St. Vincent de Paul’s expectations surpassed
St. Vincent’s de Paul’s annual church gate collection held in Fethard on weekending, December 11 and 12, was a worry to us before it took place because of the Covid restrictions affecting the numbers attending mass and the increased use of people ‘tapping’ rather than handling cash during the pandemic.

However, to our great surprise we can report a new record high total of €4,283 donated in Fethard Parish this year. This very generous amount will be a great help towards meeting the extra demands on the society in these very difficult times. We are extremely grateful to all who supported us and we say a very sincere thank you.

Without such community generosity and good will, St. Vincent de Paul Society would not have survived in Fethard since it first began in 1895. We feel that with support like this, it will also continue for a long time to come. Again, a sincere thanks to everybody.

Augustinian Abbey Crib – 'Nollaig na mBan'

Augustinian Abbey Crib photographed on Little Christmas (Irish: Nollaig na mBan –'Women's Christmas'), also known as 'Old Christmas', is one of the traditional names among Irish Christians and Amish Christians for January 6, which is also known more widely as the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated after the conclusion of the twelve days of Christmastide.

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Friday, January 8, are as follows: the numbers drawn were 9, 17, 24 and 31. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘match three’ winner who received €100: Tanya Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, 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, January 15, when the jackpot is €28,600 and the seller's prize is €1,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday. January 5, 2021, of Kitty O'Donnell (née Ryan), formerly Slainstown, Barrack Street, and Slievenamon Close, Fethard, at St Patrick's Nursing Home, Cashel.

Kitty, pre-deceased by her husband John 'Cutsy', is deeply regretted by her loving family, sons Bernard, Willie and Nigel, daughters Sandra and Mandy, sons-in-law Michael and James, daughters-in-law, Dolores, Theresa and Deirdre, her sisters Mary, Meana and Theresa, brother Willie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren Richard, Noel, Lisa, Kyle, Adam, Eoin, Sophie, Caroline, Dylan, Emma and Megan, great-grandchildren Jenny and Beibhinn, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.

In accordance with HSE and Government guidelines, the funeral will be strictly private. The funeral Mass may be watched online at parishchurch.net at 11am on Thursday, January 7. Messages of support and condolences for the family may be left on the online condolence page by CLICKING HERE

Kitty O'Donnell singing one of her favourite songs  

The late Kitty O'Donnell singing one of her favourite songs, 'Rocking The Baby', at Tipp FM's Live broadcast of 'The Session' recorded in Lonergan's Bar, Fethard, on Thursday, June 21, 2001, by presenter Fran Curry. The song is accompanied by a selection of photographs taken of those present at 'The Session' on the night.  

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, of Jack Gleeson,
Rathsallagh, Rosegreen, and formerly of Coolmoyne, Fethard, peacefully in Milbrae Lodge Nursing Home, Newport. Jack, is deeply regretted by his son Conor and his wife Tara, daughters Elaine, Denise and Anne Marie and their mother Anne and their families, grandchildren, brothers Mick and Jim, sisters Mary and Joan, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. May He Rest In Peace

Due to Government restrictions on Covid-19 Jack’s funeral takes privately. If you would like to leave a message of condolence for the family please CLICK HERE

Virtual Goal Mile


Photographed above are members of the McGrath family taking part in this year's virtual 'GOAL MILE' fundraiser to raise funds for GOAL's life-saving work across Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. This year's event took place from December 20, 2020 to December 31, 2020, when local organiser Colm McGrath set up a Fethard Group page online where people could join and support: FETHARD GOAL MILE 



If you would still like to help, contact Colm at Tel: 086 350 2360‬.

Fethard Community Covid-19 Support Group
Don't forget we're still here to help . . .

Happy New Year to our Readers

We wish all our readers a very Happy and Healthy New Year for 2021. The past year was an extraordinary year that will be long remembered for a variety of reasons. Fethard came to a standstill in March with the arrival of Covid-19 to our shores and the immediate ‘lockdown’ of businesses and travel. Most of us expected it to only last a month or two and were still confident of getting back to ‘normal’ in time for summer. This was not to be, and our worst predicted fears were realised as summer, autumn and winter came and still no sign of relief.

The Fethard community responded tremendously by volunteering their services to help those in need with deliveries, shopping, transport and anything else needed by the ‘Fethard Community Covid-19 Support Group’. There was a great sense of community spirit and co-operation noticeable in town, which had very much disappeared over recent decades.

The smaller things in life also began to be more important again and replace the rush and bustle of the modern life we were used to. We walked safely for exercise and, with less traffic on the roads, could enjoy birds singing, the uncut road verges blossoming with wildflowers feeding the huge increase in pollinating bees, so essential for our future dependency on food. The young and the old were also communicating together and many lonely senior citizens had friendly callers again, chatting and checking they were okay for everything.

One realisation expressed by many locals was, there was nowhere else they would rather be during this pandemic than at home in Ireland. Our overworked health service workers were the pride of the nation; our politicians pulled together for a change and got a lot more things done; and our ‘experts’ in dealing with the effects and solutions for Covid, were among the best in the world.

Yes we have a lot to forget about 2020, but let’s hope we have a lot to remember too. Another year dawns and who knows what it will bring. We await in anticipation.

Christmas Hamper Draw at Butlers Bar

Anne Butler, drawing the winning ticket of the Christmas Hamper Draw, sponsored by Butler's Bar, and run over the Christmas period in aid of Fethard and District Day Care Centre. The winner was Catherine McGrath. Also included in the background are members of Fethard & District Day Care Centre who were delighted with the much needed funds raised for the Centre by the Butler Family. Photographed with Anne Butler are L to R: Geraldine McCarthy, Fionnuala O'Sullivan and Geraldine Cahill.

'Big Picture' – Fethard Debs Ball 1993

Were you one of the girls at Fethard Secondary Scholl Debs Ball held in the Clonmel Arms Hotel on September 2, 1993?
You can zoom in closer to see more detail by clicking the photograph to zoom-in, and double-clicking the photograph to zoom-out.

Engagement: Knockroe Windfarm


Introduction
My name is Gary Magee. I work as a Planning and Development Manager with ABO Wind Ireland Ltd. We develop, construct and operate wind farms in the Republic of Ireland.
  
It is widely acknowledged that climate change is a very real threat to our society and that we must take immediate action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. As identified in the Climate Action Plan 2019, one of the ways to do this is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, peat and gas and increase the share of renewables providing us with our electricity from 40% in 2020 to a target of 70% by 2030. In order to reach this target, the plan states that we require approximately 8GW of onshore wind to be installed, there is currently approximately 4GW of installed onshore wind capacity in Ireland. Onshore wind is Ireland’s largest and cheapest renewable electricity resource and as such will continue to play an integral role in decarbonising our society. 


Site Boundary Map - Knockroe Property Boundary (Blue Line) And Wind Farm Site Boundary (Red Line)

In response to the above, we are currently in the early stages of developing a wind farm proposal in the Carrick-On-Suir Local Electoral Area, approximately 1.5km to the South of the village of Drangan. To this end we have recently commenced engagement with the local community, providing all residents within 1.5km of the site with introductory literature to the project while answering their initial questions.

We now want to expand the consultation and inform the wider community about the emerging proposals. Please see attached the first project newsletter which provides further information pertaining to our proposals as well ways to get in touch should you have any questions or comments. We have also established a dedicated project website (www.knockroe-windfarm.com) which will be updated with information at key stages throughout the process.

If you would like to be kept informed about the progress of the project please let us know I can add you to our mailing list accordingly.

Please note that the consultation will continue in the new year and so if you would like to respond it is absolutely fine to do so after the Christmas break.

Wishing you a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Kind Regards, Gary Magee, Planning and Development Manager. EMAIL

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.

COVID Restrictions – Level 5 – Stay at Home
 
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.

Share this page on Facebook