Functions
The Tholsol has beaning adapted and had numerous functions over the years since it has beaning built. It is even suggested that when the tholsol was first built is was also used as an almshouse. This comes from Documentation of 1611 where Sir John Everard discussed with Sir Arthur Chichester the establishment of an almshouse for men outside the town against the south strip of the town wall.
Around the mid 1700s their is evidence form numerous maps suggesting that the town hall was used as the Market house and a Court house. This was an strange finding as the original Market house was located on the opposite side of the street. This would have have a huge effect on the Tholsol as the alms house would have become alot smaller to accommodate the Market house and Courthouse.
The return to the rear of the building was added in 1747. This allowed passage to the Courthouse which was situated at first floor level.
In the late 18th century the neighboring building was extended and was built over the west of the town hall.
Even more change came about in the 19th century. The east end of the building was leased as a dwelling to James Smith. The two story structure was separated from the rest of the townhall by rendered block.
Towards the end of the 1800s in 1896 the east end of the building was used as a libary, with the first floor used as an office for the town commissioner and the second floor used by the Fethard Amateur Dramatics. In the years to follow the library's bookstore was moved to the upper floors of the building.
For the majority of the 20th century the Thosol was used as the local fire Depot.
Up until recently the Tholsol was used as the training centre for the local judo club and the local farmers market.
The renovated building
visitor information and service centre
This will be located on the ground floor and will act as a reception area for visitors. It will be a flexible space and will cater for a seating capacity of 30. A visitor information point will be developed in conjunction with failte Ireland and will provide tourism information to visitors such as brochures, maps, guide books and souvenirs.
Catering services will also be put in place providing tea, coffee, snacks and other food options. There will also be a retail space here selling locally-made, high-quality arts, crafts, jewellery, books etc.
This space will also continue to be thee location for the weekly Country Market, Which is the oldest in Ireland.
Toilets will also be provided at ground floor level and will be the first public toilets in Fethard.
Catering services will also be put in place providing tea, coffee, snacks and other food options. There will also be a retail space here selling locally-made, high-quality arts, crafts, jewellery, books etc.
This space will also continue to be thee location for the weekly Country Market, Which is the oldest in Ireland.
Toilets will also be provided at ground floor level and will be the first public toilets in Fethard.
Viewing area & reopened doorway to Holy Trinity churchyard
A decked viewing area will be constructed at the rear of the building just below first floor level on the footprint of the demolished toilet block. This decking area will provide an attractive vista of Holy Trinity Church and graveyard, the Town Walls and the rural hinterland beyond. It is proposed to unblock a 17th century doorway in the wall separating the back yard of the Tholsel from the graveyard of the Holy Trinity Church. This will allow pedestrian access to the graveyard, church and town walls from the Tholsel.
Interpretive Centre and Exhibition Room
This will be located on the first floor which would have originally being used as the library and more recently the local judo club training hall. A series of audio-visual displays will form main exhibitions and will be based on topics of a local interest:
- History of Fethard:
- Coolmore Stud
- Slievenamon:
- Stella Days
- Ned Kelly
- Irish country's markets
- The Butler trial
The room will also be used during off peak times for private functions
Community Room and Fethard Historical Society Room
Also on the first floor down the corridor we have the community room and the Fethard Historical Society room the community room is traditionally known as the corporation room and was the location for Fethard Corporation meetings up to the 1990's. This room will be retained for community uses such meetings for the Fethard Business & Tourism Group and other Local community organisations.
The Fethard Historical Society room will be situated western end of the building which would of being the part of the building that was leased out to Mr James Smith. This room will be used by Fethard Historical society for a large collection of books, documents and other materials related to the history of Fethard. This room may be open to the public with some material on display.
The Fethard Historical Society room will be situated western end of the building which would of being the part of the building that was leased out to Mr James Smith. This room will be used by Fethard Historical society for a large collection of books, documents and other materials related to the history of Fethard. This room may be open to the public with some material on display.
Self-catering accommodation
The Second floor of the building will be renovated to a 2 bed roomed self-catering accommodation. This is keeping in tradition like when the part of the building was used in the 19th century as a dwelling for Mr James Smith. This Floor will be accessed via the lane way to the side of the building and the decking area at the rear of the building.