Fethard Convent Campus Feasibility Study to commence

The contract for Fethard Convent Campus Feasibility Study was signed on Thursday, February 10, by Fethard and District Day Care Centre company Secretary Fionnuala O'Sullivan, Chairperson Liam Hayes and witnessed by Centre Manager Geraldine McCarthy, under the watchful eye of Canon John Hayes – founder of Muintir na Tíre – the national organisation promoting community development in Ireland, established in 1937.

Mr Kenneth Hennessy and his design team will begin the study next week with a site visit. We wish to acknowledge the help and assistance given by Ms Sara Bourke of the South Tipperary Development Company. Members of the community are invited to get involved in the study by submitting suggestions and ideas that could be included on the Campus Study to best serve the community going forward.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results

Fr Liam Everard P.P. presenting our recent Jackpot winner, Joan Hayes with her cheque for €2, 575, after winning the first Parish Lotto jackpot a few weeks ago. Congratulations Joan.

There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, February 10. The numbers drawn were: 9, 11, 18 and 22. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Eileen Frewen. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, February 17, will be €825. 

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 17, 2022. PLAY OUR LOTTO NOW.

\Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom


Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, February 13, to the music of ‘Michael Collins’. 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

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Friday, February 11, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 2, 14, 24 and 30. There was no jackpot winner and no Match Three winner. One Lucky Dip Winner received €100: Eleanor and Rena Sheehan, Kilusty. Three Lucky Dip winners received €50: Mary Keyes, Elms Park (contact club secretary): Stephen White, online ticket (contact Club Secretary); Sinead McMahon, Kilrush (Contact Club Secretary). Please Note the Lotto Draw will change from Friday Night to Tuesday Night 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 18, 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.

Patrician Presentation embracing sport!
Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School continue their successful outings in a variety of sporting competitions.

Well done to Aine Connolly who performed excellently and represented our school with great pride in the Inter-schools Equestrian Event this week. The Equestrian Club started recently at Patrician Presentation through the support of Mr and Mrs John Magner, Coolmore. Thanks to Annette Connolly and Lorraine Coen for their support on this new venture and we look forward to its growth in the coming years.


Transition Year and Third Year girls, accompanied by Ms Whelan and Ms Dowling, recently attended Formula Female in Cork . Students Zoe , Aoibhinn and Aine have progressed to the Provincial Championships in March . It was a great day out and well done to all involved! Formula Female in association with Motorsport Ireland, Sport Ireland, and CJJ Motorsports are delighted to introduce the Go Girls Karting & STEM initiative. Schools all across Ireland are invited to take part as they introduce Motorsport to young females via STEM education.

Well done to the Junior Boys' Volleyball team who played first round games against Portlaoise College and Kilkenny City Vocational School on Tuesday, February 8, in Portlaoise. First up were Kilkenny City Vocational School who were despatched 25-12, 25-14, with each member of panel (I) playing a vital role in the win.
A much tougher challenge was likely in the second match against the home team, Portlaoise, for Fethard's panel (II), but this too was no major challenge for our boys and they won in two straight sets, again playing our full panel through the two set game.
Fethard now emerge as top seed from their first round in the National Cup competition with Kilkenny qualifying for the Shield. Next round takes place in two weeks or so. Well done to all!

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!

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.

Big Picture – Fethard First Communion May 29, 1993

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

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 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.