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

In this month's newsletter...

• SPORT

  • Anne Valley 5 Mile Challenge

  • Dunhill GAA

  • Dunhill Squash Club

  • Fenor GAA

  • Fenor Road Bowling Club

  • Na Gaeil GAA

  • St. Anne’s

• BUSINESS FEATURE

• ARTS, HERITAGE & CULTURE

  • Down Memory Lane

  • Scór

  • World Ice Art Championships

• COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

  • Community Care & Social Hub

  • Community Hall

  • Swim For Cora

• EDUCATION & LEARNING

  • Ardscoil na Mara

  • Dunhill NS

  • Tiny Tots

• NATURE & ENVIRONMENT

  • Anne Valley

  • Dunhill Tidy Towns

• MISCELLANEOUS

  • Trivia Question

  • Job Notices

  • Property

  • Death Notices

  • Weather

  • Join The Copper Post Business Directory

SPORT

Anne Valley 5 Mile Challenge

Anne Valley 5 Mile – 30th May 2026 in aid of Junior’s for Junior’s.

Our exciting news is that the dreaded hill at mile 4 is gone. 😊 We will have a brand new, beautiful finish along our gorgeous Anne Valley walk to finish in our eco park beside the Happy Grind.

We can’t wait to see ye all on the 30th May for our new and exciting Anne Valley 5 Mile. This year’s event is very kindly sponsored once again by Alfie Hale Sports and Comerford Foley.
Without our sponsors, our race would not go ahead every year and we are very grateful to Daryl and Colin for their support again this year.

If you or your company would like to join us and support our great event raising much-needed funds for Junior’s for Junior’s, we would be delighted to have you on board.
Give us a shout, as every little bit of sponsorship will go a long way.

It’s great to see so many registered and we are sure that our new route is helping us with the numbers already registered… it’ll be a great day in Dunhill on the 30th May 👍

You can register now on the link below for only €13 and help us raise some much-needed funds for the brilliant cause Junior’s for Junior’s. 😀 

https://my.raceresult.com/390571/

Dunhill GAA

Waterford Representation

Congratulations to Simon Burns who made his Senior Waterford debut in the Munster Football Championsship against Tipperary.

It was lovely to see the Dunhill name back on the match day programme.

Congratulations also to John Day on making the Waterford Minor Hurling Panel. Best of luck to John and the team in their upcoming championship.

Dawn Walk

The Dunhill GAA Healthy Club, in conjunction with St. Anne's, are organising the Dawn Walk on the Anne Valley again this year on Sat. 9th May.

All funds raised will go to 'Re-A-Suir', which is a Waterford-based suicide prevention charity.
See donation link below:

https://www.paypal.com/IE/fundraiser/charity/5631094

Donation buckets will be available on the day also.

Please come along to support this worthy cause.

Sam Maguire

Big thank you to Cormac Daniels for organising the visit of Sam Maguire to Dunhill and all those who attended, helped and contributed.

The Kerry County Board has kindly offered the cup in honour of the late Mixie Palmer, who won an All-Ireland with Kerry in 1955 while playing with Dunhill.

Especially great turn out of players from Dunhill, Na Gaeil, Clanna Gael and St. Anne's.

Litter Pick

A big thank you to Éamonn Murphy and all those who turned out in force for the litter pick.

70+ bags of litter, a mattress, a gaming chair, a sun lounger, and assorted builders’ rubble were collected from the roads in the parish.

Dunhill Squash Club

Congratulations to everyone from Dunhill GAA Club who participated in the GAA League run over the last number of months.

Well done to Fred Moore on his victory in the final against Eamonn Murphy.
Looking forward to running the event again later this year.

The last league of the season is well underway. Many thanks to Dawn International for their generous sponsorship of this league. Semifinals and finals will be held over the next few weeks.

Best wishes to our Div 3 team on qualifying for the semifinals of the Munster Leagues.
They are playing Limerick Lawns Squash Club in Thurles this week.

New members always welcome — we cater for all abilities.

Please email [email protected] for more information.

Fenor GAA

Sean Mackey

Safe to say we're all smitten with the Waterford hurlers after Sunday's heart-stopping fightback against All-Ireland champions Tipperary in Walsh Park. Stuff kids will remember forever and take into training this week. Making a massive impact as a half-time substitute (reflected in media coverage), Sean Mackey became the first Fenor clubman to play senior championship hurling for Waterford in 56 years. He did us proud. Can't wait for Cork on home soil the weekend after next.

Net Result

A huge thank you to Mossie and Tommy from Maurice Murphy Plant Hire for their expert work installing new ball-stop netting backing behind the road goal at William Flynn Park.

Spanning a couple of weekends, the job involved lifting the monster 20-metre timber poles into position, anchoring them in place, and tensioning the support cables.

Thanks also to our club volunteers — particularly the “higher ups”, Wally O’Neill, Derek Farrell, and Finley Weir, plus Tom & co. on deck — who helped with everything from guiding the poles into place to securing the vast net once it was hoisted (with over 200 eye bolts having to be hammered in individually).

This project was a tall order (literally) but the lads pulled it off through great teamwork, both on the ground and in the air. Well done everyone.

County Leagues

Two trips into the west for football the past couple of weekends ended in a narrow but wasteful 'bare bones' defeat by Ballinacourty last Friday week and a more emphatic one in Ardmore on Saturday after a flat first half left us with a mountain to climb, though James Hayden's splendid long-range score-taking helped restore respectability.
Fenor resume their hurling league campaign in Ballydurn this Sunday at noon, with another long journey to Colligan the following Saturday night.

The lads' last small-ball outing was an excellent 1-15 to 1-12 win over Ballygunner (C) at wet and wild William Flynn Park on Good Friday. In what can only be described as cat conditions, Fenor, having facing a strong wind, found themselves just a point behind at the break (7/8), making light of the elements to play flowing hurling, full of astute passing and top-class handling.

The battling Conor Burns swooped for a well-struck goal off the ground to edge Fenor ahead in the second period and we kicked on from there, with Burnsy adding three points from play.

Ballygunner scored an unintended goal in near-darkness but Fenor were full value for the win on what was a bad night for the surface but a good one for morale.

Fenor team & scorers: Conor Rockett; Cian Queally, Jim Halley, James Hayden; Ollie Buck, Cian Rellis (0-2, 1f), Fintan Walsh; Mikey Nicholls (0-2), Paul Condon; Dylan Farrell; Mick Kelleher (0-1), Darragh Murphy; Conor Burns (1-3), Niall Power (0-4, 3f), David Cantwell (0-3); subs used: Peter Casey, Padraic O’Leary.

Scorers for footballers:
vs Ballinacourty (1-9, 0-10): Darragh Murphy, Fintan Walsh, John Heffernan, Iarla Hennessy (0-1 each), Ollie Buck (0-3: 1f), James Hayden (0-3: 2p, f).
vs Ardmore (4-16, 0-15): James Hayden (0-09: 4f, 2pt-f x 2), Cian Rellis (0-2), Paul Condon, Dylan Farrell, Conor Rockett, Darragh Murphy (0-1 apiece).

Win Australia Flight

🆕 Fenor Club is helping to promote this Waterford GAA fundraiser — a chance for families/friends to fly people home or head Down Under!!
✈️ 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲: Return flights IRL ⇄ AUS for 2 + €1K spending money
💶 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯: Gets 10% (dropdown > Fenor)
🎟️ 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: €10(1) €25(3) €40(5) €60(10)
🔗 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲: Online entry only – winwithwaterfordgaa.ie
📅 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄: Now June 2nd
🌱 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀: Support Déise teams

Fenor Road Bowling Club

All are welcome. We’re going to have a morning walk to remember some past friends and loved ones, starting at Fenor Village at 5am on the 9th of May and walking the Lake Road to the Bench for sunrise at 5.45 and a moment of reflection before returning via the Mountain Road back to the village, maybe even have a bowl back.

Please bring a head torch and high-vis vest.

All donations will go to Re-A-Suir: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B983SmUuN/

Na Gaeil GAA

Cúl Camp Returns

The Na Gaeil Cúl Camp will be in Dunhill/Fenor on June 29th to July 3rd. For the lower age limit, the child must be turning 6 in 2026.

Booking link below.

https://www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/booking/online/

New Recruits

Our Mini Gaeil Well Kids, Under 6 & 7s, Under 8 & 9s and our Under 10 & 11s are back training.

We’ve had a couple of new recruits over the past few weeks and both they and their parents are very welcome to the club.

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.

St. Anne’s

Waterford booked their place in the Munster Senior Camogie semi-finals after an epic extra-time win over Clare, with Niamh Rockett leading the charge. The St. Anne’s ace hit 0-10, keeping Waterford in touch during Clare’s strongest spells and repeatedly steadying the team when momentum threatened to slip away.

The game changed when Róisín Kirwan and Bevin Bowdren entered the action. Bowdren made an instant impact with two vital points, while Kirwan’s clever link-up play helped reignite the Déise attack during a tense closing spell. Their energy lifted Waterford at a time when Clare looked to be gaining control.

After Clare forced extra time with a late goal and the sides finished level for a tenth time, Waterford needed one last moment of magic — and Kirwan delivered it. With the final play of the 81-minute thriller, she split the posts to seal a dramatic 0-25 to 3-15 victory and send Waterford on to face Kerry in the semi-final. (Copper Post)

Waterford may have fallen to Wexford in the All-Ireland Minor A Camogie Championship, but Aishling Bonnar and Áine Mackey gave their local supporters plenty to cheer about with standout performances.

Bonnar was exceptional throughout, hitting 1-5 and keeping Waterford in the game almost single-handedly at times. Her late goal in the 59th minute sparked hope of a comeback, showing the determination and skill that have become her trademarks. Mackey also impressed, chipping in two well-taken points and working tirelessly in attack.

Despite Wexford’s eventual 2-13 to 1-9 win, with Katie Ryan proving hard to contain, the Waterford girls showed real fight and quality. Their performances were a bright spot on a day when the final score didn’t reflect the effort or heart on display.

A proud outing for two rising talents from our own corner of Waterford. (Copper Post)

BUSINESS FEATURE

ARTS, HERITAGE & CULTURE

Down Memory Lane

One of the old stock, the late Mikey O’Brien of Cahir Hill, Fenor, pictured relaxing with a pint of stout in the back bar of Mother McHughs in the late nineties.

A well-known and popular figure in the area, Mikey was originally from the Manachaun Hill, Kill, and worked as a farm labourer most of his days. He loved the local cards scene and nothing more than a game of thirties here in O’Mahonys. He also sang his own version of The Moon Behind The Hill, which always went down well.

Ever-cheerful and courteous, pipe-smoking Mikey was part of the furniture in Fenor and it’s hard to believe his 25th anniversary was in early 2025. (Jamie O’Keeffe)

Scór

Congratulations to Meibhin Connolly, Kate Dwan, Hannah Jones, Aoife McCormack, and Clara Casey, along with their mentor, Mairead Murphy, on this fantastic achievement. A sincere thank you to Dunhill GAA for generously providing the use of the Sports Centre for the girls’ practice.

Mairead is continuing a very proud family tradition, congratulations.

World Ice Art Championships

There has been further success for Fenor’s John Hayes who battled to make history at the World Ice Art Championships in Alaska. He became the first Irish man, among more than 100 participants from around the world, to compete in the Championships, which began in 1989 and are held annually.

The contest sees teams tasked with carving ice into abstract or ultra-realistic works of art. The piece entitled “The Cat Lady” that was created by John and his team earned them a fourth-place position.

John, well-known to many through Special Branch Carvers, is certainly now showcasing his talents on a global scale.

COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

Community Care & Social Hub

The local Social Hub decided to do something a little different for our latest gathering and treated attendees to a delightful afternoon tea at the beautiful Mount Congreve Estate. Nestled in stunning surroundings, it was the perfect setting for a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon, with plenty of music, chat, laughter and delicious treats shared among friends.

We were warmly welcomed on arrival by Ray Sinnott, Estate Manager, who looked after us exceptionally well and ensured everyone was made feel right at home. His warm hospitality and attention to detail added greatly to the occasion and helped make the visit all the more special.

There was also a lovely local connection to the day, as Ray’s mother, Joan, is originally from Dunhill and is a member of the well-known Dunhphy family from Shanaclune. That shared local link made the visit even more meaningful and added an extra sense of familiarity to what was already a very special afternoon.

It was a wonderful change of pace for the Social Hub group, and the trip to Mount Congreve Estate was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Between the elegant setting, warm welcome and excellent afternoon tea, it was an outing to remember.

The next Social Hub will take place in Dunhill Community Hall on Thursday, 21st May 2026, from 2pm to 4pm. All are welcome.

Community Hall

Karan Casey Sat 23rd May

Fans of WLR's Saturday Cafe with Maria McCann will be hearing from the fantastic Karan Casey as she talks about her career and her upcoming concert in Dunhill Community Hall.

Tickets are selling fast - so don't miss out.  Tickets €25 available from Eventbrite   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982355887824?aff=oddtdtcreator

Karan hails from nearby Ballyduff.  She has been blazing a trail for more than 30 years. A lover of ballads, love songs and searing versions of social justice songs, fond of a good yarn, she has toured the world making deep connections with her audience via Ireland’s past while crucially repositioning women and songs in a universal and a modern setting.

Hear some of her work on YouTube Karan Casey

Swim For Cora

Swim for Cora will take place on May 3rd in Annestown Beach at 1pm. This is a fundraising event in memory of Cora Griffin, who died suddenly at only 14 years old. This swim is held on her birthday weekend annually to celebrate her short but impactful life. Each year we fundraise and donate money to a charity which is close to the Griffin family’s hearts.

This year we set out to support one of our own, a local lad Daryl Swift, currently recovering in Australia after recent knee surgery, where he did severe damage to his MCL, ACL, and meniscus. All proceeds on the day will go towards medical costs, physio, and other associated costs as he works his way back to full strength.

Unfortunately, playing hurling in Australia comes with minimal cover for sports-related injuries. High cost of living and loss of work left Daryl with no other choice than to opt for a self-funded private surgery.

https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/swimforcora

EDUCATION & LEARNING

Ardscoil na Mara

Congratulations to Daniel O’Neill and Edward Moore, representing Ard Scoil Na Mara Tramore, on being selected as one of the five finalists in the Certified Irish Angus Competition.

They will receive their prize of 5 Angus Calves at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.

They will also have the opportunity to visit the EU Parliament in Brussels.

Dunhill NS

80th Anniversary

A Proud Learning Tradition

As we look forward to celebrating the 80th anniversary of the opening of the “new” Dunhill School in 1946, it is worth remembering that education in Dunhill did not begin with the school building we know today. Long before the doors of the new school opened, there was already a strong and proud tradition of learning in the parish — a tradition built on faith, community spirit, and a deep belief in the value of education.

A remarkable report from the Munster Express of July 1901 offers us a vivid glimpse into school life in Dunhill almost half a century before the present school was opened. It paints a picture of a parish where education was cherished, where children were well taught, and where school stood at the heart of community life.

In June 1901, the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, the Most Rev. Dr. Sheehan, visited Dunhill Church for his triennial visitation and to examine the children from Dunhill and Fenor schools who were preparing for Confirmation. This was no small occasion. The Bishop was received with full ceremony by Rev. William Browne, P.P., and Rev. D. Hassett, and the church was filled with children singing as the procession made its way to the sanctuary.

What stands out most in the newspaper account is the praise given to the schoolchildren of Dunhill and Fenor. After a long and rigorous examination, the Bishop declared himself highly pleased with the children’s answers and their level of preparation. Their singing was described as excellent, their responses intelligent, and their instruction careful and thorough. Most notably of all, not one child was rejected.

That single line speaks volumes.

In an era when such examinations were known to be strict, the success of every child reflected the high standards already being upheld in the schools of Dunhill and Fenor. It was a tribute not only to the children themselves, but also to the dedication of their teachers, the encouragement of their parents, and the leadership of their clergy. Even in 1901, education in Dunhill was something to be taken seriously — and something to be proud of.

The Bishop himself underlined this when he spoke to the congregation of the duty of parents to send their children regularly to school. His message was clear: education mattered, and it mattered deeply to the future of the parish.

Just days later, that same spirit of care and community was seen again in an extraordinary treat organised for the children of Dunhill School.

In July 1901, Rev. William Browne proposed a grand excursion for the schoolchildren — an event that was immediately supported by teachers, parishioners, and local families. Over 150 children took part in what must have been one of the great days of their young lives.

Sixteen horse-drawn jaunting cars, along with a waggonette, set out from Dunhill for Curraghmore, accompanied by farmers, families, and friends. The journey was filled with songs, laughter, and excitement. At Curraghmore, the children explored the grounds, climbed to Clonegam Church and steeple, watched deer roaming nearby, and marvelled at the famous Shell House. Food was shared, songs were sung, and the children were praised for their good order and behaviour throughout the day.

The newspaper tells us that “the day will never be forgotten by them.”

That line too tells us much.

It reminds us that school in Dunhill was never only about lessons in books. It was about belonging. It was about community. It was about giving children not only education, but joy, confidence, discipline, and memories to carry with them through life.

These scenes from 1901 reveal something very important as we prepare to mark the 80th anniversary of the opening of Dunhill’s new school in 1946. They remind us that when the new school building opened its doors, it was not the beginning of education in Dunhill — it was the continuation of a proud and already flourishing tradition.

By 1946, Dunhill was not starting from scratch. The new school was built on strong foundations laid by generations before: by teachers who demanded high standards, by parents who valued learning, by clergy who championed education, and by a community that rallied around its children.

That is the legacy we celebrate.

When we mark 80 years of the 1946 school later this year, we will rightly celebrate the building itself and all that has happened within its walls. But we also celebrate something older and deeper — the enduring belief in education that had already taken root in Dunhill long before 1946.

The story of Dunhill School did not begin with bricks and mortar.

It began with people.

And that is a history in which Dunhill can take great pride. (Helen Laffan)

Tiny Tots

Our little learners have been enjoying the sunshine in the outdoor classroom.
The outdoor classroom has been a wonderful addition to our lovely playschool, using natural materials and plenty of space to create and explore through play.

📞 Phone: 089-4231867
📧 Email: [email protected]
📘 Find us on Facebook for updates and more information.

NATURE & ENVIRONMENT

Anne Valley

Tree Planting

In March, 50 native Irish trees including Birch, Elder, and Oak were donated to the trail. Some members of the Anne Valley Committee, along with some local volunteers, helped plant the trees along the first section of the trail.

Dogs On Leads

Recently, the Dog Warden has visited the village. Unfortunately, he has already issued fines for non-compliance with dog control rules.

So please keep your dog on a lead when you visit the valley.

Dunhill Tidy Towns

Information Boards

Good news! The Waterford Council Heritage Section has agreed to provide signs for both dolmens in Dunhill. We have gone down various routes over the last 3 years to try and secure these signs. They tasked Tidy Towns to provide content for the signs, and the Council will fund the signs and the graphics. Below are the drafts sent to the Council for review.

Old Stone Trough

Dunhill Tidy Towns are looking for an old stone trough , approx 4ft to match the old water pump recently place in the village. If you have one to donate or sell contact Martin at 0876992980 .

MISCELLANEOUS

Trivia Question

Last Month’s Answer

It takes 5 machines 5 minute to make 5 doughnuts. How long does it take 100 machines to make 100 doughnuts?

Answer: 5 minutes.

If 5 machines make 5 doughnuts in 5 minutes, it means that each machine produces exactly 1 doughnut every 5 minutes. 100 machines will makes 100 doughnuts in 5 minutes.

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