Challenge to Change!
Over the last few months the girls of Nano Nagle National School have been busy taking part in the ‘Challenge to Change’ project. ‘Challenge to Change’ is a development education project aimed at young people attending Presentation primary and post-primary schools. It seeks to raise awareness, to bring about a greater understanding of global inequality and to allow young people to see the impact of a changing global environment. It seeks to empower young people by exploring ways in which their actions at local level can impinge for the better on issues such as injustice, human rights, fair trade, racism and exploitation.

Sixth Class was the designated group at Nano Nagle National School but they were very ably and enthusiastically assisted by Fifth Class. In fact all classes helped by being willing audiences and more actively by writing essays, poems and providing artwork.

The girls project was called, “Live simply that others may simply live”. Within this theme they researched slavery, child labour, war, conflict and care of the environment. A very enjoyable aspect of the project was the girls’ visits to local markets in Fethard, Clonmel and Cahir. This method of shopping seems like a very pleasant alternative to importing foods from halfway across the world.

With the help of organic farmer Fintan Rice, the girls set up a mini-garden, setting organic and seed-saver seeds which will hopefully produce lettuce, parsley, chives, radish, beet leaves, peas and marigolds. This was great fun and all are busy tending the garden and monitoring results.

The research also involved some guest speakers, namely Sr. Winnie and Sr. Juliana who spoke about Zimbabwe and the Philippines. Fintan Rice told us about organic growing and Jimmy Trehy spoke about working for the E.U. on a project in the Solomon Islands.

The work culminated in the coming together of 21 Presentation Schools in Kilkenny on Thursday 10th May. This was a great day where each school got to showcase their own work, view other projects and attend drumming or Indian culture workshops.

The Fethard girls really enjoyed the project in all its aspects and the Fifth Class girls are already planning and hoping they will get to take part in 2008.

Killusty Pony Show
A pair of fours and three sevens is a pretty good poker hand but when you run the forty-fourth Killusty Show on 7/7/07 you have a winning combination no matter how you look at it. Killusty is probably the oldest all pony Show in Ireland. It has risen from small beginnings to be one of the best shows on the IPS calendar.

Thanks to our many enduring sponsors, this year there are lucrative championships to be won in fifteen categories: Youngstock, Broodmare, Welsh, Connemara, Show Pony, Side-saddle, Mini Pony Open Show Hunter, Novice Show Hunter, Starter Stakes, Open Working Hunter, Novice Working Hunter. Performance Working Hunter and Equitation. There are fifty-five classes most of which lead to the Championship ring. As usual, Killusty does not rest on its laurels and this year’s new class is for the traditional cob in-hand. Schedules are available now from the Secretary, Betsy O’Connor, Knockkelly, Fethard, Co. Tipperary 052-31130 and may be found on the website of www.fethard.com. Entries close finally on 29th June and must be submitted with fees. A full catalogue is printed to include all the details of individual ponies. Catalogues of previous year’s Shows have become collector’s items as they contain the names of ponies who went on to win such as the Horse of the Year Show Championship and to event or Show Jump for Ireland and other countries.

There is a Riding Pony Class confined to locals within a twenty-mile radius as well as a very popular handy pony class where competitors are asked to perform a series of simple tasks on which they are judged. The special lead rein class caters for all children up to ten years on 1st January with no height restriction on the pony.

Equitation Riding and Jumping classes (where the rider is judged not the pony) may be entered on the day as can the Performance Working Hunter and the Fancy Dress (for which there is no entry fee). The Dog Show for those without ponies has become an outstanding feature of the day with entries increasing every year.

We look forward to seeing all and sundry on Saturday 7th July at Claremore Killusty at the foot of Slievenamon.

Fethard ICA Club
A reminder to all members that the Summer Federation meeting takes place in Aherlow House Hotel on Wednesday 30th May. We are asked to be seated by 7.15pm. Anyone wishing to go who hasn't already given in their names please contact 31455 or 31411 as soon as possible. High Tea will be served, tickets are €10. Our speaker on the night is Christina Noble of the Christina Noble Children's Foundation, a wonderful woman and a very interesting speaker.

Fethard GAA Club News
There was no action on the field of play for the Club last weekend. Our next fixture is on Saturday 26th May when in senior football we take on Ardfinnan in the South Championship at 7.30pm in Clonmel.

Our Minor B footballers suffered their first defeat in Cloneen last Wednesday 16th May on a scoreline, Fethard 1-4, Ballingarry 1-10. The team was: J. P. McGrath, Gavin Fitzgerald, Adrian Lawrence, Kieran O’Connell, James Kelly, Alan O’Connor, Dean Tobin, Declan Doyle 0-1, Aaron O’Donovan, Eoin O’Connell, Jack O’Sullivan, Tom O’Connell, Eoin Condon 1-1, Christopher Sheehan 0-1, and Kieran Ryan 0-1. Subs used were Ben Walsh, Jonathan Fleming and Eoin Healy.

The South Board Commemoration takes place this weekend for Tom Keating in Cloneen on Saturday evening 26th, and Dick Cummins at the Parish Church Fethard after 11am Mass on Sunday Morning 27th May, followed by John Keating in Calvary and finishing with Sean O’Shea and Ned Kenrick in Red City Cemetery.

We continue our Intermediate Hurling South Championship with a game versus St Marys on Friday 1st June in Cahir at 7.30pm.

Our County Board Draw promoters are still on the road and with the first draw now taking place on Friday 1st June we thank you for your continued support.

The Club Lotto jackpot €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 7, 13, 17 and 25. We had no match three winner so the following tickets drawn won €30 each: Monica O’Shea (Woodvale Walk), Nellie Ryan (46 St Patrick’s Place), Mark Hayden (Saucestown), Chrissie O’Meara (Grove Road) and Palma Sweeney (The Valley). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Philly Kenny (The Green). Thanks to Clonmel Oil for providing the tickets.

The club offers its condolences to the family of Tess Lawrence, Fr. Tirry Park, on their bereavement. Go ndeana Dia trocaire orthu.

Marathon Time Again for Sisters
Monday 4th June marks the 25th Anniversary of the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon. 40,000 women have registered for this year’s event. Among the many participants from Fethard running, jogging and walking, to raise funds for diverse charities will be Presentation Sisters Juliana, Betty and Winnie. They are seeking sponsorship for their sisters in Zimbabwe who live and work in an extremely impoverished and oppressive situation at this time.

Irish High Crosses
On Wednesday night, 30th May, Patricia Looby will present a slideshow of Irish High Crosses in the Abymill Fethard at 8.30pm. All are welcome. The photographs are an introduction to the spectacular crosses from the 8th and 9th centuries. The focus will be mainly on Ahenny, Kilkieran, Killamery and further afield to the important High Cross of Moone in Co Kildare. This introduction is a preview of a tour of these crosses on Saturday 2nd June, led by Pat.

Organised by the Historical Society the bus will leave outside the Town Hall at 10am. Bring your cameras and a picnic lunch for a full day's touring. The group will stop for dinner that evening on route back to Fethard. The price is €15 for the tour and can be booked by phone at 052 31936 or 086 3502360.

O’Reilly brothers return to Fethard
Local followers of Loudest Whisper will be delighted to hear of their return to Fethard this coming Friday night to play for their fans. Great opportunity to listen to this talented band for free.

Local Band Showcase Gig
Three bands will take to the stage in the Abymill Theatre on Friday 8th June in a showcase of local talent. First up are a young band ‘Zero Tolerence’. They are all in their early teens and cite Thin Lizzy and Led Zepplin among their influences. The second band are another rock outfit, ‘The Autocats’, who played the same venue last year supporting Aiden Ward and have notched up quite a few local gigs over the last year. The final act are a local band, formerly known as ‘The Dukes’, but due to a split in the band over musical differences, have changed their line up and are now known as ‘Rootless’. Their set is an acoustic one in the vein of Damien Rice. Tickets for the event are €10 and can be bought from the band members or from McCarthy’s Bar. 

Over €4,500 raised locally for Cystic Fibrosis
A large group of participants from Fethard and the surrounding areas took part in the annual Ballygowan 10k walk/run to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis on Sunday 13th May in Clonmel. Regardless of the bad weather the local runners turned out in force and raised over €4,500, with €3,500 coming from the Fethard area alone.

Mandy Quigley is now secretary of the Tipperary branch of the association and has been involved for the past four years with this annual fundraising event. Mandy would like to thank everybody who participated in the event on behalf of the association and all the money raised will go towards research as there is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited condition. It affects organs in the body, particularly the lungs and digestive system, which become clogged with sticky mucus, making it difficult to breathe and digest food. People with Cystic Fibrosis have a shorter life expectancy, with the average being around 31 years, and as they are often dependent on lung transplants the association would remind people to carry organ donor cards whenever possible.

Social Dancing
Social dancing for all takes place in Fethard Ballroom on this Sunday 27th May with great music supplied by Johnny Barrett.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games
Reminder to the following who qualified that the County Finals of the Area Athletics will take place in CBS Nenagh this Sunday 27th May. Assembly is at 12.30pm with events commencing on both sides of the track at 1pm sharp.

Qualifiers are:

Under-8: Laura Butler, Rebecca Kenny, Mark Heffernan, Darragh Lynch, Aisling Gorey, Isabelle Kennedy, Eric Fogarty and Jack Ward.

Under-10: Annie Prout, Nicola Thompson, Jack Gleeson, Luke Grant, Megan Hayes, Chloe Burke, Dean Dorney and Matthew Lynch.

Under-12: Hannah Tobin, Kate Quigley, David Heffernan, Darren Needham, Karen Hayes, Clodagh Bradshaw.

Under-14: Aine Phelan and Shannon O’Brien.

Under-16: Kevin Hayes, Adam O’Donnell and Eoin Prout.

Hope everybody has collected their pass and paid their entry fee of €2 at the Community Games Office, Grove Road, by now.  Competitors are to arrange their own transport.

The area has four competitors entered for the County Swimming Finals which will take place in Nenagh Pool on Saturday June 2nd also commencing at 1pm. Girls Under-12: Ciara Tillyer, Ballyvaden; Under-14 Jade Manickum, Coolmoyne; and Radika Janicovka, Coolmore. Boys under-16: Kevin Hayes, Redcity.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on 18th May of Mrs Tessie Lawrence, Fr Tirry Park, Fethard. Remains arrived at Holy Trinity Parish Church Fethard, at 6.45pm on Saturday 19th May. Interment took place at Calvary Cemetery, Fethard, on Sunday.

The Well Golf Society
The Well Golf Society are starting a little later than usual this year, but as they say, better late than never. This coming Sunday 27th May, we travel to Kilkenny Golf Club, tee off at 1pm.  This year there is a slight change in format. Those of you who intend travelling should contact Vincent on Tel: 085 1723600, or Des on Tel: 086 8306631, to confirm your place. This is another new course to add to our list and we hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Fethard and Killusty Anglers
Fethard and Killusty Anglers will hold their fishing competition on this coming Sunday 27th May. Anglers are to meet at Thorny Bridge with fishing to start at 11am.  Anglers are asked not to fish club waters for at least two days prior to competition.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club

U-12 football
It has been a great week for the juvenile club with our u12s playing in the most thrilling semifinal game for a place in the south final of their championship bid.

These come-back kids did themselves, their trainers and club the proudest last Thursday evening in Monroe when they came back from being, ‘down but not beaten’ to force a replay against Ardfinnan for a place in the south final.

This was a game with of no individuality but a team of young boys, many of who will still be at under-12 next year, who played their socks off. Their teamwork and team spirit was in evidence when at half time they were 5 points down and they came back showing a bigger Ardfinnan team what it meant to play for Fethard. They fought and battled their way up the field and replied with a quick 3 points, leaving us 2 points down. Then a wonderful set-up from Kyle Walsh allowed Brian Healy to bury the ball into the back of the net leaving us 1 point ahead. The crowds went wild and wishing the ref would blow the final whistle. Ardfinnan managed to score a point late into injury time leaving the game level.

It was a game that left you wanting more and the replay has been set for Monday evening. Report next week. We can only wish these young lads and their trainers the very best of luck.

U-16 hurling
The hurling training is now well underway for under-16s with training on Mondays and Thursday evenings at 6.30 in the GAA Field

Fethard travelled to Killenaule on Friday evening of last week for a challenge match and what a great match it was. There were great displays of skill throughout the field. The backs consisting of Michael Fitzgerald, Gavin Fitzgerald and Kieran O’Connell, were outstanding and solid throughout. Gavin, in the blazing form of full back and Michael on the other side, made sure not much got through. Kevin Hayes was exceptional in goal and Daniel Hickey was in firing form on the night. Eoin O’Connell was fantastic to watch with Aaron Conran on top form as well. The skills and potential these young men showed on the night must formulate a team that will go all the way.

Parents are also asked to note that although the club is especially grateful to them for driving the children to the matches - it has been a great success. They are asked to please stay on a few moments after dropping their children up at the GAA Field to make sure that their child has a lift to the match and also for insurance purposes to make sure no child gets injured while waiting for a lift.

Membership fees are now well overdue and members are asked to note that they can drop their membership fees of €15 to Theresa Hurley's house, Strylea. Every effort is now required for members to start paying their membership. Any queries, please phone club secretary. Tel: 086 1713502.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto Results
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 16th May were: 2, 14, 18 and 22. There was no Jackpot winners and three Match 3 winners who received €50 each:

Jim O’Meara, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Niall Connolly, c/o Eileen Connolly, Fethard;
Kevin Murphy, c/o Maria Murphy.

The €50 Luck Dip winners were:
Mary Kenny, Mullinahone;
Arthur Daly, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Eamon Drea, Cedar Grove, Fethard.

Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

Fethard Bridge Club Results

The results for game played on Wednesday 16th May were:

1st Gross: Brigid Gorey and Betty Walsh;

2nd Gross: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;

1st Nett: Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara;

2nd Nett: Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny.

Confidential Art Sale
On Sunday 17th June a very innovative fundraising event in aid of the refurbishment of Holy Trinity Church of Ireland will take place at the same venue. Art works by many well-known artists and amateurs alike were donated to be sold at the ‘Confidential Art’ event — all for the one price of €25 each. The ‘anonymous’ works are signed on the back so buyers will have to purchase their pieces without knowing who the artist is at that time.  So, depending on your luck, you could end up with a very valuable painting for €25!

The event will be officially opened by local celebrity at 3pm and admission is €5 which includes Cream Tea. A raffle is also being run in conjunction with the event and has very attractive prizes such as, four tickets to the ‘Joseph’ show in London including €200 travelling expenses; two nights superior B&B accommodation at Derrynane, Co. Kerry; Lamb for Deep Freezing, €100 vouchers for ham, and lots more. Do come along and support this worthwhile event. All are welcome.