First Holy Communion in Fethard

Congratulations to the boys and girls who received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 13, at Holy Trinity Parish Church in Fethard.

Community Playgroup Enrolment for September

Fethard Community Playgroup would like to inform parents who intend sending their children to Fethard Community Playgroup in September 2023, to apply by completing our Enrolment Form, which are available at the Playgroup, Rocklow Road, Fethard, E91 V382, or can also be downloaded by CLICKING HERE

You can also email fethardcommunityplaygroup@gmail.com or contact us by phone: 052 613 2316.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, May 11, 2023. The numbers drawn were 8, 12, 14 and 21. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Joe Corbett. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, May 18, will be €900.

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

Welcome Mairead to Fethard Day Care Centre
We welcome and introduce our new Manager of Fethard & District Day Care Centre, Mairead McCormack from Drangan. Mairead takes over from our long-serving Manager, Geraldine McCarthy, who retired recently.

Mairead has a degree in Business, Enterprise and Community Development. She has worked for many years within the childcare, disability and care of the older person sectors and loves a challenge and enjoys taking a leadership role. She also loves working with people and teamwork is important to her.

Mairead says “I am passionate about supporting elderly people to be active participants in their local community and that they have choices and opportunities in how they live their lives. Fun is also a big part of what we do in a home from home relaxed environment at the day care centre. The person is at the heart of everything we do. In my down time I like to spend it with family, going for walks, yoga and baking.”

We wish Mairead every success in her new role.

Fethard Students visit RTE Studios in Cork

Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School students photographed on their visit to RTE Studios in Cork.

On Friday, April 28, a selection of our TY Media Studies students paid a visit to the RTÉ studios in Cork where the Maura & Daithi ‘Today Show’, and various other radio shows are broadcast.
Ahead of their Media Studies live broadcast from the school which takes place on Friday, May 19, this was an amazing opportunity to savour and sample a real television studio environment, and see all of the equipment and sets needed to make these shows happen. The students were received by Helen Arnold and Kevin Galvin of TVM Television mobiles who supply and operate all of the equipment for RTÉ for the show. The students were accompanied by Mr Maher, Mr O'Connor and Robert Healy of R. Healy AV & IT Solutions.

We would like to thank most sincerely Helen and Kevin for giving so generously of their time, knowledge and experience of the TV Production Environment, and also to Robert Healy for arranging the visit.

Community Games County Finals of Gymnastics
Entries for the County Finals of Gymnastics will close on next Sunday, May 14, at 11.59pm. Anybody interested in Fethard Killusty Area please contact Noreen at the following email:
fethard-killusty@communitygames.eu as soon as possible. Events for boys and girls are U9, U11, U13 and U15. Entry fee is €5. Late entries will not be accepted.

Area Athletics
Closing date for entries is Friday May 19, at 11.59pm. If any child in the Fethard Killusty Area is interested in taking part please contact Noreen at the following email:
fethard-killusty@communitygames.eu as soon as possible. Please note the County Finals will take place in Templemore on Sunday, June 4. Entry fee €5.

Events Boys and Girls

• U8 – 60m and 80m
• U10 – 100m and 200m
• U12 – 100m and 600m
• U14 – 100m and 800m
• U16 – 100m, 200m and 1500m
• Long Puck – Boys U12 and Girls U14.

Competitors in all events must be under the age specified on July 31, 2023, and must live in the Area.

Marina's Junior Strictly Come Dancing on May 29

Marina's youngest couple, Meghan O'Donnell and Richard Boyle, taking part in Marina's Junior Strictly Come Dancing 2023, at Fethard Ballroom on Monday, May 29, at 7.30pm, in aid of Tipperary Parkinsons Branch.

Marina's will hold her annual 'Junior Strictly Come Dancing 2023' on Monday, May 29, at 7.30pm, in Fethard Ballroom. Proceeds of this event in aid of Tipperary Parkinsons Branch. Admission is €10 and doors open at 7pm.

All are invited to come along and see our local children, aged 4 to 14, step it out on the dance floor at Fethard Ballroom. Tickets are available from Marin and O'Sullivan's Pharmacy. If you are unable to attend this event and would like to support, please leave your donation in an envelope with your name, to Marina.

Golf Classic at Slievenamon Golf Club


Patrician Presentation Secondary School, Fethard will hold their fundraising golf classic at Slievenamon Golf Club on Friday May 26 and Saturday May 27, 2023. All funds raised from this venture will go towards providing invaluable curricular and extra curricular activities for our Transition Years and other year groups.

Each year our Transition Year group are engaged in a wide variety of activities from school shows, to community involvement projects and, as part of their Media Studies programme, the students produce, script and broadcast a live TV show. To provide for such activities and a professional camera crew and sound engineer for both the school show and TV production, we need your support. All donations welcome.

'Memories and Melodies' at Cashel Library

Cashel Library will host their Bealtaine event, 'Memories and Melodies', with Jean Farrell who wrote and presented her one-woman play 'The Six Marys', on Friday, May 12, at 11am. This is a Free Event with refreshments served.

Jean will read some of her most popular articles and her sister will sing well-known songs linked to these. The show is a nostalgic and in turn – funny or poignant – trip down memory lane. It explores life in Ireland, during the 1950s and ’60s, remembering happy times when we were young and innocent, full of hopes and dreams.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, May 9, 2023, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 1, 10, 28 and 31. We had no Jackpot winner and one Match 3 winner who received €150: Christopher Quinn. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Eyyup Cicek. The next draw takes place on Tuesday, May 16, when the jackpot is €19,600. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

'Our Prayers' Book Launch 7pm on Thursday, May 18
The students, staff and stakeholders of Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School wish to invite members of the community to the launch of their new prayer book titled 'Our Prayers' which will take place at 7pm on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at the school.

The illustrated book is a collection of prayers and insights written and compiled by the students, staff and stakeholders of the school. A cheese and wine reception will accompany the launch and all are welcome.

Died recently in Waterford
The death has occurred on Monday, May 8, 2023, of Catherine 'Kitty' Collins (née Burke), Lismore Park, Waterford City, and formerly Gaultier Creamery, Dunmore East, and Late of Killenaule. Predeceased by her husband John, her sister Eileen, her brother John. Sadly missed by her loving sons Neil, Paul and Johnny, daughters-in-law Dolores, Christine and Maíread, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother James, sister-in-law Patsy (Burke) nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives and friends. May Her Gentle Soul Rest in Peace.

Kitty Burke will be fondly remembered by many of our older readers from her time working in Fethard in the 1950s, where she met her husband, John Collins, who worked in Fethard Creamery at that time. John was also an active member of the Fethard Players 'famous' Pantomimes that toured Munster in the 1950s to raise funds for many good causes, including the Augustinians in Dungarvan and Limerick.

Messages of Condolence can be left online by CLICKING HERE . The Collins family appreciates your sympathy, support and understanding at this difficult time. Kitty's remains will repose in Thompsons' Funeral Home, Barrack Street, Waterford, on Tuesday, May 9, from 7pm to 8.30pm with vigil prayers and rosary at 8pm. Requiem Mass on Wednesday, May 10, in St. Paul's Church, Lisduggan, at 10am followed by burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ballygunner. Walking from the Bank on Church Road en route to the Church and passing her residence en route to the Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations, if desired, to a charity of your choice. Kitty's Funeral Mass can be watched live from 10 am on Wednesday May 10, by CLICKING HERE

Fethard Athletic Club 'Walls of Fethard 5k Road Race'
The Fethard Athletic Club Race Committee are looking forward to hosting our Walls of Fethard 5k Road Race on Thursday, May 25, at 7.30 pm. It’s been a few years since we have had athletes on the streets in the medieval town of Fethard. We will continue to keep you updated on the online registration soon.

Brendan Kinane 5K Dundrum A.C.

Fethard Athletic Club athletes Louis Rice, John Needham, James Maher and Fintan Rice after competing in the 'Brendan Kinane 5K' organised by Dundrum A.C.

Fethard A.C athletes travelled to the picturesque village of Dundrum Co. Tipperary on Wednesday, May 3, at 8pm. for the annual BK5K in memory of the late Brendan Kinane. This course is renowned for athletes achieving fast times on a nice flat 5km lap that starts and finishes in the village of Dundrum.

Louis Rice was our 1st athlete home in 8th place with a fantastic personal best of 16.52. Louis has been working hard in training to achieve sub 17 minutes and this performance is a just reward for that dedication to his training program. We then had James Maher in 17.59 another man in great form running well. James was followed by John Needham running his best time of the season 19.12 not far off a personal best time for John. Our 4th man home was Fintan Rice one of our master athletes who is no stranger to the roads of Dundrum and it’s super to see Fintan enjoying what he loves to do best in a very competitive time of 22.09, no doubt saving himself for the up coming County Master Road races. Fintan was followed by our only lady competitor on the night Carol Molloy in a time of 26.43.

We would like to thank Dundrum A.C for the great hospitality from the volunteers of the club many of whom also ran in the race with enough sandwiches , sweet treats and tea and coffee afterwards. This makes this a wonderful community effort which was appreciated by all in attendance. We hope to see many of our neighbouring clubs attend our Fethard A.C 5 k on Thursday, May 25, at 7.30 pm in the medieval town of Fethard.

Izzy wins ‘Sportsperson of the Year Award 2023’

Congratulations to Izzy Maher, daughter of Micheál and Siobhán Maher, Tinakelly, Fethard, who was winner of Ballingarry Presentation Secondary School ‘Sportsperson of the Year Award 2023’. Izzy is pictured above being presented with her award by Mr Egan. This accolade is very well deserved by a young lady we are very proud of here in Fethard.

In addition to all of her wonderful school achievements, Izzy also brought so much honour and glory competing in Community Games over the years, winning medals in swimming every year from 2013 to 2020 at county and national level. She also won medals in Art, Athletics and Handwriting from 2015 to 2017, and was a member of Fethard & Killusty Girls’ football team – County and Munster Champions in 2016 and 2018 – and bronze medal winners at the National Finals. She also won silver medals in U15 Girls’ Soccer in 2018 and 2019.

Izzy has a very impressive record in GAA circles playing with her club, St Pat's Drangan, and also at county level. Her many friends in Community Games wish her the best of luck in her future endeavours and look forward to her continuing as a volunteer with the games. Well done Izzy.

Social Dancing in Fethard Ballroom


Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, May 14, to the music of 'Peter Burke'. 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.

Senior Citizens 'Summer Party'
Senior Citizens Club hold their monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack's Street, Fethard. All are welcome to come along and join our social evenings.

We are also holding our 'Summer Party' at Clonacody House on Saturday June 10, from 2pm to 5pm. Bus will leave outside Fethard Town Hall at 1.30pm. Names to be submitted to Agnes Evans Tel: 087 6939818. Refreshments and music.

Rosaries for the month of May
Did you know that over 500 Public Square Rosary Rallies will take place across Ireland on Saturday May 13, to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the first Marian apparition at Fatima on May 13, 1917, coordinated and sponsored by Ireland Needs Fatima. As part of this national event, there will be a local Public Square Rosary Rally in the town of Clonmel, at Kickham Plaza, Barracks on Saturday, May 13, at 4pm. All are welcome to participate!

Please note that the evening May Rosaries in Killusty will now be at 7pm instead of 6.30pm.

On May 1 last year, Pope Francis, in reference to the war situation in Ukraine, said, “Today, we begin the month dedicated to the Mother of God. I would like to invite the faithful and all communities to pray the rosary every day during the month of May for peace.” His appeal is, unfortunately, still as relevant today as it was a year ago.

'The Return of the Light' – an evening of music


'The Return of the Light' – an evening of music – will take place in the Abymill Theatre Fethard at 8pm on Friday, May 26, 2023. The show will feature Paul Hayes and the Rockwell Music Academy. All proceeds will go to Fethard Tidy Towns. Tickets at €15 each (plus booking fee) are available online at www.gr8events.ie

Fethard Historical Society AGM (report)

Committee Members of Fethard Historical Society photographed after their Annual General Meeting held on
Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in the ICA Hall, Rocklow Road, Fethard. Back L to R: Sandra McInerney, Terry Cunningham (Vice-Chairperson), Pat O’Donnell, Sybil Cope (Assistant Secretary), Pat Looby (Assistant Treasurer). Front L to R: Mary Hanrahan (P.R.O). Catherine O’Flynn (Treasurer), Michael Mallon (Chairman), Mary Healy (Secretary), and Ann Gleeson.

The AGM of the Fethard Historical Society took place on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in the ICA Hall, Fethard.  Michael Mallon welcomed those present and then proposed a vote of sympathy to committee member Pat Phelan on the recent demise of his mother Hanora Phelan RIP. The minutes of last year’s AGM were read by Secretary Mary Healy. Treasurer Catherine O’Flynn, then presented the financial report 2022 / 2023. Membership fees remain unchanged at Individual €7, Family €10 and Concessions €5.

Michael Mallon, Chairperson, presented the Chairman’s Report and began by thanking the committee and all those who had supported him during his first year as Chairman. Michael then gave a review of the society’s activities over the past twelve months that included lectures on ‘Dolly Burke, Fethard Revolutionary’, ‘Fethard Military Barracks and the Revolution’ and ‘Cumann na mBan in Tipperary (1914-1918). Society members also attended the wonderful ‘Tipperary People and Places’ lecture series in the Source, Thurles.

The launch of ‘The Life and Times of Archbishop Patrick Everard’ a book by his descendant Tom Everard, took place on Monday, April 11, 2022 in the Fethard Horse Country Experience, Town Hall, Fethard. Archbishop Everard was born in Fethard, and his portrait hangs in the FHC Experience. The author of the book Tom Everard is, of course, a brother of Fr. Liam Everard P.P.  and the Society was delighted to welcome the extended Everard family to Fethard.

Michael reminded everyone of when the last six Presentation Sisters of the Fethard Convent, accompanied by sisters from various other Presentation Convents, returned on Sunday, June 6, 2022, to be publicly acclaimed by a grateful Fethard community, and of the Fethard Historical Society’s involvement by presenting commissioned pieces for each of the six sisters. It is hoped they will become treasured mementos of their days spent in Fethard. Later in June 2022, the committee undertook a fact-finding walkabout of Chapel Lane and Jesuit’s Walk to ascertain the current status quo.
 
August sunshine welcomed the Everards on a return visit to Fethard, with extended family members coming from as far away as Holland, Belgium and the United States of America. The Society gave the visitors a guided walk of the historic buildings associated with the Everards culminating in a tour of the Town Hall which they have been connected since its foundation in 1608.

On Culture Night, September 23, 2022, the Fethard Historical Society celebrated Slievenamon’s connection to American poet Emily Dickinson. Jasper Murphy related the amazing story of Maggie Maher from Slievenamon, Emily Dickinson’s maid who was instrumental in saving the poet’s legacy for posterity. During the year, the Society was represented at various events of the Heritage Council, the Irish Walled Town Network and Tipperary Tourism.

Covid restrictions caused the postponement of the twentieth Tipperariana Book of the Year Award. The recipients were Denis G. Marnane and Mary Guinan Darmody for their book ‘The Civil War in County Tipperary’. The Fethard Historical Society’s Christmas dinner took place in McCarthy’s on Wednesday, November 21. During the evening the committee surprised Mary Hanrahan with honorary lifetime membership of the Society in recognition of her commitment since its inception in 1988.
 
The Tipperariana Book Fair returned to the Ballroom Fethard on February 12, 2023, after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions. Michael Mallon said that for him, “on a personal level, the Book Fair was the highlight of the year”. It proved as successful as ever with lots of dealers, authors, and a large crowd in attendance. Eamon O’Dwyer of Tipp FM’s ‘Down Your Way’ programme came along to broadcast live from the Ballroom. Both attendees and book dealers declared themselves very happy with the event. Michael also commended the committee for the pre-event planning which helped to expedite thing so efficiently on the day.

Having reminded those present that members may only hold a position for three consecutive years the election of the new committee then took place as follows: Michael Mallon, Chairman; Terry Cunningham, Vice-Chairperson; Mary Healy, Secretary; Sybil Cope, Assistant Secretary; Catherine O’Flynn, Treasurer; Pat Looby, Assistant Treasurer; Mary Hanrahan, P.R.O.; committee members Patrick Phelan, Ann Gleeson, Tim Robinson, Pat O’Donnell, Sandra McInerney and Mike Croome Carroll.

The AGM was followed by a brief meeting of the new committee to discuss plans for the next few months.  The Fethard Historical Society meets at 8pm in the ICA Hall, Fethard on the last Tuesday of every month. New members are always welcome so please feel free to come along.

Big Picture – Fethard Patrician Brothers Harmonica Band January 1960

Fethard Patrician Brothers Harmonica Band, January 1960

The recently formed Fethard Patrician Brothers School Harmonica 'Mouthorgan' Band with the conductor Br. Andrew Breen photographed in January 1960. The band made its first public appearance at the school’s production of ‘The Swan Song’, a three-act comedy by Noel Marian, performed in the Presentation Convent Hall on Sunday, January 10 and Monday, January 11, 1960. A matinee was also performed on Sunday at 3pm.

The band photographed above, was supplied back in 2008 by the late Michael Maher, St. Patrick's Place and Dublin. Back L to R: Michael Smyth, Martin Long (Market Hill), Johnny Barrett (Market Hill), Austy Woodlock (Coleman), Danny Ryan (Drumdeel), Dick Lucey, (The Valley). Middle Row L to R: Bro. Andrew, Michael Nevin (St. Patrick’s Place), Timmy Curran (Redcity), Michael Maher (St. Patrick’s Place), Willie O’Donnell, Frank Barrett (Market Hill), Michael Barrett (St. Patrick’s Place), Pat Fogarty (Congress Tce). Front Row L to R: Andy Fox (St. Patrick’s Place), Michael 'Waxie' Kenny (The Green), Pat 'Pop' Barrett (Market Hill), Brendan Kenny (The Green), Tom Ryan (Station House) Tom Flynn (Glenagaddy), and John Littleton (The Valley).

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 from the annual Fethard-London Emigrants Reunion (c.1978). These photographs were taken by the late Nicky O’Shea, Quartercross, Killusty, who died on August 23, 1985, aged 59 years, and is buried in Killusty. Nicky was an active member of Fethard Legion of Mary at the time and had attended twelve Fethard-London Reunions up to 1984 when he was unable to travel due to illness. We have some names but I'm sure many of our Fethard friends at home and away will know some more and help bring back happy pleasant memories. Please send any comments or photo information, names and event, to fethardnews@gmail.com

Nicky O’Shea (right) and his sister Kathy Aylward with friends at the Fethard-London Emigrants Reunion (c.1978)


This group includes: Tom Mackey and his mother, Peg and Pat Shine, Jack and Kate Aylward, Mrs Hannon, Mrs Gleeson, Mrs Tobin, Ella Kenny, Christy Williams, Nicky O’Shea etc.

McCarthy family group at the Fethard-London Emigrants Reunion (c.1978)


Timmy Curran and extended family at the Fethard-London Emigrants Reunion (c.1978)


Patrick McCarthy included in this group at the Fethard-London Emigrants Reunion (c.1978)


Mrs Mary Scanlan (right) with three other friends at the Fethard-London Emigrants Reunion (c.1978).

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.