The Premier 'Christmas Edition'
The Christmas issue of The Premier free local newspaper is now available in local shops and is also available online by CLICKING HERE or front page image. This edition features John Fogarty's seasonal article, 'Dreaming of a White Christmas', lots of photographs and news from the district, including Fethard. Click on the image below to read this Christmas Edition.

You can also visit The Premier newspaper's website for further details of distribution in your area or for submitting articles or photographs for publication. Email: info@thepremiernewspaper.com

First 'Split The Granny Pot' winner

A delighted Rita Kenny accepting a cheque for €800 from Bobbi Holohan (left) as the first winner of Fethard Day Care’s 'Split The Granny Pot' fundraiser. Also in the photo are Fionnuala O’Sullivan and Geraldine McCarthy (Fethard & District Day Care Centre Mangaer).

Runners up, were Peggy O’Donnell, Killenaule, who won a hamper, kindly donated by O’Sullivans Pharmacy. Catherine Ryan, Cashel Road, a hamper from Christys Market and Car Boot Sale. Breda Nolan, Ballinure, a hamper from Kenny’s Centra. A huge thanks to all who supported our fundraiser and who donated hampers.

Our next draw will be held on the last weekend in January. Envelopes are available from the Daycare Centre, local shops, Killenaule Post Office and The Thatch, Cloneen. Wishing you all a very happy and safe Christmas.

Christmas Services in Fethard Parish Church & Killusty

• Parish Church – Wednesday, December 22
  Penitential Service with Confessions at 7.30pm
  
  
• Christmas Eve – Friday, December 24
  Fethard Parish Church – Mass at 7pm
  Killusty Church – Mass at 7.30pm
  
  
• Christmas Day – Saturday, December 25
  Fethard Parish Church – Mass at 8.30am
  Fethard Parish Church – Mass at 11am
  Killusty Church – Mass at 10am

• St. Stephen's Day – Sunday, December 26
  Feast of the Holy Family
  Fethard Parish Church – Mass at 8.30am
  Fethard Parish Church – Mass at 11am
  Killusty Church – Mass at 10am
  

Join us online at parishchurch.net

Wishing all our parishioners, friends and families who are not able to be with us a peaceful, joyous and safe Christmas.

Augustinian Abbey Christmas Services

• Christmas Eve – Friday, December 24
  Mass at 6pm
  Carols at 8pm
  Mass at 8.30pm
  
  
• Christmas Day – Saturday, December 25
  Mass at 9.30am
  Mass at 11.30am

Join us online at fethardabbey.com

Merry Christmas – Iggy O'Donovan OSA

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Friday, December 17, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 10, 17, 24 and 32. There was no Jackpot or Match Three winner. One Lucky Dip received €100: Michael Kenrick, Burke Street, Fethard. Two lucky dip winners received €75 each: Tanya Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; and Anthony O’Dwyer, Killenaule.

Christmas Draw Results
One winner received €1,000: David Lawless, Main Street, Fethard. Two winners received €250: Rebecca Bradshaw, St Patricks Place, Fethard, and Anthony O’Dwyer, Killenaule. Five winners received €100: Bernie Foley, Jimmy Connolly, Kevin O’Leary, Denis O’Meara, and Mary Dolan.

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 14, 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.

Parish Church Lotto Draw and Christmas Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, December 16. The numbers drawn were: 2, 8, 13 and 18. The winner of the weekly draw of €30 was Ann Coen. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, December 23, will be €2,375.

Christmas Draw Parish results
A Big Congratulations to the lucky winners of our special Christmas Draw!

• €30 voucher for Allen's Meats - Mary Carroll
• €30 voucher for Dalton's Pharmacy - Gerry Burke
• €30 voucher for Dooks Fine Foods - Sean O'Donovan
• €30 voucher for Fethard Electrical Wholesale - Margaret Slattery
• €30 voucher for Glanbia - Pamela O'Donnell
• €30 voucher for Kenny's Centra - Joe Corbett
• €30 voucher for Meagher's Daybreak - Martin Burke
• €30 voucher for McCarthy's Hotel - Pharmacy O'Sullivan
• €30 voucher for O'Sullivan's Pharmacy - John Whyte
  

Winners of the 'Our Fundraiser' Christmas draw prizes!

• Super family break at the Center Parcs Holiday Village
  Catherine Hayes - Cappamore Parish
• Playstation 5
  Margaret Mulligan - Scoil Charthaigh Naofa
• Playstation 5
  Colette Frewen - Ballylanders Parish
• Playstation 5
  Fiona Hurley - Oranmore Boys NS
  

Thank you so much for your support as it’s making a big difference. Please spread the word with family and friends to support. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. – Fr. Tom Breen (AP); Fr. Liam Everard (PP); and the Parish Team.

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.

Fethard Patrician Presentation Senior Boys Volleyball Team – All-Ireland Runners-up
A huge congratulations and thank you to our senior boys who played their last competitive volleyball match for Fethard on Thursday, December, 2021, and finished with another All-Ireland (runners-up) title, in a nail-biting final.

Having trailed 22-13 in the first set, their strength and cool heads led to a 25-23 win over Portlaoise College. The second set went to Portlaoise who rallied well and put in some very big hits. At one set a piece we faced a tie breaker to 15 where the lead changed over and over in an absolute nail biter. With some luck and superior hitting, Portlaoise finally came out on top 15-13 in the closest of finishes.

A huge thank you to Jack O'Donoghue (captain), Dara O'Meara, Patrick Kennedy, David Cowlard, Paddy Whyte and Micheál Cuddihy for their years of service to Patrician Presentation Fethard since First Year. Also, thank you to Michael O'Meara and Theo Looby who weren't playing on Thursday but have been valuable members of the team both this year and over the years.

It has always been an absolute pleasure to work with these young men and no doubt they will go far. No strangers to All-Ireland finals, they have beaten off challenges from teams all over the country where student numbers often topped 1,000. You are a credit to the your families, the community and the school. Best of luck to Charlie Hackett, also in Sixth Year, who just about qualifies for one more bite at the cherry at U16; and to the T.Y. and Fifth Years, who go again in January and next year. We're so proud of you all!

Christmas Services Church of Ireland

• Christmas Eve - December 24
  St. Paul’s Church, Cahir, 9pm – Holy Communion. Ven J Murray
  
  
• Christmas Day – December 25  
  Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, Fethard, 9.30am – Holy Communion. Ven J Murray. 
  Old St. Mary’s  Church, Clonmel, 11am – Holy Communion . Ven J Murray.
  
  
• St. Stephen’s Day – December 26
  St. Paul’s Church, Cahir, 9.30am – Holy Communion. Bishop Michael J Burrows.

All are very welcome to attend. The parishioners of The Clonmel Union of Parishes would like to wish everyone a Happy and Holy Christmas and a Bright and Healthy New Year. 

Cast of Hogan Musical Society's Oklahoma! – March 18, 1994.

This was the second production of Oklahoma by the Hogan Musical Society, the first time being in February, 1983, when Michael O'Donoghue, produced the show in the Country Club Ballroom. The 1994 production (above) was produced by Leonard Anderson in the Abymill Theatre in March of that year. Leonard, a former teacher with a degree in Dramatic Art, started in musical theatre with Belfast Operatic Company, and quickly moved from the chorus line to choreography before moving to direction.

In his programme address, chairman Michael O'Hagan, welcomed the audience and promised, "You are going to witness many a new face on stage, performing hand in hand with so many 'old timers' from the ranks of the Hogan Musical Society."

He went on to say, "Regretfully, as we go on stage, we shall miss the company of Sr. Breda who, through illness, cannot be with us this year." Sr. Breda O'Connor, treasurer Hogan Musical Society, died two months later, on May 27, 1994, after a long illness which she bore extremely bravely. The other committee members in 1994 were: Nellie Shortall (president); Michael O'Hagan (chairman); Annie O'Brien (secretary); Bernard Walsh, Fr. Denis Shanahan, Jenny Fogarty, Stephen McCormack, Jimmy O'Shea, Eileen Connolly, Sean Doyle and Michael McCarthy. Honorary Members: Billy McLellan, John Shortall and Michael McCarthy.

You can zoom in closer to see more detail by clicking the photograph to zoom-in and double-clicking the photograph to zoom-out. If you can help with further information please let us know. Your comments, names or corrections are always welcome to: fethardnews@gmail.com

Died Recently
The death has occurred, suddenly, on Monday, December 13, 2021, of Michael Maher, Newcastle, Dublin, and formerly St. Patrick's Place, Fethard, and an active member of Newcastle Community in Dublin.

Beloved husband and best friend of Margaret. Much loved dad to Ronan, Fiona and Elaine. Michael will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his heart broken wife, son, daughters, his adored grandchildren Emma, Niamh, Katie, Ella, James and Lily, daughter-in-law Anita, sons-in-law Kevin and John, sister-in-law Mary, extended family and many friends. May He Rest in Peace.

Reposing at Massey Bros. Funeral Home, Clondalkin Village, on Thursday, December 16, between 3pm and 5pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 17, at 11am in St Finian's Church, Newcastle, followed by burial in Newcastle Cemetery. Messages of condolences may be left online by CLICKING HERE. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Irish Heart Foundation.

County 'A' Champions – Fethard U19 Ladies Football

Fethard U19 Ladies Footballer team, County Champions, following their five point win against Boherlahan in the U19 'A' Championship county final played in Monroe on Sunday, December 12.

Fethard U19 Ladies Footballer team had a five point win against Boherlahan in the U19 'A' Championship county final played in Monroe on Sunday, December 12. This was the club's fourth U19 'A' county title in five years – adding to the wins in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Unfortunately, there was no U19 Championships played in 2020 due to Covid. This was a well deserved win by this super group of girls. Congratulations!

Captain Carrie Davey being presented with the County Championship Cup (on the right).

Annual Emigrants' Newsletter selling very well
This year's Fethard & Killusty Annual Emigrants' Newsletter is selling very well locally and limited numbers are still available for sale at Fethard Post Office, Daybreak Supermarket and Centra Supermarket.

Newsletters posted to USA delayed!
Copies of the Newsletter were posted free of charge on November 24, to emigrants and family members living away from home that are on our mailing list. Unfortunately, this year, all newsletters posted to the USA were returned due to new regulations introduced by the United States Customs Services, demanding that contents other than 'documents' must have an electronic barcoded CN23 customs declaration attached. These have to be individually processed, signed and new address label with barcode created, at an available Post Office.

We apologise to our readers living in the USA who may not receive their Newsletter before Christmas as a result. We are doing our best to get them processed and posted again ASAP.

Attention all 'Sinners'!
During the Christmas Season beginning on Saturday, December 18, at 7.30pm mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated at the Augustinian Abbey, Fethard. The format will be 'General Absolution', as in the present Covid conditions, individual confession is hazardous.

All will have the opportunity to participate in the celebration of this sacrament at all Abbey masses up to and including Christmas Day. Friends who may be unable to attend may participate via Live Stream at fethardabbey.com 'Sinners welcome'.

Support Fethard Town Park and Win a 'Holiday of a Lifetime'


Make 2022 a year to remember with a holiday of a lifetime to a Dream Destination of your choice worth €10,000. Win a holiday of a lifetime Cruising the Mediterranean Sea or a Family Trip to Orlando, Florida!

Guaranteed Prize Raffle. Limited Ticket Numbers of 3,000. By entering this competition, you have confirmed that you have read and agree to our terms and conditions.

Get your ticket today https://fethardtownpark.ie/holiday-raffle/
€20 for 1 ticket or €50 for 3 tickets.

Faces and Places from the Past
The following are a selection of photographs of faces and places taken in 1982 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, some that we have identified, others we need your help with names if known? If you can help with names, comments or further information, we would love to hear from you. Email: fethardnews@gmail.com

Visiting Fethard for the ‘Fethard-Killusty London Reunion Festival’ on June 26, 1994 are members of the Mackey family L to R: Billy, Ann, Jackie, Imelda, Kathleen, Tom and Breda.


'Kylie' & 'On my Last Legs' entry in the ‘Fethard-Killusty London Reunion Festival Parade’ on June 26, 1994.


L to R: Helena McCormack; Kristy McCarthy and Gillian Shine, whose entry was ‘The Emigrant’s Return to Kerry Street’ in the ‘Fethard-Killusty London Reunion Festival Parade’ on June 26, 1994.


Fethard Set Dancers entry in the ‘Fethard-Killusty London Reunion Festival Parade’ on June 26, 1994.


Fethard Festival Queen, Ann Marie O’Meara, presenting the overall Fancy Dress prize to Nellie Shortall, who accepted on behalf of her fellow members of the Hogan Musical Society at the ‘Fethard-Killusty London Reunion Festival Parade’ on June 26, 1994.


'Robin Hood and his Merry Men' entry in the ‘Fethard-Killusty London Reunion Festival Parade’ on June 26, 1994.


Terry Cunningham, Grangebeg, Fethard, playing the part of 'Fr. Tirry' in the ‘Fethard-Killusty London Reunion Festival Parade’ on June 26, 1994. Photographed with his three children, Oisin, Rian and Naoise.


This photograph was received from the late Jackie Aylward in 1995 that includes many Fethard football players maybe it was a tournament game or a Tipperary Senior Football 8s team c.1958 ? Names from information received L to R: Austin McDonnell, Ned Sheehan, Mick Byrne, Jimmy O'Shea, Jack Prout, Tony Newport, Sean Keane and Paddy Tierney.

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.