Poetry Day Ireland 2023
Come along to celebrate Poetry Day Ireland at 4pm this Thursday, April 27, in the Fethard Horse Country Experience, Main Street, Fethard. Read your own poem, one by a favourite author or simply lend a listening ear. This year’s theme ‘Message In A Bottle’ is, as always, open to interpretation.
All are welcome!

Tipperary Greenway Project meeting in Fethard
The Tipperary Greenway Project Feasibility study (first stage) is complete and a public information meeting will take place in Fethard Ballroom, this Monday, April 24, at 7pm. All are welcome. READ THE FEASABILITY STUDY ONLINE


David Moloney's fantastic photos taken at various parts of the old route between Thurles and Clonmel.

Died Recently in England
The death has occurred on Saturday, April 8, 2023, of Mary Josephine Hennessy (née Smith), Baptistgrange, Lisronagh, peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.

Predeceased by her cherished husband Paddy, her parents Bill and Kate, sister Nellie, brothers Billy, Bobby and Jimmy. Mary Jo will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her daughters June and Susan, sons-in-law Noel (Murphy) and John (Kindregan), her adoring grandchildren Sarah, Robert, Katie and Declan, her great-grandchildren Lily, Maisie and Gracie; her brother Johnny (London) and sister Diane, brother-in-law Billy (Phelan) and sister-in-law Susan (Smith), grandchildren-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and her large circle of many friends. May Mary Jo rest in peace.

Requiem Mass at St Anthony's of Padua Church, Garrett Road, Edgeware, Middlesex HA8 9AN, on Wednesday at 6.30pm followed by repatriation to Ireland. Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home, Main Street, Fethard, on Thursday, April 27, from 6pm followed by removal to St John the Baptist Church, Lisronagh, at 7pm to arrive at 7.30pm. Requiem Mass for Mary Jo will take place on Friday, April 28, at 12 noon followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Messages of condolence for the family can be left online by CLICKING HERE Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dílis.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, April 20, 2023. The numbers drawn were 3, 14, 17 and 22. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Liz Newport. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, April 27, will be €750.

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

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, April 18, 2023, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 16, 25, 31 and 33. We had no Jackpot winner and one Match 3 winner who received €150: Michael Murphy. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Martina Cowlard.  

The next draw takes place on Tuesday, April 25, when the jackpot is €19,000. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Luxe Fashion Sale this Thursday in Fethard Ballroom

A pre-loved Luxe Fashion Sale will be held in Fethard Ballroom, on this Thursday, April 20, at 7.30pm. Admission is €5 (cash only please – no ATM available), which includes a glass of Prosecco and ‘nibbles’. Raffle also on the night. Donations of suitable clothes and handbags can be left in Fethard Day Care Centre (Barrack Street) from April 3 to April 6, between 11am and 4pm. All proceeds will go to Fethard & District Day Care Centre CLG.

Art Exhibition in Cashel Library


Cashel’s adopted son Damien McCarron displays his latest art exhibition in Cashel Library during the month of April 2023. He showcases stunning local scenes in oil as well as mythical scenes on silk. Damien is an established artist trained in the Crawford Collage of Art & Design and former Curator of the Cashel Folk Village. He was awarded the Tommas Dammn Award in 2003. He has exhibited in the RHA Annual Exhibition twice, the Fenton Gallery Cork, The Source Arts Centre, as well as local galleries in Tipperary. Please visit Cashel Library to see his stunning works.

27th Fethard Scout Group – taking New Members

Strictly Blues' fundraiser
Fethard GAA, Fethard Ladies Football, St. Rita's Camogie and Fethard Juvenile GAA clubs are hosting a Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser on Saturday, April 29, in Clonacody House.  Twenty-six participants from our GAA clubs and local community will take to the dance floor to raise vital funds for our clubs. 

For anyone who is unable to attend this event but would like to show your support and contribute to this fundraiser we have created a GoFundMe and any donation would be greatly appreciated.  Kind regards, Strictly Blues Committee.

Natural Dye Spring Workshop with Lucy Moore
Lucy Moore will hold a 'Natural Dye Spring Workshop' in the Convent Community Hall, Lower Main Street, Fethard, for two mornings, from 9.30am to 12 noon, on Thursday, April 27, and Friday, April 28. Further details below.

St. Vincent de Paul - Help First Communion expenses
The Fethard conference of St Vincent de Paul would like to ask anybody who needs assistance with First Communion expenses to contact us on any of these mobile numbers as soon as possible: 085 8086099; 086 8443622; 086 8588118; or 086 1940016.  Please text your name and address and we will get back to you well before the Communion.

We would also like to thank all shoppers who put some of their cash change into our collection boxes in the local shops we really appreciate your generosity snd it is a very valuable help to our work. Thanks again!

Big Picture – Millennium Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon 2000

Millennium Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross 2000

The largest crowd ever turned out to take part in the annual pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon on Sunday, May 21, 2000 – a date chosen to coincide with National Pilgrimage Day in Ireland. The ceremony concluded with mass in O’Donnell’s field followed by much appreciated refreshments served by a local committee. Fr Sean Ryan c.c. was spiritual director, and amongst the pilgrims who completed the journey to the cross, was sprightly octogenarian Fr John Meagher OSA.

To mark his fifty-years unbroken association with the Slievenamon pilgrimage as general administrator and co-ordinator, a presentation was made to Christy Williams of a beautiful, framed picture of the first sunrise on Slievenamon of the new Millennium, photographed on 1st January 1, 2000.

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 some local people interviewed in the 1990s that happily records many of our Fethard friends, some long gone, that maybe our older readers will recall and bring back happy pleasant memories. Please send any comments or photo information, names and event, to fethardnews@gmail.com

Anyone remember this bus calling to Fethard?


Mr Erskine Childers photographed addressing the crowd on a visit to Fethard during his national election campaign 1973.

Back L to R: Jim Napier, Mrs O'Flynn, Paddy O'Flynn, Doreen Leahy. Middle Row L to R: Michael Renalds, Cha Finn, Marie O'Sullivan, Rita Tierney, Sheila Browne. Front Row L to R: Mary O'Donnell, Rita O'Flynn, Mary Napier and Eve McCarthy.


Enjoying a pony and trap ride around Fethard are L to R: Alice Stapleton, Dolly Bulfin, Mary Bulfin and Ann O'Sullivan.


Refreshments served outside Kilnockin Golf Club in the 1920s. The remains of the clubhouse still survive today at Kilnockin hill. (Photo originally supplied by Michael Smyth (jun), Coolbawn)

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.