cheim – Marian Mulligan-Gilpin . Niamh Hayes and Ann Walsh played

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Fethard Players get together in Aherlow House c.1980 L to R: Billy McLellan (guitar), Austie O’Flynn, Pa Joe Holohan and Fr. O’Gorman.

Fethard Players get-together c.1980 L to R: Mary Ward, Philip Ward, Betty Holohan, Johnny O’Flynn, Kate O’Flynn, Cinta O’Flynn, Sean Ward and Margaret Ward.

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Anyone know these four children sitting on footpath outside the parish church and Perryville House?

133 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Fethard & Killusty Community Games e had another busy and Our teams gave their mentors Wexciting year on the and supporters hours of tension and Community Games Calendar delight as their bandwagon went in 2013. Competitors took part in through the various stages of compe- Art, Athletics, U10 Mixed Football, tition. The hurling team gave a great Gymnastics, U12 Girls’ Football, U11 performance losing by only one Hurling, Handwriting, and Swimming goal to Powerstown/Lisronagh. The where they enjoyed considerable team consisted of: Seán Moroney, success. Three competitors had the Thomas Donegan, Keenan Aherne, honour of representing their county Josh Nevin, Shane Neville, Robert at the National Finals in Athlone – Wall, Darragh Spillane, Michael Cassandra Needham, Slievenamon James Phelan, Shane Lawrence, Close, in Art; Keenan Aherne, Ryan Walshe, Jack Quinlan, Conor Prospect, in Handwriting; and Jack Neville, Micheál Quinlan, Cathal Dolan, Coolmore Stud, in Athletics Ryan, Kieran O’Donnell, Luke Allen – where they all did very well in and Cáin Hall. Team Managers were extremely competitive events. Jack, Michael Moroney and Michael aged 14, competed in the U16 1500m O’Mahoney. where he reached the final. The football team reached the

Fethard Girls U12 football team who made history being the first ever Community Games team to win a South Final. Back L to R: Mark Prout (coach), Kaylin O’Donnell, Lucy Spillane, Hannah Dolan, Emma Geoghegan, Ava Hickey, Rachel Prout, Miceál Spillane (coach), Caoimhe O’Meara, Laura Kiely, Ava Ward, Annette Connolly (coach). Front L to R: Ellie Devaney, Aoife Morrissey, Alison Connolly, Leah Coen, Emma Lyons, Carrie Davey, Ciara Connolly, Laura Harrington, Aine Ryan and Nell Spillane.

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South Final where they played Connolly, Leah Coen, Emma Lyons, the game of the century against Carrie Davey, Ciara Connolly, Laura Powerstown/Lisronagh. This game Harrington, Áine Ryan, Nell Spillane, was a draw at full time and the teams Kaylin O’Donnell, Lucy Spillane still could not be separated after (captain), Hannah Dolan, Emma extra time. In the replay, when Fethard Geoghegan, Ava Hickey, Rachel were short a couple of players, they Prout, Caoimhe O’Meara, Laura Kiely lost by a nar- and Ava Ward row margin. They were Team mem- a credit to bers: Shane their man- Lawrence, ager Miceál Seán Moroney, Spillane and Conor Neville, his selec- Michael tors Annette Flanagan, Lily Connolly, O’Mahoney, Jackie Hannah O’Flynn and Sheehy, Abbie Mark Prout. Tillyer, Áine There are Ryan, Heather many sons L to R: Leah Coen, Ben Coen and Alison Connolly all won Spillane, silver medals at the Community Games County and daugh- Darragh Athletic Finals in Templemore ters of well- O’Meara, known GAA Michael James Phelan, Luke Allen, people on these teams. Darragh Spillane, Ciara Spillane, The following is a list of all those Aoife Morrissey, Luke Dolan, Keenan who won medals in the various indi- Aherne, Toby Collier, Cáin Hall, vidual events. Kelly Ryan and Jack Quinlan. Team The winner of each category Manager was Michael Moroney. then represented Fethard/Killusty at The girls’ football team were the county finals where some lucky super stars; they won the south and talented children achieved their final beating Cashel/Rosegreen, goal of competing at national finals. then defeated Moycarkey-Borris in We salute all the participants, man- the county final in Semple Stadium agers, parents and supporters who and proceeded to compete in the turned out in such big numbers at Munster Finals in Tralee where they all the competitions. We also wish were beaten by a very strong Cork to thank all those who supported side but lost nothing in defeat. us in any way especially those who Team members were: Ellie contribute to our annual collection. Devaney, Aoife Morrissey, Alison Well done to all.

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Athletes from Fethard at the Community Games County Athletics Finals in Templemore

Community Games 2nd Holly Broomfield, 3rd Jessica Area Art results Gainford . Boys Under 12: 1st Ben Coen, 2nd Girls Under 6 Tots Non Qualifiers: Matthew Burke, 3rd Michael 1st Katelyn O’Brien, 2nd Jasmine Quinlan . Brennan, 3rd Maria Brett . Girls Under 14: 1st Holly Keating, Boys Under 6 Tots Non Qualifiers: 2nd Sarah Carroll, 3rd Laura 1st Criostoir Sheehy, 2nd Charlie O’Donnell . Walsh, 3rd Richard Murphy . Boys Under 14: 1st Conor Harrington, Girls Under 8: 1st Jenna Lou Coen, 2nd Gavin Mullally, 3rd Stephen 2nd Ciara Donald Besso, 3rd Crotty . Shakira Bradshaw . Girls Under 16 1st Cassie Needham . Boys Under 8: 1st Jack Davey, 2nd Joseph O’Flynn, Ciaran Maguire and Joseph O’Flynn, 3rd David Matthew Burke all went on to O’Brien . win bronze medals at the County Girls Under 10: 1st Eimear O’Sullivan, Finals 2nd Hannah Connorton, Joint 3rd Kelly Ryan, Heather Spillane Community Games and Emma Lyons . Area athletics results Boys Under 10: 1st Cianan McGuire, 2nd Dara O’Meara, 3rd Conor U8 Girls 60m: 1st Áine Connolly, Neville . Tullamaine, 2nd Kaycie Aherne, Girls Under 12: 1st Sinead Regan, Prospect, 3rd Olivia Ward, Redcity .

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U8 Boys 60m: 1st Jake Coen, Killusty, Earl, Slievenamon Close . 2nd Matt Coen, The Green, 3rd U14 Boys 100m: 1st Mark Heffernan, Oisín Ryan, Killusty . Ballyvaden . U8 Girls 80m: 1st Emily Davey, U16 Boys 1500: 1st Jack Dolan, Farranshea, 2nd Aoife Harrington, Coolmore Stud . Kerry Street, 3rd Nicola Moloney, U14 Girls Long Puck: 1st Katie Ryan, Abbey View . Tullamaine, 2nd Lucy Spillane, U8 Boys 80m: 1st Andrew Connorton, Tullamaine, 3rd Amy Brophy, Killusty, 2nd Oisín Ryan, Killusty, Kilknockin View . 3rd Joseph O’Flynn, Knockelly . U14 Boys Long Puck: 1st Ben Coen U10 Girls100m: 1st Ciara Spillane, Killusty, 2nd Robert Hackett, Tullamaine, 2nd Kelly Ryan, Cashel Road, 3rd Keenan Aherne, Cedar Grove, 3rd Eabha Ryan, Prospect . Killusty . U6 Non-Qualifying Girls Tots Races: U10 Boys 100m: 1st Michael James 1st Sarah Moore, 2nd Grace Coen . Phelan, Jossestown, 2nd Keenan U6 Non-Qualifying Boys Tots Races: Aherne, Prospect, 3rd Shane 1st Noah O’Flynn, 2nd Gavin Lawrence, Woodvale Walk . Neville, 3rd Zac Smyth . U10 Girls 200m: 1st Hannah U4 Non-Qualifying Tots Races: Girls Connorton, Killusty, 2nd Eabha 1st Lauren Connolly, Boys 1st Joe Ryan, Killusty . Purcell .Boys U10 Handwriting: U10 Boys 200m: 1st Dara O’Meara, 1st Keenan Aherne, 2nd Mark Killusty, 2nd Conor Neville, Neville, 3rd Conor Neville Kilknockin . Girls U10 Handwriting: 1st Hannah U12 Girls 100m: 1st Alison Connolly, Sheehy, 2nd Gillian Burke, Tullamaine, 2nd Lucy Spillane, Joint 3rd Anna Collier, Aine Tullamaine . Ryan and Kayleigh Nevin U12 Boys 100m: 1st Ben Coen, Killusty, 2nd Cian O’Brien, Slievenamon Katie Allen, Woodvale Walk com- Close, 3rd Robert Hackett, Cashel peted in the County Final of gym- Road . nastics. In swimming Abigail Maher, U12 Girls 600m: 1st Leah Coen, Tinakelly, Fethard, won a silver The Green: 2nd Carrie Davey, medal U14; Zoë Stokes, Ballybough Farranshea, Joint 3rd Kaylin a bronze medal U14 and Isobel O’Donnell, Kilconnell, Laura Maher, Tinakelly, a bronze medal Harrington, Kerry Street . U10. Cathal Ryan, Killusty, reached U12 Boys 600m: 1st Robert Hackett, the semifinal stage. Cashel Road, 2nd Richard We wish everybody at home Robinson, Watergate . and abroad a very Holy and Happy U14 Girls 100m: 1st Casey Hall, Christmas and a Peaceful and Slievenamon Close, 2nd Megan Prosperous New Year. ◉ 137 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Fethard Tidy Towns

Members of Coolmore gardening department helping with tree planting and landscaping at the new Fethard Playground site L to R: Joseph Looney, Christy Fitzgerald (Head Gardener Coolmore), Joe Keane (Fethard Tidy Towns), Tom Cummins, Tony Dolan and Ed Coman. ethard Tidy Towns commit- miles from Fethard. These trees have Ftee is as follows: Joe Keane matured over 25 years; the tree types (Chairman), Thelma Griffith (Hon. are as follows, Golden Ash, Blue Cedar, Secretary), Brian Sheehy (Treasurer), Oriental Pear, Silver Birch, Copper Committee members – Eamonn Beech, Norway Maple and Red Maple Kennedy, Sister Marie Fletcher, Tom (each tree will display an identity Tobin, Patrick Burke, Jimmy O’Shea, tag for easy recognition in both Johnny Burke, Mary Connors, Vincent English and Latin). On the planting Doocey, Nicholas Casey, Rory Walsh of trees we went for a sequence and Noreen Sheehy. of trees rather than a compass of This is the time of year we look trees as the area is too small, and back on different projects that we this provides you with a full view have carried out during the past year. of the playground and river area. The new project area at Cashel Road A 1.2 meter chain link fence will when started, was overgrown with be put up for the safety of children bushes, briars, weeds (Japanese knot in the playground. When we started weed and giant hog weed). We still this project there was no footpath on have some on the riverbank area the public road so this was included which we are treating with Roundup as part of the park project; this has and this treatment will go on for been a great benefit to pedestrians. the foreseeable future. The trees Coolmore Stud provided and plant- planted in the new tree park are all ed all the trees for this project and Irish grown in Coolmore Stud, three prepared the groundwork, while the

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County Council constructed the foot- The second project involved path. This new footpath joins up with hedge cutting and clearing on the the old boreen running beside the Clonmel road at Garrinch. The old river which exits at the Rocklow Road. hedge was cut back to provide both We are currently in the process of pedestrians and motorists with clear- developing the Convent Hall side of er visibility of the very busy Fethard/ the river. A footpath has already been Clonmel road. We hope that in time constructed and wild flowers, fruit the County Council will be able to trees and shrubs have been planted. construct a footpath at this loca- An existing entrance has been re- tion to join up with the Harrington opened for public access. We hope walkway. to construct a footbridge at a later The third project involved the stage over the river, to join both the area situated at the Grove road. This playground and tree park. Later this area was completely overgrown on year we intend to plant a total of 28 both sides of the entrance to the sew- oak trees inside the current concrete age treatment plant. With the help of railing along the Cashel road, and the County Council we cleared away plant a beech hedge with whitethorn. all old briars and bushes and ivy Further work will be taking place in along the wall. The ditch was cut the car park area, the existing wall will back as well and new top soil was be taken down and a copper beech added. Many thanks to Coolmore hedge will be planted in its place. Stud for their assistance with this

To mark National Tree Week in Fethard, CountryLife Garden Centre presented two fruit trees to Fethard Tidy Towns. The trees will be used to enhance the current landscaping project in Fethard. L to R: Linda Kelly, Joe Keane (Fethard Tidy Towns) and Freda Hayes.

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project. Wild flowers were sown at information will be very useful for the bottom of the wall on both sides the local schools, educating the and grass seeds on the remainder. pupils about the flora and fauna in We have sown daffodils and nar- Fethard. We hope in the near future cissi along the road curve. Coming we can put up a panel to tell us all in from the Kilsheelan road there is about the flora and fauna. a lovely new scenic view and pleas- The Tidy Towns committee have ant surroundings. More development started work on plans and projects will be carried out at a later stage, for for the next three years. Finally example, miniature trees and shrubs we would like to thank everyone and stone curving for the wall. for assisting with litter control in the town. Also we would like to Wildlife and Natural amenities thank anyone who helped with the We would like to thank Kevin upkeep of the town and the local Collins for his great interest in wild- schools, and a special thanks to life in the Fethard area, and for put- Coolmore Stud, South Tipperary ting up bird boxes and completing County Council, Micheál Maher a Biodiversity Survey. This survey Building Contractors, Mark Tynan has identified the various habitats Building Contractors, and Brodeen of wildlife in our community. This Knitters. ◉

Fethard Tidy Towns photographed with Marie Phelan, Environmental Section South Tipperary County Council, at a working meeting to commence with a Water Harvesting Programme in Fethard which will help conserve the use of water from the main supply which will be metered in the near future. Back L to R: Andrew Fox, Martin Shelly, Eamon Kennedy, Joseph Looney. Front L to R: Thelma Griffith (secretary), Joe Keane (chairman) and Marie Phelan (South Tipperary County Council). 140 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Bulfins and the Fethard connection he first thing you might say tors. This is even truer for those of Tabout the name Bulfin is that uncommon names such as Bulfin. in Irish name terms it is rare and unu- That said there is, to date, no trace- sual. Its origins are pretty unknown, able direct link between the two speculation is that it is a variation of groupings of family name. ‘Bullfinch’, but that is just what this is Dealing first with the Derrinlough – pure conjecture! Certainly it is not and Co. Offaly Bulfins. As well as an Irish name in the pure sense such being well established and promi- as Murphy or Ryan and some con- nent in this general area they have sider it arose around the south east also contributed the more well- of medieval England. Equally certain known Bulfin names. Alderman is that it has been around in Ireland Patrick Bulfin – Tea and Wine for 300 years or more. Merchant, Thomas St., Dublin was As I have mentioned in previous Lord Mayor of Dublin 1870-71. He Fethard Newsletter contributions, my was joint proprietor of Bulfin and Fay connection to the Bulfin name and Wholesale Grocers, Merchants and family is through my mother Brigid Seedsmen with premises in Thomas Bulfin (1910-1974) from The Valley, St, King St. North and City Quay. He Fethard. From this stemmed my fairly died during his term of office as widespread research arising mainly mayor and was given the equivalent from responding to many overseas of a state funeral. He is interred in Bulfins seeking information, such a vault in Glasnevin Cemetery. His queries originally passed on to me son Lt General Sir Edward Bulfin by my cousin, Tommy Bulfin of The (1862-1939) took a prominent part Valley. Of course the very unusual in the First World War (1914-18). and scarce occurrence of the name His forces took part in the capture made research somewhat easier. of Palestine – part of the Turkish The name Bulfin occurs and is Campaign. Patrick’s brother William historically confined to two areas Bulfin (1864 – 1910) left Derrinlough of Ireland, that is in Derrinlough for Argentina - very much a mid- and a surrounding area in Co. Offaly lands/Co Offaly custom at that time. and secondly in the area roughly He achieved considerable promi- between Ballinure and Fethard in Co. nence there owning and editing a Tipperary. That these two branches leading Argentinean newspaper, The were originally one extended family Southern Cross. He wrote Rambles is, for practical purposes, a certainty. in Eireann, an account of a journey It is anyhow a scientific and genetic by bicycle around Ireland. His son fact that 80 percent of people of any Eamon (1892-1968), as a republican given name have common ances- volunteer in the 1916 Rising, raised

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the tricolour over the GPO. He was a he was ‘not sworn’ – this may be for member of the first Dail and his sis- religious or other technical reason – ter Catalina ‘Kid’ Bulfin married Sean this body of worthies seemed to be McBride. Bulfin Road in Inchicore good at disputation! This John was Dublin (terminus of the No 19 bus probably the son of either John or - sadly now discontinued!) - was William of earlier years. Presumably named after him. In more recent he is also the same John who is times several of that family - Michael listed in the 1766 Religious Census Bulfin and Siobhán Bulfin - are well of the Fethard Union as ‘Protestant’. known sculptors A third Bulfin is also mentioned The Bulfins of Ballinure and as being a freeman but it was not Fethard generally speaking did not possible to make out the Christian achieve the same measure of nation- name. Trying to decipher these his- al prominence. In Ballinure there toric Fethard minutes is not for the are today several families of that faint hearted! name one of which, Michael Bulfin In the wonderful indexing of of Ballinure House, is directly related Cloneen (Ballyhomuc) Cemetery, to the Fethard Bulfins, the main sub- done by Gerry Hogan, Thomas ject of my article. There is much O’Connor and others, record No 161 evidence of a long Bulfin connec- lists headstones for – Thomas Bulfin tion with Fethard. John and William d.1791 55 yrs; Mary Bulfin nee Hickey Bulfin are several times listed in d.1811; her daughter Margaret 13 the 1700s as being freemen of the years d.1790; and Catherine Bulfin Borough of Fethard. To be a freeman nee Bryan 32 years d.1810, erected of the town you had to be of a family by Patrick Bulfin. Thomas Bulfin, of some note and prosperity. Michael Noan, is among those listed in O’Donnell – the Fethard historian the1879 Tipperary Free Press (by – in an article ‘Life in Fethard in the Ml. Kyle, Drangan) as having burial 1700s’ (1988 Tipperary Historical rights in Cloneen cemetery. Journal) notes that in 1709 the In the 1850 Griffiths Valuation d’Oyer Court commissioned a John Mary Bulfin occupies a dwelling in Bulfin to repair the town’s pound Main Street, Fethard, while a John wall but in December 1710 the Bulfin occupies a dwelling and 34 minutes complained that he had acres, this being the largest holding still not finished the work. He was listed in Ballyvadin, Magorban near ordered to finish the work or be Fethard fined £5! I, myself, found reference Finally turning to the immedi- to John and William Bulfin being ate family of my mother. Thomas jurors in a law case of May 1721. In Bulfin (1857-1927) was born in the 1773 minutes we find the vote of Ballinure - son of Thomas (1829- a John Bulfin being objected to as 1895) and Johanna (1825-1885) nee

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Fethard team at School Sports in Clonmel 1955 L to R: Johnny Shea, Bro. Kieran Lawlor, Vincent Allen, Fr. Hogan, Tom Leahy, Bro. Bonaventure Crowley, Tommy Bulfin and Sean Hogan. Ryan. On February 5, 1891 he mar- England. ried Catherine Walsh (1869-1941) of There were eleven children that I Fethard. Thomas moved to Fethard know of although my mother spoke at some stage in the late 1800s and of twelve. he and his family are recorded in the Patrick (1892-1911) joined 1901 census as living in Main Street, his father in the cattle trading busi- Fethard. It is not clear if this is the ness and in August 1911 was trag- same house that Mary Bulfin was liv- ically drowned while bathing at ing in 1850. At some point between a place called The Green on the then and 1911 he built the present Suir at Clonmel. He and a com- Bulfin house and the adjoining sin- panion had been coming from gle story houses in The Valley. While a fair in Dungarvan. In an earlier he had land just outside Fethard on (1999) Fethard & Killusty Newsletter the Rocklow Road his main occu- I reprinted the graphic newspaper pation was cattle dealing. By all account of this sad happening and accounts he carried on a substan- also the account of his funeral. tial trade and travelled frequently to Among other things the paper said Birkenhead near Liverpool, which that ‘Patrick had been of consider- was, at that time, the main centre able help to his father in his exten- for the Irish live cattle trade into sive business’ and from what I have

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Fethard Main Street c1900 . . . are they geese in the middle of the road?

gathered the event had a long lasting Station. Railway catering in those traumatic effect on the whole family. days was a serious matter, none of Josephine (Jo) (1893-c1962) the take it or leave it stuff you have to spent all her life in the Irish post endure nowadays. Real tablecloths, office. She initially did relief work hotel ware teapots, good quality in various Irish towns particularly tableware and proper cutlery – all Kilmacthomas Co Waterford before embossed tastefully with the GSR becoming the postmistress of insignia. During the war Margaret Ballybay Co Monaghan. Ballybay is a used to send us parcels with scarce kind of ‘Fethard of the north’ similar unobtainables – tea, Cadbury’s choc- in population and size and with the olate and GSR tea towels. This station same strong sense of community. is on the Galway-Dublin rail line There was to be a strong Bulfin con- and I pass through it frequently. It is nection. Jo never married and was a closed now – Athlone station is now lady of strong religious conviction. on the Leinster side of the Shannon. Margaret (1895-c1970) worked The old station has an abandoned with the catering section of Great air and as my train passes slowly Southern Railways latterly CIE. Most through it before crossing the huge of this was spent as manageress Shannon river rail bridge I always of the railway restaurant in Athlone impart a silent tribute to Margaret

144 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER and past times. On her retirement on his milk business so will not she bought a house on the Grove repeat the detail here. However, hard- Road near Ned and lived out the rest ly an edition of this publication goes of her life there. by without some photo or reference Thomas (1897-1954) succeed- to Ned and his contribution to the ed his father in the cattle dealing town’s life and community. For a business and at one stage was also generation of a certain age he and an insurance agent. In about 1935 his milk business seemed to epito- he married Johanna Power (d 1999) mise all that was good and proper from Callan. He and his family lived about an era now past. One of my in the family home in The Valley memories of the Grove Road house presently occupied by Tommy. He was a bone-handled meat carving died suddenly of a heart attack on knife with the blade worn thin from August 17, 1954. carving endless roast beef joints – Mary (1899-1930). Sadly I have those were the days before choles- no account of her 31 years before terol and such like came between she died at early age of 31 - of TB I a person and a good old fashioned believe. dinner! Rather late in life he mar- Michael (1901-1977). I seem ried Veronica Linden from Ballbay. to recall that he was with the Royal Veronica settled well in Fethard Air Force as an aircraft rigger in the and became popular and well liked 1920s. After that he worked in the despite reorganising Ned’s chaotic London area until the mid 1950s at milk accounts and drastically cut- which point he returned to Fethard ting back on the far too generous where, with Jim, he was part of the credit payment terms! triumvirate that made up Ned’s milk John (Jack) (1905-1964). From enterprise. In 1951 a Clonmel aunt his earliest years he had a keen brought my sister and me to London sense of humour – my mother relat- to see the Festival of Britain. We met ed that in the early days of electricity Michael there and he brought us to in Fethard he would loosen the fuses see Westminster Cathedral, still one in the house and then say to his of my favourite places to go to when father that he could restore the light. in London. A grateful father would then cough Edmund (Ned) (1902-1978). up six pence or a shilling! He lived Ned spent some years in Dublin; I in England, Clonmel and Carrick- think he had a milk round or some on-Suir at different times but eventu- related activity. In the late 1930s he ally settled in Abbeyside, Dungarvan returned to Fethard and set up his where he ran a grocery business. milk delivery business. In the 2006 He married Pearl Terry of Abbeyside edition of the Fethard & Killusty who came from a musical family. Newsletter I contributed an article Shortly before he died I recall visit-

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ing him in Dungarvan hospital. What summer. He was the last of the family has remained with me was the sheer to die. basic bareness of the place – people Catherine (Cathleen) (1908- complaining about the HSE nowa- 1978). Cathleen married Frank days would want to see how things Carragher when he was working for were then! His son Jonathan Bulfin the ESB in Limerick- Shannon area. lectures on music in the Waterford From the Louth/Monaghan area Institute of Technology and is an they eventually settled in Ballybay expert on brass music and instru- where Frank ran an electrical con- ments. He is also a keen birdwatcher, tracting business. Their family still as I am. Rose Regan (nee Bulfin) is live in and around Ballybay where a long serving member of the pres- they are active in community affairs. tigious Guinness Choir in Dublin. The local post office originally held Several other members of the family by Jo Bulfin, is still run by a family are active in and around Dungarvan. member. James (Jim) (1907-1982). In Brigid (Bridie) (1910-1974) many respects Jim led a quiet life. Youngest in the family she married All of it was spent in Fethard. He John Sharkey in 1934. His family had lived first in the original family home a watchmaking and jewellery busi- in The Valley and then with Ned ness at 44 Gladstone Street, Clonmel. and Michael on the Grove Road. He She lived all her life in that town but helped with the milk business and she retained a lifelong regard and dealt in calves. In 1975 he spent a love for Fethard, something which long spell in Merlin Park Hospital in she passed on to my late sister Helen Galway. I was able to visit him there and me. Therefore this short Bulfin and we used to have long conversa- note is dedicated to her. ◉ tions in the evenings of that very fine Neil Sharkey, Headford (August 2013)

Children playing on the banks of the Clashawley in Fethard c1900

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John Ward, John O’Shea and May Goode standing beside car. c1950

Senior Citizens Christmas Party 1981 Back L to R: Alice Ryan, John Halpin, Kathleen Walsh. Front L to R: Agnes Allen and Josie Kenny.

147 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 The many lives of Stevie O’Connor

Sean Hanrahan welcoming Stevie O’Connor and his steed ‘Murphy’ to Fethard on June 18, 2004, one of his stops in his ‘Four Corners’ Pilgrimage’ trek around Ireland on horseback. The trek which started in Rosslare on Saturday, June 11, 2004, took him to the four corners of Ireland on horseback while raising awareness of mental health. Stevie, originally from Kiltinan, was also met by his sisters, Patricia Clear and Elma Khareghani, along with many of his old friends who wished him well on his journey.

n 2006, Stevie O’Connor had a famous or unhappily infamous, there Ishort article about his bipolar are pages in this book that have condition published in a book enti- something for you.” tled, ‘You Don’t Have To Be Famous And so it had for me . . . this is To Have Manic Depression’. This Stevie’s story . . . book was written by Jeremy Thomas and Dr. Tony Hughes and published Steve – The Horseman by Penguin. It was a follow up to a BBC documentary on bipolar and y name is Steve. I was born Stevie was very proud to have his Mthe youngest of five on a story published in this ‘A-Z Guide to farm in South Tipperary in 1953. Good Mental Health’. From a young age I tended to be The book is a very interesting moody and withdrawn at times. I read and summed up well in the remember one day as I sat under a book’s forward by Stephen Fry in tree, my dad asked me, ‘Why are you his opening sentence, “Whether you moping about on your own?’ I was are cheerfully anonymous, gloomily unable to answer the question.

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As the years passed, and I grew later, I was in a new relationship, into my late teens, I became very which led to my second marriage, restless. I came over to England at and life looked rosier! the age of seventeen to work. Over Over the following sixteen years the following seven or eight years, I lived with bouts of depression and I moved from place to place, and mania, but went undiagnosed. I used job to job, until I ended up in North various herbal remedies including Devon. There I met and married my St John’s Wort to help me though. first wife, and I settled for the first Sometimes I would be at work and time in years. I went to work in a feel so panicky I would make up an local factory as a welder, and later as excuse that I was physically unwell, a cell facilitator. We had two lovely and take a few days off. I would daughters in the six years our mar- spend hours walking our dogs, as I riage lasted. just wanted to be on my own; it must Shortly after we separated I have been very difficult for my wife became very unwell; at the time I and children. was suffering with a prolonged back In the late 1990s the strain on my problem which caused me to have family became too much, I separated many sleepless nights. What with the from my wife, and with my young- lack of sleep, the stress of looking est daughter from my first marriage after two young children, etc., I was moved into rented accommodation. admitted as a voluntary patient to The next couple of years were very the psychiatric wing of the North unsettling and we moved home Devon District Hospital. It would several times. Then my daughter take pages to explain the delusory finished school and started work, I thoughts that were swirling about my managed to buy a house, and things mind at this time. settled down for a while. I spent two weeks in hospital On a visit to my sister in Penzance heavily sedated; the diagnosis was I met and later married my third wife, a break-down due to stress. I was and we lived in North Devon for released and given a concoction of a while. When I was sacked from sedatives, but as soon as I got home I my job of twenty years in 1999, we flushed them down the toilet. I have moved to Penzance. I was becoming always had a fear of taking addictive seriously unwell once more. I regis- medication. It might be because I tered with a doctor in Penzance, who saw the effect they had on my moth- prescribed Prozac. It was probably er when I was growing up; she had a the worst thing he could have done! severe breakdown after the birth of Over the following months I went one of my sisters, and took medica- through the worst time of my life. tion for many years. I was so manic I was borrowing I returned to work three months and spending money on ludicrous

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schemes; at one time I was trying to to some sort of normality, so much buy three properties. so that I was able to move into a But then came the slide from flat on my own in March 2001. The mania into the deepest depression cost of this breakdown was my third of my life. I was hanging on a tread. marriage. Then on October 30, 2000, I was Over the next few months I admitted to hospital once more as learned about bipolar, its effects and a voluntary patient, where I made treatment, and tried to find a way a vain attempt on my life. A cry for forward. I was brought up with hors- help, perhaps. es, but although there were horses I was put on twenty-four-hour sur- available to ride when I was young, veillance, until the staff were happy I I never had one of my own. Ever was no longer a threat to myself. The since I came to live in England I next few days were a fight within dreamed of putting that right, but myself to stop unravelling complete- because of other commitments was ly; I was not sure what was happen- never able to do so. Over the years ing to me, which in itself was very I often dreamed of trekking with frightening. a horse, either with a wagon or a After a few days I met Dr Hunter, pack. Maybe I had seen too many and became his patient (I still am). westerns, or possibly I have itinerant Over the next week or so we talked, blood, I’m not sure. Anyway, an idea and he took some blood tests. I was started to grow in my mind: why not not really aware of what was going on make the dream come true? all the time. Then in the second week A few years previously I had been I went to see him, and he told me I on holiday with my brother in Spain, was suffering from bipolar affective where we stayed with friends of his disorder. ‘What in hell is that?’ I asked, in a village in the foothills of Sierra and he explained that it is a form of Nevada near Granada. We did some manic depression. “Good, does that riding whilst there. I fell in love with mean I’m not going ‘mad’?” He said the Spanish way of riding; their sad- the illness is caused by an imbalance dles are so comfortable! of the chemical in the brain that One of the friends was a vet- maintains normal mood swings. He erinarian with the endurance riding said he wanted to put me on a course circuit. The idea of riding between of lithium. Looking back, maybe those thirty and one-hundred miles as a were the most significant words ever race did not particularly interest me, spoken to me! but the thought of riding over long Having a diagnosis really helped distances did. I asked her how far in my recovery. With the help of the she thought it was possible to ride a psychiatric team, my family and horse if you took your time. She said friends, I made a steady recovery you could ride a horse as far as phys-

150 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER ical or political borders will allow Spain I got my horse. He was called you to; as long as you look after your ‘Colina’. We set off from Seville on horse, he will take you as far as you May 14, trekking some 2,000 miles want to go. That answer was to prove along ancient pilgrim trails through the spark that, three years later, was western Andalusia, Portugal, north- to lead to the realisation of a dream. ern Spain and France, finally arriving The idea of going to Spain to buy in Penzance on September 10. a horse, then trek back to Cornwall, ‘Colina’ became a big part of to raise awareness of the effects of my life: we did two more treks over mental ill health, became an obses- the next three years, until he died sion. At first I was afraid to tell any- suddenly of colic on December 27, one about my dream, in case they 2005. He helped me live a dream, sent for the men in white coats! and opened many doors for me, for To cut a long story short, on April which I am eternally grateful. ‘Rest in 27, 2002, I left Penzance for Spain, I peace, dear friend.’ had just over £3,000 in my pocket, Don’t be afraid to dream, every- and with the help of a friend in thing is possible. ◉

Stevie O’Connor on his new horse ‘Jess’ in Fethard 2012

151 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 A fitting Fethard farewell Guild’ – the world’s first international amily, relatives and friends association of equestrian explorers Fgave the late Stevie O’Connor, – an invitation-only organisation that formerly from Kiltinan, Fethard, a was formed in 1994 to represent men fitting send off following his unex- and women of all nations who have pected death on March 20, at his ridden more than 1,000 continuous rented home near Cloneen. The miles on a single equestrian jour- news of Stevie’s passing came as a ney. In 2002 Stevie rode his pony great shock to the community who ‘Colina’ on the 3,000 kilometres trek in the past few years had come to from Seville in Spain, via Santiago de know this colourful character again Compostela and back to his home in after he moved back from England Cornwall where he lived at that time. to his native Fethard. This mammoth journey was record- A lover of animals and nature, ed in Stevie’s book ‘Dare to Dream’ Stevie was happiest when walking published in 2006 as an eBook on or trekking over hills, byways, val- www.chipmunkapublishing.co.uk leys and it was very understandable On May 14, 2012, Stevie, after eight why he later joined ‘The Long Riders years planning, started his ‘Around

Stevie O’Connor, home on holiday from England, is photographed with friends at McCarthy’s Hotel. L to R: Joe Kenny, Stevie O’Connor, Frankie Napier and John Shortall on May 14, 2010.

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Stevie O’Connor’s final resting place at Kiltinan Graveyard overlooking his original family home. Ireland Spring Trek’ with his new on Friday nights in McCarthy’s Hotel, steed ‘Jess’ which was supplied by Fethard, where he sang songs from his his friend Don O’Connell, Fethard. vast repertoire gathered on his travels. Stevie dedicated this trek to the On Friday, March 22, as a trib- memory of his daughter Jessica who ute to Stevie’s friendship and life, tragically died through suicide on musicians, family and friends gath- December 2, 2010. ered in McCarthy’s to give Stevie a Stevie and ‘Jess’ completed the ‘wake’ he would be proud of. On trek on October 17, finishing where Saturday Stevie was removed to he started in Dungarvan. Steve was Kiltinan Graveyard for a very memo- the first Irishman to be awarded rable and intimate burial overlook- Fellowship of the Royal Geographic ing his original home and the valley Society in the sphere of Equestrian of Slievenamon. Exploration and Membership of Stevie will always be remem- ‘The Long Riders Guild’ and the first bered for the unique person he was Equestrian Explorer to ride around and his untimely passing is deeply the Four . Steve mourned by his daughter Sabina, was promoting well-being and the his family Elma, Jimmy, Catherine, IINM Suicide Prevention. Patricia and Conor, relatives and his Stevie, who celebrated his 60th many friends befriended on his trav- birthday on February 18, 2013, reg- els. May he rest in peace. ◉ ularly attended the music sessions

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Demise of Main Street Shops by Carmel Rice ittle did I think, or imagine, of the country, if not the world. I Lgrowing up in the Main Street remember as a child being sent out that I would ever see the day when by my father, Jack Brett, with two all the shops would be closed for old pennies to purchase the Irish business, save the post office, the Independent and being barely able bank and the pharmacy. to reach the counter, it being high In my years growing up during the and I being small. I wouldn’t be seen late forties and fifties I lived plonk in until one of the ‘wise men’ would the middle of the street, Brett’s Pub to eventually tell Mr Newport I was be precise. Moving downwards there there. One could also get cigarettes was Newport’s, Scully’s, Newport’s and chocolate there, I would some- again, Mrs Murphy’s, Pa Green’s, times be treated to a 3d Cadburys Tierney’s and on the opposite side bar. In recent years I have taken my going upwards you had O’Flynn’s, Dot young grandsons to Edwina’s, Tony O’Shea’s, O’Connell’s, While-U-Wait, Newport’s daughter, for their Sunday Nell McCarthy’s, O’Mahoney’s, Gorey’s, treats. Edwina always had something Mrs Ahearn’s, Dillon’s Chemist, Josie nice for them too. So it was the end Stapleton’s, Whyte’s, Bride O’Flynns, of an era and very sad when the O’Sullivans, Mrs O’Briens, Henehan’s, premises closed its doors. Din Flynn’s (where we got the bull- Then there was Kay’s, where the seyes and acid drops in the twist of ladies kept up with the latest fash- paper), Mai Goode’s, McDonnell’s, Mai ions and also had the chat, maybe to Walsh’s (for homemade cakes and discuss the last ICA meeting or the buns). Isn’t that amazing, and I’ve left next one, farming issues or whatever. out all the pubs! Kay had a great sense of humour It’s a different world I suppose and there was always a laugh to be with all the big chain stores in had. She carried a good and varied Clonmel now, travel so easily and stock. I bought my first stylish coat readily available, and of course from her. I remember it vividly, a online shopping. brown wool A line, Monique brand Just to take the shops on either with a neat mink collar. It was the side of my own house, Newport’s ‘real thing’ and the first of many I Newsagents to one side and bought from her. Kay McGrath’s on the other. Bert Kay carried everything from coats Newport’s where the chat was to shoes, socks, underwear, sweaters, mighty – the wise men of the town needles, thread, wool, bits and bobs and surrounding areas gathering of of every kind. If you needed some- a morning, in addition to purchas- thing, Kay had it! She also ran a very ing their paper, to discuss the affairs successful boutique in Clonmel in

154 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER the ‘narrow street’ or Mitchell Street. and thus began the story. Boutiques were all the rage, the small So now both of these business stylish up-market shop, and Kay com- premises have closed their doors peted with the best of them. and I can remember the happy occa- Kay had another life as a farmer’s sions spent in both. Maybe another wife. She married Dennis McGrath time we can delve into a few more who farmed in Rathkenny, where Kay business premises of the past and reared her chickens and loved her revive old memories. home-baking. She came to Fethard To end on a high note, we have a to her aunt, Miss Doyle, who worked lovely stylish new café called Jollys in Lonergan’s on The Square (which at the corner of Main Street on The burned down afterwards), but never Square – a new meeting place for a lost her Carlow accent. She was chat and to solve the mysteries of the proud of her roots. She met Denis world. ◉

Bert and Ciss Newport photographed outside their Newsagency shop in Main Street in the 1930s

155 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Fethard & District Rugby Club

Some members of the Under 10 rugby team who played a blitz in Fethard on October 6, 2013. Back L to R: Michael O’Meara, Stuart Luke, Ben Ruttle, and Michael Long. Front L to R: John Smullen (coach), Jack Cleere, Daniel Boland, Conor Neville, and Willie Ruttle (coach). ethard & District Rugby Club As the final whistle sounded, Fethard Fhad another successful year were back on top with a score line of in 2013. Our first game of the year 5-4 to Fethard! A great start for 2013! with the Under 6 to Under 11 teams The Fethard Under 8s performed began with a chill wind blowing really well on their first outing with across the Community Field as we fantastic tackling throughout from welcomed both Mitchelstown and David McCormack, Robbie Noonan, Kilfeacle rugby clubs to see in the Miceál Blake and consistent tack- New Year. Fortunately the rugby was ling with great gusto from Padraig warm enough for all. A very shaky O’Dwyer, Tomás Ryan and Louis start by Fethard U11s saw Kilfeacle Ryan. Great teamwork from Jack put two early scores on the board Quinlan, Mark Neville and William and a bit of unseasonal advice from Noonan also contributed with fine the coaches left no doubt in any- tackling from Andrew Connorton, one’s mind that Christmas was over Paraic Heffernan and Ana Quigley- and the time for giving was past! O’Dwyer. But great play was soon restored by In March, Fethard U10s hosted Eabha Fitzgerald, Ethan Coen, Eoin a pan-Munster Blitz. Killarney RFC Walsh, Angus MacDonald, Mathew came all the way up from Kerry, Burke, Mathew Gleeson, Sam Quigley, Clanwilliam came from Tipp Town Jack Hassett and Richard Robinson. and volunteers from each of the

156 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER three clubs made up a fourth team which was subsequently converted called the Barbarians. Fethard once by Gary Kavanagh. Nenagh were again proved they are a formidable quick to respond and within five U10 team, too strong for Clan and minutes scored a breakaway in the the first game went to the home corner. Fethard piled on the pres- side. Fethard were pinned back by sure and some great forward play by the Barbarians for a large part of Griffin Ivors, Ross McCormack, Tim their game, but Fethard powered in Daly and Bill Phelan saw Fethard several tries to gain their second camped on the Nenagh line, but a victory. Killarney gave Fethard their strong Nenagh defence held Fethard sternest test of the day in a hard out. The second half was a real test, fought contest that had individual but the Fethard lads put their heart flair alongside practised team moves and soul into the final fifteen min- and skills. All the teams came away utes and continually took the ball having enjoyed the day, the competi- until deep in the Nenagh 22. Nenagh tion and the hospitality. rushed up to cover the Fethard cen- The club’s first big achievement tres, Connie Coen and Joey Noonan, of the year came at the end of March who had posed threats all day but when the Under 15 team won a the elusive Killian O’Dwyer cut hard fought victory over a much inside to score under the posts. He bigger Nenagh side played to secure kicked the conversion himself. In a place in the East Munster Final. the closing minutes Thomas Murphy, Fethard scored a fine try when Killian Richie Holohan, Michael Gaynor O’Dwyer split the Nenagh defence, and Mark Collins tackled everything

Alan Kelly TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Tourism & Sport, enjoyed rugby train- ing with committee members at rugby training on Friday night, February 22. Pictured are Alasdair MacDonald, Polly Murphy, Minister Alan Kelly TD, Valerie Connolly, Paul Kavanagh, and Liam Hayes.

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that came at them and the backs With play breaking down at the half Mark Heffernan, Gearóid Fahey and way line Ross McCormack took the Jack Dolan were rock solid to secure ball in hand and charged for the the win. In the Final however, a mas- line shrugging off several tackles sive Dungarvan team proved just on the way. This score really got too difficult to beat. To be fair to Fethard into gear with every player this Fethard team, they played their upping their performance. Mark hearts out and if it was not for so Heffernan attacked City’s line only many refereeing decisions going to be stopped just short, great sup- against them, it could have been a port play from Harry Butler and the very different story. forwards saw Jack O’Rourke crash- In April, it was the turn of our ing over for another try. The tackling Under 14 team to contest another from Fethard was relentless from East Munster Final, this time against all around the field. Darragh Lynch Waterford City. The morning certainly put in great tackles at full back wasn’t ideal for rugby and a gale and in the centre Mark Heffernan blowing into the face of the Fethard and Jack Kealy tackled everything side for the first half soon left us that moved. City’s indiscipline cost trailing by five points. In the second them another three points that half Fethard started well using the Josef O’Connor slotted over. This wind to their advantage and keep- was a hard fought victory and truly ing the City team in their own 22. deserved, well done to the whole

Fethard’s Under 14 rugby team. captained by Ross McCormack, who won the East Munster Cup Final on Sunday, April 28. Back L to R: John Smullen, Shane Ivors, Richard Holohan, Jack Kealy, Tim Daly, Mark Heffernan, Ross McCormack, Harry Butler, Jack O’Rourke, Barry McGrath, Lorcan Ivors, Ned Grogan, Paul Kavanagh and Hugh O’Connor. Front L to R: Oisin Smullen, Andrew O’Connell, Padraig Harrington, Darragh Lynch, Matthew Lynch, Josef O’Connor, David McCormack, Aaron Smullen, and Iain Harrington.

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Players taking a short break between games during their tournament at Treviso in Italy on May 11, 2013. Pictured L to R: are Bill Phelan, Richard Holohan, Gary Kavanagh, Mark Collins and Jack Dolan. panel of players involved. great strength. Second row new-com- On the same day, our Under 17 ers Lisa Norton and Amy Kirby have team also contested an East Munster proved a great asset to the team Final, but just came up short against with their rucking support and ball a very strong Nenagh side. Our adult recycling. Kora Delaney at scrum team in the Junior 2 Leagues were half keeps the pressure on with fine also very competitive throughout the tackling throughout and quick ball season, but suffered from a lack of constantly from rucks. Fly half Áine game time which made it difficult Phelan has on a number of occa- to build a momentum and establish sions put herself in great positions to consistency. This is improving for the take great scores for the team. Aobh 2013/2014 season, with a much more O’Shea with Amy Thompson and regular schedule of matches lined Leah Fox are great centres who put up across the Munster area. in the tackles and recycle the ball Fethard Girls Rugby enjoyed providing great support to the team. numerous wonderful games in Katie Ryan has a great catch and Thurles, Mallow and Cashel. The backs this up well with her ball car- squad has progressed well with a rying and recycling. Niamh Holohan front row of Molly O’Dwyer, Aisling with Leah Scott are great backs with Kelly and Aoife Delaney working fine ball carrying and showing sup- well together and rucking over with port in the rucks when it counts.

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Padraig Collins, Mary Lynch, Kevin Gaynor, Ena Collins, Ned Grogan and Liam O’Dwyer enjoying the tournament in Italy during May.

Training for the girls is on Friday eve- coaches too, who selflessly give of nings at Fethard Community Field their time at training and at matches from 8pm to 9.15pm. New members to help their teams achieve their full from the age of 13 years and up are potential. We also enjoy great sup- always welcome and supported. port and co-operation from many As always, we want to extend our other clubs and organisations in sincere thanks to the players, parents the Fethard area who help to pro- and patrons who are at the very vide the wonderful facilities at the heart of Fethard & District Rugby Community Sportsfield, and for this Club. A special word of thanks to the we are very grateful. ◉

Fethard & District Rugby Club welcomed a group of six Munster players to a training session on August 1, 2013. After being treated to a tasty meal at McCarthy’s Hotel by Club President, Liam Hayes, the Munster stars took time for autographs and pictures with our own players. Pictured are Johnny Holland, Eabha Fitzgerald, Eoghan Fitzgerald, and Luke O’Dea.

160 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club

Coolmoyne & Moyglass Vintage Club Tractor Run, with a total of thirty-eight tractors, parked at Fethard’s scenic old Town Wall on July 27, 2013.

his year we were incorporat- Old Moyglass National School Past Ted into the Ned Kelly Festival Pupils’ Reunion. Later in the evening for our 6th Annual Event – a two-day sunshine we were served a barbe- event using Moyglass Community cue by the Moyglass Hall Committee. Hall grounds. On Saturday, July That night ‘The Fureys’ put on a great 27, we had our Tractor Run with show in the hall. a total of thirty-eight tractors, and On Sunday, July 28, we had our a slight change in route. The half static show. Included in the car line way stop was outside the scenic up were Sean Ward’s splendid 1930s Old Town Wall in Fethard. We head- Citroen, Marc O’Connell’s Marlin ed to the Tirry Centre for refresh- sports car, and Denis Brennan’s ments, which were kindly provided 1956 A 35 van. Included in the trac- by the Fethard & District Day Care tor line up were the Ryan Brothers Committee. The lovely food and diverse range of MF tractors plus hospitality were appreciated by all their 1943 Allis Chamlers and 1954 the drivers. We then proceeded to Lanz Bulldog. Also included were drive on to Coolmoyne and even- Jimmy Egan’s magnificent 1984 M B tually returned to Moyglass where Trac 1000 and Liam Maher’s splen- The Village Inn was hosting the did 1957 Ferguson 35 ‘Goldbelly’ TVO

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Conor O’Donnell playing his active role in the Bank Robbery re-enaction at the Ned Kelly Festival

c/w reaper and binder. Richard A. cluded with an old style wake in Slattery’s magnificent 1978 Bedford The Village Inn to a packed house. army truck was a welcome visitor Matty Tynan and The Ned Kelly again this year. Festival Committee did Trojan work Staged side by side was The Ned to ensure the weekend was a great Kelly re-enactment which included success. the robbing of the bank and fea- Once again we would like to tured some characters on horse- thank everyone involved in the back! With a host of other charac- overall weekend for making it a tre- ters and extras this proved most mendous success. Our designated popular with the crowd. charity this year was The Fethard There was also plenty there for & District Day Care Centre and the the children with amusements and total amount donated was in excess bouncy castles. The festival con- of €2,000. ◉ 162 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Fethard & Killusty Community Council

ethard & Killusty Community Murphy, Diana Stokes, Tom McGrath, FCouncil held their annual gen- Jimmy Connolly, Fr. Tom Breen and eral meeting on April 23, 2013, after Geraldine Cahill. which the board appointed the fol- What a great year it has been for lowing officers for the coming year. the Fethard & Killusty Community Joe Kenny (Chairman) proposed Council shifting to an administrative by Brian Sheehy and seconded roll and enabling the implementation by Joe Keane; Brian Sheehy (Vice of more focused sub-committees for Chairman) proposed by Eileen individual community projects. Coady and seconded by Di Stokes; The Business and Tourism Group, Deirdre Brady (Secretary) proposed operating as a sub-committee of by Edwina Newport and seconded the Fethard & Killusty Community by Pamela Sweeney; Eileen Coady Council since July 2012, registered (Treasurer) proposed by Deirdre as a limited company in February Brady and seconded by Joe Keane; 2013. Their main project is the refur- Edwina Newport (PRO) proposed bishment and management of by Joe Kenny, and seconded by Fethard Town Hall. This project is a Eileen Coady. Members of the board huge undertaking, but is very excit- are: Joe Keane, Maurice Moloney, ing for the local community and Pamela Sweeney, Carmel Kiely, the Business & Tourism Group. An , Peter Grant, Marie application was made to Tipperary

Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, T.D. Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, speaking to members of Fethard Business and Tourism Group, when he visited the current Town Hall Development Project.. L to R: Cllr. John Fahey, Bill O’Sullivan, Conor Ryan (STDC), Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Deputy Tom Hayes, Tim Robinson, Maurice Moloney, Anthony Fitzgerald (Business Development Executive), Catherine Corcoran (chairperson), Peter Grant, Terry Cunningham and Tadhg Gleeson.

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Photographed at the Fethard Playground ‘Night at The Dogs’ fundraiser at Clonmel Track are L to R: Edwina Newport, Carmel Butler, Dee Brady, Jimmy Smyth, Niamh Hayes and in front is Zach Smyth

Leader for sizable funding for the an annual budget of over €15,000 project. Maurice Maloney represents to cover running costs. After much the group at the Community Council debate and analysis of how to make meetings. A donation of €5,000 was the best use of the hall and make it agreed by the board to go towards self-sufficient, a steering committee the architectural plans that were from the board were elected to take needed to kick-start and support this over the management and broaden historical project, which in time will the use to a wider age group while hugely benefit the local community. still catering for youth needs. After The Business and Tourism three months and a hugely success- Group also ran the very successful ful effort to increase income, another Gathering Festival which was held sub-committee was born in June, the this year from Friday, June 21, to Fethard Convent Community Hall Sunday, June 23. There was great Committee. This sub-committee is teamwork demonstrated by all the headed by Pamela Sweeney and community involvement, including Carmel Kiely, who are ably assisted the Convent Hall Committee, Tidy by a great crew of helpers who have Towns, ICA, Country Markets and taken full responsibility of the day- local businesses helping out and giv- to-day running of the hall. The hall is ing their time. What a great success! looking wonderful and has become One of last year’s priorities was a very popular venue for birthday the management and sustainability parties, meetings, courses, etc. of the Youth Centre which demands The Christmas Fair was a great

164 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER success and of course, we can’t held in Clonmel Greyhound Track forget Santa, who dropped by to on May 23, this year to make up the meet up with all the boys and girls. funding shortfall. A total of €17,000 Santa will be returning this year, on was made on the night, which also December 8, as part of the Fethard turned out to be a great family night Christmas Festival. This year there of entertainment. will be a children’s disco, with D.J. Everyone is now looking forward Brown in the Convent Hall, where to bringing their kids to their very there will be music, fun and refresh- own playground which is due to ments for all. Children will be called open this December and let’s hope in to Santa in an ordered way, ensur- it will bring lots of joy to the children ing everyone stays safe and warm! of Fethard and surrounding areas. The committee also opened a The Fethard Tidy Towns sub-com- local community library in the hall mittee under the direction of Joe on Tuesday, October 29, and already Keane also had a great year and this is proving to be a great success. Fethard has moved up five points in An application made to South the National Tidy Towns Competition. Tipperary County Council back in This year our Christmas Tree planted July 2012, for funding for the Fethard on The Square on December 2, 2002, Playground project was success- unfortunately died for one reason ful and began a lengthy process or other. This was a very attractive of bringing the project to fruition feature, particularly at Christmas by a very dedicated team of mem- time, for locals and people passing bers. This playground sub-committee through our town. We are very appre- organised a very successful fundrais- ciative of the support from Coolmore er − ‘A Night At The Dogs’ which was Stud and their ground staff who

Photographed at the Fethard Playground ‘Night at The Dogs’ fundraiser at Clonmel Track are L to R: Valerie Horan, Anne Butler, Orla Carroll and Colette Geoghegan

165 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013

Photographed at the launch of Fethard Business and Tourism Group’s ‘Bring Them Home’ fundraiser and ‘Gathering’ Festival 2013. Back L to R: Phil Wyatt, Peter Grant, Frances Ryan, Conor McGuire, Bernadette Stocksborough, Joe Keane, Mary Healy, Kieran Butler, Mary O’Mahoney, Johnny Neville, David Curran, Mary Hanrahan, Seamus Barry holding daughter Fiona, Pat Looby. Front L to R: Diana Stokes, Maurice Moloney, Catherine Corcoran, Bill O’Sullivan, Tadhg Gleeson and Leo Darcy. replaced the tree on November 26 staff do an amazing job and the cen- and we hope it’s allowed to survive tre is a beacon of light to so many. and grow strong and healthy for In these recessionary times our HSE years to come. Coolmore also sup- funding is continually cut back but plied a splendid range of mature the hard working volunteers con- trees for the playground park on the tinue to organise various fundraisers Cashel Road for which we are also throughout the year to help meet most grateful. the shortfall. Up to now we have The Community Lotto is still managed without cutting back our going strong and we would like to service and long may it continue. thank everyone for supporting our Meals-on-Wheels is another inval- local lotto. The proceeds of the lotto uable service that complements the help out with so many local groups, Day Care Centre, providing not only initiatives and events. It has also ena- a warm meal, but also a lifeline to bled the committee to undertake many of our elderly in our town. new projects in Fethard and move Well done to everyone who forward with confidence. helped to make 2013 a great year in The Fethard & District Day Care our community. Let’s hope we can Centre is thriving and offers such a build on what has been achieved valuable and necessary service to this year, on to next year and into the the elderly in our community. The future. A good community always

166 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER needs people volunteering their the Day Care Centre. Or join us in the time. If we all give a little of our time, Community Council − we’d love to ours will be an even better place to have you aboard! live and for our children to grow up Wishing you all a happy, healthy in. So commit to doing something and prosperous 2014. ◉ this year to help out – in the local schools, in sports, local clubs or in Deirdre Brady (Secretary) Fethard & District Day Care Centre he Day Centre Committee McCarthy (supervisor) and Michael Tmeet once a month and Cleere (mini-bus driver). the members are as follows: Liam How quickly the year has flown Hayes (chairman), Fionnuala by. All is well at the Day Care Centre. O’Sullivan (treasurer), Bobbi It has been another challenging year Holohan (secretary), Carmel Rice, for all of us with the recession still Molly Standbridge, Tom McGrath, hitting hard and money being very Breda Nolan, Desmond Martin, Marie tight. We are working very hard trying Murphy, Jimmy Connolly, Geraldine to maintain our funds. At present we

Liam Hayes (right), chairperson Fethard & District Day Care Centre, making a presentation to Jimmy Connolly, outgoing chairperson, who retired after many years service on the Day Care Centre committee.

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are getting ready for our Christmas Tractor Run and a Ladbrokes Races Bazaar and everyone’s working away event. We cannot thank enough all making Christmas cards, birthday who helped us and supported us and Easter cards, as well as knit- throughout the year and who con- ting tea cosies and slippers. On tinue to help us. Wednesday mornings we have a In May we spent a week in sewing circle made up from our cli- Kinsale and we were very lucky ents. The most beautiful hand-made with the weather. We were able to cushions are being produced. The travel out to Ballinspittle, , centre wants to thank Noreen Allen Blarney and Cork city. for coming on board as a volunteer We still continue to provide and bringing her expertise with her. our ‘Senior Day’, where our elderly With help from Noreen and Thelma neighbours who do not attend the the sewing has become very popular centre can avail of a chiropody ser- again. Our tea cosies and slippers are vice. The district nurse also attends still very popular and in demand. and a hot meal is served. We continue with our exercise Thank you to staff, volunteers, classes every day. Our exercise pro- transition year students, and com- gramme includes yoga, aerobics mittee members who continue to and Tai-chi. We all feel the benefit of try and provide the best service pos- doing exercises keeping our joints sible for our clients. We would like to supple. We had a full programme take this opportunity to thank all our throughout the year. The Bealtaine sponsors who continually help in Festival held in May is a great show- our fundraising efforts. case for our older citizens showing We wish you all at home, our their many skills. readers and especially our new emi- We held various other fundraising grants who have had to leave home events throughout the year, includ- during the year, a very happy and ing table quizzes, ‘Fun Run’, Vintage peaceful Christmas. ◉

Newsletter Contact Details Articles for Publication Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. Tel: +353 52 6131663 Fax: +353 52 6130051 Email: [email protected]

Donations, Letters, Change of Addresses Carmel Rice, Brookhill, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. Tel: +353 52 6131134

168 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Convent Community Centre

Convent Community Centre used as the venue for this year’s ‘Bring Them Home Gathering Dance’ and Barbecue which proved a very successful weekend of community activities. ollowing the recommenda- pilates, bodhrán lessons, Irish dance Ftions at a Community Council classes, hip hop dance classes, cook- meeting during the year where it ery courses and computer classes. was highlighted that the Convent All classes have been very well Hall / Youth Centre needed a steer- supported and most are now run ing committee to reorganise the weekly. We were very lucky to be management and help the centre given two places from the TÚS com- to become self-sufficient, a few of us munity work placement scheme were given the task to see what we and so Janice Carroll and Norman could come up with. We later agreed Bradshaw joined us and made run- to form a sub-committee under the ning all these classes possible and Community Council and discussed much easier for us. We also started a how to implement what we thought parent/minder toddler group in the was needed to move the hall for- hall every Thursday morning and ward. One of the ideas we felt would this has proved to be a big success, bring in much needed income was the toddlers love it. to rent it out for parties and thank- In November we opened a com- fully this really took off for us. During munity library in the internet room 2013 we have had parties most week- in the hall and although member- ends and they have ranged from ship is small at the moment we hope one-year-old birthday parties to our it will grow in the coming months. two 100th birthday parties for Mrs The hall was very much part of this Josie Casey and Mrs Nellie Shortall. year’s summer festival program and We also started Zumba classes, hosted the barbecue and ‘Gathering’

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dance on Saturday night, June 22, As we now look back over our which was sold out. first year in the hall we feel we did In December 2012, we had Santa achieve our goal and managed to visit the hall where he met almost keep the hall open and most impor- 300 children in his grotto. This was a tantly, it now meets the bills. huge success and, as we write, we are It would be impossible for us in the middle of preparing his grotto to individually name and thank all for this year and hope it will be as the people who have helped us out big a success. Also in December during the year and who have been we invited the local transition year very good to us in doing jobs for the pupils to get involved with our ‘Red centre - their pay was a cup of tea, Ribbon Weekend’ when we sold the the odd time we stretched to a bun, red ribbons to people who wrote the but thanks guys for everything. name of a deceased loved one they If you would like to keep up to date wanted to remember over Christmas. with what’s happening in the hall keep The ribbons were hung on the railing an eye on our page ‘Fethard around the Christmas tree on The Convent Community Hall’. Square. It was a lovely idea and the We would like to wish everybody ribbons looked lovely over the festive a happy and peaceful Christmas and season. Again, as we write, plans are look forward to your continued sup- being made to do the same this year. port in the coming year. ◉

Fethard Patrician Presentation Leaving Cert Class of 1991 and Intermediate Cert Class of 1989 photo- graphed at their Class Reunion held during the Fethard Gathering Festival in the Convent Community Hall

170 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Moulson Family honoured in Clogheen

ormer Irish internationals Con According to his birth certificate Fand George Moulson were George was born on August 6, 1914, remembered as FAI Chief Executive to Charles Moulson and Bridget Officer John Delaney unveiled a Moulson nee Dahill from Fethard. plaque to honour the brothers dur- Michael O’Donnell (Clonmel), ing the village’s Gathering event held while researching Fethard Soldiers on August 25, this year. Con Moulson from The Green, came up with the was captain of the Ireland soccer following interesting piece of infor- team in 1936 and 1937, while George mation: was a goalkeeper and had three “There is a report of a conversion caps in 1948. George also played ceremony that took place in Kildare in the FA Cup semi final in 1939 in 1897 where Charles Moulson was in Old Trafford. Many of Con and stationed at the time in which he George’s relatives are currently living converted to Catholicism .He mar- in Grimsby in North England. ried Bridget Dahill – a sister of Mary For the ‘Clogheen Gathering’, a Dahill - in Fethard in 1899 . team from Grimsby played against Moulson was a big man, six feet a local team and a Vee Rovers U14 four, by all accounts, and like Harry team won the inaugural Moulson Dobson he also got a job in the post Cup against a Fethard team. To mark office .It seems that the post office and the Fethard Moulson connection, the railway companies had a prefer- teams from Killusty and Moyglass ence for ex-servicemen when recruit- were involved in the weekend cel- ing staff .Some time after his marriage, ebrations. Killusty (taking the part of he came to mass in Fethard wearing the winners Wolverhampton) and a a military rosette or emblem of some team made up of visitors (taking the kind This. incurred the displeasure of part of Grimbsy) played out the 1939 the priest, who castigated Moulson cup semi-final that George Moulson from the altar .Moulson walked out played in. of the church, and out of Fethard also . FAI Chief Executive Officer, John He moved to Clogheen with his fam- Delaney, said it was fitting to remem- ily, where he worked as a postman . ber the contribution made to Irish While some of his younger children soccer by the two Moulson brothers were born there, he never returned to who played for their country at a diffi- Fethard .He seems to have gone one cult time. At the gathering, the interna- step further too .In the 1911 census, tional caps of George were on display he gives his religion as Church of while the FAI leader promised the Ireland .Not only that, but his children Moulson family that the caps lost by are listed as Church of Ireland also, his brother Con would be replaced. with only Bridget given as Catholic ”.

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John Moulson, a son of George Moulson, photographed with some of his Fethard relatives at the unveiling of a plaque in Clogheen to honour Con and George Moulson, Ireland Soccer Internationals (1939-1948). Back L to R: Louis Coen, Ann (Hurley) Corrigan, Breda (Hurley) O’Reilly, Janey and John Moulson, Vicky (Hurley) Fitzpatrick. Front L to R: Madge Hurley and John Delaney, CEO FAI. Madge’s mother was a sister of Bridget (Dahill) Moulson, who was the mother of Con and George Moulson.

The 1911 Census of Ireland tioned in Kildare; a church record also shows Charles E. Moulson and shows him to be there in 1897. Then, Bridget Moulson living at Barrack in 1899, while still in the army, he Hill, Clogheen with their children married Bridget Dahill, daughter – seven-year-old Charles, six-year- of Cornelius Dahill of Sparagoleith, old Mabel, four-and-a-half-year old Fethard. The marriage certificate Cornelius (Connie), and two-year- shows that they married at the old William. Connie and his older Roman Catholic Church of the Most brother and sister are listed as schol- Holy Trinity in Fethard on November ars. George Moulson was born in 11, 1899. It also states that Charles’s Clogheen some years after the cen- father’s occupation was fireman and sus - in August 1914. that Bridget was a servant and her Charles Edmund Moulson, born father, Cornelius was a labourer. at North Road, Wolverhampton in Within a few years, Charles had July 1876, was a soldier in the British left the army and he and Bridget Army towards the end of the nine- were living in Clogheen where he teenth century. He was initially sta- had obtained a position as postman.

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The post-office at the time was in action in France. Two weeks earlier the building which now forms part he had been involved in an action of Tom Sullivan’s house next to Pat for which he was decorated for brav- Callaghan’s in Clogheen. The post- ery. He received the Distinguished master was Edmund Riordan, but the Conduct Medal for leading his men post office was run by his son, Dan. ‘with great resolution and gallantry’ It was in Clogheen that the first after their officer had been killed. Moulson child, a son named Charles, This medal has been likened to the was born in 1903. A sister for Charles Victoria Cross. Junior was born the following year His name is recorded on the and named Mabel - after Charles ‘Menin Gate’ Ypres memorial in Senior’s sister. The next two children, Belgium. (The Tipperary War Dead, Cornelius and William, were born Tom Burnell, 2008.) His great sacri- in Fethard, presumably at the Dahill fice is also recorded on the World home. It was not an uncommon War I memorial in Cahir. It is possible practice at the time that a woman that Charles Moulson never had the would move in with her mother for a pleasure of holding his baby son few weeks before her baby was to be George in his arms. born. Charles would have stayed at The Ypres memorial book states: the Moulson home in Clogheen con- “In Memory of Sergeant Charles tinuing on in his job as postman and Edmund Moulson D C M 13128, looking after the younger children. 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars For over ten years, Charles who died on 19 November 1914 Moulson and his family lived in Age 38 Husband of Mrs B .Moulson, Clogheen. Charles would have been of 216, Convamore Rd ., Grimsby . well known to the residents of the vil- Remembered with Honour “. lage and the outlying areas where he Upon Charles’ death Bridget delivered the post each day. Then, in returned to her family in Fethard 1914, came the war that was to engulf with her young family Charles, Mabel, the world, and Charles E. Moulson, Connie and William. former soldier and now postman, Her older sister Mary Dahill was wasted no time in re-entering the born on May 2, 1889 and lived in army. He went to Cahir to re-enlist. He Main Street, Fethard. Her first mar- was soon on active service in France riage was to Arthur Brownley born with the 11th Hussars and the Life June 22, 1883. The address on his Guards, leaving his wife and five chil- birth certificate says 44, Clumber dren back home in Clogheen. The Street, Mansfield. They married at the terrible news that every soldier’s fam- Most Holy Trinity Church, Fethard, on ily dreads came a few weeks before April 26, 1910. Arthur was a Gunner Christmas of that same year, Sergeant with 55th Battery R.F.A. (also a coal Charles Moulson had been killed in miner). He died on March 13, 1920

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and his address at the time of his Wales. Bertram was a coal miner death was 281, Convamore Road, and they had six children. By 1918 Grimsby. He is buried in Scartho there were nine children (one died Road Cemetery, Grimsby [section 76, in infancy) and the family lived row N, grave 4]. Mary was the obvi- at 31A, Khartoum Road, Tooting, ous link to Grimsby and it was to her Wandsworth. that Bridget went when she came to Bertram and Margaret came to England. Mary married again in 1925 Grimsby at some point in the 1920s in Grimsby, to Leonard Wiseman because Margaret died in 1927 in born 13 April, 1885, Grimsby. Bertram Grimsby. He died Noah Gough July 30, 1955. The died September address at the 17, 1951 and his time of death was address at that 281, Convamore time was 32, Road, Grimsby. Clarendon Road, Mary died at the Grimsby. He is same address on buried in Scartho September 22, Road Cemetery, 1963. Grimsby (section Bridget’s other 139, rcw H, grave sister, Margaret 10). Margaret died Dahill, was born on December, on June 27, 1886 13, 1927 and her in Fethard. She address at that was married on time was Back of November 19, 46, King Edward 1902 at St. Mary’s, St, Grimsby. She is Clonmel, Tipperary, buried in Scartho to Bertram Noah Maggie Dahill who married Bertram Gough Road Cemetery, Gough who was Grimsby, (section born in 1879 at St. Lukes Hospital, 93, row B, grave 18). — (Thanks to London. He was also a Gunner in the Brenda Wollington for the research) . RFA and his address at the time of mar- Speaking to John Moulson (son riage was Artillery Barrack, Clonmel of George Moulson) at the Clogheen (he was also a coal miner). Margaret’s Gathering, John said he and mem- address was Duckett St., Clonmel. bers of his family would be more The 1911 census shows Bertram than willing to visit Fethard in the and Margaret living at 71, Maiden future and explore their Fethard con- Street, Cwmfilin, Bridgend, Middle nection. Maybe it’s time to organise Llangynwyd, Glamorgan, South another ‘Fethard Gathering.’ ◉ 174 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER St. Rita’s Camogie Club

St Rita’s Camogie Club U10 team photographed at the Rosegreen festival in August where they took part in the ‘Lou O’Grady Cup’. The late Lou O’Grady was formerly Lou O’Meara from Knockbrack, Fethard, and a former player with our club.

ur Juvenile teams had a dedication to the girls, including Overy busy 2013. We fielded Mary O’Mahony, Mark Moloney and teams in the in U8, U10, U12 and Jarleth Connolly. Thanks also to the U13, with players from Fethard and parents who were on hand to help surrounding parishes. out throughout the year. Our U8s participated in many Our U10 training commenced blitzes and challenge games on Tuesday, April 9, and was well throughout the year and during attended each week. The girls took the season showed great improve- part in a series of challenge match- ment. At this age level the emphasis es and played blitz matches in The continues to be about fun while Ragg, Goatenbridge, Boherlahan introducing the skills of camogie. and Ballylooby, with each player A special thanks to our coaches playing with great heart and never and mentors for their time and giving up. The girls took part in two

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Pictured above is St Rita’s Camogie Club U8 team with their mentors at a blitz the club hosted in September 2013. festivals, New Inn and Rosegreen, the team, the future looks bright and on August 17, we took part in for this group of girls. We would the Moira Cahill cup, playing very like to thank Michael Ryan, Miceál well. We finished the year off at a Spillane and Sean Kiely for all the blitz in Ballylooby. We would like work they put into these groups to thank our coaches and mentors: and the parents who gave a helping Sandra Spillane, Margaret Hogan hand throughout the year. and Willie Morrissey, also all parents Our Junior team started the year who travelled to matches and train- by competing in the county league ing throughout the year. but unfortunately did not make the Our U12s and U13s fielded final stages. It was with regret that teams for the county league and we couldn’t field a Junior team championship. Our U12s played four for the championship due to lack league matches and three champi- of players availability. We sincerely onship games, competing very well hope in 2014 to compete at Junior in both, reaching the semifinal of level again. the league. Our U13s competed in We wish all our players, mentors the county league putting up great and parents a very happy Christmas displays against Cahir and Moyle and look forward to seeing you all Rovers. With a lot of fine players in in 2014. ◉ 176 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Fethard Bridge Club ethard Bridge Club is now in and Betty Walsh, and the nett free Fits 37th year. At our President’s sub was won by Nell Broderick and Prize dinner held in the Minella David O’Meara. Our Christmas party Hotel on Friday, May 17, 2013 our was held at the Cashel Palace Hotel president Anne Connolly presented at which our Christmas prizes were the following prizes: President’s Prize, presented. Ellen Rochford and Sean O’Dea; We note the death this year of Committee Prize, Rita Kane and Kay three former club members, John St. John; Club Championship (Hayes Lucey, Joan Kelly and Kitty McCarthy. Trophy), Berney Myles and Kathleen John was one of the founders of the Kenny; Player of the Year (O’Flynn bridge club and an active member Trophy), Carmel Condon; Individual for many years. Always a popular Champion (Dick Gorey Trophy); Rita member of the club, after he retired Kane; and the Lucey Trophy to Betty from bridge John continued to take Walsh and Monica Anglim. a keen interest in the club. He and We played for the free sub for the his wife Anne were made honorary coming year on September 26 and life members and both continued to October 3 and the winners of the attend all the club prize-giving func- gross free sub were Monica Anglim tions as welcome guests. Joan Kelly

Anne Connolly (centre), President Fethard Bridge Club, presenting this year’s President’s Prize to winners, Sean O’Dea and Ellen Rotchford.

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was a long-time and well-liked mem- At our AGM on Wednesday, May ber of the club. She travelled from 22, the following officers and com- Killenaule every Wednesday along mittee were elected: President: with our other loyal Killenaule mem- Eileen Frewen. Vice-President: David bers. Although Joan had been ill, O’Meara. Secretary: Marie Delaney. her death was unexpected. She was Treasurer: Anna Cooke. Assistant always good-humoured and an asset Treasurer: Rita Kane. Tournament to our club. Kitty McCarthy played Directors: Alice Quinn, Betty Walsh, bridge during her visits home from Frances Burke and Gemma Burke. New York. She continued to play Committee: Anne Connolly, Monica when she retired back to Fethard Anglim, and Ann O’Dea. Partner although by this time her eyesight Facilitator: Berney Myles. wasn’t good which made playing May we take this opportunity to difficult. Although not a member in wish all bridge players (and non- recent years, it was always a pleasure bridge players!) at home and abroad to see her at our weekly game. All a very happy and holy Christmas will be fondly remembered by the and a prosperous New Year. ◉ club members.

Regular marathon runners William and James Lee competing in the Cork City Marathon over the June weekend 2013. On this occasion the two brothers were running on behalf of the Breakthrough Cancer Research Charity. William and James Lee are grandsons of Bridie Lee, Loughcopple, Fethard.

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Burges, William (1806–1876) by M . Tamblyn This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 1, (MUP), 1966 illiam Burges (1806-1876), (563 km) to establish the Bowes sta- Wsettler and resident mag- tion, where by 1857 he was grazing istrate, was born at Fethard, County sheep on 93,000 acres (37,636 ha). Tipperary, Ireland, the second son of As a big pastoralist he was intensely Lockier Burges, medical practitioner, interested in stock-breeding, import- and his wife Isabella. ing stud merino rams from England In October 1829, together with and thoroughbred horses from his two younger brothers, he sailed Ireland. in the Warrior for the new colony in In 1851 Burges was appoint- Western Australia, where in 1830 his ed first resident magistrate of the property qualification entitled him Champion Bay district, a difficult to a grant of 8053 acres (3259 ha) position that he held until December of land. Settling first at the Upper 1859. White penetration of an Swan, the three brothers in 1837 Aboriginal area had produced con- moved to the York district, where flicts which he strove continually with William as their leader they to prevent. With the establishment established Tipperary; it became one of a convict depot at Port Gregory of the finest properties of the Avon and with his further appointment as valley and by 1840 carried more sub-collector of customs in 1853, his than a thousand sheep. duties increased. Care of his large Although he visited Ireland in district required constant travel: in 1841-44, William Burges was con- 1853 he rode 905 miles (1456 km) in sistently interested in community five weeks, holding court at the vari- affairs. He was active in forming ous centres, inquiring into causes the York Agricultural Society which of shipwreck and mutiny, supervis- became mouthpiece of the Avon ing the hiring of ticket-of-leave men valley settlers; in 1847 he was its and everywhere trying to control secretary when it drew up a petition the illegal sale of liquor in a socially for the transportation of convicts to unstable community. Western Australia. He was appointed In 1860 Burges returned to an officer of the Roads Trust for the Ireland, only visiting Western York district and in 1846 a local Australia again in 1868 and in 1875- magistrate. 76. On the second visit he was In 1850, with his brother Lockier, appointed a nominee member of he applied for land in the newly the Legislative Council but held the discovered Champion Bay district. position only two months, his main Leaving Tipperary to his brother contribution being a vain bid to Samuel, he moved north 350 miles reform electoral abuses and to intro-

179 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 duce voting by ballot. Unmarried, he Select Bibliography died in Ireland on 16 October 1876 and was buried at Fethard. Votes and Proceedings (Legislative Although his letters and reports Council, Western Australia), 1875-76. do not reveal a man of great imagina- G. J. Kelly, A History of the Champion tion or of powerful intellect, William Bay District (M.A. thesis, University of Burges made valuable contribution Western Australia, 1958) to the development of early Western Colonial Secretary’s Office, inward Australia. As a wealthy pastoralist he letters from resident magistrate, was open to attack by less successful Champion Bay, 1851-60 (State Library settlers who resented the domina- of Western Australia) tion of the great landowners. Yet his S. Burges diary, Nov 1840–Mar 1841 vigour, initiative and tenacity were (State Library of Western Australia) the qualities most needed in the L. Burges diary, 19 Apr-Sept 1841 foundation years and especially in (State Library of Western Australia) the establishment of the pastoral W. Burges diary, Apr 1845–July 1846 industry. As a faithful public servant, (State Library of Western Australia) his stability of character was clearly York Agricultural Society minute reflected in his tireless work in a book, 1840-57 (State Library of Western remote district at a difficult period. Australia). ◉

Group of young soccer supporters in Killusty 1981

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The Summer of ‘59 by Tommy Healy (October 2013)

L to R: Jim Healy, Monica (Owens) Healy, Ned Healy holding baby Michael (Wacky), Catherine, Tommy, Ann and Concepta Healy. c.1959 fter several years of wet sum- bookings at resorts like Torquay and Amers, 2013 surprised us all Ilfracombe rose sharply and sports by being unusually dry and warm. In like surfing enjoyed a huge surge in some parts of these islands the tem- popularity. perature reached the mid 30 degrees Growing up in the 1950s was Celsius and we were warned not to different. Holidays away from home risk over-exposure to the sun’s rays were rare events for most of us for melanoma is now recognised as unless we had relatives who lived a serious health hazard and its inci- by the sea and who could accom- dence is increasing. This has more to modate us for a week or two during do, I would imagine, with exposure July and August. Going to stay with to the sun on foreign holidays than relatives was the only opportunity in day-to-day activity here. Yes, we most of us had by way of holiday are generally better off materially and going to the seaside was often than we were in 1959 and a feature reserved for a day trip to Tramore of this year’s warmth was a rise in organised by the school and looked demand for barbecue equipment forward to with great anticipation. and portable air-conditioning units I remember one such in 1953, I as well as a surge in demand for sea- believe, when we boarded a bus side holidays. Here in Devon, hotel and headed for Tramore. We stopped

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briefly in Waterford and this was my and fly fishing was unproductive. first sight of an ocean-going ship for Instead we fished with worms in the the bus negotiated the harbour front muddy brown swirling water and very slowly and we saw, most of us often secured some prize specimen. for the first time, such leviathans of However, the one to hit the jackpot the deep and were highly impressed. was Ned O’Shea who hooked and Tramore itself, I seem to remember, landed a five pound salmon on the left little impression on me and my Clashawley where the Abbey stretch main memory of it was losing a shil- meets Phelan’s. I can still see the lings’s worth of pennies on the slot look on his face of total amazement. machines in the amusement arcade. It was a great season and we looked It put me off gambling for life. forward to the next. The summer of 1959 has sharp The summer of’59 started rather memories for me. The previous year like ’58 had finished, heavy rain and I had taken up trout fishing and wind and the rivers in frequent flood. was to remain forever a hopeless At the end of June it all changed. addict to the sport. That summer Warm sunny day followed warm was extremely wet. The Clashawley sunny day and it did not rain until and Anner were often in high flood well into October. That is apart from

School trip to Dublin Zoo c.1962 L to R: Hal O’Neill, Tadhg O’Connor, Seamus Hayes, ?, ?, Michael McCarthy, ?, ?, Michael Smyth, Jim Ryan and John Delahunty.

182 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER one Sunday night in August when we at Walshbog on Sliabh Na Mban had a thunderstorm lasting for over began to run low and, for the first three hours during which as many time in living memory, the prospect inches of rain fell. It kept us all awake of water rationing arose. By mid- except for the local curate Fr Cooke August it was a reality and I remem- who, when he awoke to see the ber clearly John Sayers, who was the Main Street where he lived awash council’s local agent in such matters with rainwater, realised he had slept walking around the town each even- through the event. ing and shutting off the stop cocks in By mid-July the Clashawley had order to stop the flow. Before he set dried up almost completely from out there was frantic activity as peo- above the town until the Mullinbawn. ple filled every available container Here the large springs, which ensured to ensure they had sufficient until he that the stretch through Grove always switched on the supply the following ran freely, exerted their benign influ- morning. It was also a time when ence and at Kiltinan more spring not every household enjoyed run- water cascaded into the river from ning water. Many obtained their sup- under a rock just upriver from the ply from the several pumps which castle. This stretch has reminded me were positioned around the town. of the chalk streams of Hampshire, There was one on The Green oppo- spring fed with much gently sway- site Kenny’s shop, another was in ing water- weed and some fine trout, Burke Street near the Abbey Church especially during the Mayfly hatch in and there was one at the junction late May and early June. of Barrack Street and The Square. At Upriver from the Mullinbawn was these queues formed each evening a scene of stinking desolation. In as people filled up before the supply the deeper areas of the river pools ran out. However, a long term benefit of stagnant water formed and soon of this local crisis was the incentive all aquatic life was dead. Trout died it gave the council to tackle the by the hundred and stocks did not underlying problem and, by 1961, the recover for several seasons. It was spring at the Mullinbawn had been fortunate that the local council tapped, new water mains had been had built a sewage disposal works laid and we have not had a shortage by the river at Phelan’s some years since. before for the low level of the river Despite the presence of numer- then would certainly have created a ous springs from the Mullinbawn health hazard. onwards the river level began to fall August arrived with no prospect and by mid-September many of us of steady rainfall and now the par- wondered if the supply would run lous state of Fethard’s public water out completely. On the Anner the supply became evident. The springs situation was no different. This river

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is fed by many springs also but its stocks had been done and we did level tumbled alarmingly. Where it not wish to make matters worse. 1960 met the Clashawley a mile below would afford another opportunity. Loughcopple Bridge the water was However, the return of the rains after too deep to wade in normal times. so much dry weather had an unex- Here it would be above waist level pected effect. The ground, which had but by September it had fallen to been baked hard, held much latent knee height and we speculated heat. Mushroom spores, which had on how long it would be before it remained dormant throughout the shared the fate of the Clashawley. drought, were activated by the rain A prime factor here, which did not and sprang into abundant life. The assist the situation, was the fact that result was a profusion of wild mush- a few years previously there had rooms almost everywhere. Crops been a scheme of arterial drainage of wheat, oats and barley enjoyed carried out on the river. To relieve record yields but potatoes and tur- flooding it had been widened and nips were not so abundant. One deepened and several sharp bends parish priest who kept a hive of bees had been removed in order to speed in his garden and had moved them the flow. In drought conditions this to the edge of the bog for them to was to prove almost disastrous for work the heather saw these industri- it simply exacerbated the problem ous creatures produce almost three since the water just ran away. I have hundred pounds of honey. The pre- had an unprintably low opinion of vious year had seen record growth arterial drainage since. of grass and equally large output of We returned to school in milk. Now grass was short and brown September with the weather still and milk yields were disastrously warmer than any could recall. In low. I suppose no set of conditions is winter we had shivered for the heat- either all bad or all good, we live in a ing left much to be desired. Now we complex world. sweated and relief did not come That autumn saw me embark on until well into October. When at the last year of my school career. By last the rain came it did so with the following summer the friends I a vengeance. Soon the Clashawley had made during five years at what was in high flood and torrents of is now the Patrician Presentation muddy water flowed over the weir School had parted. A few of us met by Coffey’s Mill, the Abymil to those up in October 2010 and reminisced. of tender years. By then the fishing We recalled events of what now season was drawing to a close, not seems another age and revelled in that any of us wished to return to nostalgia. We agreed to keep in touch the pastime for we realised all too and have by and large managed to clearly that much damage to fish do so. ◉ 184 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

September ‘72 by Anne O’Donnell (nee Kelly)

Anne O’Donnell photographed with family, colleagues and friends on the occasion of her retirement after 40 years of teaching in Patrician/Presentation Secondary School Fethard, 2012. Included in the photo are: Canon Tom Breen P.P., Sr. Carmel Daly, Sr. Fidelis Purcell, Sr. Ailish, Sr. Julianna Purcell. Family members: Patrick O’Donnell, Anne Marie, Robert and Eilis, Sheila and Justin, Padraic, Kaylin and Dessie. Retired staff: Paddy and Nell Broderick, Mary Lysaght, Mary O’Sullivan, Marian Gilpin, Dick and Margaret Prendergast, Denis Burke, Michael O’Gorman. Former colleagues: Liam O’Brian, Joan Walsh and Billy O’Farrell. Current staff: Mary Anne Fogarty, Michael Leonard, Justin McGree, Marie Maher, Noel Maher, Caitriona McKeogh, Bernie O’Connor, John Cummins, Majella Whelan, Orla Barrett, Deirdre Mulhall, Margaret O’Neill, Sinead Burke, Michael McCarthy, Gwen Cronin, Nuala Aherne and Edel Vaughan. Family friends: John and Breda O’Dwyer, Dan and Anne Ryan.

t was September 1972 when I ly built stone wall, the square tower Ipaused at the top of Market Hill of Holy Trinity Church dominating to survey, for the first time, the town the landscape, and the gentle move- of Fethard. I had arrived to take up ments of the Clashawley River as it my first teaching post. I say I paused, ran under the old bridges. but rather my sister, the driver, did. We drove along slowly, making I had no car and no notion how enquires about the location of the to drive one if I had. So different Presentation Secondary School. We from today when a number of senior were directed to the convent and, en students can drive themselves to route, passed under the North Gate school! My aunt’s comment, “I always at Sparagoleith, a fine, well-preserved liked Tipperary people,” had encour- gate into the town. I wonder how aged me to apply for this job! many times I have passed under that At first glance I was amazed at gate since? I had been interviewed the antiquity of the town. The strong- by Mother Alphonsus in the car park

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in U.C.D. – life was far less formal in manners. those days! From the convent, we For the first few months I lived walked to the three prefabs which with a friend, a district nurse, in were the classrooms. The interior Urlingford. She had to drive me every and exterior of these were brightly morning to Mary Willies pub to get painted but, in sharp contrast, the transport to Fethard. Neither of us roof was held down by sandbags! were good timekeepers, so many I was employed by the mornings saw us hurtling along Presentation Sisters. The Patrician country roads trying to catch the Brothers had their own management school bus. The driver used to watch structure under the then principal, for us in the mirror and would say, ‘I Brother Stephen. The teachers taught waited as long as I could’. in both schools travelling along a During that first year, another narrow path by the old Boys National new teacher and I took the Leaving School. The ‘toing and froing’ was Cert Class to see the film ‘Wuthering lovely in spring and autumn but Heights’ in Clonmel and one student not so attractive in winter rain and disappeared! Panic. I had to dash snow! During that time, a number of around Clonmel to find a kiosk with dedicated Presentation Sisters and a working phone and ring Brother Patrician Brothers were on the staff, Stephen with the news that we had namely, Sr. Annunciata, Sr. Carmel, ‘lost a Leaving Cert.’ - no mobile in Sr. Fidelis, and Sr. Breda, along with those days! I remember how he lis- Brother John and Brother Virgil. tened calmly. I am sure his years on From the beginning I was impressed the missions in India had prepared by the students politeness and good him to cope with any situation! In

Staff members pictured at the official opening of Fethard Secondary School’s new extension on October 22, 1993, with Mrs. Mary Dowling-Maher, President of the ASTI. L to R: Mrs Marian Gilpin; Mrs Mary Dowling-Maher (President of the ASTI); Mrs Margaret Prendergast and Mrs Anne O’Donnell.

186 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER fact, as the student explained the fol- best’ to the people involved in the lowing day, he had met a neighbour Patrician Presentation Secondary and taken a lift home. School. A few years later I married Patrick In September 1972 I had to O’Donnell and our four children search for Fethard on the map – in were educated in this school. We 2012 I can certainly say that Fethard were devastated by the tragic death and its people have formed a centre of our youngest daughter Aideen in point on the map of my life and the 2010. Thankfully her daughter Kaylin life of my family. is a great joy to us. Finally, I’d like to share a poem As the school year of 2011-2012 with you. The poem is The Layers came to an end, so did my teaching by Stanley Kunitz, one of the great career. The years have flown. I am American poets of the twentieth cen- left with many happy memories of tury. Kunitz once said, that the layers the management, staff, students and suggested to him all the changes that parents. I would like to wish ‘all the we go through in life. ◉ The Layers by Stanley Kunitz

I have walked through many lives, In a rising wind some of them my own, the manic dust of my friends, and I am not who I was, those who fell along the way, though some principle of being bitterly stings my face. abides, from which I struggle Yet I turn, I turn, not to stray. exulting somewhat, with my will intact to go When I look behind, wherever I need to go, as I am compelled to look and every stone on the road before I can gather strength precious to me. to proceed on my journey, In my darkest night, I see the milestones dwindling when the moon was covered toward the horizon and I roamed through wreckage, and the slow fires trailing a nimbus-clouded voice From the abandoned campsites, directed me: over which scavenger angels “Live in the layers, wheel on heavy wings. not on the litter.” Though I lack the art Oh, I have made myself a tribe to decipher it, out of my true affections, no doubt the next chapter and my tribe is scattered! in my book of transformations How shall the heart be reconciled is already written. to its feast of losses? I am not done with my changes.

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My time in West Africa by Johnny Sheehan n February 1978 the company I number of times he knew the ropes; Iworked for in Ireland for nearly he told the customs guy what it was nineteen years sent me to Nigeria, to and showed him the documentation, oversee their earthmoving contract but he said, “I be sorry to tell you with Wimpey’s Ltd, as our company your papers no be in order.” Kevin was experiencing financial prob- then asked him what was wrong lems there. A company colleague with the papers and again in broken of mine, Kevin, and I took an Aer English he said,“I be customs officer, Lingus flight to Amsterdam, holed up I say they no be in order.” Kevin in the Schiphol Hotel overnight and knew that a ‘backhander’ would sort boarded a KLM flight next day for everything so he said how much Kano. It was late that evening when will it cost to put the papers right we arrived in Kano and our plane and the reply was 30 Naira, the Naira was not allowed to land straight was then worth about 14/= Irish and away as the runway was in the pro- was the equivalent of their pound. cess of being cleared. Eventually Underhand or backhand payment in when we did land we learned that Nigeria is rife and is known as ‘dash’ a civil aircraft was coming in to land and I suppose it is fair to say that and an Air Force fighter plane had Ireland isn’t too far behind Nigeria tried to beat it to the runway but in the ‘dash’ stakes. Anyway, after the landed on top of it and everybody money was handed over it was as if in both planes were burned to death. some sort of miracle had occurred If coming to Nigeria wasn’t daunt- and the documentation righted itself. ing enough that put the tin hat on Unfortunately for us, a senior cus- it, perhaps an indication of things to toms officer arrived and told us that come! we were under arrest for bribery and We had, as part of our luggage, the man who took the bribe would a bucket link (a heavy piece of be in jail for many years – time to get metal about 2 stone weight) which back on the plane I think! Kevin had joins the lower hydraulic ram to the arranged accommodation for us, on excavator bucket. It was wrapped in the outskirts of Kano, with a friend a canvas bag and all customs fees, of his who was working for another import documentation, etc. were in Irish company. The senior customs order. As we came through customs officer commandeered our car and it fell off the trolley and being metal came to our accommodation with it gave a ringing sound, immediately us so he would know where to col- a customs officer pounced on the lect us the next day for our court bag and said, “What be this, what be appearance. Our driver, Paul, an Ebo, this?” As Kevin had been to Nigeria a was told by Kevin that night to col-

188 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER lect us the following morning at machine drivers like to be called, 4am and as the customs were not drivers are only for cars) used to aware that our final destination was earn around N4.50 Kobo a day, about 500kms further north in Jos we were 32 Naira a week and as these lads long gone before they were any the loved a radio it would nearly cost a wiser and avoided a court appear- month’s salary to buy a radio which a ance which most likely would not lot of them carried on their shoulder. have gone well. My next meeting We arrived in was with Wimpey’s Ringin Gani 22kms rep, a Mayo man, his outside Jos in first name was John, Pleateau State to fraternally known start work on a road, as ‘Blondie’ and which was origi- we became instant nally built in 1942 friends. He told me but had so many he left school at 13 potholes that the years and like myself average speed was had only national only 10–15km p.h. school education, The road stretched no Leaving Cert or from Port Harcourt degree, but when in the south, up Wimpey’s were los- through Chad to the ing money in Nigeria Mediterranean in they took Blondie the north. off the job in Oman Our company and brought him to had 48 operators Nigeria to salvage for 24 machines, the company. It goes Johnny Sheehan, photographed with ‘Sally’ one lot worked until the cook in Nigeria 1978 to show that you lunchtime and the don’t have to be a second from lunchtime to evening, B.E. to be a top contracts manag- no wonder the company was losing er but that ability and experience money. My first job was to interview can also create opportunities which all existing staff, as I couldn’t under- bring success – life itself can be stand why we had two operators for a wonderful teacher. When Blondie one machine. Eventually I kept 24 was leaving Oman the Sultan pre- operators, four mechanics, one auto sented him with two gold Rolex sparks, one bus driver, one car driver, watches, one for him and one for two artic drivers, one interpreter, and his wife. four watchmen knows as ‘watch- When I arrived in Nigeria there nights’. Our operators (that’s what was 54 Naira in our company bank

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A tanned Johnny Sheehan in West Africa

account, when I left we had 1.6m was annoyed with them and one of Naira. I got up a 5am every morn- them said to Michael, “It be bad he ing and worked seven days a week. come by leg”. We lost a number of Every four weeks the natives were 24v batteries, alternators, and quite paid and we had that Saturday and a lot of diesel and lube oil. None of Sunday off to rest. All the machines our machines had tropical radia- had to be fuelled and oiled in the tors as they came from Ireland and morning, if this was done in the even- were not made for the tropics so ing they could be emptied during water was a problem to watch. Each the night and even paying ‘watch- operator was responsible for his nights’ was not a guaranteed preven- machine, – machine down through tion as they usually slept on the job. I negligence, job gone. visited our parked machines once at Wimpey’s had a camp built 1.30am with my interpreter Michael. I for the duration of the contract in parked my jeep a long way back and Nigeria, it consisted of five blocks we walked to the area and found all A, B, C, D and E. I lived in my own four ‘watchnights’ asleep. They had room in Block D. I had a ward- some kind of incense burning and robe and bed, chest of drawers, and were covered in blankets to protect mosquito netting on my window. I them from the mosquitoes. It was remember on Christmas day in 1979 just as well they didn’t understand I was putting some mosquito netting what I was saying but they knew I on my windows and my houseboy

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James said, “Maybe you put some On our weekend off I never on my window”. I asked him why he left the camp, had a good rest and wanted netting on his window and maybe a check up on the ‘watch- he said, “Mosquito no agree to stay nights’. There was nothing to see in outside”. Ringin, a small local village, a few Each block had a corridor down mud huts, plenty of vultures watch- the centre and about ten rooms ing to see if you would drop down, each side, and had two house boys baboons which would cross the dirt whose job it was to make the beds, tacks without stopping even in traf- wash out the showers and in particu- fic, and scorpions black and brown. lar the ‘duck boards’ in the showers. We had our own swimming pool One evening when a ‘Dub’ named and table tennis and snooker tables Hughie, who worked for Wimpey’s and I didn’t have to pay for my soft and me came in there were two drinks in the bar. Free weekends snakes dead outside our block and I were appreciated, you met a lot of asked our house boy how they came Wimpey’s Paddies and some great to be there, he said, “Today me take characters amongst them. One great out duck boards to clean under and friend of mine, Denis from Achill, there be one black mamba and one worked for Wimpey on a road that green mamba underneath boards was going through a village named so we kill both.” We wouldn’t have Toro which at one time was out of known about these, that they like bounds because of it being a rabid to sleep during the day (even the area. Our side of Toro had a sacred snakes sleep) in the cool and when area and the local headman would the water from the shower would not allow the road to be made annoy them at night they could strike through the area unless Wimpey’s between the boards at the soles of purchased a cow from him which your feet and that would have been he would sacrifice and offer up to your lot. Ever after I always lifted the the spirits (this is a true story). The boards prior to taking a shower as local head government men came there were no doctors or hospital out from Jos to get his permission to locally, only first aid. Fr. Mick Sexton have the road go through but to no OSA had one of his seminarians up avail. A final meeting was arranged, in Yola bitten by a snake and with no say for today, so at tea time I met hospital in the area he died without Denis and asked if they had sorted getting help and Fr Mick gave a ser- the problem and Denis said, “No, he mon condemning the authorities’ wouldn’t agree to the road,” but said inaction. He told me each one of the Denis, “I jumped up on a D9 (which remaining seminarians had to throw is a huge Bulldozer) and I drove a stone at the snake which they had spirits into the clouds, I dozed right killed. through the sacred area and still

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didn’t buy the cow.” green 505s. The road carnage there Our food was European, very well was unbelievable as no native driv- cooked, canteen spotless, and rooms ers would give way or stay behind and beds spotless. Wimpey’s really inhaling your dust - they had to over- looked after their workers and paid take you even though the roads were N500 a month to the local police merely dirt tracks. chief so they never experienced any There were no phones in our problems. One day I took the cook to area. Wimpey’s had their own aerial the meat market which was a wood- and radio and that was the only en framed hut covered on the sides means of communication. with very fine mesh but the mesh We found out that Mass on was badly damaged and the area Sunday was in the University of Jos. full of blue bottles walking all over Kevin and I went along the first the meat. As the blue bottle flies lay Sunday and as the church was full the worms directly, I was visibly sick we stood by the door. Mass there and never ate beef there again. As I was a wonderful experience, guitar was going home one evening (I had playing, singing and stones in jars started to drive myself), a policeman like homemade castanets. After Mass stopped me and said, “Take me to my we were met outside by the priest, Fr. house, I direct you.” (now you don’t Dinny Mason OSA from Dungarvan, argue with these guys). As we were and as we were the only other white driving along he asked what part people there that Sunday, Fr. Dinny of England I was from. I said, “I not said, “I can always tell when the be English, I be Irish.” He said, “Very white people come to Mass by look- good, very good. I read in paper ing at the door”. Fr. Dinny told us, “My you give hell to English over there.” door is always open”. I regularly went That was the time of the troubles up to hear him say Mass and visited North. him often. He was a most wonderful I have picked and eaten bananas, priest and friend, unfortunately he and cassava fruits; I was always care- has since gone to his eternal rest. ful of what I ate and drank. Your Fr. Dinny once told me of an inci- water had to be filtered which was dent in which a native was murdered a long process and you couldn’t but they didn’t know who did it so always be sure that it was filtered, the local ju-ju man was brought in The sketch on their milk carton to ‘throw the bone’. All the villagers turned me off milk. It showed a cow were made to attend the throwing on the package but the cow was a of the bone, including two nuns. Zebu Hereford cross with a huge They all sat round in a huge circle, hump over the shoulders. the ju-ju man threw the bone and The most popular car was the whoever the bone pointed to was Peugeot 505 and all the taxies had taken away and probably executed.

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Fr. Bebe Jago was a Dominican priest Bernard, St. Michael, etc., labels. They who used to come and say Mass in were obviously second hand clothes the camp in Ringin Gani. His mother that had been sent to the poor in was from Cork and his father from Africa, who hardly ever got any of Spain. He would have dinner with us them. afterwards in the canteen and every One morning while driving to the other week I would sign for his meal, site, a policeman stopped me and fill his pick-up with petrol and give said, “I commandeer your vehicle, him a five gallon drum of petrol. The one man be killed during the night”. next week Blondie would do the When we arrived on site, sure enough same thing. I suppose, it was our way there was a guy under the wheel of of saying thanks for the spiritual sup- the dump truck. More police came port and the friendship which was and arrested two of our drivers even very welcome in the environment in though they weren’t driving the which we were living. trucks when the accident happened. Every long weekend a salesper- All of our plant was parked up for son came in to camp on Saturday the night and Wimpey’s were work- and set up all his wares, with ing night shift so they borrowed one Blondie’s permission, under the long dump truck and when parking in the veranda of the canteen. He sold eve- morning crashed into the back of rything from a needle to an anchor the front one and drove it up on top and his only word other than Naira of the ‘watchnight’ who was asleep was “cheap, cheap”, so we called him instead of watching. Before they took Cheap, Cheap. One Saturday even- him to the morgue in our company ing we had Fr Bebe Jago with us bus, our driver Paul put twigs on and, as usual, we would look to the bus. I asked him why he did this see what he was selling. This even- he said, “Bus not move with dead ing he had a pair of men’s leather man inside if no leaves be on bus”. sandals among other things, and Fr I suppose it’s like us sprinkling holy Bebe bent down and picked up the water, we all have our beliefs. The sandals and said in Cheap, Cheap’s two drivers arrested, one a Muslim language, “These sandals have been named Mustafa and one a Christian worn.” Cheap cheap was busy arrang- named Princewell, were brought to ing his wares so he answered Bebe jail. I arranged a meeting with the in the Hausa language saying, “The Chief of Police and explained that white man won’t know the differ- these drivers were not responsible ence”. He thought he was talking and gave good character references to one of his own Hausa tribe but for the two lads. He thanked me for when he looked up and saw Bebe my concern for his countrymen but was white he nearly had a stroke. All said, “I release Mustafa” (a Muslim in his wares, shirts etc., all bore the St. Muslim territory), “and I no release

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other driver” (a Christian in Muslim not entitled to.” He hit the table with territory). As I was coming out of his cane and said, “Pay the man, they the police shack a policeman said, are not dogs, this is not South Africa.” “If you give me 80 Naira I pay my So he broke his own laws, but that big boss and him release your driv- wasn’t unusual. It seemed that the er”. I went back to the office of laws were made up to suit the situa- our accountant Muley, got 80 Naira, tion so you never really knew where went back to the police station and you stood. I got out of the police met the policeman to whom I had station at 8pm and no dinner; a spoken earlier. He said to me, “Wait European alone in Nigeria is not the small, I will bring prisoner back”, best idea. and sure enough he had Princewell Our Cat 245 operator Benjamin with him. A most bizarre justice sys- once told me he was a Biafran sol- tem, although in this case the end dier during the war in Nigeria and justified the means - Princewell was was taken prisoner. He was able to innocent. speak the Hausa language as well One of our scraper drivers was as Ebo; the Ebo tribe is from Biafra. absent for two days and when he He was being escorted through the eventually showed up at 4pm on bush and he knew he was to be exe- the second day I stood between cuted; he heard them discussing it. him and the ladder to the cab and At one stage one of the Nigerian sol- asked why he was not at work, his diers said to his mate, “I go to latrine, eyes were glazed over so I knew he I catch up”, so Benjamin and the was ‘grassed up’ (drugged). I refused other soldier went ahead until they to let him on the machine and he reached a stream. Benjamin asked said he wanted his pay. I got our for permission to have a drink and accountant, Muley, the driver went as he bent down he could see both away and came back with a police- their reflections in the stream. With man who accompanied me to meet both hands he scooped up a hand- his big boss. He took me to the local ful of water. As he went to scoop police station, a mud hut covered in the second handful he noticed his corrugated iron with timber seating. captor wasn’t watching him so he There were four policemen in there scooped up two handfuls of sand and every so often I would hear the and threw it in the soldier’s face. word Baturi, meaning white man – The soldier got such a shock he fell nobody spoke to me. backwards and dropped his rifle, When the big boss arrived he giving Benjamin the opportunity to asked me what the problem was. I pick it up and shoot him through the said, “There is no problem. The driver head. The other soldier immediately was asking for holiday pay that, as said in Hausa, “What be wrong?” and per the laws of your country, he is Benjamin replied in Hausa, “Prisoner

194 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER be dead”, so the other soldier con- would sometimes swipe a letter from tinued what he was doing. When the rack. As they can’t round a bend he was finished he came along the at speed they have to jump against a path where Benjamin was hiding. wall and onto another wall and kind When he was in range Benjamin put of zigzag out the door, letter never to a bullet in him too, “So today I live”, be seen again, all torn to pieces. he said. After my first six months in I once experienced a serious Plateau State I was allowed to come sand storm; the sun was blacked out home for two weeks, however, I for days and the sand got in your was only home five days when the clothes, hair, ears and eyes. During Dublin office asked me to go back the monsoon I used have my show- immediately and take my holidays ers off the roof of D block, in lovely later. I went back to Dublin and was warm rain. The ground there is red told they had to dash 500 Naira to and the surface is called laterite. get my visa updated because I had When wet and compacted it sets a criminal record in Nigeria, but it like cement; the natives mix it with disappeared when the 500 Naira was water and stamp it barefoot to mix it. handed over, that was the Nigerian The number of huts in a compound Embassy at the time. showed the number of wives that Against my will I boarded a man had – a wife in each thatched Nigerian Airways plane in Dublin, mud hut. These huts had two open- the only European on board. There ings so if a fire was lit inside the wind were four Nigerians standing in the would blow the smoke out either aisle, it had only two rows of seats door. and they were all full. The air condi- The post was always on a shelf in tioning was putrid and I asked the Wimpey’s canteen, how it got there Nigerian stewardess for a glass of I’ll never know. They had a pet mon- water, still waiting. key in the camp and he always I was told that if you had a car wore a pair of small red underpants. accident in Nigeria not to wait When you went to his cage you for the police as it could be days had to make sure not to stand too before they could be contacted near him, he would swipe your pen, (no phones). In Acasia, a place near pencil or handkerchief as fast as Lagos, four British ex pats knocked lightening. Sometimes Wimpey’s lads down a native and killed him and, would take him to the bar and give as they would do at home, they him a few saucers-full of Heineken waited for the police to come. A mob beer and next day he would have gathered in the meantime, some a hangover. He would take off his with machetes, and attacked the car. pants and put them up on his head. The Brits, locked the doors, but the When he was out of the cage he natives set fire to the car and tragi-

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cally all four perished. allowed to talk to him. I gave him 10 It was normal then if somebody Naira to pay the fine, however, he was from Jos committed a serious crime, tried in court next day and got off say, in Kano he would be tried in a scot-free. He told me the two prison- court in Kano and if he was to be ers in his cell beat the daylights out executed he would be taken back of him (he was badly cut up) and to Jos where he was known and took the 10 Naira. He complained to be executed there. This, they said, the warders who in turn beat the lard had a serious mental effect on his out of the two prisoners and took the friends in the locality and other local money off them, Jeremiah never saw criminals would think twice before the money again. offending. Public executions were Our last port of call was Yola in the norm. One of my machine opera- Gongola State near Cameroon. We tors, Joseph, a Christian (all or nearly were laying a runway and each time all Ebos are called after the apos- a plane was coming in to land, a blue tles), had his life threatened every flag was raised, all machines were day by another operator named stopped and all personnel stood still Ashanti, a Muslim. Joseph came to while the plane was landing. One of me very distressed so I told to him our dozer drivers, Owdu, forgot about to go to the police station and report the flag one day, kept on working and it. He said, “Maybe you come with was duly arrested. Because he was me, Ashanti be Muslim so maybe a Muslim he was allowed out of jail they put me in prison”. I took him that evening but he had to appear in to the police and because he was court the next day. Owdu came to me accompanied by a European they to say that if I gave him 10 Naira he took the threat seriously. The police would go to the magistrate’s house came to our workplace and arrested that night and pay him to take his Ashanti, took him to court and his name off the case the next day. I gave sentence was that Joseph was put Owdu two 10 Naira bills and next in Ashanti’s care for the rest of his morning he was at work and gave me life. If anything happened to Joseph, back one 10 Naira bill saying his case Ashanti would be put in prison for was scrapped. He could have told life. The jails themselves were just me that the judge took the 20 Naira mud walls about 20 ft high and which wouldn’t surprise me, so for his you weren’t even safe from crime honesty I gave him the 10 Naira for in there. One of my car drivers was himself and he was very happy. arrested one evening and the car I asked my houseboy James one confiscated because it had only one night to call me at fove the following headlight. One of the other workers morning. Morning came, I was awake came and told me Jeremiah was in and no sign of James. At 10 o’clock prison so I went to see him and was I came back for something to eat

196 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER and asked James why he didn’t call desk, Fred gave the guy my name, me and he said, “Master, my watch it but it was not on the manifest. Fred confuse me”. said it should be there as it had I had a charge-hand named Luke, been sent in three weeks previously. who asked me to loan him one Just then Fred spotted an official Naira, which I did. The note I gave looking gentleman, white shirt, black him was a bit ragged, so he gave it tie, black stripes on his epaulettes back to me and said, “ That be leak- and approached him. I saw Fred put ing, maybe you have good Naira?” his hand in his pocket and I said While in Yola I met some to myself, “more dash”. Fred came Augustinians, some of whom have back to me and said this gentleman gone to their eternal rest, like my would look after me and so he did great friend, Fr. Mick Sexton, who at by giving me a pink boarding pass. In the time had, I think, 18 seminar- the queue for boarding I noticed the ians in his care. In order to help him other passengers had green board- improve the conditions in which he ing passes. Fred was gone back to was working I made a complete new Yola, the official was nowhere to be yard around his seminary. This good seen and I began to panic. On pres- turn was rewarded at a later date entation of the boarding pass I was when I became ill and he brought asked to stand aside and I thought, me two bottles of filtered water “Well I won’t be going home tonight”. every morning, a blessing in itself. When everyone else had boarded I Another wonderful friend, Fr. Aidan was ushered forward, my pass was Kennedy was, at one time, in the accepted and I was taken into First Abbey here in Fethard, and Fr. Mick Class (so dash does pay) on board O’Sullivan who introduced me to a Caledonian flight to London – the Bishop Eamon Casey and Bishop only way to travel! From London by Russell of Waterford. Like Fr. Dinny Aer Lingus to Dublin and back home Mason, these wonderful priests were with a new contract in Rosslare in always there for us, their door was April 1979 and a £3,000 rise in salary always open. I will always remember for services rendered. them for their kindness and hospital- Nigeria, like Australia, was a won- ity and for the wonderful time I had derful experience, hard work, but in their company. good people more than made up On returning home I was taken for difficult times there. I didn’t know to Kano by a Yorkshire man, Fred, then that it would be my last trip to who was to be Plant Manager and far flung places and looking back who had many years’ experience now I suppose I could have taken up in Africa. He wired my name to other contracts abroad but chose to the airport three weeks ahead (no work at home until I retired, or did I phones) and when we arrived at the ever really retire? ◉ 197 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013

Treasures from the Past

Kept in a box and tucked away, are treasures from the past that have seen a better day. They have no value, that much is true. It only matters what they meant to who. A beautiful flower pressed in a book, would crumble to dust if someone took a look. A beautiful lock of wondrous hair from some maiden fair, head turned grey even if she is still there. A scarf or hankie with a wondrous scent, faded away without even a hint while reduced to nothing but lint. A broken locket with a photo inside too,

the image so faded can’t remember who. A ticket to some big time show or fancy place, now all gone and turned into a parking space. Trinkets galore from some carnival passing through town, the Ferris wheel and merry-go-round , just piles of rust in the ground. A golden ring with a shiny sheen, now all covered in bluish green. Photos of places of long ago, now covered in sand that the winds now blow Worthless tokens exchanged for hard earned cash, Still, they remain locked away, until the day when a person can no longer stay and someone will say, “Burn the whole damn lot and reduce them to ash.”

— by Thomas J. Crane, Illinois, USA (December, 2013)

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L to R: Sheahan Brothers, Pat, T.J. and Michael with their father Tom, working on renovations at Killusty National School 1981

Group of Burke Street children at Killusty Pony Show 1981

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A year in Fethard by John Fogarty meeting Michael Kiely ifty years have passed and his way to Gladstone street to catch Fstill he remembers that morn- the mail car he was leaving all that ing clearly, as much for the way he’d behind. His days as a telegram boy felt as for the event itself. It was his were over, he was coming of age, first morning. He was to travel out moving on. He had passed all three to Fethard on the mail car. It was a of his oral Irish exams, held in Cork huge concession, and Dublin. handed down Then, when from the GPO in he’d reached Dublin. Company his eighteenth rules dictated that birthday, he’d he should live in become eli- the town that he gible to apply was serving in. for a position But he was being as a postman. allowed to travel And he from Clonmel to has been Fethard to take up lucky. A vacan- his first appoint- cy has come ment as a postman. up at Fethard Speaking post office, about it now takes just eight him back across miles out the the long years that road from his lie between that home. Until Michael Kiely photographed when he was Telegram Boy morning and today. (a position later to be called Junior Postman) c1961 then it had It was a February seemed that morning in 1963, he remembers. he was destined to end up in Dublin He was a young lad aged eighteen. or distant Donegal. Since 1959 he had served as a tel- So, on that first morning as he egram boy at Clonmel Post Office in sits into the van beside driver Kevin Gladstone street. He vividly recalls Dennehy he has mixed emotions: he Saturday mornings when he carried is glad to have got an appointment Telegram Money Orders (TMOs) to so close to home, and on edge at the dozens of women in Clonmel whose prospect of going as an eighteen- husbands were working away in year-old rookie to an office where he England. The faces of those women knows nobody. live with him still. As the mail car pulls up outside But on that morning as he made the post office the postmen are gath-

200 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER ered in the dense February dark- The three days pass quickly and ness waiting for the mail to arrive. finally he is cycling out the Rocklow Immediately the van stops, one road on his own. On his first morn- of them – Neddie Dineen he later ing Canon Lee’s housekeeper treats learns – runs up the steps, knocks him to tea and a boiled egg for his loudly on the door and calls out: breakfast. ‘The mail is here Miss Goldsborough.’ Most mornings as he makes His apprehension soon disap- his way towards the arch he meets pears as he gets to know the post- Mikey ( The Beckett) Croke, a retired men. There is Jackie Aylward from postman, who offers him free, and Killusty, Neddie Dineen from Kerry mostly unrequested, advice on vari- Street, Joe Danagher from Kilnockin, ous aspects of the job. Joey Fogarty from The Valley, Tom He is young, energetic, it is like Sheehan from Red City road, Jack an adventure to him cycling through Myles from Saucestown and Jack what seems a magical landscape Flynn from Main St., who wears a with time to take it all in. He rides large soft hat and an armband with P along narrow country roads over- & T written on it. hung by trees with a deep air of Later he will get to know Anne mystery and secrecy about them. O’Neill, Mary Goldsborough’s niece, It is so quiet, he rarely meets any and Monica Sayers from St. Patrick’s kind of traffic. He cycles down long Place, who manage the switchboard laneways to farmhouses hidden that routes incoming and outgo- from view. He stops at roadside cot- ing calls to all phones in the area. tages. People know his time and are He can still hear them singing out out at the gate waiting for him. He ‘Fethard, Fethard’ as they respond may be the only person that they’ll to calls. During all of his time at the meet throughout the day. post office he will know nothing but He makes his way up a narrow kindness. laneway with high stone walls at He has been appointed to the either side to the house behind Moyglass route and will be given Rocklow where Jimmy Heffernan, three days’ training by Jack Myles. the bonesetter, lives. He crosses the His first delivery is to the O’Connell railwayline as he makes his way sisters on the Rocklow road, a house up to O’Connell’s of Rathvin. Both that he will never miss calling to gates have to be closed after passing during his time on the route. As they through, on the way up and leaving. cycle out under the arch they are There is a long, never-ending avenue filmed by a camera crew from Teilfís leading up to Hayes’s of Rathcoole. Éireann. He never finds out why they Sometimes he stops to admire the are filming there or what becomes thoroughbred horses grazing in the of the film. fields at either side of the avenue.

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Everywhere he goes people wel- waits he is entertained by an eccen- come him with kind words, chat, are tric man whom he remembers as Pa anxious for news. Few people have Kennedy. Pa recites poetry for him cars or phones. Life is lived at a slow and sings old forgotten ballads. pace with nobody rushing to be any- ‘Oh, Sliabhnamon with your where, there is always time to talk. nightcap on,’ he’d say if there was At Farnaleen cross he turns left cloud on the mountain. and freewheels downhill, pedals The box cleared he heads back over the railway bridge and turns into Fethard, often bearing gifts into Farnaleen railway station. Five from the gardens and orchards of times during the day he crosses Moyglass: potatoes, beetroot, apples, bridges that span the railway line at plums, eggs, and gets a lift back various points on his route. There are home to Clonmel with Arthur only a few buildings at Farnaleen Eustace in the Fethard bakery van. but every morning as he crosses the When summer comes he has platform with the mail the Dublin- made the route a little easier for him- bound train pulls into the station. self by purchasing an NSU Quickly Sometimes goods are taken off for scooter. He can travel to work inde- one or other of the big houses pendently of the mail car now. Later around Moyglass: Colonel Hallowes on he will upgrade to a Honda 50. of Mobarnane House, Major Kane For four momentous days in June of Magorban House. He remembers he stops at Molly Cleary’s cottage the first time he stepped inside the at Magorban to watch President front door of Mobarnane House to Kennedy’s visit being shown on be confronted by what he thought Teilfís Éireann. The visit has caused was a snarling tiger crouched and immense excitement and every- ready to pounce on him, until he where he goes people talk about noticed the striped hide spread out Kennedy. on the floor behind the open jaws. When sunny weather comes He watches as the train departs meadows are knocked with mow- for Laffansbridge, then Thurles, then ing bars and everywhere on the on to distant Dublin. route there is talk of saving the hay When he arrives in Moyglass vil- and how long the sunny weather lage he is brought into Nora Anglim’s may last. There are men at work kitchen and fed. Every day for the with pitchforks in meadows all along duration of his time on the Moyglass his route. Riding into Moyglass one post she does this for him. hay-day morning he stops briefly to When he returns to the village in watch the Molloys and a squad of the afternoon he has to wait for the helpers at work in a vast meadow, exact time before he can clear the slowly working their way along leav- mail from the letterbox. Often as he ing golden haycocks in their wake.

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When he passes back that evening other, talking about his greyhounds there are dozens of haycocks in the of which he has many. meadow and the sweet, intoxicating Soon after Christmas 1963, in aroma of dry, newly-saved hay fills February, almost a year after he’d his nostrils. arrived, he leaves Fethard post office One morning he arrives into the and the Moyglass route when a yard of Fogarty’s who have a farm at vacancy arises on the Powerstown Curraghscarteen. post out of One of the boys Clonmel. He is newly-ordained remains on it for and meets him 22 years before as he is crossing moving indoors the yard with the to work as a post. He immedi- postal sorter at ately and rever- Clonmel post ently drops to his office. knees to receive Fethard and the first blessing Moyglass fade from the newly- into the back- ordained priest. ground as he Unfortunately gets on with he doesn’t look his life: marries, where he is kneel- rears a fam- ing and kneels ily. But it never into a large, fresh- goes away: his ly-laid cowpat. affection for Things the place and change when the unfailing winter comes. He kindnesses that has a huge cape Michael Kiely in 2013 living in Clonmel he met with that keeps the let- every day of the ters dry on wet days. Unfortunately year that he spent there ensure that the cape catches the wind and Fethard and Moyglass live on in the makes progress difficult. recesses of his mind. One day during the busy Until one day, fifty years later, a Christmas period Fr. McGrath’s chance meeting, a casual conversa- housekeeper calls to him and says tion, and memories clear and pris- that Father wants him to come in tine come to the surface. And once one day close to Christmas to share more he is back in the Fethard of old, a dinner with him. He sits at one the Moyglass of memory . . . ◉ end of a long table, the priest at the

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Pat Guiry, St. Johnstown, Professor of Synthetic Congratulations to Yvonne (Purcell) Kana who Organic Chemistry, elected a member of the graduated with a masters in Advanced Practice Royal Irish Academy. Ophthalmology Nursing

Michelle and Declan Walsh, Coolbawn, Fethard, photographed at Michelle’s graduation after being awarded a Bachelor of Arts with distinction in Counselling Skills and Psychotherapy Studies from the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences

204 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Marriages

Marriages in the Parish Kenneth Byrne, Killusty, to Ann Marie O’Connell, Blarney (Killusty) Damien Morrissey, Barrack Street,to Nicola Crowe, Drangan (Killusty) Matthias Euchner, Berlin to Helena McCormack, Kerry St. (Fethard) Michael Carroll,Coolmore to Avril McGrath, Ballingarry (Killusty) James P. Stapleton,Cuffsgrange to Siobhán Cleary, Market Hill (Fethard)

Marriages outside the Parish Noel Martin Sharpe, Fethard, to Rachel Cummins, Cahir (Rockwell) Paul Barry,Tullamaine, to Fiona O’Brien (Clonmel) Gerard Walsh, Coolmoyne to Olivia Sheahan, Limerick (Limerick) Seamus Hayes, Kilconnell, to Maria Costello (Glendine Waterford) Brian Coen, Killusty, to Vicky O’Gara, Ashford (Wicklow) Andy Power, Fennor, to Ann Marie Webster, Fethard () Anthony Cawley, Grove Road, to Ellen Sweeney, Clonmel (Clonmel) Shane Sullivan, Woodvale Walk, to Mary Brunnock, Kilcash (Kilcash) Caroline Croke, St. Pat’s Place, to Jason Nevin, Jesuits Wk (New Zealand) Joe Lee, Killusty, to Deirdre Kenny, Dublin (Rathfeigh)

Matthias Euchner & Deirdre Kenny and Joe Lee Shane Sullivan & Mary Brunnock Helena McCormack

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Our Dear Departed 2013 from available photographs

Fr. James Hollway Gus Maher Tony Tobin Jimmy Walsh John Lucy

Phyllis McDonnell Stevie O’Connor Paddy Lawrence Charlie Purcell Joe Keane

Kitty McCarthy Margaret Brett Andy Fox Paddy Butler Geraldine Hayes

Biddy O’Donnell Danny Ryan Kathleen O’Connell Martin Phelan Billy Kenny

Rita Looby Kit Looby Bert Van Dommelen Joe Ahearne Christy Looby 206 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

Andy Fox, Thurles and St Patrick’s Place (Calvary) John Martin, Coolmoyne (Calvary) Austin McDonnell, Fethard (England) Kathleen O’Connell, Burke Street (Calvary) Bert Van Dommelen, Slievenamon (Cremation in Cork) Kit Looby, Carriconeen, Clonmel (Grange) Biddy O’Donnell (née Butler), Slanestown (Calvary) Kitty McCarthy, Main Street (Old Holy Trinity Church) Billy Kenny, The Green (Calvary) Margaret Brett, Tullamaine (Calvary) Charles Purcell, Balbriggan (Dublin) Martin Phelan, Strylea (Calvary) Christy Looby, St. Pat’s Place (Old Holy Trinity Church) Paddy Butler, Saucestown, Fethard (Calvary) Danny Ryan, St. Patrick’s Place (Calvary) Paddy Lawrence, Fr. Tirry Park (Calvary) Geraldine Hayes, Burke Street (Dublin) Pat Fitzgerald, Fr. Tirry Park (Calvary) Gus Maher, Friarsgrange (Calvary) Phyllis McDonnell, The Square (Calvary) Janet O’Keeffe, Kiltinan (England) Rev. Fr. James Holway, Moymore, (Pallasgreen) Jimmy Walsh, Kilconnell (Cashel) Rita Looby, Carriconeen, Clonmel (Grange) Joe Ahearne, Fethard Arms, Main Street (Calvary) Stevie O’Connor, Kiltinan (Kiltinan) Joe Keane, Lackaghbeg (Monasterevin) Thomas F. Tobin of Thiensville, Wisconsin, USA John Lucey, The Square (Calvary) Tony Tobin, Knockelly (Calvary)

Mamie Morrissey (front), St. Patrick’s Place, Fethard, photographed with members of her family on the occasion of her 90th birthday celebrated in the Convent Hall Community Centre in July, 2013. L to R: Benny, Ann, Sarah, Patricia, Patsy, Philomena, David, Paula, Majella, Declan and Mary.

Kitty O’Donnell with her extended family at her 80th birthday party celebrated at Slievenamon Golf Club

207 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Faith in the heart of Tipperary

Aoife Delany with fellow finalists in the ‘Lovely Wellie’ competition at her very first retreat in Clonmacnoise, 2009

e are always searching. tion to several weekend retreats. A WSearching for a job, search- Valentine’s ball is held annually and ing for the remote, searching for love! various other social events are held On August 15, 2013, more than one throughout the year. The summer thousand young people between the festival is the highlight of the year. ages of 16 and 35 came to the Youth The movement was founded by a 2000 Summer Festival in Roscrea, all young Englishman called Ernest in search of something more than Williams. He was inspired upon hear- the lifestyle of sex, drugs and rock n’ ing a speech by Blessed John Paul roll on offer today. II at in Santiago de Youth 2000 is an international Compostela in 1989, calling upon faith movement of young Catholics young people to spread the good called to share their experience of news among their peers. faith with other young people. More The summer festival has been than forty weekly prayer groups are held in a number of locations held around the country in addi- including Knock and the ancient

208 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER historic site of Clonmacnoise. This our faith in Christ Jesus. For the first year, Tipperary had the privilege of time in a long time I began to feel hosting the festival. We came in our like I finally fitted in surrounded by hundreds from the four corners these wonderful people who were of the country to fill the halls of as welcoming as the smiles light- the Cistercian College of Mount St. ing up their faces. I had the most Joseph Abbey in Roscrea. amazing weekend chatting to peo- This year marked my fourth visit ple from all over the country, sharing to the summer festival. My journey our experiences of faith, participat- with Youth 2000 dates back to my ing in games, attending inspirational teenage years. These years were talks and workshops, even winding marked by the scars left from severe up as a finalist in the Lovely Wellie bullying during my secondary edu- competition! To top it all off there cation leaving me lost and incred- was a rock concert with the famous ibly unhappy. But it was through Elation Ministries, an evangelical prayer that my life began to turn band made up of young musicians around again, and through prayer from all over Ireland. that I encountered Youth 2000. As I It is a truly wonderful weekend prepared to head for college in the which I have thoroughly enjoyed on summer of 2009, it was suggested each return visit. This year’s festival that I attend the summer festival in Roscrea was no exception. Rain in Clonmacnoise with other young was forecast for the country, but as like-minded people to help me make I approached Roscrea in my little friends ahead of my arrival in UCC. green Micra, the skies were blue, a I had heard many things about the playful hint at the good times that festival, but nothing could have pre- were ahead for all attendees. pared me for what I would find there. With the largest turnout in recent I was rather apprehensive as I had years, the summer festival kicked expected a room full of future mem- off with songs of praise as every- bers of the clergy, but this couldn’t be one gathered round the altar for further from the truth! Upon entering the opening Mass. As I watched the the main marquee, I was greeted by crowds from my seat, I could see the a sea of young smiling faces, most- sceptics awkwardly standing around ly teenagers like me, all gathered as we ‘happy-clappy’ regulars got into round praising God through song our groove. Little did they know that and dance. There were people from in a few short hours, they too would every walk of life, from scientists and catch the bug and be dancing hard- teachers to the pierced and tattooed. er and singing louder than anyone We came from different places, dif- else in attendance. The atmosphere ferent jobs, different cultures; but was so infectious, it was impossible together, we were united through to resist! I have yet to see a sin-

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gle person leave the festival without the country. thoroughly enjoying it. Sadly, this year the Lovely Wellie Our main speaker for the week- competition was retired, only to be end was Bishop replaced by the equally comical of the diocese of Bridgeport, Summer Shades competition! But Connecticut, a truly memorable and thankfully, some things never change, inspiring speaker. As Bishop Frank and the rock concert from Elation lead us in prayer and discussion, he Ministries was in full swing late brought to our attention the need into Saturday night as we danced, to distinguish between the things sang, leaped and ‘congaed’ our way that we ‘want’ in life from the things through the evening. that we actually ‘need’, teaching us But before long, the weekend all that while the things we ‘want’ was over all too soon and the clos- may be good, only the love of Jesus ing Mass was upon us, our bags were can meet our deepest needs and packed, the buses were lining up, heal our broken hearts; a lesson and home beckoned. As the Mass that we should all bear in mind this drew to a close, our spirits soaring, Christmas season. He is the reason everyone in attendance was initiated for the season after all. into this wonderful global commu- Other speakers during the fes- nity, not unlike our own community tival included our papal nuncio here in Fethard and Killusty. At the Archbishop Charles Brown, Senator festival’s close, we would disperse far Ronan Mullen, journalist David and wide, but we would be forever Quinn and Bishop Kieran O’Reilly of connected by our faith from that Killaloe in addition to a number of moment on. ◉ inspiring testimonies given by vari- by Aoife Delany ous members of Youth 2000 across

A lovely photographs of Crampscastle and Slievenamon captured by Larry Kenny

210 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Fethard Piano Exams 2013 he annual piano exams held 2004, involves all of the top music Tin Fethard for pupils attending and drama students who sit the local piano teacher Stuart Clooney Leinster School of Music and Drama were hugely successful again this exams in that year. Katie Whyte, year. Pupils from beginners to the Hayley Ryan and Imogen Kavanagh higher grades travelled to who sat the Dublin to play exams in May their chosen 2013 were piece of music examined by before the an examiner examiners in appointed by the College. the Leinster On reaching School of the finals of Music and the competi- Drama, Griffith tion, which College involved Dublin. All approxi- students, as mately 100 well as their performers teacher, were out of 10,000 delighted with students tak- the outstand- ing exams ing results this year, the with Honours Hayley Ryan pictured with local piano teacher Stuart three girls were Clooney, Cashel Road, Fethard. and First Class duly awarded Honours Excellence achieved by all. Further credit goes Awards Certificates. to local students, Laura Harrington Stuart Clooney would like to and Sadhbh Morrissey for achieving thank the students for all of the a result of 95 percent and over in hard work in preparation for their their exam, and so were duly award- piano exams. Thanks also to the ed the Leinster School of Music and local National and Secondary level Drama Medal for their result. Schools for their support and to This year three of Stuart’s students John Shortall for ensuring that were nominated by the examiner to Stuart’s hard working pianos are kept take part in the annual Excellence in top condition every year. For fur- Award Competition held in Dublin. ther details please contact Stuart or The competition, ongoing since Maura Clooney 052-6132567. ◉ 211 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Fethard Scouts 27th Tipperary Group

Fethard Scout Group photographed on their hike to the Mass Cross on Slievenamon to recite their Beaver and Cub Scout Promise

ethard Scouts – if you want to sleepover in our Den and tested Fbe young, work with them, if their pioneering skills making chari- you want to feel young, try and keep ots – racing them was great fun. They up with them! We have a member- took part in orienteering training ship of eighty-six. It was, yet again, and went on numerous hikes, one to another fantastic year for all in the Glengarr Wood where we did some Fethard Scout Group, with many backwood’s cooking by the river. We group, county and national events spent an overnight on Slievenamon for all sections. Huge performances in tents, and hiked to the Holy Year from every section, Beavers, Cubs, Cross where we held an Investiture Scouts and Ventures brought each to Ceremony. We took part in all county national level. What a great group of events, the county quiz, county hike children, you could only be proud of in Kilsheelan wood, and the county each one of them. sports day. Beaver Section We also travelled to Scouting There were many activities in this Ireland HQ in June and camped section, which included badge-work overnight for the ‘Mad-Hatters on the on backwoods, community and first- Hill’ – a great weekend. In September aid, to mention a few. They had a we went to Mount Melleray for the

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County Fun weekend and great fun it with Kilsheelan, we represented the was. We headed to Cahir in October county at national level in Maynooth, for the county Fancy Dress Party. which is a great experience. We held Ballymacarbry Beavers and Cubs as numerous Hikes throughout the year well as our own Cubs joined us in incorporating backwood’s cooking, Grove Wood for our Halloween Night orienteering training, route planning which was a good craic and a great and lots of fun. We had a sleepover in campfire. We are off to Carne, Co. the Den in March. We went abseiling Wexford, for a weekend in November in April and in June we were joined with the rest of the Fethard group. We by the Beavers for an overnight will also attend the county Christmas camp on Slievenamon, and hiked Disco in December, a table quiz in to the Holy Year Cross where we February, a hike in March, sports day conducted an Investiture Ceremony. in April, and are planning a ‘Camp’ We finished our year in early July in Parson’s Green for June. There will with Annual Camp in Ruan, Co. Clare be many more events as we move for five days. We attended all county through the coming year, including events – hike in November, Sixer/ trips to the zoo and Fota Island, so a Seconder training in January, swim- great calendar of activities is lined up, ming gala in February, fun weekend for this, our youngest scout section. in Mount Melleray in April, and the Cub Section sports day in May which we hosted Cubs had another great year, we in Fethard. came second in the county chal- We attended the County Sunrise lenge in October. In February, along Hike on the Galtees. We have

Photographed at the County Shield Competition are Ruth McDonald, Taylor and Cameron Bailey, David Mockler, Dan Walsh (PL), Eoin O’Donovan (APL), Dylan Ryan, Katie Whyte, with leaders Rachel Hanlon, Brendan Bailey, Bobby Phelan and Cormac Keating.

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Fethard Scouts and leaders photographed after St. Patrick’s Day Mass in Holy Trinity Parish Church. Also included is Canon Tom Breen P.P. achieved Stage 2 in sailing adventure parade to 11am Mass on St. Patrick’s skills and we also joined our Beavers Day, and also the May and Corpus for the Halloween night and camp- Christi processions in Fethard. Scouts fire in Grove Wood. We are now just took part in all county events – ori- back after a very mucky hike – what enteering, which we hosted on the fun we had! Comeraghs in March; County Training Plans for the future; attend the Day in April; and the County Shield group weekend in Carne, Co. Wexford Challenge weekend, winning the in November, Acts of Kindness, a competition for the second year run- sleepover, Hike to Summit of ning. A great result! Slievenamon, Sixer/Seconder train- In June a number of scouts took ing, swimming gala, fun weekend part in the Munster Pursuit Challenge, in Melleray, sports day in Fethard, in extremely inclement weather, but Annual Camp (somewhere) and lots spirits were high and we weathered more in between. the storm, a great experience. July Scout Section saw us on annual camp for ten The first County Event in 2012 was days in great weather and with great the fun weekend in Mount Melleray. fun and games. In August, having We attempted some Christmas Carol won the county shield, we had the singing which was good fun. We had honour of representing Co. Tipperary one scout who completed the Tom at national level at the National Crean Expedition to Iceland for a Phoenix Challenge (Wednesday to week (true grit). We completed a Sunday) and came away with Silver lot of badgework throughout the Standard Award, another great result. year. We had a weekend in Carne We received free tickets to Fossetts Scout Centre in March. We joined Circus so we all attended. Our future the rest of our group for the annual plans include a weekend in Carne

214 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER with the rest of our group, all coun- treasurer, we shall miss her immense- ty events, and some troop events ly and wish her health in her retire- throughout the year, including the ment. main Annual Camp. All in all this was a very busy year, Venture Section with a great bunch of children mak- Ventures completed a number ing up a great Scout Group. None of hikes, some badgework, height of this would have been possible hikes, an overnight on Slievenamon, without the dedication of an equal- assisted in running the younger sec- ly great bunch of leaders: Nichola tions, helped at many county events, Quigley, Sarah Hanlon, Anna Bailey, provided assistance at the Gathering Tony Burgess, Michelle Hennebry, Festival and erected a tower on The Denis Larkin, John Walsh, Brendan Square. We have a busy programme Bailey, Rachel Hanlon, Cormac planned for the coming year. Keating and John Cloonan. A spe- On a sad note our treasurer of cial word of thanks to our chairper- twenty-seven years has decided to son, Mary Healy, and our associate retire. We would like to say a big member Theresa Grant. Many many thank you to Mary O’Donnell for her thanks to you all for your great work long and loyal service to scouting throughout the year, you are a credit in Fethard. During her reign Mary to yourselves and society. was awarded the Bronze Meritorious Finally, we wish all the people of Award, and more recently awarded the Parish and beyond, a Happy and the Silver Meritorious Award some Holy Christmas and a Peaceful New years ago. This is an indication of her Year. ◉ meticulous work and integrity as Robert Phelan (Group Leader)

Fethard Scouts photographed carol singing at The Square, Fethard Christmas week 2012.

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An ambush by John Fogarty Below is a short extract from my manuscript ‘Scenes from an Indian Summer’ which was shortlisted for the John Murray/Radio 1/RTE Guide book award. I hope to have it available in print sometime next year. e had our war-paint on. Our in his airboat on this river. Wouldn’t Wgallivanting in search of right too many wrongs around here. distraction had brought us down Judo and I were prowling to the riverbank. To a wide space through the rushes close to the bank, - adjacent to the road on one side, arrow in bow, hoping to come across the river on the other. A stretch of a waterhen. the old town wall ran parallel to The smell of drying river-moss the off-bank of the river, forming a was strong in my nostrils. barrier between us, the jagged tower- Chasing waterhens was a waste top, and the ancient yews of the of time. A rustle in the rushes, a brief Protestant churchyard. flash of dark feathers and the hen was The morning was overcast, gone. That’s all you’d see of waterhens. close, the air thick and heavy with Not even a chance to get off an arrow. the sound of bees, flies, grasshoppers, Still we prowled, pointlessly. birds, dogs. A horse neighing some- ‘This is feckin useless,’ Judo said, where. A distant tractor. All blending finally. into a monotonous, deadening drone. Boredom was setting in. We need- The drone of summer. The tedium ed a diversion. of happy days. Occasionally a horse I looked to the riverbank. and cart clattered by, on its way to Some of the braves had been the creamery further down The Valley. having a contest to see whose bow In the field behind Horse’s house would shoot an arrow the farthest. men were slowly piking hay onto a I’d heard the endless, repetitive horse-drawn hay trolley that rolled arguing voices echoing off the old along on wide, iron wheels. There walls. Now I could see Jim and Pony, were slanted poles at front and rear Horse’s younger brother, wrestling to hold the hay in place. They were and shouting on the grass. drawing the hay to a yard about .Just then Foxy Burke came rat- half a mile away where it would be tling down The Valley on his father’s trammed. I could hear the voices jennet and cart hauling his one of the men as they paused to smoke churn of milk to the creamery. The and exchange desultory banter. jennet was big and mostly black. He It was the first week of July. We strode along, all raised head, twitch- were idling around, irritable from the ing ears and swishing tail. Eyes wild heaviness of it all. Not really doing inside the winkers. Wire bit pulled anything. The river had run low. tight in his mouth. He was hard to Lincoln Vail wouldn’t get very far stop even when only walking. There

216 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER was always a feeling that he could place,’ he moaned, gazing at two take off at any moment, that Foxy, or farmers standing with folded arms no-one, would be able to stop him at propped by their arses against the full tilt. wing of an Anglia. The big jennet strode purpose- ‘Then I have to bring separated fully on, pulling hard. Foxy barely milk back for the calves, and a butt managed to wave and call to us. of crushed oats, and give the rest of ‘The fecker is pulling like a train the feckin day turning hay with the lads,’ he shouted. aul’ fella in the back field,’ Foxy said. When they were out of sight ‘And tisn’t great hay weather either, Horse called us together. sure there’s hardly any drying there ‘I have a deadly idea,’ he said. at all,’ he added, sorrowfully, probably ‘What is it?’ Pat asked. echoing his aul’ fella, who always ‘We’ll pretend that Foxy is driving wore a long, sorrowful face even a stage coach and we’ll ambush him when there was good hay weather. on the way back,’ Horse said. The jennet was restless, shaking The prospect of the ambush - hid- his obstinate head, stamping, kicking ing, waiting, charging after Foxy’s big at flies beneath his belly, twitching jennet - lifted the lethargy that had muscles when they landed on his borne down on all our actions like a body. heavy blanket. ‘Can I drive the jennet up The A low wall ran parallel to the Valley?’, Judo asked. road as far as Stoke’s old mill. From ‘Oh Jaysus no Judo, no-one can the spot where wall and mill met we drive that jennet only me and the aul’ would launch the ambush, Horse fella, he takes an awful howlt, only and Pat decided. for we do have an extra big winkers As usual, Judo and I were sent as on him he’d be gone in a minute, scouts to see how long it would take all ‘twould take is a aul’ flying sweet for Foxy to get out of the creamery. paper and the shagger would be In the creamery yard there was gone like a two-year-auld, sure the a long queue of farmers waiting father is always saying he’d win a to off-load their milk. Horse, pony, feckin bumper for Larry Keating no and ass-drawn carts, Prefects, Anglias, bother,’ Foxy said. Cambridges, all with trailers, old The jennet shook his entire body Ferguson and Fordson Major trac- as if in agreement with Foxy, giving tors, all stretched in a stalled line himself a fright when the draught across the yard and out onto the chains rattled against the shafts. road. Foxy was about half-way in the ‘Aisy, aisy, stand aisy ya shaggin queue. We chatted with him. aul’ cripple,’ Foxy said, jerking hard ‘It’s gonta take me another half on the reins. an hour to get out of this feckin We went back onto the road and

217 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013

into Meagher’s shop to buy a pen- swiped at him with his switch. The nyworth of broken biscuits. Ned was arrows that we fired clunked off the cutting ham into transparent slices churn and the wheels of the cart. on his smooth-running Avery ham Horse, though, had aimed one direct- slicer. ly at the jennet’s hindquarters. He hit ‘Anything else now, Mrs. Barton?’ the target. This, combined with the he asked, wrapping the ham, forcing dog’s snapping, our screeching and a wide, false-toothed smile across Foxy’s shouting, was too much for his face. the jennet. He took off. Foxy leaned He carried her purchases out to back throwing all his weight on the her Austin Mini Estate with its wood reins. No use. On the jennet ran, ears inserts, thanking her profusely and flattened, head out-stretched, veer- fussing over her all the time. ing from side to side on the road. ‘Broken biscuits,’ he said, wearily, Skimming past the loaded hay trol- when we ordered. ley just emerging from the hayfield. We ate our broken Marietta Two men on top of the load looked biscuits from a bag before we in astonishment at the fleeing jennet. returned to the gang. Then we wait- We followed Foxy, screeching, ed. Eventually Foxy and the jennet laughing, delighted with the outcome appeared. The cart running smoothly of our ambush. Excitement sending a along on its two inflated car wheels. surge of energy through us. The only sound I could hear was the On the hill close to our house a clink of the draught chains and the pole that carried a streetlight stood rapid click of the jennet’s lightly shod about two feet out from the wall. hooves. Approaching this pole the jennet Judo couldn’t resist pinching veered wildly once more. One Pony’s arse which was directly in wheel hooked on the pole bring- front of him. ing jennet and cart to an abrupt ‘Ah, ouch, ouch,’ Pony said, loudly. halt, catapulting Foxy and the churn ‘Jaysus, will ye stay quiet,’ Horse onto the grassy bank on the road- hissed. side. The lid flew off the churn. A flat ‘Go aisy, willya, go aisy ya scourge,’ white lake of separated milk spread we heard Foxy say to the jennet. across the road. When they drew level with us we ‘Oh Jaysus, Jaysus help me, I’ll be leaped from behind the wall screech- kilt, the aul’ fella’ll kill me, what am ing our version of the Apache war- I gonta do, they’ll be ne’er a sup of cry. The sudden noise shocked Mom milk left for the calves,’ Foxy roared. Mom Gunn’s terrier from his torpor The jennet had come to a stand- on the roadside. He charged at the still, appeared to have been shocked jennet, barked, began snapping at into docility. Horse and Pat straight- his heels. Foxy roared at the dog, ened the churn.

218 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

‘There’s still a sup in the arse o’ watery milk for one day,’ Judo said. the churn Foxy,’ Pat said. ‘The aul’ fella will,’ Foxy said. ‘Oh there’s only a dreeder left, I’ll ‘Sure, Jaysus, yer aul’ fella’s not be kilt, I’ll be kilt, an look at me poor gonta be drinking separated milk, is knees, they’re all tore asunder,’ Foxy he?’ Horse said. lamented. ‘I dunno, I dunno,’ said Foxy. He turned his attention to the Eventually he was pacified jennet and the cart. Miraculously no enough to get back on the cart and damage had been done to the cart. head for home. ‘What class of an aul’ mad cripple ‘I’d say that aul’ jennet is shell- are you at all,’ he roared at the jennet, shocked, sure there’s not a kook outa ‘you’re only fit for the feckin ken- him now,’ Mamie said as we walked nels, the hounds probably wouldn’t back. even ate ya. Or maybe the aul’ fella’ll For a day or so after I kept expect- sell ya to the tinkers, you’ll know all ing to see Foxy’s father at the door. about it then, so ya will, ya big black Or the sergeant with his notebook. useless hoor ya.’ Neither came. The calves mustn’t A row of heads had appeared have minded the watery milk. over half-doors. When the incident of Foxy’s jen- ‘Lucky the chap wadn’t kilt,’ Josie net was safely in the past it became Barratt said, from her half-door. one of the highlights of the summer. ‘He’ll be all right, ‘tis nothing,’ On those evenings when we’d light Horse said. a fire at the camp and sit around it Between us we managed to get as darkness gathered and shadows the churn back onto the cart. danced, the story of Foxy’s jennet ‘Let ya pull it over to the Judy would be told and retold, twisted and Foxy and we’ll top the churn back tweaked until the facts of what had up with water, sure the calves won’t actually happened were lost in the lit- know the difference if they have tle legend we were creating. ◉

Photographed in Butler’s Bar L to R: Willie and Mandy Quigley, John and Veronica Fogarty

219 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Donations Received 2013 Acknowledged below are donations (€10 and over) received from readers and organisations up to November 30, 2013. We would also like to thank all those who wished to remain anonymous. Ahearne, Kitty & Family, Main Street, Fethard Cooney, Tom, New York Aherne, Joan (Murphy), Clondalkin, Dublin Cord, J., West Sussex, England Allen, Vincent, Edenderry Corr, Patrick Michael, Australia Anglim, Joan, The Valley, Fethard Crowley, Maura (Butler), Ballyneale, Co. Tipp Anglim, Monica (Woodlock), New Jersey USA Cummins, Joan (Sayers), Cashel Arkell, Joan (O’Donnell), Warwick, UK Cummins, Liam, Clonmel Armstrong, Monica (Dwyer), Northampton UK Cummins, Michael, Yorkshire Augustinian Abbey Fethard Cummins, Mrs R., Hemel Hempstead, UK Aylward, Christy, Clonmel Curran, Timmy, Welwyn Garden City, UK Aylward, Mary, Bray, Co. Wicklow Curtin, Jacqueline (Moloney), Stillorgan Aylward, Tony & Paula, Naas Curtin, Rena (McGrath), Kilkenny Bailey, Patrick, Wisconsin, USA Danaher, Kevin, Fulham, London Barnes, Frances (O’Halloran), Kent, UK Darcy, Mrs Phil, Kent, England Barrett, Angela (McCarthy), Davern, Honor (Mulligan), Cashel Barry, Michael, Kilkenny Davey, Catherine (O’Connor), Penzance, Cornwall Barry, Rose (Ryan), Lismore Delahunty, Steve & Kathy, Novato, USA Barry, Seamus, Tullamaine, Fethard Delany Family, Parsonshill, Fethard Bishop, Marie (Horan), Somerset, England Dixon, Patrick, Enniscorthy Bowers, Mary, Portlaw, Co. Waterford Dodman, Gemma (Walsh), Eastbourne, UK Bradley, Tess (Fogarty), West Sussex, UK Doheny, Noel & Marion (Fitzgerald), Ealing UK Bramley, Anna (Skehan), New South Wales Dunne, Patricia (O’Dwyer), Newcastle West Brennan, Kathleen (McCarthy), Swinford Fahey, Betty (Bradshaw), Clonmel Brennan (RIP), Helen, Garristown, Co. Dublin Fethard Car Boot Sale, Brett, Peg and Alfie, Rocklow Road, Fethard Fethard Country Market, Broderick, Pat & Rowena, Melbourne, Australia Fethard Historical Society, Browne, Dolly, Portarlington Fethard ICA Guild, Browne, Nora (Ryan), Rathdowney Fethard Ladies Football Club Burke, Eamonn & Nora, Tralee, Co. Kerry Fethard Scouts, 27th Tipperary Group Burke, James, San Francisco, USA Fethard Tidy Towns, Burke, Mary, Thurles Fitzgerald-Ryan, Denis & Sheena, Calgary, Canada Burke, Richard, Gleneleamy, Clonmel. Fitzgerald, Con, Bradford Burke, Breda, Main Street, Fethard Fitzgerald, Mary & Michael, Castlehiggins, Fethard Butler, Mike, Limerick City Fitzgerald, Olly, Leicestershire, UK Butler, Sean, Lisronagh Fitzgerald, Paddy, Gwersyllt, Wrexham UK Byard, Dr. Donal, New Jersey, USA Fitzgerald, Patrick, Blaby, Leicester UK Byrne, John, Ballincollig, Cork Fitzgerald, Tony, Clonmel Byrne, Mick, Wellington, New Zealand Fitzpatrick, Thomas, Woodlawn, New York Byrnes, George, Texas, USA Flanagan, Frank & Rita (Fitzgerald), Bristol, UK Canty, Mary (Casey), Tramore Flanagan, Tony, London W5 Carroll, Rita (Morrissey), Clonakilty Fogarty, Bernard, Garrinch, Fethard Carroll, Roseanne & John, Lonergan’s Bar, Fethard Fogarty, Evelyn, Alberta, Canada Casey, Elaine, Edinburg Fogarty, Madge (McGrath), Glanmire, Cork Casey, Rosemarie, Wimbledon, London Fox (RIP), Andy, Thurles Clark, Rita, San Mateo USA Frewen, Helen, Coorparoo, Australia Clear, Margaret (Gough), California USA Frewen, Willie, Fenor, Co. Waterford Coady, Marie (Burke), Ninemilehouse, Carrick Gleeson, Eileen & Joan, Knockelly, Fethard Collins, Olivia (Schofield), Templemore Gleeson, Pauline (Ryan), Boherlahan Colville, Anthony, Essex, England Gluck, Kathleen (Morrissey), Isle of Wight Comerford, Esther (Nevin), Kilkenny Gorski, Alice (Fitzgerald), Middlesex Condon, Camel, Rocklow Road, Fethard Griffin, Ena, Herts, England Connolly, Thomas, Essex UK Gunne, Sean, Clonmel

220 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

Halley, John, Dublin 16 Meaney, James J., London SW19 Hannigan, Dorothea (Schofield), Cashel Meaney, Michael, Ipswich, UK Harkin, Jennifer (Cummins), Old Leighlin Meehan, Mrs Ellen, Oklahoma, USA Hayes, Denis, Victoria, Australia Mohan, Breda (O’Donnell/Danaher), Surrey UK Hayes, Canon Matthew, Bath, UK Moloney, Patrick F., Bucks. UK Hayes, Joe & Eleanor, Conakilty, Co Cork Moloney, Tom, Northampton UK Hayes, John, Toronto, Canada Mooney, Anna (Skehan), Belfast Hayes, Willie, Gloucestershire, UK Moore, Mary (Gorey), Drogheda Hayes, Willie, Roscrea Morgan, Dee (Gordon), Michigan USA Healy, Majella, Wexford Morrissey, Billy, Herts. UK Heffernan, Larry & Inger, Oslo, Norway Morrissey, Colm, Delgany, Co.Wicklow Henehan, Paddy, Dublin 20 Morrissey, Dominic, Dublin 5 Hetterley, David & Frances (Kenrick), Hereford Morrissey, J. J., Tralee, Co. Kerry Hoey, Cathleen (Murphy), Birmingham, England Morrissey, Mary, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal Hunt, Maureen (Mackey), Staffordshire, UK Morrissey, Shaun, Cheshire UK Jakeman, Rodney, Cheshire UK Morrissey, Teresa (McCarthy), Ballymacarby Jones, Mrs Barbara, East Sussex Müller, Stefan, Bonn, Germany Kane, David, Essex, UK Mulligan, Declan, San Francisco Kane, Conor, Crann Ard, Clonmel Mullins, Paul, London Kane, Danny & Rita, Kerry Street, Fethard Mullins, Vincent, North Yorks UK Kane, Dermot, Dublin 8 Murphy, Derek, Dublin 18 Kavanagh, Rena (Keyes), Waterford Napier, Frankie ‘Ringo’, The Green Fethard Keane, Patrick & Bridget (Carroll), Mass. USA Neville, Roger, Tullamore Kearney, Breda, London, UK Neville, Seamus, Tramore Kennedy, Fr. Abe, Portumna, Co. Galway Nichols, Betty (Dineen), Warwick UK Kenny Cassidy, Maura (Stokes), Dublin 6 O’Brien, Cathy, New York Kenny, Carol, The Green, Fethard O’Brien, Jane, Astoria, N.Y. Kerr, Colleen, Ontario, Canada O’Brien, Margaret (Butler), Limerick Kevin OSU, Sr. Monica, New York O’Brien, Mary (Kenrick), Limerick Knight, Mai, Wantage, UK O’Brien, O.S.U., Sr. Margaret, Brussels, Belgium Lambadis, Kathleen (Morris), Thessaloniki, Greece O’Carroll, Lila (McGrath), California Lanigan, Helen, Faugheen O’Connell-Binns, Katie, West Yorkshire, UK Lavin, Michael & Margaret, Waxhaw, USA O’Connell, Gabrielle (Hayes), Waterford Leahy, Gerry, Kilkenny O’Connell, Jimmy, Hornchurch, Essex UK Lee, Joe, Killusty O’Connell, Peter, Victoria, Australia Legion of Mary, Fethard O’Connell, Seamus, Essex, England Leonard, Euna (Whyte), Cork O’Connell, Sue & Jim, Halifax UK Lonergan, Thomas, Preston, UK O’Connor OSA, Fr. John, Dungarvan Lonergan, William, Killaloe O’Connor, Mary, Westport, Co. Mayo Looby, John & Patricia (Halloran), Surrey, UK O’Donnell, Anna (Mackey), Niles, Illinois, USA Lovatt-Dolan, Elizabeth (Quirke), Dublin O’Donnell, Jim, Minnesota, USA Lynam, Ann (Morrissey), Dublin 12 O’Donnell, Joe, Surrey, UK MacDermid, B. Walter, Silver Spring, MD, USA O’Donnell, Liam, Glasnevin, Dublin 11 Maher, Mary (O’Donovan), Moyne O’Donnell, Tony, Dublin 9 Major, Rosanna, Surrey UK O’Donovan, Gabrielle (Mackey), Carlow Mallon, Nuala (Kenny), Sandymount, Dublin 4 O’Dwyer & Family, Johnny, Strylea, Fethard Mannion, Cathryn (Byrne), Athlone O’Flynn, Patrick, Glen Ellyn, Illinois Marshall, Tom & Patricia, Portlaoise O’Flynn, Peggy, Ballincollig Martley, Sr. Margaret, Cork O’Gorman, Paddy, Woking, Surrey McCahery, Monica (Kearney), Manchester, UK O’Mara, Pat & Evelyn, Lisronagh McCarthy, Don, , Co. Kildare O’Meara Family, Killusty McCormack Euchner, Helena, Berlin, Germany O’Neill PP, Rt. Rev. Msgr. William, Savannah, USA McCormack, Michael, Luton Beds, England O’Neill, Hal, Cork McCormack, Thomas, Gwynedd, Wales O’Neill, Ken, Dublin 6 McKay, Ann, Chippenham, UK O’Rourke, Paddy, Dublin 6W McLean, Arthur, Thompson, USA O’Sullivan, Brian & Edith, Glasgow, Scotland McLellan, Billy, Clonmel O’Sullivan, Marie, Main Street, Fethard

221 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013

O’Toole, Fidelma (Maher), Essex, England Squires, May (O’Dwyer), Essex Patrician Presentation Secondary School, Fethard Stapleton, Martin & Rita (O’Grady), Dublin 7 Penfold, James, Herts UK Sullivan, John S., Highland Mills, New York Poulin, Anna, Alexandria USA Szwarc, Agnes (Culligan), Kent UK Power, Ned, Wolverhampton UK Taylor Family, Saucestown, Fethard Presentation Convent, Fethard Tierney, Patrick, Cork Ramer, Sally M., Orange, CA, USA Tingley, Ellen (Culligan), Seven Oaks, Kent, UK Reeves, Maureen (Fogarty), Leamington Spa UK Tobin, Margaret (Burke), Altrincham, Cheshire, UK Roberts, Jim & Melissa, Rockingham, Australia Tobin, Michael, Oak Lawn, USA Roche, Peggy (Kenny), Thurles Tobin, Patrick & Ellen (Walsh), Clonmel Ryan (Jnr), Mattie, Buffana, Killenaule Totonchi, Louise (Kenrick), Illinois Ryan (RIP), Thomas, London NW3 Wagner, Rita (Fallon), New York Ryan, Brendan, West Norwood, London Walsh OSA, Fr. Joseph, Victoria, Australia Ryan, Kathy, London Walsh, Anne (Kenrick), Glenageary, Co Dublin Ryan, Mary (Murphy), Cashel Walsh, Gerard, Ontario, Canada Ryan, Michael J., St. Albans, Herts UK Walsh, Pat, Leeds UK Ryan, Michael, Monasterevin Walsh, Patrick, Castleknock, Dublin Ryan, Mikie & Mary, Abbey View, Fethard Walshe, Michael A, Surbiton, Surrey, UK Ryan, Philip, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny Ward, Mary, Leitrim Village Sharkey, Neil, Galway Warren, Susan, Omaha USA Sheehan, Don, Cincinnati, USA Whelan, Miriam (O’Brien), Drakesland, Kilkenny Sheehan, Jimmy, Birkenhead UK Whelan, Paddy, London UK Sheehan, Johnny & Peg, St. Patrick’s Place Whyte, Michael, Leicestershire UK Sheehan, Patrick, Hitchin, Herts UK Wilkins, Christine (Sayers), Taghmon, Co. Wexford Shortman, Mary (Quirke), Herts, England Williams, Christy, Killusty Skehan, Helen, Islington, London Williams, Sheila, Effingham, Surrey UK Skehan, Nicholas, Dublin Woodward, Gráinne (Cummins), Southampton Skehan CSsR, Rev. William, Philippines Wyatt, Frank, North Carolina, USA Slattery, William, Milton Keynes, UK Wyatt, Paul, California USA Slattery, William, Mitchelstown Wynne, Monica (Dwyer), Clonmel

If, for any reason, we have omitted your name, please let us know and we will acknowledge your donation next year.

5th Year Class Presentation Convent 1969-70. Back L to R: Grace Smith, Marian Teehan, Marian Anglim. Middle L to R: Ann O’Meara, Eleanor O’Callaghan, Mary Meagher, Patricia O’Dwyer, Mary Cunningham, Noreen Tobin, Mary Gorey. Front L to R: Catherine Dargan, Ann Skehan, Patsy O’Meara, Renée Healy, Mary O’Connor, Timmie O’Connor (teacher), Mary O’Connell, Eileen Duggan, Brigid Croke and Gaye O’Shea.

222 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Three Hundred years of life his year was a very unique and to reminisce about times past, Tone for our community and back at the shop premises. During parish. Three wonderful ladies - proceedings Chrissie was present- Chrissie Byrne, Josie Casey and ed with a letter and cheque from Nellie Shortall - each celebrated the president, a bouquet of flowers their one hundredth birthday - three and a birthday card, and a copper hundred years of life. beech tree was planted to mark The achievement of reaching the occasion. Chrissie thoroughly the milestone of one hundred years enjoyed the day and was absolutely is certainly worth celebrating and delighted with all the people that accordingly Fethard & Killusty turned up. experienced three such celebra- Josie Casey tions between June and October. Josie Casey (nee Holohan) Chrissie Byrne celebrated her special day on Chrissie Byrne (nee Shee) was September 3. Celebrations com- born on June 19, 1913. She lived menced with Mass in the Parish all her life in Killusty and will be Church, celebrated by Canon Breen known to all for her life of service P.P., Fr. Anthony McSweeney and to the village as she ran the grocery Fr. John Meagher, OSA with music shop there until she retired at 84 provided by the combined Parish years of age. Chrissie has many and Abbey choirs. A large number memories lasting from her earli- of Josie’s family, neighbours and est years as a young child through friends attended and the occa- her school years; to her trips to the sion was indeed memorable. It was dance halls of surrounding areas particularly pleasant to see Josie to hear the likes of Mick Del and joined by Chrissie Byrne and Nellie the Twilight Serenaders; the Second Shortall. Once the Mass had con- World War; the advent of television; cluded those in attendance pro- her contribution as sacristan, care- ceeded to the Convent Community taker and organist in the Killusty Hall for refreshments and to con- Church; her involvement with the tinue the celebrations. Fethard Carnival and her many Josie spent her formative exploits with the local ICA Guild. years at Boolagh, on the slopes On her birthday, Mass was cel- of Slievenamon, and Burke Street, ebrated by Canon Breen P.P. and Fethard where the family ran a Fr. Anthony McSweeney. Over 150 public house. Josie attended her people attended – family members, primary education locally, travelled relations and friends from far and to England for her secondary edu- near – to join in the celebrations cation with the French Sisters of

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Charity and subsequently obtained tions were made and many memo- a Music Degree. On returning from ries shared among those present. her time abroad Josie too spent a Nellie was born near Clonmel, very happy life in Fethard, again in moved to the border area with her Burke Street and then in Derryluskin family as a child when her father after her marriage. Josie has a life- obtained work there but returned to long interest in horse racing and Fethard soon after he was tragically remembers attending the Grand killed. National at Aintree when only 14 On leaving school, having years of age. She has great recollec- learned the basics of domestic tions from her many involvements economy, she was adept at bak- throughout her life including – play- ing, butter making, ironing and ing tennis and competing for the sewing, making her own dresses Gibson Cup on many an occasion; and ‘Children of Mary’ cloak. Nellie seeing Pope John Paul II, twice; holi- secured work initially in Rocklow daying in Tramore and Dungarvan as a cook and then moved on to as a child; loving music and danc- Dublin and Clare to work. A health ing, another great fan of the Twilight problem brought her to London Serenaders; cycling to Clonmel to where she worked until she was the greyhound track; taking part in entitled to have an operation done several carnival parades and being and she intended to follow her sis- successful in many competitions ter to New York once recovered. with the ICA. However, a four-week stay at Nellie Shortall home to recuperate changed all Nellie Shortall (nee Fitzpatrick) that as she met her husband Larry reached one hundred years on and remained in Fethard. Larry had October 24. Family, friends and a fuel business and then opened many, many more joined in the a shop, initially to take orders for celebrations to wish Nellie a ‘Happy fuel, but ultimately to fulfil one of Birthday’. Mass was celebrated in Nellie’s dreams. Craftwork, cooking the afternoon and the beautiful and music were Nellie’s great love music provided by Nellie’s family and she spent her life using and was indeed fitting, given their long developing these skills as much tradition of being ‘music-makers’ as she could. She too was a life- in the community. It was particu- long member of the ICA and a larly moving to hear Nellie join in very proud supporter of the Twilight with ‘How Great Thou Art’ which Serenaders, as her brother was one is her favourite hymn. The celebra- of the members. ◉ tions then moved to the Convent Community Hall where connec- Edwina Newport

224 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Thirty-eight years teaching in Killusty rincipal of Killusty National became principal in October 2002, PSchool, Mrs Frances (Hayes) when Danny Kane retired. This was Harrington, recalls her thirty-eight a huge change for me but Danny years teaching in Killusty. Frances is ensured that I was ready for the retiring in December this year and demands of principalship. He was a will be replaced by newly appointed guiding light and true friend to me at principal, Ms Sarah O’Sullivan. all times. Thank you. “I started my teaching career in Cathriona Morrissey started Killusty National teaching in Killusty School on July 1, in early 2003. We 1975. On that first worked together day Miss Mary since then in har- Flood, whom I mony, making a was replacing, pre- good team. Now sented me with her I reach my final scissors and thim- days in Killusty, ble, which I used days tinged with for many years for a deep sadness at sewing lessons. those wonderful Miss Flood visited times coming to at Christmas time an end. I can truly each year, usually say I have spent my bearing gifts of working life doing fruit for the pupils. what I love, helped Frances Harrington (centre) photographed with Danny Kane was Fr. Anthony McSweeney and Ann Kenny. enormously by a principal at that most supportive time. He took me under his wing and board of management with chair- guided me as I commenced my cho- person Canon Tom Breen, beauti- sen profession. I continued teach- ful children, excellent parents and ing there until the summer of 1986 support staff including Tracy, many when we moved to New York, where learning-support teachers, secretary I taught in for one year. Ann, caretakers Joan and Christy We then came closer to home and I Williams and sacristan Ann Kenny. I spent two years teaching in Wembley, have been so lucky to have taught in England, and then in Watford. such a lovely community situated in In September 1989 I returned the valley of Slievenamon. to my beloved Killusty. I continued Go raibh míle maith agaibh go teaching there to the present time. I leir. ◉

225 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Irish Walled Towns Network

This year’s repair of the breach in the Town Wall at Watergate and reinstatement of missing stonework.

he Irish Walled Towns that the house had been one bay TNetwork has had a mixed wider – towards Watergate Lane - bag of a year. Nationally, funding and that it was once a school for is at rock bottom and Fethard was the children of the officers of the lucky to secure one of the very few military barracks. The house is now grants offered. This was offered for being faithfully rebuilt by Tynans to the consolidation and repair of the its former, more comfortable width, breach in the Town Wall at Watergate with the original window propor- and the reinstatement of missing tions and saving the great chimney stonework. This part of the Wall is at stack on the east gable. Supervised the back of the famous Jimmy ‘Buck’ by the same team of professionals Ryan residence that has been under who have been overseeing the con- siege from arsonists since Jimmy’s servation of the Town Wall, this prom- death. ises to button up the most derelict Fortunately for Fethard, this corner of the town. A brave move, but property is now being restored to a welcome one. its former glory by the Hazells of Prior to the commencement Morbarnane who plan to use it as a of this ambitious restoration, work residence. Jimmy always maintained started on the detailed archaeologi-

226 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER cal analysis of the Town Wall that also been unable to infill the missing marks the southern boundary of the facing stones in the area once hid- property. Results revealed that the den by Jimmy’s shed. Interestingly, Town Wall still survives here right one tiny part of the full thickness of across the site to above the height the Wall had survived hidden and of the ‘wall walk’ from which the protected by an eighteenth century townspeople could defend Fethard. outbuilding that abutted the inside The Wall was originally five feet thick of the Wall. Works were undertaken here at the base and just over a foot by Anthony Morris Construction Ltd thick at the parapet (above the wall of Rathronan, Clonmel. Everything walk), but most of the inner face was finished in time and the cost of the Wall had been robbed away was €13,166.53. in antiquity leaving only the outer The ‘mixed bag’ of a year was face – sometimes only a perilous 18 topped by the extraordinary award inches in width. won by the Irish Walled Towns The ever helpful Jonathan Flood Network in Athens. This was the pres- of South Tipperary County Council tigious Europa Nostra award given requested National Monuments for ‘Education, Training and Raising Consent from the Minister to rein- Awareness of Cultural Heritage’. The state the missing inner face stone- award was collected from the hands work right up to the height of the of the opera singer Placido Domingo wall walk (about 9 feet from the on behalf of the Irish Walled Towns ground) to consolidate and make Network and the Heritage Council safe this section. This is the work that by Grainne Shaffrey, the architect the IWTN had hoped to achieve and who achieved planning permission here was the perfect opportunity for our Town Hall restoration earlier to complete this important restora- this year. How wonderful that an idea tion. Ivor McElveen & Associates (the hatched only a few years ago in conservation engineers) had set Derry, by The Heritage Council’s own aside all the surplus stone from the Alison Harvey, has emerged as one demolition of the house for re-use of the greatest heritage and conser- in this repair. Reinstatement of stone vation successes in Europe. has been the preferred method in And let’s not forget that Fethard the restoration undertaken by the is Ireland’s most complete medieval IWTN to the Wall in Fethard over walled town in the IWTN. Well done the past five years. Unfortunately, the to everyone who has supported this minister declined to give permission community initiative from the Wall for this proposal and so, sadly, the repairs to the festival and raised repair was limited to the cosmetic awareness of this cultural gem we infilling of the breach, minor infills are so lucky to have. ◉ and some lime ‘flaunching.’ We have

227 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Car Boot Sale - celebrating 30 years t’s Sunday! Bright or dull, sun- the former Fethard Railway Station Ishine or showers, it’s the day I goods yard, which Christy turned head for the Car Boot Sale. into a transport museum initially, has Expectant, and with an excited proved both fruitful and successful anticipation of what wonders the as a Sunday market venue, and long day might reveal, a chance to meet may it continue so. friends and acquaintances, to dis- The outstanding feature of the cuss the major topics of the day, and Car Boot Sale cum market is that to share a joke or two. An opportu- just about anyone can become a nity to rib some unfortunate stall- stallholder – all you need is the stock holder about their dubious claims to and the need or desire to turn it the antiquity or origin of their stock into ready cash. A sense of humour and the price they’re asking! “You while not essential, is a major aid to really think it’s worth all that?” sales and happy potential custom- Fethard, that medieval gem ers! Stallholders come in all shapes which modernization and progress and sizes, some, semi-professional forgot, provides the perfect setting others ordinary punters who want to fortunately, for this feast of nostalgia turn their surplus household items and variety every Sunday morning. into ready cash. Stall-holders big and small, perma- During the boom years traders nent and transient, compete for your came from far and wide to Fethard attention with their eclectic mix of as the market became quite exot- goods both old, new, second or third ic in both goods and traders. Now, hand, strange, and commonplace, a while occasionally there are some virtual cornucopia of items suitable exotic fellows, the general run is one for all tastes and pockets. of ordinary people trying to make As I wander from stall to stall a some money for Christmas, a holiday, familiar greeting is accorded, as at wedding, or special family occasion this stage I have also become part which comes around unexpectedly of the gathering. Punters and traders and proves expensive. Whatever the ply their trade on Sunday mornings reason for taking a stall – personal throughout the year come rain or profit, charity fundraising or a desire shine, snow or tempest. to clean out unwanted items – a day For just over thirty years now this at the market can be both fun and market place has been run by Christy profitable. You may feel that the punt- Mullins and his wife Margaret, and ers are having you on with some of provides the entire family and their their less impressive offers, but it is friends with a gainful and profitable worth remembering that there is a Sunday morning activity. The site, customer for almost everything, all

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Joe Kavanagh (left) one of the original and longest serving stall holders and Dan Murphy, a great friend of Fethard Car Boot Sale you are trying to do is find them! they came to have a stall in Fethard. For those who have kids, the play- I have had many an entertaining ground at the market site provides and enlightening conversation with ample diversion and a little relief traders, and these have proved some from pester power. The tearoom pro- of the highlights of my day at the vides a restive break for even the market. It isn’t always what you can most compulsive bargain hunters. buy that makes the day out so worth- Tea and sweet buns or sandwiches while, the people are worth it too! and an occupation for the kids in the It isn’t the human activity and playground, what could be better for commerce, talk and diversion, fun the stressed parent, then afterwards and the joy of discovery, and of back to the bargain hunt! course that bargain that makes my One of the joys of the market is day at the market worthwhile. No, it’s its variety of people and the level of the combination of all these things, knowledge they may possess about which makes Sunday in Fethard one a most amazing range of topics. of the highlights of my week. Time to Some of the more specialist traders close now and I hope you all come possess a mine of information about along and find your time there as the goods they specialize in, and also pleasant and profitable as I do every have some very interesting back- Sunday. ◉ stories about their lives and how by Gerry Long

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Coffey family, Mockler’s Terrace. Back L to R: Tommy, Kathleen, Mikey, Edie, Jimmy, Maggie. Front L to R: Mary, Margaret and Ned Coffey, Nora. Missing from photo are Joan and Eddie.

Paddy and Edie Murray (nee Coffey) who were married February 10, 1941. Their bridesmaid was Kathleen Nevin and best man, Jack Hally.

230 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Holy Trinity National School

Junior Infants Class at Holy Trinity National School Back L to R: Saoirse Nic Cormaic, Suzie Murphy, Róisín Dargan Purcell, Marks Zorins, Megan Lyons, Róisín Tyrrell, Mrs Margaret Gleeson (teacher). Third Row L to R: Hayley Lawrence, Micheál O’Rahilly, Claire O’Donnell, Cody Bradshaw, Oisín McAndrews, Ella Deegan. Second Row L to R: Joey Daly, Giovanna Aguiar, Kasey Power, Sarah Cuddihy, Thomas Murphy, Kelvin Ryan. Front L to R: Leyla Barlaz, James Sheehan Walsh, Erin Carroll, Jenny Roberts and Kayleigh Rochford Burke. Missing from photo is Meadhbh Collum. reeting to all Newsletter Anne D’Arcy (Secretary) and Mr Greaders at home and abroad Willie Ryan (Caretaker). from Holy Trinity National School. It has been a good year in the Our present staff: Ms Patricia Treacy school with highlights such as the (Principal), Ms Triona Morrisson school show ‘Cinderella’; performing (Vice-Principal 2nd Class), Ms on the Square in the summer sun- Margaret Gleeson (Jnr. Infants), Ms shine for The Gathering; winning Best Denise Meehan (Snr. Infants), Ms Energy Project in the Tidy Schools Leonie Loughman (1st class), Ms Competition and taking part in the Rita Kenny (3rd Class), Ms Eileen Muintir funded Digital Recollections Fitzgerald (4th Class), Ms Aisling Project. The Fethard interviews Fanning (5th Class), Ms Sarah can be now viewed online at O’Sullivan (6th Class). Learning www.digitalrecollections2013.com. Support: Ms Carmel Lonergan and Just click on Holy Trinity National Ms Sarah Hogan. High Support Unit: School to see the local recordings. Mr Keith MacAmhaidh. Ancillary Sportswise, the school participat- Staff: Ms Ann-Marie Harty (SNA), Ms ed in U11 boys and U13 girls hurl-

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Sixth Class pupils at Holy Trinity National School Back L to R: Megan Earl, Lucy Spillane, Laura Kiely, Andrea Pyke, Aaron Trehy, Anderson Ferrandes Silva, Robert Hackett. Middle L to R: Eric Costin, Sarah Carroll, Bridget McCarthy, Darragh Hurley, Ashley Bradshaw, Emma Jayne Burke, Hollie Broomfield, Richard Anglim, Maggie Fitzgerald, Kateryna Novikova. Front L to R: Emma Geoghegan, Adam O’Sullivan, Sinéad Regan, Megan Hackett, Chloe Nolan and Rachel Prout. Missing from photo is Andrew Phelan. ing, camogie and football Cumann year it was the girls who went the na mBunscoil competitions. The distance. Our girls A team won the boys won the preliminary blitzes county championship with ease and but lost out in the following rounds. from there progressed to the Munster Our first camogie team to represent competition. Cork was the venue for the school acquitted themselves the event and although victory was very well. not ours on the day, the girls played We are fortunate to have a dedi- with heart and pride. cated and enthusiastic group of par- During the year, 6th Class once ents who give of their time to coach again participated in the Challenge all pupils in the school. This year a to Change project, organised by the permanent coach, Derry Peters, has Presentation Sisters. Our theme this joined the team. year focussed on the human rights In October a team of eighty issue of child soldiers in our world pupils travelled to Marlfield for the today. Our project was titled, ‘Soldier schools’ Cross Country Competition. Boy, Soldier Why?’ and was presented Laura Harrington, Ciara Spillane and in Kilkenny on April 10, 2013 by Ms Keenan Aherne won individual med- Sarah O’Sullivan and 6th Class. The als. The school won team gold, silver children embraced the topic with and bronze medals. keen interest, researched compre- Building on the ground-breaking hensively and shared their findings achievements of the previous year, with the school community. 2013 brought further spikeball suc- ‘Do This in Memory’ is a parish- cess to Holy Trinity N.S., but this based programme to prepare in

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2nd Class for the Sacraments of First Always conscious of those in Penance and First Holy Communion. need, the school community recent- Here in Holy Trinity we were very ly raised awareness of the plight of lucky to be able to avail of Sr. Winnie those in Syria and the Philippines. Kirwan’s time and expertise to spear- As usual, our pupils and their fami- head the programme during the last lies displayed great generosity in school year 2012/2013. She organ- response. This generosity of spirit ised the readings, prayers of the faith- comes as no surprise as the parents ful, etc. for the Masses. There was a are always eager to help in so many special Mass organised one Sunday ways, those who serve on the board every month by Sr. Winnie and a of management and the Parents group of parents of the 2nd class Association in particular. Thanks children. Her input gave the children also to Fr. Breen and Fr. McSweeney a deeper understanding of the Mass. for their support and guidance. We We are very grateful for all her help, welcome Mr Michael O’Sullivan to time and efforts. We wish her a speedy Presentation Patrician Secondary recovery. school and wish him happiness in A big thanks also to Sr. Maureen Fethard as principal. Power and Ms. Agnes Grogan who 2014 will undoubtedly bring are so generous with their time. It will changes to our school but we nev- be through no fault of Sr. Maureen’s if ertheless look forward with hope, we do not produce a Lainey Keogh eagerness and excitement to what or a Phillip Treacy in the near future! lies ahead. ◉

Holy Trinity National School pupils on The Square as part of The Gathering Festival in Fethard 2013

233 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 Fethard Business & Tourism Ltd. 013 was a very busy but fruit- board and the response was ter- 2ful year for Fethard Business rific. Fethard Historical Society & Tourism Ltd. The main focus of kindly facilitated us by incorporating our work was the ongoing project their annual Medieval Festival and to restore the Town Hall (Tholsel) Pageant into the Gathering Festival. on Main Street for use as a tourism We also used the build-up as an hub for Fethard and its hinterland. opportunity to hold a fundraising Fethard also marked The Gathering draw to raise revenue for the Tholsel 2013 with a hugely successful mid- project. summer festival in June. At time of Our efforts culminated in a three- writing, we are awaiting final approv- day festival on Midsummer’s week- al of funding for the Tholsel restora- end that had a little bit of everything tion. Restoration work should com- – music, dancing, sport, street enter- mence early in 2014. tainment and a great party atmos- An application for planning phere. Country Markets from around permission for the Tholsel was sub- Ireland travelled to the birthplace mitted to South Tipperary County of the movement on Saturday to set Council in December 2012 by up street stalls. Sunday was a day Shaffrey Associates. As part of the packed full of entertainment with planning process, archaeological test- the Medieval Festival followed by the ing was required and this took place Highland Games. Garda estimates in January 2013. A number of excit- put the number of visitors to Fethard ing discoveries were made, including over the weekend at close to 10,000. three original 17th century fireplaces We would sincerely like to thank on the first floor and evidence that all the groups, organisations, busi- the Tholsel was constructed on the nesses and individuals who gave site of an earlier building. Work was their time to make the Gathering carried out by Cóilín Ó Drisceoil and Festival a success. Thanks also to his team in Kilkenny Archaeology, those who purchased €50 tickets for who produced a detailed report on the fundraising draw: your support is their findings. much appreciated. South Tipperary 2013 was, of course, the year of Development Company provided The Gathering and Fethard Business financial support of €15,500 towards & Tourism Ltd. set about doing some- the festival and we acknowledge this thing special to mark the occasion. vital contribution. Planning began in January for a There was good news in April and major festival event. All voluntary, May when planning permission and community and sporting groups ministerial consent for the Tholsel in Fethard were asked to come on restoration were granted. Following

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Photographed at the Business & Tourism Group’s presentation on ‘Fethard Town Hall’ are Back L to R: Marie Murphy, Edwina Newport, Anthony Fitzgerald (Business Advisor-South Tipperary Co Council), Colm McGrath, Cllr John Fahey, Leo Darcy, Peter Grant, Terry Cunningham. Middle L to R: Diana Stokes, Pat Looby, Gerard Manton, Catherine Corcoran, Peter Silke (AIB), Marie Phelan (Tipperary Co Council- Tourism and Public Awareness), Paddy McEvoy, Bill O’Sullivan. Front L to R: Maurice Moloney, Susanna Manton, Michael O’Boyle (B.Arch MUBC MRIAI), Jenny Butler, Bernadette Stocksborough and Isobel Cambie (South Tipperary Development Company) this, Kenneth Hennessy Architects All the hurdles for the Tholsel were appointed to complete the project were cleared by October detailed design for the project and and South Tipperary Development to manage the public tendering Company has committed €246,000 process. Specialist conservation funding for the project under the expertise was provided by Michael Rural Development Programme. O’Boyle of Bluett O’Donoghue Along with a contribution from Architects. The design team showed South Tipperary County Council and huge commitment to finalising their local fundraising, this will provide work ahead of tight deadlines and an overall budget of €350,000 for we thank them for that. restoration work. We are current- July saw the departure of our ly awaiting final approval for the chairperson Catherine Corcoran, funding from the Department of the who, along with her husband Tim Environment, Community and Local Robinson, has left Fethard for Government and may even have Ethiopia, where Catherine has taken good news by the time you sit down up a position as Country Director to read this piece. with Concern Worldwide. We wish We would like to wish all Fethard Catherine well in her new role and people, at home and abroad, a happy congratulate Jimmy O’Sullivan on and peaceful Christmas and a pros- his appointment as chairperson. perous New Year. ◉ 235 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 The Day it Began – First Day of WWII

Pat Gough (left) with P.J. Davern (married to Honor Mulligan) and his sons, Michael, Patrick and Donagh

appy 19th Birthday, coastline and spot German subma- HSeptember 3, 1939. We rines, mark the area with Stannic somehow knew for certain that it Pots (a kind of smoke bomb) and would be today. We had been at then radio for a Royal Navy destroyer the ready for weeks now. Blued which would supposedly rush to bulbs had replaced all the bright the area and dispatch the sub with ones in all Squadron light fixtures, depth charges, assuming that the black-out curtains were fitted to Hun would stay around long enough all windows and door openings. All to be clobbered. aircrews were on stand-by. The place: I was in the flight ready room at RAF Station, Ford, Sussex, on the 7.45am when a message came in South Coast of England. Not a very that a German sub was detected off formidable adversary for the Hun as the coast in the vicinity of the Isle of we were equipped only with lumber- Wight. I was flying as Radio Observer, ing Supermarine Walrus amphibians and my pilot was Flying Officer and open cockpit biplane Blackburn Mungo-Parkes, later to become an Sharks. Our job was to patrol the ace in the Battle of Britain (and sub-

236 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER sequently getting the ‘chop’ himself anticipating Der Fuehrer’s ‘Blitzkrieg’ when he was shot down over the or Lightning War, where he promised French coast.) We took off in the to finish off England in very short Walrus and headed out over the order. We stood down from duty to sea on a heading that would take go to lunch, in the middle of which us just south of the Isle of Wight. the air raid siren went – wheeee . . Communication in those days was ooooo. This was the first siren heard by HF using Morse Code – the more in England in WWII. There was a sophisticated VHF voice transmis- mad dash for tin helmets and gas sions were still in limited use with masks, and a brisk run for the air raid the Fighter Boys. You had to wind shelters; we really thought that Hitler out the trailing aerial (antenna) with wasn’t wasting any time in bringing its leaded weight, and this had to be us to our knees. Talk was quiet and done cautiously and gently. Many subdued in the shelter, each with a poor innocent cow or sheep had his own thoughts of this new experi- become the victim of careless RAF ence, this new danger, this new way peacetime flyers too eager to get the of life or death, of living from day to aerial out - and with a sharp jerk the day, a new way of life that we would lead balls parted company with the get used to and have with us for aerial wire and brought swift finish more years than we would care to to some poor farmer’s livestock. remember. ‘All Clear’ sounded, and On this morning of September we could breathe again for a little 3, a few hours even before war had while. been declared, our thoughts were Darkness of the first day of War grim and sad as we flew up and came to RAF Ford – the dimly lit down the coastline scanning the messes and canteens filled with cig- sea for any sign or telltale slick of arette smoke and the sound of beer an enemy submarine. I tested the tinged voices raised in mock good rear machine gun and scanned the spirits to hide the gloom and anxi- area through binoculars, but nary a ety as we sang ludicrous songs, the sign of the enemy. Finally, the radio cleanest of them being, ‘We’re going crackled its dit dahs, and the mes- to hang out our washing on the sage read, ‘return to base.’ After land- Siegfried Line.’ We never got a look ing and returning to the flight room at the Siegfried Line before Hitler we were just in time to gather with belted us out of Europe at Dunkirk. the others to hear the voice of Prime So ended my first day of ‘War.’ Minister Chamberlain announce at I would have reason to wish that 11am that we were now at war with future days of war would be as une- Germany. Having been fed on the ventful. ◉ Hitler propaganda for almost a year Excerpt the diary of Patrick V .Gough (September 3, 1939) since the Munich Crisis, we were

237 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013 A Fethard Pre-Nuptial Agreement e are inclined to think that 3 . Provision was made for any chil- Wpre-nuptial agreements dren they might have and that are very much a modern idea with even applied if she was pregnant film actors/actresses, etc. being the when Edward died .(Didn’t they discoverers of this legal procedure. think of everything) Pre-nups (as they are commonly 4 . Hemphill was entitled (with per- called) are older that we imagine. mission from the Executors) to In fact we have a very detailed local buy land using her fortune if the pre-nup dating back to 1779 (May Executors deemed it to be to their 21). The agreement was between advantage . the prospective groom Edward Conclusion Hemphill from Fethard (he seems In the eighteenth century when to have been a doctor), his future women had very few legal rights bride Frances Despard of Killaghy this agreement was necessary to (Mullinahone) and her father safeguard Miss Despard. We must Francis Greene Despard. The execu- remember that the sums of money tors of the agreement were Thomas mentioned would be huge in 1779. Lamphier of Parkstown and William It would be nice to know how the Despard of Fethard. marriage turned out or if there are Terms any descendants of Hemphills or 1 . The Bride’s fortune of six hun- Despards. Maybe some local geog- dred pounds plus securities she raphers know where Parkstown and owned of three hundred pounds Springhill are (Hemphill owned sub- were to be handed over to her stantial amounts of land at Springhill future husband . originally called Coolnacuppogue in 2 . Provision was made for Frances the document). should her husband die before If any local historian wishes to her - she would inherit all his borrow my copy of the agreement property as would he if she died please contact me. ◉ before him . by Dinny Burke

A song for Fethard by Dinny Burke he recent TG4 Programme on bouring parish Killenaule does, ‘The TFethard (didn’t our musicians, Hills of Killenaule’. Maybe some local Gaeilgeoirí and geographers really composers could bend their efforts do us proud) featured a song about to producing a song that we can truly Fethard. As far as I know we haven’t call our own (mind you, the one by got a definitive song as our neigh- John Spillane on the TG4 programme

238 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER was excellent). poor effort as a starting point to Mr Jackie White’s ‘Fethard Song’ encourage competent composers to was really good but I haven’t heard come forward. This song is called it recently. I am presenting this very ‘The Walls of Fethard’. ◉

The Walls of Fethard

I have travelled far in this great world, many places I have seen From the pyramids of Egypt to the cliffs around Dooneen. The lakes of old Killarney too and Galway Bay I know but the Walls of Fethard call me back wherever I may go.

Chorus Old Slievenamon smiles gently on the fairest place I know, Clashawley’s lovely waters how peacefully they flow, From Rocklow down to Fethard Town, Killusty to Monroe, The Walls of Fethard call me back wherever I may go.

Midst the green hills of Tipperary lies this ancient fortress town Not far from lovely Cashel and its Rock of high renown. From Market Hill I see it still when evening shadows fall And if you look north you’ll surely see the hills round Killenaule.

Chorus

These mighty walls that guard our town were raised by foreign hand, By Normans to enslave and rule a newly conquered land, Though they are gone their work lives on, the walls stand proud and high As a symbol of our country’s past and the freedom we enjoy.

Chorus

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John Joe’s Corner by John Joe Keane Thinning Times Crampscastle or money and for having a go, tanding in farmland, beneath Fno precision, planting them in SSlievenamon, a symbol of the row. The single plant, to be left to history, battles lost and won, young grow, to a young mind, a garden of eyes looking up, at the height of the interest show. The weeds were scotch, stone walls, imaginary arrows, guns chicken, thistle, tansy, dock. Weather and cannon balls. A climb to the was a factor, sunshine made hard first floor, now covered with grass, ground, rain, frost was mucky, drill remains of a stone stairs, openings after drill, sometimes the hoe was made of class, a shelter for cattle used in skilful hands. Men, women, place now, and a rendezvous, inland. whole families, the boss, sometimes Nearby is a disused quarry and grubbed with the tractor and the lime kiln face, access was from the grubber, monotonous, nearly soul Cloneen road, now landscaped and destroying, weary work. Insects were land filled, the castle structure stilled. slugs, spiders, ladybirds, cockroaches, earwigs and aphids. Beet and turnips Back Lane shortcut were the crop, after grown they were unning from Barrack Street snagged and transported to market. Rto the lower Green, and vice- versa, not tarred, Pa Joe Holohan had Of the Past out-houses and yard for fodder stor- ags made of jute, biscuits age, a horse clinic cum yard there. Bcalled Arrowroot, goose Sean Henehan owned a house, once wings for dusting, studs, tips for a used for stabling and out back was boot’s sole. Peggy’s leg, Geary’s bis- a long field to his back door. There cuit, tobacco to cut and roll, butt was a glass house, where grapes of fag in the ear, hat pin like a were grown, beside it was a horse spear, bicycle rim racing, spinning and cattle paddock, two stone walls, top, slab toffee, polish tin, hopscotch. channelled the lane, off it was a A tea-chest for storage, a sleeve for a darker lane, with a turn in it called snot, Zam-Buk, street judys, a mender ‘slap arse lane’. The rear of Billy for a pot, patches for wellingtons, Morrissey’s and Lory Kenny’s was a half a comb, stud for a collar, galva- more open space, there Bainín Ryan nised bath of foam. A sweet gallon resided in a disused cab of a truck of skimmed milk, a chiffon scarf or after his house burned down. There one made of silk, a shilling, a tanner, were some old Prefect cars there, half-crown, ten bob note, red-seal on and the shed that still stands, that twine, Thurles to Clonmel railway housed Laurence Kenny’s cabinet line. making industry.

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Georgie Matthews A Popular Ramble ailed from Kerry Street, in eading north on the HFethard’s dear old town, HKillenaule Road straight, he was a driver, musician, collec- with minimum refuge from the rush- tor, soldier and a storyteller of ing traffic, past Calvary Cemetery renown. Gifted with brains, charm to open country, on the right looms and presence, reared a fine fam- Kilnockin hill, furry with its old world ily and enjoyed life’s touch, could golf clubhouse. On turning left at the recall events of yesteryears, regaled ‘Ballabuct’ tangent, beside the site both far and wide, laughter or tears. of the old Fethard racecourse, then Lived to a great age, ninety-one, navigating Black’s Bridge underline, many is the evening he entertained on to the Rocklow Road, left again everyone. Ferried Ronald Reagan’s at Ronan’s, over the humped back ‘secret service’ serene, during the bridge where once the patent axel president’s visit to Ballyporeen. of an ass and cart negotiated, noisily. Played in the parades in Fethard Heading in by the Parochial House and Clonmel, worked in England after the Kennels, then under the many years ago, did tell. May he rest arch at Sparagoleith, down by the in peace, always. dispensary to Main Street with a sense of satisfaction and a clear Delmege’s Field head. ehind Trehy’s garage where Bthe ball was thrown in, coats A smoked experience and jumpers were the goal posts, ff we took, over by Jesuits’ there soccer, rugby, Gaelic was OWalk, into the boreen by Mrs played, there was a stile going in to McGrath’s thatched house, across the it, the price of a ball was gathered up, fields to the ‘Boody Bridge’, up the two teams were picked. It was about wooden steps, arms resting on the the time of the emergence of Pele, walls, waiting for the steam train to this was during the ‘ban’, when the envelope us with smoke. Couldn’t ball hit the thorns on the ditch and see anything, waited for the smoke was punctured, a nick with a blade to evaporate, then down the steps. brought it into shape. Some notable We went over to the Grove wood players were Mickey Cummins in the gate and into nature along the path, wellies, Abe Kennedy, Waxie Kenny, out by Mikey Connors and home by Don McCarthy, Tony Hanrahan, Knockbrack. ◉ Barney Kenny, John Keane, John Joe McCormack, Skipper Dillon, a cousin or two from England or Clonmel, and yours truly!

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John Davin, Rathsallagh by Gerry Long ast year I wrote an account as proof of their success in America. Lof the life and times of the Sometimes they were the only con- Rathsallagh poet John Davin. tact between them and home. Up The piece entitled `John to his death, however, John Davin the Tipperary Davin kept up a lively cor- Peasant’ appeared respondence between on page 237, and himself and his family there was a major and friends at home. error in regard to He also supplied John`s parentage, local newspapers which I now wish with poems and to correct. John articles, which Davin was born to kept him up to Kennedy Davin (D. date with events October 26, 1882) in Fethard and the and Margaret county at large. Morrissey (D. In writing for January 11, 1872) at the American Irish Rathsallagh, Fethard press this contact in 1846, not, as I had was invaluable, and stated, to William and made his opinions very Mary Davin. Many of his relevant especially dur- poems were published in the ing the periods 1919 to 1923. At Nationalist and some American home, his relatives’ interest and newspapers in intimate involve- the early part of ment in the free- the last century. dom struggle lent The photo- great weight and graph above is a unique source one of many that of information show John Davin for his American during his life in readers. America. They are John’s poems professional stu- John Davin’s old homestead, now sadly demolished, show his great dio photographs and grandly titled Rathsallagh House. The farmhouse love for his home was thatched and followed a fairly standard floorplan typical of their common for such buildings in this district. place as well as the time. Many emi- rhythms of nature grants would have sent home such around it. He was also a passionate photos to their relatives in Ireland patriot and typical of his era. ◉ 242 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

Christmas Memories by John F. Davin, Philadelphia, and formerly of Fethard.

Comes with the hallowed festive Christmas. The sacred rites’ influence With its gladness once again, On the feelings softly stole, And an exile spirit wanders Whilst served the hand annointed, To an Irish rural fane, The banquet of the soul. Where ‘twas his wont in boyhood, Neath the midnight’s starry glow, O! all the grand old customs, To wend his way on Christmas morn, And scenes of social mirth, In the years of long ago. That with loveliness ennobled The Irish Christmas hearth. And hoped and worked that Ireland, Whilst at window sill and doorstep, Ere another Christmas morn, Will the warbling robin come, Would exult in all the glory With fairy strain enchanting- Of liberty new born, Gets the expectant crumb. Ah! in those years of boyhood Were the hopes for freedom bright, The itinerant minstrel, That her sunburst battle banner That o’er the land will roam, Would greet our gladdened sight. He’s ever hailed an honour In the Irish peasant’s home. Year after year had vanished Where Erin’s glorious music, With Ireland still in chains, Pathetic, bold, or gay, But the hope for her redemption With bursts of song is blended, In the bosom still remains, In patriotic lay. And all those years of exile The pensive spirit sighs, And the graceful Irish dances, As the bygone Christmas morns With nimble heel and toe, ‘Fore fancy’s visions rise. Whilst o’er the snow-clad fields resounds, The hunstman’s tally-ho. At the brilliant lighted altar, And the cheers and shouts of urchins, Stands the vested soggarth old, By the hedges in the glen, As out upon the night air Red their cheeks with wild exertion The Christmas Mass-bell tolled, At the hunting of the wren. Venerable and sainted, The white-haired soggarth there, Now have twenty winters vanished, Wishes all a happy Christmas, With their winding sheet of snows, Within that house of prayer. And the white-haired soggarth with them Has sunk in death’s repose. Gladsome strains of psalmody, O! the memory of those days the more In choral grandeur rolled The lapse of times endears, Gloria in Exelsis Deo Whilst here must pensive destiny On those Christmas morns of old. Prolong mine exile years.

Philadelphia, December 21st, 1909 .

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Great times in Fethard by Ringo Napier

Johnny ‘Spot’ Leahy holding pup with Paddy O’Dwyer and Joe O’Dwyer, St. Patrick’s Place. remember back in the sixties, take the spokes out of the wheels IFethard was a great place to of our bikes and have wheel races live. We did not have a lot but around the ring in St. Patrick’s Place. we were happy. In the summertime The ball alley was a great place in we would go swimming up at the the Barrack Field. Everybody from Rectory, over in the kennels on the the town played there and it was Rocklow Road, down in the bog, at hard to get a game. Sometimes there Newbridge and at Breen’s Bridge were so many it was “winners stay as well. We used to put pennies on on”. the railway line and when the train I remember riding a bike on top came it would roll over them and of the town wall. I was always show- flatten them to double their size, ing off to the girls as Ringo would do. but not their value, worse luck. On No hands on the bike, big fool me! I Sundays there used to be great toss did not see the hole in the middle schools over by the bike shed across of the wall and off I came into the from the cinema for the older men Barrack Field. I was sore all over but only. We used to play a lot of cards would not let on as I had to impress for the few coppers we had. There the ladies – that was the brave Ringo was a great place to play at the back wrecked for a week. of the old town wall on the Square. We had great times picking mush- There was a cave in the open space rooms in the fields and getting to see behind the wall and we went there every orchard in Fethard. We would to play the cards. only look at the trees, never take As we did not have a lot, we had apples as we were all angels as you to think for ourselves. We used to know too well. Great times! ◉ 244 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER

The Capital by Tom Shine ver the years I’ve had numer- in me being called to the cinema Oous requests to write a little in early January 1947. My job was article on my involvement with The cleaning the rust off the standards Capitol cinema. I must first make a – the irons between the plush seats detour back in time to 1945-46 when – talk about starting at the bottom! I was a telegraph boy in the post The cinema at this stage was a office which was run by the postmis- big empty building. The only part tress, Miss Rita Moran, and her sister finished was the balcony steps – Nan who were both lovely people. seventeen steps from top to bottom. They were very good to me and There was great activity – painters, pointed me in the right direction. I carpenters, electricians and plumb- was a country boy and the advice ers doing the heating. They were and help they gave me was of great all under terrible pressure. Opening benefit to me in later life. Nan was day was running two months late as married to Hal Goldsborough who fitting the seats was a slow job. No was an electrical engineer in the electric screwdrivers in those days. British army. During my time in the Two hundred and twenty seats on post office Hal and I became very the balcony, the same in the par- friendly. terre. It took a big team of men to In 1946 they started to build the do that job. All this time I was doing cinema. Work was slow as materials, little jobs around the place and get- especially cement, were scarce after ting a little wage. World War II. One of the cinema’s Opening night arrived at last. It directors was Paddy McGrath. He was the end of February and there was originally from Carrick-on-Suir was no heating for another month. but he lived in Dublin, however, dur- During the month women used to ing construction he remained in bring a hot water bottle under their Fethard and became friendly with coats. On opening night I was tidy- Hal Goldsborough. Rumour had it ing up ready to go home when that Hal was going to be manager Mr McGrath, who was very excited, and projectionist at the cinema. said he had a little job for me that In November 1946 my time was night. “You will be on the front door up in the post office so I was out leaving the people in.” I was also of work. It was back to pulling beet excited at this. He said to be there for the farmers, which was a big dif- at 7pm. The film shown on the first ference to what I had been doing. night was ‘A Star Is Born’ with Judy As it turned out my friendship with Garland. An hour before opening a Hal paid dividends. He told Paddy massive crowd was gathering down McGrath about me which resulted the Valley and up the Main Street.

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The first night went off great for two shows a night, and there was and everyone was satisfied. The ‘The Blackboard Jungle’ and numer- staff on the night included Dinny ous others. In 1963 television came Byrne from Dublin in the projec- and that took a certain number of tion room. He spent three months people away from the cinema, then showing Hal the run of things. Mary videos came, but the biggest killer Goldsborough was in the office. of all was bingo. That was the last Eddie Coffey was the first balcony straw. Cinemas all over Ireland and usher, Paddy McLellan was parterre England closed down and became checker along with Paddy Shine, also bingo halls. there were usherette Peg Sullivan, In 1967 the Capitol was pur- with Betty Sullivan, Mick , chased by Fethard Enterprises and Jim Walsh and Peter Murphy. Laura they turned it into a beautiful dance Ward, Kathleen Cassells, Peg Shine hall and reopened it as ‘The Country and Breda Ryan were in the office. Club’ later that year. It was a success When the show was over Mr for a number of years then in 1972 it McGrath told me to report the next was sold to Danny Doyle, a Wexford day as a number of seats would man who was a big operator at the need to be fixed, but when I came time. All the big showbands played in he brought me to the projection in the dance hall until Doyle closed room to Mr Byrne, the projectionist, it in the early eighties. It was lying and told him to look after me. That idle for a long time until Fethard was the start of my life at the Capitol. Community Council bought in and I served my three years and went to opened up a dance hall again in Carrick-on-Suir to do a six month 1993 and in 1994 became a lim- course on management. In April ited company, Fethard Ballroom Ltd. 1950 I was appointed Manager/ Over the years they have made big Projectionist and there I remained improvements. I always thought it until c1965 when the cinema closed was a pity they removed the bal- down due to lack of business. cony. It would be grand to have During my time I trained three the lovely plush seats because the boys who served their full time: dance floor took up only the par- Michael Butler, Christy Matthews terre area. I note that it is now and Noel Slattery. They were nice called The Fethard Ballroom. Surely boys and they all got good jobs. it should be called the Capitol Tommy Sayers didn’t get a chance Ballroom. The people responsible to finish because of the closure. for naming it never heard of the The years 1949, 1950 and up to Capitol. That’s what the passing of the early sixties were great years in time does. To me and many others it the cinema. All the big films drew will always be the Capitol. ◉ great crowds. ‘The Quiet Man’ ran

246 2013 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Fethard Sports Achievement Awards n January 2013, Philip Butler, outside the parish who live and IButler’s Sports Bar, initiated an work in Fethard, to be nominated aspiration that was in his head for for an award. To date ninety-seven many years – to acknowledge local individuals across twenty-eight dif- sporting achievement in all fields, be ferent sports have been nominated it at participation, administration or for awards, which is an indication of coaching level. the level of sporting activity taking Calling a meeting on January place that people might not neces- 11, he gathered a group to oversee sarily know about. the running of the competition, run The ten monthly winners so far on a monthly basis with an overall have come from such wide-ranging winner chosen at the end of the year. sports as greyhound racing to horse The steering committee, comprising racing with badminton, GAA and people with many sporting inter- rugby thrown in for good measure. ests, are: Mary Godfrey, Sandra Maher, A feature of our prize-giving M.J. Croke, Dave Maher, Tomás Keane, nights is to honour former sports Ciarán Treacy, Austin Godfrey, Paul people and/or administrators and to Kavanagh, Brian Higgins, and Paraic acknowledge their contribution to McCormack. sport in the parish. Early in January The competition is confined to 2014 the twelve monthly winners will Fethard parish but also allows for come together and the overall win- Fethard people involved in sport ner for Butler’s Sports Achievement elsewhere, as well as people from Award 2013 will be announced. ◉

Special sporting guest, Michael Ryan, Tullamaine, Fethard, manager of the successful 2012 All-Ireland Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Team, presenting the first Butler’s Bar Sports Achievement Award for January 2013 to Liz Lalor. Also included are proprietors, Ann Butler and Philip Butler. 247 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2013

Ups and Downs, Ins and Outs — Anon uring the summer, I met a they are going and always use Dtourist in Clonmel who said geographically correct he was going down to Portlaoise. prepositions. I asked him if he meant Portlaw, They go: in to but no, it was Portlaoise. I wished Clonmel, over to him a pleasant journey and silently Cashel, down to Cork, hoped he would be up to Dublin and out to travelling by bus and Killusty. not navigating with Outside the town, if ask- a compass and ing the whereabouts of someone, ending up in you might be told that “he’s abroad Dungarvan. in the haggard.” Fethard No confusion there! And come people know exactly to think of it . . . Clonmel people have where they are, in what direction nowhere to go into. ◉

Wrapped up for the cold spell in 1981 are L to R: Peter Napier, Mary Barrett and Johnny Carey.

248 Discussing the repairs to Holy Trinity Parish Church in June this year were L to R: Joe Costello (Contractor), Canon Tom Breen P.P. and Richie Butler (Engineer)

Tony Reddin (centre) photographed above with Toby Purcell (left) and Michael Keane, Knockelly. After leaving Galway, joined the Tipperary team during the 1947-48 National Hurling League and went on to play a key part for almost a decade, winning three All-Ireland medals, three Munster medals and five National Hurling League medals.

The Square, Fethard, from a hand coloured postcard in the early 1900s

Burke Street, Fethard, from a hand coloured postcard in the early 1900s

ISSN 1393-2721