Master craftsman Philip Quinn plying his trade at Fethard Town Park

Stonemason Philip Quinn plying his trade at Fethard Town Park's boundary wall beside Cois Falla.

Local townspeople in Fethard had the rare opportunity to see a master craftsman at work this week. Stonemason Philip Quinn was plying his trade in raising the stone wall that marks the boundary between Cois Falla and Fethard Town Park. To the casual observer, he works with seemingly effortless precision, adopting a steady rhythm, selecting the appropriate stone from a seemingly random pile, unerringly placing it in position so that the new wall emerges in perfect harmony with what already exists. Such expertise is, of course, born of long practice and attention to detail.

While in Fethard, Philip also took time to instruct three young Third Year students from the local Patrician Presentation Secondary School in the art of carving Portland stone and sandstone. The three students were: Bernard Cawley, Richard Murphy and James Ferncomb. He also gave those lucky pupils an insight into the specialised world of restoration and conservation as exemplified in his work as you can see from the workshop photos below.

Philip is based at his own Stonemad Workshop in Holycross where he focuses on his work as a sculptor. He has also worked on conservation projects in such places Holycross Abbey and Lismore Castle. He currently facilitates workshops for various entities such as schools and the prison service and he is featured in Cashel Library’s ‘A Series of Mnásome Events’ which runs throughout the month of March.

‘Make Your Mark with Philip Quinn’– a workshop where one can learn to write Ogham on slate – takes place at 11am on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Anyone interested in taking part can contact Cashel Library on Tel: 062 63825.

It seems particularly fitting that stonemason Philip Quinn, a talented exponent of one of the world’s oldest crafts, should be working his magic in the Town Park, the newest addition to the medieval walled town of Fethard.

Special Mass for the Elderly on Tuesday, April 4

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, March 9, 2023. The numbers drawn were 4, 6, 9 and 24. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Iain Meagher. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, March 16, will be €3,875.

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 Historical Society talk – Wednesday, Mar 15

Fethard Historical Society will host a talk on 'Cumann na nBan in Tipperary (1914-1923)', with special focus on Fethard and Rosegreen area. The talk will be given by Dr. Noreen Higgins, on Wednesday March 15, at 8pm in the ICA Hall, Rocklow Road, Fethard (E91 PX49). Admission is €5 and includes refreshments.

Poetry As Commemoration Workshop

Poetry as Commemoration, a series of creative writing workshops, will be held in Thurles Library, The Source, over two consecutive Tuesday nights, March 14 & 21, from 6-8pm. 

Poetry as Commemoration is a project that engages poetry as a means to deepen our collective understanding of Ireland's past and to explore a challenging period of history relating to the War of Independence and Civil War. It is an initiative of the Irish Poetry Reading Archive at UCD Library and supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media under the Decade of Centenaries programme.

Creative writing and other forms of creative expression will be collected and archived in UCD Special Collections to provide future generations with a snapshot of how the centenary of

Booking for the workshop is required. Contact 052-616 6131 or email: thurleslibrary@tipperarycoco.ie.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, March 7, 2023, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 4, 10, 21 and 36. We had no Jackpot winner and three Match 3 winners who received €50 each: Gwen Cooke, Christopher Quinn, and Denise McGrath. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Linda Cooke.  The next draw takes place on Tuesday, March 14, when the jackpot is €17,800. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Monday, March 6, 2023, of Hanora Phelan (née Power), Fethard. Deeply regretted by her daughters and sons Georgina, Lucy, William, Clara, Pat and Anthony, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.

Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, on Thursday, March 9, from 5.30pm with removal at 7.30pm to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Killusty, to arrive at 8pm. Funeral Mass on Friday at 11am followed by private cremation. Messages of condolence for the family can be left online by CLICKING HERE

Social Dancing in Fethard Ballroom


Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, March 12, to the music of 'Brian McDermott'. 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.

Split The Granny Pot – February Winner

Tina Shine drawing the winning envelope in February's Split The Granny Pot draw in aid of Fethard & District Day Care Centre. The winner of €315 was Joan Gleeson. Congratulations, Joan. A huge Thank You to all our supporters and volunteers.

Fethard Ballroom Celebrate 30 Years of Social Dancing on St. Patrick's Night, Friday March 17.


Fethard Ballroom will celebrate their 30th Anniversary of Social Dancing on St. Patrick’s night, March 17, with a fun party night, with music supplied by the ever-popular ‘Checkers’ suppling the music. Hot food will be served, and a terrific party atmosphere guaranteed which includes spot prizes and raffle. Admission is €10 and dancing from 8.30pm to 11.30pm.


Fethard Ballroom Committee photographed at their weekly social dance on February 19, 2023, to the music of 'Teddy & Cathal Barry'. L to R: Pat Cleary, Vincent Phelan, Seamus Barry, Mary Richardson, Sean O'Donovan, Kay Fahey, Paddy Hickey, Eileen Coady, Denis Fahey, Bridget Fahey and Kathleen O'Donnell.

Dancers enjoying the spacious room and friendly atmosphere at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday nights.

First opened as the Capitol Cinema in January 1946
The building was first built as a cinema and opened its doors to the public in January 1946 as The Capitol Cinema. Some 20 years later it was purchased by a group of local business people – collectively known as ‘Fethard Enterprises’ – who converted the hall and reopened it as the Capitol Ballroom dance hall in 1967.  The maestro himself, Mick Delahunty and his Orchestra, provided music for the Grand Opening Night.


'Fethard Enterprises' the group of Fethard business people who converted the Capitol Cinema to reopen as the Capitol Ballroom in 1967. The ballroom was later taken over by dance hall promoter, Danny Doyle of Adamstown, County Wexford. and reopened as ‘The Country Club’ on Sunday, May 20, 1973. Photographed above on Grand Opening Night back in 1967 are the original owners and guests L to R: Sean Ward, Paddy Martin, Austy O’Flynn, Paddy Maher, Mick Delahunty (band), Donal O’Sullivan, Paddy O’Flynn, Canon Lee P.P., Fr. Clifford OSA, Fr. Killian O.S.A., and Joe McMahon.

In 1972 the hall was sold to Wexford man, Danny Doyle of Adamstown, County Wexford, and reopened as ‘The Country Club’ on Sunday, May 20, 1973. Danny owned a chain of successful dance halls all over Ireland, ensuring top quality showbands such as Brendan Bowyer & The Royal Showband, Dickie Rock & The Miami, Joe Dolan & The Drifters, and many other international acts would grace the stage of the Ballroom. Paddy Lonergan, The Square, was employed as manager, who ensured that Fethard was the place to be for a good night’s dancing. This continued to flourish well into the 1980s until the decline of the showband scene.

Re-purchased by Fethard Community in October 1992
The Ballroom eventually closed and was left derelict for some time before Fethard & Killusty Community Council took action to transfer the hall back to Fethard community ownership and purchased it in October 1992, to ensure it would survive as one of the few remaining ‘Ballrooms of Romance’ left in Ireland. A management committee was formed, and with a tremendous community effort, it was re-opened the following year on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1993, with a celebration dance.

Fethard and Killusty Community Council’s first Ballroom Committee pictured at the official reopening dance held on St. Patrick’s Night, March 17, 1993. L to R: Peter Grant; Vincent Doocey; David O’Donnell; Chris O’Dwyer; Bobby Phelan and Joe Keane.

Fethard Ballroom Ltd raised €350,000 for renovations
Now, 30 years later, dancing is still alive and kicking every Sunday night in Fethard, thanks to well over €350,000 raised and spent on renovations, its future looks bright and is well secured for at least another 30 years.

The Ballroom facilitates many events that make up its weekly and annual programme, including weekly card games; adult social dance classes; keep fit classes; circuit training; dance competitions; Tipperariana Book Fair; Fethard Bridge Club; children’s dance tuition and displays where pupils give exhibitions in ballroom dancing, with proceeds going to local charities. Well done to all concerned and Happy 30th Anniversary.

Dancers enjoying social dancing at Fethard Ballroom

Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Kay Walsh and Tom Kenny from Lattin Cullen.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Margaret Heffernan, Matty Boyle, Carmel Boyle and Michael Keeley.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Mossy Casey and Rita Kearney from Cahir.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Paddy Curtin, Maire Shanahan and Willie Shanahan.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Olive Horan and Frances Tobin.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Jacqueline O'Gorman, Larry O'Gorman, Bridget Fahey and Seamus Ryan.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Mary Ryan and Seamus Ryan.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Vincent Phelan, Bernie Phelan, Mary Morrissey, Sylvie Morrissey, and Nancy Farrels.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: John Halley, Lucy O'Dwyer, Mary Ryan and Tom Fryday.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Liam Ryan and Rita Ryan from Clonmel.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Margaret Burke and Michael Bradshaw.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Helen Quinn and Joe Lyons.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Lucy O'Dwyer and John Halley.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Georgina Cleary and Michael White.


Enjoying Sunday night social dancing at Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Roger Heffernan, Margaret Heffernan, and Matty Boyle.

Job opportunity at Fethard & District Day Care Centre
Fethard and District Day Care Centre CLG Are recruiting a Manager for our elderly Day Care Centre. Permanent contract for suitable candidate – 35 hours per week – Monday to Friday. Remuneration commensurate with experience, subject to company's budget.

Candidates may be short-listed based on their CV. Please apply in writing, including full CV, to Directors, Fethard & District Day Care Centre CLG, Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, on or before 4pm, Friday, March 24, 2023.

Big Picture – Abymill Official Opening Concert 1988

Abymill Theatre Official Opening Concert - 1988

This photo above was taken of Nano Nagle National School pupils performing at the Official Opening Concert held in the Abymill Theatre on Friday, May 27, 1988. Below is the flier for the Official Opening week's events from May 26 to June 11, 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 collected from local people over the years that may bring back some pleasant memories
Please send any comments or photo information, names and event, to fethardnews@gmail.com

Group photographed at the annual Hunt Ball L to R:Kathleen McCormack, Frank O'Sullivan, ?, and Davy McCormack, Killenaule.


Group photographed at the annual Hunt Ball (date unknown). L to R: Jacqueline O'Brien, Vincent O'Brien, and Francoise Blacque.


Group photographed at the annual Hunt Ball (date unknown). Any information welcome.


Group photographed at the annual Hunt Ball (date unknown). Any information welcome..


Group photographed at the Clonmel Harrier Hunt Ball, Collins Hall, Clonmel, November 23, 1960.


Members of the Ronan family photographed at the Clonmel Harrier Hunt Ball, Collins Hall, Clonmel, November 23, 1960.

Photographed at the Clonmel Harrier Hunt Ball in the Collins Ballroom on Wednesday, November 23, 1960, are Mrs Rosemary Ponsonby (former joint-master of the hunt) and her husband Mr Harry Ponsonby. A large attendance thoroughly enjoyed the excellent catering by the ladies' committee and the music of Mick Delahunty and his orchestra.


Photographed at the Clonmel Harrier Hunt Ball in the Collins Ballroom on Wednesday, November 23, 1960, are Maurice Shanahan, Mary O'Donoghue, Patrick O'Dwyer, Anne Dawson, Thomas Kavanagh and Joan Condon.

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.