Fethard Playschool Annual General Meeting
Fethard Playschool will hold their Annual General Meeting on Monday, October 9, at 8pm in the Playschool. All parents are welcome to attend. 

Patrician Presentation School 'Fundraising Lotto'
One week to go to our first school lotto draw. Please support us as best as you can by entering our draw by CLICKING HERE

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, September 21, 2023. The numbers drawn were 6, 11, 21 and 24. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Margaret Casey. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, September 28, will be €1,900.

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

'Memory Walk' on Sunday at Fethard Town Park


Come join us this Sunday morning, September 24, at 11am, for a stroll around Fethard Town Park (E91 N1F1) for our 'Memory Walk' to raise funds for the The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Le Cairde, our Local Dementia/Alzheimer Day Care Centre situated in Clonmel. Our 'Memory Walk is family-friendly and suited to all ages and abilities. The stroll is not about distance but about the journey of chatting, laughter and most importantly making memories.

After the stroll round the park you can sit down, relax and purchase some refreshments from the lovely Emily's Delicatessen Fethard and watch the world go by! Looking forward to seeing you all this Sunday. All donations welcome on the day. Please check out our website for all information.

Happily Married in Sweden

Congratulations to Joseph Sheehan, Killusty, who recently married Nathalie Udiljak Boras, Sweden, in Sweden. We wish them both many years of happiness together.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, September 19, 2023, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 11, 27, 28 and 33. We had no Jackpot winner and one Match 3 winner who received €150: Jenny Walsh. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Mary O'Sullivan. The next draw takes place on Tuesday, September 26, when the jackpot is €23,600. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Culture night/ Oíche Chultúiris around the corner!
Join us this Friday, September 22, for free events from 4pm



What's On?

• 8pm Free Entry to The Fethard Horse Country Museum
  
• 4-8pm Drop in craft demos in Museum
  
• 6pm-6.20pm Organ recital meditation in Holy Trinity Church
• 6.30pm Candle-lit tour with the Fethard Historical Society Starting at the Millennium Bridge, finishing at the Museum.

We are thrilled to once again be hosting some super events for Culture Night 2023. Come and try your hand at weaving, natural dyeing and wood carving. We have master crafters and artists Lynn Kirkham, Lucy Doyle and David Gorey demonstrating their work from 4pm - 8pm.

Experience Fethard in a different light with a dramatised candle-lit tour, along with serenading musicians and a cross section of characters from Fethard's long history. The tour, led by the Fethard Historical Society begins at the Millennium Bridge at 6.30pm and ends at the Museum.

Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is brought to you by the Arts Council; it is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts. Sign Up Now to let us know you are coming to our free events.

Table Quiz Fundraiser for Ryan O’Dwyer

Photographed at the successful fundraising Table Quiz for Ryan O’Dwyer Fund held in the Patrician Presentation Secondary School Hall are L to R: Eamon Keane, Dinny Burke (organiser) and Teresa O’Brien.

Great win for Fethard in South Tipperary U19 A Football Final
Fethard 0-11, Clonmel Commercials 1-7

On Sunday evening last, September 17, in the South Tipperary U19 A Football Final played at Monroe, Fethard achieved a great double beating a very fancied Clonmel Commercials team, with a display reminiscent of days gone by, and a second half that would rank as high as many a past clash with our old rivals. On this occasion, Fethard came out on top by a single point in a remarkable second half, that allowed Commercials only score in the sixtieth minute, while Fethard added 0-7 without reply.

In the first half Commercials scored 1-6 in the first quarter. They had 1-3 from play while Fethard had only 0-2 from Charlie Walsh. Matt Coen added 2 points while Commercials added 0-3 from play. Their wide tally was 8, to Fethard’s 1, leaving the half time score, Commercials 1-6 Fethard 0-4.
Whatever happened in Fethard’s dressing room at the interval, it was a totally different team that came out for the second half.  Fethard took the game to Commercials who seemed to fold under the constant pressure. With a magnificent display of fast-flowing committed football, Fethard brought on Andrew Connorton and Liam Kiely, who helped change their style, scoring points from 4 frees, two each from the boots of Matt Coen and Sean Moroney.  Charlie Hackett and the Neville brothers – Conor and Mark – added a point a piece from play. The last score of the day was a point for Commercials. The wide tally for the second half was 7, leaving the final score at, Fethard 0-11 to Commercials 1-7.

Fethard now advance as Divisional Champions to the County Championship. It was great to see team captain, Darragh Spillane, receive the new Fitzgerald Cup, sponsored by Fethard Fitzgerald Family, from Seamie Mullins, South Board Chairman, before a tremendous applause from supporters.
It has to be marked as a great day for the Neville family, with three brothers, Gavin, Conor and Mark, winning a South U19 A Football title and their other brother, Eoghan, winning a County U13 B Hurling title, all on the same day. Up The Blues!

The team and scorers for Fethard: Jack Davey, M.J. Phelan, Dara O’Meara, Michael O’Meara, Charlie Hackett 0-1, Gavin Neville, Noah O’Flynn, Jack Quinlan, Darragh Spillane (Capt), Charlie Walsh (0-2), Sean Moroney (0-2 F), Matt Coen 0-4 (2F), Shane Lawrence, Conor Neville (0-1), Mark Neville (0-1).  Subs used were: Liam Kiely and Andrew Connorton. Other Subs: James Barry, Rory O’Mahony, Danny Shelly, Conor Treacy, Jack Stokes, T. J. Keane, Oisín Ryan, John Lacy, Tom Murray and Ben Allen. Referee: Keith Delahunty (Moyle Rovers).  – (Noel Byrne)

Fethard Secondary School's ladies team enjoy 'Blitz'

Well done to Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School's First and Second Year Ladies Football Team, who competed in a 'Blitz' at Rockwell on last Thursday. They played Scoil Mhuire, Ursuline, Loreto and St. Anne’s. The girls put in superb performances throughout all games and really enjoyed the day's outing to Rockwell.

Fethard & Killusty Emigrants Newsletter

Club Secretaries, individuals and organisations are reminded that submissions and photographs for inclusion in this year’s Annual Emigrants’ Newsletter are now invited. Please submit same before October 15, by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, or by email to: emigrantsnewsletter@gmail.com

Donations to Emigrants' Newsletter

You can also make a secure Credit Card or PayPal donation towards this year's Fethard & Killusty Annual Newsletter at www.fethard.com/donate/
All donations of €10 or more will be acknowledged in this year's issue unless you wish to remain anonymous.

Social Dancing in Fethard Ballroom


Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, September 24, to the music of 'Pat Costello’. 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 GAA’s young hurlers win County Championship
Fethard 3-11, Moycarkey Borris4-6

On Sunday, September 17, in Dundrum, Fethard U13 B hurlers won the County Tipperary Championship in fine style, with a tremendous display of heart and hurling to overcome a fine challenge from Moycarkey who battled all the way to the finish. Adam Rice scored 4-4 for Moycarkey, while Daniel Gleeson for Fethard ended the day scoring 1-10 (9 frees) – a remarkable display of free taken that won the day.

In the first half, Thomas O’Rahilly in goal made save after save, with the outstanding Adam Rice having five shots on goal and each time failing to score. Fethard picked off wonderful scores to lead by 1-8 to 1-3 at the short whistle – Daniel Gleeson scoring 1-7 (7 frees) and Ewan Byrne 0-1.  Adam Rice scoring all 1-3 for Moycarkey.  The Friary Town boys then showed their class and battling qualities to go ahead by five points.

After the interval Moycarkey changed their tactics placing Adam Rice on the edge of the square. In the first 5 minutes Adam Rice scored 2 points, with another from Sean Sheehan in the 25th minute. Fethard’s Ewan Byrne finished a great movement by scoring a fine goal. Daniel Gleeson added a point from a long distance free, restoring our lead to 7 points. Moycarkey’s Sean Nolan scored a long-range point from the middle of the field. He was answered by a Daniel Gleeson point from play. The lead in the 35th minute was extended to 8 when Daniel Gleeson pointed a free from 30 meters with five minutes plus injury remaining.  We thought we were safe! How wrong you can be?

The battle qualities of Moycarkey were tested, with Adam Rice scoring a goal from a free 30 meters out on the next attack. Fethard had three attempts on goal stopped by Jayden Rogers in goal, with the fourth pull by Gavin Tyrell succeeding in scoring. The lead was back to 8 in the final 3 minutes. Adam Rice scored another 2 goals, one from a free and one from play, bringing the lead back to just 2 points. Fethard battled hard to hold on and win. This was a great achievement as the last time we had County Juvenile success in the U12 B H Grade (as it was then) was in 2017. It would be hard to give a ‘Man of the Match’ as all the team stood out, however, our plaudits on the day would go to Thomas O’Rahilly in goal, and Daniel Gleeson for his accuracy.

Fethard team and scorers: Thomas O’Rahilly, Billy Hayes, Conor Prendergast, Aaron Allen, Patrick Coffey, Joe Purcell, Dan Moloney (joint captain), Jimmy Higgins (joint captain), Ewan Byrne 1-1, Daniel Gleeson 1-10 (9F), Gavin Tyrell, Tristan Byrne, and Harry Walsh.  Subs were: Adam McGarry, Eoghan Neville, Jack Moloney, and Harry Kelly.

Moycarkey Borris: Jayden Rodgers Evan O’Dwyer, James Patterson (captain), Dylan Butler, Eoghan Clancy, Jack Butler, Evan Ned Commins, Sam Coughlan, M.J. O’Mahony, Sean Sheehan 0-1, Sean Nolan 0-1, Adam Rice 4-4 (2-2 frees), and Dylan Foley. Subs were: Aiden Russell, Conn O’Dwyer, Evan Connolly, Ruari King, Jack Flanagan, Kieran Maher, Sami Cashin, and Ciaran Darmody. Referee was Ailbe O’Dwyer.  –(Noel Byrne)

Maggie Maher and how she saved the poetry of Emily Dickinson BOOKING NOW ONLINE

RTE’s Nationwide crew are also coming to Fethard to record the event, ‘The Celtification of Emily Dickinson’, and Maggie’s direct descendant from the USA will attend the show which is performed by ‘Wilde Irish Women’ – a collaborative performance group based in Western Massachusetts who were inspired to look further at the spirited Maggie who came from Killusty, Fethard, in 1865, at a time of rampant anti-Irish bias in America.

Dickinson’s poems are now on the Leaving Certificate for 2024. The derelict house where Maggie lived through the Famine still survives in the trees beyond the theatre. The cast have willingly volunteered countless hours and rehearsed a show that they are proud to take to Ireland. They hope to build an educational and cultural bridge and open up a post-show conversation between themselves, traveling American musicians, actors, singers and the Irish audiences.


THE BEST OF 'WILDE IRISH WOMEN' Founded by Rosemary Caine of Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Wilde Irish Women is a collaborative performance group based in Western Massachusetts. The ensemble comprises musicians, actors and singers who have been together since the early 2000s. Its mission is to illuminate through original music and story the lives of Irish geniuses of literature and legend – saints and sinners included! When Rosemary arrived in Western Massachusetts in the 1970s, there was a dearth of Irish Arts. She then set about establishing a group of like minded lovers of music and theatre. She has written five musicals for the ensemble: Wilde Irish Women (2004); Women In Arms (2006, with Old Deerfield Productions); Last High Queen Of Ireland (with Old Deerfield Productions); The Wilde Irish Women of James Joyce (2015); and The Easter Rising Of 1916 (2016).

Rosemary Caine, founder of 'Wilde Irish Woman'
Rosemary Caine originally from Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, is the founder of ‘Wilde Irish Women’ and has written, produced and performed six Irish Women themed musicals since 2002. She was nominated for the Adjudicator’s Award 2006 at Dundalk Theatre Festival for the musical score – ‘Women in Arms’- a play by Mary Elizabeth Burke Kennedy based on the women of The Táin. She won The Irish Amherst Association’s Margaret Maher Award in October, 2021, for her contribution to Irish Arts in Western Massachusetts.

Moyne A.C. Celebrate their 75th Anniversary

Fethard Athletic Club members taking part in the Cross Country race in the historic Castle Field course in Moyneard, Moyne. L to R: M.J. Croke, Louis Rice, Fintan Rice and Paula Hendriksen.

Moyne Athletics Club held their 75th Anniversary, Cross-Country race Sunday, September 17, 2023 in the historic Castle Field course in Moyneard, Moyne Co. Tipperary. The landowners, Jim O’Meara and the Cantwell family, had kindly given Moyne A.C. permission to use this renowned course.
“This is a a real Cross-Country course field with natural ditches, and dykes, some of the ditches are four or five feet high", according to John Flynn in a recent interview with Run Republic. There were a number of various events scheduled throughout the day, including a range of juvenile age groups taking part, from girls/boys U9 which started at 12pm, all the way up to girls/boys U19. There was also Senior & Masters Women’s and Senior & Masters Men’s categories, with trophies up for grabs for the top three in each of the men’s and women’s race categories.

This Cross-Country event also hosts a mixed team event at senior level, where two men and two women made up a team. Trophies were presented to the top three teams. So something for everyone on the day.

Fethard AC had four athletes taking part. Louis Rice approached the day as a training session for the upcoming novice. Louis ran at threshold for the first two laps or so and then picked it up a bit. Louis really enjoyed the whole experience and complemented the overall course which was dry. Louis said the ditch was good craic and he thinks everybody enjoyed it. Fintan Rice was our second athlete home and running old school style in his bare feet. He was second in his age category and is another athlete who enjoys donning the club colours and takes great pride in representing Fethard A.C. Fintan is enjoying his training and running and reaping the rewards for the hard work he puts in.

It was M.J Croke's debut in cross-country and he really enjoyed it, and with a solid time of 31.54 was happy out. He's looking forward to the cross-country season ahead. Paula Hendriksen was also making her debut and even though a bit nervous, she acquitted herself very well, her Strava moving time was 18mins. Paula is looking forward to competing in the upcoming cross-country season ahead. Her little young man William ran in the U9 event and had a super day out.
Our heartfelt congratulations to Moyne Athletic Club on their 75th anniversary and for a wonderful day out. A real team effort.

Patrician Presentation Secondary School 'Open Evening'
Open night at Patrician Presentation  Secondary School will take place on Wednesday 4th October. Two time slots 6pm and 7.30 pm, we look forward to welcoming all. To book your timeslot CLICK HERE

Dance Classes every Monday at Fethard Ballroom


Dance classes starting at Fethard Ballroom on Monday, September 11, 2023 from 8.30pm to 10pm. Learn to dance with Declan Roche – Jive, Waltz, Cha Cha, Line Dancing – no partner required. €10 per class or €50 upfront for 6 classes, Further Details contact Declan at 086 028 6289

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.”





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.