Heritage Council Grant for Fethard Town Wall and Tipperary’s Walled Towns

I am pleased to let you know that the Heritage Council has today (May 13, 2021) announced a grant of €25,000 to Tipperary County Council to conserve a section of the East Face of the Fethard Town Wall.

In addition, the Heritage Council has also awarded €6000 to the Tipperary Heritage Office to develop a digital heritage project which aims to highlight some of the archaeological features associated with Tipperary’s Walled Towns. I appreciate your support for these important heritage projects in Tipperary.

These grants have been awarded under the Irish Walled Towns Network which is helping to make the walled towns of Ireland become better places in which to live, work and visit.

With kind regards,
Virginia Teehan
Chief Executive
The Heritage Council, Church Lane, Kilkenny

Fethard Horse Country Experience
Fethard Horse Country Experience are preparing to reopen to the public in early June and look forward to welcoming visitors back to Fethard town. For the first few weeks we are asking all our visitors to pre-book, contact details on our website fhcexperience.ie

It is also planned to resume the very popular Coolmore Stud tours in July, depending on what Covid restrictions are in operation.

At the FHCE centre we will also stock Local crafts and artwork, which will be available for sale as before. Other community aimed events are also in the pipeline and details will be announced on our website.

Were you a member of Fethard Macra Club on September 5, 2000, in this photograph? You can zoom in closer to see faces more detail by clicking the photograph to zoom-in and double-clicking the photograph to zoom-out.

Fethard Macra 2000
Members of Fethard Macra Club photographed at their club meeting held to finalised plans for their 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance' which took place on October 7, 2000, in the Clonmel Arms Hotel.

Maybe you can send us all the names (L to R) for our files to fethardnews@gmail.com

Knockroe Wind Farm Project
ABO Wind Ireland Ltd. will be holding a virtual public consultation where we display further proposals of the project to the local community.

The interactive consultation will go live on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 and can be accessed by the public at a time of their convenience up to June 15, 2021. It will provide the opportunity to view information pertaining to the proposed development and for attendants to provide their feedback. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer any questions the public may have via a ‘Live Chat’ function during the following times:

Where: www.knockroe-windfarm.com
Tuesday, May 18, from 6pm to 8pm
Thursday, May 20, from 6pm to 8pm

Contact details are also provided for those who are viewing the consultation outside of these times and who would like to ask us any questions.

Wind Farm Construction

This video documents the installation of several ABO Wind projects, filmed in 2017 in Germany.

Churches now open for Mass, Baptisms & Funerals
Local churches are now open for public masses, baptisms and funerals, limited to fifty people. We look forward to meeting again to celebrate the Eucharist. Unfortunately we can not have the celebration of the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation for the time being. Pope Francis has encouraged daily recitation of the Rosary during the month of May in light of the global risks posed by the virus.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results – Thursday, May 13
There was no winner of this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday May 13. The winning numbers were 9, 10, 11 and 22. The winner of the weekly draw of €30 was Geraldine Cahill. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, May 20, will be €850. Thanks to all for your continued support.

Please pass the word on and invite friends and family to take part. You can help our Parish in a real, practical way.  Thank you for your support and the best of luck in the weekly draw. PLAY OUR LOTTO NOW.

Watch Fethard Leaving Cert Graduation Mass
Watch the Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School's Leaving Cert Class of 2021 Graduation Mass, which was recorded at the school on Friday, May 14, 2021. CLICK HERE or watch below.

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Friday, May 14, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 1, 2, 16 and 24. There was no jackpot winner and two ‘match three’ winners who received €50 each: Paddy Turner, Clonmel; and Sharon O'Meara, Strylea, 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, May 21, when the jackpot is €30,000 and the seller's prize is €1,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Covid Restrictions lifted from Monday, May 10, 2021

Fantasia Academy of Performing Arts classes for Abymill Theatre – Booking Now for September 2021
Fantasia Academy of Performing Arts is a performing arts school situated in the medieval walled town of Fethard. We provide all three elements of the Performing Arts with classes in dancing, acting and vocal technique to children, adolescents, and adults. The classes, starting in September at the Abymill Theatre, will be run by Anastasia Blake, a native of Fethard.

The timetable of classes are listed below and further information is available on the Fantasia Academy website by CLICKING HERE. Prices for our first term, starting on Monday, September 6, are: Junior and Senior Infants €70; 1st class and up: €84; and Adult Dance €84. Contact us by phone at 086 4599975, Email: info@fantasiaacademy.com



At Fantasia Academy, we strive for all students to learn the techniques and art of performance along with building confidence, learning social skills, making new friends, coordination, and movement along with of course having fun. Throughout the year there will be opportunities for students to take examinations in all three disciplines, in acting, singing and dance. To showcase our student's talents, we will produce a live show in the Abymill Theatre for all parents/guardians, family members and community to see at the end of the school year. Anastasia Blake

Anastasia Blake
Anastasia Blake is a native of Fethard. She is a graduate of The Gaiety School of Acting, The National Theatre School of Ireland, graduating in their Professional Actor Training Programme. While training at The Gaiety School, she achieved a certificate from The Irish Dramatic Combat Academy in ‘Stage Combat’ and ‘Rapier and Dagger’ choreography. In May, 2021, she completed a Level 8, Diploma in Arts in Drama Education from Griffith College, Dublin in conjunction with The Leinster School of Music and Drama.

Anastasia is a classically trained soprano who has undertaken examinations in all-vocal grades and was also awarded the Senior Certificate with The Royal Irish Academy of Music Musical Theatre and Popular Singing. In 2019, Anastasia completed a Music & Dyslexia course with The British Dyslexia Association to further her knowledge in delivering lessons in music/vocals to those who may have additional needs. Summer 2020 saw the release of ‘Dating Amber’ streaming on Amazon Prime. The role of Janet was played by Anastasia. With over 15 years of dance experience in performance, she aims to share the love and passion and benefits of movement and dance with others. Anastasia has years of experience being involved in shows and performance and is now dedicated to sharing her skills and providing exciting opportunities to the next generation of performers.

Anastasia has a huge passion for the Performing Arts and strives to provide an open and encouraging space for students to express themselves artistically. She is looking forward to bringing Performing Arts to the Abymill Theatre in Fethard and bringing new opportunities to the 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

Fethard & District Photos from the past . . .

This week we have a selection of photographs from the more recent past – approximately ten years or so – we would love to have your comments or names of people in the photographs. Email: fethardnews@gmail.com


Sandra Maher (front centre) celebrating her 30th birthday at a surprise party organised by her friends in Butlers Sports Bar on December 4, 2010. Sandra was secretary of St. Rita's Camogie Club in Fethard.


Pupils from Patrician Presentation Secondary School who organised fundraising events to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. The group are photographed above with their teacher, Ms Majella Whelan, presenting a cheque for €516 to local Cystic Fibrosis representative Mandy Quigley. November 17, 2011


Children photographed after completing their 'Medieval Hats' workshop with local artist, Pat Looby, for Fethard Festival Fancy Dress Parade, August 19. 2011


Fethard Arms, New Year's Eve, December 31, 2011


Catherine O'Shea and Gus Maher photographed at Mass Rock on the pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon on August 14, 2011


Nadine Forde photographed on the occasion of her 30th Birthday in Butler's Bar Fethard where she celebrated with friends on February 26, 2011. Nadine is a former world champion jockey and was working with Eddie O'Grady at the time.


Photographed at the Clonmel Health Heart Walk in aid of CARE (Cancer Aftercare Relaxation Education), Cancer Support Centre, Clonmel, are L to R: Suzi Zabojnikova, Ada Fordonska and Roger Mehta holding their baby daughter Adrianna. June 1, 2011.


Thelma Griffith presenting a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Mary Harrington on behalf of Fethard Tidy Towns at the official opening of the 'Harrington Walkway' at Jesuits Walk, Fethard, on September 14, 2011.

10 years ago this photo was twenty-five years old . . . taken of the 1985 Leaving Certificate Class celebrating a skit for a school play where they all dressed up as teachers and sang a ditty to the 'Twelve days of Chrstmas'. Ray Looby remembers having a copy of the 'script' which he promises to send it along if he can find it. Back L to R: Liam O’Dwyer, Ian Cooke, Willie Phelan, Dermot O’Donnell. Front L to R: Gabrielle Hayes, Willie O’Meara, Lisa Rice, Michael Barry, Sarah Carey, Raymond Looby, Philip Crean, Gerry Horan, Tom Haydon, T.J. Maher, Tom Ryan, Jim O’Donnell, Colm Keogh and Orla Broderick.

The script as promised from Ray Looby . . .

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.