Happy Christmas to all our readers

At this special time for those at home, thinking of those not at home, and likewise, we take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and thank you for visiting the Fethard website. Hopefully the New Year will continue to bring good news from the Parish of Fethard & Killusty. God bless!

Christmas Mass Times
Christmas Mass Times Abbey Church
Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December at 9pm
Christmas Day, Thursday 25th December at 9.30am and 11.30am.
Christmas Mass Times Parish Church
Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December at 8pm
Christmas Day, Thursday 25th December at 8.30am and 11am.
Christmas Mass Times Church of the Sacred Heart Killusty
Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December at 9.30pm
Christmas Day, Thursday 25th December at 10am.


Children and adults photographed Carol Singing on the streets of Fethard on Thursday night last in aid of the CRC Santa Bear Appeal.

‘Misery’ for Abymill
Misery the latest production from the Fionn Mac Cumhaill Players will play for one night in the Abymill Theatre in Fethard on Friday 9th January. This Stephen King thriller, made famous by Kathy Bates and James Caan, through film is rarely seen on stage and is gripping stuff as the relationship between the two actors has to be seen to be believed. A live performance is always great and especially so here as you get lost in the story and begin to believe what is happening.  Although a dark play there are many very funny incidents and you can’t help but laugh at how childlike the character is in ways.
A very difficult play and yet the actors hold the audiences attention right through. The part of Paul Sheldon is played beautifully by Trevor Somers while Anne Williamson portrays Annie Wilkes split personality to perfection. Not for the faint hearted but worth seeing and you will definitely be entertained! Booking Tel: 086-8871467 or 086-0834208

Finals of 'Christmas 25 Drive' at Lonergans

Playing in the Christmas '25s' finals at Lonergan's Bar on last Monday night were L to R: Michael Flanagan, Richie Nevin, Paddy Hickey, Noel Morriussey, Margaret Flanagan and Michael Doherty.


Photographed at the 25s Card finals for Christmas Hampers were L to R: Tess MAher, Frances Holohan and Joss Prendergast


Rita and Connie Doyle at the finals of the 25s Card Game for Christmas Hampers in Lonergans

Fethard Bridge Club
On Sunday 14th November we held our Christmas Party in the Tirry Centre, Fethard at which the following prizes were presented:
Gross Turkey on 18th November 2008
1st Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John;
1st Nett: Bridie Lee and Mike Burke;
2nd Gross: Nell Broderick and David O’Meara;
2nd Nett: Bernie O’Meara and Anna Cooke.

Nett Turkey on 26th November 2008
1st Nett: Annie O’Brien and Marie Delaney ;
1st Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John;
2nd Nett: Philly Kenny & Mgt. M. McCormack;
2nd Gross: Berney Myles and Alice Quinn.

Change of Partner Turkey on 3rd December 2008
1st Gross: Philly Kenny and Brendan Kenny;
1st Nett: Annie O’Brien and Mike Burke;
2nd Gross: Breda Walsh and Bernie O’Meara;
2nd Nett: Berney Myles and Mgt. M. McCormack.

Christmas Prizes on 10th December 2008
1st Gross: Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny;
1st Nett: Anne Connolly & Tony Hanrahan;
2nd Gross: Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara;
2nd Nett: Brigid Gorey and Betty Walsh;
3rd Gross: Carol Kenny and Gemma Burke;
3rd Nett: Berney Myles and Alice Quinn;
4th Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John;
4th Nett: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;
5th Gross: Nell Broderick and David O’Meara;
5th Nett: Nora Lawrence and Madeleine O’Donnell;
6th Gross: Kathleen Kenny and Philly Kenny
6th Nett: Rose Lonergan and Kay Walsh.


Suzanne Opray and David O'Meara at Fethard Bridge Club Christmas Party


Ann Ryan, Rita Holohan and Joan Kelly at Fethard Bridge Club Party


Brendan Kenny and Carmel Condon


Kay Walsh and Carmel Condon at Fethard Bridge Club Party


Anne Connolly, Eileen Frewen, Marie Delaney and Noreen Evans at Fethard Bridge Club Party

Singing for St. Vincent de Paul

Pupils of Moyglass National School presenting a cheque for €925 to Mr Tim Finn representing St. Vincent de Paul. The money was collected carol singing.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Monday 22nd December of Mr Eddie Cummins, Raheen Court, Clonmel, and formerly of St. Patrick's Place, Fethard. Remains will leave McCarthy's Funeral Parlour at 7pm on Tuesday 23rd December, for Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Wednesday 24th December followed by burial at Holy Trinity Church graveyard, Fethard.

The death has occurred on 22nd December of Dr Tom Cleary, Rathmore Lodge, Manister, Croom, Co. Limerick and formerly of Mogorban, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, peacefully, in the care of the staff at the Mercy Hospital, Cork. Dr Tom, loving Dad to the late Judith and brother to the late Vincent and Ruary; very deeply and sadly missed by his wife Jenny, daughter Sarah, son Simon, brothers Kieran, Bernard and Gerard. Remains arriving at St Michael's Church, Manister, Tuesday evening, 23rd December, at 6.30 o'clock. Funeral Mass Wednesday, 24th December, at 12 noon, with interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu to the Mercy Hospital Foundation. House private


Billy Kenny, son of the late Josie and Willie Kenny from Grove, Fethard, who recently died in England.

Fethard & Killusty Emigrants' Newsletter


This year’s issue of Fethard & Killusty Emigrants Newsletter is now on sale in local shops.  The 208 page newsletter is packed with photographs and interesting articles relating to life in Fethard.  Copies cost €10 each which help defray the costs of posting over 1000 copies, free-of-charge, to Fethard & Killusty emigrants living throughout the world. We thank you for your continued support and especially to all those who made donations acknowledged in the book.

Christmas Disco

St. Patrick’s Boys’ School Parents’ Association will hold an ‘80s Christmas Disco Party’ in the Fethard Arms on Saturday 27th December. Tickets are €10 and all are welcome. Doors open at 9pm.

Tipperary Hunt Pony Club

Tipperary Hunt Pony Club will hold their 50th Anniversary Reunion Party for parents of members, senior members (16 years and over), past members and associates, at Slievenamon Golf Club on Saturday 24th January at 7pm. Tickets cost €25 which includes buffet supper and entertainment. Bookings by 1st January to, Josephine Maher-O’Hagan Tel: 086 0700664; Anne Croom-Carroll Tel: 087 7516502; Rosemary Clifford-O’Donnell Tel 086 8360086; Gillian Maher-Murray Tel: 086 8608006; and Yvonne Blackmore-Casey Tel: 086 8334913.

Christmas Day ‘Goal Mile’
Don't forget the ‘Goal Mile’ takes place again this year on Christmas Day, run walk or just amble at your leisure.  It’s really all about the spirit of the day and Christmas is a family day but this is a time to remember the bigger family outside of our own immediate one and come together in community spirit and be united in remembering our less well off brothers and sisters across the globe.

Last year was a great success with a great many people participating and really enjoying the great Christmas spirit. We will gather outside the Town Hall for 12 noon. We will have a bucket to accept what you wish to give towards ‘GOAL’ the very worthy third world support and development organisation.

Class of 1994
A facebook group has been set up for members of the class of 1994. So if you were a class member at any stage please log on and join the group. We currently have about 20 members and are getting a few more all the time. We have organised a class reunion for the back room in McCarthy’s on 26th of December so if you are around come in for a few drinks and a catch up. Pass the word around to anyone you are still in contact with and hope to see ye all on the 26th.

Album Launch at the Abymill

Jack O'Sullivan who will play support at Aidan Ward's 'Charity Gig in the Abymill on Saturday 27th December

Aidan Ward will launch his second album ‘Stones’ at the Abymill Theatre on Saturday 27th December. The album features fourteen top class musicians, including fellow Fethard man, Keith Colville, who was drafted in on bass and guitars.

Aidan has been playing all over Europe for the past two decades. Germany was his base for most of this time, but he has relocated to Ireland in the past few years, settling in Clifton in the heart of Connemara.

Aidan has come a long way since he bought his first guitar and forced sounds out of it under the guidance of his next door neighbour, musician John Shortall. He then fell in with a motley crew known as Space Related, a young Fethard band, a few of whom were competent musicians combined with a few chancers who just wanted to be in a band. Aidan and fellow band member Eddie Sheehan went on to record both as solo artists and with bands over the years and forge careers in the music industry.

The life of a wandering musician has its highs and lows and Aidan has had his fair share of both. This journey has given him the inspiration for his songs which have made it onto his two albums. Tickets for the gig in the Abymill are €10 and are available from McCarthy’s in Fethard. Support on the night is by Jack O’Sullivan, and who knows, maybe the members of ‘Space Related’ might get together for a song after 25 years if they’re all in town!

From Nashville, Omagh and the Lee Valley

Music fans in Tipperary are in for a rare treat, when Jim Rooney, Mick Daly and Arty McGlynn play a gig in McCarthy’s in Fethard coming soon after Christmas.

Jim Rooney is doing a small tour of Ireland with his friends Mick and Arty. Jim is a highly rated producer from Nashville who has worked on Grammy nominated albums with John Prine, Iris De Ment and Nancy Griffith. He is probably best known to Irish audiences for producing Mick Hanly’s song ‘Past the Point of Rescue’ for Hal Ketchum which went to number one in the USA.

Mick Daly is already known to Irish audiences as one of the founder members of The Lee Valley String Band, who reached a new audience last year with their inclusion on RTE’s ‘Other Voices’. Mick was also one of the founder members of ‘Four Men and a Dog’, as well as one of the ‘Mary Black Band’.

Arty McGlynn is one of Ireland’s most popular and sought after guitarists. He has played with Planxty, De Dannan as well as most of the top Irish performers, such as Paul Brady and Christy Moore and spent seven years as a member of Van Morrison’s band in the eighties.
This rare musical treat will take place in McCarthy’s on Friday 16th January. The venue is small (back room in the bar), so it is advisable to purchase tickets early. They are €20 each and limited to 50. Call to McCarthy’s or ring 086 8119625.