Reconciliation Service at Holy Trinity Parish Church
On Monday evening there will be a Reconciliation service and Confessions in the Parish Church at 7.30pm. The sacrament of reconciliation figuratively wipes away our sins in any liturgical season, but Advent provides a chance to experience the joy of reconciling with God and the Church, being one with Christ in the here and now, while celebrating His First Coming in His birth in Bethlehem.

The Premier Newspaper - December 09, 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 ETB Awards Presentation in Cahir; 'Premier Flashbacks to 2002'; 'Fethard News'; and lots more. Click on any of the images below to read this issue online.

Attention 'All Sinners!'
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated next week at the Abbey Church in Fethard. It will take the form of general absolution. While there will not be individual confession this will be available should anybody request it. The sacrament will take place during all masses this weekend December 17, at 7.30pm and December 18, at 9.30am and 12 noon.

Anybody not able to attend in person can receive absolution by joining us online for our live stream of all this weekend's masses at fethardabbey.com

Christmas Carol Service and Masses

On Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, the traditional Carol Service will take place at 8pm followed by Christmas Mass at 8.30pm. Masses on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, will be celebrated at 9.30am and 12 noon.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom


Fethard Ballroom continues its 'Festive' social dancing on Sunday, December 18, to the music of ‘Michael Collins Band'. 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. We take this opportunity to wish all our patrons a Very Happy Christmas!

For further information or for booking the Ballroom, contact Eileen Coady, Tel: 086 0776420.

'Santa Run' in aid of Fethard Rugby Club

A large group of happy participants photographed on Saturday last, December 10, at the start of Fethard Rugby Club's 'Santa Run' fundraiser in Fethard Town Park.

Christmas Offers at Town & County

Fethard GAA Club AGM report
Fethard GAA Club held its 2022 Annual General Meeting on Thursday, December 8, in the Abymill Theatre, which was well attended by members, coaches and players. The very Rev. Liam Everard P.P. opened the meeting with a prayer for those who had passed away during the year.

The meeting congratulated their Juvenile Board on its outstanding report and continued commitment to the young players of the Fethard and Killusty Parish. It noted our great win in the South U19 Football Championship. Club chairman, Tom Anglim, thanked all the coaches for giving their time coaching our senior teams.

The main focus for 2023 will be fundraising, starting with a joint event, with the Ladies Football Club and St. Rita’s Camogie Club in a joint Strictly Come Dancing evening. It is hoped that this will be well supported by our Parish. Out Lotto is going well, but we need more people to buy online tickets through Clubforce.

Thanks to Noel Byrne who has promoted the County Board Draw and we will benefit well from this draw as 50 percent of the tickets sold from Fethard GAA Club coming back to the club. Tom congratulated Jack Quinlan on his All-Ireland win, stating this is a huge achievement, not only for Jack, but for the Quinlan and Fitzgerald families, as well as the club and parish. 

Incoming chairman for 2023 is Tom Anglim, secretary is Ann Fleming, treasurer is Michael Knightly, and PRO is Brian Delahunty, along with Alan O’Connor, Kate Davey and Noel Byrne.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, December 8. The numbers drawn were 4,12, 14 and 15. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Edwina Newport. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, December 15, will be €3,100. (See below for Special Christmas Draw next week)

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

Parish Lotto Christmas Draw

Fethard & Killusty Parish are having special Christmas Draws to say a BIG Thank You to everyone supporting our lotto. Every line in our lotto on December 15, will automatically have a free chance to win in two Extra draws:

Draw 1 - Our Parish’s Christmas Draw - spot prizes below

• A tour of Coolmore Stud for four people
• €50 voucher for Dalton's Pharmacy
• €50 voucher for Fethard Electrical Wholesale
• €50 voucher for Glanbia
• €50 voucher for Meagher's Daybreak
• €50 voucher for O'Sullivan's Pharmacy

Draw 2 - NATIONAL Draw - free chance to win one of the prizes below. All fundraising groups with a ‘Fundraiser Lotto’ have a chance to win one of these prizes.

• FOTA ISLAND - 5 Star Hotel - 2 night break
• 3 x PLAYSTATION 5’s + FIFA 2023
• Harry Styles pair of tickets
• Michael Bublé pair of tickets
• 4 x Deluxe Christmas Hampers

Thank you so much for your support, you are making a real difference. Please spread the word with family and friends to join in.

Christmas Carol Service
A service of Christmas Carols and lessons will take place in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, Fethard, on Sunday, December 18, at 7pm. The Service will be taken by Heidi Good and will include: Carols sung by Fethard Choral Group; and music by Susan Strappe and the young trad musicians group. Organist, Ann Barry, and Cellist, Fiona Barry. Everyone is invited to attend and refreshments will be served after the service.

GAA Sports Development Lotto
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, December 6, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 23, 27, 30 and 35. We had no Jackpot winner and no 'Match Three' winner. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Darren Phelan, Fethard.  The next draw takes place on Tuesday, December 13, when the jackpot is €15,200. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

There will be loads of additional prizes is our lotto with will be held on Sunday 18th December 18, and not December 20 – the only change from Tuesday lotto dates for 2022. Along with the usual draw there will be Lucky dips of 1 x €500, 2 x €250, and 10 x €100. The draw will be held in Burkes bar at 8pm on December 18.

Please support Roger Mehta's song for Ukraine

Fethard & Killusty Emigrants’ Newsletter on sale now!


Fethard & Killusty Emigrant's Newsletter is now available in the following local shops at €12 each, Centra Supermarket (The Green), Daybreak Supermarket (Kerry Street), and Fethard Post Office (Main Street). Copies will also be posted this weekend free of charge to Fethard emigrants on our mailing list throughout the world.

We take this opportunity to thank everyone who submitted articles and photographs, and also those who supported the publishing and postage, with donations throughout the year that helps in no small way to make this annual publication possible – since it first began in 1959.

Ryan O'Dwyer – the Fethard connection
Ryan O'Dwyer whom you may have read about on this site, is the husband of a local girl, Alison Holohan, from Killusty. Ryan will require long term medical help and many events are taking place in his native Carrick-on-Suir to help the family cope with their huge financial burden. This is a most deserving cause to help a local girl and her husband and we know that Fethard will not be found wanting!

Fundraising Table Quiz raised €2,195
The organisers of the recent Table Quiz held in Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School Gym Hall on Thursday evening, December 8, would like to thank everyone who kindly supported the event through donations, spot prizes and entering the quiz –  a total of 37 tables entered on the night raising the magnificent total of €2,195 for this most deserving cause.
– Signed: Willie O'Meara, Tossy Lawton and Dinny Burke.

Big Picture - Fethard Dance & Musicians– 1950s

Fethard group photographed after dance with Band musicians in the 1950s
This photo was taken by the late Billy Boland in the 1950s and printed from one of his surviving glass plates. It appears to be a Fethard group photographed with the band after the dance. The band included lots of well known musicians from that time including Billy Kenrick, Mick Dell, Michael Coady, Pat Mac and others . . . 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

Fethard Summer Camp in July 2000

Fethard Summer Camp in July 2000


Paddy Lonergan with bar staff in June 2000


Noreen Morrissey (right) with her two sister-in-laws at Lonergans Bar in June 2000


Remember the first 'Online Banking' machines that were installed in pubs, and also offered to send video emails and lots of other services – just insert £1 to start! This one was photographed in Lonergan's Bar in June 2000.


Fethard Civil Defence members photographed at their Sponsored Stretcher Push from Fethard to Killusty which took place on Sunday, June 25, 2000. The proceeds enabled the local branch to spend over £1,000 on much needed equipment and supplies. L to R: Marie O’Meara, Paul Kenny, Rory Walsh, Tony Kennedy, Emma Morrissey, Declan Kenny and Philly Croke. Edel Bradshaw in the stretcher.


All smiles for Gay Horan in August 2000

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.