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Fethard Holy Trinity Parish Church
Christmas Eve: 5 pm and 7 pm
Christmas Day: 8.30 am and 11 am
Killusty Church
Christmas Eve: 7.30pm
Christmas Day: 10am
We would like to remind everyone that because of the continuation of the Covid 19 pandemic, restrictions are still in place in our churches, and that the obligation to attend mass is still suspended.
We expect that services could be very busy on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so we would encourage parishioners to attend the 5 pm or 8.30 am service in the Parish Church.
Reconciliation Service
Instead of the usual Reconciliation service this year we will use the Extended Penitential Rite as part of masses this weekend December 19 & 20, making an Act of True Contrition with the intention of going to confession when the circumstances allow.
Christmas brings the good news of peace and hope into full focus. In Jesus Christ, the child born at Bethlehem, God has spoken definitively to all of us and all creation. God’s word is: “You are loved deeply by the God of all love and mercy.”
In these days of family separation and reunions, let us receive all that the God of Love wishes to offer us: Hope, Peace, and Forgiveness. Let us then offer this love to others. God bless you and your loved ones this Christmas.
Augustinian Abbey Virtual Christmas Celebration 2020

Due to this year's Covid-19 restrictions affecting church activities and services, the Augustinian Abbey bring you a selection of readings and individual songs recorded in the Abbey with organist Ann Barry and others recorded at home. CLICK HERE
A Happy and Holy Christmas from all at the Augustinian Abbey in Fethard. Please visit our Augustinian Province of Ireland website for further information and Augustinian news.
Abbey Christmas Mass Arrangements
The following are the arrangements for additional services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year.
Please note that FACE MASKS must be worn at all times.
CHRISTMAS EVE - Thursday December 24
- Mass at 6 pm
- Mass at 8 pm
- Mass at 10 pm
CHRISTMAS DAY – Friday, December 25
- Mass at 9.30 am
- Mass at 11.30 am
- Mass at 1.30 pm
Patrician Presentation School 5K Run / Walk

The results from the Patrician Presentation Secondary School’s 5k Run/Walk, organised by the Students Council in Fethard on Thursday, December 11, are as follows. Overall winners were: 1st, Keenan Ahearne, 2nd John Cronin and 3rd place Mr Billy Walsh. Fastest Teacher went to Mr John Cummins and Fastest Parent went to Lorraine Creed.

Overall winners were L to R: John Cronin (2nd); Keenan Ahearne (1st); and Mr Billy Walsh (3rd).
The event, which adhered to all Covid-19 guidelines, raised over €3,000. It was originally decided to split the monies equally between the upgrading of the school front yard and Crumlin Children’s Hospital. However, bearing in mind it is the season of goodwill, we have decided that €2,000 will be donated to The Children’s Hospital in Crumlin and €1000 will go towards the upgrading of the school yard.
Despite the rain, everybody enjoyed the circuit, including ‘Dot’ and ‘Maisie’ belonging to the Connolly and Spillane families.

The Students Council would like to thank all who helped make this event successful including teachers and parents who walked and helped out on the day, An Garda Síochána, and the students who volunteered as stewards, and all who gave generous sponsorship towards this event.

'Big Picture' – Thousands of fans come out in Clonmel to greet All-Ireland Champions September 1989
Were you in St. Mary's Car Park, Clonmel, on Sunday, September 24, 1989, to greet the Tipperary Senior Hurling team and manager 'Babs' Keating, on their visit to Clonmel as part of their victory tour after winning the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, beating Antrim 4-24 to 3-9 in the final played at Croke Park, Dublin, on September 3, 1989? You can zoom in closer to see more detail by clicking to zoom-in, and double-clicking to zoom-out.
Thousands greet All-Ireland Champions in Clonmel in 1989
“We want Tipp, we want Tipp,” the impatient crowd, who had been waiting for more than an hour at the Mary Street car park in Clonmel, chanted on Sunday night, September 24, 1989, as they got wind of the word that their conquering heroes were about to appear.
The chanting grew even more impatient as in from the Gladstone Street entrance to the car park marched the pretty majorettes in their blue and gold outfits and punching the soft night air with their blue and gold pom-poms to the music of Banna Chluain Meala playing the air of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.
You had a sense that these were John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord. And so it was, for moments later came the All-Ireland champion Tipperary hurlers riding high in an open-top Bus Éireann bus bearing with them the spoils of victory, the McCarthy Cup, Dr. Morris Trophy and Junior All-Ireland Cup.
It was the signal for the biggest crowd that Clonmel had seen since ‘Zig and Zag’ were in Clonmel the previous year for the ‘Beat on the Street’ to let loose a cheer that would deafen a herd of elephants and put the heart crossways in a Kilkenny hurling man.
Among those on the bus were eleven members of the senior hurling panel, also members of the junior and under-21 panels, and the three Tipperary captains: Bobby Ryan (senior), Declan Ryan (under-21) and Kevin Laffan (junior). Senior manager Babs Keating, and team selectors Donie Nealon and Theo English were also there.
GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Friday, December 11, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 6, 10, 17 and 29. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘match three’ winner who received €100: Stephen Gleeson, c/o John Hurley. The Bonus Christmas Draw will take place on Friday, December 18. Prizes are as Follows: 1 x €1,000; 2 x €250; 5 x €100.
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, December 18, when the jackpot is €28,400 and the seller's prize is €1,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.
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

Des Morrissey, Irish Permanent Building Society Clonmel, pictured above after presenting medals to this group of athletes at Fethard Community Games on Sunday, August 22, 1993. L to R: Geraldine O’Donnell, Fethard (2nd under 14); Brian Sullivan, Barrettstown, (3rd under 12); Michelle Doran, Carrick-on-Suir, (3rd under 14); Des Morrissey; Orla Power, Carrick-on-Suir, (1st under 14); Richard Phelan, Carrick-on-Suir, (1st/100 meters); and Glen Burke, Fethard, (2nd under 12).

Des Morrissey, Irish Permanent Building Society Clonmel photographed with Alan O'Connor and Evelyn O'Connor at Fethard Community Games on Sunday, August 22, 1993.

Medal winners, Mary, Sara and Danny Gleeson from Drangan photographed at Fethard Community Games on Sunday, August 22, 1993.

This family photograph of three children was supplied by Jim Fahey, Cloneen Road, Fethard, back in the early 1990s. Maybe somebody can identify who they are and let us know.

Presentation Convent Leaving Certificate Class of 1967 in Fethard. L to R: Ann Smyth, Jacinta O'Flynn, June Kennedy, Rita O'Donnell, Camilla Garry and Margaret Walsh.
New County Development Plan for 2022-2028

Tipperary County Council has commenced the preparation of a new County Development Plan for Tipperary. To facilitate public engagement/submissions, a dedicated ‘County Development Plan’ webpage has been set up and will remain ‘live’ during the two-year process. As the Plan progresses, the site will be routinely up-dated with reports, published submissions, public engagement guides and videos etc.

The web site can be accessed CLICKING HERE. The website is an excellent resource and point of contact for the public and stakeholders, and I would appreciate it if you could circulate the link as opportunities arise.
Fethard News
Comments or items for inclusion on this website can be emailed to fethardnews@gmail.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.
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