Tara Ireland
A chance meeting at the races last year has turned one Fethard girl’s year in Australia into a true adventure. Tara O’Donnell was among a group that travelled from Sydney to Melbourne for the highlight of the Australian sports year — the Melbourne Cup —the horse race that brings the country to a standstill.

On the day of the race it began to rain so the group ran for shelter.  A considerate Australian gentleman stood up to allow one of the girls sit down and they began chatting.  He asked them if they were interested in racing.  Tara told him that she raced ponies in Ireland and the man replied that he too was also into racing — camel racing.  He invited Tara to come and see for herself in Adelaide where he lives. Tara thought that he was joking at first but she stayed in touch and as soon as her friend Marie O’Connell arrived from Fethard, they hit the road with a few others to explore Australia.

Tara called on the camel trainer friend, Kym Healy, whom she had met in Melbourne. He introduced her to her first racing camel on Saturday March 19th 2005 and six days later, on Good Friday, she rode her first race in the village of Forbes.  The announcer couldn’t remember her surname, so he asked the crowd to give a warm welcome to Tara from Ireland who was about to ride in her first camel race.

She had seven rides that day. The first two weren’t very successful. Camel number one was an old hand and knew that he had an amateur on board so he just trotted along at his own pace as the other four camels in the race tore off up the track. The second camel was only out for the first time, so he shot off with the others and then decided to do a u-turn and race back towards the starting post, much to the delight of the crowd.

Things took a turn for the better after that and Tara rode her first winner, followed by two seconds and two thirds.  The announcer dropped the “Tara from Ireland” and she became known as ‘Tara Ireland’.  The event was covered by the Australian “Prime Sports” TV channel, who interviewed Tara after her very successful day. The programme was aired that evening and she got a phone call later that day from a man who had seen the broadcast and wants her to ride his racing pony later in the year.

A week later she rode her second winner in a village called Byrock, which has only a handful of inhabitants but swells to hundreds on race day.  Tara has since been offered a job racing camels in June when the whole stable takes to the road for seven weeks, touring the towns and villages of the continent and racing everywhere from dirt tracks to professional racecourses.

This way Tara get to see rural Australia, race camels and party with the locals. One of her main worries, as they camp out under the stars at night, is of snakes.  She has been assured that they will pose no problem as when they hear the camels hoofs they stay far away.  Her biggest threat may be from the camels themselves as Tara describes them as, “vicious feckers and quite fond of biting people”.  Of course, Tara has spent all of her life around horses and ponies, some with the same temperament as the camels, so she has no need to worry on that account. We’ll be keeping a close eye on her adventures as Tara Ireland, the contender for the role of Camel Queen of Australia.

(N Gawe)

Parking on The Green
The County Council have commenced work at the Back Green this week to provide extra parking spaces to help avoid traffic congestion in the area. The Council workers are to be commended on the quality of their work in Fethard and two perfectly good examples are the redesigned parking area outside the GAA Field, and the flower beds currently in bloom on The Square.

King Family Information

The following message was received from Tony Jacobs (email: vickyandtonyjacobs@yahoo.co.uk) from England.

I'm trying to find out about my great-grandmother and her family, who emigrated from Fethard to London/Essex in around 1899.  The family were known by the name of King, but according to my late grandfather this had been anglicised from something sounding like "ray" (I was only a kid at the time and didn't ask how to spell it!). I don't know when - all I know is that they were using the surname of King in 1901 when they appear on the UK Census in Charlton, London.

My great-grandmother, Alice Mary King, was born in Fethard circa 1894. She was the daughter of John King (originally Sean "ray"), born in Fethard circa 1870, and Nora King, born circa 1873. She had a brother John, born Fethard circa 1896; a sister Kathleen (later Sister Gabrielle at Poor Clares Convent, Loughton, Essex), born Fethard circa 1898; and Nora who was born in 1900 in Kent, England.  Any information would be most gratefully received. Perhaps there are even some relatives in Fethard!

Racing Successes
Two local trainers paid successful visits to the Tipperary Foxhounds Point-to-Point held at Dundrum on Sunday last.  Michael Philips, Ballyvaden, recorded a double with ‘Port Salon’, in the Confined Hunt Maiden, and ‘Emmet Hotel’.  Thomond O’Meara, Grangebarry, won the 4-year-old Maiden Race for Mares and Geldings with ‘Boulevardofdreams’.

Fethard Bridge Club
Fethard Bridge results for Wednesday 30th March are as follows:

1st Gross: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh

2nd Gross: Teresa Cummins and Alice Quinn

1st Nett: Bridie Lee and Mike Burke

2nd Nett: Philly Kenny and Margaret Mary McCormack

Our ‘Player of the Year’ competition started this week and will continue for three weeks,  playing with a change of partner for the next two weeks of the competition.

Anyone looking for a partner contact Annie O’Brien Tel: 052 31862.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto Results

The numbers on Tuesday 22nd March were: 3, 5, 14 and 26. There was no Jackpot winner and one ‘Match 3’ winner who received €150:

Gussie Slattery, Kilnockin, Fethard

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:

Greta O'Dwyer, Red City, Fethard

Cathy O'Brien, c/o Annie O'Brien, Main Street, Fethard

Carmel Shine, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard

The numbers drawn on Tuesday 29th March were: 3, 16, 18 and 20. There was no Jackpot winner and three ‘Match 3’ winners who received €50:

Sadhbh Morrissey, Cappagh Cross, Cloneen.

Tracey & Kelly Coady, The Valley, Fethard.

Tanya Tobin, c/o Group Homes, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:

Martin Bolger, Drumdeel, Fethard.

Open Door, c/o Centra.

Nellie Ryan, 46, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard,

Next weeks Jackpot remains at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000.

The late Paddy Ryan
The late Paddy Ryan, who died on 22nd March, was better known to all in Fethard as ‘Paddy Fifty’ or ‘Little Paddy’ which he was called because of his height.  Paddy stood only four foot six on the ground but his height never stopped him from doing anything he ever wanted to do.  He worked all his life on the land as a very efficient farm labourer and his time off was divided between the pub, where he followed the many sports that took his interest on television, and the bookies where he followed the horses.

Those who didn’t know him that well sometimes mistook his lack of stature for a lack of intelligence.  Paddy was a well-read man with a great sense of humour, and was never stuck for an informed reply.  An interviewer once asked him if the pint in his local was good.  Expecting the usual yes or no reply, he was slightly taken aback when Paddy replied, “you could get used to anything”.

Paddy could easily stand up for himself as he well demonstrated one night in a bar when a friend asked a crowd to part and let Paddy pass. Paddy turned to his friend and told him not to worry saying, “I’ve made my way through herds of cattle without help. I won’t have any trouble going through that lot”.

The large crowd that turned up for his funeral was a true testament to his popularity.

(N Gawe)

Fethard GAA Club News
The Minor Football B Championship continued last Saturday, 2nd April, in Killenaule, and finished on a final score of Fethard 1-5, to St Patricks Gaels 1-17, who had a very strong team in combination with Grangemockler to go to the top of the league championship table.  Fethard team was: Glen O’Meara, Connie O’Flynn, Liam Ryan, Alan O’Connor (best Fethard player), David Prout, James Smyth, Niall Hayes, William O’Brien, Richard Gorey 0-1 F, Stephen O’Meara, John Leahy 0-2 F, Peter Gough, Declan Doyle, Tomas Gilpin, Christopher Sheehan 0-2 F. Subs were Aaron O’Donovan 1-0, and Cathal Gorey. Our next game is in Cloneen on Saturday 16th April against Mullinahone at 6.45pm.
Congratulations to Carrick Swans on winning their first Under-21 A South football title since the inception of the competition in 1962.
Our senior footballers had a challenge game last Sunday in Fethard against Rathgormack (Waterford) in preparation for the county championship, which starts on the 1st May with our first game against J K Brackens.  The final score was Fethard 1-12, Rathgormack 1-6.
We have a Division 2 County League football game this weekend in Cloneen against St Patricks.  Check sports page for time and date.
Under 12 A Juvenile football starts this Thursday 7th April away to Commercials at 6.45pm.  The next round is away to Moyle Rovers on Thursday 14th April at 7pm.
Under 16A football is up and running having played Clonmel Óg and Cahir.  The next game is on Monday 18th April away to Mullinahone at 7pm.
Reminder that all club Membership is now due, €20 for Adult, €10 for Juveniles. Please give same to club secretaries or treasurers before playing.

IDA Advance Factory at Fethard
Deputy Tom Hayes has welcomed the intervention of the County Manager in negotiations with the IDA regarding the transfer of a vacant factory at Fethard to South Tipperary County Council.  Following representations to the County Council, the County Manager informed Deputy Hayes that the property in question has been offered for sale, tenders have been received and are being processed and a decision is imminent.  “I am confident that this will result in the provision of much needed additional employment in the Fethard in the not too distant future” said Mr. Hayes.

Ladies Football Club
The Annual General Meeting of Fethard Ladies Football Club took place on Friday, 1st April in the Tirry Community Centre.  There was a very good attendance and good discussion took place on all aspects of the club.  The following officers were elected for 2005: President, Rev. Fr. Tom Breen P.P; Chairman, Joe Keane;  Vice Chairperson, Edel Fitzgerald; Hon Secretary, Ollie Noonan; Asst Secretary, Jennifer Keane;  Treasurer, Norah O’Meara;  Asst Treasurer,  Sandra Maher; and PRO, Ollie Noonan. 

Delegates to County Board are Edel Fitzgerald and Sandra Maher.  Junior Trainers to be confirmed.  Juvenile Trainers,  Norah O’Meara, Jennifer Keane, Barbara Ryan, Amy Hopkins and Audrey Conway.   Junior training will commence on Monday, 11th April in the Community Sportsfield, Killenaule Road at 7.30pm.  Underage training will commence on this Saturday 9th April in the GAA Park at 2 pm.  Fees for the coming year are now due and prompt payment would be appreciated.   Fees are €37 euro for over 18 players and €27 euro for underage players.  Thanks to Audrey Conway who represented the club at the Community Sportsfield meetings.  We look forward to welcoming new players for the coming year.  Congratulations to trainer, Aiden Fitzgerald, who has been picked for the County Tipperary senior hurling panel.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games
We are delighted to report great success for Fethard competitors at the County Finals of the Art and Model Making competitions held in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday 2nd April.  Proud winners of two gold medals were 7-year-old Aine Proudfoot, daughter of Mary and Francis from Strylea, in the under-8 girls art event, and 10-year-old Louis Rice, son of Fintan and Valerie, Everardsgrange, in the boys under-12 art event.  This was a wonderful achievement by both of these competitors who will represent Co Tipperary in Mosney at the National Finals next August.   Silver medals were won by Laura Rice, sister of Louis in the girls under-14 art, and Gerry Horan, Tullamaine, in the under-10 model making.  Bronze medal was won in under-14 art by Katie O’Shea, daughter of Ned and Monica, Woodvale Walk. 

Last week Faye and Charlie Manton were omitted from the list of families who represented Fethard at the finals.  It was excellent to win five medals at a County Final. Well done to all who competed and congratulations to all medal winners.

Juvenile GAA Club
Last week saw our under/16s get their first points of the championship in what was a thrilling game of football played by both teams.  With the scores level on five occasions, Fethard rallied late and scored four unanswered points to win on the scoreline of 5-12 to 5-8.  Well done to the team.  Their next game is away to Mullinahone on 18th April.

Our under/14s played two matches in the Peil last weekend. Against Ballingarry on Friday night, they won by four points, but were beaten by Cahir on Saturday night which put them out of the competition.

The under/12s played a challenge against Cashel on Sunday evening and it ended all square.  Their championship starts on Thursday 7th April against Commercials in Fethard.  These two teams have provided some of the finest entertainment that one would see in the past and this game should prove no different.  It would be nice to see more support in the field to shout them on.  All training is now under way but new faces are always welcome.  The under/6s, 8s and 10s are back in the field this Saturday from 4pm to 5pm.  All are welcome.

Thanks for your help
This is Bill Gleason writing to let you know how much I appreciate your efforts and the article you published in the paper which has helped me find my Aunt Eileen Needham, and her ten children, all of whom are my first cousins.  My Aunt Eileen has also notified me that I have two cousins on my father's side (Gleeson) who live in Knockelly, Fethard.  I am planning a trip to Fethard hopefully this summer. Thanks again for everything.

Broadband Evaluations
The Department for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources will begin evaluations this week, commencing 4th April, on our application for Broadband Service in Fethard.  The application was made by Fethard & Killusty Community Council, in conjunction with Eircom, under the County and Group Broadband Scheme which promotes the rollout of broadband access in towns, villages, and for community driven initiatives.  The scheme is open to all smaller and rural communities of less than 1,500 people.  We expect a reply within the next two weeks.

Quinn Family
I am trying to find out more information on my Dad's family - he is Liam (William Jerome Collum) Quinn born 1930 in Fethard and lived at Barrett's Grange. He has one surviving sister in Australia. He is looking for details of one of his uncles who was we think a World War One casualty, Captain James Quinn. Any information on this or on other aspects of the family history welcome! Kind regards, Professor Tom Quinn (email: tj.quinn@btopenworld.com)

Fethard ICA Guild
Fethard ICA Guild will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday 12th April in the ICA Hall, Rocklow Road.  Our guest speaker will be Margaret Doyle from Lir Consulting, specialists in life, business and career coaching and communications training.  Her theme is, “The Role that Image has in Today’s World”.  Margaret was recently featured on TV3’s morning programme and received a great response to her appearance on the show.  Non-members are welcome to come along.

South Tipperary Federation Guild members are busy preparing for the ‘Arts, Crafts & Produce Day’ being held in Halla na Feile, Cashel, on Wednesday 13th April.  This event should evoke great interest, as there is also some short entertainment on the night, which will be performed by ICA members.  So we can expect a few good laughs.

Hostesses are the Red Group’ and the competition theme is “An Easter Bonnet”.

St. Vincent de Paul
Senior citizens who wish to travel to Carne, Co. Wexford, on the St. Vincent De Paul sponsored holiday are asked to contact any member of the conference for an application form as soon as possible.  The holiday dates are from Saturday 4th June  to Friday 13th June.

Families who need our help with First Communion expenses are also asked to please contact us as soon as possible.

Aerobic Keep Fit Classes
Now is the time to get in shape for the summer. Aerobic Keep Fit Classes will start in Fethard Ballroom on Monday 11th April from 8pm to 9pm.  For more information contact Karen Morrissey Tel: 087 9152377.

Fethard Judo Club
The Munster open was held last weekend in Douglas, Cork. There was a very high attendance from all parts of the country and Fethard Judo Club maintained a high standard with the following medallists:

Minor: Sophie Meehan, Under 33 kg (bronze); Hannah Stapleton, 44 (silver); Jack Stapleton, 25kg (bronze); Kate Delahunty, 40kg (silver); Garry Bradshaw, 28kg (gold); Natalie Cahill, 33kg (bronze); Gerard Gorey, 37kg (silver); Aobh O'Shea, 27kg (gold).

Juniors: Loraine Ferry, 52kg (bronze); Samantha Feery, 52kg (silver); Cathal Gorey, Open Weight (gold); Alan Sutcliffe, 55kg (bronze); Alan Brannigan, 55kg (gold); Cormac Britton, 55kg (silver); Jake Walsh, 50kg (silver); Padraig O'Shea, 41 kg (silver) & 37kg (silver); Tom Woodlock, 41kg (gold) & 60kg (gold).

Youths: Richard Gorey, 73 (silver); Cathal Gorey, 73 (bronze).

Senior: Roy Gorey, 73 (bronze).

Hard luck to Kristen Britton who put up a great fight but was unlucky on the day, better luck next time.

St. Rita’s Camogie Club
The AGM of St. Rita’s Camogie Club was held on Tuesday 29th March and the following officers were elected for the coming year: Jean Morrissey (chairperson), Eimear Gahan (secretary), Edel Fitzgerald (treasurer), Stephen Fitzgerald (county board delegate). Davy Morrissey was elected as trainer for the coming year with two selectors, Stephen Fitzgerald and Denis O’Meara.

We hope that full commitment will be given to training and matches this year.  A special word of thanks to Martha, Sharon and Emma for their hard work with the club over the last number of years.  Thanks also to Pat Sheehan for all his help and support to the club.

Membership for the coming year is €25 for adults and €10 for under 18s.  These fees are due on Friday 8th April.  New players are always welcome.

We are holding a table quiz on Thursday 14th April in Butlers Bar, Main Street, at 9pm.  Table of four cost is €20 and we look forward to your support.