Parish Church Organ


Work has commenced to repair the parish church organ. This organ was built by Telford circa 1884. There has been little, if any, maintenance on the organ in our lifetime so it is a considerable undertaking to repair it.

The organ was assessed in 2019 and the work required is extensive including about thirty of the pipes that have collapsed and are damaged due to a high lead content and lack of substantial support. It is a testament to Goldie and Denise’s ability that any sound has come from it in recent years.
We considered replacing it with a modern digital organ but it was felt that it would be a shame to discard what the assessor described as a fine example of Telford’s work.

We propose to use some of the proceeds of the parish lotto, offertory collections and donations to complete the repair work. We hope that this organ, when it is fully refurbished, will continue to enhance our masses, funerals and celebrations for many more generations to come.

The Premier Newspaper - November 11, 2022
This week's issue of The Premier free local newspaper is now available in local shops and is also available online (updated new server)by CLICKING HERE. This edition features articles, photographs and news from the district, including report on Patrician Presentation Students Awards Day; 'Premier Flashbacks to 1986'; 'Fethard News'; and lots more. Click on any of the images below to read this issue online.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, November 10. The numbers drawn were 1, 8, 18 and 21. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Tom Anglim. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, November 17, will be €2,875.

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. PLAY OUR LOTTO NOW

Fethard Sports Achievement Awards for October
The presentation of the Butler’s Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Awards for the month of October took place on Friday night, November 4, at Butlers Sports Bar.


The October 'Mentor of the Month' award was won by Catherine Ryan, Killusty, for her initiative in starting the 'Parkrun' at Fethard Town Park every Saturday morning at 9.30am. The award was presented by Kate Davey (right), representing this month's sponsor, O'Sullivan Insurance, Mitchell Street, Clonmel.

The 'Mentor of the Month' award was won by Catherine Ryan, Killusty, for her initiative in starting the 'Parkrun' at Fethard Town Park every Saturday morning at 9.30am.

The 'Parkrun' is a collection of 5-kilometre events for walkers, runners and volunteers that take place every Saturday morning at more than 2,000 locations in 23 countries across six continents and all are welcome whether you walk, jog, run or just participate.

Catherine, when accepting the award, presented by Kate Davey, representing this month's sponsor, O'Sullivan Insurance, Clonmel, reminded those present that a major 'Parkrun' will take place on New Year's Day 2023, at 9.30am in Fethard Town Park, and all are invited to come along and take part.


Members of Fethard Senior Ladies Football Team who were overall winners of the Butlers Bar Fethard Sports Achievement award for October, following their first time being crowned County Senior Football Champions after a close and hard fought one-point victory over Brian Borus in the final. L to R: Nell Spillane, Heather Spillane, Lucy Spillane (captain), Kate Davey, Emily Spillane and Carrie Davey. The awards were sponsored by O'Sullivan Insurance, Clonmel.

The overall award for October was won by Fethard Senior Ladies Football Team who were first time County Senior Football Champions after a close and hard fought one-point victory over Brian Borus in the county final. The award was presented by Kate Davey, representing this month's sponsor, O'Sullivan Insurance, Clonmel. Kate is also a member of the winning team.


Jason Nevin accepting the nomination certificate for his brother Niall, from Kate Davey, representing this month's sponsor, O'Sullivan Insurance, Clonmel. Niall Nevin was nominated for his double gold medal success at the ITF World Cup (Tae Kwondo) which took place in Koper Slovenia.

Nomination certificates were presented to Jason Nevin who accepted on behalf of his brother Niall; the Fethard U11 Girls Gaelic Football Team; and Nicole Delaney who continues to impress with her soccer team Wexford Youths.

Kate Davey, representing this month's sponsor, O'Sullivan Insurance, Clonmel, presenting nomination certificate to representatives of the Fethard U11 Girls Gaelic Football Team – This very young team had a great win in the U11 county league final against Moyne Templetouhy. L to R: Ruby Kenny, Aoife Spillane, Kate Davey (O'Sullivan Insurance), Rosie Roche and Anna O'Sullivan.


Heather Spillane accepting the nomination certificate for Nicole Delaney who was unable to attend. Nicole continues to impress with her soccer team Wexford Youths. Her scoring tally year to date is 14 and counting.

Other nominees for the October award were Mouse Morris for his charge 'French Dynamite' who was a convincing winner of a two-mile seven-furlong chase at Thurles Track; and David Flanagan & Margaret Barrett who trained prolific greyhound race winners – the highlight a victory in the 'Ballyduff Newbe' stakes at Clonmel track. Nominations for the November awards are now being taken at Butler's Bar in Fethard.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom

Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, November 13, to the music of ‘Dermot and Irene Ring'. 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.

St. Vincent de Paul help with Christmas expenses
The Fethard Conference of St. Vincent de Paul would like to invite local families who may need support with Christmas expenses to make an application for funding if needed. Application forms can be acquired by texting your name and contact details to: 085 808 6099.

Changes in our Parish
Due to the diminished availability of our priests there will have to be a change in our parish mass times in the future. Previously our parish was in a group known as the Fethard Deanery which consisted of seven parishes. This did not have any real impact on the day to day running of the individual parishes in our deanery. Our new proposed group is to be called Slievenamon Parish Grouping consisting of five parishes – Fethard & Killusty, Killenaule & Moyglass, Drangan & Cloneen, Mullinahone and Ballingarry.

By working in these new groups our priests will be able to share their workload, but inevitably we will have a reduction in the number of masses in most parishes. Hopefully, if we have less masses, we will have more people at each mass and therefore have a more enriching Eucharistic experience.
A meeting about the necessary short term changes will be held upstairs in the Tirry Centre at 8pm on Tuesday evening 1st November. All are welcome.

Community Playschool AGM
Fethard Community Playschool will hold its AGM on Monday, November 21, 2022 in the Tirry Centre, Barracks Street, Fethard at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

November Cemetery Rosaries for the Holy Souls
Rosaries for the Holy Souls will be recited in the following cemeteries during the month of November.

• On Sunday, November 13, Rathcoole Cemetery at 2pm, Red City at 2.45pm; and Tullamaine at 3.30pm.
• On Sunday, November 20, Calvary Cemetery at 2.30pm; and Peppardstown Cemetery at 3.15pm.
• On Sunday, November 27, Killusty Cemetery after 10am Mass; and Kiltinan Cemetery at 2.30pm; and Kilmaclugh Cemetery at 3.15pm.

Please join in the Rosary for the Holy Souls. "It's a Holy and Wholesome Thought to Remember Our Dead."

Emigrants Annual Newsletter – last call for articles
This is our last call for articles or submissions to be included in this year's Fethard & Killusty Emigrants' Newsletter. We cannot guarantee that items received after November 1 will be included due to space restrictions.

You can still submit articles or photographs with captions by email to: emigrantsnewsletter@gmail.com which may still be used if space allows or held for a future issue if applicable.

Fethard Ballroom AGM
The annual general meeting of Fethard Ballroom Ltd will take place on Tuesday, November 22, at 8pm, in Fethard Ballroom. All are welcome to come along.

Fethard & Killusty Emigrants Newsletter

Donations to Emigrants' Newsletter
You can also make a secure Credit Card or PayPal donation towards this year's Fethard & Killusty Annual Newsletter by clicking DONATE below. All donations of €10 or more will be acknowledged in this year's Newsletter, unless you wish to remain anonymous.

Club Secretaries, individuals and organisations are reminded that submissions and photographs for inclusion in this year’s newsletter are now invited. Please submit before October 17, by email to: emigrantsnewsletter@gmail.com 

Big Picture - Fethard Players 'Simple Simon' – 1950

Fethard Players ‘Simple Simon’ pantomime 1950
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 cast of Fethard Players 1950 Annual Pantomime ‘Simple Simon’ on their second visit to The Savoy, Limerick, when they presented then hilarious pantomime 'Simple Simon,' for the benefit of the Augustinian Church Debt Fund.

Back L to R: Willie Ryan, Jackie Whyte, Derick Wall, Alfie Kissane, Paddy Morrissey, B. Kennedy. Third Row L to R: John Collins, Fanny Walsh, Kay Fahy, Joan Brett, C. White, Noddy Hennessy, Phyllis O'Connell, Pauline Coffey, Moira Green, Bridget Malone, Laura Ward, Johnny Lyttleton. Second Row L to R: Ned Maher, Tom Barrett, Dinny Looby, Joan Goldsboro, Helen O'Connell, Betty O'Donnell, Billy O'Flynn, Louise O' Donnell, Eddie O'Neill. Front L to R: Maura Evans, Mary McCarthy, Paddy McLellan, Mary Kenny and E. O'Shea.

'A Merry Show' – Fethard Players at Savoy, Limerick
Review from the ‘Limerick Leader’ on Mon. Feb 27, 1950

Continuous Ripples of Laughter
A packed attendance in the Savoy Cinema last night greeted the Fethard Players on their second visit to Limerick, when they presented then hilarious pantomime 'Simple Simon,' for the benefit of the Augustinian Church Debt Fund. The cast of 33 including 11 principals, deserves the highest praise for a well-produced comedy which has been acclaimed by many people as better than last year's show, 'The Erin Curtain'.

Topical Gags
The entire pantomime was seemingly well rehearsed, a feature of the topical gags being the evident pun taken to introduce local personalities and places which drew a round of applause from an enthusiastic audience - While all the principals gave smooth performances, there are a few worth a special mention. Paddy McLellan, in the title role kept the comedy going at breakneck speed and had only to bat an eyelid to send ripples of humour through the house. William O’Flynn is Paddy's stage mother ‘Dame Twinkle’, was another ‘natural’ and was always in the thick of things. As ‘Baron Cufflinks’ Louis O'Donnell gave a lively characterisation and was heard to great advantage in his renderings of popular tunes.

The leading feminine role of ‘Marion’ was capably played by Joan Goldsborough whose pleasing voice can, by the way, be heard over Radio Eireann tomorrow night. An up-to-date pirate Eddie O'Neill gave an unfaltering study of ‘Sam’, and to him also go bouquets for the producing end of the comedy. ‘Slippery’ underdog to ‘Sam’ was another hard part, which a less experienced actor than Ned Maher might easily have failed in.

Other principals were Messrs John Collins, Dinny Looby, Johnny Lyttleton, Tom Barrett, Paddy Morrissey and Misses Helen O’Connell and Betty O’Donnell.

Choruses and Orchestra
The choruses were nicely blended and were enhanced by the Players’ orchestra under the leadership of Mrs Murphy. Staging was well-nigh perfect and the costumes which were made by the members themselves would do credit to any operatic company.

Rev Father O’Flynn OSA thanked the players on behalf of the Augustinian Fathers and the patrons and expressed the wish that Limerick would be afforded the opportunity of seeing the Fethard group in action again next season.

This week we have a selection of photographs taken of people going to Sunday Mass in the 1960s. A photographer from Kilkenny was regular visitor to local churches at that time to take photographs and then sell them from a display case outside O'Sullivan's Chemist. Thanks to all who sent information and names for the photographs below, it is much appreciated. Contact us at: fethardnews@gmail.com


Breeda and Marie Lucey, The Valley, Fethard

Neddy Sheehan with Peggy O'Reilly and her mother Mrs O'Reilly, Barrettstown, in the background.


Jimmy Egan and his mother Mrs Egan, Coolmoyne.


Martin Stapleton, Brodeen, Fethard (brother of Willie Stapleton).


Timmy O'Connor, Main Street, with young Jackie Mackey, Cahir Road, behind on the right.


Mrs Lizzie Sheehan, St. Patrick's Place, holding her son Pat Sheehan's hand. In the background are, Helen Fergus (left), Cashel Road, and Michael Mackey, Cahir Road.


Ciss Casey, Abbey Street, leaving Mass (sister of Jack Casey).


L to R: Peggy Kenrick, Tom Walsh holding child's hand, and in the background is Ann O'Meara and her mother Rita O'Meara.


Molly Wall, The Back Green, Fethard


John Lucey and Anne Lucey, The Valley, Fethard.

Please send any further information to: fethardnews@gmail.com

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.