Festive weekend with Santa a great success

Large group of children who turned up to sing Carols as they waited for Santa to switch on the Christmas lights at Fethard's 'Festive Friday' on December 7.


Santa and his helpers arriving in Fethard on December 7

The organising committee of Fethard’s Festive Weekend would like to say a special thank you to anyone who helped in any way to make the weekend the brilliant success it was. From Monday, right through the week, we had great help with putting up Christmas decorations, building and decorating Santa's grotto, getting our ‘live crib’ organised and all the others bits and pieces that were done behind the scenes. Also a big thank you to the animal owners, Holy Trinity National School carol singers and members of ‘Dance Revolution’ who both performed on The Square. A special thanks to Santa and his group of helpers who looked after all the children he came to visit.


Santa's helpers enjoying the fun at Fethard's 'Festive Friday' on December 7. L to R: Michelle Walsh, Danielle Sheehan and Tara Horan.


Santa's helpers enjoying the fun at Fethard's 'Festive Friday'


Michael 'Magic' Ryan and his son Paddy waiting to meet Santa in Fethard.


Taking part in the Festive Friday Celebrations in Fethard were L to R Ciara Connolly, Katie O'Flynn and Amy Brophy


L to R: Bobby Purcell and Darragh Coleman waiting to meet Santa in Fethard

Red Ribbons for Christmas Tree
As a result of many people still inquiring about buying ‘red ribbons’ placed on our Christmas Tree on The Square to remember our deceased loved ones, tree ribbons will now be available to purchase at Newport’s Newsagency on Main Street. Please write the name on your ribbon and hang it around the Christmas or leave it at the shop and they will be collected and put up for you.


Looking at the 'Red Ribbons' at Fethard's Christmas Tree on The Square are L to R: Lesley Ann Prendergast and Tara Regan

Crafty Fingers workshop for Christmas
A Christmas craft workshop using recycled material, beads, wire, paper etc will be held in Fethard Youth Center on Saturday December 15, from 3pm to 5pm. Suitable for boys and girls in 4th, 5th, 6th class. Fee is €6 per child.

Fethard Macra News
Fethard Macra would like to thank everyone who turned up for our table quiz in support of the Jack and Jill foundation on Friday, November 16, in Anglim’s Bar, Cloneen. We were very grateful to the shops and business who gave us prizes for the raffle and also Anglim’s Bar for providing food and letting us use their premises.

Our indoor soccer competition for the county takes place on Sunday next, December 16, in Monroe Complex at 1pm.

Our Christmas party night out is on December 29, in McCarthy’s hotel, Fethard, with a meal in and drinks afterwards in some of the local pubs.

For more information on any of the events above or would like to join Fethar Macra, contact our chairman Liam Cleary on 086 3998711.

Town Hall Plans on Display

Photographed at Fethard Business and Tourism Group's open day to view proposed Town Hall development plans last weekend L to R: Catherine Corcoran, Conor Ryan, Bernadette Stocksborough and Maurice Moloney.

Patrician/Presentation Jottings
Christmas Exams
The end of term exams will commence on Thursday, December 13th. All pupils are encouraged to prepare well for these exams which are a measure of their progress during the term and a chance for the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert classes to revise last year’s work.

Congratulations
The school community congratulates Wicklow woman, Fionnuala Britton on winning the European Cross Country Championships on Sunday in Budapest and thus helping the Irish team to victory as well. She became the first woman to ever retain the European Cross-Country title in its 19-year history. She beat off a final challenge by Portugal's Ana Dulce Felix, who had earlier dropped to sixth and who made an extraordinary comeback to chase Fionnuala with the finish line in sight. Fionnuala is niece of our Principal, Mr Ernan Britton. Congratulations to him and all the family.

Humour Fit
On Wednesday, Mr Michael O’Donnell of the Humour Fit Theatre Company gave a splendid performance in two eighty-minute dramas based on the problems of bullying for junior pupils and depression for senior pupils. The event was organised by Ms Sinead Burke.

Tipperary GAA Cups to visit Fethard
Six cups won by the Tipperary county teams will be in the Fethard Arms on Friday, December 14. Refreshments and music provided on the night. All are welcome to see the Munster hurling /football cups, Munster intermediate and hurling cups and All-Ireland intermediate and minor hurling cups. A great nights entertainment is guaranteed so come along and meet some of the stars of the future and laud our own Michael Ryan who was manager of the successful Intermediate hurling team.

Fethard Choral Society’s first public performance
Fethard’s new Choral Society will hold their first public performance in the Augustinian Abbey at 7pm on Sunday, December 16. The choir will be joined by the junior choir from Fethard National School, who will also sing approximately three carols on the night. After the carol service there will be a cheese and wine reception in the Abymill Theatre and a raffle for St. Vincent De Paul. All are welcome.

Safety note for walkers
Through these Fethard notes we have been asked to remind those energetic walkers on the Moyglass road to wear a high-visibility jacket.
“It is every bit as important to wear this garment in daylight as in dark. Unfortunately this road contains more than its share of dangerous bends. I could name many individuals who do not wear jackets, so I ask you to please remember, not everybody drives slowly!” — From a concerned Moyglass driver.

With the Ballyluskey White Heathers

Ballylusky White Heather Harriers lawn meet in Fethard

Following the great hunt from our meet at Ballyluskey on Sunday, December 2, the Ballyluskey White Heathers enjoyed another excellent days hunting from our invitational meet at the Rectory, Fethard, for which we are most grateful to Mr Laurence Kenny and family and for the kind hospitality shown to all.

Hounds found quickly at the Rectory and hunted through Rice’s farmyard to Mouse Morris’ back to the Saucestown road and hunting very strongly crossed to Kilnockin Hill, out of Kilnockin again through Laurence Kenny’s to Downey’s Cross and Rice’s again, back to the Saucestown Road and were crossing for Kilnockin Hill where hounds were called off.

A short hunt followed out of Carroll’s and hounds found again at Byrne’s of Carrigbawn hunting through Grove wood to Sladagh Cross and back again to Grove wood where huntsman blew for home.
The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers’ meets over Christmas are: Sunday, December 16 at Loughcopple, Sunday, December 23, at Coleman; St. Stephen’s Day in Drangan and Sunday, December 30, at Orchardstown. All meets at 11am.

Christmas 'Bootcamp'

Colm McGrath photographed with his Bootcamp participants at their Christmas Party held in Lonergan's Bar.

Fethard GAA AGM
Fethard GAA Club will hold their AGM on December 16, at 2pm in the Fr. Tirry Centre. A full house will be expected and needed to organize for the incoming season.

Fethard & Killusty Lotto extra Christmas Prizes
Next week we continue our extra Christmas free draw for Christmas Turkeys and Hams so be sure to enter by buying a lotto ticket and have a chance of winning one in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
The lucky numbers drawn on December 5 were: 19, 20, 23 and 31.
There was no Jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Bridie Lee, Killusty, Fethard; Gwen Cooke, St. Patricks Place, Fethard; and Joan Gleeson, Knockelly, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also won €50 each: Eleanor Sheehan, Kilsheelan, Clonmel; Michael Ryan, c/o Nellie Ryan; and Margaret Thompson, c/o Nellie Donovan.
Winners of Christmas Hams were: Robert O'Riordan, Cloran, Cloneen; J. O'Donnell, c/o Tom Purcell; and Dorothy Connolly, The Green, Fethard.
Winners of Christmas Turkeys were: T.J. Sheehan, Killusty, Fethard; Mary Brett, The Valley, Fethard; and Peter McManus, Burke Street, Fethard

The next Lotto draw will take place on December 12. The Jackpot prize is €6,250 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €625. Lotto tickets can be purchased in local shops or online at www.fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets online and get one free! Check on the Fethard website for lots of special offers. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Best of Luck Tony

Santa, along with friends and stall holders at Fethard Car Boot Sale, wishing Tony Morgan the very best of luck on Saturday's Winning Streak.

We wish Tony Morgan, Fethard, the very best of luck when he appears on Saturday night’s Winning Streak with a chance to win a lot of money. The show will be broadcast on RTÉ One, Saturday, at 8.20pm.

Fethard & District Rugby Club
Fethard U7 & U8
Fethard U7s, Sean Fitzgerald and Padraig Duggan, joined forces with Carrick on Sunday and enjoyed a great extended tip rugby game against Waterford City. Sean Fitzgerald played with great speed and showed good passing and put some scores on the board.
Our U8s also joined forces with Carrick on Sunday to play Waterford City in a fine game from both sides. David McCormack was fantastic throughout, constantly tackling the opposition and ripping put ball to take on and score several tries. Michael Blake played a stormer showing fine tackling and picking ball to also score twice in the game. Anna Quigley showed good support and passing during the game and teammate Jack Quinlan was also a force to be reckoned with strong tackles and constant recycling of the ball. Thanks to Waterford for looking after everyone so well with great Christmas goody
bags for the players and fine refreshments for the coaches and parents.

Girls ‘new’ rugby game in January
Girls’ rugby training continues on Friday evenings. We have games coming up in January and welcome any new ladies from ages 13 up to 18. Please note, any girls U16 in 2013 and living in the parish of Fethard, we invite you to take part in a new sport called ‘Hybrid Rugby’ in the Community Games at the end of January. Please contact Valerie Connolly on 086 1704874 if you are interested.

Fethard U11s
The final blitz before Christmas saw Waterford City entertain both Fethard and Carrick on an unusually mild Sunday. Carrick U11s were Fethard’s first opposition and despite several rookie members in their team they were always threatening and quick to capitalise on any mistakes. Fethard showed the benefits of experience and worked the ball well through hands to run in scores. Carrick’s fierce rucking was contained and beaten back in a second-half display by Fethard using all they have learnt this season so far. A good win and a good game.
Next Fethard played Waterford City and managed to keep their focus between games. A blistering start had their hosts on the back foot and a relentless assault on the Waterford goal line kept our supporters happy and our team in good spirits and fine fettle as they go into the seasonal break. Fethard team: Mathew Burke, Ethan Coen, Angus MacDonald, Mark McCormack, Lucy Murphy, Sam Quigley-O'Dwyer, Richard Robinson and Eoin Walsh.

Emigrants’ Newsletter addresses
We expect to have the Emigrants Newsletter on sale in local shops on Friday, December 14, and we ask for change of addresses and new addresses of family members living away from home. As many of our emigrants move to new accommodation it is very important to keep our mailing list up to date. This year we will post up to 1,000 Newsletters free of charge to or family members and relatives throughout the world.


Annual Emigrants'Newsletter is now on sale in local shops and will be posted over the weekend to all our emigrants throughout the world.

Shoebox Appeal

Pupils of Fethard Holy Trinity National School photographed with their 'shoeboxes' filled with toys in aid of the annual Christmas Shoebox Appeal – an Irish project that promises to get your 'Christmas Shoebox' into the hands of a needy child in Eastern Europe. Included in photograph is local organiser, Monica Pollard.

Items for Fethard News and Website
Items for inclusion on the weekly Fethard News page on The Nationalist can be emailed before noon on Mondays to news@fethard.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.