The club for the senior citizens was formed in September 1982. It was christened the Thursday Club. The idea behind its formation was first and foremost as a social club for senior citizens and also for people who are perhaps a bit lonely and in need of contact with other people.
The Thursday Club now has approximately fifty-five members varying in age from early forties to early eighties. Members meet on the first Thursday of every month at 8.00 p.m. in the Tirry Community Centre where they enjoy tea, sandwiches, cakes and a chat. The range of activities vary from bingo, music and dance to flower-arranging, travel slides, Easter bonnet competitions etc. The monthly meetings have also included some interesting talks from local doctors, members of the Gardai, social services, physiotherapists, chiropodists and other professional people. Every month a free draw for six food hampers is held at the Club..
Christmas is something special for the Senior Citizens Club. Members first go to the Parish Church for Mass and then on to the Ballroom for the Christmas Dinner Dance. All the members receive a Christmas present even those who may unfortunately be sick or in hospital. All birthdays are similarly remembered with a birthday card. Little Christmas - 6th January- and Easter are occasions to celebrate and this is done in the Tirry Community Centre where music is supplied by Pat McNamara from Clonmel.
The Senior Citizens also have two outings a year, one is for a half-day while the other is a full day event. These outings have brought members as far away as Galway in the west, Dublin in the east, Cork in the south and many places in-between.
According to Noel Major, a founder member, the club owes its gratitude to many people. First of all, the Inner Wheel Club of Clonmel who provided the money to start. Then, the people of Fethard who supply cakes and sandwiches, also the drivers who provide transport for club members and convey them to the meetings each month. Many people would be unable to attend without their assistance.
Thanks must also go to the people who support the 'Annual Raffle' which is the clubs only fund-raising activity. The priests from the Parish and the Abbey. Mr and Mrs John Magnier, Coolmore for their generous support each Christmas and also the Coolmore Sports Committee for their help with the annual mini outing. The Senior Citizen Club are also very grateful to the Lions Club of Clonmel who for the last two years have taken four club members away on a holiday. Also the cheerful men from the parish who dance with the ladies at the various functions, in particular Jimmy O'Shea who seems to be jack-of-all-trades.
There may be many others whose help is greatly appreciated and included must be the marvellous committees, past and present, without whom there could be no club. Anyone who wishes to join the Senior Citizens Club are welcome to do so. You can rest assured that you will always find a warm welcome and all you have to do is contact a committee member or get somebody to do it for you.
The committee members are: Mary Colville, Mary Butler, Phil Wyatt, Nell Broderick, Nora Lawrence, Maura Trehy, Margaret Coffey, Annie O'Brien, Monica Ahearn, Philly Kenny and Noel Major.
Contact: Mrs Annie O'Brien, The Square, Fethard. 052 31862
