Great start for sport at Patrician Presentation
February was a great start for Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School teams in their individual team sports and we congratulate all the teams and their coaches on their successful outings. Well done!


Congratulations to the U19 Boys Soccer Team on reaching the next round of the FAI Munster Shield.


On Tuesday, February 1, the School's fantastic camogie players participated in the Tipperary Schools Blitz! The girls got well deserved wins over Comeragh College, Killenaule and Roscrea.


Well done to the Junior Girls Volleyball teams on winning all their games in the first round against the Presentation Secondary School Kilkenny in the Watershed.


The Ladies Junior Soccer team who played Cahir and are now through to the final in the FAI Munster Competition.

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Friday, February 4, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 10, 12, 14 and 25. There was no jackpot winner and three Match Three winners who received €50 each: Mary Kendrick, Burke Street, Fethard; Karl Maher (contact club secretary); Jill Maher (contact club secretary). Our Lucky Dip Winners received €100: Mary McCormack; and Rebecca Darcy (contact club secretary). Please Note the Lotto Draw will change from Friday Nights to Tuesday Nights from March 1, 2022.

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, February 11, 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.

Died recently in Italy
The death has occurred on Tuesday, January 26, 2022, of Cecilia (Celia) Bridget Amuro McAuley at her residence in Terracina, Italy, surrounded by her loving Family. Celia is a relative of the O'Brien family, originally from Ballinard and later from The Valley and Redcity, Fethard.

Born in London, Celia spent all her school holidays in Fethard and in Wicklow with her mutual cousins. She loved Ireland so much that she built a holiday home in Fethard some eighteen years ago, which she visited several times a year – her final visit being in August 2021.

Celia will be very sadly missed by her loving husband, family, adored grandchildren, and also by her cousins in Ireland, UK, and her many friends. Her funeral service took place in Terracina, Italy, on Saturday, January 29, 2022. May She Rest in Peace.

The Premier Newspaper - February 4, 2022
This week's 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 articles, photographs and news from the district, including Fethard. Click on the image below to read this issue.

You can also visit The Premier archive of past issues available online by CLICKING HERE For further news and developments you can follow The Premier on Facebook. Comments, articles or photographs for publication can be emailed to editor Jamie O'Flaherty at: info@thepremiernewspaper.com

Happy 97th Birthday Johnny!


Our heartiest congratulations to Johnny Sheehan, St. Patrick's Place, who celebrated his 97th Birthday during the past week. Johnny is kept active all his life between his wood turning skills and his impeccable handwriting. Johnny was born in Rossane on January 27, 1925 and was only three weeks old when he was brought to my father’s home in Clarebeg, Killusty, where my brother Dan and his family still live.

Johnny is photographed above outside his home, in St. Patrick’s Place, with his two daughters, Phyllis and Terri. His late wife Peg, died on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.  We wish Johnny a long healthy life and many more years working in his creative workshop (below). Happy Birthday!

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, February 3. The numbers drawn were: 3, 10, 11 and 23. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Fiona Ryan. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, February 10, will be €750. 

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, February 10, 2022. PLAY OUR LOTTO NOW.

First Day of Spring

One of the first flowers to dare to show its head in January and February, the Snowdrop is one of our best known spring flowers. The white of the snowdrop symbolises innocence and purity. Because it is the first flower to bloom at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, it also symbolises hope.

TO A SNOWDROP
William Wordsworth 1770–1850

Lone Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they
But hardier far, once more I see thee bend
Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend,
Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day,
Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, waylay
The rising sun, and on the plains descend;
Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend
Whose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May
Shall soon behold this border thickly set
With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing
On the soft west-wind and his frolic peers;
Nor will I then thy modest grace forget,
Chaste Snowdrop, venturous harbinger of Spring,
And pensive monitor of fleeting years!

St. Brigid's Feast Day, February 1st
St. Brigid is a renowned Irish saint who was born in the 5th century and died around 525 A.D. Her mother was a slave to a pagan Chieftain, and by all accounts so was Brigid. Her kindness to people and animals is legendary, so much so that 1500 years on, she is held in great affection.

Traditionally, spring begins on her feast day, February 1st. However, meteorologists regard March 1st as the beginning of Spring. Astronomers measure Spring as starting at the vernal equinox in March and ending at the summer solstice in June.

First Communion at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, 1993

Group of boys and girls from the Fethard Parish who received their First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 29, 1993, at Holy Trinity Parish Church. Included are Canon James Power P.P.; Mrs Mary Hanrahan (teacher); Fr. Denis Shanahan c.c.; and Mrs Alice Quinn (teacher).

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

Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom


Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, February 6, to the music of ‘Michael Sexton’. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Admission is €10, which includes tea and cakes. For further information or for booking the ballroom, contact Eileen Coady, Tel: 086 0776420, Email: eileencoady@hotmail.com

First Round of the East Munster Cup

Fethard Rugby Club U14 team that played Kilfeacle on Sunday  morning, January 30, in the First Round of the East Munster Cup played in Kilfeacle. There was plenty of flowing rugby on show from both sides with Kilfeacle just coming out on top.

'We Are Hiring' – Mini Bus Driver required

Fethard & District Day Care Centre CLG are looking to hire a part-time temporary Mini Bus Driver. The initial assignment will be for a three-month period from mid-February and from time-to-time thereafter, 20 hours per week. Applicants must have a full Category D1 Driving Licence. Successful candidate will also need Garda Vetting clearance. A valid Covid Cert is required as you will be in constant contact with vulnerable elderly people.

Please email your CV to fetharddaycare@gmail.com no later than Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Fethard & District Day Care Centre CLG is an equal opportunities employer.

A Date for your Diary – Saturday, March 19, 2022


Fethard Ballroom are delighted to present Ronan Collins and his 'Showband Show' tribute to the Show Band Era, at 8pm on Saturday, March 19, 2022. This concert promises to be a huge attraction and a great way to celebrate the best of live music again in Fethard Ballroom. The concert will be followed by a disco with 'Mad Mike'. Admission is €25, with Bar Extension.

For further information and tickets contact Sean O'Donovan: Tel: (86) 259 4337 or Email: odonovansean1@gmail.com

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

Smiling Fethard faces from 1981


Quinnsworth, Clonmel, seven-a-side Ladies Soccer Team 1981


Killusty Field Day 1981


A scene from 'Goody Two Shoes' pantomime 1982 L to R: Percy O'Flynn, Danny Kane and Gerry Fogarty.


Watering the Sunflowers at Fr. Tirry Park , Fethard, 1982


L to R: Sean Ward, John Ward and Jimmy Higgins beside Sean's trophy winning Vintage Car HI 2155, at Wards Garage in 1982


Niamh Kenny, Jennifer Fogarty and Michelle Fogarty photographed with 'Jock' on The Green in 1982.


McCormack family, Kerry Street, after Confirmation Mass in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, 1982.

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.