Parking on the side of the avenue only (no parking in fields) please. We also ask patrons to please keep the fields litter-free. Dogs must be kept on leads and children strictly supervised for their own safety, given the high speed of horse and carriages. Please adhere to the spectator zones in place for watching the event.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, August 31, 2023. The numbers drawn were 4, 5, 11 and 19. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Mary Hanrahan. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, September 7, will be €1,750.

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

Funeral Service in Fethard
The death has occurred on Monday, July 24, 2023, of Joan Philips (née Flanagan), Eaton Close, Fishponds, Bristol, England and formerly of Fethard. Joan, predeceased by her husband Sam (formerly from Cashel), and her brothers Wally and Mickey Flanagan. Sadly missed and remembered with love by her sisters Maureen, Olive, Ann and Cecelia, brothers Jackie, Bernie, Declan and Frankie, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. May She Rest In Peace.

Service in Fethard on Saturday September 2.
Joan's Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, September 2nd, at the Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard at 11am followed by Interment of her Ashes in Calvary Cemetery Fethard reuniting her with her late Father and Mother.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, August 29, 2023, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 4, 5, 6 and 36. We had no Jackpot winner and no Match 3 winner. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Ashling Monaghan. The next draw takes place on Tuesday, September 5, when the jackpot is €22,800. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Anyone for Tennis?
Anyone interested in getting the local Tennis Club back up and running are invited to attend a meeting in Fethard Convent Community Hall on Thursday, September 7, at 7.30pm.

Social Dancing in Fethard Ballroom


Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, September 3, to the music of 'Finbarr Dennehy Band’. 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

Fethard Heritage Day Festival a great success!

Fantasia Dance Academy who were overall winners in the Fethard Heritage Day Fancy Dress Parade. - CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

On Sunday last, August 20, Fethard Heritage Day Festival returned to Fethard Medieval Town Wall Park where probably the largest crowd in living memory turned out to enjoy the Fancy Dress Parade and variety of family entertainment on show – accompanied by pleasant sunshine that also made a welcome return. Banna Chluain Meala led the parade from the Ballroom to the Town Wall where they also gave a recital to the large attendance.


Banna Chluain Meala making their way by Fethard 's Medieval Town Wall to the festival site - CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

The judges of the Fancy Dress parade announced their results as follows:  Overall First Prize ‘Fantasia Dance Academy’; Overall Second Prize ‘Lugnasadh Queen of The Crop’. Historical Theme (Adult) First Prize ‘The Evil Friar’. Historical Theme (Children) First Prize ‘Knight of Fethard’, Second Prize ‘Cinderella’. Artistic Theme (Children) First Prize ‘Fethard Fiesta’; Second Prize ‘Fairies of The Forest’. Original Theme (Children Individual) First Prize ‘Little Drummer Boy’, Second Prize ‘Ronaldo in Red’. Original Theme (Children Group) First Prize ‘The Barbie Gang’, Second Prize ‘The Robbers – We’re Not Robbers, We Just Work for RTE’. Special ‘Eye of The Judges’ First Prize ‘Goddess of The Sea’, Second Prize ‘Ronaldo in Blue’. A special thank you to our judges, Michael Mallon and Colleen Crooks, and to our Festival Rose Lauren Needham, who greeted and acknowledged all the winners at the awards.


Back to Fethard for the festival are L to R: Mary O'Brien (née Kenrick) who travelled from Limerick, Emil and Lou Totonchi (née Kenrick) who travelled from Glenview, Illinois USA. - CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

The Newport family organised a challenging Quiz entitled ‘What Year in The Life of Fethard’, that had a lot of locals scratching their heads. However, the winner with the most correct answers was Imelda Spillane, Tullamaine.  ‘In The Wardrobe’ also sponsored their ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition on the day. The winner was Oonagh Byrnes, and runner up Nuala Ahearne. Their special funky style prize went to Caroline McGuire. Our thanks to Carmel Evans, ‘In The Wardrobe’ for sponsoring and running the event in conjunction with Fethard Festival.


Great crowds gathered at the various amusements on offer.
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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 in any way to make this year’s event possible. We also sincerely thank the many craft and trade stands that attended this year’s event and local businesses who donated raffle prizes and sponsored individual children’s events. We are most appreciative.

Interior of Holy Trinity Church of Ireland looking splendid for Fethard Heritage Day Festival

During the afternoon of the Fethard Heritage Day Festival on August 20, the parishioners of the Medieval church of Holy Trinity Church of Ireland were delighted to see so many people from the wider community visit the Church. The congregation of the church is quite small but nevertheless the church is beautifully maintained. We are also most appreciative of the work of Robert Lawrence, our groundsman, who keeps the churchyard looking so well.

A lot of the local people looked at the brass plates on the walls and were amazed to see some of the family names of people still living in Fethard, particularly, Hackett, Cooke, McCarthy, Sayers and Barton. The visitors were treated to a wonderful organ recital by 14 year old James Clooney, son of Stuart and Maura Clooney. James has been taught to play the piano by his father Stuart , who is a piano teacher living in Fethard. James has now started to play the church organ. The brass plate on the organ tells us that the organ was presented to the church in 1867 financed by contributions made by the parishioners.

The sound from this very old organ can only be described as euphonious and Father Henry also commented on what a beautiful sound flowed from the instrument. The visitors to the church were also treated to a lovely rendition of the hymn 'Close to Me' sung by Tina White and accompanied on the organ by Stuart Clooney, which was enjoyed by everyone.

James Clooney playing Ave Verum by Mozart

Services in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland will be held on Sunday, September 10, and Sunday, September 24, at 9.30am, and everyone is always welcome to attend. The parishioners would also like to invite everyone to the Harvest Festival Service which takes place on Sunday, October 1, at 7pm and followed by the usual refreshments served by Heather Bailey and her team of helpers.

County Tipperary Intermediate Football Championship - Group 2 Round 2
On Saturday, August 19, in the County Intermediate Football Championship, Fethard lost out to Grangemockler in a very close game that could have gone either way. The final scoreline left just two points between the sides, Fethard 2-8 to Grangemockler 0-16.

Our young Fethard team have improved on their last meeting with Grangemockler. Being very quick of the mark, Grangemockler scored three points without reply. Cathal O’Mahony then steadied the ship with the first point for Fethard from a 45m free. Grangemockler added two more points before Richie Anglim scored a fine point from play. After an exchange of points – Fethard’s Brian Healy scoring from a free – the final point of the quarter went to Grangemockler, leaving the score Grangemockler 0-7, Fethard 0-3. After a free for Grangemockler, our team took over with Brian Healy using the wind advantage to score three points – two from long range play and one from a free. Cathal O’Mahony then added a point from a free, leaving the half time score, Fethard 0-7, Grangemockler 0-8.

Fethard got an excellent start to the second half with a goal from a mark by Conor Neville. We then lost our way conceding four points without reply. Then Ciaran O’Meara scored an excellent point from play and before the end of the third quarter Grangemockler added two points from play. Fethard, on a counterattack from Paul Moloney to Jack Quinlan, found Ciaran O’Meara who made no mistake in kicking a great low, hard shot resulting in a goal, leaving the score level at Fethard 2-8, Grangemockler 0-14.

In the final quarter there was a lot off physical play and stoppages, during which Grangemockler added two points from frees. In the last minute Fethard had a free that almost resulted in a goal. With their chances now gone, the day belong to Grangemockler. The wide tally was level at five each. Players who ‘caught the eye’ were: Darragh O’Meara, Joedy Sheehan, Richie Anglim, Ryan Walsh, Brian Healy, Conor Neville, and Ciaran O’Meara.  Fethard team/scorers: Ciaran Moroney, Charlie Hackett, Paul Moloney, Dara O’Meara, Cathal O’Mahony (0-2F), Joedy Sheehan, Richie Anglim (0-1), Jack Quinlan, Darragh Spillane, Ryan Walsh, Brian Healy (0-4, 1F), Conor Neville (1-0), Willie Morgan, Ciaran O’Meara (1-1), and Shane Neville. Subs Used: Adam Ryan and Joe Morgan.

A Great Day on Sliabh na mBan


I'm glad to report that we had another great day on Sliabh na mBan for our annual pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross on Sliabh na mBan on Sunday, August 13. Billy Prout and Fr Paul Spain, from St Olivers Parish Clonmel led our walkers to the Cross, and after we had caught our breath, and had our photos taken, we headed back to O’Donnell’s field where Fr Paul Spain and Fr Iggy O’Donovan OSA con-celebrated Mass. After mass, all were treated to the nicest cup of tea in Ireland, which was very well received and appreciated.


Fr Iggy O'Donovan OSA and Fr Paul Spain, from St. Olivers Parish, Clonmel, checking how long it will take to come back down the mountain!

I will finish with a few well-deserved ‘thank-yous’, firstly to Fr Paul and Fr Iggy for taking the time to be with us and, who proved more than able deputies for Fr Liam Everard P.P. and Canon Tom Breen A.P., who were on other duties. Another big thank-you to John Lee, who came from Cork to be our photographer on the day, also our host Keith O’Donnell for the use of his property. To all of you who helped out in any way to keep this tradition alive – thankfully too many to mention – and I hate typing!

Finally, to all of you who took the time and effort to be with us – some from overseas – we realise that the drive to the car park alone can be a bit scary, but sure that's only half the fun, you should try going down on a bike with no breaks! Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the erecting and consecration of the present Holy Year Cross, so if God spares us the health we will all do it again next year. Until then, stay safe!  – (Kevin Ryan)

Big Picture – Irish Volunteers on Main Street, Fethard 1914

Irish Volunteers Fethard 1914

This photograph was supplied by Joan Merriman, Dublin, in 1998, featuring the Irish Volunteers photographed on Main Street, Fethard in 1914. The postcard was belonging to her mother, Mrs Creed, who worked in Fethard Post Office at that time.

The late Michael O’Donnell, from Owning and originally Kilnockin Fethard, gave us the following information: “These volunteers often drilled about Kilnockin and they used guns made of timber. But this was not unusual as I recall Major Hughes telling me that when he went to Cahir (I think it was) to train he also had to use a wooden gun because of the shortage of armaments. My father also told me that the later, post-1918, Volunteers were trained by Paddy O'Donnell of The Green and Dick Butler from The Valley. Both had seen service in the British Army. R. M. O'Hanrahan was the Officer Commanding.

Row 1 L to R: 1. Ned Sheehan, Red City; 2 John Ryan, Sparagoleith; 3 Mickie Napier, Rocklow Road; 4 Jack Fitzgerald, Main St.; 5 not known; 6. Martin Tierney, Kerry Street; 7. Willie Walsh, Monroe; 8. Jim Carty, Sparagoleith; 9. Paddy Gleeson, Knockelly; 10. William Carey, near The Abbey.

Row 2 L to R: 1. Jimmy Brien, Market Hill; 2. John O'Fitzgerald, The Back Green (later of St. Patrick's Place); 3. Tom Corcoran, The Valley; 4. not known; 5. not known; 6. not known; 7. not known; 8. Piery Napier, Abbey Street; 9 Mickie Mara, Burke Street; 10. Tom Finn, Burke St.

Row 3 L to R: 1. Jimmy Connell, St. John's Hill. 2. Dave Hayes, Mockler's Terrace.

Row 4 L to R; 1. Patrick O'Flynn, Burke St.; 2. P.J. Henehan, Main Street; 3. not known; 4 not known; 5. not known; 6. not known; 7. ? Power, Rocklow; 8. Willie Leahy, The Green; 9. not known; 10 not known; 11. Larry Doyle, Back Green; 11. 'Oily' Keating, The Valley.

Row 5 L to R: Patrick Daniel, Watergate St (the man with the beard and large hat); this was all he recalled in this row.

Row 6: Did not know anybody.

Row 7; Only knew Ned Cummins, Ball-Alley (And which he was I now don't know as I did not mark his features accurately).”

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 30 years when President Mary Robinson visited Fethard on Saturday, July 24, 1993, at the invitation of the Friends of Fethard.  She came to pay tribute to the late Mrs Olivia Hughes, foundress of the Irish Country Markets and founding member of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, and to the Friends of Fethard for their tremendous work on the restoration of the town wall.

The tricolour and the blue and white colours of Fethard fluttered proudly on all entrances to the town as the presidential motorcade made its way up the Main Street to The Square where the President was rapturously received.  The President alighted from her car to be met by Michael Morris, Chairman of the Friends of Fethard, who introduced her to Melissa Taylor who presented her with a bouquet of flowers.  The Presidential entourage then moved to the Holy Trinity Church of Ireland for an ecumenical service which was packed to capacity by members of local clubs, organisations, and many dignitaries.

It was a most poignant ceremony held in the splendour of the historical Holy Trinity Church.  During the ceremony, Paddy Lonergan (Friends of Fethard) presented the original key to the Fethard Pound, dating back to 1710, to the President who accepted it on behalf of the people of Fethard.  Immediately after the ceremony President Robinson was escorted to view the restoration work on the town wall and the mural tower, where she unveiled a commemorative stone by the riverbank to celebrate the restoration work.

She then proceeded to a platform in the town Square to meet the public who gave her a tremendous reception where she arrived to carry out her next official duty to honour the late Mrs Olivia Hughes. She told the crowd that, “Mrs Hughes must have been a truly extraordinary woman.  That she was so centrally involved in the founding of the Irish Country Markets and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association was a tribute to her.  Mrs Hughes was also very much concerned with Macra na Tuaithe and the Credit Union and she recognised the need of a community pulling together.  ‘For those in need and for the need of the country’ was her wonderful saying.”





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Fethard News
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