Booking Now Open- 'A Wake in The West'


Fethard Players presents 'A Wake in the West', a comedy by Michael J. Ginnelly, at the Abymill Theatre, Fethard, Co Tipperary, from January 24, 2023 to January 28, 2023, inclusive, Doors open 7.45pm, Curtain 8.15pm. Producer: Marian Gilpin.

Ticket Prices
Tuesday, January 24 – Special Family Night  €12+booking fee
January 25-28 – €15+booking fee . BOOKING HERE

Other Info: (Please note that a non-refundable booking fee of €1.50 per ticket applies to all online bookings. No refunds or ticket exchanges.)


Members of Fethard Players cast of ‘A Wake in The West’ photographed at Rehearsal Standing L to R: P.J. Henehan who plays the part of local doctor Dr. John; Colm McGrath who plays the part of local priest Fr. Cassidy; Una Kiernan who plays the part of Mary, a daughter of the 'dead man'. In front Mary Boland-Prendergast who plays the part of Margaret a near neighbour. Online booking NOW OPEN at booking.abymill.com

Social Dancing in Fethard Ballroom


Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, January 22, 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.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results

To celebrate the new year, we are having a bonus national draw on January 26, with the following prizes for this draw: 

• A PlayStation 5 Console and the FIFA 2023 game 
• A pair of tickets to Harry Styles concert 
• A pair of tickets to Michael Bublé concert

How it works – everyone who has a ticket to your lotto draw on January 26, will also automatically have a chance of winning one of these prizes. This bonus national draw is a draw across all organisations with an Our Fundraiser lotto. 

There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, January 12, 2023. The numbers drawn were 1, 2, 5 and 12. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Sally Hayes. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, January 19, will be €3,425.

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

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Friday, January 13, 2023, of Joan Heffernan (née Bergin), Ballyvaden, Fethard, and formerly of Attykitt, Rosegreen Cashel,(in her 93rd year) peacefully, surrounded by her family, in the care of the staff of Rathkeevan Nursing Home.

Predeceased by her husband Paddy. Deeply regretted by her sons Noel, Larry, John, Pat, Austin and Michael, daughter Eileen, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, partners, grandchildren Stephen, Meagan, David, Lucy, Maura, Áine, Fiona, Mark, Eoghan, Martin, Ciara, Sinéad, Páraic, sisters in law Bernie, Margaret and Mary, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in peace.

Reposing in McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, on Tuesday, January 17, from 5.30pm with removal to the Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, at 7.30pm. Funeral Mass on Wednesday, January 18, at 11am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Joan's Funeral Mass can be watched online at parishchurch.net Messages of condolences can be left online by CLICKING HERE

'We Shall Not Fail' – a song for Ukraine
Support Roger Mehta's song for Ukraine by clicking the following link DOWNLOAD for €1.29 or make a donation of your choice!

"...you can change someone’s life in three minutes with the right song. I still believe that to this day..."
- Bruce Springsteen, (The Guardian, 2016).



ALL proceeds of sales are going to the Irish Red Cross Crisis Appeal. Ukrainian families are facing a life threatening long, cold winter due to the war and severe power outages. Please support the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal and download the song. DONATE NOW 'PLEASE'

Died Recently in England
Eugene Mullins sent the following message to his friends in Fethard:
"It is with a sad heart that I inform all my family and friends the passing of my mother Kathleen Mullins who sadly passed away on December 24, 2022, aged 87. May she rest in Peace.

I would like to say a huge thank you to my family and friends near and far who have been so kind and supportive at this sad time. Kathleen's funeral will be held at Canley crematorium on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 3.15pm, followed by a last farewell at the Charterhouse Club, 48 David Road, Coventry, United Kingdom, CV12BW."

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, of Danny McGuire, Kilbride, Callan, and formerly of Mill Street, Callan and Woodvale Walk, Fethard. Peacefully, surrounded by his loving family in the wonderful care of Staff at Strathmore Lodge Nursing Home, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.

Pre-deceased by his parents Tommy and Mary. Deeply regretted and sadly missed by his sorrowing family, Eleanor, Tom, Martin, Breda and Mary, sons-in-law Derek, Roger and Derry, daughters-in-law Ann-Marie and Shauna, grandchildren, sister Mary (O’Sullivan), brothers Eamon and Tom, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. May Danny Rest in Peace.

Reposing at Molloy’s Funeral Home Callan (Eircode R95 Y443) on Thursday, January 12, from 4pm concluding with Rosary and Vigil Prayers at 7pm. Funeral Prayers on Friday morning at 10am followed by removal to the Church of the Assumption, Callan for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial afterwards in Kilbride Cemetery, Callan. The Requiem Mass can be viewed live on the following link: Callan Parish Church

Messages of condolence may be left online for the family by CLICKING HERE below as an option to offer your sympathies to The McGuire Family.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, January 10, 2023, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 4, 15, 16, and 34. We had no Jackpot winner and no 'Match Three' winner. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Eoin Whyte.  The next draw takes place on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, when the jackpot is €16,200. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Social Dance Classes in Fethard Ballroom

Social Dance Classes with Yvonne, starting every Monday Night at Fethard Ballroom from 8pm to 9.30pm, commencing on January 9, 2023. All are welcome to join. A wide range of social dances including Waltz, Quickstep, Jive and many more. A four-week course will cost €40, payable on the first night. Foe more information contact Yvonne on Tel: 087 2448535.

Fethard Players back on stage at Abymill Theatre

L to R: Ann Walsh, Mary Boland Prendergast, and Lar Fanning photographed at rehearsal for Fethard Players forthcoming comedy, 'Wake in the West' by Michael J. Ginnelly, which will be staged in the Abymill Theatre from Tuesday January 24, 2023, to Saturday January 28, 2023, inclusive.

Fethard Players tread the boards at the Abymill Theatre after an absence of four years, with a delightful comedy ‘Wake in The West’ by Mayo playwright Michael J. Ginnelly. The play, produced by Marian Gilpin, is currently in rehearsal and will be staged in the Abymill Theatre from Tuesday, January 24, 2023, to Saturday, January 28, 2023, inclusive.

Ticket Prices
Tuesday, January 24 – Special Family Night  €12+booking fee
January 25-28 – €15+booking fee . BOOKING HERE

Other Info: (Please note that a non-refundable booking fee of €1.50 per ticket applies to all online bookings. No refunds or ticket exchanges.)

The Fethard Players cast of their forthcoming production of ‘Wake in The West’ by Mayo playwright Michael J. Ginnelly, are photographed above at rehearsal. Back L to R: Alan Bourke, P.J. Henehan, Colm McGrath, Niamh Hayes. Front L to R: Mary Boland-Prendergast, Una Kiernan, Ann Walsh, Lar Fanning, and Liam O’Connor.

The play is set during the wake of a ‘Tom Healy’ who has drunk himself to death and now wishes his grave to be a watery one by requesting cremation and the scattering of his ashes at sea. The comedy begins when a neighbour decides that ‘Tom’ is not entitled to take it all with him. The play is a huge success and guaranteed to entertain. Further details of booking will follow – mark the dates in your diary!

Butler Family to close bar and keep Off Licence open

In a statement released on Sunday, January 1, 2023, the Butler Family on Main Street, released the following:

Announcement from Butlers Sportsbar

"We at Butlers Sportsbar have decided to close the pub section of our business as and from January 31, 2023. The reason for this is simply because having worked long and hard for many years we have decided on semi-retirement by closing the bar but keeping the Off-License open.

We came to Fethard in 2004 with a five-year-plan which because of global recession, pandemic and other factors got extended to nearly 20.

Our first thoughts are with the many friends we have made in Fethard. Our earnest wish is that we remain part of the Fethard community in every aspect. We have been fortunate to have had magnificent staff at all stages of our stay in Fethard, not least our two current employees Richard Hayes and Johnny Hannigan. We obviously wish them all the best for the future.

One of our popular success stories has been the Sports Awards and we would sincerely like to thank everyone involved be they steering group members, sponsors or indeed clubs and supporters who between them helped to make it the success it has become. Importantly we will still continue to live in Fethard and continue to trade on the Main Street, albeit in a reduced capacity."

– Regards, Philip, Anne and Anne Marie Butler.

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.

Big Picture – Fethard First Communion 1988

Fethard First Communion Group photographed at Nano Nagle National School – May 1988

This photo was taken of Fethard First Communion Group at Nano Nagle National School in May 1988

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

Faces and Places from the Past 
This week we have a selection of photographs taken at Fethard Senior Citizens 1981 Christmas Party (held on January 3, 1982), which brings to mind the words from a popular song from that time: "I was once like you are now". Forty years later the 'Spirit of Christmas' is still alive and well!
Please send any comments or photo information, names and event, to fethardnews@gmail.com


Jim Bulfin cutting the cake at the Fethard Senior Citizens Christmas Party held in the Tirry Community Centre in January 1982. L to R: Ann Lucy, Fr. Stapleton, Jim Bulfin and Alice Stapleton.


L to R: Jim Bulfin, Philly Kenny and Fr. John Stapleton.


L to R: Sarah Cashman, Larry Fahey and Nell Mullins.


Performing at the Senior Citizens Christmas Party were students Back L to R: Vera Morrissey, Aine Henehan, Mairead Ward, Anna Morrissey, Mary Burke, Gemma Walsh, Seamus Dillon, Gabrielle Hayes. Front L to R: Deirdre Barrett, Linda Kane, Lydia Newport, Eddie Sheehan and Kay O’Riordan.


Group photographed at the 1981 Fethard Senior Citizens Christmas Party held in the Tirry Community Centre are Back L to R: Eddie Lawless, Joan Gleeson, Joe O'Dwyer, Mary O'Dwyer. Front L to R: Phyllis O'Connell, Kitty Tobin, Stasia Kenrick and Gus Maher.

Group photographed at the 1981 Fethard Senior Citizens Christmas Party held in the Tirry Community Centre are Back L to R: Josie Maher, ?, Martin Nagle, Mary Nagle. Front L to R: Alice Ryan, Jack Ryan, Nora Burke and Nell Mullins.


Group photographed at the 1981 Fethard Senior Citizens Christmas Party held in the Tirry Community Centre are Back L to R: ?, John Halpin, Kathleen Walsh. Front L to R: Agnes Allen and Josie Kenny.


Group photographed at the 1981 Fethard Senior Citizens Christmas Party held in the Tirry Community Centre in January 1982. Back L to R: Mary Clancy, Nancy Sheehan, Johanna Tobin. Front L to R: Eddie Sheehan, Joe Green and Sarah Lawless.

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.