Penitential Services for Christmas
The penitential service in preparation for Christmas will take place in the Parish Church on Monday, December 18, at 7.30pm, and in the Augustinian Abbey before 7.30pm Mass on Saturday, December 23.
Penitential services are gatherings of the people of God to hear God’s word as an invitation to conversion and renewal of life and to help foster the spirit of penance within the Christian community.
Tipperary People and Places Lecture Series
The Tipperary People and Places Lecture Series continues on Tuesday, December 19, at The Source, Thurles, with Dr. Willie Nolan's lecture on one of the county's most famous Fenians, Michael Doheny. Born in Brookhill, Fethard in 1805 he trained as a lawyer and found himself in Dublin at the beginnings of Daniel O'Connell's Repeal movement. He quickly grew more radical and aligned himself with the New Irelanders, an association that culminated in the failed Ballingarry Insurrection in 1848. He then fled to America where he joined the Army's 69th Infantry Regiment, and died suddenly, in his 56th year, in New York. His remarkable revolutionary life was documented in his 1849 autobiography (now an Irish classic) 'The Felon's Track'.
William Nolan is a native of Ballinastick, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and is Emeritus Professor of Geography, University College Dublin. Through his academic publishing company Geography Publications he has published over fifty titles including twelve relating to Co. Tipperary. He has been researching the 1848 Rising, its origins and its aftermath for a number of years.
Come along and help us to round off another year of historical discovery at Tipperary Studies: admission is free, the lecture commences at 7.30pm and all are welcome to join us beforehand for refreshments and, perhaps, some sweet festive fare to celebrate the season. For more details contact Mary or John at 0761 066 123
Email: studies@tipperarycoco.ie
Fethard Emigrants’ Newsletter On Sale
Fethard & Killusty Emigrants Newsletter will be available in local shops from Thursday, December 14, at €12 each, Centra Supermarket (The Green), Daybreak Supermarket (Kerry Street), Fethard Horse Country (Town Hall, Main Street) and Post Office (Main Street). Copies will also be posted this weekend to Fethard emigrants living throughout the world.
We take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported us with donations and help throughout the year and make this annual publication possible and sent free of charge to emigrants since it first started in 1959.
Santa Claus’ Visit to Fethard

Santa arriving to Fethard by the town’s medieval North Gate on Friday, December 8.

Fethard Patrician Presentation secondary school were delighted to help out in the festive cheer on Friday last where some of our elves, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse and Olaf, accompanied Santa Claus on his visit to Holy Trinity National School, followed by the carol singing and switching on of the Christmas Lights at The Square, and afterwards to the Convent Community Hall for the big ‘Santa Party’. The day was a great success and the weather was perfect for the occasion.

Santa’s helpers on the way to The Square in Fethard before switching on the lights

Waiting for Santa to arrive in Fethard are L to R: Niamh O'Rahilly, Aoileann Morrisson and Mary Rose Guiry.

Happy faces waiting for Santa to arrive in Fethard on Friday, December 8.

Cian Strappe meeting Santa in Fethard on December 8

A section of the large group of pupils from Holy Trinity National School who sang for Santa at The town’s Christmas Tree before switching on the lights

Santa Arriving in Fethard on Friday, December 8.















St. Vincent de Paul Collection
The St. Vincent de Paul Society, Fethard, would like to sincerely thank all those who contributed so generously to their Annual Church Gate Collection. The total amount came to a new record and staggering €3,780 for which we are extremely grateful. We apologise to Killusty residents that due to flooding we were unable to collect outside the church but we are still accepting donations if anybody wishes to contact any member of the Fethard committee.
St. Rita's Camogie AGM this Wednesday
St. Rita's Camogie Club, Fethard, will hold their AGM in the Tirry Community Centre on Wednesday, December 13, at 7.30pm. Please come along and you’re your support, all are welcome.
November Sports Achievement Award

Ann Marie Butler presenting the Butler's Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award for November to Nat McCarthy, who accepted the award on behalf of winner Dinny Burke, who was unable to attend
The winner of the Butler’s Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award for November, announced on Friday night, December 8, was local golfer Dinny Burke from Redcity after playing a fantastic year of golf, and being awarded ‘Player of the Year’ at Slievenamon Golf Club.
Unfortunately, due to family commitments, Dinny was unable to be present for the presentation of the award at Butler’s so fellow player, Nat McCarthy, accepted the award on his behalf from this month’s sponsor, Ann Marie Butler.

Ann Marie Butler presenting the Butler's Bar 'Mentor of the Month' Award for November to Kevin Coffey
The ‘Mentor of the Month’ award was won by Kevin Coffey. Kevin was a founder member of the ‘Fethard Pedallers’ cycling group, which now has over 50 members, and he is also an active member and coach at Fethard Racquetball Club.
Nominations for the December award are now being accepted at Butler’s Bar. The overall winner for the year 2017, chosen from the 12 monthly winners, will be announced in the New Year.
Christmas Raffle Results
The following winners of the Christmas raffle were drawn at the recent Fethard Senior Citizens’ annual Christmas Party held at the Anner Hotel, Thurles.
1st prize €200, won by Anthony O’ Dwyer, c/o Gaule’s Pub; 2nd Prize €100, won by Michael Walsh, Kilknockin; 3rd Prize Christmas Cake and bottle Whiskey, won by Brian Connolly, Kilsheelan; 4th Prize Bottle Whiskey and Sherry, won by Siobhan Pollard, The Green, Fethard; 5th Prize Tin of Biscuits, won by John Slattery, Kilknockin.
The club members and committee are very grateful to all who bought tickets for our Christmas draw. Many thanks also to local businesses who generously sponsored spot prizes for our Christmas Party.”
London Calling ‘Christmas Special’

JW Productions will perform their musical production ‘London Calling - Christmas Special’, in Cloneen Hall on December 16, at 8pm. Tickets will be available at the door on the night at €10 each and €8 (concession). The show will feature some songs from the group’s oncoming tour which will be heading to the West End in January, and also some of your favourite Christmas songs to get you into the festive mood!
All money raised on the night will be put towards getting our group to London to perform in the West End. Money made on the raffle will go towards local girl, Ciara Butler, to help fund her oncoming trip to India with the Hope Foundation. Ciara will be showing off her extraordinary voice singing solos in the concert. Ciara needs to raise €3,400 to fund her trip to Calcutta – €2,400 of which will go towards the Hope Foundation charity.
Christmas Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland
Canon Barbara Fryday and the congregation of Holy Trinity Church of Ireland would like to invite everyone to their annual Christmas Carol Service which takes place on Sunday, December 17, at 7.30pm.
The Christmas story will be celebrated in the form of readings and carols and the Fethard Choral Society will be singing three pieces including O Holy Night. Refreshments will be served afterwards .
Months’ Mind Mass for Fr. John Meagher OSA
Fr. John Meagher OSA, month’s mind Mass will take place in the Augustinian Abbey at 7.30pm on Saturday, December 16.
Christmas Fair at Fethard Horse Country Experience on Saturday

Join us for our first annual Christmas Fair at Fethard Horse Country Experience, Main Street, on Saturday, December 16, from 11am to 6pm. There will be craft, jewellery and food producers along with vintage and collectable items for you to choose the perfect Christmas present from. Bring a friend or two and enjoy the festive fun in Fethard. We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful medieval town so please help us to spread the word - thank you.
Community Games Annual General Meeting
Fethard & Killusty Community Games will hold their Annual General Meeting in the Tirry Community Centre on this Thursday, December 14, at 8pm.
We wish to invite parents of all children between 6 and 16 years to attend this important meeting which we intend to use as a platform to highlight the opportunities that are available to children at the moment. There will be no pressure on anybody to accept positions. There are a lot of changes on the community games programme with winter and summer games now taking place to cater for the huge number of events on offer.
Entries for all teams on the winter games programme close on January 10, with the draws taking place on January 17. Finals will commence very early; the county finals of the 2018 Cross Country have already taken place. County final of swimming is brought forward to Sunday, February 18, in Thurles pool.
Please make a date of December 14 in your diary, when we really need to discuss forthcoming events on the 2018 programme for one hour, which could have a big impact on your child’s life.
Big news at the moment is that Community Games National Finals will take place in the University of Limerick for at least the next three years. Looking forward to seeing you.
Fethard Bridge Club Christmas Results
At our Christmas Party on December 10 the following results were announced.

Judy Doyle and Ann O’Dea at Fethard Bridge Club Christmas party in Raheen House, Clonmel
Gross Turkey (played for on November 22): 1st Gross, Rita Kane and Kay St. John; 2nd Gross, Gemma Burke and Carrol Kenny; 3rd Gross, Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara; 1st Nett, Mike Burke and Margaret Slattery; 2nd Nett, Betty Egan and Mary Tierney; 3rd Nett, Teresa O’Brien and Mary Nolan.

Sean O’Dea and Jim Lahert at Fethard Bridge Club Christmas Party, Raheen House.
Nett Turkey (played for on November 29: 1st Nett Carol Kenny and Gemma Burke; 2nd Nett Tony Hanrahan and Keith Woodlock; 3rd Nett Anne Connolly and Eileen Frewen; 1st Gross, Kay St. John and Rita Kane; 2nd Gross, Alice Quinn and Berney Myles; 3rd Gross, Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara.

Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh at Fethard Bridge Club Christmas Party
Christmas Prizes (played for on December 6): 1st Gross, Ellen Rochford and Rita Holohan; 2nd Gross, Kay St. John and Rita Kane; 3rd Gross, Carmel Condon and Frances Burke; 4th Gross, Eileen Frewen and Margaret Slattery; 5th Gross, Eileen Ryan and Jim Lahert; 6th Gross, Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh; 1st Nett, Noreen Evans and Noel O’Dwyer; 2nd Nett, Marie Delaney and Ann O’Dea; 3rd Nett, Teresa O’Brien and Mary Nolan; 4th Nett, Joan Hayes and Judy Doyle; 5th Nett, Vincent Cummins and Bill O’Sullivan; 6th Nett, Nora Ryan and Gabrielle Schofield.

Vincent Cummins and Rita Kane at Fethard Bridge Club Christmas Party, Raheen House.

Anna Cooke and Carmel Condon at Fethard Bridge Club Christmas Party, Raheen House.

Marie Delaney and Margaret Slattery at Fethard Bridge Club Christmas Party

Frances Burke and David O’Meara at Fethard Bridge Club Christmas Party.

Nora Ryan and Gabrielle Schofield at Fethard Bridge Club Christmas Party

Betty Egan and Mary Tierney (President) at Fethard Bridge Club Christmas Party, Raheen House.
Bridge resumes on January 10, 2018 at 7.15pm. Happy Christmas to one and all!
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto Christmas draw
The numbers drawn on December 6, were: 10, 15, 26 and 27. There was no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: June Gough, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard; and Catriona Boland, Drangan.
The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: Derry and Lily Curran, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; Chelsea Kenny, Killusty, Fethard; and Liam O'Sullivan, Cois Falla, Fethard.
Christmas Ham winners were: Spud Culligan, Main Street, Fethard; Matthew Hames, Burke Street, Fethard; and Siobhan Curran, c/o Kathleen Connolly
Turkey winners were: Eamon O'Donohoe, Dualla Road, Cashel; Joan Barrett, c/o Annie's, Burke Street; and Michael Russell, c/o Seamus Moloney
Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, December 13, when we will also include six extra free draws for Christmas Hams and Turkeys. 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.
Fethard Girls Rugby teams through to Munster League Finals
An incredible feat last weekend when both Fethard Girls U15 and U18 teams won their respective Munster League Semi Finals after thrilling games.

Fethard U18 Girls Rugby team who play this Saturday in the Munster League Finals At Thomand Park. Photographed above with coaches Pat O'Donnell and Michael Fogarty
Our U18 girls had an incredible battle in their Munster semi-final against the Listowel-Tralee combination team, with the match played in Tralee last Saturday. The Fethard girls scored three wonderful tries and defended extremely well throughout the whole game in very testing conditions and came away winning 19-7, after a terrific team. The girls are a credit to themselves and their families and have made their club very proud of them.
The match squad was: Aoife Hayes, Claire Bennett, Dorothy Wall, Isobel Kennedy, Ciara Morrissey, Therese Ryan, Kate Gayson Molloy, Erika Magan, Orla O'Donnell, Lauren Dooley, Matilda Magner, Jenifer Fogarty, Faye Dowling, Ciara Dwan, Amy McGrath, Molly Williams, Julia Heiden, Niamh Woodlock, and Aoife Flanagan. Coach was Pat O'Donnell with assistance from Michael Fogarty and Edel MacMahon. These girls has shown great determination this season which has paid off for them to reach the Munster League U18 Final.
Under 15s play an incredable game

Fethard U15 Girls Rugby team who play this Saturday in the Munster League Finals At Thomand Park.
Our U15s played an incredible game against a very tough St Mary's team at home in Fethard on Saturday last. The girls put up a great battle to keep their unbeaten record this season and showed some incredible rugby to go three tries up in the first half. St Mary's made it a very close second half but Fethard dug deep and defended very well.
The Squad was: Lucy Murphy, Nicole Vaughan, Eabha Fitzgerald, Karen Bennett, Aoibhe Gayson Molloy, Shuana Maher, Kate Flannery, Orlaith Breen, Evelyn Gayson Molloy, Aisling Morrissey, Ella Shelley, Lia Coady, Ciara Scanlon, Niamh Flatley, Amanda O'Keefe, Orla Maher, Sophia O'Brien, Niamh Doyle, Annica O'Connor, Natasha McGarry and Ciara Moloney. Coaches were Jason Flannery, Polly Murphy assisted by Thomas Murphy and Sam Bergerson.
Congratulations to all involved for their remarkable achievements this season girls. Wishing you all the very best for Saturday's Munster finals at the historic Thomand. A very proud moment for club and families.
GAA Sports Development Lotto
The numbers drawn on Friday, December 8, were: 23, 25, 28 and 34. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘match three’ winner.
One Lucky Dip winner received €50: Ursula Bradshaw, Red City. Four Lucky Dip winners received €25 each: Sean Moroney, Tullamaine; Denis O’Meara, St. Patrick’s Place; Millie Cleere, Cloneen; and T.J. Sheehan, Killusty.
The next draw takes place on Friday, December 15, 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.
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

Pupils from Holy Trinity National School, Fethard, photographed while rehearsing for their Christmas 'Rock Nativity Concert' which was performed in Fethard Ballroom in 2010.


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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