Happy New Year to all our readers!

We take this opportunity to wish all our readers a very Happy New Year and hopefully, a safer time for us all to flourish in health, wealth and cheerfulness.

Fethard Athletic Club Fun Walk/Run on January 4
Happy New Year from the Fethard Athletic Club. Get your New Year off on the right foot by joining us  for our weekly Fun Walk/Run around Fethard. Starting at 7pm next Tuesday, January 4, from the car park opposite the Fethard Ballroom. Hi-Vis vests to be worn. Sessions to date have proved very popular and we look forward to welcoming new participants. All are welcome.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Saturday, January 1, 2022, of Joan Carroll, Woodvale Walk, Fethard. Deeply regretted by her partner Sean, her former partner Tony, sons Peter, Glenn, Andrew and Dylan, daughter Nicola, sisters Susan, Jackie and Evana, brother John, step daughters Becky, Orla, Karen and Jenifer, granddaughter Layla, grandsons Thomas, Steven and James, relatives and a large circle of friends.

May she rest in peace.

Joan's Funeral Mass will take place in the Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, on Tuesday, January 4, at 11am followed by private cremation. The Mass can be watched online at parishchurch.net

Messages of support and condolences for the family can be left online by CLICKING HERE

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, December 30. The numbers drawn were: 8, 9, 14 and 16. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Gemma Gould. Next week's Jackpot will be €2,500.

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 our next weekly draw on Thursday, January 6, 2022. PLAY OUR LOTTO NOW. Wishing you a very Happy and peaceful New Year. – Fr. Tom Breen (AP); Fr. Liam Everard (PP); and the Parish Team.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, of Desmond 'Des' Martin, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard and formerly of Kilnagranagh, Cloneen, peacefully, in the loving care of the Staff at Croí Óir, Our Lady’s Hospital, Cashel. Des, predeceased by Jimmy and Kitty O’Halloran. Deeply regretted by his closest relatives P.J., C.J. and Damien O’Halloran, P.J.’s wife Catherine, C.J.’s partner Sinéad and their children Charlotte and Daniel, along with a close circle of relatives and friends. May He Rest In Peace.

Reposing at McCarthy’s Funeral Home, Fethard, this Saturday evening, January 1, from 5.30pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass takes place at 12.30pm on Sunday, January 2, in Cloneen Church, and can be viewed live online by CLICKING HERE and will also be available online to watch from 8pm that evening. Interment will take place immediately after Mass in the adjoining old cemetery.

Family flowers only please, donations if desired to Fethard & District Day Care Centre. Messages of condolence for the family can be left online by CLICKING HERE

Completed the 'Goal Mile' in Fethard

Fionn O’Meara after completing the Goal Mile run on Christmas Day in Fethard.

Christmas in Fethard – December 1972
We take a trip back to Fethard Abbey on Christmas 1972, when a photograph of a nativity scene in authentic setting at the Augustinian Abbey, Fethard, was published with the following verse, written by Irish Franciscan friar and historian, Luke Wadding, O.F.M. (October 16, 1588 – November 18, 1657).

Christmas Day
Christmas Day is come; let's all prepare for mirth,
Which fills the heav'ns and earth at this amazing birth.
Through both the joyous angels in strife and hurry fly,
With glory and hosannas, 'All Holy' do they cry.
In heaven the Church triumphant adores with all her choirs,
The militant on earth with humble faith admires.

But why should we rejoice? Should we not rather mourn
To see the Hope of Nations thus in a stable born?
Where are His crown and sceptre, where is His throne sublime,
Where is His train majestic that should the stars outshine?
Is there not sumptuous palace nor any inn at all
To lodge His heav'nly mother but in a filthy stall?

Who was this Waterford born man?
Luke Wadding was a voluminous writer, his chief work was the Annales Minorum in eight folio volumes (1625–1654), re-edited in the 18th century and continued up to the year 1622; it is the classical work on Franciscan history. He also published the first collection of the writings of St Francis of Assisi. During the papal conclaves of 1644 and 1655, Wadding received votes to become pope, making him, "as close as the church has come to having an Irish pope".

In the 1950s, a statue of Wadding was erected on The Mall in Waterford, adjacent to Reginald's Tower and one of the city's most prominent locations. The Waterford-born Franciscan's literary, academic and theological attributes were denoted by a quill pen held poised in the statue's right hand. More recently this statue was replaced by one of Thomas Francis Meagher. The figure of Luke Wadding was moved to a position at the entrance to the French Church, Waterford on Greyfriars. In 2000, the Waterford Institute of Technology dedicated a new library building to his name.

Augustinian Abbey Children's Choir – c.1972

This photograph of a Children’s Choir taken in the Augustinian Abbey, Fethard, with Fr. O’Mahoney OSA, was taken around 1972 we presume, as that year Rev. Fr. P.A. O’Mahoney OSA was appointed to the Augustinian Abbey in July, 1971, after returning from the Augustinian missions in Nigeria, where he spent almost a quarter of a century. Fr. O'Mahoney replaced Fr. Pat Killian OSA, who was transferred to Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.  Fr. Killian will be fondly remembered locally as the first trailblazer and chairman of the Fethard Youth Club formed in 1969, based in the old Tirry Club situated in Barrack Street.

Fethard Abbey Church Children's Choir. Back L to R: Rita Leahy, Josie Keane, Helen O’Riordan, Caroline Barrett, Norma Hanrahan, Caroline Lonergan, Fr. O’Mahoney OSA. Fourth Row L to R: Christina Lonergan, Mairead Henehan, Rena McGrath, Ann O’Riordan, Marie Trehy, Vera O’Donovan, Paula Carey, Winifred Carroll. Third Row L to R: Brian Hanrahan, Paddy Trehy, Pat Fitzgerald, John O’Donnell, William Looby, Declan Morrissey, Mark Holohan. Second Row L to R: Paschal Hanrahan, Paddy Burke, Vincent Breen, Brian O’Sullivan, William Breen, Joe Morrissey, Kevin Hayes. Front L to R: Jimmy O’Sullivan, Jack Healy, Michael Hayes, Ritchie Hayes, Pierce Dillon, Con Healy, and John O’Connor.

Further information received . . .
We recently received some further information regarding the Abbey Children's Choir from former organist, Anne Kenrick, who followed in her grandmother's footsteps and started playing the organ in the Abbey from 1965 onwards. Anne recalls the choir being the brainchild of Fr Leddin OSA, who recruited children from the local schools. Anne's uncle, Billy Kenrick, helped with some of the initial training and Fr O’Mahoney OSA also sang with the children. One of the highlights of the children's choir happened in 1972-'73, with their performance of a beautiful Mass composed by Philip Greene, with Fr. O'Mahoney as soloist.

The Mass of St. Francis of Assisi – was written in 1972 by English-born composer Philip Green (1911-1982), as the entrance to a Mass setting suitable for both adults and children. The original Mass of St. Francis of Assisi was also released on vinyl in 1972, featuring The Cork Children's Choir, Bernadette Greevy and Canon Sydney MacEwan, and the hymn 'Suffer Little Children', became very popular in its own right, reaching number three on the Irish charts in September 1973, and was widely used in Ireland and around the world throughout the 1970s - even reaching faraway places like New Zealand.



We had thought that a possible connection may have been, that the very popular Patrician Brother, Bro Luke Moroney, died suddenly on Sunday, November 7, 1971, at a juvenile athletic meeting in Dungarvan, where he had a number of his pupils competing. On that Monday evening a large crowd and representative attendance accompanied the remains to Holy Trinity Church, Fethard, and on Tuesday, a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev. Canon C. Lee, P.P. Fethard, assisted by Rev. Tom Cooke, P.P. Clerihan and Rev. P. O'Mahoney, OSA, The Abbey.

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

The Christmas Song – by Gemma Hayes & Richard Egan

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.

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.

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


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Faces and Places from the Past
The following are a selection of photographs of faces and places taken in 1984 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

Faces in the crowd watching the Saw Doctors perform at the Fethard Jamboree run in aid of the Town Wall restoration project by the Friends of Fethard, held on Sunday afternoon, May 28, 1991.


Faces in the crowd watching the Saw Doctors perform at the Fethard Jamboree run in aid of the Town Wall restoration project by the Friends of Fethard, held on Sunday afternoon, May 28, 1991.


Faces in the crowd watching the Saw Doctors perform at the Fethard Jamboree run in aid of the Town Wall restoration project by the Friends of Fethard, held on Sunday afternoon, May 28, 1991.


Faces in the crowd watching the Saw Doctors perform at the Fethard Jamboree run in aid of the Town Wall restoration project by the Friends of Fethard, held on Sunday afternoon, May 28, 1991.


Faces in the crowd watching the Saw Doctors perform at the Fethard Jamboree run in aid of the Town Wall restoration project by the Friends of Fethard, held on Sunday afternoon, May 28, 1991.


Faces in the crowd watching the Saw Doctors perform at the Fethard Jamboree run in aid of the Town Wall restoration project by the Friends of Fethard, held on Sunday afternoon, May 28, 1991.


Faces in the crowd watching the Saw Doctors perform at the Fethard Jamboree run in aid of the Town Wall restoration project by the Friends of Fethard, held on Sunday afternoon, May 28, 1991.


Faces in the crowd watching the Saw Doctors perform at the Fethard Jamboree run in aid of the Town Wall restoration project by the Friends of Fethard, held on Sunday afternoon, May 28, 1991.


'Saw Doctors Are Magic' or so says Erica Purcell, Jossestown, Fethard, as she sways to the beat of “I used to love her” at the Fethard Jamboree.


Purcell family manning their their sandwich bar at the Fethard Jamboree run in aid of the Town Wall restoration project on Sunday afternoon, May 28, 1991. L to R: Sara Ryan, David Purcell, Eileen Purcell (sitting) and Tom Purcell.


Joining in the crack at the Fethard Jamboree in aid of the Town Wall restoration project on Sunday, May 28, 1991 are L to R: Nellie Kelly, Jimmy Ryan and Josie McCarthy.


Photograph taken at Fethard Town Wall before the Saw Doctors played at the Fethard Jamboree run in aid of the Town Wall restoration project by the Friends of Fethard. Included in front are L to R: Jackie Quinn, Susan Quinn, Tommy Strappe, Michael Tobin, Ann Bradshaw with two friends at the back.

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.

Discover Fethard – Heritage Map, Audio Trail, Services . . .


Fethard – Where the past meets the present.
DISCOVERFETHARD.COM

Fethard is a hidden gem with a unique story to tell and a significant place in Irish history. The 13th Century walled town weaves heritage into its very fabric; the walls and towers lent a real splendour to an already pretty town, and round every corner, there’s something else to see.

You can take a walk along the River Clashawley at Valley Park which is super rich in biodiversity, stroll through the graveyard and look down through the battlements or get up to date with the history of all things equine in what is widely known as horse country. Even better, pay a visit to the Fethard Horse Country Museum where you can check our what makes a winning racehorse.

Fethard has a wide range of cafés, bars and restaurants to cater for all tastes so you can choose from quick bites to Michelin starred meals, or pack up a picnic from the local deli and pick a spot to take in the views.

We love to spend our days in Fethard; we think you will too.