Fethard Heritage Day Festival this Sunday, August 20


Fethard Heritage Day Festival will take place on this Sunday, August 20, at the Medieval Town Wall at Watergate – a celebration of our medieval heritage and our beautiful town. This year we are also proud to revive the Fancy Dress Parade tradition which first began in 1926, when over one thousand people travelled to the Carnival by train from Clonmel to Fethard, and a similar amount from the Thurles direction.

Fancy Dress Parade led by Banna Chluain Meala


This year’s parade will start at Fethard Ballroom at 2pm on Sunday, and we ask those who are entering the parade to assemble at the Ballroom from 1.30pm where direction will be given. The parade will be led by the colourful, award-winning Banna Chluain Meala and their Majorettes and the newly chosen ‘Fethard Rose’ Lauren Needham. The Fancy Dress Parade will travel along Main Street to The Square, and then down by Watergate to the Medieval Town Wall where judging will take place. Traffic restrictions will be in place during the Fancy Dress Parade.


One of the many amusement rides coming from 5 Star Fun

Fancy Dress prizes
Fancy Dress prizes include €200 for overall best: €100 for Overall 2nd Best. Fethard Historical Society have also sponsored a €100 prize for best historical theme and children’s 1st and 2nd prizes of €30 and €20 in the same category. There will also be 1st and 2nd prizes for adult and children in the Artistic and Original categories.

Best Dressed Lady Competition

Carmel Evans, In The Wardrobe, will judge the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ at the Heritage Day Festival on Sunday, August 20, and is planning lots of exciting prizes for the winner and runner-up. Carmel will also be on the lookout for a fabulous curvy lady size 18 and upwards to present her new autumn/winter curves collection from ‘In The Wardrobe’, Clonmel.

Over 40 Craft and Trade Stalls to attend
We had a tremendous demand for stalls this year resulting in over 40 craft and trade stalls coming along to offer a huge variety of products to please all types including all those mentioned in the video below:

Family Entertainment, Dog Show
This area overlooking the Clashawley river will be the centre of activities for the afternoon from 2pm to 5pm. We have lots of family entertainment lined up, including traditional craft displays, ‘Duck Race’, art workshops, face painting, food stalls, and plenty of amusements for children to enjoy. We will have an information tent at the festival on Sunday where you can check out the time table for the FREE Puppet Show and FREE Magician Show and other events happening on the day.



Dog Show & Live Music
Pat Culligan and Catherine Newport will host their very popular annual Dog Show after the parade and this event attracts entries from all over the county. Local group ’The Sheehans’ will provide live music throughout the afternoon, playing all your favourite tunes.

New Attractions This Year
New attractions this year include the Nore Valley Pet Farm who have a variety of animals to see and enjoy from chickens and ostriches to donkeys and deer that they keep at their Park, at Bennettsbridge, Kilkenny.



If you are looking for a bird (the feathered type) then make sure you check out ‘Animaniacs’ at our Festival on Sunday, August 20, Peter and Lynda will have some fabulous birds and also supply everything from cage to feeder if you do need to bring one home.

Chainsaw Carvings by Chris Dee

Chris Dee photographed while working on one of his more elaborate 'Chainsaw Carvings'. Chris will demonstrate his art and nave some of his work for sale in Fethard on Sunday, August 20.

A new attraction this year is the amazing Chainsaw Carvings by Chris Dee. The precision and artistry of his chainsaw carvings have left crowds spellbound all over Ireland and should be a major attraction at this year’s Heritage Day Festival. Chris will demonstrate a chainsaw carving for us and will also have some of his work available to purchase on the day.

Mark Dillon Blacksmith

Renowned Blacksmith Mark Dillon who will demonstrate his skill and have some of his work on sale in Fethard on Sunday, August 20.

Another new attraction this year is blacksmith Mark Dillon – a member of 'Forged In Ireland' who are a group of Irish craftsmen of all levels, interested in sharing information on blacksmithing, bladesmithing, knife making, metal art, tin smithing, metallurgy and anything related. Mark will demonstrate the art of smithing, and share his skills in Fethard on Sunday, August 20, and will have some of his work available to buy on the day.



Our Sincere Thanks
Fethard & Killusty Community Council would like to acknowledge the support of Tipperary County Council, The Heritage Council, Fethard Historical Society, and the many individuals, local businesses and organisations who helped and supported this year’s Heritage Day Festival.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Friday, August 18, 2023, of Eamon Anglim, Lismoynan, Fethard, peacefully in the care of the staff of the Oak Ward, University Hospital Waterford. He will be sadly missed and deeply regretted by his loving wife Mairead, his sons Eoin, Damien and Brian, his daughter Laura, son-in-law Ray, grandchildren Kayleigh, Holly and Paddy, brothers-in-law Sean and Derek, his loving cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends. May he rest in peace.

Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, on Sunday, August 20, from 6pm to 8pm. Eamon's Funeral Mass will take place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Drangan, on Monday, August 21, at 11am followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to the Oak Ward in Waterford University Hospital or South Tipperary Hospice. Messages of condolence for the family can be left online by CLICKING HERE

All Ireland Senior 7s Shield Champions

Fethard - All Ireland Senior 7s Shield Champions Back L to R Muireann O'Connell, Alison Connolly, Heather Spillane, Carrie Davey, Emaleigh Cuddihy, Kate Davey. Front L to R: Megan Coen, Nicole Delaney, Niamh Hayes, Emily Spillane, Sinead Delahunty, and Nell Spillane.

On Saturday, August 12, Fethard Senior Ladies Football team travelled to Naomh Mearnóg GAA Club, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin, for the Ladies Gaelic Football All Ireland Senior Blitz. Having competed for the club’s first ever time last year, and making history as the first ever Tipperary team to reach the Cup Final, our girls were excited to compete in the great day of competitive football.

Fethard began their competition with an opening game against Naomi Bríd from Antrim. The pace of the game went from zero to one hundred, and the girls quickly remembered what it was like to play at the All Ireland 7s blitz. The day got off to a winning start with a 6-6 to 2-6 victory over Naomi Brid.

Having to quickly get to grips with the pace of the game, the girls then played Kinawley Brian Borus, Fermanagh, in the second game of the group games. The girls dug deep and pulled out a 4-7 to 2-6 victory for their second game of the day.


Captain Kate Davey collecting the cup on behalf of the team 

Out of the running for the Cup
The third game of the day was against Clann Éireann GAC of Armagh, who we narrowly beat in last year’s cup semi-final. The Armagh girls were unbeaten so far and took a lead that they never let up. Unfortunately, our girls came up short and lost out to Clann Éireann on a score line of 6-10 to 1-6. This loss meant our girls were out of the running for the Cup but needed to get a win in the last game of the group to secure a place for the Shield.

In the last group game our girls knew a win was needed and took on Mhaigh Cuilinn from Galway in a fight for a place in the Shield semi-final. After a great battle our girls came out on top with a score line of 8-7 to 6-9.

The Shield semi-final opponents were The Banner of Clare who the girls were familiar with as they played them this year in the Munster semi-final where they came up short. After a thrilling game with very little between the side, Fethard came out on top with a score line of 5-5 to 5-2.


Fethard Ladies Football Team – All Ireland Senior 7s Shield Champions. Back L to R: Hammer Spillane (coach), Sandra Spillane (coach), Niamh Hayes, Emily Spillane, Heather Spillane, Carrie Davey, Muireann O'Connell, Alison Connolly, Bill Fogarty (coach), Willie Morrissey (coach). Front L to R: Aoife Morrissey, Emaleigh Cuddihy, Nell Spillane, Megan Coen, Sinead Delahunty, Kate Davey, Nicole Delaney, and Abbi Browne.

Final Hurdle
Clann na nGael, Roscommon, were the Fethard girl’s final hurdle of the day with both teams very prepared for the last game of the day. The teams dug deep from the tired legs and Fethard came out victorious 5-7 to 2-6. Another historic win for the club as Fethard became the first Tipperary team to win the All Ireland Senior 7s Shield Final. This young Fethard Senior team were delighted to bring home their first piece of silverware to the club for 2023.

Thanks to anonymous St. Vincent de Paul donor.
The Fethard conference St. Vincent de Paul would like to thank a very generous person who donated €300 (six €50 notes) anonymously to our funds this week. We really appreciate such generosity which is so helpful to us.
We also say thanks to every person who donates loose change to our collection boxes in the local shops and retail outlets. We can’t thank you all in person, so please accept this message as a mark of our sincere thanks.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, August 17, 2023. The numbers drawn were 1, 6, 10 and 15. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Eileen Burke. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, August 24, will be €1,625.

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 Thursday, August 17, 2023, of Margaret (Maggie) Mackey (née Treacy), Castlequarter, Killenaule and formerly of Ballynonty, peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Maggie, beloved sister of the late Michael and Statia. Deeply regretted by her loving husband Wally, sons Michael, Wally and Johnny, daughters-in-law Lorraine and Angela, grandchildren Cian, Kaitlyn and Charlotte, brother Christy, sisters Mary, Nonie, Kate and Lilly, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. May She Rest In Peace.

Reposing at Devitt’s Funeral Home this Saturday evening from 6pm to 8pm. Funeral Mass on Sunday in St. Mary’s Church, Killenaule at 11am and can be viewed on https://churchcamlive.ie/killenaule-parish-live-stream/ followed by burial in Crosscannon Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations if desired to Irish Cancer Society. If you would like to leave a message of condolence for the family online please CLICK HERE.

Pilates Classes starting in Fethard

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Thursday, July 27, 2023, of Adam Power, Kilnockin View, Fethard. Predeceased by his grandfather Toby McCormack and his cousin Elliot McCormack. He will be sadly missed by his parents Regina and Sean Power, his daughter Hayley, his grandmother Esther, his brothers Jonathan, Jason and Kevin, his sisters Janelle, Chloe, Katie, Kelly and Amy, his aunts Mary Wall, Marion O'Meara, Valerie O'Meara and Tishie McCormack, his uncles Tommy Power, John Joe McCormack, Tommy McCormack, Mickey McCormack and Kieran McCormack, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.

Adam's Funeral Mass will take place in the Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, on Thursday August 17th at 11 am, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. The Mass can be watched online at parishchurch.net

Adam's family would appreciate donations to Community Cenacolo. You can read about their work and/or make a donation at communitycenacolo.ie Messages of condolence for the family can be left online by CLICKING HERE

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, August 15, 2023, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 5, 9, 12 and 15. We had no Jackpot winner and four Match 3 winners who received €37.50 each: Chrisse O'Meara, Peggy Burke, John Noonan, and Michael Ryan. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Emma Lacey. The next draw takes place on Tuesday, August 22, when the jackpot is €22,400. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

'Rose of Fethard' chosen for Fethard Festival

The newly crowned 'Fethard Rose', Lauren Needham, photographed with judges after winning the title. L to R: Johnny Looby (judge); 'Tipperary Rose' Aisling O'Donovan (judge); Michael Webster (judge); 'Fethard Rose' Lauren Needham; Master of Ceremonies P.J. Henehan; Andrea Carroll (judge), and Roseann Carroll, proprietor Lonergans Bar.

On Saturday, August 12, a large crowd turned up at Lonergan's Bar, The Square, Fethard to choose this year's 'Rose of Fethard' to lead the Fancy Dress Parade at Fethard Heritage Day Festival on Sunday, August 20, which will commence from the Ballroom at 2pm.


Festival Rose entrants L to R: Katie Langley, Anastasija Bistrova, and Lelde Steinberga.

Our local master of ceremonies for the ‘Fethard Rose’ was no other than P.J. Henehan, who with wit, elegance and understanding (homework), did a powerful job at grilling the entrants, and identifying a few ‘thorns’, that somehow found their way past security in disguise. Luckily enough, the four judges, Tipperary Rose Aisling O’Donovan, local radio personality Johnny Looby, Andrea Carroll, AC Aesthetics & Laser Clinic, and Michael Webster, also managed to reach a unanimous decision in choosing the winner, Miss Lauren Needham, who was later crowned ‘Fethard Rose’, with the upmost approval from all present.


Photographed at Lonergan's Bar are L to R: Aisling O'Donovan, Andrea Carroll, Ciara Laste and Rachael Browne.


Supporters from Mother Hubbard's in Cashel, photographed at the 'Fethard Rose'. L to R: Tony Doherty, Kate Doherty and Rosemary Doherty.


Festival Roses L to R: Ruth Motkett and Mags English.


Photographed at Lonergan's Bar are L to R: Donie Ryan, Evelyn Ryan, Gary Ryan and Justine Ryan.


Great excitement waiting for the announcement of the winner from Master of Ceremonies P.J. Henehan.


A bunch of roses – Aisling O'Donovan (Tipperary Rose), photographed with the Fethard Rose winner, Lauren Needham, after judges announced their decision.

The festivities continued afterwards where the punters chatted with the special guests and the potential Roses and their ‘thorny’ rivals. Well done to proprietors, Roseann and John Carroll, and all involved in contributing to a great night’s entertainment in Lonergan’s Bar on Saturday, August 12.

Two 'Thorney Roses' who were out of luck on the night L to R: Damien Hally and John Carroll.


Photographed at Lonergan's Bar are L to R: Margaret Needham, Damo Donovan, Sarah McManus, and Lauren Needham, who was later crowned 'Fethard Rose'.


Taking part in the fun at Lonergan's Bar are L to R: Sean and Siobhán Pollin.


Photographed at Lonergan's Bar are Steve and Maureen Baker.


A happy group of revellers at the 'Fethard Rose' in Lonergans Bar on Saturday night, August 12.


Local radio personality, Johnny Looby photographed with one of his big fans, Jack Kenny, at the 'Fethard Rose'.

Social Dancing in Fethard Ballroom


Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, August 20, 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.

Big Picture – Fethard Patrician Brothers School 1918

This group of Fethard Patrician Brothers School pupils was photographed in 1918, one of many groups as this was called 'Group One'. We really don't expect to get many names as this good quality photograph is 105 years old. Perhaps someone out there possibly has a copy of the same photograph with names, that they might kindly share with us? Or maybe you will recognise a family resemblence with some of the faces in the photograph.

We do know the names of the Patrician Brothers who were teaching in Fethard in 1918, and this might also shed some light! The Brothers working in Fethard National School were as follows: Bro. Paul Cullen, Superior and Principal;Bro Anselm Fogarty; Bro. Fidelis O'Connell (Transferred August 1918); Bro. Columban Spain (Appointed August 1918); Bro. Norbert Phelan (Appointed August 1918); and Mr. James Keating (Appointed September 1916).

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 – Fethard in 1983
This week we have a selection of photographs taken 40 years ago from the top of Holy Trinity Church of Ireland tower, featuring assorted views of Fethard as life appeared at the time. For those middle-aged who live or have lived in Fethard, it should be easy to work out the views – and maybe the many changes since 1983. Please send any comments, photo information, names or stories, 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.