Committee Members of Fethard Historical Society photographed after their Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in the ICA Hall, Rocklow Road, Fethard. Back L to R: Sandra McInerney, Terry Cunningham (Vice-Chairperson), Pat O’Donnell, Sybil Cope (Assistant Secretary), Pat Looby (Assistant Treasurer). Front L to R: Mary Hanrahan (P.R.O). Catherine O’Flynn (Treasurer), Michael Mallon (Chairman), Mary Healy (Secretary), and Ann Gleeson.

The AGM of the Fethard Historical Society took place on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in the ICA Hall, Fethard.  Michael Mallon welcomed those present and then proposed a vote of sympathy to committee member Pat Phelan on the recent demise of his mother Hanora Phelan RIP. The minutes of last year’s AGM were read by Secretary Mary Healy. Treasurer Catherine O’Flynn, then presented the financial report 2022 / 2023. Membership fees remain unchanged at Individual €7, Family €10 and Concessions €5.

Michael Mallon, Chairperson, presented the Chairman’s Report and began by thanking the committee and all those who had supported him during his first year as Chairman. Michael then gave a review of the society’s activities over the past twelve months that included lectures on ‘Dolly Burke, Fethard Revolutionary’, ‘Fethard Military Barracks and the Revolution’ and ‘Cumann na mBan in Tipperary (1914-1918). Society members also attended the wonderful ‘Tipperary People and Places’ lecture series in the Source, Thurles.

The launch of ‘The Life and Times of Archbishop Patrick Everard’ a book by his descendant Tom Everard, took place on Monday, April 11, 2022 in the Fethard Horse Country Experience, Town Hall, Fethard. Archbishop Everard was born in Fethard, and his portrait hangs in the FHC Experience. The author of the book Tom Everard is, of course, a brother of Fr. Liam Everard P.P.  and the Society was delighted to welcome the extended Everard family to Fethard.

Michael reminded everyone of when the last six Presentation Sisters of the Fethard Convent, accompanied by sisters from various other Presentation Convents, returned on Sunday, June 6, 2022, to be publicly acclaimed by a grateful Fethard community, and of the Fethard Historical Society’s involvement by presenting commissioned pieces for each of the six sisters. It is hoped they will become treasured mementos of their days spent in Fethard. Later in June 2022, the committee undertook a fact-finding walkabout of Chapel Lane and Jesuit’s Walk to ascertain the current status quo.
 
August sunshine welcomed the Everards on a return visit to Fethard, with extended family members coming from as far away as Holland, Belgium and the United States of America. The Society gave the visitors a guided walk of the historic buildings associated with the Everards culminating in a tour of the Town Hall which they have been connected since its foundation in 1608.

On Culture Night, September 23, 2022, the Fethard Historical Society celebrated Slievenamon’s connection to American poet Emily Dickinson. Jasper Murphy related the amazing story of Maggie Maher from Slievenamon, Emily Dickinson’s maid who was instrumental in saving the poet’s legacy for posterity. During the year, the Society was represented at various events of the Heritage Council, the Irish Walled Town Network and Tipperary Tourism.

Covid restrictions caused the postponement of the twentieth Tipperariana Book of the Year Award. The recipients were Denis G. Marnane and Mary Guinan Darmody for their book ‘The Civil War in County Tipperary’. The Fethard Historical Society’s Christmas dinner took place in McCarthy’s on Wednesday, November 21. During the evening the committee surprised Mary Hanrahan with honorary lifetime membership of the Society in recognition of her commitment since its inception in 1988.
 
The Tipperariana Book Fair returned to the Ballroom Fethard on February 12, 2023, after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions. Michael Mallon said that for him, “on a personal level, the Book Fair was the highlight of the year”. It proved as successful as ever with lots of dealers, authors, and a large crowd in attendance. Eamon O’Dwyer of Tipp FM’s ‘Down Your Way’ programme came along to broadcast live from the Ballroom. Both attendees and book dealers declared themselves very happy with the event. Michael also commended the committee for the pre-event planning which helped to expedite thing so efficiently on the day.

Having reminded those present that members may only hold a position for three consecutive years the election of the new committee then took place as follows: Michael Mallon, Chairman; Terry Cunningham, Vice-Chairperson; Mary Healy, Secretary; Sybil Cope, Assistant Secretary; Catherine O’Flynn, Treasurer; Pat Looby, Assistant Treasurer; Mary Hanrahan, P.R.O.; committee members Patrick Phelan, Ann Gleeson, Tim Robinson, Pat O’Donnell, Sandra McInerney and Mike Croome Carroll.

The AGM was followed by a brief meeting of the new committee to discuss plans for the next few months.  The Fethard Historical Society meets at 8pm in the ICA Hall, Fethard on the last Tuesday of every month. New members are always welcome so please feel free to come along.