Died Recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, of David O'Donnell, Coleman, Fethard, peacefully in the loving care of the staff of Willowbrook Nursing Home, Mockler's Hill, Fethard. David, pre deceased by his wife Sheila and grandson Adam, deeply regretted by his daughter Marie Weston, his sons Pat, Sean, Declan and Bryan, his brother John, son-in-law Paul, daughters-in-law Margaret, Sue-Anne, Hilda and Laura, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. May He Rest in Peace

Due to the HSE and Covid 19 guidelines, the Funeral will be private. David's Mass will be broadcast online from the Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, on Friday, March 20, at 11am. You may watch the service on www.parishchurch.net. An online condolence book is available by CLICKING HERE. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Fethard, after Mass.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Fethard will remember St. Patrick’s Day for many reasons in the past but, this year, it may be more likely preferred to be forgotten – if that were possible.

It was only this time last year we mentioned three Hayes brothers from Rathcoole, who were together in Queensland, Australia for a birthday celebration, when after dinner while recalling boyhood days, one brother started singing Íosagán – a St. Patrick’s Day hymn that was stored down in the depths of his memory and stirred to life with their talk of their childhood. As he sang, the simple words of the hymn came gently as if they were surfacing one by one.  He got through the first verse without faltering but then the others came to the rescue with the second verse.  This beautiful hymn associated with the Patrician Brothers since 1910, is still sung at the bi-lingual Parish Mass on Lá Fhéile Pádraig in Fethard every year. 

Sadly not to be this year as also, the annual display of Fethard Scouts who in the past marched through Fethard to attend and participate in the Parish Church 11am Mass. We bring you some recordings of the children's school choir from St. Patrick's Day in 2013 to celebrate this otherwise very quiet St. Patrick's Day in Fethard.

Other ‘St. Patrick’s Day’ celebrations that are cancelled this year as a preventative action to minimise the spread of the Coronavirus in our area include, Fethard Ballroom’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Dance – an event that celebrated the reopening of the former Country Club Ballroom (originally the Capitol Cinema), on St. Patrick’s night, 17 March 17, 1993, under the umbrella of the Fethard and Killusty Community Council.


Fethard & Killusty Boy Scouts, 27th Tipperary Unit, photographed with leaders on the occasion of their First Investiture outside Holy Trinity Parish Church in May 1987.

Fethard Historical Society postpones AGM
Due to the current Coronavirus emergency the Annual General Meeting of Fethard Historical Society has been postponed until further notice. Mise le meas, Mary Healy, PRO.

Fethard Bridge Club Results
On March 4 Fethard Bridge Club played for sponsored prizes and the results were: 1st Nett, Yasmin and John Woodlock (winners of sponsored prize); 2nd Nett, Margaret Mary McCormack and Breda O'Grady; 3rd Nett, Betty Egan and Mary Tierney; 1st Gross, Tony Hanrahan and Keith Woodlock; 2nd Gross, Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh; 3rd Gross, Gemma Burke and Carol Kenny.

Bridge has been cancelled until further notice due to the coronavirus threat. We hope all our members keep well and take all necessary precautions to stay safe.

A picture paints a thousand words!


There is an old saying that a picture paints a thousand words. This certainly rang true for me as I stumbled on a photo in the newspaper this morning. In it Pope Francis is standing at his study window (Sunday, March 15) looking out on a deserted St. Peter's Square. Normally tens of thousands of tourists and pilgrims flock there to salute the Pope and pray along with him every Sunday of the year. Italy is of course in ‘lock down’ – a measure which is considered essential if they are to confront the coronavirus. Thus far Ireland has been somewhat more fortunate than Italy but we are fast learning that there is no room for complacency.

All will be familiar with the measures which are now in place. Schools are closed, along with creches as well as galleries and museums and so on. Here at our own Augustinian Abbey in Fethard all masses are suspended as indeed they are throughout the diocese and right across the country.  In many parts of Europe travelling has stopped, or, that being impossible, greatly hindered. The whole order of nature seems to have been reversed.

The closure of the pubs more than anything else highlights the fact that we are dealing with a crisis of the most grievous kind.  Without a doubt the Taoiseach is confronted by a situation which is as serious as that faced by DeValera in steering the ship of state through the perilous seas of World War II.  Indeed our battle against Covid-19  has been compared by many to a war situation.  Some have been seized with the illusion that this ‘war’ can be won by stocking up with endless supplies of food and other materials. Hence the needless panic shopping.  For some strange reason many seem to have convinced themselves that a vital weapon in this deadly war is toilet tissue. Hence on many a supermarket shelf a simple loo roll is a rarer sight than a black swan.

Visitors to our shores are probably somewhat bewildered at the fact that St Patrick's Day is to be celebrated with the shamrock remaining bone dry. Some readers may be surprised to read that for many years St. Patrick's day was always dry. It was first proclaimed as a national day in 1903 and the pubs always remained shut on that day right up until the 1960s. Nowadays the celebration of the feast of the national Patron has become synonymous with the consumption of alcohol. Patrick would probably be somewhat bemused at the fact that Guinness is now the chief characteristic (if not the essential ingredient) of his feast day and the God he tried to introduce us to has become at best the optional extra.

As I look out my window here in Fethard, I note the Holy Year Cross on the slopes of Slievenamon. It was erected there by the faithful of Fethard and Killusty exactly seventy years ago in 1950. We tend to regard the folk of that era as being simpler and less sophisticated than we are today living as we do in the brilliance of the white heat of modern technology. Nevertheless, in the face of the Covid-19 virus, we today are in many ways as lost, nervous and helpless as our ancestors were as they confronted illness and viruses in times past. In their innocence they often explained away their misfortunes as being attributable to ‘the will of God’.  Today in our sophisticated Western world the majority probably do not believe in any God at whose feet they can lay any blame.

We may blame God or Nature or shear chance, but whoever is striking us has struck with a vengeance! Whatever the explanation this whole virus phenomenon is a massive surgical operation carried out without an anaesthetic on a patient who thought he was in the best of health.
However, whether it be here in Fethard or anywhere else in Ireland, one notes that a certain civic spirit and sense of determination prevails. One hears of concerned families looking out for elderly neighbours.

Challenging times often draw out the best characteristics in a community. In the immortal words of Winston Churchill, we may be facing a period of ‘blood, sweat, toil and tears’ but in the end it may well prove to be ‘our finest hour’.

– (A personal reflection by Fr Iggy O’Donovan, The Abbey, Fethard).

Chapel Lane closed since hit by recent storm

Chapel Lane as it looked in April 2013, with cobble stoned drains on both sides, and on the building on the right you will see the small plaque situated between the blocked up door and window.


This is Chapel Lane on March 10 this year with the buildings on the right partly demolished. The stone plaque survives on the right hand wall.

Following the recent high winds and storm, the well-used Chapel Lane in Fethard had to be closed to pedestrians and local traffic due to structural damage caused to some of the buildings on the lane making it unsafe to use. This came as a shock to the many people who use the old lane as a short cut to the Parish Church and others as an entrance to the rear of their premises that adjoin Chapel Lane.

During the past week Chapel Lane remained closed to the public while work commenced to remove the dangerous roof and demolish parts of the affected building.

Older readers will remember Ms Rachel Horan who lived in Chapel Lane, and died on February 12, 1969, in her seventies. This house was later used by Richie Fitzgerald who formerly worked in Scully’s Hardware on Main Street and later in Fethard Creamery shop. On the top right front of this house façade there is an unusual small stone plaque that is in danger of being lost if that section of the wall (still standing) is to be also demolished.


The recessed carving in Chapel Lane, Fethard, referred to by Archaeologist Dr Louise Nugent in 2017.

Archaeologist Dr Louise Nugent, speaking to Fethard Historical Society on a walkabout in Fethard in 2017, explored the stone-carved heritage of Fethard.

While walking through Chapel Lane she mentioned this most interesting recessed carving incorporating two different pieces, one above the other. The first is a simple name plate inscribed ‘Russel’. The second piece, dating from the 18th century depicting a bishop, possibly St. Patrick, the origins of which are still unknown. She said it perhaps relates to a church that once stood on this site, perhaps it refers to the time the houses on Chapel lane were built, or it may have originally been erected elsewhere and subsequently moved to its present location. It would be very unfortunate if it were removed and lost before anyone had the opportunity to discover further information about this carving.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday, March 11, were: 15, 23, 29 and 30. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner. Three drawn tickets received €50 each: Conor Shelly, Moyglass; Tony Maher, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard; and Patricia Maher, Kilknockin, Fethard.

The following three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Yvonne Arrault, Coolmore, Fethard; Eileen Purcell, Burke St., Fethard; and Lorena Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, March 18. 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, March 13, were: 17, 27, 31 and 32. There was no jackpot winner and no ‘match three’ winner. One luck dip winner received €50: Patsy Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard. Two luck dip winners received €25 each: Noel Wall, Clonmel; and Ciara O'Meara, St Rita's Camogie Club, 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 20, in Burke’s Bar at 7.30pm, when the jackpot is €25,600 and the seller's prize is €1,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Covid -19 Update


The public celebration of Mass in the Parish (with the exception of Funeral Mass(es) complying with the maximum attendance of 100) is suspended until and including Sunday, March 29.

While the cancellation of all Masses is regrettable, it communicates to our parish community the serious impact of covid-19 upon the elderly and those with health issues. Mass from our Parish will still go out through Live Streaming on Saturday at 7pm, on Sunday at 11am and Monday to Friday at 10 am. A video link is available at www.parishchurch.net or on the link from Fethard Website.

You can listen or assist the celebration of Mass on EWTN Catholic TV on Sky 588, Virgin Media 815, Eircom eFibre 589 and Online: www.ewtn.ie You can also join in the celebration of Mass on RTE Radio and Television and Tipp Mid-West Radio Sunday Mornings.

Church open for visitation
Holy Trinity Parish Church will be open as normal during the day but will be closed at mass times. Sacred Heart Church Killusty will be open on Sundays and holy days (St Patricks Day) from 10 to 11am.

Also please note that Scripture Reflection that was due to be held in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, Fethard, on the remaining Monday nights of March has also been cancelled due to the Corona virus situation.

Fethard Ballroom Notice
Fethard Ballroom would like to inform all patrons that as a preventative action to minimise the spread of the Coronavirus in our area, Social Dancing on Sunday nights, dance lessons on a Thursday nights and cards on Friday nights at Fethard Ballroom are all cancelled until further notice.

For further up to date information or for booking the ballroom, contact Eileen Coady, Tel: 086 0776420, Email: eileencoady@hotmail.com


Fethard Ballroom ladies committee photographed at the 12th anniversary dance held on St. Patrick's night, March 17, 2005. L to R: Sheila O’Donnell, Margaret Phelan, Catherine O’Connell, Monica Ahearn (treasurer), Pat Horan and Breda Spillane.


Fethard Ballroom men's committee members photographed at the 12th anniversary dance on St. Patrick's night, March 17, 2005. L to R: Seamus Barry, Gay Horan, Robert Phelan (secretary), Mick Aherne (chairman), Paddy Hickey, Thomas O'Connell and Sean Spillane.


Pat Burke and Tilly Carr enjoying a dance at Fethard Ballroom's 12th Anniversary Dance on St. Patrick's night, March 17, 2005.

Suicide Memorial Service at the Abbey CANCELLED
Please Note that the special service of commemoration for all who have been in any way touched by suicide due to take place in the Augustinian Abbey, Fethard, on this coming Sunday, March 15, at 11.30am has been cancelled until further notice.

Junk Kouture ‘Grand Final’ postponed ’till autumn
Due to the present situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) the date for the Junk Kouture Grand Final in Dublin has been postponed until Autumn time. Junk Kouture, in partnership with ‘Revolut’ this year, will let us know about tickets and students’ performance at the ‘3Arena’, a little later in the year than anticipated.

The semi-final of the competition took place in Limerick on Friday, March 6, where Patrician Presentation were successful in getting four outfits through to this stage of the competition. Each of the models had one minute to perform to the music of their choice. One outfit, ‘Titatiun’, modelled by Jack O’Donoghue from Transition Year, got through to the Grand Final of this competition. The winning all-male team focused on wellbeing and looked at the positives and negatives of ‘Gaming’ through online research. Gaming can teach students key life skills, can improve hand eye coordination, as well as having positive and negative social aspects. The team who worked on this outfit were Micheál Cuddihy, Michael O’Meara and was modelled by Jack O’Donoghue.


This year Patrician Presentation in Fethard were successful in getting one outfit, ‘Titanium’, through to the Grand Final of Junk Kouture which will be held in the 3 Arena, Dublin, on April 30, 2020. Over 1,400 outfits were entered for the competition with eighty chosen from each region, North, South, East-West and Dublin. Patrician Presentation had four outfits from Transition year students for this year’s competition, which was held in Limerick on Friday, March 6, 2020. All students had one minute to take to the catwalk and model their outfit to the music of their choice.

Congratulation to all our teams who performed excellently on the catwalk at this year’s regional final in Limerick. Thank you to all supporters including parents, teachers, and students who came and cheered them on throughout the show. We now look forward to the Grand Final later this year.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council CE Supervisor Vacancy
Fethard & Killusty Community Employment Ltd wishes to appoint a Supervisor to work with their Community Employment Scheme. Candidates must have attained a Major 3rd level qualification (NFQ Level 6 or higher) in Business/Financial Administration, Training, Human Resources, Project Management or related disciplines. ICT skills are also essential, e.g. MS Office.

The Candidate will have at least three years appropriate work experience in Staff Supervision. Previous experience in Supporting Unemployed Individuals to secure Employment and progression to further education would be beneficial. This is a Developmental scheme and the successful candidate would undertake to develop an Individual Learner Plan for each participant employed on the project and to implement same.

The ideal Candidate should have the following:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, have good leadership, facilitation and teamwork skills.
• Good personal motivation and initiative
• A capacity to initiate and develop a strong teamwork ethic and the ability to work on own initiative
• A capacity to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds, agencies and sectors.

Experience of computerised book-keeping and payroll, experience of working in a community setting, a good understanding of adult and community education in a community-based setting and experience of project management including administration and budget management would also be an advantage. A Full Clean Driving Licence and access to own transport is essential. DEASP Supervisor grant rates will apply.

CV and Letter of Application to: Mr Brian Sheehy, Chairperson, Fethard & Killusty CE Scheme, Fr. Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. Fethard & Killusty Community Employment Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Closing date: March 27, 2020, Garda vetting will apply.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council
Fethard & Killusty Community Council is a local voluntary based community organisation which provides employment resources to Fethard and Killusty, through funding provided by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. We work in the local community and support Day Care Centre, Meals on Wheels, Community Playground, GAA Club, Rugby Club, Community Ballroom, Parish Churches and Graveyards and Tidy Towns.

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 August 1989 at a Fethard Community Games Fun Sports in the Barrack's Field.


Fethard Community Games Committee August 1989, Tom Marshall, Margaret O'Donnell, Canon James Power PP, Peggy Colville and Joe Keane. Below are some of the boys and girls taking part.









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.