Badgers support Day Care Centre

Members of the Badgers Over-40 Social Club presenting a cheque for €500 to Fethard & District Day Care Centre committee. Back L to R: Kitty O'Donnell, Geraldine McCarthy (Supervisor Fethard Day Care Centre), Kathy Aylward, Joan Gleeson, Michael Cleere (Day Care Centre Bus Driver) Kitty O'Sullivan, Ray Doheny, Richard Thompson, John Moxley, Philip Furnell, Maggie Brett, Sarah McManus, Margaret Thompson, Linda Moxley. Front L to R: Eileen Ryan, Colm McGrath, Andrew O'Donovan, Liam Hayes (Treasurer Fethard Day Care Centre), Des Martin and Fionnuala O'Sullivan (Secretary Fethard Day Care Centre).

Fethard Day Care provides a valuable and personal service in the community and like a lot of other services find themselves with financial pressures, with their funding reduced. This year alone funding is back by €10,000 which puts considerable constraints on the services they provide to our senior citizens.

Fethard Badgers donation was given with great appreciation of the service provided by the Centre and as Liam Hayes pointed out, donations of all sizes are very welcome and help greatly in reaching their target figure.

The badgers are an open member group of lads who come together to play fun soccer. At the moment we are enjoying great games in Killenaule on Thursday nights. Players are between the ages of thirty and fifty and come from Drangan, Moyglass, Gortnahoe, Killenaule as well as Fethard, which makes it a great social event for all outside of the soccer itself. Badgers are always open to other activities and new people are welcome at all times. Contact Colm McGrath at: 086 3502360.

Trad for Trocáire winners play at The Well
A great night’s entertainment is promised at The Well Bar, Burke Street, on Friday, December 28, when Gavin Strappe and his band will play a gig. Gavin is a son of Susan and Tommy Strappe, Fethard, and the band were winners of the ‘Trad for Trocáire’ Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann.

Christmas Mass Times

Abbey Church
Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24, Carols at 8pm followed by Mass at 8.30pm;
Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, at 9.30am and 11.30am.

Parish Church
Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24, at 7pm;
Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, at 8.30am and 11am.

Killusty Church of the Sacred Heart
Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24, at 8pm;
Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, at 10am.

The GOAL Mile
The annual GOAL Mile will take place again this year on Christmas Day, at 12 noon. Assemble at the Town Hall. Walk, jog, run, crawl, bring the dog! Whatever you fancy, come along and join in the fun.

Fethard Choral Society’s first public performance

Fethard's new Choral Society photographed with director Ann Barry in the Abymill Theatre before their first public performance in the Augustinian Abbey. Back L to R Paddy Broderick, Larry O'Gorman, Paul Hayes, David Tobin, Michael McCarthy, Jimmy Trehy. Fourth Row L to R: Mary Healy, Chrissie Cummins, Jocie Fitzgerald, Anita Maguire, Nell Broderick. Third row L to R: Maria O'Dwyer, Gemma Burke, Susanna Manton, Majella Walsh, Mairéad Fitzpatrick. Second Row L to R: Tina Whyte, Amy Lalor, Emma Lalor, Ciara Tillyer, Mary Smyth, Geraldine McCarthy, Marie Moclair, Shirley Clooney. Front L to R: Marian Gilpin, Joan Halpin, Noreen Sheehy, Ann Barry with Fiona Barry, Agnes Evans and Marie Smyth.

Fethard’s new Choral Society was very much acclaimed following their first public performance in the Augustinian Abbey last Sunday evening, December 16. The choir were joined by the junior choir from Holy Trinity National School, who also put on a great performance, which was enhanced by the appropriate setting of the acoustic Abbey church. After the carol service all were invited to a cheese and wine reception in the Abymill Theatre.

Ladies Football Club

Santa attended the Christmas party for the Ladies Football Club on Friday December 14.

Fethard Ladies Football Club are proud to send congratulations to Molly O'Meara, Ciara Hayes, Megan Coen and Kate Davey on their selection to the Under 14 County panel for 2013. Well done girls, and treasure your experiences when wearing the blue and gold for Tipperary.

A big ‘thank you’ to all who attended and helped out at our recent end-of-year party on Friday, December 14. It was great to see young (and not so young) enjoying themselves. Miceál Spillane, Jacqui O'Flynn and Mark Prout presented silver medals to the Under 12 team who reached the county league final. Anita Manton presented medals to the Under 14 team on behalf of Michael Hayes - the Under 14 team claimed top honours when they won the county league against some strong opposition. Tommy Sheehan, Michael Tillyer and Jarleth 'Foxy' Connolly presented medals to the Minor Team who reached a county final for the third year in row.

The committee would like to send Christmas Greetings to all our members, friends and sponsors and to say a big ‘thank you’ to all for their work throughout the year, helping to make 2012 a very memorable one for ladies’ football in Fethard. The next important event for the club will be our Annual General Meeting which is scheduled for after Christmas.

Fethard Macra News

Photographed at the official launch of South Tipp Macra’s Annual New Years Eve Ball 2012, which will be held in Cahir House Hotel, which is very befitting to the mystical Winter Wonderland theme. L to R: South Tipp Macra Miss Blue Jean Amanda Joyce, Secretary Emma Flynn, South Tipp Macra Queen of the Land Michelle Keating, Chair Una Ryan and Michael Moclair.

Well done to some of our members who took part in the indoor soccer competition on Sunday last, December 16, in Monroe Sport’s Complex. Unfortunately Fethard were not successful this time around but well done to Suirvale Macra Club who now go on to the next round of the competition.

Tickets for the New Year’s Eve Ball are on sale from our member Laurann O’Reilly on Tel: 085 7337432. This is guaranteed to be a great night in Cahir House Hotel starting at 8pm. Tickets are only €40 which includes drink reception, three course meal, band and D.J.

If you would like to get involved in ‘capers’ which is now taking place, and you can either sing, dance, play music, act, or do a bit of comedy, please contact any of our members.

Volleyball continues every Thursday night at 8.30pm in Clerihan Hall, new members always welcome. For more information about Fethard Macra or would like to join contact our chairman Liam Cleary on 086 3998711.

Since this is our last notice for 2012, we would like to wish everybody involved in Fethard Macra and all those who supported us in the last year a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

St. Vincent De Paul thanks
This year’s annual church gate collection for the society of St. Vincent De Paul exceeded expectations with a total amounting to €3,776 being donated. The committee were amazed with the generosity of the people of the parish, especially in these recessionary times and stated the money will be put to good use to improve the lives of those less fortunate living in our parish.

The committee were also very grateful to receive €432, proceeds from the raffle held at the reception for the new Fethard Choral Society following their first public performance at the Augustinian Abbey last Sunday.

St. Vincent de Paul is deeply grateful for your kind generous support and wish all a peaceful and happy Christmas.

Santa's Visit to Fethard

Rachael O'Loughlin visiting Santa at the Christmas Craft Fare in Fethard


Photographed at Fethard Festive Day are L to R: Michaela Doyle and Adam Dorney


Taking part in the Festive Friday Celebrations in Fethard were L to R: Shane Lawless, Cian O'Brien, Conor Harrington and Kyle Allen


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

Fethard & Killusty Lotto extra Christmas Prizes
The lucky numbers drawn on December 12 were: 3, 12, 23 and 30.
There was no Jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Stuart Looby, St. Patricks Place, Fethard; David Shelly, Moyglass, Fethard; and Mary Keane, Knockelly, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also won €50 each: Hannie Leahy, Annsgift, Fethard; Dick O'Brien, Chapel Lane, Fethard; and Emma O'Donohoe, Cois Falla, Fethard.

Winners of Christmas Hams were: Henry Smyth, Moyglass, Fethard; Margaret Carroll, Drangan; and M. Leahy, c/o Tom Purcell.

Winners of Christmas Turkeys were: Noel Sharpe, The Castle Inn, Fethard; Joan O'Donohoe, Moyglass, Fethard; and Pat Fox, Woodvale Walk, Fethard.

The next Lotto draw will take place on December 19. The Jackpot prize is €6,400 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €640. 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.

Ballylusky White Heathers

Ballylusky White Heather Harriers photographed at their lawn meet in Fethard

Fethard Bridge Club
At our Christmas Party on Sunday, December 16, held at McCarthy's Hotel the following Christmas prizes were presented:

1st Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John
2nd Gross: Berney Myles and Alice Quinn
3rd Gross: Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny
4th Gross: Nell Broderick and David O'Meara
5th Gross: Bridie Lee and Mike Burke
6th Gross: Carol Kenny and Gemma Burke
1st Nett: Kathleen Kenny and Ann O'Dea
2nd Nett: Anna Cooke and Bernie O'Meara
3rd Nett: Anne Connolly and Eileen Frewen
4th Nett: Annie O'Brien and Madeleine O'Donnell
5th Nett: Nora Lawrence and Philly Kenny
6th Nett: Kay Walsh and Rose Lonergan

Gross Turkey Prizes (played November 21, 2012)
1st Gross: Betty Walsh and Monica Anglim
2nd Gross: Berney Myles and Alice Quinn
3rd Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John
1st Nett: Anne Connolly and Eileen Frewen
2nd Nett: Marie Delaney and Annie O'Brien
3rd Nett: Anna Cooke and Bernie O'Meara

Nett Turkey Prizes (played November 28, 2012)
1st Nett: Annie O'Brien and Marie Delaney
2nd Nett: Sean O'Dea and David O'Meara
3rd Nett: Kay Walsh and Rose Lonergan
1st Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John
2nd Gross: Anna Cooke and Bernie O'Meara
3rd Gross: Berney Myles and Alice Quinn

Change of Partner Turkey Prizes (played December 5, 2012)
1st Gross: Ann O'Dea and Alice Quinn
2nd Gross: Ellen Rochford and Brendan Kenny
3rd Gross: Annie O'Brien and Rita Kane
1st Nett: Kathleen Kenny and Breda Walsh
2nd Nett: Nora Ryan and Gemma Burke
3rd Nett: Berney Myles and Mike Burke

Bridge resumes on January 9, 2013.

Have you seen this Dog?
We are happy to report that Kevin and his dog have been reunited following swift action and phone calls from you, our readers. Thank you.

Has anybody seen this young beagle in the Fethard area since Monday. The actual photograph is of the missing beagle's brother, but they both are pretty identical.

The dog went missing while exercising in the Moanbeg area of Fethard. If you have any information please contact Kevin Lawlor, Tel: 087 2842389.

Carol Service
The annual Christmas Carol Service will be held on this Sunday evening at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland. Refreshments served afterwards.  All are welcome.

St. Vincent De Paul thanks
This year’s annual church gate collection for the society of St. Vincent De Paul exceeded expectations with a total amounting to €3,776 being donated. The committee were amazed with the generosity of the people of the parish, especially in these recessionary times and stated the money will be put to good use to improve the lives of those less fortunate living in our parish.

The committee were also very grateful to receive €432, proceeds from the raffle held at the reception for the new Fethard Choral Society following their first public performance at the Augustinian Abbey last Sunday.

St. Vincent de Paul is deeply grateful for your kind generous support and wish all a peaceful and happy Christmas.

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.