Friends of Fethard
Original members of Friends of Fethard presenting a cheque to representatives of Fethard Business & Tourism Group. towards their renovation work on Fethard Town Hall. L to R: Paul Ronan, Maurice Moloney (Fethard Business & Tourism Group), Tadhg Gleeson (Fethard Business & Tourism Group), Jimmy O'Sullivan (Fethard Business & Tourism Group), Jack O'Keeffe, John Whyte, Tom Butler and Paddy Lonergan.
Friends of Fethard members gathered together on March 19, to donate the balance of their financial account to Fethard Business & Tourism Group who are currently undertaking a major renovation project at Fethard Town Hall.
The original ‘Friends of Fethard’ group was formed in 1988 in response to John Magnier, Coolmore, donating his senator’s salary to Fethard community and in particular, towards renovating the façade of Fethard Town Hall. The group chosen to undertake the project was made up of seven individuals from different local business disciplines. Four were born locally and three had come to live and work in the area: Tom Butler, Paddy Lonergan, John Whyte, Paul Ronan, Michael Morris, Jack O’Keeffe and Tadhg Gleeson. The patrons of the group were: John Magnier, Donal O’Sullivan, Tom Ronan, Dr. Paddy Stokes and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
With the renovation of the Town Wall between 1989 and 1995 the Friends of Fethard took responsibility for planning, co-ordinating and financing the restoration of the 420 metre stretch of the Town Wall that runs along the River Clashawley.
This project received national prominence in 1992 when it won the AIB Better Ireland award in the heritage/environment category.
Both Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and AIB Group Chairman, Peter Sutherland, paid a glowing tribute to the medieval wall restoration project which scooped the national £25,000 award.
Significant funds were also raised from Government through a FAS scheme and grant aid from the Heritage Council.
In addition, and most importantly, local private fund raising efforts were very successful and reflected the huge local and national interest that existed at the time.
The committee of Fethard Business and Tourism Limited, consist's of Jimmy O’Sullivan, Catherine Corcoran, Maurice Moloney, Peter Grant, Bill O’Sullivan, Terry Cunningham, Leo D’Arcy, Anthony Fitzgerald, John Fahy and Tadhg Gleeson, are currently co-ordinating and overseeing Phase 1 of restoration work to Fethard Town Hall, also known as Fethard Tholsel.
The building dates back to 1605 and many architectural treasures have been unearthed during the course of the current works.
Friends of Fethard members gathered together on March 19, to donate the balance of their financial account to Fethard Business & Tourism Group who are currently undertaking a major renovation project at Fethard Town Hall.
The original ‘Friends of Fethard’ group was formed in 1988 in response to John Magnier, Coolmore, donating his senator’s salary to Fethard community and in particular, towards renovating the façade of Fethard Town Hall. The group chosen to undertake the project was made up of seven individuals from different local business disciplines. Four were born locally and three had come to live and work in the area: Tom Butler, Paddy Lonergan, John Whyte, Paul Ronan, Michael Morris, Jack O’Keeffe and Tadhg Gleeson. The patrons of the group were: John Magnier, Donal O’Sullivan, Tom Ronan, Dr. Paddy Stokes and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
With the renovation of the Town Wall between 1989 and 1995 the Friends of Fethard took responsibility for planning, co-ordinating and financing the restoration of the 420 metre stretch of the Town Wall that runs along the River Clashawley.
This project received national prominence in 1992 when it won the AIB Better Ireland award in the heritage/environment category.
Both Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and AIB Group Chairman, Peter Sutherland, paid a glowing tribute to the medieval wall restoration project which scooped the national £25,000 award.
Significant funds were also raised from Government through a FAS scheme and grant aid from the Heritage Council.
In addition, and most importantly, local private fund raising efforts were very successful and reflected the huge local and national interest that existed at the time.
The committee of Fethard Business and Tourism Limited, consist's of Jimmy O’Sullivan, Catherine Corcoran, Maurice Moloney, Peter Grant, Bill O’Sullivan, Terry Cunningham, Leo D’Arcy, Anthony Fitzgerald, John Fahy and Tadhg Gleeson, are currently co-ordinating and overseeing Phase 1 of restoration work to Fethard Town Hall, also known as Fethard Tholsel.
The building dates back to 1605 and many architectural treasures have been unearthed during the course of the current works.
President Mary Robinson visit to Fethard in 1993