Fethard Players back with ‘The Real McCoy’

Fethard Players cast of the hilarious comedy “It’s The Real McCoy” which will be stahged in the Abymill Theatre from Tuesday, January 29, to Saturday, February 2, and booking is now open at Tel: 085 2338513. Back L to R: Niamh Hayes, Mia Treacy, Richard Hayes, Liam O’Connor. Front L to R: Ann Walsh, Joe Hanley and Anne Connolly.

Fethard Players are currently in rehearsal for this year’s production of a hilarious comedy by Tommy Marron, ‘It’s The Real McCoy’. This three-act rip-roaring Irish comedy is set in the mid-sixties and a that will have you in tears of laughter!

Fethard Players production of the hilarious comedy, 'It's The Real McCoy’, will be staged in the Abymill Theatre from Tuesday, January 29, to Saturday, February 2, and booking is now open at Tel: 085 2338513. Special family night on Tuesday when all seats are €12. Curtain 8.25pm every night.

The cast members are: Anne Connolly, Joe Hanley, Niamh Hayes, Richard Hayes, Mia Treacy, Ann Walsh and Liam O’Connor. The play is produced by Marian Gilpin and will be staged in the Abymill Theatre from Tuesday, January 29, to Saturday, February 2. Booking is now open at Tel: 085 2338513.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its New Year social dancing on Sunday, January 20, to the music of ‘Jimmy Hogan’. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 9pm to midnight. Admission is €9, which includes tea and cakes.

Sports Achievement Award for December

The winner of the Butler’s Bar Sports Achievement Award for December was Bernard Feery (left), who had a very successful month in athletics. The award was presented on Friday night, January 11, by Ken Moloney, representing this month’s sponsor Heineken.

The winner of the Butler’s Bar Sports Achievement Award for December was Bernard Feery Bernard had a very successful month in athletics on two fronts. At the County Tipperary Indoor Over-55 Championships in Nenagh he brought home gold, silver and bronze medals. He also won a silver Over-55 medal at the County Masters Cross Country Held at Thurles Crokes. The December awards were presented by Ken Moloney, representing this month’s sponsor Heineken, on Friday night, January 11, in Butlers Sports Bar.


'Marathon Man' Neilie Hall photographed with hid wife Rita and family members after receiving the 'Mentor of the Month' award for December at the presentation of Fethard Sports Achievement Awards held in Butler's Bar. Neilie completed running his 100th Marathon in November – the first Tipperary man to do so.

The ‘Mentor of the Month’ award was won by local athlete Neilie Hall. Neilie was recently honoured by the Marathon Club Ireland at a special function held in Galway, after he completed his 100th Marathon in November – the first Tipperary man to do so.

Neilie was presented with a special medal by the Marathon Club to mark his achievement. Neilie also raised over €40,000 for his chosen charity, South Tipperary Hospice Movement, over his many years running marathons.

Carols for Epiphany at Mogorban

Taking part in the annual service of candlelit carols for Epiphany in Mogorban Church are L to R: Dean Gerald Field, Bishop Michael Burrows and The Rev Browin Carling.

The annual service of candlelit carols for Epiphany took place in Mogorban Church on Sunday night, January 6. It was a perfect starry night so the surrounding paths and walls could be also lit by candles. Mogorban is now the only church in the United Dioceses of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory not to have electricity, so the glow of candlelight and decorations of holly, ivy and local greenery and winter flowering shrubs has not changed for over 200 years, adding to the special atmosphere.


Photographed at the annual service of candlelit carols for Epiphany in Mogorban Church are L to R: Pat O’Donnell and Frances O’Connor.

Over 120 people came to the service and were joined by Bishop Michael Burrows who has wanted to attend the service for 13 years! The service was led by Dean Gerald Field assisted by The Rev Bronwen Carling. Marion Thompson played the harmonium to accompany the carols and people stayed on to enjoy the refreshments and chat afterwards.

A collection was taken and the proceeds will be shared by the Fethard Day Care Centre and The Fethard branch of St. Vincent de Paul.

Tipperary Foxhounds Opening Meet in Fethard

Timmy Hyde and Rosie-Mai O’Grady photographed at the Opening Meet of the Tipperary Foxhounds in Fethard.


Photographed at the Opening Meet of the Tipperary Foxhounds in Fethard are Mary Fitzgerald (left) with her son-in-law Noel Doheny and daughter Marion Doheny who were home on holiday.

Patrician Presentation Jottings

BT Young Scientists
The school was very proud once again to see past pupil, Professor Pat Guiry, interviewed on RTE News programmes on Friday last. Pat was one of the judges for the BT Young Scientists Competition this year, as on a number of occasions in the past.

Professor Guiry is Professor of Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Head of the School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at University College Dublin. He has received numerous accolades for his work over the years and is the head of a research group which develops new catalysts and synthetic methodologies to prepare biologically interesting organic compounds, particularly those with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. Pat revisited the school in 2002 as our special guest speaker for the Students Awards Day and is a member of the Royal Irish Academy since 2013.

Junk Kouture
It is Junk Kouture time again with the Transition Year pupils working hard on their entries. The school has a great tradition of success in this competition at both regional and national levels. It is hoped that we will have three entries in the competition this year. Well done to Ms. Looby for all her work in this area.

Card players raise over €700 for Hospice

Marie Smyth (left), proprietor The Well Bar, Burke Street, Fethard, presenting a cheque for €705 to Sinaida Jansen, South Tipperary Hospice. The money was the proceeds raised by the local card players from their regular game of 25s played in the bar.

24th Bookfair Coming Soon
The 24th Annual Tipperariana Book Fair will take place as usual on the second Sunday in February (Sunday 10), 2019, in the Fethard Ballroom starting at 2pm. The Fethard Historical Society- organisers of the fair - are planning to ensure that this year’s Book Fair is another successful event for the society and the town.

It is noteworthy that the town of Fethard - known for its town wall, horses, football and carnival, is now also associated with books through its connection for the past twenty-four years running the annual Tipperariana Book Fair.

What started out then as an idea to generate income for the recently formed Historical Society, soon became somewhat of an ‘institution’ for people from all over County Tipperary who have an interest in books and local history.


Julia McHugh having a read at last year’s Tipperariana Book Fair in Fethard Ballroom

If no problem, don’t fix it
The fair has not changed at all in its twenty-four years as it seems to work successfully under its present format. The idea is quite simple; over thirty antiquarian and second-hand book dealers from all over Ireland set up stall for the day and the Historical Society also have their own stall, which is stocked with books donated by supporters of the Book Fair. There is also an in-house café operating during the fair and a piano player wafts the punters from his perch on the stage. It all just seems to work and every year hundreds of people from all over the county and beyond come to Fethard for the day.

Tipperary Authors and Books
From year one also it has been the tradition to invite authors of Tipperary books published in the preceding year to come to the Fair to promote, sell and sign their books. This has since proved to be an attractive feature of the day. This practice then led on to the idea of holding a Tipperariana Book of the Year Award, which is now an established part of the Tipperary book scene and the 2018 winner will be announced by the fair organisers before the end of January.

Ways to support the Book Fair
Anyone wishing to support the Book Fair and in turn to help the work of the Historical Society can help in several ways. Firstly, books can be donated to the society for sale on the day and these will be collected from your home if you so wish. There is also help needed on the days leading up to the fair, sorting and classifying books and manning the society stall at the book fair.

Of course, another great way to help is to use your social media platform to spread the word about the fair, as our usual large ‘mailing list’ had to be curtailed this year due to the high cost of postage.
For further information contact can be made by email: bookfair@fethard.com or by phoning 087 9305232, or 087 9009722. Information is also available at: www.tipperariana.com

Pre-Baptism Meeting
A pre-baptism meeting will take place in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, on Monday, January 28, at 7.30pm, for parents who wish to have their child baptised during the coming weeks. This meeting is subject to demand, so you are asked to please contact Fr. Liam Everard P.P. or Canon Tom Breen prior to attending.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on January 9, were: 9, 13, 17 and 27. There was no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: Ray Looby (online ticket) and Jess Hanlon, Kerry Street, Fethard

The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: Alice Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; Rory Walsh, Knockbrack, Fethard, and Ger Cahill, Kerry Street, Fethard.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, January 16. 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, January 11, were: 7, 19, 24 and 33. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘match three’ winner who received €100: Mary Murphy, Coolmore, Fethard. Two lucky dip winners received €25: Catherine Ryan, c/o Merrys, Clonmel; and Paddy Turner, Old Bridge, Clonmel.

The next draw takes place on Friday, January 18, in Burke’s Bar at 7.30pm, when the jackpot is €20,000 and the seller's 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 & Killusty Emigrants’ Newsletter on sale

Fethard & Killusty Emigrants Newsletter is selling well and now available in the following local shops at €12 each, Butler’s Bar & Off Licence, Centra Supermarket (The Green), Daybreak Supermarket (Kerry Street), and Annie’s (Burke Street).

We take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported us with donations and help throughout the year and make this annual publication possible and wish all our readers a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

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

These are a selection of photographs taken in 1999 . . .


Pictured above and below are pupils from Nano Nagle Primary School in Fethard who planted a 'Tree for Peace' on Wednesday, April 21, 1999. The tree was presented by the School's Parents' Council as part of a national tree planting project dedicated to peace and the victims of Omagh. Every primary school community, parents, teachers and children, were asked to plant and nurture a 'peace tree' in their school or locality.

Marian Gilpin and John Fogarty in a scene from The Hogan Musical Society’s production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ in March 1999.


Kathleen Bradshaw and Eileen Burke in a scene from The Hogan Musical Society’s production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ in March 1999.


Photographed outside Newports Shop on St. Patrick’s Day, 1999 are L to R: Mamie Morrissey, Sarah Mullins, Berna Morrissey and Geraldine Maher.


Photographed on St. Patrick’s Day, 1999 are L to R: Mossie Hayes and Theresa Cummins


Photographed on St. Patrick’s Day, 1999 are L to R: Ned Donovan and Jack Maher.


Members of the children’s choir on St. Patrick’s Day, 1999.


Members of the children’s choir on St. Patrick’s Day, 1999.


Members of the children’s choir on St. Patrick’s Day, 1999


Organist, Goldie Newport on St. Patrick’s Day, 1999.

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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