County Intermediate Football County Final on Sunday
Our best wishes to Fethard Intermediate Football Team who will play Golden/Kilfeacle in the County Football Final
on this Sunday, October 23, at 1pm in Cashel. A win on Sunday will promote the Fethard team back to senior level – where they belong.
We ask all supporters of Fethard GAA and the town, to make a special effort to come along and support the Fethard team on this very important final. It's a big ask for this young team but with your help it can be achieved!!
Liam McCarthy Cup visits Fethard Schools

Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School pupils photographed with the All-Ireland senior and minor hurling cups won this year by Tipperary when team members visited the school on Thursday, October 13. The minor team was represented by captain Brian McGrath and Dylan Walsh; and the senior team represented by Cathal Barrett and John O'Keeffe.


Second Year student, Cathal Ryan, was announced as the Patrician Presentation ‘Sports Star of the Month’ for September. He is pictured above with Tipperary senior hurlers, Cathal Barrett and John O'Keeffe, and Tipperary minor hurlers Brian McGrath (captain) and Dylan Walsh. Cathal Barrett presented the award.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing on Sunday Night, October 23, to the music of ‘Dermot Lyons’. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 9pm to midnight. Admission is €8 which includes tea and cakes.
JigJam for Cancer Care fundraiser in Fethard Ballroom
Only two weeks to go to the ‘Harvest Dance’ fundraiser in aid of Cancer Care Support Center in Clonmel. Popular bluegrass band JigJam are all set to return to Fethard Ballroom and DJ Kumar Mehta also has his playlist ready for the night’s entertainment. The chip van also has a spot by the river picked out, and we have some fantastic prizes for our raffle and our ticket sales are going really well.
The center in Clonmel offers fantastic support to people suffering with cancer and their families so lets make this a fantastic Fethard fundraiser for the center and a fantastic community gathering where we can all have a great night out while showing our support to the center.

JigJam, including local musician Gavin Strappe, who will play for the Harvest Dance on October 30, and will launch their latest CD 'Hello World' on November 19, in the Abymill Theatre.
In conjunction with our Harvest Dance we are holding a 'Build a Scarecrow' competition. Your scarecrow needs to be adult size and handed in on Wednesday, October 26. We decided not to put in lots of rules and regulations as its just a fun element to our dance so its open to all ages but no different age categories adults can help children. The winner will be chosen by a non-committee member on Saturday and announced at the harvest dance on Saturday night. We hope to display the scarecrows on the square the following week. So start building your scarecrows now as there’s a fantastic luxury hamper for the winner.
Fethard's young singing stars

Fiona Barry and Tara Moquet, Fethard, runners up winners in the Credit Union Singing Competition for under 10 and under 8. Well done to both girls.
Fethard Day Care Centre
A table quiz in aid of Fethard and District Day Care Centre will take place on Friday October 21, in Butler's Sportsbar on Main Street. The Day Care Centre is a tremendous service that serves the older members of our communities living in Fethard, Killusty, Killenaule, Moyglass, Drangan and Mullinahone.
The Centre provides a warm, comfortable setting for daily gatherings, where clients can meet, play a game of Bingo, do arts, crafts and exercises suited to their needs. They are served hot nourishing meals, cooked in a state of the art kitchen. Meals on Wheels are also provided three days a week. Please come along and support this great cause.
The Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold a Senior Day on Friday, October 28, from 10.30am. The chiropodist will also be in attendance. All seniors welcome.
Fashion Show
Fethard and District Rugby Club are holding a fashion show in Horse & Jockey Hotel on Thursday, November 3. Tickets will cost €20 each and are available from all lady committee members or at the clubhouse on Friday nights.
For further club information please check out our new website on www.fethardrfc.ie
Peg Sheehan's Month’s Mind Mass
The Month’s Mind Mass for the late Peg Sheehan, St. Patrick’s Place, will be held next Sunday morning at 10am, in the Church of the Sacred Hearth, Killusty.
Abymill hosts treasure trove of stories left by late Eamon Kelly

The Abymill Theatre will host the very successful stage show ‘The Tay-Man, the Tom-Cat and Others’ – a treasure trove of stories left by late Eamon Kelly and brought to life by former Fethard actor, Jack Healy. The show takes place in the Abymill Theatre, Fethard, on Friday, October 28, starting at 8.15pm. Booking has now opened and tickets at €10 each can be obtained by contacting Austin O’Flynn at Tel: 087 1604260.
Jack, now living in Cork, is a son of the late Gobnait and Sergeant Con Healy, formerly from Main Street and Monroe, Fethard. Jack’s father was a Kerry man and was a huge fan of Eamon Kelly and a very keen storyteller himself. As Jack affectionately recalls, “I grew up with the voice of Eamon Kelly in my ear.”
This promises to be a great night as we welcome Jack Healy back to Fethard and indeed to the Abymill Theatre where he also performed at the official opening held back in May 1988. Early booking is advisable.
Community Games AGM
The AGM of Fethard & Killusty Community Games will take place on Wednesday, October 26, in the Tirry Community Centre at 8pm. All are welcome to attend.
After a highly successful 2016 which resulted in medals at Area, County, Munster and National level where competitors had a wonderful experience it is now time to prepare for the coming year which brings many changes including the reintroduction of a National Finals weekend in May which caters for Swimming, Mini and Tag Rugby, Table Quiz, Chess, Cross Country etc., so therefore it is vital that a strong committee is in place early. We look forward to a good attendance at the AGM.
Exhibition for Secondary School students

Fethard Patrician Presentation Fifth and Sixth Year art students, photographed with Nuala Ahearne (right), outside the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, where they visited the ‘VASE, Function Reviewed’, exhibition of ceramics by thirty Irish and international artists.
Fethard Fifth and Sixth Year students visited the ‘VASE, Function Reviewed’, exhibition of ceramics at the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny. The exhibition, by thirty Irish and international artists, as curated by Brian Kennedy, and focuses on the vase – an object used in daily life – and looks at it through the eyes of an artist. Students were given a tour of the exhibition by Niamh who introduced the class to some of the key works and the stories behind them. The design ideas and processes as well as the craft techniques used in the exhibits, were all explained with students encouraged to join in and share their own responses. This exhibition offers a lively debate on form versus function making us look anew at the objects that surround us. It continues its run until November 6.

Fethard Patrician Presentation Fifth and Sixth Year art students, photographed at the ‘VASE, Function Reviewed’, exhibition of ceramics by thirty Irish and international artists in Kilkenny
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on October 12 were: 6, 8, 18 and 21. There was no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: Peter Kenny, The Green, Fethard, and Michael/Paul Walshe, Barrack Street, Fethard.
The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Daniela Sabatini, The Lantern, Main Street, Fethard; Shauna Cleere, The Commons, Thurles; and Liz Hunt, Lisronagh.
Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, October 19. The Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €1,000. All proceeds go towards community projects in Fethard, and we thank you for your on-going support.
GAA Sports Development Lotto
The numbers drawn on Friday, October 14, were 15, 23, 25 and 26. There was no jackpot winner and no match three winner. One lucky dip winner received €50: Donal Tobin, Killerk, Fethard. Four lucky dip winners received €25 each: Liam Ryan, Ballingarry; Rosie O'Donnell, Kyleavalla; Darragh Hurley, Strylea; and Connie Cuddihy, c/o Daybreak.
The next draw takes place on Friday, October 21, when the jackpot is €20,000 and the sellers prize is €960. Fethard GAA / Sports Centre Development Lotto would like to thank all our supporters, far and near, who participate in our weekly lotto draw to promote sport in our community.
Died Recently
The death has occurred on Thursday, October 13, 2016, of Paddy Wallace, Saucestown, Fethard. Paddy, pre-deceased by his wife Margaret, deeply regretted by his son Robert, daughters Denise, Tracy, Emma and Melissa, his mother Maureen, brothers Seamus and Gus, sisters Marie, Teresa, Valerie and Sinead, grandchildren, sons-in-law, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.
Reposing at home on Friday, October 14, from 4pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, at 11am, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. House private on Saturday morning. Donations, if desired, to South Tipperary Hospice.
Local actor brings ‘Eamon Kelly’ to Abymill
The Abymill Theatre will host the very successful stage show ‘The Tay-Man, the Tom-Cat and Others’ – a treasure trove of stories left by late Eamon Kelly and brought to life by former Fethard actor, Jack Healy. The show takes place in the Abymill Theatre, Fethard, on Friday, October 28, starting at 8.15pm. Booking has now opened and tickets at €10 each can be obtained by contacting Austin O’Flynn at Tel: 087 1604260.
Jack, now living in Cork, is a son of the late Gobnait and Sergeant Con Healy, formerly from Main Street and Monroe, Fethard. Jack’s father was a Kerry man and was a huge fan of Eamon Kelly and a very keen storyteller himself. As Jack affectionately recalls, “I grew up with the voice of Eamon Kelly in my ear.”
The show, directed by Ger Fitzgibbon While, comprises five stories linked by commentary as well as anecdotes, and has just completed a successful run in Cork Arts Theatre. The stories, while rooted in the past, still have relevance today, including a story of a man with a drink problem, constantly making and breaking pledges. There is also an emigration story, among others, included in the night’s entertainment.
This promises to be a great night as we welcome Jack Healy back to Fethard and indeed to the Abymill Theatre where he also performed at the official opening held back in May 1988. Early booking is advisable.
Exercises for people with Parkinson’s
Classes of Set Dancing and Exercise suitable for people with Parkinson’s will take place every Monday morning from 11am to 12.30pm at Slievenamon Golf Club, facilitated by Ms Tina Shortt.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while a tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson's disease, the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.
Lesser Spotted Journeys – if you've missed it!
Fethard featured last weekend on UTV’s ‘Lesser Spotted Journeys’ programme and was received very favourably by those who viewed the programme. The presenter, Joe Mahon, covered a wide range of interesting local topics in a very easy-going relaxed manner, which also very much helped those who were interviewed.
For those who missed the programme it can still be viewed on the UTV Ireland Player – search for Lesser Spotted Journeys broadcast on October 9. It will be available for the next four weeks. The UTV version for those living in UK will also be available.
Emigrants’ Newsletter Church Gate Collection
The annual church gate collection for the Fethard & Killusty Emigrants Newsletter will take place in Fethard and Killusty on weekend, October 22 and 23. We ask for your continued support for this annual production which is now in operation for over 55 years and posted free of charge to our emigrants and families living away from home. This year, as before, we depend on your donations to provide this much appreciated service to our parish emigrants.
Donations can be handed in to Carmel Rice, Brookhill, Fethard, or Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, or alternatively put in an envelope with your name and address and handed in at our Church Gate Collection at the weekend October 22 and 23.
All donations of €10 and over will be acknowledged in this year's publication, unless you specify to remain anonymous.
Donations can also be made online at the following secure web address: https://www.fethard.com/donate
Annual Emigrants Newsletter PayPal Donations
If you would like to make a donation to Fethard & Killusty Emigrants' Newsletter using PayPal please do so here.
All donations of €10 and over will be acknowledged in this year's publication, unless you specify to remain anonymous.
Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing on Sunday Night, October 16, to the music of ‘Brendan McGee’. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 9pm to midnight. Admission is €8 which includes tea and cakes.
Died in Canada
The death has occurred in Edmonton, Canada, of Mr Eamon Maher, late of 20 St. Patricks's Place, Fethard. Eamon, pre-deceased by his parents Stephen and Mary, his sister Lily (Fitzgerald), is survived by his wife Rose, daughter Martina, grandchildren and his brother Michael (Dublin). Internment takes place in Canada.
May he rest in peace.

The late Eamon Maher photographed with his friends outside Conor Lanigan's house, Árd Mhuire, Thurles, in 1965. L to R: Bill Maher (Main Street), Michael Maher, Eamon Maher and Conor Lanigan.
Michael Maher has finally solved the identity of the mystery man in the photo after receiving a phone call from an old acquaintance who saw the photo on the internet and opened the conversation with the words, "God didn't we all look well in that photo!"
His name is Conor Lanigan from Árd Mhuire in Thurles and the photo was taken in 1965 by the late Liam Whyte (Main Street) outside Conor's house in Thurles with his mother in the background. The group were more than likely heading off to a dance in the Premier Ballroom later that evening.
Michael's memory was jogged by the fact that Stephen (Fitzgerald) rang him to say that he had met Maureen Whyte while out walking last week and informed him that she had also found the photo while sorting out some of Liam's possessions. It's amazing how little reminders can unleash many other memories as Michael had never seen the photograph before and wasn't sure where it was taken.
Augustinian Mission Appeal, Oct 22 and Oct 23

Some of the very grateful people who benefit from your donations to the work of the Augustinian Missions in Africa.
On behalf of the Augustinian community in Fethard, permit me to say ‘hello’ to those who worship in the Augustinian Abbey Church and indeed to all the lovely people of Fethard. I first arrived in Fethard in December 2012, under the cover of winter darkness to begin my missionary work as an Augustinian from Nigeria. Since then I have happily integrated in the Fethard community and quickly adjusted to discussing the weather in the absence of any other topic with people I meet on my travels.
For the past three years I have also being making mission appeals in the Abbey Church to support the Augustinian foreign missions. Every year, people have been very generous in their donations to this appeal and I would like to sincerely express my deep appreciation to this response of generosity. Your donations have touched lives and saved lives in the missions. Indeed, I’m also happy to mention that the mission appeals have also helped in my education and in making me a priest. I remain forever grateful to all of you for that.

Some of the very grateful people who benefit from your donations to the work of the Augustinian Missions in Africa.
This year’s appeal comes up again at all masses on Saturday, October 22, and Sunday, October 23, in the Abbey Church. As usual I count on your kind support and generosity. Like in all charity appeals one euro can change and save a life. You have done it before and I believe you can do it again and receive the Lord’s blessings.
This appeal is always open so you can drop your donations at anytime, any day, to the Augustinian Abbey Church in Fethard.
Thank you to all. Fr. Lazarus Barkindo OSA.
Fethard Faces and Places from the Past
The following are a selection of photographs recently added to the Fethard Faces and Places from the Past page on Facebook, also published here
for the benefit of our readers who are not on Facebook. The Facebook page is used for sharing old Fethard photographs with other members of the group and is open to all interested in joining. Send any comments or photo information to fethardnews@gmail.com

Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School, All-Ireland Junior 'B' Volleyball Champions after beating Presentation Kilkenny by 25-11 and 25-15 in the final played at St. Leo's College, Carlow on Friday 28th April, 2006. Back L to R: Denis Burke (coach), Sarah O'Meara, Katie Coen, Kelly Fogarty, Siobhán O'Brien, Gráinne Horan, Laura Rice. Front L to R: Aisha Tobin, Aisling Dwyer, Debbie Lawrence, Kelley Coady, Lesley Looby and Niamh Fanning.

The above photograph was taken in March 1936 of Kate Cantwell's shop in Burke Street (beside the late Dick Hayes's house). Kate Cantwell's daughter was Peggy (Cantwell) McCarthy, Burke Street.

Anyone remember the old steam-roller . . . this one taken over 100 years ago on Fethard's Main Street?

Sixth Class 2006 at Nano Nagle National School. Back L to R: Ann Marie Harty (classroom assistant), Deirdre Dwyer, Chloe Byrne, Katie Baker, Lucinda Carroll, Mary Ellen O'Reilly, Molly O'Dwyer, Rita Kenny (teacher). Front L to R: Deirdre Dwyer, Aoibhlinn Delany, Amy Pollard, Chloe Gleeson, Lucy Butler and Nicole Looby.
Fethard News
Items for inclusion on this website and on the weekly Fethard News page on The Nationalist can be emailed before noon on Mondays to news@fethard.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.
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