Died Recently
The death has occurred on December 5, 2013, of Bro. Ultan O'Mahony (aged 97), Patrician Brothers Monastery, Newbridge. Bro Ultan, along with Bro Paul and Br. Raymond, were the last Patrician Brothers to teach in Fethard before they left in July 1993 and the monastry was sold.

Deeply regretted by his sister-in-law Mary Jane, niece-in-law Mary, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and all of his fellow Patrician Brothers, neighbours, relatives and friends.
May he Rest in Peace.

Reposing at the Patrician Brothers Monastery, Newbridge from 5pm on Friday evening with prayers at 7pm. Removal on Saturday morning at 10.30am to arrive at St. Conleth's Parish Church for 11am Mass, with funeral afterwards to St. Conleth's Cemetery, Newbridge

Christmas Street Lights collection
A church gate collection to help defray the cost of Christmas Street Lights in Fethard will be held next weekend, December 14 and 15, and we ask for your continued support for this much appreciated seasonal effort to enhance our town.

Leaving Cert '78, '79 and '80 Class Reunion
Calling all leaving cert students at Patrician Presentation Secondary School during 1978, 1979 and 1980, to a school reunion in the Fethard Arms on Friday, Dccember 27, from 8pm. Contact any of the organisers: Sean O'Donovan, Susanna Manton, Catherine O'Connell and Maree Moclair or email: fethardreunion@outlook.com

There is also a Facebook page set up at https://www.facebook.com/messages/pres.patrician


Leaving Cert class c1980. Back L to R: Noel Murray, Richard Trayer, Trudy Phelan, Majella Pollard, Pat Fahey, Martina Murphy, Donal Tobin, Sally Dunne, Pat Fitzgerald, Teresa Quinn, Don Paul O'Rourke, Kathleen Denn, C.J. Skehan, Paul Wyatt. Front L to R: Margaret O'Dea, Mary Keane, Carmel Butler, Carol Cunningham, Joan Brett, Caroline Guiry, Martina O'Connell, Catherine Lawrence, Patricia Coffey and Mary Meaney.

Fethard Community Playground now open

Fethard Community Playground opened to the public on Saturday, December 7, and the official opening will take place in the New Year. Opening hours for winter are 9am to 5pm.

Two new Digital Recollections online
Interviews with Madge Hurley and Jimmy O'Shea, Fethard, two of the recent interviews by Holy Trinity National School pupils as part of the Muintir na Tire’s recent ‘Digital Recollections’ project.

Interview with Madge Hurley Congress Terrace, Fethard.

Interview with Jimmy O'Shea, Burke Street, Fethard.

Christmas Carol Service on Sunday, December 15

Fethard Choral Group at practice in the Augustinian Abbey. Back L to R: Fiona Browne, Jim Trehy, John Fogarty, Michael McCarthy, Paul Hayes, Paddy Broderick, Brian Guiry, Bernard Walsh, Michael Kenrick, Joan Halpin. Middle L to R: Tina Whyte, Chrissie Cummins, Josie Fitzgerald, Mary Smyth, Susanne Manton, Marie Murphy, Nell Broderick, Marian Gilpin, Shirley Clooney, Ruth Farrell. Front L to R: Ciara Tillyer, Catherine Smyth, Anita Maguire, Geraldine McCarthy, Laura Cummins, Majella Walsh, Mary Healy, Maree Moclair, Noreen Sheedy and Ann Barry (Musical Director). Absent from photo were Maria O’Dwyer, Emma Lalor, Gemma Burke and Amy Lalor.

Fethard Choral society, under the musical director Ann Barry have just finished their recording of the 'Little Drummer Boy' for the RTE Lyric FM ‘Carols for Christmas’ competition. Ciara Tillyer sung the first verse solo and Ted Barrett played the snare drum to accompany the singers. The choir will be performing their Christmas Carol Service on Sunday December 15, in the Abbey Church Fethard at 7pm. The children’s choir from the local primary and secondary schools will also sing on the night. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Fethard Christmas Festival this weekend
Christmas officially begins in Fethard this weekend on, Friday December 6, with carols, music and dancing on The Square at 4pm. We expect Santa to arrive shortly afterwards by horse and carriage and officially turn on the Christmas lights. Santa and his helpers will then move to the community convent hall where he will meet all the boys and girls. This year there will be no queuing outside in the cold instead there is a special kids Christmas disco in the hall while waiting to meet Santa. On Saturday morning at 10am there is a Christmas Country Market on the street followed by Tipp FM broadcasting from Main Street. All are welcome.

Fethard Business & Tourism Group launch weekend draw
Fethard Business & Tourism Group are having a Christmas Festival event. Every business in Fethard are offering extra special offers and deals over the weekend. Any purchase receipt over the weekend will be entered into a draw for a First Prize of €300, Second Prize of €50 and Third Prize of €50, so enter as many times as you like. Thank you for your support of local businesses and services and this is greatly appreciated. Drop in or call and see what great value there is in Fethard. You might be the lucky one!

Christmas Country Market
Saturday morning Fethard will host our Christmas Country Market with groups form around the country descending on Fethard with their home grown produce and homemade wares. Wreaths, holly, plum puddings, chutneys and tons more, so see you Saturday morning. Country Markets was founded in Fethard in 1947.

Schools Poster Competition
Our Christmas Festival posters are up in different shop windows around the town. The theme is Christmas Festival and are all made by our local school pupils and your vote is needed to pick the winner. Select your favourite poster which are individually numbered, the vote just write this number on the back of any receipt that you purchase in Fethard and put it in the entry box. The winning student gets €50. So start voting now!

Family Quiz to win a Hamper
On Saturday, December 7, from 10am to 5pm the Fethard Historical Society are hosting a stall in the Town Hall and the centrepiece of the day will be a ‘Know your Town’ quiz sheet that all the family can contribute to in an effort to win a selection of seasonal prizes, especially the first prize of an attractive hamper. Entry fee is only €2 per family and you have as long as you like on the day to go around the town to figure out the correct answers. It should be lots of fun, with a few good-humoured arguments thrown in along the way!

Christmas Presents for Sale
Some old fashioned Christmas presents will also be on sale alongside the Historical Society stand; from toys made from wood, to Sheela na gig plaques and jewellery, to miniature medieval figurines and there will also be a selection of ‘collectables’ on offer. So you may just come across a few unusual ‘stocking fillers’ that would solve some of your Christmas present buying problems. Again, Town Hall from 10am to 5pm on Saturday.

Red Ribbon Christmas Appeal
This coming weekend starts the local Red Ribbon Christmas Appeal as part of the Fethard ‘Christmas Festival’. Ribbons will be for sale outside the post office on Thursday and Friday, and on The Square on Saturday morning, where you can write the name of a deceased loved one you would like to remember over the festive season and the ribbons will be blessed and hung on the church railing. The cost of the ribbons are €3 each. This was a great success last year and we look forward to your continued support this year. The money raised is used for deserving local causes.

Sean Keane Christmas tour for the Abymill
The Abymill Theatre presents Sean Keane and friends with their ‘Christmas by the Hearth’ tour on Saturday, December 28. This concert will provide a wonderful night of music and song from that great singer whose voice has a superb unique tone, Sean has the ability to take any song and make it his own – a master musician who can also play any instrument.

Early booking is advised (maybe the perfect Christmas present for music lovers) Sean concert will commence at 8pm in the Abymill on Saturday, December 28. If you want to make it a ‘Christmas to Remember’ book your tickets now at: 086-0834208.

Hayley awarded Excellence Awards Certificate

Hayley Ryan pictured with local piano teacher Stuart Clooney, Cashel Road, Fethard.

Hayley Ryan, Burke Street, Fethard, was recently awarded an Excellence Awards Certificate from the Leinster School of Music and Drama for her piano recitals at a competition that featured 100 of the top musicians nominated by examiners and selected to take part in the annual event in Griffith College in Dublin. Hayley is a student of piano teacher Stuart Clooney, Cashel Road, Fethard. Well done Hayley on representing Fethard in the competition.

White Heather Harriers
The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers will meet next Sunday, December 8, at The Rectory, Fethard, and the following Sunday, December 15, at Loughcopple both meets start at 11am.

Fethard Macra

Fethard Macra members enjoying their recent trip to the Dogs in Waterford.

Our last club meeting was held in McCarthys Hotel, Fethard, on Thursday, November 28. There was a very good attendance. A number of events have been planned for Christmas and the New Year. After the meeting, club members Pat Murphy, Liam Cleary and Kevin Byrne took part in an interview about Fethard Macra with Eamon Ryan for Tipp FM’s ‘Down Your Way’ programme. This interview is due to go on air either Thursday or Sunday of this week.

The club is looking for new members to take part in the upcoming drama competition. Volleyball takes place every Tuesday night in Clerihan at 8.30pm. Tickets are now on sale for the South Tipp New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball in Cahir House Hotel – a great way to ring in the New Year!

New Members are always welcome, contact Pat Murphy on 086 2131802 or check us out on Facebook.

Nominees for November ‘Sports Achievement Award’

Tom Halpin, one of the nominees for the November Achievement Awardm is photographed here running the Half-Marathon in Clonmel recently, can be very proud of his recent run in the Dublin City Marathon with a great time coming home of 2:58:54 finishing third in the over-55 section.

The nominees for the Butler’s Bar ‘Sports Achievement Award’ for November are as follows:

David Standbridge – During November David’s greyhound ‘Hypnotic Reason’ won the Irish Grand National at Harold’s Cross greyhound stadium in Dublin.

Kevin Shelly – Kevin was nominated because he coached a Moyglass U13 girls’ athletic team to win gold at the County Cross Country Championships.

Paul Tobin – Paul runs the Fethard Taekwondo school and recently one of his charges, Aine Ryan, won a bronze medal for sparring at an international meeting in London.

Harry Kelly – This local trainer continued his winning ways during November with three winners, two seconds and a third. His winners were ‘Oscars Passion’ at Punchestown, ‘The Housekeeper’ at Fairyhouse and ‘Inarticulate’ won a point-to-point at Boulta, Co. Cork.

Tom Halpin – Tom can be very proud of his recent run in the Dublin City Marathon with a great time coming home of 2:58:54 finishing third in the over-55 section.

Edel Roche - Another athlete who in spite of only taking to the roads recently completed the Dublin City Marathon in a personal best time of 3:32:59.

Winner will be announced at a function in Butler’s Bar on Friday night next at 10pm.

Neilie and Tom raise over €2,000 for Hospice
Sincere congratulations to Neilie Hall and Tom Halpin who together raised €2,079 for South Tipperary Hospice Support Group, by taking part in the Dublin City Marathon. This was Neilie's 18th consecutive run in the Marathon, and Tom finished 3rd overall in the men’s over 55 section. Well done to all concerned.

Outing to Fethard Park and Folk Museum
Mrs Fitzgerald (teacher) and pupils from Holy Trinity National School photographed on an outing to Fethard Park and Folk Museum

Extra Christmas Prizes in Community Lotto
We will have extra Christmas prizes each week of three Turkeys and three Ham on December 4, 11 and 18. The Lotto will then take a two-week break over the Christmas period and return again on Wednesday, January 8.

Remember you can purchase your lotto ticket online at fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets and get one free! Check on the website for lots of special offers. Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, December 4. The Jackpot is €6,550 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €655. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

The numbers drawn on November 7 were: 10, 24, 26 and 31. We had no jackpot winner and on ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150 each: Tanya Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners won €50 each: Bridget Ryan, Loughcopple, Killusty; Gus Slattery, Kilnockin, Fethard; and Brian Sheehy, Garrinch, Fethard.

Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party
Fethard's Senior Citizens' Club members enjoyed their annual Christmas party on Sunday, December 1, at The Anner Hotel, Thurles. Before we set off for Thurles we all attended 11.30am Mass in the Augustinian Abbey, the perfect start for our Christmas Party. A surprise guest, Billy McLellan, accompanied by Pauline Morrissey, entertained the group with music, stories and song after dinner.

The committee would like to thank the local businesses that kindly sponsored prizes and ‘surprises’ for our Senior Citizens. Thank you to everyone who supported our club by buying tickets for our Christmas raffle. The lucky winners were: 1st prize €200 to Pat Grant, Fethard; 2nd €100 to Richard Butler, Cloneen; 3rd Prize Christmas Cake and Whiskey to Joan Ryan, Rosegreen; 4th Prize Sherry and Whiskey to Mary Harrington, Garrinch; and 5th Prize Tin of Biscuits to Kathleen Burke, Lisronagh.

Hayes' Betting Office closes

Photographed on the final day's trading of Hayes' Booking Office at Burke Street, Fethard, on Saturday, November 30, 3013. L to R: Tommy O'Connor, Dick Fitzgerald, Vincent Cummins (staff), Davy Maher (staff) and Joe Murphy.

GAA Lotto Results
There was no winner of this week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 11, 13, 22 and 24. There was five lucky dips drawn and the following winners receive €30 each: Kathleen Fleming, Coolmore; Catriona Williams, Killusty; Cora McGarry, Burke Street; Billy Byrnes, Merrys Clonmel; and Tom Anglim, Kilknockin. The winner of the €50 lucky dip was Breda Burke, Main Street, Fethard. Well done to all. Next weeks jackpot will be €2400 and the draw will take place in Burkes Bar on December 3. Thanks to all for the continued support.

Presentation Day 2013
Best wishes to Sr. Winnie and all the Presentation Community on their feast day which was celebrated on November 21. We send wishes in particular to former Secondary School staff members, Sr. Annunciata and Sr. Juliana who still works in the Pastoral Care area of the secondary school. Patrician Presentation school continues to have close contact with the Presentation Community and thank them for the use of their chapel for school ceremonies during the year and their on-going support of our work.

Fethard & District Rugby Club
Our Fethard U7s and under U8s joined forces for two fine games of rugby in Dungarvan last Sunday. First up we played a finely tuned Dungarvan, then took on a progressing Carrick team. Our new recruits Sean Nash and Darragh Linnane with Brian got off to a solid start putting in great tackles throughout and producing fine runs for scores. Sam Austin tackled superbly and produced an awesome try as did Noah O'Flynn who gave his all in tackling and ball carrying resulting in a try. Shane Ryan with Joseph Fitzgerald and Sean Fitzgerald were also tough tacklers great ball carriers to put scores on the board. Not forgetting Paraic O'Connor and Gavin Neville who robbed ball and put in speedy sprints to score more tries. A great morning of rugby was had and thank you to Dungarvan for the hospitality. Please check with coaches about next weekend’s games.

Fethard U12
The grey drizzle gave way to a pleasant December morning on the south coast as Fethard travelled to Dungarvan where their first match was against Carrick-on-Suir. Carrick have always been a team for direct play and no exception here; good hands passing the ball and carrying into contact were their plusses. Unfortunately this time it played into Fethard hands as today Fethard rucked like they have never rucked before. Eabha Fitzgerald and Mathew Burke going in hard and low, clearing out over the ball giving plenty of space for Iain Harrington to move the ball out wide where Eoin Walsh and Tom Hayden ran with poise and precision. A fast moving and enjoyable game that Fethard worked hard to control and eventually came out on top.

Dungarvan looked a much more physically imposing proposition but Fethard laid down some early markers with big tackles from David Gunn and Angus Macdonald, again the rucking was hard and fast and Ryan Walsh, in particular, made the most of loose ball and repeatedly drove through the line releasing Declan Hayes whose support work was exemplary and who ran well with the ball and didn't waste ball in the tackle. The Dungarvan back line had shown they could run and pass the ball but Fethard cut them out with some direct play and when the move came there was no reply. Well done Fethard.

Fethard U9s
Fethard U9 beat Carrick-on-Suir 6-2 with tries from Tomas Ryan (2), William Cleere, Padraig O’Dwyer, Michael Corcoran and David McCormack. This team are getting better every game with great tackling from Louis, Michael James, Joseph, Luke and also superb rucking from Cathal, Daithi and Mark. They also made great runs on the wings, with their lineouts and scrumming excellent.
Team: Luke Ryan, Padraig O’Dwyer, Tomas Ryan, Robbie Noonan, William Cleere, Mark Neville, Joseph O’Flynn, Michael Corcoran, Louis Ryan, Michael James Phelan, Cathal Linnane, Daithi Hogan and David McCormack.

Gleeson League win for Fethard seniors
Fethard seniors put in a fine performance to secure a fine victory over Clanwilliam in the Gleeson league on Saturday last. Clan were first to secure points with a well taken penalty. In fairness it was clan who dominated much of the first half, however, Fethard settled into the game and with Philip Ivors and Shane Kavanagh making the hard yards, Declan Doyle fed Jimmy Pollard who touched down under the post scoring his first try for Fethard. Doyler converted. The second half was a different story with Fethard dominating from start to finish and when Philip Ivors broke from a lineout and ran half the pitch to score, Fethard continued to dominate and further tries were added by Kieran Power and Joe Fazh. Other good performances were from Matthew Ryan, John Boy Ryan, Kevin Pollard and Emmet O’Mahony. Next week we play Young Munster at home on Saturday at 2.30

Fethard U16s play in East Munster semi final next week, this will be confirmed during the week, last week the played Cashel in a friendly and secured a fine victory

Fethard U14s
Fethard U 14s quarter-final was at home to a very physical Clanwilliam side in which Fethard dominated most of the first quarter with Patrick Scully running in an early try, with a conversion from Peter Wall. Clanwilliam kick-off applied a lot of pressure, with two line breaks, but failing to break through the Fethard defence. Brilliant counter rucking from Jack O'Rourke, Barry McGrath and Conor Vaughan resulted in a second try from Patrick, with Peter Wall converting.

After the re-start Clanwilliam applied serious pressure, Fethard defending their line yet again and driving Clanwilliam to the half way line. Fethard kicked to touch and turned over the Clanwilliam line out. Great forward play resulted in Fethard reaching the Clan line and Conor Vaughan touching down for Fethard's third try, but failed to convert. After kick off Fethard ran wide to the backs, and Patrick Scully ran the length of the pitch to touch down under the post for Fethard’s fourth try and Peter converting. Clan then made it to the Fethard 22, and due to poor defending Clan scored in the corner for a last minute try but failed to convert. Final Score was 26-5. Well done to a Fethard 22 man squad.

Fethard & Killusty trip to Medjugorje 2014
Next year’s Fethard & Killusty parish trip to Medjugorje, operated by Joe Walsh Tours, will depart on August 13, 2014, and return on August 20, 2014. A special group rate of €669 per person sharing has been organised which includes seven nights guesthouse accommodation with breakfast and evening meal. There are some single rooms available at an additional cost. Special discounts available for early payment.

For further information contact David Woodlock at Tel: (052) 6131077 or 086 2066637.

Christmas Party Night in Moyglass
Moyglass Community Centre will host its annual Christmas Party Night on Saturday, December 7. A three-course meal will be served followed by band and disco with fully licensed bar. Tickets €25 and doors open at 7pm, Meal served at 8.30pm. Enquires to Philip at 087 2544703. Bingo takes place every Sunday night at 8pm with €1,000 prize money. Jackpot of €300.

2011 & 2012 Emigrant’s Newsletter download
The 2011 and 2012 Emigrants' Newsletters are now available to download, along with others dating back to 1998. We eventually hope to have all the Newsletters dating back to 1959 available to download.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO PAST NEWSLETTERS

We ask for your support for this year's Fethard & Killusty Emigrants Newsletter, now in operation for over 50 years and posted free of charge to our emigrants and families living away from home.

This year, with emigration again rising steadily, we depend on your continued support to provide this much appreciated service to our parish emigrants. Donations can be handed in to Carmel Rice, Brookhill, Fethard, or Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard. All donations of €10 and over will be acknowledged in this year's issue of the Newsletters. Donations can also be made online at the following web address: www.fethard.com/donate/

Christmas at Clonacody House

Digital recollections now online

Interview with Johnny Sheehan, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard, one of the interviews by Holy Trinity National School pupils as part of the Muintir na Tire’s recent ‘Digital Recollections’ project.

Holy Trinity National School were one of small number of Tipperary schools chosen to participate in Muintir na Tire’s recent ‘Digital Recollections’ project where local people were interviewed by the pupils in a similar fashion as the original 1937 National Schools Folklore Study. This project assumed a more modern feel and instead of a pencil, students would be allocated digital recording devices to conduct the interview process, and on completion of this process, the narratives would be uploaded on to a website.

The objectives of this project were twofold. Firstly, both the young and old participating in the project will learn how to use digital recording devices and also the social aspect of the interview process, secondly it educated national school children about the cultures and traditions which reside in their communities, thereby preserving them for future generations.

The study encompassed national schools in South Tipperary, given budget constraints the number of schools was confined to 12. The funding for the Digital Recollections Project was awarded by South Tipperary Development Company through the Rural Development Programme. Hundreds of hours of recordings were submitted by the 12 national schools and this website showcases the wonderful work by these national school children and their teachers and hopefully will preserve the culture and traditions of their native communities.

Part 2 Interview with Mary and Tony Newport, Congress Terrace

Interview with Gus Neville, Kilnockin, Fethard.

Interview with Kathleen Kenny, The Green, Fethard.

Interview with Mike Burke, Redcity, Fethard.

Interview with Joan O'Connor, Main Street, Fethard.

Interview with Kathleen McCormack, Monroe, Fethard.

Interview with Sarah Mullins, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard.

Interview with Mary and Tony Newport, Congress Terrace, Fethard.

Interview with Aggie Barrett, Main Street, Fethard.

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.