Welcome to the Copper Post, the online newsletter that covers the communities of Dunhill, Fenor, Boatstrand and Annestown.

In this week's newsletter...

• SPORT

  • Clan Na Gael GAA

  • Dunhill GAA

  • Dunhill Squash Club

  • Fenor GAA

• ADVERT

  • Fenor Road Bowling Club

  • Na Gaeil GAA

• COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

  • Community Hall

  • Dunhill Eco Park

  • Local Link Bus

• EDUCATION & LEARNING

  • Dunhill NS

  • Tiny Tots

• MISCELLANEOUS

  • Northern Lights

  • Trivia Question

  • Job Notices

  • Property

  • Death Notices

  • Weather

  • Join The Copper Post Business Directory

SPORT

Clan Na Gael GAA

Our lads are slowly starting back this month after a break for Christmas.
Hurling and football leagues will commence in February.

Wishing all our players on Development Squads the best of luck for their year ahead, and we hope you enjoy the experience.

Congratulations to Sean Mackey on his debut with the Waterford Senior Hurling Team — a fantastic and well-deserved achievement for Sean and his family.

Dunhill GAA

Kevin Burns RIP

Dunhill GAA would like to express its condolenses to the family of Kevin Burns and to Fenor GAA club were he gave so many years of loyal service. Kevin made a huge impact on everyone he met, in his club and in his community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

More Than Hurling & Football

A Huge Thank You for Your Continued Support

Thanks to YOU — our loyal members, Deise Draw, Split the Pot, and Golf Classic supporters — along with the Sports Capital & Grant Funding, we have made the following improvements to our facilities over the last 2-3 years:

• Hurling Wall & Astro

• Walking Track

• Robot Lawnmower

• Hedging Around Our Pitches

• Sanding of Our Pitches

• Attic & Cavity Wall Insulation

• CCTV Cameras

• PV Panels

• New Gym

• Gear Swap Storage Boxes

• New Dugouts (Currently Under Construction)

• And Many More Improvements Planned for 2026 and Beyond!

On behalf of the officers and committee, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your continued support. Your contributions are helping to create facilities that will serve future generations of players and supporters.

Healthy Club Step Challenge

The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Step Challenge runs until February 11.

Well done to all those who have already started and signed up to the app and a big thank you as we have already exceeded the 4000km mark and we will be included in the draw to potentially win a share in the €30,000 prize money'

If you haven’t signed up already, it’s not too late to join!

Get the MyLife by Irish Life app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

• iPhone users: https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/mylife-by-irish-life/id1459620652

• Android users: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.irishlife.mylife

Join the Challenge:
Open the app and go to the Social section, then Challenges.
Select your province (Munster) and find the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Steps Challenge 2026.
Find and select Dunhill GAA as your club to join us.

Track Your Steps:
Ensure your MyLife app is linked to your phone's health app (Apple Health or Samsung Health) or a wearable device (Fitbit, Garmin, etc.) to automatically track your steps. Steps can also be added manually.

We’re asking participants to help us collectively track 4,000km over 5 weeks, up until 11th February. Any club that reaches the 4,000km target by the finish date will be entered into a draw.

Three clubs per province will each win €2,500 in funding towards club development, facilities, and community initiatives.

Thank you in advance from Dunhill GAA Club & the Healthy Club sub-committee.

Consistently Inconsistent

We’re Lighting Up the Evenings Together!

Inconsistently Consistent are delighted to team up with Ireland Lights Up, another Dunhill GAA Healthy Clubs Initiative. 🌟

Fancy a walk or a light jog in good company? Come along and join us every Wednesday at 6:30pm at the Dunhill GAA Centre. It’s all about getting moving, meeting people, and enjoying the fresh air—no pressure, no pace targets, just showing up.

Bring a friend, bring a smile, and let’s light up the evenings together! 👟✨

The running group meets every Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. at the GAA Centre walking track in Dunhill. Contact Hilary for more information at 086-0809678. All are welcome.

Community Cardiac Care

Last month’s education and demonstration session, hosted by Brendan Groves, Paul Jackman and the Kilmacthomas Cardiac Response Group in the Dunhill GAA Centre, was a tremendous success. A special thank you also to Carmel Dunphy, Tombo White and the Healthy Club. The workshop equipped attendees with practical, potentially lifesaving knowledge on what to do if someone suffers a heart attack.

Participants learned how to call for help effectively and what information emergency services will request over the phone. The team also highlighted the location of the nearest defibrillator and explained how to access it quickly in an emergency. A hands-on demonstration showed how to use a defibrillator with confidence, and the group provided a clear, engaging CPR demonstration.

National Demographics Report

The recent demographic report by GAA's National Demographic Committee shows significant shifts that will affect clubs across Waterford.

Well done to Dunhill’s Senan Cooke who serves on the national committee that produced the report.  

Waterford has seen a 20.3% drop in children aged 0–5, one of the sharpest declines in the country. With 8,316 young children compared to 10,431 aged 6–11, future underage numbers will tighten.

The county also contains one very large club, Ballygunner, (1,200+ members), highlighting how population is becoming increasingly concentrated in Waterford City. Large urban clubs face capacity and facility demands, while many rural clubs face falling numbers and greater difficulty fielding teams.

Overall, Waterford accounts for 1.7% of Ireland’s 0–5 population, underscoring the county’s relatively small and shrinking young cohort.

The message is clear: Waterford GAA will need to plan for smaller rural bases, growing urban concentration, and reduced underage intake in the years ahead.

Despite clubs now acting as major community hubs—offering walking tracks, Healthy Club programmes and social initiatives—the report shows that non-playing community membership remains surprisingly low, presenting a clear opportunity. By encouraging new members, clubs can deepen local involvement and strengthen volunteer bases and build stronger community identity at a time when traditional structures are under pressure.

Christmas Tournament

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the teams and donated to the Social Hub. We had 5 teams, and TEAM 5 were the overall winners: James Ellickson, John Day, Gary Butler, Fred Moore, Micheal Casey, Jack Murray, and Zack Butler.

John Day was the top scorer and player of the tournament, while Aidan Griffin was awarded top keeper.

A total of €400 was raised for the Social Hub. Thank you to everyone for your support!

Dunhill GAA Centre

Join The Gym!
There’s no better time to kick-start your fitness goals at Dunhill GAA Centre Gym.

Call into the Centre during staffed gym hours which can be found on our socials or contact us directly on 083 876 1244.

Strength & Conditioning Training Classes 💪

🏋️ When? Every Tuesday & Thursday
📍 Where? Dunhill GAA Centre
📞 Contact: Tommy Colfer at 087-9725247

Expert-led Strength & Conditioning (S&C) training to improve fitness, strength, and endurance. Suitable for all levels!

Dunhill Squash Club

Happy New Year to all our members.

Congratulations to Dylan Dunphy, who finished 2nd in the recent Leinster Junior Open. A fantastic achievement for Dylan and his family.

Many thanks to Tom Murphy Car Sales for their ongoing support of our league, which is up and running at the moment. The finals of the Tom Murphy League will be played in early March.

Our annual blitz between the SC and Dunhill GAA Club, which is supported by the Healthy Club, was held over Christmas, with the SC earning bragging rights on this occasion. Well done to Lockie for stepping in at the last minute and giving a masterclass, leaving the lads in awe.

New members are always welcome. We cater for all ages and abilities.
Please email: [email protected]

Fenor GAA

The Late Kevin Burns

As the dust slowly settles on a very poignant period for the parish, and we come to terms with a new reality, Fenor GAA Club is truly grateful for the huge collective community effort that ensured our late colleague Kevin Burns, Woodstown, Annestown — President and long-time former player and chairman — received the fond farewell a person of his stature deserved.

Stunner’s immense contribution to family, club, community, and county was captured in a moving eulogy at his beautiful Requiem Mass, and in pages of condolences online. The lasting impression he made on so many people — from ex-Waterford Crystal workmates of “Cushy” to loyal farming stock to all who knew him throughout the GAA fraternity — was immeasurable.

“Stunner,” who passed peacefully at UHW on December 30th, was beyond one of a kind. He was an inimitable personality, an unmistakable influence, and a very caring friend. He absolutely loved life and all the people he met will never forget him. He always looked out for his family, his parish, and his neighbours, including Pa O'Grady and Francis ‘Boots’ Casey, who he is reunited with now.

His impact was evident in the enormous numbers who attended Kevin’s repose at his home in Woodstown, Annestown on Friday, January 2nd, and funeral in Fenor the following morning, when, after a last lap of the townlands he knew so well, including his native Kilfarrasy, a GAA guard of honour led the hearse & coffin from William Flynn Park to the Church.

There, the largest congregation seen in Fenor in many years flowed out of the chapel and onto the roadside as people came from all over to pay their respects. Kevin was laid to rest to the wistful strains of his old favourite Long, Long Before Your Time, sung by his brother Peter. His subsequent send-off in Mother McHugh’s befitted Stunner’s larger-than-life personality and huge social circle.

Kevin, whose month’s mind mass takes place on Saturday, 7th February, is greatly missed by his wife Marian, daughters Teresa, Mary, Áine, Siobhán and Ciara, his adored grandchildren, sons-in-law, brothers Justin, Gene and Peter, extended family, neighbours, and friends.

Sincere thanks once again to all those who gave so selflessly of their time, limitless supplies, and logistical know-how to cater for the masses who converged on the parish. It made this sad occasion a little easier on his loved ones and so representative of the things Kevin cherished most — family, friendship, solidarity, and community spirit. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. [JO'K]

The Late Pa O’Grady

The communities of Annestown, Fenor, Dunhill and beyond were deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of the incomparable Pa O’Grady on December 22nd.

Originally from Knockroe, Passage East, and the son of a fisherman/cooper, Pa’s family moved to Kill when he was six and went to school there before relocating to the Copper Coast, aged twelve. After living and working (driving a machine for McDonalds builders) in Tramore during his twenties, in 1978 he took up permanent residence at Woodstown, Annestown. There he became not just a neighbour but a beguiling presence — a man whose warmth, humour and generosity left an imprint on everyone he met.

Though his life was twice marked by profound tragedy, losing his sons Conor and Gary in heartbreaking circumstances, Pa carried the weight of his unimaginable sorrow with extraordinary dignity and positivity. “It’s not easy to keep going; you have to be strong,” he reasoned. That he was, always ready with a joke, a story, and that inimitable laugh. His resilience, kindness, and ability to lift others was as legendary as his personality.

Given his roots, Pa had a deep connection to the sea. In his youth, he’d gone to the Isle of Man curing herring from August into November for the best part of a decade. In later years, he was often ‘gone fishing’ off Dunabrattin Head and was a fixture at Boatstrand, filleting mackerel to sell in Tramore and generally keeping an eye on the harbour goings-on.

At home or out and about, Pa and his dog were inseparable. Turbo wasn’t just a pet — he was part of Pa’s identity and a constant companion. Right up to recently, the pair headed into Tramore on Saturday mornings to cheerily sell firewood — Pa’s retirement plan — and have the chats in the church car park. (Telling someone he had good dog wood for sale, Pa was asked how he knew it was dog wood. “You can tell by its bark,” he cackled.)

Comedy was Pa’s currency. Full of harmless mischief and showmanship, his Richie Kavanagh tribute remains immortal (even better than the real thing!) and his sketches with Dunphy’s Variety Group and Gaelach Gorm Theatre Group, Kill, and the Fenor Scór troupe routinely brought houses down across the county.

But while Pa played hard, he worked even harder and could turn his hand to almost anything. Having learned on the job and gone out on his own, his craftsmanship laid even floors, driveways and patios and raised impressive walls and arches — like the tasteful jobs he did for his close friend Sean O’Mahony when rebuilding O’Mahony’s Pub in Fenor a quick thirty years ago.

A community person, Pa also erected the first railing around Fenor GAA field a quarter of a century ago now and loved being up the front on Tractor & Vintage Runs, frequently leading the convoy through the likes of Kill and Stradbally in his little Davy Brown tractor, which was a regular entry in the Tramore St. Patrick’s Day Parade and became a vehicle for his uproarious ‘Mayor of Fenor’ run in 2011.

A regular at Waterford hurling matches via Stunner’s ‘luxury coach,’ Pa liked travel and enjoyed epic trips to places like Santa Ponza and Formula 1 Grand Prix with Sean, Jimmy ‘Skinner’ Flynn, and his great friend Gary Burns. Heartbroken by his passing, Gary had interviewed Pa in Fenor in 2018, a few feet from ‘The Pulpit’ where the bar-side banter was as colourful as his subject’s hats and t-shirts. “This one hits hard,” posted Gary. “Pa stood out — a pure gem among the few characters you meet in life. We travelled together home and abroad: Santander, Palermo, Bergamo, Barcelona, and as far-flung as
Lisdoonvarna. So many stories, so much laughter…”

Sentiments typified by a night in the summer of 2000 when friends — including his entertainment contemporaries — gathered in Mother McHugh’s to celebrate Pa’s 50th birthday. Angela Mulcahy read her poem Pa – A Man for All Seasons and presented him with a framed copy which he was very proud of. Also there were colleagues from the long-defunct Southsiders Soccer Club in Kill, which Pa helped found, and team-mates from the very first Seaview Celtic team in 1972, having operated as an effective if unorthodox forward for both. Pa was a handy darts player too, though his arrival into Harney’s on a donkey one time would put today’s TV oche walk-ons in the ha’penny place!

Leaving behind smiles, tales, and a legacy of kindness, Pa O’Grady was craic personified and one lovely man. His essence was captured by his son Norman in a fitting eulogy at the funeral mass in Dunhill on New Year’s Eve where his sisters and brother, daughter-in-law and adored grandchildren were joined in their sorrow by relatives, neighbours and hundreds of the countless friends Pa made.

Having abruptly left the stage, Pa’s absence is keenly felt. But his spirit will endure whenever his name is mentioned. [JO'K]

The Late Eddie Molloy

Sincere condolences are also extended to the family and friends of the late Eddie Molloy, Ballyscanlon, who died on January 18th. The popular dairy farmer — an intelligent, good-humoured, kind-hearted, and easy-going native of Co. Clare who loved animals, machinery, motorbikes, hurling, and conversation — was laid to rest in Fenor last Tuesday week. He is sadly missed by his sisters Geraldine and Attracta, the extended Molloy and Middleton families, many friends and neighbours. May Ned Rest in Peace. [JO'K]

Sean Bridges Long Gap

No more than his family, Fenor GAA Club is very proud of Sean Mackey’s deserved emergence on the Waterford senior hurling team.

A very dedicated and modest young man, Sean is the first player to hurl senior inter-county while with Fenor since Ray Cullinane in 1970. Wishing him and Waterford the very best of luck in the months ahead.

New Chairman

Wally O’Neill was elected chairman of Fenor GAA Club at its AGM on December 12. Sadly, his predecessor Kevin Burns’ stint as President, the only position in the club he hadn’t filled, was extremely short-lived. Wally, a tireless worker and ambassador for the club over many years, is also chair of Na Gaeil and Clan na Gael at underage level.

Wellies & Bellies

Our annual Christmas benefit game in aid of the new sensory room project at Fenor NS was a massive success. The presentation of the proceeds to follow shortly. Thanks to everyone who donated, played, and supported on the day.

ADVERT

Fenor Road Bowling Club

Beating the January blues, the club went down to our neighbours Killea on New Year’s Day for the Becki Taylor Memorial Day. Men’s Long Throw was won by Timmy Desmond and Ladies by Anna Power. Other members who were successful on the day were Gene Hourihan, Liam Power, Tim Barber and Paraic O’Leary, who all took home trophies for their endeavours.

Our AGM was held in Mother McHugh’s on the 10th of January. Honorary President Jimmy Flynn, Secretary Ken Savage, and Paraic O’Leary; Treasurers John Winter / Aiden Healey; PRO Liam Power / Paraic O’Leary; Recruitment Tommy Rowe; Health and Safety David Foran / Paddy Flavin. Minutes available on request from club members.

We were visited by a stag of 20 men from Paraic and Vicky of Windgap and Waterford City, respectively, on the 17th of January, who took on a challenge of a long shot amongst each other. After a few shots with the bowls—and some from the Jameson bottle—a winner was crowned for bragging rights. They then retired to Mother McHugh’s for some well-deserved refreshments before heading to Harneys for food and then on to a mystery bus.

Na Gaeil GAA

We’re always looking for new players of all ages to join our teams — come give it a try! Whether you’re new to the game or haven’t played for a while, this is a great opportunity to develop skills, make friends, and be part of a fantastic club.

📞 For more info, contact Na Gaeil secretary Michael O’Brien at 083-3344988.

Club Shop

Our Club Shop is open! Shop our fabulous new gear here:

https://www.oneills.com/shop-by-team/gaa/ireland/na-gaeil-dunhill-fenor.html

COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

Community Hall

Tickets now on sale for the fabulous Sean Keane on Friday 13th February. A regular visitor, Sean always delivers a superb performance thrilling old fans and new.

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/sean-keane-in-concert-tickets-1977151892534

Dunhill Eco Park

Jim Morrissey, from The Rower, Co. Kilkenny and Tramore, passed away recently. He will be sorely missed by many in Dunhill. He was the building contractor for projects in the local area including the Enterprise Centre and Cois Cille Housing Scheme. Jim was a craftsman builder and learned his trade with Mahon–McPhillips, a well-known Kilkenny-based building contractor. He was involved in building the Waterford Institute of Technology in the early 1970s.

In his youth, Jim was a very fine hurler and a member of The Rower–Inistioge senior hurling team with the great Eddie Keher, winning their only Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship in 1968. He was the master problem-solver and took such a personal interest in his work. He was a great friend. May he rest in peace.

Rachel Farrell (née O’Connell), from Abbeydorney, Co. Kerry and Butlerstown, died recently. She was employed by O’Connell–Meskill, Railway Square. For over 20 years she acted as auditor to DFBA and Dunhill EcoPark. Rachel was very interested in rural social enterprise development in the DFBA area. She was so generous with her time and advice, and so diligent in carrying out her professional duties.

We lost a great friend and financial advisor. Sincere sympathy to her family on their great loss. May she rest in peace.

Local Link Bus

TFI Local Link is a national initiative specifically aimed at people in rural areas who are excluded or may become excluded because transport is not available, accessible or affordable to them locally.

For more information phone TFI Local Link Waterford: 058 22076, Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm (closed for lunch from 1pm to 2pm) or visit https://www.locallinkwaterford.ie/bus-timetables/

EDUCATION & LEARNING

Dunhill NS

Christmas Concert

The Dunhill National School Christmas Concert was a huge success on the 11th and 12th of December — and it wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our local businesses and parents! 🙌💖

Thank you for sponsoring:

🎭 Class Plays
🎁 Raffle Prizes
📖 Pages in our Concert Programme

Your generosity helped us raise significant funds towards:

✅ Playground upgrades
✅ School events & activities
✅ Extracurricular programmes
✅ Essential learning materials

Tiny Tots

We were delighted to welcome all our little learners and their families back after the holidays.

We have been busy having lots of fun and learning songs to brighten the days and distract us all from the rain.

We are organising a fundraising textile bag collection — all donations can be dropped to the playschool before the 19th of February.

MISCELLANEOUS

Northern Lights

Trivia Question

What number replaces the question mark in the sequence below? 7 8 5 5 3 4 4 ? 9 7 8 8

Last Month’s Answer

January, July and October all have 31 days, but which of these months is the longest? Answer: The clocks go back in October so that month is an hour longer.

Job Notices

Property

Death Notices

Weather

Join The Copper Post Business Directory

📢 Join the new Business Directory for Dunhill, Fenor, Boatstrand & Annestown

We’re creating a local business directory to help people to shop locally, use local businesses and help connect businesses across Dunhill, Fenor, Boatstrand, and Annestown.

📲 There’s no cost and it’s free to join. To be added to the group please fill in this form: https://forms.gle/8bEwDz7CAcypHW2D7 or send a message to 087-6398362 

📲 There’s no cost and it’s free to join. To be added to the group please fill in this form: https://forms.gle/8bEwDz7CAcypHW2D7 or send a message to 087-6398362