Leaving Cert Graduation Mass
Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School invite all to join us online for our Leaving Cert Class of 2021 Graduation Mass, which will be broadcast live from the school at 1.20pm on Friday, May 14, 2021. CLICK HERE

Covid Restrictions lifted from Monday, May 10, 2021

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Friday, May 7, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 9, 12, 25 and 32. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘match three’ winner who received €100: Deirdre Royce, Burke Street, Fethard.

The committee of Fethard GAA Sports Centre Development Lotto would like to thank all our supporters near and far who participate in our weekly lotto draw. The next draw takes place on Friday, May 14, when the jackpot is €30,000 and the seller's prize is €1,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

'Big Picture' – Killusty National School 2010

Were you one of the pupils attending Killusty National School on November 23, 2010, in this photograph? You can zoom in closer to see faces more detail by clicking the photograph to zoom-in and double-clicking the photograph to zoom-out.

Killusty National School 2010
Maybe you can send us the names (L to R) for our files to fethardnews@gmail.com

Churches Reopening for Mass, Baptisms & Funerals
Thankfully our churches are at last reopening for public masses, baptisms and funerals, limited to fifty people from Monday, May 10, 2021. We look forward to meeting again to celebrate the Eucharist. Unfortunately we can not have the celebration of the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation for the time being. Pope Francis has encouraged daily recitation of the Rosary during the month of May in light of the global risks posed by the virus.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no winner of this week's Parish Lotto. The winning numbers were 2,22,23 & 24 The winner of the weekly draw of €30 was Michael Croke. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, May 13, will be €800. Thanks to all for your continued support.

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 the weekly draw. PLAY NOW.

House private in compliance with Covid Regulations. Mary will leave her residence at 10.50am on Saturday morning, May 8, for the Church of the Nativity, Cloneen, for her Funeral Mass at 11am. Burial will take place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. The Funeral Mass at 11am on Saturday, can be watched online by CLICKING HERE

Messages of condolences can be left online by CLICKING HERE

Fantasia Academy of Performing Arts classes for Abymill Theatre – Booking Now for September 2021
Fantasia Academy of Performing Arts is a performing arts school situated in the medieval walled town of Fethard. We provide all three elements of the Performing Arts with classes in dancing, acting and vocal technique to children, adolescents, and adults. The classes, starting in September at the Abymill Theatre, will be run by Anastasia Blake, a native of Fethard.

The timetable of classes are listed below and further information is available on the Fantasia Academy website by CLICKING HERE. Prices for our first term, starting on Monday, September 6, are: Junior and Senior Infants €70; 1st class and up: €84; and Adult Dance €84. Contact us by phone at 086 4599975, Email: info@fantasiaacademy.com



At Fantasia Academy, we strive for all students to learn the techniques and art of performance along with building confidence, learning social skills, making new friends, coordination, and movement along with of course having fun. Throughout the year there will be opportunities for students to take examinations in all three disciplines, in acting, singing and dance. To showcase our student's talents, we will produce a live show in the Abymill Theatre for all parents/guardians, family members and community to see at the end of the school year. Anastasia Blake

Anastasia Blake
Anastasia Blake is a native of Fethard. She is a graduate of The Gaiety School of Acting, The National Theatre School of Ireland, graduating in their Professional Actor Training Programme. While training at The Gaiety School, she achieved a certificate from The Irish Dramatic Combat Academy in ‘Stage Combat’ and ‘Rapier and Dagger’ choreography. In May, 2021, she completed a Level 8, Diploma in Arts in Drama Education from Griffith College, Dublin in conjunction with The Leinster School of Music and Drama.

Anastasia is a classically trained soprano who has undertaken examinations in all-vocal grades and was also awarded the Senior Certificate with The Royal Irish Academy of Music Musical Theatre and Popular Singing. In 2019, Anastasia completed a Music & Dyslexia course with The British Dyslexia Association to further her knowledge in delivering lessons in music/vocals to those who may have additional needs. Summer 2020 saw the release of ‘Dating Amber’ streaming on Amazon Prime. The role of Janet was played by Anastasia. With over 15 years of dance experience in performance, she aims to share the love and passion and benefits of movement and dance with others. Anastasia has years of experience being involved in shows and performance and is now dedicated to sharing her skills and providing exciting opportunities to the next generation of performers.

Anastasia has a huge passion for the Performing Arts and strives to provide an open and encouraging space for students to express themselves artistically. She is looking forward to bringing Performing Arts to the Abymill Theatre in Fethard and bringing new opportunities to the community.

Died recently in England
The death has occurred on Saturday, May 1, 2021, of Alice Purtill, Bristol UK, and formerly Moyglass, Fethard. Alice passed away peacefully in the wonderful care of The Little Sisters of the Poor, Bristol. She is predeceased by her father Charles, her mother Mary (nee Ryan), her brothers Michael, Christopher, Thomas, Jack, and her sister Mary.

Alice will be lovingly remembered by her Nephews Michael (Bristol), Charlie (Holycross, Thomas (Dublin), her nieces Helen Dwyer (Clonmel), Margaret Teeling (North Carolina USA), her grandnieces, grandnephews, her many friends and for her service and devotion to the Roman Catholic Church in the UK and Ireland. Funeral will take place in Bristol. May She rest in Peace.

Messages of condolence can be left online by CLICKING HERE

No matter how life changes, No matter what we do,
A special place within our hearts, Is always kept for you.

Mature Giant Hogweed plant in flower. The sap is toxic to human skin.

Gerard Ryan, Theo Looby Ryan and Rosemary Ponsonby get stuck in by Fethard Ballroom.

Taking part in the Fethard Tidy Towns Cleanup and Litter Picking are L to R: Brian Sheehy, Chris Brett, Mary Brett, Rosemary Ponsonby and Councillor Mark Fitzgerald.

Judy Doyle and Aine Tyrell taking part in the Fethard Tidy Towns Cleanup and Litter Picking on Sunday, May 2.

Faces and Places from the Past
The following are a selection of photographs of faces and places taken in our locality that may bring back memories to many of our readers and visitors to fethard.com Please send any comments or photo information, names and event, to fethardnews@gmail.com

Fethard & District Photos from the past . . .

This week we have a selection of photographs from the more recent past – approximately ten years or so – we would love to have your comments or names of people in the photographs. Email: fethardnews@gmail.com


Sandra Maher (front centre) celebrating her 30th birthday at a surprise party organised by her friends in Butlers Sports Bar on December 4, 2010. Sandra was secretary of St. Rita's Camogie Club in Fethard.


Pupils from Patrician Presentation Secondary School who organised fundraising events to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. The group are photographed above with their teacher, Ms Majella Whelan, presenting a cheque for €516 to local Cystic Fibrosis representative Mandy Quigley. November 17, 2011


Children photographed after completing their 'Medieval Hats' workshop with local artist, Pat Looby, for Fethard Festival Fancy Dress Parade, August 19. 2011


Fethard Arms, New Year's Eve, December 31, 2011


Catherine O'Shea and Gus Maher photographed at Mass Rock on the pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon on August 14, 2011


Nadine Forde photographed on the occasion of her 30th Birthday in Butler's Bar Fethard where she celebrated with friends on February 26, 2011. Nadine is a former world champion jockey and was working with Eddie O'Grady at the time.


Photographed at the Clonmel Health Heart Walk in aid of CARE (Cancer Aftercare Relaxation Education), Cancer Support Centre, Clonmel, are L to R: Suzi Zabojnikova, Ada Fordonska and Roger Mehta holding their baby daughter Adrianna. June 1, 2011.


Thelma Griffith presenting a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Mary Harrington on behalf of Fethard Tidy Towns at the official opening of the 'Harrington Walkway' at Jesuits Walk, Fethard, on September 14, 2011.

10 years ago this photo was twenty-five years old . . . taken of the 1985 Leaving Certificate Class celebrating a skit for a school play where they all dressed up as teachers and sang a ditty to the 'Twelve days of Chrstmas'. Ray Looby remembers having a copy of the 'script' which he promises to send it along if he can find it. Back L to R: Liam O’Dwyer, Ian Cooke, Willie Phelan, Dermot O’Donnell. Front L to R: Gabrielle Hayes, Willie O’Meara, Lisa Rice, Michael Barry, Sarah Carey, Raymond Looby, Philip Crean, Gerry Horan, Tom Haydon, T.J. Maher, Tom Ryan, Jim O’Donnell, Colm Keogh and Orla Broderick.

The script as promised from Ray Looby . . .

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.