Munster Arts Exhibition Fethard this weekend


Why not drop in to ICA Hall, Rocklow Road, this weekend to view our major selection of 'Munster Arts' paintings on view from 11am to 5.30pm, on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19. The exhibition includes works by Kevin Sharkey Cope, Gerard Casey, Tom Byrne, Una Walsh, Kevin Morrissey and Terrance DeVelara. All are welcome and refreshments available.

The exhibition proceeds will support raising awareness and donating to two registered charities, Alice Leahy TRUST, who support individuals and families in desperate homeless situations; and the trained volunteers of Limerick Suicide Watch, who patrol the seven bridges of Limerick City four nights a week helping those in distress and contemplating suicide.

Our sincere thanks to FBD Insurance; Cyril Cullen, Designer Knitwear and Porcelain; and Michael Kennedy, Designer of costumes for film and theatre, for their support in this Fethard Arts Group project. Regards from, Marie O'Hara, Bernie Grogan, David Gorey and Marianne Shortall.

Marina's Strictly Come Dancing 2019

Marina Mullins presenting the 'Dancer of the Night' award to Evan Prior at the 2018 event held in Fethard Ballroom. This years ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ takes place on Monday, May 27, 2019, at 7.30pm

Marina's Strictly Come Dancing will take place in Fethard Ballroom on Monday, May 27, commencing at 7.30pm, doors open ay 7pm. Come along and see our talented local children, aged 7 years to 15 years, strutt their stuff on the dance floor. Tickets at €7 are available from Eileen Coady, Fethard Ballroom and Marina Mullins Tel: 086 3649677.

New Patisserie opens on The Square, Fethard


Best wishes to Alla Dediuk and her husband Andriy Dediuk who opened the doors of their new business ‘Alla’s Patisserie’ on The Square, Fethard on Thursday, May 9.

Alla is a professional pastry chef and her beautiful creative cakes have become tremendously popular in Fethard and far beyond, not alone for their unique taste but also for their personalised artistic designs. Alla’s baking has proved more popular than ever expected and her products are selling out faster than opening hours allow. Visit Alla’s Facebook page (search for Alla’s Patisserie) for a much better idea of the vast range of products available.

‘Alla’s Patisserie’ is a very welcome addition to our town and we wish her family every success as she comes to grips with the growing appreciation and demand for her great baking skills and good coffee in Fethard.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, of Frank Sparrow, St. Johnstown, Fethard, peacefully in the loving care of the Staff at Sacre Coeur Nursing Home, Tipperary. Frank, beloved brother of the late Voilet Thompson. Deeply regretted by his loving sisters Rose Parker and Olive Whitmarch, brothers-in-law Edward, John and Tommy, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. May He Rest In Peace

Reposing at his residence this Saturday evening, May 18, from 4pm with Removal at 7pm to the Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, Fethard. Funeral Service on Sunday at 3pm followed by Burial in Cooleagh Cemetery, Coolbawn Cross, Fethard.

East Gate Park receives €25,000 funding

Work in progress on the East Gate Park development at Burke Street, Fethard, due to be officially opened later this year.

Fethard is to receive a further €25,000 grant from The Heritage Council towards stabilising, renovating and presenting the newly exposed Town Wall featured at the East Gate Park, linking Burke Street to Barrack Street.

The welcome funding was made available to Tipperary Council as part of the Heritage Council's budget allocation directed towards achieving some of the objectives in their new Strategic Plan. These include engaging young people with heritage and inspiring the next generation of heritage custodians and working with communities through their programmes such as the Irish Walled Towns Network (IWTN).

Great news for Fethard and its ongoing establishment as a major tourist destination.

Fethard Athletic Club’ ‘Walls of Fethard’ 4 miler
Once again, this year on Thursday, May 23, Fethard Athletic Club will bring Road racing to our historic town and countryside in the form of the now famous ‘Walls of Fethard’ – 4 Mile Road Race. This event is one of the few road races that run through the streets of a town or city in Ireland and gives free enjoyment to the inhabitants for over an hour period.

For twenty years or so, we have received excellent support from our loyal friends and businesses in the town and surrounding areas for this event, for which we are more than grateful. Once again, I call on your loyalty and generosity by way of sponsorship, be it cash, spot prize, voucher or whatever you feel suitable.

This year all the proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Ward in the South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel. In previous years, Fethard A.C. has held a Santa Run at Christmas time to support the Children’s Ward, but due to dates and permit issues, this is not possible this year. To date, we have forwarded three and a half thousand Euro to the Hospital and hopefully this year we will further add to that amount with your help and ours.

Thanking you in anticipation of a fruitful reply, yours in sport, Race Director Miceál McCormack, Hon Sec. Fethard A.C. Tel: 087 4032896.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, May 19, to the music of ‘Brendan Lee’. 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. For further information or for booking the ballroom, contact Eileen Coady, Tel: 086 0776420, Email: eileencoady@hotmail.com

Fethard Bridge President’s Prize

Club President, Noel O’Dwyer, presenting the ‘President’s Prize’ to winners Bernie O’Meara and Anna Cooke (right) at Fethard Bridge Club’s President’s Prize Dinner.

At our President’s Prize dinner held in Hotel Minella on Sunday, May 12, the following results were announced: President’s Prize Winners were Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara; Committee Prize Winners, Rita Kane and Kay St. John. 1st Gross winners, Gemma Burke & Carol Kenny; 2nd Gross, Tony Hanrahan & Keith Woodlock; 3rd Gross, Berney Myles & Alice Quinn; 4th Gross, Mary Nolan & Margaret Slattery; 5th Gross, Marie Delaney & Ann O’Dea; 6th Gross, Catherine Croke & Kathleen Maher; 1st Nett, Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny; 2nd Nett, Monica Anglim & Betty Walsh; 3rd Nett, Rita Holohan & Ellen Rochford; 4th Nett, Nell Broderick & David O’Meara; 5th Nett, Noreen Evans & Vincent Cummins; 6th Nett, Eileen Frewen & Nora Ryan.


Club President, Noel O’Dwyer, presenting the ‘Committee Prize’ to winners Kay St. John and Rita Kane (right) at Fethard Bridge Club’s President’s Prize Dinner.

Club Championship (Hayes Trophy) Winners were Nell Broderick and David O’Meara; Player of the Year (O’Flynn Trophy) Winner, Alice Quinn; Individual Championship (Dick Gorey Perpetual Trophy) Winner, Keith Woodlock; The Kevin O’Dwyer Memorial Trophy Winners were Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh.


Club President, Noel O’Dwyer (centre), presenting the ‘Club Championship' (Hayes Trophy) to winners Nell Broderick and David O’Meara.


Club President, Noel O’Dwyer (centre), presenting the ‘Player of the Year’ (O’Flynn Trophy) to winner, Alice Quinn.

Rugby Club Annual General Meeting
Fethard and District RFC will hold its AGM on Wednesday, June 5, from 8pm in the Clubhouse, Kilnockin Road, Fethard. This meeting is open to all so please try and attend to help us shape the future of our club.
Contact Martin Murphy, Tel: 086 0678874, for any queries you may have, or topics that you would like to be added to the agenda.

Community Games Area Athletics on Monday, May 20
Fethard & Killusty Community Games will hold their Area Athletics on next Monday, May 20, in the GAA Field. Registration will commence at 6pm. Races for boys and girls, U8 60m and 80m; U10 100m and 200m; U12 100m and 600m; U14 100m and 800m; U16 100m and 1,500m. Also the Long Puck for Boys U12 and Girls U14.

A competitor may only enter in one event in the County Final so please compete in the event you consider your best. Entry fee is €3 which covers all races. Our thanks you to Fethard GAA Club for the use of their facilities.


Oisín Ryan, Killusty, who played on the Tipperary Primary Games Team in Semple Stadium on Saturday evening against Limerick

Day Care Senior Day
The Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold a Senior Day on Friday, May 24. The Chiropodist will be in attendance. All seniors welcome. Contact Tel: (052) 6132917.

The Golden Hour – a free concert
The Clonmel Concert Band presents ‘The Golden Hour’, a free concert at Old St. Mary’s Church, Mary Street, Clonmel, on Sunday, May 26, from 3pm to 4pm. The concert will feature the music of Frank Sinatra, Rogers & Hammerstein, George Gershwin, Glenn Miller, John Williams and lots more. Admission is free with a collection taken up in aid of the restoration and refurbishment of Old St. Mary’s Parochial Hall.

Well done Sam!

Congratulations to Sam Donovan, who won two medals at the County Outdoor Athletics Finals in Templemore, winning gold in the U10s 60m sprint and sliver in 4x100m relay.

Comedy Dinner Theatre starting on Fridays
Comedy Dinner Theatre comes to The Brian Boru Bar in Cashel starting Friday, May 10. Written and directed by local playwright Paul Maher, originally from Coolmoyne, Fethard. The plays are, ‘The Boy From Ardmayle’, a trashy romantic comedy with the music of Joe Dolan; and ‘I am a Marriage Counsellor of Poland’ about a Polish hairdresser who decides what an errant Irish husband needs is a taste of Polish marriage counselling.

In the other play, ‘Our Lady of Consequences’ is a woman with a piano and a past both of which she plays equally well. Each half of the show lasts about 45 minutes. A two-course dinner will be served at the interval during which Ms Yuliaya Shilnikova will play classical music from Bach, Chopin, Beethoven and Mozart on the piano.

The show is presented by Dreamtime Theatre (with funding assistance from the Arts Office of Tipperary County Council) on Fridays, May 10, May 17, May 24 and May 31, starting at 7.30pm in the Brian Ború Bar, Main Street, Cashel, next to Post Office. Tickets are €25. Booking is essential at Tel: 062 63381. Any queries to Paul Maher 087 4135228 or email: pmaher999@gmail.com

Fethard Pedallers beginners group upgraded to Intermediate level

Fethard Pedallers enjoying the sun L to R: Kristina Mitraite-Valuziene, Christine Millea and Eleanor Brannigan

The Fethard Pedallers, currently in training for their forthcoming ‘Pink Cycle’ fundraiser on Sunday, June 9, are making unreal progress, with their beginners’ group now upgraded to Intermediate level. Many of the group already took part in the recent cycle against suicide and are now gearing up preparations for our ‘Pink Cycle’ on Sunday, June 9. Sponsorship cards are available, so if you are not a cyclist you can still support these two very worthy causes – Fethard & District Day Care Centre and The Irish Cancer Society.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday, May 8, were: 5, 9, 12 and 16. There was no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: Liam Hayes, Red City, Fethard; and Ursula Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard. The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also received €50 each: Rory Shelly, Moyglass, Fethard; Ger Cahill, Kerry Street, Fethard; and Carol Kenny, The Green, Fethard.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, May 15. 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, May 10, were: 6, 8, 10 and 23. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘match three’ winner who received €100: Catherine Ryan, Clonmel.

The next draw takes place on Friday, May 17 in Burke’s Bar at 7.30pm, when the jackpot is €21,400 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.

Creative Rebellion – a lecture on the revolutionary years

Fethard Historical Society will host a lecture ‘Creative Rebellion’, by Angus Mitchell and Caoilfhionn Ní Bheacháin,  in the Abymill Theatre, Fethard, on Thursday, May 16, at 8pm. The lecture will cover art, literature and politics in Ireland’s revolutionary years. Admission is €3 for members and €5 for non-members.

Volunteer with the Fethard Horse Country Experience
With summer quickly approaching the Fethard Horse Country Experience are looking to recruit more volunteers to assist front of house. Thousands of visitors are expected this year from all around the world, so it is a great opportunity to meet and interact with a variety of people. Volunteers are asked to give three hours of their time a week and to be friendly and welcoming. A knowledge of local history is a plus, but not a requirement.
Please call in, or contact us at (052) 6130439 or by email: enquiries@fhcexperience.ie for more information.

Fethard Festival date set for Sunday, June 16
This year’s Fethard Festival Family Fun Day has now been set and will take place on Sunday, June 16, with the usual fun of the fair by the Town Wall park beside the river Clashawley, with live music and lots of stalls! Other events over the weekend will be announced closer to the date.

For those living away from Fethard, this may be the opportunity to plan your holiday around June 16, when you will see Fethard at its best along with the thousands who attend the Fethard Festival and associated events every year. Mark the date in your diary!

Died in England
The death has occurred on Saturday, April 27, 2019, of Canon Mattie Hayes, aged 94, at St Joseph’s Care Home, Bristol.

Canon Mattie, originally from Rathoole, Fethard, travelled to England during the second world war. He was appointed parish priest at Sts Peter & Paul Parish, Combe Down, in the Deanery of Bath and in the Diocese of Clifton from 1975 to 1983.

He served as Governor at Prior Park College for several years in the 1980s and 1990s – one of the UK's largest, co-educational, Catholic, independent senior schools, set in a breathtaking location overlooking the World Heritage city of Bath. 

He was appointed Canon of the diocese in 1997 and lived his retirement in the same city. He celebrated his Platinum Jubilee (70 years) as a priest on July 11, 2018.

Canon Mattie’s body will be received into the Chapel of St Joseph’s Home, Cotham Hill, Bristol, BS6 6JT on Tuesday, May 14, at 4pm.  Monsignor Gabriel Leyden will celebrate Mass later that evening with St Joseph’s community, residents and Canon Mattie’s family and friends.

The Funeral Mass will take place  in  St John the Evangelist, South Parade, Bath, BA2 4AF on Wednesday, May 15, at 12 noon, followed by burial at Perrymead Cemetery. Light refreshments will be served in the Hall at St John’s following Mass and the burial. May he rest in Peace.

Faces and Places from the Past
The following are a selection of photographs of faces and places taken in our locality that may bring back memories to many of our readers and visitors to fethard.com Please send any comments or photo information, names and event, to fethardnews@gmail.com

For Facebook members, many of these photos are also published on Fethard Faces and Places from the Past page. This Facebook page is used for sharing old Fethard photographs with members of the group and is open to anyone interested in joining.


At the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols held at Holy Trinity Church, Fethard, were L to R: Emma Hatton, Charlotte Hatton and Ciara Tillyer. December 18, 2005.


Members of the White family from Rathkenny, Fethard, photographed outside the Gateway B&B while visiting to celebrate their father, John Joe White’s 70th birthday in September 2002. L to R: George Pedeira, Lawrence White, Geraldine White Padeira, Penny and John White.


Photographed at Fethard Youth Club’s New Year's Party held in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday, January 12, 2002 are L to R: Salem Farag, Chris Whyte, Ciarán Duggan and Russell O’Meara.


Tucking in at the Fethard Youth Club's New Year Party in January 2002 are L to R: Tom Gilpin, Stephen O’Meara and Philip Ryan.


At the Fethard Youth Club’s New Year Party in January 2002 are L to R: Alan McCormack, John Hannigan, Darren O’Meara and Patrick O’Brien.


All roads led to Fethard Ballroom on Friday night, February 15, 2002, where the ‘Culchie Blind Date’ took place attracting eligible men and women from all over the country. The Ballroom had full bar facilities with music and disco to follow. Photographed above is Tossie Culchie-Bar, a distant relation to Shirley Temple-Bar, making her way along with ‘Cupid’ to Fethard Ballroom in good time for the Culchie Blind Date.


Members of Fethard Judo Club photographed with their recently won trophies at the club's training session in Fethard Town Hall in November 2001.

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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