St Patrick’s Day Mass
Fr. Anthony McSweeney was celebrant at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Mass, which happened to fall on a Sunday resulting in a packed Holy Trinity Parish Church. On St. Patrick’s Day annually, the local Scouts and Girl Guides come out in force with their leaders and make a terrific impact dressed in their uniforms, holding banners and flags. Many of the Slievenamon Ladybirds and Brownies were also decked out for St. Patrick’s Day wearing their ‘green’ accessories for the occasion. Fr. McSweeney congratulated them on their attendance and also referred to the lovely opening reading by Michael James Phelan explaining the origin of the shamrock.

The primary school children’s choir is an integral part of St. Patrick’s Day Mass in Fethard for many years and this year’s choir, led by teacher Ms Rita Kenny, was no exception. The eighty plus children accompanied by organist, Ms Goldie Newport, sang beautifully and all involved received a rousing round of applause at the end of the Mass.

This year it was also lovely to see so many visitors back home with their families in Fethard for St. Patrick’s Day. One face in the congregation was noticeably missing this year and not through his own fault – that person was Tony Newport who we believe has never missed the school choir singing on St. Patrick’s Day up to this year, due to his recuperation after a minor operation. We send Tony our best wishes for a speedy recovery and look forward to his return to full health.

Fr. McSweeney, at the conclusion, thanked all for attending, Scouts, Girl Guides, the teachers, children’s choir, Goldie Newport, Sr. Winnie, and all who helped decorate the church with flowers for the occasion. Finally he sent best wishes and blessing to all our families and relatives living throughout the world.

Computer course finishes for thirty participants
Last week a total of total of thirty people availed and completed an eight-week course in computers held in Fethard Convent Community Hall.

The group separated into three smaller groups – Beginners, Beginners Plus and Step Up. The tutor for the course was Mary Quinlan who made the course content very accessible to all. It was partly funded by Tipperary South VEC Community Education and co-ordinated by Margaret O'Neill, Home-School-Community Liaison Co-ordinator, Killenaule and Fethard.

The course was also made possible with the support of the staff at Fethard Youth Centre. Lots of laughs and learning have taken place since that first morning. A big thank you to Janice who supplied the tea and coffee and the course also provided a welcome opportunity for a chat. It is hoped to run a similar course again in the future.

Michael’s Munster Macra campaign  (Photograph – Macra Campaign)
The Michael Moclair campaign had a wonderful night at the Ballylanders Irish Night on Friday, March 15, in Gallahue’s Hall, Ballylanders, Co. Limerick. There was plenty of ‘craic agus ceol’ and a great night was had by all.

In the run up to the Macra election day a number of hustings will take place at which candidates can speak directly to members outlining the details of their campaign. Fethard and South Tipp Macra would like to wish Michael the best of luck at the regional hustings in the Vienna Woods Hotel, Co. Cork, which takes place on this Tuesday, March 19, at 8pm where he will be voicing his proposals and answering any questions related to potential candidacy. Anyone is welcome to come along and support.
The rescheduled Clonoulty Rossmore Macra is holding an Irish themed quiz night on Friday, March 15, in Kennedy's pub, Gooldscross. Music and raffle on the night with a €5 per person entry.

Volleyball continues in Clerihan Hall every Thursday night at 8.30pm, new members are very welcome to come along.
Macra is a wonderful organisation for individuals aged from 17-35 and has something for everyone including social events, travel, farming and competitions including sports, public speaking, debating and more which give you skills for life. For more enquiries or if you are interested in joining South Tipp Macra contact Laurann on 085-7337432 or Una 087-4165826 or find us on Facebook under South Tipp Macra.

Burke and Rice are top juniors
From Moyglass to Barcelona we had nine athletes compete on St. Patrick's Day. The Ned Kelly four-miler in Moyglass attracted eight entries from Fethard AC.  David Burke and Jennifer Rice came home with 1st Prize in the Junior Mens and Ladies while Fintan Rice came 9th overall and took home 1st Prize in the Over 45s section. Noreen Harrington picked up a spot prize with Tony Shelly, Brian Slattery, Paraic McCormack and Nicola Nylon all running well but without reward on this occasion.

Meanwhile in Spain, Kart Paalma crossed the line a very happy lady, completing her very first marathon and now she has already set her sights on the Dublin Marathon in October. 

Fethard are the host club for the forthcoming Red City 10k Mens and 5k Ladies County Senior Road Championships on Sunday, May 19, at 12 noon and on Wednesday, May 29, at 8pm athletes return to our historic streets for the 13th staging of the ‘Walls of Fethard’ four-miler plus a two-mile Fit4Life / Run4Fun.

We are trialling a new more fun runner friendly 2x2 mile course for 2013 and this will be an open event to all with lots of top prizes. 
Remember running continues every Monday and Friday night at 7.15pm, meeting at the Ballroom. Keep on Running!

Gaelic for Mothers and others
Ladies - we are starting our new G4M season on Thursday, March 21, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm in the Community Field and we would love to invite mothers of any age or ability, also women that may be interested in coming up and learning the art of our national sport while getting fit and making new friends. You do not have to be a mother to play, no experience is necessary - a good sense of humour is the only requirement.

If you are interested in joining please come along to the community field, even it’s only to have a look and see. This is a wonderful fun way of getting fit and joining a very sociable group, so come on ladies, dust off those boots or get a pair and come join the fastest growing women’s sport in Ireland. We would love to have you.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Saturday, March 16, of Mrs Phyllis McDonnell, The Square, Fethard. Interment took place at Calvary Cemetery.

Community Games handwriting
Fethard and Killusty area participated in the community games handwriting competition for children U10 for the first year ever. There were some lovely exhibits submitted and those who made history winning medals were: Girls: 1st Hannah Sheehy, 2nd Gillian Burke, Joint 3rd Anna Collier, Aine Ryan and Kayleigh Nevin. Boys: 1st Keenan Ahearn, 2nd Mark Neville, 3rd Conor Neville.

The first two in each event: Hannah, Gillian, Keenan and Mark may now compete in the county final which will take place in Silvermines on Saturday, March 23, at 2pm.

Entry fee is €2 to be paid on the day. Well done to all.

Table quiz for ‘Tipp to Kenya’
A Table Quiz will be held in The Village Inn, Moyglass on Friday, March 22, at 9.30pm in aid of ‘Tipp to Kenya’. Table of four will cost €20 per table. There will also be a raffle on the night with loads of prizes.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will be held next month on Tuesday, April 23, 2013, in the Tirry Community Centre at 8.30pm. Please put the date in your diary. All are welcome.

Open at weekends
Country-Life garden centre in Fethard would like to advise all their customers that they will now be open every Saturday from 9am to 6pm; Sundays and Bank Holidays from 1pm to 5pm, commencing March 16.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom next Sunday, March 24, to the music of Dave Rea. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing. Dancing 9pm to midnight and admission is €7.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on March 13, were: 13, 17, 22 and 29. We had no jackpot winner and three ‘Match Three’ winners who received €50 each: Majella Daly. Cedargrove, Fethard; Cathy Trehy, Kilnockin, Fethard; and Anne Foley, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners won €50 each: Mary O'Dwyer, Kilnockin Rd., Fethard; Keenan Aherne, Prospect, Fethard; and Patricia Maher, Kilnockin, Fethard.

Remember you can purchase your lotto ticket online at fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets and get one free! Check on the website for lots of special offers.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, March 20 and the Jackpot is €8,050 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €805. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Family Information required
Marie Landrigan Buckley sent us the following request for family information.

“Happy St. Patrick's Day! I have traced my great grandfather, John Landrigan, to Fethard. He died in Troy, New York, in 1894, at the age of 59, according to his death certificate. The certificate listed Fethard as his birthplace and his parents as David and Mary (no maiden name) Landrigan. We are guessing he was born about 1844. We believe the oldest son was named after his paternal grandfather. This is so in our Family. John Landrigan named his oldest son James David (my grandfather) and he, in turn, named his oldest son, John (my uncle).

I haven’t had any luck with the National Registry. I have also tried Lonergan, O'Lonergan and also James David since we have many James Davids in the family. I know the Catholic Church is the Holy Trinity (once a chapel) and was rebuilt in 1818-1819 and the Augustinian Abbey

I would appreciate if anyone can help or point me in the right direction. I'd love to see Ireland! Thanks for anything you can do to help me. Marie Buckley, Email: bison2@comcast.net

Napier family information
I am seeking any information on my great, great grandfather and his family: William James Napier, born April 13, 1834 in Fethard, County Tipperary. He died in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia on February 11, 1913. They came to Sydney, Australia on the ‘Sirocco’ on January 28, 1864.

He married Elizabeth Ogle Born 1838 In Athboy, County of Meath, Ireland. They married on October 9, 1860, in the parish church of Taney, Co. Dublin. I have the original marriage certificate which is fantastic to look at. William’s father was also William, born 1788 and died 1849. I do not have any further details. His mother was Frances Atkins born 1802. We searched the churchyard in Fethard when we visited there in 2007 but did not find William or Frances.

William and Elizabeth had a son Henry Ogle Napier who I believe died in 1864. Frances their daughter died on the ship on the way out to Australia.

Any information you can give me on the above matter would be greatly appreciated.  If you are unable to do this, could you please advise where I could best find this information. We will be in Dublin and Belfast mid March.

Regards, Christine Murphy, 3 Kruger Avenue, Windang 2528, New South Wales, Australia. Email: christine.murphy@exemail.com.au

Genealogy – Tracing Your Ancestors workshop
A one-day workshop on ‘Tracing Your Ancestors’ will be held at Crocanoir, Mullinahone, on April 13, which might be of interest to those involved in family research. This workshop is aimed at those that have ‘dabbled’ in family history but have never made the time to structure their research. At the end of the workshop, hosted by Hibernia Roots genealogy services, you will have identified the resources that could lead to you producing a family report for a special occasion gift or to present to visiting relatives. For further information contact John at Phone (052) 9153117 or 086 8907329, or email: johnfgb@eircom.net

Chris Dougliss Kung Fu and Self Defence School
Chris Dougliss has well over 30 years experience in learning and teaching Kung Fu. He became proficient at Lau Gar Kung Fu attaining Black Belt status before progressing to Hung Gar Kung Fu, which is a very traditional style, known for its low stances, hard blocks and furious attacks.

This Chinese Martial Art has been practised for in excess of two hundred years, but its origins go back much further than that to the Southern Shaolin Temple of Fujian and is renowned for its Tiger and Crane form and its hard fighting style. That is not to say that Hung Gar does not have its soft side, as many of the forms incorporate the development of Chi, or energy, most popularly shown in Tai Chi.
Chris ran the successful Hung Gar Kung Fu Club in Clonmel for five years before work and time constraints forced him to forego this project. However, most of the students from the club continued to train in his purpose built ‘kwoon’ or school at his home in Clonacody. Since then Chris has continued teaching and has included general cardiovascular fitness and kickboxing in what he teaches. Anyone is welcome to come and join us on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 7pm, the only condition being that you come with an open mind and be willing to push yourself close to your limits.

The end result of all the above is a complete Martial Art that has very practical Self-Defence properties and also increases overall levels of fitness, regardless of the fitness levels of new Students and also increases self-esteem and confidence. But a word of warning, this is not a fast food Martial Art, you can expect to be sore after the initial Training session as you will be using muscles, ligaments and tendons in ways they have not been used before. However, for those who persevere, the results of constant training and application of techniques are more than worth the initial pain.

So if you think you have what it takes, and are willing to push yourself whilst learning self defence, Kung Fu, Kickboxing or just improving your general fitness levels, why not give Chris a call on 087 6244449. There are no membership or gym fees, you pay as you go, and if you want some one on one private training, this can also be arranged at a mutually convenient time. Remember, it’s better to know self-defence and not need it, than to need it and not know it.

Fethard News
Items for inclusion on the weekly Fethard News page on The Nationalist can be emailed before noon on Mondays to news@fethard.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.