Fethard Students excel in the Student Enterprise County Final

Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School Transition Year students left a strong impression, evident in their passion for their enterprise. Their venture, ‘Erase & Shine’, received the prestigious ‘Innovation Award’ in the senior category. This achievement is a testament to months of research, collaboration, and hard work. L to R: Mr Ian O’Connor (Business & Enterprise teacher), Micheál O'Rahilly, Kelvin Ryan, Thomas Murphy, Tadhg Cuddihy, and Mr Billy Walsh (School Principal).

On Friday, March 7, Fethard’s Patrician Presentation Secondary School students took part in the Student Enterprise County Final hosted by the Local Enterprise Office Tipperary in TÚS, Thurles. Junior and senior students, accompanied by their Business & Enterprise teacher, Ian O’Connor, displayed their innovative talents and collaborative spirit.

Junior students Luke Keane, Adam McGarry, and Robert Carey (1A) captured attention by scooping the ‘One to Watch’ award with their entry SK Sports Rack; their creative project demonstrated the students' bright potential.


Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School First Year students captured attention by scooping the ‘One to Watch’ award at the Student Enterprise County Final with their entry SK Sports Rack; their creative project demonstrated the students' bright potential. L to R: Adam McGarry, Robert Carey, and Luke Keane.

The Transition Year students Tadhg Cuddihy, Thomas Murphy, Kelvin Ryan, and Micheál O’Rahilly left a strong impression, evident in their passion for their enterprise. Their venture, ‘Erase & Shine’, received the prestigious ‘Innovation Award’ in the senior category. This achievement is a testament to months of research, collaboration, and hard work.

Opportunities such as these highlight our students' talent, creativity, and enterprising skills. They help students reach their personal goals and encourage collaboration across school departments, allowing colleagues to share their talents and work together to achieve common goals.

The event culminated in celebrating students' and teachers' hard work and dedication across Tipperary. We were thrilled to receive the Overall School Award for both the school and the Enterprise Teacher, who, year after year, has encouraged his students to explore possible enterprise opportunities. It is a well-deserved accolade that fills us with immense pride for everyone involved.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Social Dancing continues at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday night, March 23, 2025, to the music of, ‘Unity’. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a terrific night’s social dancing from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Admission is €10, which includes tea and cakes and raffle.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all our Readers

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in the Parish Lotto on Thursday, March 13, 2025. The numbers drawn were 8, 13, 15, and 20. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Maura Gorey. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, March 20, 2025, will be €5,000.

We are delighted with the support shown for our Parish Lotto, it is a fundraising initiative that is of great benefit to the parish. Please pass the word on and invite friends and family to take part. You can join, see the draw results, and details of how your support is making a big difference at: https://www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/fethardkillusty

Table Quiz on Friday Night in Cloneen Hall |

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Friday, March 14, 2025, of Aidan O'Dwyer Gasworks, Thurles, and formerly Newtown, Drangan, peacefully after an illness bravely borne with strength and dignity in the loving care of the staff in the Oak Ward University Hospital, Waterford, surrounded by his devoted wife Lauren and his loving family.

Deeply regretted by his loving wife and best friend Lauren, parents Tom and Bridget (Biddy), brother Barry and his partner Megan, mother-in-law Janice, brothers-in-law James and Kevin, Uncles, aunts, grand-uncles, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends, especially all his friends in the 'Strongman and Arm wrestling' community. Aidan will be fondly remembered by many.

Reposing in Brett's Funeral Home Mullinahone (E41 EV78) on Sunday, March 16, from 5pm to 8pm. Requiem Mass on Monday, March 17, at 2pm in the Church of The Immaculate Conception, Drangan, followed by burial afterwards in the new Assumption Cemetery Drangan. For those who would have liked to attend but cannot, you may view Aidan's Funeral Mass by CLICKING HERE House Strictly Private "May His Gentle Soul Rest in Peace. "The family would like to express their sincere thanks to all those who cared for Aidan throughout his illness. Messages of sympathies for the O'Dwyer family can be left online by CLICKING HERE

A Huge Thank You!

Now that the Christmas season has long passed and spring is appearing, we just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to everyone who donated to the Fethard Christmas Lights fundraiser. Your generosity made it possible to bring festive cheer to the town, and we are so grateful for your support. A special mention to David O'Mahoney and his team for doing such a great job of installing and taking down the lights.

Community spirit like this is what makes Fethard such a special place. We can’t wait to do it all again next Christmas and for many years to come with our new lights! From all of us on the fundraising team — thank you!
– Sybil Cope and Jack O'Sullivan on behalf the Fethard Business and Tourism Group

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Thursday, March 13, 2025, of Denis Godfrey, Gracedieu, Waterford, and formerly of Derryluskin, Fethard. Denis passed away peacefully at University Hospital, Waterford. Predeceased by his parents Joe and Katie Godfrey. Deeply regretted by his loving wife Josephine, daughter Deirdre, son-in-law Neil, grandson Eoin, granddaughter Grace, brothers Austin and his wife Mary, John and his partner Marie, sisters-in-law Mary and Joan, his aunt Rita Smyth, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, on Friday March 14, from 5pm with removal to Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday, March 15, at 11am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Messages of condolence for thge family can be left online by CLICKING HERE May he rest in peace.

Sami Laaksonen chosen to play for Munster in the FAI Youth Interprovincial tournament

Sami Laaksonen, Knockelly, Fethard, who was chosen to play for Munster in the FAI Youth Interprovincial tournament.

Congratulations to Sami Laaksonen, Knockelly, Fethard, who was chosen to play for Munster in the FAI Youth Interprovincial tournament consisting of three games over last weekend against: Leinster FA at Jackman Park on March 7; against Ulster FA at Pike Rovers on March 8; and Connacht FA at Jackman Park on Sunday 9.

On Saturday evening, the full Munster FA Youth Squad were presented with framed certificates by Munster Football Association Chairman, John Buckley, to acknowledge their representation of the province at the FAI Interprovincial games. Cahir Park Youths players Callum Butler Buckley and Sami Laaksonen were among the 20 chosen for the Munster squad, who were a credit to their clubs, leagues and families over the weekend.

Cahir Park FC Manager, Chris Higgins, said that the club was proud of Sami and Callum’s achievements over the season and the dedication both players have shown towards the club and soccer. Chris also thanked the parents for their support and commitment to the lads who have made huge strides in their development, and on everyone’s behalf, wished them both well in the Munster Youth games taking place.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council to receive €100,000 funding for Convent Community Hall


Michael Murphy T.D. passed on the good news to Fethard & Killusty Muintir Council CLG on March 11, that we are to receive €100,000 funding to deliver enhancement and refurbishment work on Fethard Convent Community Hall. The committee were delighted with the news that they are to receive this much-needed funding and stated it will ensure the future of the Convent Community Hall use in providing essential public services in Fethard & Killusty.

The announcement under the Community Centre Investment Fund represents the latest capital investment in upgrading Community Centres and will see grants of up to €100,000 provided to successful projects. The funding will be used to upgrade, renovate and refurbish Community Centres, Parish Halls, Scouts Clubs, Youth Hubs, Family Resources Centres and Sports Complexes across the country.

The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development to support community and voluntary groups and organisations around the Country. The Tipperary fund is administered by Tipperary County Council on behalf of the Tipperary Local Community Development Committee (LCDC).

Fethard & Killusty Community Council would like to thank Deputy Michael Murphy and Cllr Mark Fitzgerald for delivering the ‘Good News’.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on March 5, 2025, of Sr. Juliana (Sally) Purcell, Presentation Convent, Hospital, Limerick and formerly Ballinlough, Kilteely, Co. Limerick. Sr. Juliana was also one of the last six Presentation Sisters to leave Fethard Convent on July 20, 2020.

Sr. Juliana passed away peacefully at The Galway Clinic. Predeceased by her parents Philip and Nora, brothers Br. Michael (Sean), Billy, Tommy, Br. Charles (Michael) and Philip, sisters Kathleen Judge, Sr. Rita, Sr. Josephine, Nora Donovan and Isobel Horton. Deeply regretted and sadly missed by her Presentation Community, sisters Nancy (Ivory) Breda (McManus), nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnieces, great grandnephews, cousins, relatives and many friends.

The late Sr. Juliana Purcell's funeral cortége arrived to St. John The Baptist Church, Hospital, on Saturday, March 8, for requiem Mass at 11.30am, with burial afterwards in the convent cemetery. Messages of condolence for her family can be left online by CLICKING HERE May her Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for March 11, 2025, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 19, 22, 29 and 35. We had no Jackpot winner and no Match 3 winner.. One' lucky dip winner received €100: Margaret Ryan. The next draw takes place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, when the jackpot is €30,000.

Thanks for your support for Gaza


A huge thank you to all who gave so generously to the Oxfam Gaza appeal on Saturday. €1,075 was raised and one hundred percent of all proceeds will go directly to families in Gaza. A special thanks to Siobhan McNamara for organising it, Fethard Horse Country Experience for hosting, and the Tipperary Fox Hounds for donating €285. Donations can still be made for a few days in the FHCE or at anytime directly to Oxfam.

Athletics Munster Indoors at Nenagh


Well done to Miceál McCormack who competed in the Munster Indoor Athletics in Nenagh last weekend. L to R: Miceál McCormack (Fethard Athletic Club) who came 2nd in the Over-75 60m Sprint and 3rd in the Over-75 Shotput; Kevin Fox (Fanahan McSweeney Athletic Club) who came 1st in the Over-70 60m Sprint; Donal Crowley (Tralee Athletic Club) who came 1st in the Over-75 60m Sprint; and Mossy Wolfe, Chairman Munster Council AAI.

Fethard Community Games 'Got Talent'

Daffodil Day ‘Walk/Run’ at Fethard Town Park
Local Sports Clubs, in conjunction with Fethard Daffodil Day committee, have organised a Daffodil Day Walk/Run 5K to take place on Friday, March 28, starting at 7.30pm at Fethard Town Park, in aid of Irish Cancer Association. All are invited to take part and support this most worthy cause.

Big Picture - Operation Transformation 2014

This photograph was taken of participants in the Operation Transformation 'weigh-in' held in Fethard Convent Community Hall on January 29, 2014, with group leader Biddy O'Dwyer.

You can zoom in closer to see more detail by clicking the photograph to zoom-in and double-clicking the photograph to zoom-out or use the controls when you hover at the bottom of the photograph. If you can help with names or 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 variety of photographs taken in 1995. We invite people to let us know any missing names, including first names, or any other information that we can add to our files for future generations. If anyone can help us, please do and send any comments, photo information, names, to fethardnews@gmail.com

Fethard First Communion June 3, 1995


Fethard First Communion June 3, 1995


Fethard First Communion June 3, 1995


Pupils from Killusty National School who recently received their First Holy Communion at The Church of the Sacred Heart, Killusty on May 25, 1995 are L to R: Patricia Lee, Sharon Duggan, Gillian O’Shea, Lucy Sheehan and Ciara Hickey.


Members of Civil Defence pictured at their stall on Main Street at Fethard London Reunion Festival held on July 2, 1995. Includes Mickey Mullins, Joe Strappe and Tommy Gahan.


Pat Culligan leading his son 'One Little Indian' on his pony in the Fethard London Reunion Festival & Fancy Dress Parade held on July 2, 1995.


Taking part in the 'On Your Toes' display at Fethard Festival Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995 were Back L to R: Lisa Walsh, Susan McCormack, Donna Walsh, Fiona Ryan. Middle L to R: Emma Fitzgerald, Norah O'Meara, Stephanie McCormack. Front L to R: Siobhán Cleary and Eleanor Roche.


Taking part in the 'On Your Toes' display at Fethard Festival Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995 were Back L to R: Aoife O'Meara, Aideen O'Donnell, Fiona Maher, Hannah Sheehan. Front L to R: Evelyn O'Connor, Tara Mullins, Alice Delahanty and Helena McCormack.


Group of dancers from the Fethard “On Your Toes” school who led the Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995. Pictured in St. Patrick's Place after the parade.


Group of dancers from the Fethard “On Your Toes” school who led the Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995. Pictured in St. Patrick's Place after the parade.


Group of dancers from the Fethard “On Your Toes” school who led the Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995. Pictured in St. Patrick's Place after the parade.


'Squaws in the Move Looking for a Reservation' one of the entries in the Fancy Dress Parade on July 2, 1995. L to R: Ann Marie Connolly, Jane Hayes and Sara Healy.

"Fethard's Wall Draws Them All" – Nano Nagle National School entry in the Fancy Dress Parade held on July 2, 1995.

Please send any comments, photo information, names or stories, to fethardnews@gmail.com

Fethard News for inclusion on this website
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.

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