Happy Christmas to all our readers

We take this opportunity to wish all our readers and supporters a very Happy Christmas with this image of the Augustinian Abbey Crip taken on Christmas Day in the setting of the old ancient abbey ruins in Fethard.

Christmas season begins at the Augustinian Abbey

Christmas season got off to a colourful start in the Augustinian Abbey with the ‘unofficial’ opening of the Christmas Crib on Thursday morning, December 19. Photographed at the Christmas Crib are L to R: Aisling Hennessy, Phoebe Duggan, Ms Pat Looby, Fr. Iggy O'Donovan OSA Prior, Samantha Buckley, Fr. David Fitzgerald OSA, Mr Ian O'Connor and Abi White.

The Christmas season got off to a colourful start in the Augustinian Abbey with the ‘unofficial’ opening of the Christmas Crib on Thursday morning, December 19. The Abbey crib located in the ancient ruins off the main body of the church has become a notable feature of the Christmas scene in Fethard over the years. The lion’s share of the work was carried out by a group of students from Patrician Presentation Secondary School guided by Ms Pat Looby and Liam Cloonan. The ceremony was enriched by the beautiful seasonal music played by secondary school pupil, Ned Looby Ryan, on his bagpipes.


Patrician Presentation Secondary School student, Ned Looby Ryan, playing a selection of beautiful seasonal music on his bagpipes at the ‘unofficial’ opening of the Christmas Crib in the Augustinian Abbey.

The crowning feature of the crib is its sheer simplicity. It contains no gaudy ‘mod cons’. Rather the simple stable scene of Bethlehem is decorated with heather, furze, ivy, holly, rocks and moss all from the slopes of Slievenamon and the Glen of Aherlow. Set against the bare grey ruins of the old Abbey, it is a fitting representation of the simple manger of Bethlehem. For good measure some old carpenters’ tools which St Joseph might have used have been thrown in, including old saws, hammers and so on along with real sheep’s wool which a shepherd might have presented. This latter having been pilfered from a ewe on the slopes of the Galtees. All in all the whole scene is a fitting tribute to the real spirit of Christmas and great credit is due to the young people who created it.


The Christmas Crib in the Augustinian Abbey designed by a group of students from Patrician Presentation Secondary School guided by teacher Ms Pat Looby and Liam Cloonan.


Local Fethard students who attended the ‘unofficial’ opening of the Christmas Crib at the Augustinian Abbey, photographed on Thursday morning, December 19, having a preview of the Crib before it 'officially' opens to the public after Christmas Eve Mass.

Among those present at the launch of the Crib were teachers and students from the Patrician Presentation School and Holy Trinity Primary School.

Christmas Mass Times in Fethard & Killusty

Holy Trinity Parish Church
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, at 7pm;
Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, at 8.30am and 11am.

Killusty Church of the Sacred Heart
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, at 7.30pm;
Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, at 10am.

Augustinian Abbey
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, Carols at 8pm followed by Mass at 8.30pm;
Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, at 9.30am and 11.30am.

Died in England
The death has occurred in England, on December 20, 2019, of Mai Fleming (née Fitzgerald), Ilford, Essex.

Mai, daughter of the late Connie and Ellen Fitzgerald, The Green, Fethard, pre-deceased by her brothers Billy and Joe, is deeply regretted by her sister Alice, husband Christy, daughter Alice, three sons Robert, Christopher and Brian, and three grandchildren Erin, Sophie and Christopher.

Funeral will take place in England, May she rest in peace.

GOAL Mile on Christmas morning
This year’s ‘Goal Mile’ in Fethard will commence at 12 noon on Christmas Day, assembling outside the Town Hall where participants will register and assemble. For further information contact Colm McGrath, Tel: 086 3502360.

Social dancing for St. Stephen’s Day and the New Year at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its ‘Christmas and New Year’ social dancing on St. Stephen’s Day, December 26, to the music of ‘T.R. Dallas’ and on New Year’s Eve, December 31, to the music of ‘Muriel O’Connor and Fran Curry’ – both great festive nights to join with friends and celebrate a New Year’s arrival.

All are welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 9pm to midnight. Admission is €10, which includes tea and cakes. For further information or for booking the ballroom, contact Eileen Coady, Tel: 086 0776420, Email: eileencoady@hotmail.com

Fethard Ballroom will again be the focus of the dancing fraternity from Tipperary and further afield when they host their Festive ‘Christmas Cracker’ Dance on Sunday, December 29, featuring Gina and The Champions, and radio star ‘Ronan Collins, who appears as a special guest on the night. The committee are looking forward to a huge crowd and proceeds will go towards the Ballroom’s ongoing renovation programme, which now makes it one of the most popular dancing venues in the county.

All are invited to come along and tickets are now on sale at Fethard Post Office (052) 6131217 and from Marion’s Clonmel at Tel: (052) 6123813. There will also be a Bar Extension on the night followed by a Disco with ‘Mad Mike’ who was extremely popular the last time he played in Fethard! Tickets cost €25 each.

Christmas Cracker fundraiser for Fethard Ballroom featuring Gina & The Champions with special guest Ronan Collins on Sunday, December 29, at 8pm. Tickets €25 available from Fethard Post Office (052) 6131217 and Marions Clonmel (052) 6123813 or online at www.eventbrite.ie Bar Extension with Disco with 'Mad Mike' to follow.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto extra draw for ‘Christmas Turkeys and Hams’
The numbers drawn on Wednesday, December 18, were: 9, 11, 21 and 28. There was no jackpot winner and four ‘Match Three’ winners, who received €40 each: Michael Russell, c/o Seamus Moloney; Eddie O'Brien, Burke Street, Fethard; Mickey Lawrence, c/o Patsy Lawrence; Siobhán Curran, c/o Kathleen Connolly.

The following ten ‘Christmas Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Peter Kenny, The Green, Fethard; Alice & Patsy Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; Chelsea Kenny, Killusty; Kate O'Shea, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; Brian Sheehy, Garrinch, Fethard; Dorothy Connolly, The Green, Fethard; Dermot Darcy, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard; Ann Looby, The Valley, Fethard; Neil O'Donohoe, Carrignavar, Cork; and Christy Aylward, c/o Tom Purcell

Winners of Hams in the Christmas Special Draw were: P.J. Henehan, Main Street, Fethard; Anthea Hames, Burke Street, Fethard; and Bridget Sheehan, Grangebarry, Fethard.

Winners of Turkeys in the Christmas Special Draw were: Maria Murphy, Coleman, Fethard; Tom Purcell, Burke Street, Fethard; and Eileen Ryan, Friarsgrange, Fethard.

Next draw on Wednesday, January 8, when the Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €1,000. All proceeds go towards community projects in Fethard.

The Lotto Committee would like to thank you for support during 2019 and look forward to your continued support in 2020. A very Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

‘Thorney Rose’ fundraiser for Hospice

Martin Shelly who was crowned Fethard’s ‘Thorney Rose’ for 2019 photographed with Breda Slattery

Lonergan’s Bar in Fethard came up with a novel idea to raise funds for South Tipperary Hospice in memory of their neighbour and good friend, the late Angela Walsh, who died on Friday, May 24, 2019. Angela, who was a personal friend of proprietors John and Roseann Carroll, was also a fun-loving customer, as was her partner Paul Mullins.


John Carroll, Lonergan's Bar, Fethard, photographed with friends from Mother Hubbards in Cashel, who came along to support the 'Horney Thorney Rose' fundraiser in memory of the late Angela Walsh and in aid of South Tipperary Hospice.

To acknowledge the great support Angela received from local hospice services, John and Roseann decided to run a fundraising ‘fun’ event, that customers and staff would appreciate, so the idea of a ‘Thorney Rose’ fun event where all could partake was organised in the bar on Saturday night, November 30, which turned out to be extremely enjoyable, emotional, and a great success. On the night a total of €1,010 was raised for the South Tipperary Hospice Movement, in memory of Angela – a token acknowledgement for all the fantastic support she received from Hospice during her illness.


Photographed at the 'Thorney Rose' fundraiser in Lonergan's Bar, Fethard are Back L to R: Shauna Mackey, Shane Curran, Ciara Connolly and in front Holly Keating.


Photographed at the 'Thorney Rose' fundraiser in Lonergan's Bar, Fethard are L to R: Nicole Looby, Kate O'Donovan, Emma Hayes and Kelly Fogarty.


Photographed at the 'Thorney Rose' fundraiser in Lonergan's Bar, Fethard are L to R: L to R: Jenny Power and Michael Tillyer.


Photographed at the 'Thorney Rose' fundraiser in Lonergan's Bar, Fethard are L to R: Trevor McNamara and Kayleigh Higgins

Roseann and John would like to thank all the ‘Thorny Roses’ that took part on the night that included: Nicky Noonan, Steve Baker, Adi Lawrence, Martin Shelly, Eoin Maher, Eddie Power (Carlow), Dave Byrne and John Carroll. Congratulations also to the winner, Martin Shelly, who was the only man to wear the ‘high heels’ as if he was born in them! A huge thank you also to local host, P.J. Henehan – Fethard’s answer to Graham Norton – who was terrific on the night. Thanks also to judges on the night, Sarah Purcell and Damien Halley, and to all the sponsors who are to many to mention. God bless Angela and her bright happy smile – she will never be forgotten!

Kickboxing Club finds new home in Fethard

Photographed at the Official Opening of new Galteemor Kickboxing Premises in Barrack Street, Fethard are L to R: Peter Grant, Don O'Connell (owner), Conor McGuire (Coolmore), Daniel Coffey and his wife Georgina, Declan Nevin. In front is national champion Caia Crowley from the Fethard Club who cut the tape on Thursday, December 12, to officially open the new premises

It was a great honour for Caia Crowley to cut the tape on Thursday, December 12, and officially opening Galteemor’s Kickboxing Club’s new premises at Barrack Street, Fethard. National champion, Caia, won her first kickboxing belt with the new club and is testimony to the ambition of the Fethard Club’s growing membership.


Members of the Galteemor Kickboxing Club delighted with their new premises in Barrack Street, Fethard, thanks to premises owner Don O’Connell, and support from Conor McGuire, Coolmore; Peter Grant and Declan Nevin.

Galteemor Kickboxing Club was set up by Daniel Coffey and his wife Georgina over the past two years. Daniel is a Certified 4th Dan Kickboxing Instructor and has built his panel of support trainers and membership on a voluntary basis and love of the sport. The club was initially supported by Fethard & Killusty Community Council who offered them temporary accommodation in the Convent Community Hall while starting out in Fethard. The success of the club and growing membership soon outgrew the facility and urgently required a more suitable space for training and facilities. After many months searching and with the additional support from Peter Grant, a premises in Barrack Street, owned by Don O’Connell, was identified as a potential solution. Don, when approached, was very forthcoming and offered the unused premises to the club once the necessary renovations and repairs were attended to.


Galteemor Kickboxing coaches L to R: Georgina Setters, Daniel Coffey, Liam Crowley and Nathan Costin.

Daniel was delighted to have use of this new premises which offered far more opportunities to introduce new classes to attract older students and new students to get involved. Already Daniel and Georgina can see the difference and believe it will allow the club to grow and grow. The whole journey – stressful at times – is now complete and well worth the effort.

The club would especially like to thank Don O’Connell for making the premises available and for his generosity of spirit; Declan Nevin for all his help especially at the early stage when we were grasping at straws; and Conor McGuire, Coolmore Stud, for the roofing materials and electrical installations that were supplied with such generosity and efficiency.


Galteemor Kickboxing new premises at Barrack Street, Fethard.

The efforts seemed very little compared to the sheer determination of Daniel’s work ethic which was relentless and inspiring. He is also thankful to Peter Grant’s for his encouraging support and advice, and to all who helped along the way including Jim Meaney, Ed Healy and Caharclough Tarmacadam Ltd. A special thanks to Cllr Mark Fitzgerald, club members Ursula, Shirley, Jason, Nathan and parents who helped and local businesses, Butlers Sports Bar, Emily's Deli, and Kenny’s Centra Supermarket who sponsored spot prizes at the official opening of the new premises in Fethard.

The club offers kickboxing training for children and adults. The programme includes women’s Boxercise Classes in the new fully equipped boxing gym. Galteemor Kickboxing is open to everyone and a great way to make new friendships and gain confidence. For further information on public or private sessions call 087 9113997.

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

Some 'seasonal fun' with photographs taken on December 14. 2002, at Burke's Bridge Bar's annual 'Hat Party' in aid of the CRC Santa Bear Appeal. The event was co-ordinated by Marianne Shortall and usually held after the Pheasant Pluckers Carol Singing on the streets of Fethard in aid of the same cause.


Photographed at the Christmas Hat Party run at the Bridge Bar on December 14, 2002, in aid of the CRC Santa Bear Appeal are L to R: Seamus Maher, Martin O'Shea and John Shortall.


L to R: Philomena Shea, Phil Shea, Brendan Morrissey and Joan Carroll photographed at the Christmas Hat Party run at the Bridge Bar Fethard in aid of the CRC Santa Bear Appeal.


Brothers Martin Ryan and John Ryan wearing their 'Christmas Hat Trick' hat at the Christmas Hat Party.


L to R: Gerry Fogarty, Mary Fogarty and Annette O’Donovan at the Christmas Hat Party.


L to R: Andy O’Donovan, Sheila O'Donovan and Helena O’Shea.


Richard Cummins and Kay Walsh (Grangemockler).


Emma Morrissey and Edwina Newport at the Christmas Hat Party run at the Bridge Bar Fethard in aid of the CRC Santa Bear Appeal. December 14, 2002.


L to R: John and Alice Bourke, Nicky Sullivan and John Slattery.


L to R: Maree Moclair, Maureen Maher and Rita Kenny.


Michael Heverin and his wife Ann (Shortall)


Liam Cooney and Marianne Shortall (Hat Party Co-ordinator)


L to R: Davy Tobin and Alice Tobin, Jane O'Dwyer and T.J. Tobin.


Marian Gilpin and Johnny O’Connor


Alfie O'Flynn and organiser Marianne Shortall


Mark Tynan and his wife Liz (Thompson)


Photographed at the Christmas Hat Party run at the Bridge Bar Fethard in aid of the CRC Santa Bear Appeal are L to R: Austin O'Flynn, Janneke and Bert van Dommelen. December 14, 2002.


Bill Kennedy with his entry 'Present Time' at the Christmas Hat Party run at the Bridge Bar Fethard in aid of the CRC Santa Bear Appeal.


Liz Newport and John Fogarty at the Christmas Hat Party


Ann Heverin with her brother John Shortall.


Alfie O’Flynn sitting at the bar with Jonathan Gilpin.

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.

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.