Fethard Junior Cycle – Profile of Achievement

Patrician Presentation Secondary School Principal, Mr Pat Coffey (left) and Deputy Principal Mr Billy Walsh (right) photographed with Patrician Presentation Secondary School students who received their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievements certificates on Friday, February 28.

Congratulations to Patrician Presentation Secondary School students who received their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievements certificates on Friday, February 28, last week. This is a school-based certificate which not only indicates the results the students received in their Junior Cycle but it also records the unique contributions and skills that our students had the opportunity to develop and excel in the school during the three years of the Junior Cycle. Students' results in their classroom-based assessments – a new feature of the Junior Cycle – are also recorded on this certificate. We are very proud of all our students’ achievements.

Career Talks
Thanks to our Guidance Counsellor Mr McGree for organising two separate talks for our senior cycle students last week. John Power from Waterford Institute of Technology and Stephen Byrne from the University of Limerick spoke to our students about the many options available to them at undergraduate level in both institutes.

Parents' Association Table Quiz
Patrician Presentation Parents' Association are running a table quiz in aid of student participation in the annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. The table quiz will take place at 8pm on Tuesday, March 10th in the Convent Hall. Your support would very much be appreciated on the night. Thanks to all those who have sponsored prizes for the night.

Early ‘Rise & Shine’ Exercise Class
Morning ‘Rise & Shine’ exercise class will start on Wednesday, March 4, in the Convent Community Hall, Lower Main Street, Fethard. This early morning class will include a mix of low impact aerobics and yoga. Cost is €10 per class, from 7.30am to 8.30am. For more information contact Bobbi on 087 2130414.

St. Vincent de Paul
Families that may need help with this year’s First Communion or Confirmation expenses are asked to contact any committee member of the Fethard St. Vincent de Paul or Denis Burke at Tel: 085 8086099.

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, March 8, to the music of ‘Michael and Philomena O’Brien’. 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

Junk Kouture semifinals
This year Patrician Presentation in Fethard were successful in getting four outfits through to the semi-final of Junk Kouture which takes place in Limerick on March 6. The students focused on the environment and wellbeing by looking at nature, recycling, gaming and wishes. Materials used were drinks cans, card and newspaper, recycled clothes, plastics, discarded jewellery and game pieces.


‘Titanium’ costume focused on wellbeing. The all-male team of students looked at the positives and negatives of gaming through online research. It can teach students key life skills, can improve hand eye coordination, as well as raising awareness of the negative impact. The team who worked on this outfit were Micheál Cuddihy, Michael O’Meara, Jack O’Donoghue, and modelled by Patrick Kennedy.


‘Reach Out’ costume has a social message. All students in Patrician Presentation Fethard contributed to this outfit. The team took the shape of students’ hands and constructed a hat, then got positive wishes written on unwanted plastics. The message, a helping hand is always there, just Reach Out. This outfit is modelled by Emma Lyons and constructed with Chyanne McDonald Creed, Ana Paloma with contributions from the students in our school.


‘Extra Extra Read All About It’ costume uses recycled 'Farmers Journal’ newspapers that came from the Agricultural Department in our school. A sustainable way of recycling and reusing everyday things found in our environment and ready to go to the bin, which is a prime focus of the Junk Kouture competition. Abby White models this outfit. The most important rule the competition is that it is made from 100 percent recycled materials.


‘Euflora’ costume looks at Environmental Pollution and its effects on nature, Students focused on the Butterfly in their research, their outfit is modelled by Sadhbh Morrissey, and worked on with team member Ella Mai Hackett.

Nominations for January / February Sports Achievement Awards
The following nominations were received for the first of this year’s Butler’s Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Awards for the months of January and February.

• (1) Aoife Morrissey – A member of Loreto Secondary School Clonmel winners of the Munster A senior schools ladies football title.
• (2) Deirdre Goggin –Winner of two races in the Road Trotting Championship, a sport which is unique to her hometown Goleen and surrounding areas in West Cork.
• (3) Mouse Morris – Following a lean spell Mouse bounced back to winning ways in 2020 with three winners including a double at Thurles.
• (4) David O’Brien – David rode his first Point-to-Point winner ‘Entre Deux’ for owner John Hally at Knockanard Co. Cork.
• (5) Ciaran Moroney, Michael Quinlan – Two young Fethard hurlers who helped Cashel Community College to win the Munster B colleges title.
• (6) Dorothy Wall – In February Dorothy received three full senior Irish rugby caps by playing against Scotland, Wales, and England.
• (7) Patrician Presentation Ladies Football Team – Winners of the Munster C title following a great victory against Kenturk played at Ballygiblin.
• (8) Fethard Ladies U16 Rugby Team – Winners of the Munster League by beating Carrick which was played at Irish Independent Park (Musgrave Park), Cork.
• (9-16) Kickboxing – The following eight young kickboxers from the Galteemor Club in Fethard have qualified for title fights in Scotland in June 2020. The qualifiers which comes under the umbrella of WKA (World Kickboxing Association) took place in Waterford. The qualifiers are as follows: Kaia Crowley, Eoin McSweeney, Nathan Costin, Reiltin Kenny, Dylan Corbett, Jayden Setters, Killian Setters, and Katelyn Setters
• (17-21) Swimming – Four swimmers from Fethard who competed with distinction at the Community Games finals at Thurles pool: Mark O’Meara (silver), U14 Backstroke; Ronan O’Meara (bronze), U12 Breaststroke; Suzy Murphy (silver), U12 Breaststroke; and Isobel Maher (silver), 16 Butterfly.
• (22-24) Soccer – Three young and very promising soccer players from Fethard who have signed to play for Waterford United in the U13 League of Ireland: Ben Allen, Charlie Walsh and Sami Laaksonen.

The winners of both the January and February award will be announced on Friday night next, March 7, at a special presentation function in Butlers Sports Bar. All are welcome.

Suicide Memorial Service at the Augustinian Abbey
A special service of commemoration for all who have been in any way touched by suicide will take place in the Augustinian Abbey, Fethard, on Sunday, March 15, at 11.30am. The service is open to all especially to anybody who has in any way been affected by suicide. It will be an occasion of closure and healing. Various community groups will participate including C-Saw a local suicide support group. Participants are invited if they so wish to bring along any mementos, photos etc on the day.

Fethard ICA Annual General Meeting
Fethard ICA Guild will hold their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, March 10, in the ICA Hall, Rocklow Road, Fethard, at 8pm. New members are very welcome to come along.

The Irish Heart Foundation thank Fethard students
The Irish Heart Foundation would like to express their thanks to Miss Coffey and the students of Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School for all there help with the recent collection. A very grateful thanks also to all those that contributed the total of €490.

Third successive gold medal for Fiona

Fiona Barry, Fethard, photographed with Community Games County Chairman, Michael Maher, Fethard, after her outstanding performance to win the U16 Recitation event in Boherlahan last Friday evening, February 28.

Congratulations to Fiona Barry, Tullamaine, Fethard, on winning her third successive gold medal at Community Games County Finals of the Talent Event. Fiona gave an outstanding performance to win the U16 Recitation event in Boherlahan last Friday evening. She will now represent Tipperary at the National Finals in UL next May.

Yoga Classes
Yoga classes take place in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, Fethard, on Monday Nights at 7pm. Classes are suitable for beginners and intermediate. Yoga is a means of enhancing physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. In Health Terms, Yoga can help develop flexibility, suppleness and muscular strength without causing strain. It also increases energy levels and helps tone the body. Booking essential: Contact Peg Tel: 086 3027927.

Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup

Four local Fethard boys photographed in Musgrave Park, Cork, where they represented Rockwell College in the Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup. Unfortunately after a long season they were beaten in the semi-final by CBC Cork. All four lads started playing rugby at mini-level with Fethard RFC. L to R: Peter Wall, Richie Anglim, Mattie Burke and Robert Wall. Missing from photo is another Fethard lad, Shane Neville.

Fethard Bridge Club Results
The results of Fethard Bridge Club game played on February 19 were: 1st Gross: Tony Hanrahan and Keith Woodlock; 2nd Gross: Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh; 3rd Gross: Gemma Burke and Carol Kenny; 1st Nett: Bridget Cuddihy and Dena Mulcahy; 2nd Nett: Kay St. John and David O'Meara; 3rd Nett: Marie Delaney and Ann O'Dea.

Next Wednesday, March 11, we play the first round of the Club Championship. Bridge starts at 7.15pm each Wednesday. Anyone looking for a partner contact Gemma Burke 086 6064148.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday, February 26, were: 1, 9, 13 and 18. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner. Three drawn tickets received €50 each: Carrie Sweeney, The Valley, Fethard; Jess Hanlon, Kerry Street, Fethard; and Andrea Carroll, Lonergan's Bar, Fethard.

The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Lorena Lawrence, c/o P. Lawrence; Stephanie Lawrence, c/o Allen’s Meats; and Rebecca Daly, c/o Arthur Daly

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, March 4. 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, February 28, were: 4, 20, 25 and 28. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘match three’ winner who received €50: Mary McCormack, Kerry Street, Fethard. Two lucky dip winners received €25 each: Kieran Tuohy, Clerihan; and Grainne Murray, St Rita’s Camogie, Fethard.

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 next draw takes place on Friday, March 6, in Burke’s Bar at 7.30pm, when the jackpot is €25,400 and the seller's prize is €1,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Girls U16 Rugby win 2nd Round of Munster Cup

Fethard U16 Girls Rugby team that won their second round of the Munster Cup away to a progressive Bruff team. Back L to R: Jason Flannery (coach), Caoimhe O’Brien, Kate Ross, Kate Flannery, Emma Farrell, Anna Duggan, Aoibhe Gleeson, Anna Kearney, Jess Stokes, Abby Noonan, Lucy Kearney, Don Maher (coach). Front L to R: Shauna Maher, Beth Buttimer, Evelyn Gayson Molloy, Lucy Austin, Caoimhe Grace, Lia Coady (Captain) and Amber Martin.

Our Fethard U16 Girls Rugby team won their second Round of the Munster Cup last Saturday away to a progressive Bruff team. Despite ‘Storm Jorge’ our Fethard Girls, led by captain Lia Coady, played a marvellous game of rugby. Lia at tight head did trojan work in the front row to secure ball for Fethard with Caoimhe O’Brien at loose head giving great assistance to help our hooker Shauna Maher get the first score on the board early in the first half, converted by Kate Flannery. Our second row of Lucy Austin and Anna Duggan where extremely strong with constant tackling and making vital Carries. Fethard’s next try was scored by our second center Beth Buttimer whose super evasion made great space to put further points on the board and converted by Kate.

Flankers Anna Kearney and Abby Noonan continued the pressure by tackling hard and putting great work to move the ball out the backs. Our scrum half Evelyn Gayson Molloy was exceptional at the back of the rucks and worked the ball out to our first centre Kate Ross who ran for space and put Fethard’s third try on the board.

Aoibhe Gleeson at eight was strong throughout and set up Kate Flannery to score the fourth try and despite the wind Kate converted well. Our wingers led by Jess Stokes with Lucy Kearney and Caoimhe Grace had mighty speed in attack and super strong tackles in defence. Bruff tried hard to put pressure on our full back Emma Farrell who proved great under the high ball to off load to Shauna Maher who put Fethard’s fifth try on the board.

All the squad would like to welcome our new member Amber Martin who had a great first game and worked well in the scrum. In the final minutes Shauna Maher put Fethard’s sixth try on the board converted by Kate.

Well done girls and great to see the fantastic rugby from you all. Wishing a speedy recovery to squad members Sophia O’Brien and Jane O’Donnell. Thank you to our coaches Jason, Don and Pat with this team along with the other back room staff of Louise and Marie. Not to forget the wonderful support from our great parents and sponsors O’Donnell Fencing. New members are always welcome and all enquirers to Polly Tel: 086 3394959.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, of Sean Ward, The Valley, Fethard, peacefully, surrounded by his family. Sean, predeceased by his brother Philip; is deeply regretted by his loving wife Margaret, his daughters Catriona and Mairéad, son John, sisters Laura O'Mahony, Ballybay, Co Monaghan, and Noreen McMahon, Clonmel, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren Kate, Ruth, Susan, Mark, Jack, Ava, Olivia and Sophie, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.

Reposing at home on Thursday, March 5, from 4.30pm to 7.30pm. Funeral Mass in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, on Friday at 11am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu to Tipperary Hospice.

Articles for Annual Emigrant's Newsletter

A photograph published in last year’s newsletter taken at Fethard GAA Dinner Dance in May 1990 are L to R: Louise Gleeson, Elizabeth Burke, Mary Ryan, Fiona Boland and Ann Marie Quinlan.

A good New Year’s resolution for 2020 might be to start working on that ever-evasive article for Fethard and Killusty Annual Emigrants’ Newsletter. This year we’re giving you an early reminder and encouragement to have a go. The article may be short or long, remembering a place, face, friends, character, funny incident or whatever you feel like writing about relating to Fethard and Killusty, past or present.

Work has now started on compiling this year's Newsletter to be published in December. We invite anyone interested in submitting articles or photographs to contact Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, Tel: (052) 6131663 or email: emigrantsnewsletter@gmail.com

Jake Carter is looking forward to his once-off gig in the Abymill Theatre on March 7

Jake Carter photographed in the Abymill Theatre on Monday, February 17, in preparation for his concert on Saturday, March 7, starting at 8pm. Tickets are now available at €25 each. Booking at Tel: 086 0834208.

Jake Carter visited the Abymill Theatre, Fethard, on Monday last in preparation for his once-off intimate concert on Saturday, March 7, starting at 8pm. Jake was very impressed with the Abymill Theatre and is really looking forward to performing in Fethard for the first time.

Jake Carter, younger brother of country music singer Nathan Carter, is aged 21 and has already made a huge name for himself as a singer and winner of the Irish television dance competition, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ (2018), alongside his professional partner Karen Byrne. The rising pop star from Liverpool, Jake Carter, has also shown a great love of animals and was very pleased to help Anne Williamson raise funds for the local Cappanagarrane Horse Rescue which was founded by Anne in 2007.

Jake asks you to please come along and support this deserving cause to help fund the only registered horse rescue service in Tipperary that provides rehabilitation of so many horses who would otherwise have no chance of survival. The rescue currently caters for thirteen rescue horses and Anne says her motto for the shelter is, to never turn away an animal - no animal is ever ignored!


Jake Carter photographed with local fans Sarah O’Donnell (left) and Helena O’Shea on his visit to Fethard’s Abymill Theatre last Monday in preparation for his concert on Saturday, March 7, starting at 8pm. Tickets are now available at €25 each. Booking at Tel: 086 0834208.

Concert tickets are now available at just €25 each. Early booking is advised as tickets are limited. Book now by contacting Anne at Tel: 086 0834208.

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

These photographs were taken in October 1983 at a Fethard Players fundraising 'Supper Dance' for the Abymill Theatre, which officially opened in May 1988. The Abymill project was always well supported locally and is another great example of community driven achievement in Fethard.























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.