New Year’s Eve dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31, to the music of ‘Teddy and Cathal Barry’. All welcome to come along and ring in the New Year in Fethard where you will enjoy a great festive night’s entertainment and social dancing from 9pm to midnight. Admission is €8 which includes tea and cakes.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Monday, December 26, 2016 of Mai Kennedy (née Ryan), Mortlestown, Killenaule, in the loving and tender care of staff of St. Anne's Ward St. Patrick's Hospital, Cashel. Mai, remembered in Fethard for her long time association with Fethard Country Markets, is deeply regretted by her loving family, sons Jim and John, daughters Margaret (Skelly) and Mary (Cleary), grandchildren, great grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Reposing at O'Connell's Funeral Home, Killenaule, this Wednesday evening, December 28, from 4pm to 7pm, arriving at St. Joseph the Worker Church, Moyglass, at 7.30pm (approx). Funeral Mass on Thursday at 11.30am, followed by burial in adjoining cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Christmas Sale raised a staggering €2,635 for Malawi

Members of Fethard ICA photographed at the presentation of a cheque for €2,635 to Jacque Ryan in aid of her 'Wells for Zoë' project. Back L to R: Marie Crean, Ann Horan, Frances Ryan, Mary Cloonan, Delores Cleary, Eileen Connolly, Phil Wyatt. Front Jacque Ryan and Catherine O'Connell.

Fethard ICA presented a cheque to Jacquie Ryan, in aid of the Wells for Zoë project in Malawi. The cheque was presented in the Fethard ICA Hall on December 21, proceeds of the recent Craft Fair and Cake Sale which took place in the hall on Sunday, December 4, where the sales of Christmas crafts and cakes raised a staggering €2,635 which will go towards helping many communities in Malawi.

Wells for Zoë was established in 2005 by Mary and John Coyne from Dublin, and since its formation has helped provide over 500,000 people in Northern Malawi with clean water while also running projects in sustainable farming and educating the ‘girl child’. The charity is voluntary, with all members paying their own flights, accommodation and expenses.

On behalf of Wells for Zoë (www.wellsforzoe.org) we would like to thank the Fethard ICA and everyone who took part in the event from those who baked cakes, donated crafts to those who called in, had a cup of tea and a chat. There was a real Christmas spirit in the hall, and the funds raised will make a huge difference to another rural community in Malawi.

As it is the ‘woman’s job’ to carry the water we often find ourselves working with women’s groups in Malawi. The money raised by Fethard ICA will go to such a group in a village called Lupaso on the outskirts of Mzuzu, the capital city of the north. The funds will help roof the pre-school/community centre, and install water pump, providing the community with clean water and reduce the incidents of Malaria and Cholera. Currently the women are taking water from a river some distance away, this river runs along the outskirts of the city and the water can easily be contaminated with sewage and chemicals. The women from the village will be thought how to maintain the well. We will organise teaching workshops for the women so they can get full potential out of the preschool. The building will also be used as a centre for the women to meet, and allow their women’s group maintain relations with the Fethard ICA.

Jacquie Ryan from Knockbritt, Fethard, is travelling to Malawi in January for the year, while there she will keep the ladies in Fethard ICA updated on the progress of works in Lupaso.

Munster rugby winners

Big congratulations to the U15 joint Fethard and Carrick ladies rugby team on their fantastic win in CIT Cork, winning the Munster final.

Community Lotto last ‘Christmas Prizes’ Draw
The numbers drawn on December 21 were: 1, 12, 16 and 30. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Kate O'Shea, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; Chrissie Nash, Ballyluskey, Drangan; and David Kane, c/o Rita Kane, Kerry Street.

The following three weekly ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Sarah Grant, Barrack Street, Fethard; Noreen Allen, Cashel Road, Fethard; and Patricia O'Meara, Woodvale Walk, Fethard.

Winners of a Christmas Turkey in our special seasonal free draw were: Brendan Kenny, St. Patricks Place, Fethard; Fiona O'Donohoe, Newtown, Drangan; and Declan Morrissey, c/o Kathleen Connolly.

Winners of a Christmas Ham in our special seasonal free draw were: Nellie Ryan, St. Patricks Place, Fethard; Ursula Lawrence, c/o Patsy Lawrence; and Martin Bolger, Drumdeel, Fethard.

We will now take a break for two weeks and our next draw will take place on January 11, 2017, when the Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €1,000. All proceeds go towards community projects in Fethard, and we thank you for your on-going support.

The Lotto Committee would like to thank you all for your support during the year and look forward to your continued support in 2017 and wish all our supporters a Very Happy New Year to all.

Texas Hold’em final at Butler’s Bar

Full group of card players that took part in the Texas Hold'em Card League at Butler's Bar Fethard. Back L to R: Pierre Blundell, Stephen O'Meara, Johnny Ryan, Ian Croke, Richard Hayes, Philip Butler, Stephen Harrington. Front L to R: Niall Hayes, Jarleth Connolly, Darragh Corbett (winner), Kenneth O'Donnell and Brendan Keating.

Texas Hold-Em poker has been played at Butlers Sports Bar on Monday nights for many years on a league basis and has since proved very popular and successful. Points are awarded to the top five placed players on a given night with a minimum requirement needed to participate in the ‘grand final’ which is usually held in December. A considerable purse accumulates over a year and this is shared among the top four or five players on grand final night.


Photographed at the Texas HoldEm Card League final at Butler's Bar are L to R: Olwyn O'Brien and Davy Maher

This year’s league champion is Darragh Corbett who was presented with his trophy at the game on Monday night, December 19. Previous winners include Eoin Whyte, John O’Meara and Brendan Keating. If anyone would like to play, new players are always welcome to come along to Butlers Bar on Monday nights.

Happy 70th Birthday Miceál

Miceál McCormack, Kerry Street, Fethard, photographed with members of his extended family on the occasion of his ‘surprise’ 70th Birthday Party celebrated with neighbours and friends at Slievenamon Golf Club on Thursday night, December 22.

Congratulations to Miceál McCormack, Kerry Street, who celebrated his 70th Birthday on Thursday last, December 22, at a surprise party held in Slievenamon Golf Club. Miceál is a founder member of Fethard Athletic Club and throughout his very active life has tirelessly supported and promoted numerous community events and organisations for the betterment of life in Fethard. Have a great birthday and New Year Miceál, well deserved.

Fethard Bridge Club Christmas Party
Fethard Bridge Club held their Christmas Party in Hotel Minella on Wednesday, December 14, where the following prizes were presented: 1st Gross, Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh; 1st Nett, Mary Tierney and Betty Egan; 2nd Gross, Carol Kenny and Gemma Burke; 2nd Nett, Eileen Ryan and Jim Lahert; 3rd Gross, Alice Quinn and Berney Myles; 3rd Nett, Anne Connolly and Eileen Frewen; 4th Gross, Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny; 4th Nett, Nell Broderick and David O’Meara; 5th Gross, Rita Kane and Kay St. John; 5th Nett, Ann O’Dea and Mike Burke; 6th Gross, Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara; 6th Nett, Rita Holohan and Ellen Rochford.

Bridge will resume in the Tirry Community Centre on January 11, 2017. We wish all our members a very Happy New Year.

Happy New Year
We take this opportunity to wish all our readers, contributors and club correspondents a very Happy New Year and, as usual, items for inclusion on the Fethard Page can be emailed before noon on Mondays to news@fethard.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.

GOAL Mile on Christmas morning
This year’s ‘Goal Mile’ in Fethard will commence at 12 noon on Christmas Day, assembling outside the Town Hall where participants will register and assemble. For further information contact Colm McGrath, Tel: 086 3502360.

GOAL Miles are held at Christmas in villages, towns and cities right across Ireland. Now in its 36th year, the event sees tens of thousands of participants run, jog or walk a Mile and raise funds and awareness for GOAL's programmes in the developing world.

Holy Trinity Church of Ireland Carol Service

Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, Fethard, on Sunday night last were L to R: Fr. Gerry Horan OSA, Shirley Clooney, Rev Canon Barbara Fryday, Agnes Evans, Geraldine McCarthy, Noreen Harrington and David Butler (organist).

The annual Carol Service took place in the Holy Trinity Church of Ireland on Sunday, December 18, at 7.30pm. A large attendance from Fethard and surrounding areas turned up to listen to the readings and join in the singing of many well-known carols. The Fethard Choral Group with director, Anne Barry, also performed three pieces during the service.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Mary Connors and Rosemary Ponsonby.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: John Smullen, Mick Quinn and Marian Smullen.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are Seamus and Mary Reilly with their son Neil (centre).


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Jenny Butler, Catherine Kearney, Mary Jane Kearney and James Casey.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: John Fogarty, Jim Fogarty and Eamon Keane.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are sisters L to R: Holly and Ria Kenny


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are sisters L to R: Molly, Sinead and Judith Moclair, Ballinlough.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland were L to R: Mossie Hayes and Patsy Byard.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Brian Guiry, Helen Guiry and Toby Purcell.


Photographed at the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Sean Doyle, Geraldine McCarthy, Judy Doyle and Michael McCarthy.

Afterwards all present were treated to delightful seasonal refreshments and social mingling and chat. Canon Barbara Fryday and the congregation of Holy Trinity Church of Ireland would like to wish everyone a Holy and peaceful Christmas.

Fethard Faces and Places from the Past
The following are a selection of photographs recently added to the Fethard Faces and Places from the Past page on Facebook, also published here for the benefit of our readers who are not on Facebook. The Facebook page is used for sharing old Fethard photographs with other members of the group and is open to all interested in joining. Send any comments or photo information to fethardnews@gmail.com

Fethard Carnival c.1960s passing outside the Parish Church where it is interesting to see all the business premises in operation across the road from L to R: Percy Dillon's Chemist Shop, Lil McCarthy's Sweet Shop, Kay Fahy's Ladies Hairdressing, Fethard Bakery, O'Connell's Furniture and Electrical Shop, Jack O'Shea's 'While U Wait' and another shop premises but can't make out the name. Maybe some one will be able to pinpoint the year thses Carnival photographs were taken. Information to fethardnews@gmail.com

Fethard Carnival Fancy Dress entries 'My Story by Nicky Rackard' and 'Padraig Puirseal, Irish Press Reporter'.


Fethard Carnival Fancy Dress entry 'Black & White'.


Fethard Carnival Fancy Dress entry 'Stars from Cork Film Festival visit Fethard'.


Fethard Carnival Fancy Dress entry 'Flower Queen'.

Fethard News
Items for inclusion on this website and 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.

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