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Fethard —County South Tipperary

Fethard comes into prominence with the coming of the Normans to Ireland in the 12th century. Fethard, Fiodh Ard, simply means the 'high pasture' or 'high wood' and it is a name that could be found in many parts of Ireland. Fethard's success as a town is due to it's location, being in the heart of extremely good agricultural land together with having the advantage of being close to the river Clashawley, or Clash Alainn, the 'lovely stream'. In 1185 the extensive woodlands of South Tipperary, then occupied by the native Irish, were parcelled out to Philip of Worcester. Only twenty-three years later a Norman Lord, almost certainly William de Braose describes Fethard, quite possessively, as 'my borough of Fethard'. The Norman town of Fethard was founded during this period.