Poster from 1873 – the same year the Patrician Brothers came to Fethard FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2008 Dedicated to our friends and relations living away from home Copyright © 2008 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 Cover: Christmas decorating at Nano Nagle National School All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2008 Table of contents A short walk back in time................. 184 I love Fethard ......................... 155 A town of strangers ...................... 3 In my grandfather’s footsteps............... 169 Abymill 20th Anniversary ................ 79 Irish Walled Towns Network .............. 136 Abymill Theatre ....................... 78 January to December .................... 115 Badgers over 30s social club ............... 38 John Joe’s Corner ....................... 108 Billy Fitzgerald 1943–2008 . 24 Killusty National School.................. 97 Boherlahan memories .................... 122 Legion of Mary......................... 8 Bro Paul in troubled Kenya................ 109 Like to spend a week in Fethard? . 99 Church of Ireland news.................... 6 Lovely Fethard Town .................... 131 Deaths in the parish..................... 172 Marriages ........................... 168 Do You Remember . 1973? ............. 50 Nano Nagle National School .............. 144 Donations Received 2008 ................. 174 New General Superior ................... 167 Fethard Bridge Club..................... 120 Not Barchester Towers ................... 44 Fethard Community Council ............... 189 Oh, Fethard! I still feel the pain............. 152 Fethard Country Markets Ltd.............. 154 Old men! ............................ 200 Fethard Day Care Centre ................. 170 Our dear departed 2008.................. 173 Fethard GAA Club ..................... 117 Padraig Ua Floinn ..................... 111 Fethard Historical Society ................. 25 Parish greetings ......................... 5 Fethard ICA Guild ..................... 103 Patrician Brothers Bicentenary ............. 19 Fethard Ladies Football................... 116 Patrician Presentation Secondary School ....... 160 Fethard Medieval Festival ................ 139 Serving his community ................... 90 Fethard Scouts - 27th Tipperary ............ 40 St. Patrick’s Boys’ National School .......... 157 Fethard Senior Citizens .................. 22 Table of contents ........................ 2 Fethard Sewage – a pressing problem ......... 188 The Gaels of Fethard .................... 132 First juvenile title in 39 years!.............. 18 The global village....................... 197 Four young pilgrims ..................... 165 The Walshes of Carrigeen ................ 30 Greetings from the Abbey .................. 5 To join the brimming river ................ 177 I knew a great man from Fethard............ 10 Walking to the USA .................... 205 2 2008 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER A town of strangers by Joe Kenny (editor) epresenting Fethard & Killusty an opportunity to participate in the RCommunity Council at this heart of their communities. Fethard year’s national ‘Pride of Place’ awards & Killusty Community Council were ceremony in Cappoquin and accompa- nominated for this year’s competition nied by our diligent secretary Edwina by South Tipperary County Council. Newport, we were privileged to have Addressing the large attendance of Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, representatives from small and large as special guest. communities throughout the 32 coun- This ‘Pride of Place’ competition is ties of Ireland, the President made hosted by Co-operation Ireland com- some very pertinent remarks relat- prising of officials from local authori- ing to community life in Ireland. ties in both parts of the island and is One in particular that struck me was, all about acknowledging the fantastic “Without community we are a nation selfless work being done by people of strangers”. in communities all over the island of Even in Fethard it is possible to see Ireland. It is recognition of the volun- the ‘stranger’ syndrome creeping in tary work being done to create com- to our society as less and less people munities for tomorrow while respect- get involved in voluntary community ing the heritage and culture of the past. work. The sad part is that ‘strangers’ It is also about giving local authorities sometimes expect all the benefits of Fethard & Killusty Community Council members who represented South Tipperary County Council in the 1,000-2,000 population section of the national Co-Operation Ireland ‘Pride of Place’ Awards Ceremony held in Cappoquin on Saturday 9th November. L to R: Cllr Tom Ambrose, Chairman South Tipperary County Council; Edwina Newport, Joe Kenny, and Margo Hayes, Liaison Officer, Community & Enterprise, South Tipperary County Council 3 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2008 Chairman South Tipperary County Council, Cllr John Fahey, presenting scrolls to Joe Kenny (Chairman Fethard & Killusty Community Council) and Joan O’Donohoe (Chairperson Fethard & District Day Care Centre) at a special ‘Chairman’s Reception’ held in the County Chamber, Clonmel, on 30th April, in recognition of the community work achieved by both organisations in the town of Fethard. community life without realising how point that, “Historically, Irish people communities work. If, for instance, we always respond and it is in our DNA were to take away the Community to overcome adversity”. Indeed, she Centre, Day Care Centre, Abymill explained that the old proverb, “Ní Theatre, GAA, Fethard Ballroom, ICA, neart go cur le chéile” (There is no Country Markets, Senior Citizens, St. strength without unity), exemplifies Vincent de Paul, Community Field, the spirit of community inherent in Rugby Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Irish people. Historical Society, Sports Centre and The overall deserving winner in our indeed, the Fethard Youth Centre, section was Cappamore, Co. Limerick. from Fethard, there wouldn’t be much We thank South Tipperary County support for family life in Fethard! Council for nominating Fethard and All these, and a lot more, are for the enriching experience meeting voluntary groups whose contribution other community groups at the Gala form the heart of Fethard community Dinner and Awards Ceremony held in and the projects therein. In these times Cappoquin Community Centre on 8th of change and with our population November 2008. Who knows what showing growth for the first time in the future holds . maybe someday many years, lets hope that a rekindling our community in Fethard will also of community spirit will also flourish be ‘Pride of Place’ for community and in the generations to follow. strangers alike. ◉ President McAleese made the 4 2008 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER Parish greetings reetings to all at home and unique dignity as sons and daughters Gaway, as we come to the of God, let’s focus on the Lord in a end of 2008! A most unusual year in special way this Christmas and as many ways particularly in the financial we look forward we may do so with world. hope. This season is a time to rest In our everyday world it is good and be refreshed and to be renewed for all of us to remember that we are in faith. precious in God’s sight, loved indi- May you have happiness, peace vidually and unconditionally by Him. and understanding in your lives and If we do not realise our self worth and in your homes this Christmas and unique purpose in life we can create may you always have a place for the a vacuum that can be easily filled by Baby Jesus in your hearts. ◉ the ungodly. If we truly believe in our T.F. Breen P.P. and Canon J. Power. Archbishop Dermot Clifford on a visit to the Secondary School. L to R: Fr. Tom Breen P.P., Ernan Britton (Principal), Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, and Marian Gilpin (Deputy Principal). Christmas greetings from the Abbey arm Christmas greetings to meetings, letters and telephone calls, Wall our Fethard exiles from the long-awaited refurbishment at last the Abbey priests. We hope all goes got under way in November 2007. well for you. The church was re-wired, new light We are glad to tell you, especially fittings were installed in the body of those who have not been home for the church, and a new public address over a year, about improvements in system was put in place. Most obvi- the Abbey Church. After years of ous of all, in January 2008 the church 5 FETHARD & KILLUSTY NEWSLETTER 2008 interior was painted. As a result, the Fathers Gerry Horan, John whole place looks much brighter. But Meagher and Timmy Walsh join me there is still a lot to be done: the floor in asking God to bless abundantly all has to be sanded, the pews have to be of you and the members of your fami- repainted, the Stations of the Cross lies this Christmas, and to grant you, need to be cleaned and the sacristy health, happiness and peace of mind must be re-floored and painted. We in 2009. ◉ hope that on your next visit home you will like what you see. Peter Haughey O.S.A. Guest speaker, Martin O’Connor, co-ordinator of the Bishops’ Appeal — the Church of Ireland’s World Development and Relief programme — photographed at the