Seasonal weather
The recent unexpected ‘cold snap’ brought back many memories to mature locals. Unseen and forgotten for many years was the sight of youngsters skating on frozen ice ponds in the locality. Many will remember skating on the frozen pond near Crampscastle but few will have the experience of risking their lives skating on the frozen 10-foot-deep floodwater on the Clonmel road. Following many nights -7º temperature we were assured that the ice was at least six-inches thick and could withstand an army of skaters. Nonetheless, we still couldn’t help worrying about the danger, as adults do, but it was also nice to experience the excitement of youth again, as adults did.

Well done to the ‘road minders’
Congratulations and well done to all involved in keeping our major roads ‘driveable’ during the recent spell of extreme cold weather. This writer had to unavoidably travel by car on many occasions over the Christmas period and found the roads very manageable at all times. When travelling to other destinations like Waterford and Cahir, it was advisable to go from Fethard to Clonmel first and then travel on the main roads from there. People living in the country were not so lucky with many of the roads almost impossible to drive, but, with due care and attention it was reasonably safe to travel, except for meeting the occasional speeding youth in control of everything except experience.

Died in Holland
William (Willie) Fitzgerald (formerly Crampscastle, Killusty Road, Fethard) who died suddenly in Amsterdam, Holland; deeply regretted by his wife Carin, son Darren, parents Michael & Mary Fitzgerald, sisters Marion & Sheena, brother-in-laws Noel and Denis, niece Roisín, aunts, uncles and cousins and his many friends in Ireland and Holland.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Parish Church Fethard on this Friday 15th January at 7pm for all who would like to come and remember William with his family.

Fethard GAA News
Tipperary Senior Division 3 Football League Winners 2009 Dinner Presentation will be held in Cahir House on Friday 22nd January at 8pm. Tickets for same can be obtained from any club officer. Please come along and support our club recipients.

Our Lotto Jackpot of €4,300 was not won. The numbers drawn were: 1, 13, 16 and 25. We had no match three winner so the following drawn tickets won €30 each: Martin Ryan (Lismortagh, Moyglass), Mary McCormack (Kerry Street, Fethard), Cora McGarry (Burke Street, Fethard), Tony Maher (Woodvale Walk, Fethard), Mary Godfrey (Derryluskin, Fethard). The following won in our Christmas Prize draw: Catherine Williams (Killusty, Fethard), Annette O’Meara (Coolmoyne, Fethard), Fitzgerald Family (Kiltinan, Fethard) and Catherine Ryan (Donohill). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Tom Ryan (c/o 46 St Patricks Place. Fethard). Our thanks to Clonmel Oil for providing the tickets.

Our sympathy and condolences are with the Fitzgerald family (Killusty Rd) at this time on the untimely passing away of William Fitzgerald who was interred in Amsterdam, Holland, during the week. A Memorial Mass for the repose of his soul will be held on this Friday 15th January at 7pm in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard. Go ndeana Dia trocaire orthu.

Country Markets
Fethard Country Markets will resume on this Friday 15th January in the Town Hall.

June Ahessy conferred with first class honours
June Kennedy-Ahessy of Burke Street, Fethard was conferred with a first class honours MA degree in Applied Christian Spirituality after two-years study at the Milltown Institute on October 6, 2009. This was a multidisciplinary course delivered by leading experts on contemporary spirituality. June’s class contained other lay and clerical students drawn from several countries and religious denominations. In her last year June wrote a thesis on the relationship between ecological knowledge and spirituality. She interviewed a number of senior ecological practitioners, including a government minister, university professors and researchers and showed that scientific research or the appliance of science were compatible with a spiritual approach to life. As a result she has been invited to contribute a chapter to a forthcoming book on Spiritual Capital in Ireland. Next year the course which she has just completed will move from Milltown to the new Spiritual Capital Research Centre at All Hallows College in Dublin.

Michelle Skehan competes in All Ireland Talent show
Stung by the disappointment of last years All Ireland final in Croke Park, Michelle Skehan, a very popular past teacher at Nano Nagle Primary School, is hoping to lift the hearts of fellow Tipperary fans by flying the blue and gold flag in yet another All Ireland final. The competition this time, RTE 1’s All Ireland Talent show. Michelle’s bid to bring home the title begins on Sunday 24th January at 6.30pm when she will represent the South of Ireland under the mentoring of Cork man John Creedon.

Singer/songwriter Michelle has gone on to perform on the big stage alongside many of the great names in the music business including Brendan Bowyer, Mary Black and Frances Black. “Performing my own songs on stage with Brendan Bowyer was a dream come true, I have thought about this day for so long.”

Determined to make a name for herself in the music industry, Michelle decided to take a career break from teaching this year to focus entirely on her song writing and music with a view to recording her own material. To date, she has successfully reached the final of Tipp FM’s Premier Factor competition and has been a regular guest on Tipp FM, performing her own compositions live on air.
“Winning the competition would be the ultimate boost I need.” The top prize is a whopping €50,000 and Michelle is certain that the money would send her well on her way towards achieving her musical dreams. “My supreme goal is to create my own studio at home with recording equipment and software. If I had anything left over then I could put new strings on my guitars, banjo, and mandolin, and get my piano tuned.”

Michelle is hoping to impress the judges and the public with her own version of a well-known folk song. She will need as many public votes as possible to keep her in the competition. “I will do my very best, for my parish, town, county, the south and all music lovers across the country and hopefully I will make it through. I don’t want to leave the studio feeling as I did leaving Croker in September. Our Tipp heroes played their hearts out on the day and were winners in all our eyes.”

This time the people of Tipperary can choose their own destiny so tune in and vote for Michelle on the All Ireland Talent show, Sunday 24th January, at 6.30pm on RTE 1.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on 2nd January of Mr John Pollard, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard. John, who retired from work with South Tipperary County Council in 1989, took a very active roll in Fethard Community, in particular, Fethard & District Day Care Centre, where he played his box every day and provided endless entertainment to all present over the years. John, always game for a bit of fun, was a very pleasant man to meet anywhere and at anytime.
Our sympathy to his wife Teddie, daughters Majella and Paula, sons Gerard, John and Adrian. Interment took place at Calvary Cemetery.

Phelan Information Required
Hello, I would love some help in researching my family. John Phelan married Mary Ryan married in c 1829 and had children Thomas and Mary (twins), Margaret, Michael, Edward, Anne, John and William.
I believe that John had sister named Anastasia and Mary who went to Australia in 1840s. I am a descendent of Thomas who came to Australia in 1865.
Any help would be appreciated: Bev Johnston (nee Phelan), Australia.
Email: bevdon46@bigpond.com

Local stars perform in our Bars
Budding musicians and performers will be delighted to get the chance to perform in the upcoming ‘Stars in Our Bars’ talent competition due to be held during February and March at Butlers, Main Street. This competition, strictly for over 18s, is run in association with the Vintners Federation of Ireland and is sponsored by Smithwicks. The contest is open to all types of entertainers, singers, dancers, instrumentalists, comedians, bands, choirs, speciality acts, etc.
Butlers aim, following a number of heats, semifinals and final, is to pick two candidates to represent them at county level and hopefully follow on with regional and national success. All stages of this competition will be judged by independent adjudicators, with some audience participation at heat stages. For further details including terms and conditions and application forms please call to Butlers Bar.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on 6th January were: 2, 12, 23 and 29. We had no Jackpot winner and one ‘Match 3’ winner who received €150: J & N Moloney, c/o Tom Purcell.

The three following Lucky Dip winners received €50 each: Seamus Doherty, c/o Nellie Ryan; Bill O'Sullivan, Perryville, Fethard; and J. Lonergan, c/o Tom Purcell.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.