Happy Christmas to all our readers
I take this opportunity to wish all our contributors and readers a very Happy Christmas and a sincere thanks for your help in supplying news items and photographs over the past year.


Santa photographed with pupils from Patrician Presentation Secondary School while on his visit to Fethard

Christmas Mass Times

Abbey Church
Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, at 7.30pm;
Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, at 9.30am and 11.30am.

Parish Church
Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, at 7pm;
Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, at 8.30am and 11am.

Killusty Church of the Sacred Heart
Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, at 8.30pm;
Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, at 10am.

The GOAL Mile
The annual GOAL Mile will take place again this year on Christmas Day, at 12 noon. Assemble at the Town Hall. Walk, jog, run, crawl, bring the dog! Whatever you fancy, come along and join in the fun.


L to R: P.J. Ahearn, Gerry Ahearn, Leslie Swift and baby Harry photographed at Santa's visit to Fethard

Community Lotto extra Christmas Prizes
The numbers drawn on December 14 were: 1, 20, 22 and 29. We had no Jackpot winner and no 'Match Three' winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: J. & C. Butler, Garrinch, Fethard; Jessica Winters (online ticket); and John Maher, Kilnockin Road, Fethard.
The three following 'Lucky Dip' winners also won €50 each: Oisín & Rory Shelly, Moyglass, Fethard; Irene Sharpe, The Castle, Fethard; and Tony Maher, c/o Arthur Daly.

The winners of Christmas Hams were: M. Flanagan, c/o Tom Purcell; Martin Burke, Main Street, Fethard; and Annmarie Kenny, Killusty, Fethard.

The winners of Christmas Turkeys were: Niall Connolly, c/o Eileen Connolly; Marie Smyth, The Well, Fethard; and Breda Ryan, Coolmoyne Cross, Fethard.

You can also purchase your lotto ticket online at www.fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets and get one free! Check on the website for lots of special offers. Next week's Jackpot commences at €7,100 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €710. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

We will have no Lotto draw on December 28 or January 4. The Lotto will resume after a two-week break on January 11, 2012. We take this opportunity to wish all our supporters a very Happy Christmas.

Graduation

David Prout, Derryluskin, Fethard, who recently graduated with First Class Honours in Psychiatric Nursing completed in Dundalk IT.

With the White Heathers
From Rocklow on Sunday last hounds found hunting different in very poor scenting conditions. Trying here they found it almost impossible to hold the line for a long period of time. They were kept busy enough all day which started from Dr. Condon's fort, Halley's and O'Flynn's to Rocklow. Sincere thanks to Mr & Mrs John Halley for sumptuous traditional hunting breakfast served in the true Christmas spirit prior to move-off. Ballyluskey White Heathers will meet over the Christmas period on St. Stephen's Day in Drangan; Sunday January 1 at Peppardstown House and January 8 at Coolmoyne. Huntsman Donie Slattery intends to include a bye-day on the week after Christmas, venue to be arranged. All meets at 11am.

Wishing all landowners, hunting enthusiasts, supporters and all readers of the column a very Happy Christmas and good hunting in 2010. (E.A.N.)

New Pop Up Boutique on Main Street

Photographed at the Jaruso's new Pop Up Boutique on Main Street Fethard where a 'Diamond Party' was held on Sunday afternoon with proceeds going to Fethard & District Day Care Centre L to R: Geraldine Donohoe, Anne Butler, Rita Kenny and Pat Looby.

Hunting News
Tipperary Foxhounds enjoyed some good hunting last week with good runs from Loughcopple on Monday and Ballyluskey on Thursday. Finding in the Blackthorn's they put their fox quickly to ground. From the grove at Annesfort and following some good hound work in covert they were away at the far end for Slattery's. Turning right here they ran to Purcell's and to the Annesfort Cross, Powerstown Road. Checking briefly here cast across they ran through Kilmore to the Sawmill. Turning right-handed here they crossed the road to Monroe. Turning right again hunting strongly they crossed the road near the Old Railway bridge. Through Murphy's they hunted to the old railway line where they lost him.

This was a very fast run of forty minutes. The field were well strung out by the end with many playing catch up. From Quinlan's Glen in the afternoon the rain which was heavy all day became more severe with a gale force wind. They ran across the road to Ryan's back to where they lost their first fox and to Annsfort bridge where home was blown. Following a good pipe-opener on Wednesday when hounds ran over Lyonstown from Shanakyle to Ryan's and to ground near the Bawnbrack road they moved on to Ballyluskey. From here they had a cracker. Crossing the road above Ballylusky Quarry they ran through Carey's swinging left here they crossed the road and hunted strongly to Lower Crohane. From here they hunted to the road at Moanverrin where they checked. Cast back towards Crohane they were away again. They ran left handed crossing what is known as 'The Straight Mile Road'. Running on they turned left again ran to Hayden's back towards Ballylusky Glen. Left handed here they ran almost the same route as the first time round and finished a very good hunt at the Moanverrin Road. During this run there were plenty of muddy hunting jackets and quite a few empty saddles.

The day finished with a run from Ruttles Castle to the Ballylusky Killenaule road where home was blown at 3.30pm. A field of some fifty riders was well thinned out by the end of the day with many having an early finish in very heavy going. Later that evening a well-attended Christmas get-together in Guinan's was very much enjoyed.

Bootcamp night out

Colm McGrath photographed with members of his 'Gi Joe's Bootcamp' enjoying their Christmas Night out in Lonergan's Bar.

Killusty Night Out!
Calling anyone with Killusty connections! A night out for all Killusty people has been arranged for Friday, January 27, 2012, in the Clonmel Park Hotel. If you're from the village or have any connections with it contact 087 9795025 for more information and booking.

The Senior Citizens' Club
Fethard's Senior Citizens enjoyed their annual Christmas party at the Anner Hotel, Thurles, on Sunday, December 4. The members and committee wish to thank everyone who supported our Christmas Raffle by purchasing tickets or sponsoring a prize. Our lucky winners were: 1st Prize, Gerry Ahearne, Prospect; 2nd Prize, Kaycie Aherne, Prospect; 3rd Prize, Richard Sayers, Woodvale Walk; 4th Prize, Paudie Kirwin, Ballinure; 5th Prize, Marie Mulcahy (phone number supplied).
We wish all members, their families and friends a happy and a safe Christmas 2011. Our next gathering will be on Tuesday, February 7, in the Tirry Community Centre.

Santa meets the children!

Santa visited Fethard on the 9th December and met a lot of local children at his grotto.

'Festive Friday' in Fethard

Santa photographed with Charlotte Burgess on Festive Friday


Danny Kane photographed with his grandson, Paddy Ryan, at the Festive Friday held in Fethard


Santa being interviewed by Tipp FM's Ian O'Connor at the 'Local Hero' Festive Friday in Fethard


Mad' Patsy McCormack and friends at 'Festive Friday'


L to R: Noleen Drohan, Aidan Kenny holding his son Jason, Sarah Schylander and Paul Kenny at the 'Local Hero' Festive Day


Santa turning on the Christmas lights at the 'Local Hero' Festive Day in Fethard.

Season's Greetings from Fethard & District RFC
On Friday last, December 16, our minis had a great night when Santa called to the clubhouse to visit them. He was very impressed with the players and how much they had grown since last year, advising them to get to bed early next Saturday night. He gave them all a treat and thanked them for making his visit so enjoyable. Polly did a great job organising the quiz while they waited for the big man to arrive. Mary, Deirdre and Margaret provided mince pies and tea for the parents in the kitchen. A big thank you to Kieran and Alice for looking after the sale of Fethard Rugby gear (gear still available, contact Kieran ). Fethard & District RFC would like to thank their coaches for all the hard work they put in with their teams. It is much appreciated.

A very Happy Christmas to all our members and their families. We look forward to seeing you all in 2012. Training resumes on Friday, January 6.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Sunday, December 18, of Linda Staehelin (née Kane), Age 45, Cahermore, Gort, Galway, and formerly of Kerry Street, Fethard.

Reposing at the Corless Funeral Home, Kinvara on Tuesday evening, December 20, from 5pm to 7pm. Removal on Wednesday morning from her family home, to St. Joseph's Church, Kinvara. Funeral after 10am Mass to Doorus Cemetery.

Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Gort Cancer Care.

Fethard & Killusty Newsletter is now on sale in local shops, over 250 pages of articles and photographs. Copies were posted on Wednesday 14th December to Fethard and Killusty emigrants free of charge and should arrive in good time for Christmas!