O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy

Congratulations to O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy on Main Street who launched their newly refurbished premises on Friday last, December 1, managed by third and fourth generation Pharmacists Jimmy and his son Jack. Tipp FM outside broadcast unit was also present to do a live on-air broadcast as part of the opening celebrations.

O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy was established in 1917, and has served the surrounding community for over 100 years, with their experienced and knowledgeable healthcare team.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Saturday, December 9, 2023, of William 'Willie' Hayes, Lisheen, Carraig Hill, Roscrea, and formerly, Rathcoole, Fethard, in his 94th year, peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Deeply regretted by his wife Máirín Kennedy, son Brendan and his wife Kristy, grandchildren Cillian and Iarla, his brother Denis (Melbourne) and extended Hayes family. Rest in Peace.

Reposing in Tierney's Funeral Home Roscrea (E53 NY70) on Sunday evening, December 10, from 4pm, with removal at 6pm (via his residence), arriving in Holy Cross Abbey (E41 PH01) at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Monday afternoon, December 11, at 1.30pm followed by burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery. Funeral Mass can be viewed on https://www.churchservices.tv/holycrossabbey

Messages of condolence for the family can be left online by CLICKING HERE

Fethard & Killusty Newsletter Now on Sale

Fethard & Killusty Emigrant's Newsletter is now available in the following local shops at €12 each, Centra Supermarket (The Green), Daybreak Supermarket (Kerry Street), and Fethard Post Office (Main Street). Copies will also be posted this weekend free of charge to Fethard emigrants on our mailing list throughout the world.

We take this opportunity to thank everyone who submitted articles and photographs, and also those who supported the publishing and postage, with donations throughout the year that helps in no small way to make this annual publication possible – since it first began by the Legion of Mary in 1959.

Fethard Men's Shed always welcome new members!
Fethard Men's Shed grows and glows with activities only limited by members imaginations. If you feel like joining the crew, please come along or contact any of the present members for details. Have a look at the video below, which covers some of the present activities and members comments. Contact Michael Tel: 087 2799533 for further details.

Ladies Football Club support Dillion Quirke Foundation


As a 'Thank you' for all the support Fethard LGFA received throughout 2023 when the club celebrated its 20th anniversary. The club have decided to donate their half of the bumper Christmas Split the Pot draw to the Dillon Quirke Foundation. The draw will take place on Sunday, December 17, in Burkes Bar, Fethard at 10.30pm. All tickets bought online up to 8.30pm on Sunday 17, will be included in the draw. Tickets can be purchased online by CLICKING HERE or in local businesses in Fethard.

The first envelope out of the drum will win half the pot, with the other half going to the Dillon Quirke foundation. In addition, Fethard LGFA is sponsoring four bonus draws, a 2nd prize of €200, and 3rd, 4th and 5th prize of €100.The aim of the Dillon Quirke foundation is to screen every player over the age of 12 playing all codes of GAA to prevent sudden adult death syndrome.

Tipperary v Kerry at Fethard Town Park


A terrific game in Fethartd Town Park on next Saturday, December 9, when we welcome Liam Cahills Tipperary GAA Squad to face Kerry GAA in a Challenge Game on our Grass pitch. It promises to be a great occasion as we are delighted to welcome both teams to our facility.

Red Ribbons to Remember loved ones at Christmas

Remembering loved ones at Christmas is simple to do by buying a Red Ribbon with their name written on it and hanging it on the Holy Trinity Parisdh Church railings to be blessed on Christmas morning.

Fethard 'Circle of Friends' will be following this beautiful and meaningful tradition which we started a few years back as a way to remember our deceased loved ones over the festive season. We will have ribbons available to purchase in Kenny's Centra from Friday, December 8. All money raised from the ribbons is kept locally and given to families who have a family member sick or going through treatment for an illness.

Thank you for your support over the last few years and we are looking forward to seeing all the Red Ribbons on the church railings again this year.

Christmas Party Night at Fethard Ballroom


Fethard Ballroom will hold their 'Christmas Party Night' and social dancing on Sunday, December 10, to the music of the ever popular 'Checkers'. 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 U17 A Football South Champions

Fethard U17 A South Champions after beating Mullinahone in the final played at Fethard Town Park on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Final score was 1-7 to 0-6.

Fethard secured a great victory in the U17A South final which was played in Fethard Town Park in front of a large crowd on Sunday evening last, December 3. The game opened very defensively with Mullinahone securing the opening score on 11 minutes with a point from Dylan Hennessy. Liam Kiely replied to a couple of minutes later with a well worked goal and a point followed on from the kickout. Both teams exchanged points with Cillian O'Halloran and Ned O'Meara for Mullinahone and Noah O'Flynn and Sam Coen chipped in for Fethard. Mark Neville for Fethard kicked a long-range point just before half time leaving the score, Fethard 1-4, Mullinahone 0-3.

A brilliantly saved penalty by Liam Hogan of Mullinahone after the restart seemed to spur on Mullinahone as Cillian Direen and Cillian O'Halloran added two points leaving the score 1-4 to 0-05 on 35 minutes. Points were exchanged with Fethard getting another Mark Neville point from play with Mullinahone replying with a point from a Ned O'Meara free. From here on Fethard dominated the final quarter with Andrew Connorton scoring a point as well as Mark Neville kicking the last point of the game leaving the final score 1-7 to 0-6 and Captain Liam Kiely to lift the cup.

This Fethard team has now secured a unique double winning the U17A and U19A South Championships and are playing some very stylish football under their management team.  Both Fethard and Mullinahone U17 teams qualify for county quarter finals and could have a big say in the County Championships over the next couple of weeks.  Well done Fethard.

Fethard team: Ben Allen, Jack Stokes, Rory O'Mahony, Jack Davey, Noah O'Flynn (0-1), Gavin Neville, Liam Kiely (captain) (1-1), Andrew Connorton (0-1), John Lacy, Oisin Ryan, Mark Neville (0-3), Danny Barry, Danny Shelly, Charlie Walsh, Sam Coen (0-1). Subs: T.J. Keane, Luke Lacy, and Alec Knightly.

Mullinahone team: Liam Hogan, Shane McGrath, Eoin Treacy, Pierce Vaughan, Adam Doyle, Matthew Direen (captain), Finn Morrissey, Alex Britton, Cillian O'Halloran (0-2), Darragh Linnane, Sam Rowan, Liam Doyle, Ned O'Meara (0-2), Dylan Hennessy (0-1), Cillian Direen (0-1). Subs: Jack Dunne, Brian O'Dwyer, Colin O'Brien, Philip Dunne, Cian Ivors, Luke Maher, and John O'Meara.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, November 30, 2023. The numbers drawn were 5, 11, 15 and 24. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Fiona Ryan. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, December 7, will be €2,450. All entries in our December 14 draw, are also entered in the 'Awesome Christmas Draw', details below.




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 in her 106th year
The death has occurred on December 1, 2023, of Nellie Purcell, Congress Terrace, Fethard, and formerly of Shanbally, Lisronagh, in her 106th year. She will be sadly missed by her nieces, Ann Moody (Belfast), Paula Smith (Boston), Joan Shine (Fethard) and Patricia Duggan (Clonmel), grand nieces, grand nephews, great grand nieces, great grand nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in peace.

Reposing in her niece Joan's house in Congress Terrace, Fethard, on Monday December 4, from 5pm to 8pm. Funeral Mass in St John the Baptist Church, Lisronagh, on Tuesday, December 5, at 11am followed by burial in Powerstown Cemetery.
A message of condolence for the family can be left online by CLICKING HERE

Christmas Panto 'Snow White' at the Abymill

Patrician Presentation Secondary School presents their Christmas Panto 'Snow White' at the Abymill Theatre on Friday, December 8, to Sunday, December 10, at 8pm. Tickets are now available from the School Office or by phoning 052 6131572. It promises to be a great panto for all the family.

St Vincent De Paul Annual Appeal
Dear friends and supporters our annual church gate collection will be on the weekend of December 9-10. Unfortunately not as many people are attending Mass as there was in the past so we ask you to consider other ways of donating if you are in a position to do so. A donation can be given to any member of the Conference and receipts will be given when requested.

You can send a donation to The Treasurer, St Vincent De Paul, Fethard, but please do not send cash through the mail. Again receipts are available when requested. As we are now in the computer age you can also donate to the Fethard branch online by scanning or clicking the QR Code above.

We very sincerely ask you not to donate to us if this will leave you short or that you neglect a charity you already support. We have always been well supported in the Parish for the past 127 years and we hope we will be also this year. Any person or family who needs our help should please give their name address to any Conference member or contact us on Tel: 085 8086099, 086,1940016, 086 8588118, in complete confidentiality. We also wish all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Celebration of Christmas Carol Service

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, November 28, 2023, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 15, 18, 20 and 31. We had no Jackpot winner and no Match 3 winner. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Keenan Aherne. The next draw takes place on Tuesday, December 5, when the jackpot is €25,600. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Married Recently

Congratulations to Johanna Sheehan, daughter of Dan and Ann Sheehan, Killusty) who married Fergal Fortune (Wexford) on November 17, pictured above with their daughter Juliette.

Waterford AC Half Marathon
There’s nothing like a winter’s morning to test the commitment and mettle of runners. But not even the freezing fog and a temperature of minus-three could deter our two Fethard AC athletes from going to the line on Saturday, December 2, for the Waterford AC Half Marathon. The race began and finished in the SETU Arena Sports in Waterford, hosted by Waterford A.C.

Thank you to all the hardy volunteers who helped make this event happen. Fethard’s Edel Roche had a phenomenal race with a massive personal best over the distance of 1.30.15. It’s a real testament to the hard work Edel has put into her training, and her coach. Fellow club members were delighted to hear her results when news came in.

Our second athlete was M.J. Croke who finished in 1.47.56. M.J. (photographed on the right with his wife Annemarie) was delighted to be able to complete the course in good health after a lengthy injury. M.J.’s wife, Annemarie, also took part today, and teamwork makes dreams come true. A visit to Santa after finished off a great day for the Croke family.

Race Day at Dunhallow 5K

On a wintry cold day there was a record turnout of 491 runners for this year’s Duhallow AC’s - Newmarket 5k in Co Cork on Sunday, December 3. This was a huge increase on last year’s entry. It was yet another early frosty morning for our Fethard A.C members as they made their way to Newmarket to compete amongst a quality field of runners a real testament to the fantastic organisation of this event.

The race got underway at 1pm sharp with a blistering pace by some of the country’s finest distance runners. The field was led home by Cathal O’Rielly, Kilkenny City Harriers, in a fantastic time of 14.15 with the top eight athletes finishing under 15 minutes, and a total of 208 athletes finishing under 20 minutes. This really was a race for the speedy.


Fethard's first man home was Louis Rice in a time of 15.56 – a fantastic personal best performance.

We had three athletes representing Fethard AC and represent us the surely did. Our first man home was Louis Rice in a time of 15.56 – a fantastic personal best performance. Louis bettered his 16.26 run in Clogheen, taking 30 seconds off his previous best time. Louis’s focus to his training structure, coaching plan, and his commitment to helping the club get back on its feet is to be commended. He is a great role model for all our club members in demonstrating what can be accomplished with dedication and hard work.


Louis was followed home by his father, Fintan Rice, in a time of 18.27

Louis was followed home by Fintan Rice in a time of 18.27 which he can feel very happy with. Fintan is another stalwart in our club and demonstrated this with a fantastic masters run. Another of our masters and our chairman, John Hurley, finished in 21.53. This was John's second fastest ever 5k and it’s great to see him back running and in good form after taking a few weeks off with an Achilles injury.


Club chairman, John Hurley (orange cap), finishing in 21.53

Post-race refreshments were served afterwards at race HQ Newmarket, CYMS-goodie bags were given out before the race. A fantastic day’s racing hosted by Dunhallow A.C. Race results were posted on Premier Timing Systems website after event.

Big Picture – Fethard Confirmation Girls, May 1988

Girls who received the Sacrament of Confirmation at Holy Trinity Parish Church Fethard in May 1988, photographed with Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Morris, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly.

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 during the years 1987. We have some names but not all, so if anyone can help us, please do. Please send any comments, photo information, names, to fethardnews@gmail.com

Fr. Tony Lambe, Angela Dillon-White, Danny Kane with first Holy Communion children in Killusty Church in June 1987.


Mr Dessie O'Malley, leader of the Progressive Democrats, is pictured with members of the Fethard branch on his visit to Killenaule in June 1987. Back L to R: Joe Murphy, Tim Finn Killenaule, Mick Smith, Austin O’Flynn, Jack Murphy, Philip Joyce. Front L to r: Rosario Joyce, Billy Gardiner, Dessie O’Malley, Liam Croke, and James O'Gorman.


South Tipperary County Council members visiting Fethard Folk Museum in June 1987, photographed with owner Christy Mullins


Winners in the ladies racquetball team competition held in Fethard Sports Centre in June 1987 L to R; Michelle Fogarty, Patricia Breen and Jenny Fogarty.


Runners up in the Ladies racquetball team competition held in Fethard Sports Centre in June 1987 L to R: Monica Kenny, Susan O’Meara and Mary Burke.


John Bradley, director of Urban survey giving a walkabout tour of Fethard on June 28, 1987. Photographed above speaking at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland.

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.