Packed attendance at opening of Sheela na Gig Glass Sculpture’ exhibition

Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Terry Cunningham (Fethard Historical Society), Jimmy O'Sullivan (Fethard Business & Tourism Group), Shannon Forrest (FHC Eperience), Carmel Mooney (Artist) and Maureen Beary Ryan, Art Historian, Former Director of the friends of the National Gallery of Ireland, who officially opened the exhibition. The exhibition will continue to Thursday, November 23, open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

On Thursday, November 2, Fethard Horse Country Experience was packed to capacity with people celebrating the official opening of Carmel Mooney’s ‘Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculpture’ exhibition, the first time these pieces have ever been on show to the public. Carmel, originally from Kilkenny but now living and working in Dublin is an internationally renowned painter and in recent years delved into glass sculpture with her Fire Bird Series and now Sheela na Gigs.


Maureen Beary Ryan, Art Historian, Former Director of the friends of the National Gallery of Ireland, who officially opened the exhibition

Maureen Beary Ryan, former Director of the Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland and originally from Cahir, officially opened the exhibition. Terry Cunningham of the Fethard Historical Society also spoke about the Sheela na Gig’s located within Fethard and gave the crowds an in depth talk on their historical context and over time. Huge support was shown by the local community along with many people travelling from afar to visit including Dublin, Wicklow and Cork.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Sean Corcoran, Jim Colgan, Carmel Mooney (Artist) and Julie King.

This exhibition is the first one of its kind in Fethard Horse Country Experience and certainly not the last according to Manager, Shannon Forrest. The ground floor is a space which can be adapted to hold future exhibitions or similar and can be used for meetings and get-togethers for all to enjoy. The exhibition will continue to Thursday November 23rd, FHC Experience is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm. For more information please call 052-6130439 or visit www.fhcexperience.ie


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Fiona Grassick, Shannon Forrest, Patricia Ponsonby and Julian Ponsonby.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Lucia Gannon, Liam Meagher and Kate Corcoran.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Breda McCrea, Billy McCrea and Douglas Mooney (Visual Artist and son of Carmel Mooney).


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Anne Kavanagh, Niamh Strudwick and Tim Kavanagh.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: David Curran and his wife Frances Curran.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Brian Sheehy (Chairperson Fethard & Killusty Community Council) and his wife Noreen Sheehy.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Daniel O'Connell, Rachel Nicholson, Carmel Hayes and Michelle O'Connell.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: John F. Ryan and Philip Mortell.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Bob Lanigan, Tadhg Gleeson and Peter Steele.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Jennifer Whyte, Dóirín Saurus, Carmel Mooney (Artist), John Fahey and Terry Cunningham.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Mary Dunne and Ann (Hurley) Corrigan, formerly from Congress Terrace, Fethard.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Rosemary Ponsonby, Pat Looby and Kate Corcoran.


Photographed at the Official Opening of the Sheela na Gig Venetian Glass Sculptures exhibition in FHC Experience Fethard are L to R: Niamh Strudwick, Dr. Maureen Concannon (author of 'The Sacred Whore: Sheela, Goddess of the Celts'), Carmel Mooney (Artist) and Anne Kavanagh.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday Night, November 12, to the music of ‘Images’. All are 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.

Fethard Sports Achievement Award for October

Liz Harding (right), representing this month’s sponsor Better Deal Cash & Carry Clonmel, presenting the ‘October Sports Achievement Award’ to Polly Murphy who accepted on behalf of winner Dorothy Wall.

The winner of the Butlers Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award for October was Fethard & District Rugby Club’s Dorothy Wall. Dorothy had already been capped for Ireland this year and continued her successful ways by winning the Inter Provincial U18 title with Munster.


Liz Harding, representing this month’s sponsor Better Deal Cash & Carry Clonmel, presenting the ‘Mentor of the Month’ award to Fethard Rugby Club chairman and founder member, Paul Kavanagh.

The ‘Mentor of the Month’ award was presented to Fethard Rugby Club chairman and founder member, Paul Kavanagh, who currently coaches two senior teams and one under-age team. The award was presented by Liz Harding representing this month’s sponsor, Better Deal Cash & Carry, Clonmel.

Nominations are now being taken for the November October award at Butler’s Bar, Main Street, Fethard.

Patrician Presentation Awards Day Video



Emigrant's Newsletter Donations
Donations can be handed in to Carmel Rice, Brookhill, Fethard, or Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, or online by clicking 'Donate' button below. All donations of €10 and over will be acknowledged in this year's publication, unless you specify to remain anonymous.

PayPal & Credit Card Donations to Emigrants Newsletter
If you would like to make a donation to Fethard & Killusty Emigrants' Newsletter using PayPal or Credit Card please do so by clicking below:

We also remind those who have family members living abroad can also give their addresses to Carmel Rice or Joe Kenny. You can also send details of your address and connection with Fethard by email to: emigrantsnewsletter@gmail.com

Presentation to Michael Higgins

Photographed at the Opening Meet of Tipperary Fohounds in Fethard on Monday, October 30, are L to R: Tom Frayne, Andre Michalski, Paul Ronan, Michael Higgins and Yvonne McClintock. A special presentation was made to Michael Higgins by Paul Ronan MFH to mark the occasion of Michael attending his 50th consecutive Opening Meet. (Photos by Larry Kenny)

At the Opening Meet of Tipperary Foxhounds held in Fethard on Monday, October 30, Paul Ronan MFH made a presentation to Michael Higgins, a very special member of the Tipperary Foxhounds, to was attending his 50th consecutive Opening Meet.

Michael was a legendary huntsman who hunted the pack for many seasons and was instrumental in breeding the ancestors of many of the hounds that hunt with us today. A superb horseman with a fantastic ability to cross country, Michael is always quick to encourage the youngest members of the field who might be daunted by the sight of some of our Tipperary banks.

It’s an honour and a privilege to hunt alongside such a knowledgeable hunting expert and we wish him many more happy seasons ahead!


Mairead Ryan with her granddaughter Kaitlyn Ryan at the Opening Meet in Fethard.


L to R: Aidan Kennedy. Tom Kennedy and Kaitlyn Ryan at the Opening Meet in Fethard.


Emily Sayers photographed at the Opening Meet in Fethard.


L to R: Maria, Edward, Mimie and Rosie Mai O’Grady at the Opening Meet in Fethard.


Tipperary Foxhounds arriving by Fethard Town Wall at their Opening Meet on Bank Holiday Monday, October 30.

Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Some years ago the United Nations voted unanimously to declare the third Sunday of November to be a day of remembrance for road traffic victims. To mark this occasion a celebratory mass of commemoration will take place in the Augustinian Abbey Fethard at 11.30am on Sunday, November 19.

Other events will take place throughout Ireland and across the world. All who have in any way been touched by this tragedy or who wish to support victims and their families are more than welcome to attend this celebration.

– Fr Iggy O'Donovan OSA (Prior)

Damage at Mogorban by Hurricane Ophelia

Helping to clear up the damage at Mogorban, Fethard, caused by the recent Hurricane Ophelia, are L to R: Seamus Doheny, Denis Prendergast, Sean O’Dea and Philip O’Dea.

St. Vincent de Paul help for Christmas
Fethard St. Vincent de Paul society invite applications for those who may need help for Christmas this year. Application forms will be available at the back of both Churches from this weekend. Please return same to any member of the Fethard Conference before November 30.

Autumn Evening Concert this Friday
On this coming Friday, November 10, Fethard’s Holy Trinity Parish Church will be the stage for ‘An Autumn Evening in Concert’ with proceeds going towards the ongoing and successful Music Programme at Fethard’s Holy Trinity National School. The concert, starting at 8pm, will feature the Clonmel Concert Band – last year’s South of Ireland Band Champions; Gaudeamus Choir; and special guest Derek Ryan, bass baritone.

Tickets at €15 each are available from Holy Trinity National School, Fethard Post Office and Marian’s Bookshop, Clonmel. Please come along and support this wonderful project, the fruits of which, will bring music to our ears for many years to come.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary

Congratulations to Sean and Breda Spillane, Tullamaine, who recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with their family and many friends. Sean and Breda are photographed above with their grandchildren.


Sean and Breda Spillane, Tullamaine, who recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with their family and many friends. In the background is a life-size photograph of their wedding day 50 years ago.


Congratulations to Sean and Breda Spillane, Tullamaine, who recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with their family and many friends. Sean and Breda are photographed above with their family L to R: Kay Spillane, Imelda Ryan, Tony Spillane, Breda Spillane, (Sean & Breda from 50 years ago), Sean Spillane, Michael Spillane and Paraic Spillane.

Last week for Christmas Shoebox Appeal
The ‘Christmas Shoebox Appeal’ that promises to get your 'Christmas Shoebox' into the hands of a needy child is currently running. Please fill a shoebox with a range of simple Christmas gifts, and drop it off at Centra, Fethard, or Monica Pollard, Rocklow Road, before November 11. For further information contact Monica Pollard, at Centra Foodmarket, Fethard, or by Tel: 087 1258591.

Pre-Baptism Meeting
A pre-Baptism meeting will be held in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, on Monday, November 13, at 7.30pm for parents who wish to have their child baptised during the coming weeks. Meetings are subject to demand. Please contact Fr. Liam Everard P.P. or Fr. Tom Breen A.P. prior to attending.

A Happy Halloween in Fethard

Ailise, Mary Ann and Claire Fitzgerald getting their pumpkins ready for Halloween in Fethard. (Photos by Larry Kenny)


Halloween in Fethard with Amanda Keogh, Aine Connolly, Alison Connolly, Denise O Meara, Cathal Brett, Salom Farag holding baby Andrew Farag. In front are Abbey Farag, Rosie Roche, Fionn Tierney and Kevin Connolly.


Emma Roche, Rosie Roche, Abbey Farag, Hugh Tierney, Oisin Tierney and Fionn Tierney celebrating Halloween in Fethard


Katie Allen and Lucy Kenny enjoying Halloween in Fethard


Ruby Kenny and Leah Boland at the Halloween Bonfire in Fethard

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on November 1, were: 6, 8, 16 and 20. There was no jackpot winner and four ‘Match Three’ winner who received €40: Patricia Treacy, Strylea, Fethard; Fiona O'Donohoe, Newtown, Drangan; Ian Cooke, Scotch Road, Lisronagh; and John Ward, Kerry Street, Fethard.

The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: Josephine Shelly, Moyglass; Bridget Lonergan, Newchapel, Clerihan; and Paula Carey, c/o Eileen Connolly.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, November 8. 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, November 3, were: 6, 15, 29 and 34. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘match three’ winner of €100: Anne Kerton, Clonmel.

Two Lucky Dip winners won €25 each: Monica Pollard, Rocklow Road, Fethard; and Denis O’Meara, St Patrick’s Place, Fethard.

The next draw takes place on Friday, November 10, when the jackpot is €20,000 and the sellers prize is €1,000. 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 funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ at the Abymill

Booking now at Tel: 085 2045909 for Fethard Players production of ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ which will be staged in the Abymill Theatre from Tuesday, November 14, to Saturday, November 18. 

Tickets €15. Special family nights on Tuesday & Wednesday when all tickets are €12. The play is produced by Marian Gilpin. Early booking advised!


Fethard Players cast rehearsing for ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ that commences a si-night run in the Abymill Theatre Fethard on November 14. Booking at 085 2045909. L to R: Liam O’Connor, Ann Walsh, Maeve Moclair and Richard Hayes.

New Yoga Classes commence in Fethard
Pilates and Yoga stretching classes have now commenced in Fethard Convent Community Centre on Fridays and Tuesdays from 9.30am to 10.45am.

Drop in classes cost €15 each or a set of six classes for €75. You will now have the opportunity to get in two classes each week to help increase fitness, flexibility and strength and get toned in body and spirit for Christmas. For further details contact Mary Moylan McNulty Tel: 085 7787837.

Senior Citizens Meeting
Fethard Senior Citizens’ Club will meet in the Tirry Centre on Tuesday, November 7, at 7.30pm. Please bring along any tickets you have sold for our Christmas raffle. 

Fethard Bridge Club
On Wednesday, October 18 we played for Halloween prizes and the results were: 1st Gross, Marie Delaney and Ann O'Dea; 2nd Gross, Eileen Ryan and Jim Lahert; 3rd Gross, Rita Kane and Kay St. John; 1st Nett, Monica Anglim and Anna Cooke; 2nd Nett, Judy Doyle and Joan Hayes; 3rd Nett, Margaret Slattery and Mike Burke.

The results of our game on October 25 were: 1st Gross, Berney Myles and Alice Quinn; 2nd Gross, Nell Broderick and David O'Meara; 3rd Gross, Carmel Condon and Frances Burke; 1st Nett, Noreen Evans and Noel O'Dwyer; 2nd Nett, Betty Egan and Mary Tierney; 3rd Nett, Anna Cooke and Bernie O'Meara.

This Wednesday, November 8, we play the first round of the Player of the Year competition.  Bridge starts at 7.15pm. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 6132038.

Cemetery Rosaries for November
Rosaries for the Holy Souls will be recited in the following cemeteries during the month of November.

• Sunday, November 12: Calvary Cemetery at 3pm; and Peppardstown Cemetery at 3.45pm.
• Sunday, November 19: Rathcoole Cemetery at 2.30pm; Tullamaine Cemetery at 3pm; and Redcity Cemetery at 3.30pm.
• Sunday, November 26: Kiltinan Cemetery at 3pm; and Kilmaclugh Cemetery at 3.45pm.

All are invited to come along and remember our loved ones who have passed on to their eternal reward.

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

Noel and Irene Sharpe with family members November 1990


Fethard Fancy Dress Parade 1990


Fethard Fancy Dress Parade 1990


Fethard Fancy Dress Parade 1990


Fethard Fancy Dress Parade 1990


Fethard Fancy Dress Parade 1990


Fethard Fancy Dress Parade 1990


St. Lukes Ball, January 1991. L to R: Judy and Sean Doyle, Joan and Liam Hayes

Fethard Presentation Convent group 1990.


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 fethardnews@gmail.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.

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