Celebration of Life Service at the Augustinian Abbey
On Sunday, February 26, a Celebration of Life Service will take place at 12 noon in the Augustinian Abbey, Fethard.

Thus is a community gesture of solidarity with all who have been touched directly, indirectly, or in any way been affected by suicide. Suicide support services, first responders, students and other groups will come together for this simple service in support of the many members of the community who have suffered in any way from the tragedy of suicide. All are invited and welcome to come along.

The Premier Newspaper - February 3, 2023
This week's issue of The Premier free local newspaper is now available in local shops and is also available online by CLICKING HERE. This edition features articles, photographs and news from the district, including: Tipperariana Book Fair; Premier Flashbacks to 1988'; Butler's Annual Sports Awards; Fethard News'; and lots more. Click on any of the images below to read this issue online.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, February 2, 2023. The numbers drawn were 1, 3, 19 and 24. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Marie Holohan. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, February 9, will be €3,550.

Please pass the word on and invite friends and family to take part. You can help our Parish in a real, practical way.  Thank you for your support and the best of luck in our next weekly draw. PLAY OUR LOTTO NOW

White Heathers raise €6,840 for Air Ambulance Service

Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers presenting the proceeds of their New Year Meet, which amounted to a total of €6,840, to the Community Air Ambulance Service, in memory of Bobby Guiry, Peppardstown, who passed away in November 2022. Bobby was a long time supporter of the White Heather Harriers and always enjoyed hosting his annual Christmas lawn meet at Peppardstown. Back L to R: Cathal Slattery, David Guiry, Cillian Slattery, Nicola Guiry, Philly O'Connor, Jack Ronan. Front L to R: Fiona Slattery, Lorraine Toner (Air Ambulance), Anna Cooke, and Mary Jane Kearney.

Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers held their annual New Year's meet at Peppardstown, Fethard, on Sunday, January 8, 2023. The meet was organised in association with the Guiry family, as a fundraiser for the Community Air Ambulance Service, in memory of the late Bobby Guiry who passed away on November 12, 2022.

Bobby was a long-time supporter of the White Heather Harriers and always enjoyed hosting his annual Christmas lawn meet at his home in Peppardstown. The wonderful turnout and generous support from everybody on the day was a fitting tribute to his memory and will greatly benefit an enormously worthwhile cause. The event was a huge success and raised the incredible amount of €6,640 on the day with a further €200 collected since.

Tipperariana Book Fair returns to the Ballroom Fethard on Sunday February 12


Members of Fethard Historical Society photographed at the launch of this year's Tipperariana Book Fair which takes place in Fethard Ballroom on Sunday, February 12, 2023, from 12 noon to 4.30pm. This is a welcome return for book lovers and dealers all over Ireland who are looking forward to travelling to Fethard after an absence of two years due to Covid restrictions. L to R: Terry Cunningham, Mary Healy, Catherine O'Flynn, Michael Mallon, Pat Looby and Mary Hanrahan.

The Tipperariana Book Fair returns to the Ballroom Fethard, Co. Tipperary, E91 AH76 on Sunday 12th February 2023 from 12 o’clock until 4pm. After a hiatus of two years, the Fethard Historical Society looks forward to once more hosting what has long been vaunted as “the most successful one-day book fair in Ireland”. Regular attendees will notice the earlier opening and closing times. Any queries relating to the Book Fair can be directed to the society’s Chairman Michael Mallon or by email at bookfair@fethard.com

As always book dealers from all over the country will be present offering a wide variety of books from specialist first editions, historical tomes, children’s books, general interest, and popular fiction. There is literally something for everyone.

Tipperary authors of books published last year will also be in attendance so it’s the ideal opportunity to come along, meet the author and buy a signed copy of that book for which you’ve been waiting.  This year’s authors include among others: Margaret O’Brien (Weather Report), Sean Hogan (editor, Series of Centenary Booklets), Peter O’Grady (Enemies of the People) and Fethard’s own Jasper Murphy and his fellow South East Scribes (Winter Miscellany). 

The Fethard Historical Society also has its own stall offering incredible value in secondhand books of all genres: bestselling popular fiction, thrillers, the classics, poetry, gardening books, cookery books etc. It’s a great chance to find a bargain or track down that particular book for which you’ve been searching.

The Book Fair returns with all the individual touches that make it so unique: live music provided by a talented piano player, the chance to browse at leisure and the always popular pop-up café featuring tasty treats and home baked goodies.

The Fethard Historical Society is currently accepting donations of books for its stall. Books can be dropped into the Fethard Ballroom on Saturday 11th February 2023 from 10am until 5pm or contact Mary Hanrahan on 087 900 9722.

Admission is €3 and, as always, accompanied children are free making this a family friendly outing. Please note there isn’t an ATM/ Card Machine on site, so cash is the order of the day. In the interests of sustainability, it is also suggested that customers bring their own bags.

The late Bro Paul D. Brennan, Eldoret and Kabongo
Bro Placido, Patrician Mission, Eldoret, Kenya, has informed us of the death of Bro Paul D. Brennan, that occurred on January 25, 2023.

Bro Paul's funeral service is scheduled to take place on February 1. We posted the link to watch his funeral service online below. We send our sincere condolences to the Patrician Mission on behalf of all who knew Bro Paul here in Fethard. May he rest in peace. The 10am Mass in Fethard Parish Church, on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, will be for the happy repose of the soul of Br. Paul Brennan, Patrician Brother, who died in Kenya. All are welcome to come along, in particular his many past pupils at Fethard Patrician Brothers school.


Bro Paul, photographed in Kenya with good friends Mick and Margaret Ryan from Killusty, Fethard.

Bro Paul, was a regular visitor to Fethard and kept us in touch with his work, and also kept in touch with many of his former pupils at the Patrician Brothers in Fethard. Bro Paul, better known in Fethard as Bro. Paulinus, taught in Fethard for many years and was instrumental in the Fethard Patrician Brothers school team winning the Kinane Cup in 1963. A victory still recalled fondly, in fact Bro Paul attended a reunion of the Patrician Brothers 1963 Kinane Cup winning team in Fethard in October 2006.


Bro (Paulinus) Paul photographed at a reunion of the Patrician Brothers 1963 Kinane Cup winning team held in Fethard in October 2006. Back L to R: Pierce Coady, Ger Casey, Tony Fitzgerald, Ger Leahy, Willie Harrington, Mick Ryan, Willie Frewen. Front L to R: Danny Ryan, Bro Paulinus, Dinny Burke (captain), Joe McNamara and Pat 'Pop' Barrett. Also present on the night was Davy Fitzgerald.

Funeral Mass on Tuesday, January 31, 2023


Funeral Mass & Burial, Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Bro Paul left Ireland in 1978 when he volunteered for the Kenyan Patrician apostolate. He went on to be involved very actively with the very first Patrician Primary School in Africa and was also the Coordinator of the new Patrician Primary School and Dispensary at Kabongo, Eldoret.

St. Vincent de Paul
The Fethard Conference of St. Vincent de Paul would like to thank most sincerely, all who contributed to our annual appeal at Christmas. The total amount received was €5,205 for which is a record for us, and this, is in spite of less numbers attending Mass than in the past, although many people did donate other than at the Church gate collection.

The generosity of the parish is most encouraging to all of us and helps to continue our work locally. If anybody wants to help us at any time you can contact us at the following postal address, The Treasurer, St. Vincent de Paul, Fethard, and receipts will be sent by return. Please do not send cash through the post under any circumstances. Again, thank to you all.

Social Dancing in Fethard Ballroom

Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, February 5, to the music of ‘Peter Burke'. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Admission is €10, which includes tea and cakes. For further information or for booking the Ballroom, contact Eileen Coady, Tel: 086 0776420.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, January 31, 2023, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 6, 9, 20, and 25. We had no Jackpot winner and one 'Match Three' winner who received €150: Jimmy Horan. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Tina O'Mahoney.  The next draw takes place on Tuesday, February 7, when the jackpot is €16,800. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Fethard Players excel at the Abymill

Fethard Players cast photograph after their succesful run of five nights in the Abymill Theatre. Back (standing) L to R: Niamh Hayes, Alan Bourke, Una Kiernan, Liam O'Connor, P.J. Henehan. Front L to R: Mary Boland-Prendergast, Lar Fanning (bed), Com McGrath and Ann Walsh.

Fethard Players finished a most successful five-night run of their production, ‘A Wake in The West’, on Saturday night last, January 28, in the Abymill Theatre. The delightful comedy, produced by Marian Gilpin, was play commenced on Tuesday night – a special reduced priced family performance – which gave the cast a huge boost hearing the enthusiastic laughter and response from the audience.

This year the Fethard Players used an online booking service to facilitate people choosing their theatre seats from their home or phone, which proved very successful and opened ticket sales to a much wider audience. The demand for tickets exceeded all expectations on Wednesday, resulting in all performances for the rest of the week being ‘sold out’.

The producer, Marian Gilpin, deserves great credit for bringing the Fethard Players back-to-life, after an absence of four years due to Covid.  The welcome back resonated in every night’s performance, where the cast responded equally to send each audience home with a smile on their face and laughter in their hearts.

The Fethard Players cast included five experienced actors: Alan Bourke, Ann Walsh, Niamh Hayes, Colm McGrath, and Liam O’Connor; along with four newcomers to the stage: Lar Fanning, Mary Boland-Prendergast, P.J. Henehan, and Una Kiernan. All excelled in their roles and radiated the signs of a very ‘happy cast’ and production team. All’s looking bright for the future of drama in Fethard. Well done to all involved in the production.

Killusty National School now Enrolling for 2023

Facilities

• Main Playing pitch and side pitch
• Basketball Court
• Infant basket-ball hoop
• Tarmac Play Grounds
• Yard Games
• Use of Community Facilities – Tennis Courts, Soccer Pitch
• Smart Flat Screen Panels in classrooms

Initiatives/Activities

• Green Schools and Sustainable Initiatives including An Taisce, Spring Clean and Pickerpals. 
• Junior Entrepreneur from Third Class up
• Blue Star Programme
• HSE - Health Promoting School activities
• Cumann na mBunscol Games, Soccer, cycling  
• Tag Rugby Programme delivered by Munster Rugby
• Athletics training and participation in local events
• Weekly GAA training
• Music and Dance initiatives
• Active Student Council
• Flower and Vegetable Gardening
• Incredible Edibles Programme  
• Junior Coding
• Regular Engagement with Heritage Council and Museum
• Active School Flag Activities
• Participation in Regular Art Competitions
• Regular engagement with Community Projects
  

PLEASE NOTE

• School opens at 8.50am from September 2023.
• For further information on enrolment Please contact School Tel: 052 6132314 Email: killustyns@gmail.com Website: www.killustyns.com
  

Butlers Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award presentations for the Year 2022

Winner of the Butlers Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award for December 2022 was Eoghan Hurley who was voted ‘Junior Hurler of The Year’ in New York by the Tipperary New York Hurling Club at their Annual Dinner Dance.

The Butler’s Bar Annual Fethard Sports Achievement Award presentations took place on Friday night, January 20, 2023, before a capacity crowd in Butler’s Bar. Proprietor Philip Butler welcomed all present and introduced the awards sponsor for the night, Bulmers regional sales manager, Declan Ryan, from Ballinure, Killenaule, who is also a good friend of Philip and was a good footballer and hurler in his day. He’s now involved in coaching.


Winner of second place in the annual 'Young Sports Person of The Year Award' was Áine Connolly who represented Ireland at the European Equestrian championships in Holland. L to R: Declan Ryan representing sponsor Bulmers; Alison Connolly who accepted the award on behalf of her sister who was unable to attend; special guest Tipperary hurler, James Woodlock.

Philip then introduced his special guest – Tipperary senior hurler, James Woodlock, winner of five Munster Hurling medals, one All-Ireland medal and one senior county medal playing with his club, Drum & Inch. James also managed the Tipperary Minor Hurling team that won the All-Ireland Minor Hurling final in 2022.


The winner of the annual 'Young Sports Person of The Year Award' was Nicole Delaney who won the U17 'Player of the Year' award for her club, Wexford Youths F.C. L to R: Declan Ryan, Nicole Delaney, and special guest James Woodlock.

Philip then went on to thank all the people who supported the achievement award ceremony since its inauguration ten years ago in Butler’s Bar. The Fethard Sports Achievement Award competition was run by a steering group selected from local organisations with the primary aim of developing sports in this town. The selection committee for the 2022 awards were: Mary Godfrey, Austin Godfrey, John Hurley, Michael James Croke, Gerry Murphy, Bobbi Holohan, Richie Cummins, Des O’Meara, Páraic McCormack, Sean Kiely, Liam Hayes and Jurate Syviene.


Joseph Gaule accepting the second place in the annual 'Team of The Year Award' on behalf of the Fethard U13 Hurling Team. L to R: Declan Ryan, Joseph Gaule (captain), and special guest James Woodlock.

The first award presented was the December monthly award, won by Eoghan Hurley, who was voted ‘Junior Hurler of The Year’ by the Tipperary New York Hurling Club at their Annual Dinner Dance at Lake Isle, Eastchester, New York, on December 3, 2022.


The winner of the annual 'Team of The Year Award' were County Champions Fethard Senior Ladies Football Team, accepted by captain Lucy Spillane. L to R: Declan Ryan, Lucy Spillane (captain), and special guest James Woodlock.

The winner of the annual 'Young Sports Person of The Year Award' was Nicole Delaney who was Wexford Youths soccer team’s U17 'Player of the Year'. The runner-up in the annual 'Young Sports Person of The Year Award' was Áine Connolly who represented Ireland at the European Equestrian championships in Holland. The award was presented to Alison Connolly who accepted the award on behalf of her sister who was unable to attend.


Runner-up in the overall Sports Achievement Award for 2022, was outstanding young jockey Ben Coen, who was unable to attend due to prior commitments. Ben's award was collected by Eugene Purcell (centre) photographed with Declan Ryan (left), and special guest James Woodlock.

The winner of the annual 'Team of The Year Award' were County Champions Fethard Senior Ladies Football Team, accepted by captain Lucy Spillane. The runners-up in the annual 'Team of The Year Award' was presented to the Fethard U13 Hurling Team, accepted by team captain Joseph Gaule.

Certificates were presented to the monthly qualifiers for the overall Annual Sports Achievement Award. Liz Lalor (Point-to-Point Jockey), Michaela Lawrence (International Soccer), Áine Connolly (Equestrian), Ben Coen (Jockey), Conor Kavanagh (Munster Rugby), Jack Quinlan (All-Ireland Minor Hurling), Jake Coen (Jockey), Fethard Ladies Seven-A-Side Football Team, Fethard U13 Hurling Team, Darragh Byrne (Show Jumping), Fethard Ladies Senior Football Team (County Champions), Charlie Walsh (Soccer) and Eoghan Hurley (Hurling).



Winner of the overall Sports Achievement Award for 2022, was All-Ireland minor hurling medal winner with Tipperary, Jack Quinlan, Tullamaine, Fethard. Photographed at the award presentation are L to R: Declan Ryan, representing award sponsor Bulmers; Philip Butler, proprietor Butlers Bar; winner Jack Quinlan; Mary Godfrey (Steering Committee), and special guest James Woodlock.

The overall winner of the Butler’s Fethard Sports Achievement Award for 2022 was Jack Quinlan, winner of an All-Ireland Minor Hurling Medal with Tipperary. Runner-up was outstanding young jockey Ben Coen, and in third place was Irish International U17 soccer player Michaela Lawrence.

Big Picture – Killusty National School June 1987

Killusty National School – June 1987

This photo was taken of Killusty National School pupils outside their school in June 1987

You can zoom in closer to see more detail by clicking the photograph to zoom-in and double-clicking the photograph to zoom-out. If you can help with further information please let us know. Your comments, names or corrections are always welcome to: fethardnews@gmail.com

Faces and Places from the Past 
This week we have a selection of photographs collected from local people over the years that may bring back some pleasant memories
Please send any comments or photo information, names and event, to fethardnews@gmail.com


Nanny Wall with her great grandchildren Martina and Dorothy Croke.


Local butcher Jimmy Kelly photographed with some of the ladies who worked in O'Flynns Tailors in Burke Street. L to R Joan Bergin, Joan Coffey, Ann Wall, Jimmy Kelly, Mary Ryan (Drumdeel), Ann Neville.


Margaret (May) Mackey, St. Patrick's Place, her husband was John.


Alan, Kitty and Billy Power, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard


Leaving Fethard Station by train 1946.

Postman Jim Ahearn delivering post to a house in St. Patrick's Place.


Rock of Cashel ruins


L to R: Johnny 'Spot' Leahy holding pup with Paddy O'Dwyer and Joe O'Dwyer.

Please send any further information to: fethardnews@gmail.com

Fethard News
Comments or items for inclusion on this website can be emailed to fethardnews@gmail.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.