Died Recently
The death has occurred on Sunday, July 21, 2024, of Billy McLellan, Pinewood Drive, Kilmacomma, Clonmel, and formerly Fethard. Billy passed away peacefully in the care of the Oak Ward, Dunmore Wing, Waterford University Hospital on Sunday morning in the presence of his loving family.

Pre-deceased by his brother Derry and his wife Phyllis, he will be sadly missed by his beloved wife Ann, sons Fergus and Will, grandson Kieran, sister Patricia, brothers Ian, Damien and Stewart, daughters-in-law Breege and Maria, step-children, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchild, nephews, nieces, extended family and his many dear friends. May He Rest in Peace. Messages of condolence may be left online by CLICKING HERE.

Reposing at Condon's Funeral Parlour, Clonmel on Tuesday evening from 5.30pm to 7pm. Removal on Wednesday, July 24, to Ss. Peter & Paul’s Church. Funeral Mass on arrival at 11am. Those who cannot attend can watch live via the Ss. Peter & Paul’s Church livestream service. Cremation will take place at 3pm in The Island Crematorium, Cork. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a Anam Dílis

“Rejoice for me when I’m gone, won’t you?”

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom


Social Dancing continues at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday, July 28, to the music of ‘Michael C0llins Band'. All are welcome to come along and enjoy us for a terrific night’s social dancing from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Admission is €10, which includes tea and cakes and raffle.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, of Patrick (Paddy) O'Rourke, Terenure, Dublin, and formerly, Kilnockin, Fethard (retired from Irish Distillers), very peacefully, surrounded by his loving family in the wonderful care of the staff at Tallaght University Hospital. Pre-deceased by his parents David and Josie, sister Carmel (FMM), and grandson Luís.

Beloved husband and best friend to Geraldine for sixty years, loving dad to Patricia, Anne-Marie, Úna and Shelagh. Beloved brother of Sr. Brenda. Paddy will be forever loved and sadly missed by his wife and family, sister, grandchildren, Jeffrey, Álvaro, Alannah, Shane, sons-in-law Rodney, Paul, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

House private. Family Flowers only, donations in lieu please to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Message of sympathy for the family can be left online by CLICKING HERE.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, July 23 2024, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 4, 17, 27 and 32. We had no Jackpot winner and three Match 3 winners who received €50 each: Darren Phelan, Christopher Quinn and Simone Feehily. One lucky dip winner received €100: Simone Feehily.

The next draw takes place on Tuesday, July 30, when the jackpot is €30,000. The committee of Fethard GAA Development Lotto would like to thank all our supporters for the continued support.

Save the date . . . October 4, 2024

Volunteer English Tutors Needed


Cashel Library aims to partner with Failte Isteach in the Autumn of 2024 to run conversational English classes with migrants and refugees. To this end we are looking for people who wish to volunteer to support migrants and refugees through conversational English classes. Training and resources provided free. If interested please EMAIL your name and contact details before Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

Fethard Heritage Day Festival meeting, Thurs. July 25
The next meeting to organise this year's Heritage Day Festival will be held in the Convent Community Hall at 8pm on Thursday, July 25, and all interested in getting involved are invited to attend.

This year's Fethard Heritage Day Festival will take place on Sunday August 25, and plans are now being drawn up. We are now asking for volunteers interested in getting involved to come along our Festival Meeting in the Fethard Convent Community Hall. With your help and involvement this year, we can repeat that success and include all the usual free events, Fancy Dress Parade, Dog Show, Craft Fair, Music, and much more.

Large group taken at the cross on Slievenamon in the early years, includes Christie Williams, Pat Ryan, Tony Newport, John Tobin, Jackie Aylward and wife Katty, Mick Halpin, Tom Sheehan, Kathleen Keane, Mick Keane, Margaret Keane, Cly Mullins, John Harrington, Agnes Allen, Bill and Babe Maher, Cap Holohan, and Fr. Donal Cunningham.

Annual Famine 1848 in Ballingarry


Martin Maher, Chairman of the Ballingarry 1848 committee will lead the 18th annual Famine 1848 Walk in Ballingarry on Saturday, July 27, at 3pm. The Walk starts at the National Flag monument in the village of The Commons and proceeds to Famine Warhouse 1848, the state national heritage site. This year's Walk will celebrate Ballingarry's new murals on Famine Rising 1848. All are welcome.

Killusty Pony Show a great success!

'A Plus Tard', Cheltenham Racecourse Gold Cup winner, and Emily-Kate Robinson won the Racehorse to Riding Horse Class at Killusty Pony Show.
(Photographs supplied by John Kenrick)

Killusty Pony Show held their 62nd Show on July 6, 2024. The entries were magnificent with 270 ponies and horses competing across seven rings on the day, which was a credit to all the organisers of the show. Competitors travelled from near and far to experience success at Killusty. This year, the show held the first ever All Ireland Pony Supreme Final which was very generously sponsored by Kiltinan Castle Stud.

The show appreciates the continued support of Horse Sport Ireland and their generous sponsorship for the Show Hunter Pony Broodmare, the Connemara Broodmare, the youngstock purebred Connemara classes and the in-hand and ridden cob classes.  The Connemara Classes proved very popular again this year with high quality of youngstock continuing to travel to Killusty. There were outstanding entries in the 2-year-old and 3-year-old Connemara classes which resulted in the class being split into two age-appropriate competitions.


Nicola Everard with her daughter Alice at Killusty Show.

Aidan Archdeacon’s ‘Silverton Richard’ won the yearling Connemara class and Pat O’Brien’s ‘Rathsallagh Lily’ finished second.  Derek Walsh’s ‘Springmount Cleo Star’ won the 2-year-old Connemara class. Mary Jane Kearney and Donna Vowles’ ‘Annie Wild Rose’ was 3rd in the 3-year-old Connemara class. The Connemara broodmare class was very well supported with mares and foals at foot. Margaret Greene’s ‘Lehenagh Nellie’ won the class and Emma Walsh’s ‘Kirtle Knox’ was second in the class. Margaret Greene’s ‘Lehenagh Nellie’ won the Connemara Led Championship, receiving the prestigious ‘Sarah Miller Perpetual Cup’.  ‘Lehanagh Nellie’ went on to win the broodmare championship and her foal by Mary Hayden’s stallion ‘Derryveeney Cruise’, won the ‘Kieran O’Shea Memorial Perpetual Cup’.  The Connemara Ridden classes had great entries and were wonderful to watch from the ringside. Emma Walsh’s ‘Skellorn Superted’ won the overall Ridden Connemara Championship and went on to win the Ridden M&M championship later in the afternoon.


Ginny Hutton showing her pony at Killusty Show.

The working hunter course proved popular with competitors in their preparation for the RDS in the upcoming weeks. The Novice Working Hunter Pony Championship was won by Ann Doyle’s ‘Tallyohea Tic Tac’ ridden by Chloe Doyle and they took home the ‘Bill Holohan Perpetual Cup’. Tanya Browne’s ‘Kinamara Miss Lucy’ ridden by Kate Browne Souza was the reserve champion. The Open Working Hunter Pony Championship was won by Trish O’Donnell’s ‘Ballyhone Toby’ ridden by Ellie O’Donnell and she received the ‘Mrs. Judy Butler Perpetual Cup’. The Connemara Working Hunter Championship was won by Clare Corballis’ ‘Beechtree Watchful’ ridden by Kate Walsh and Polly Holohan was reserve on ‘Manusmore Megan’. There was more local success with Luke Coen winning the Open Working Hunter Horse Class with his horse, ‘Ballykelly Like This’.  

There was a very popular winner of the Racehorse to Riding Horse Class this year with ‘A Plus Tard’ ridden by Emily Kate Robinson winning the class. ‘A Plus Tard’, a Cheltenham Racecourse Gold Cup winner, was ridden by Rachael Blackmore during his racing career. What an achievement to have a Grade 1 winner take the win in Killusty also!

Freya and Inez Byrne helping in the catering tent

We were delighted to be part of the Side Saddle League this year and we held both an Intermediate/Ladies Side Saddle Class and a Junior Side Saddle Class. Both classes were exquisite to watch and encouraging to continue the tradition. Romy Bolger won the ‘Mrs. Cecelia Sullivan Trophy’ on ‘Dunabbey’. Lucy Sayers on ‘Hattie’ was the winner of the Junior Side Saddle Class. 


Holly Hennessy photographed with her pony

The show pony ring was very popular with competitors near and far. Oonagh Burke’s ‘Nora’ ridden by Michael Burke won the Show Hunter Pony 123cm class. Margaret Greene’s ‘Harwent Moonraker’ ridden by Imogen Lawless Greene won the Show Pony 138cm & 148cm, while Lorraine Thompson’s ‘Goldengrove Maydream’ ridden by Zoe Thompson was second, followed by Tessa Gunn’s ‘Myrrormere Miss Precious’ ridden by Eve Gunn in third place.

The local handy pony classes proved very popular with local competitors again this year. Lizzie Burcher’s ‘Patchwork Polly’ ridden by John Burcher-Holohan was second in the Handy Pony for Riders 4- 6 years old. The local lead rein class for riders 7-10 years old was won by Emily Walsh on ‘Tinakelly Pudding  and Sarah Walsh was second on ‘Mr. Q.T.’


Lucy Sayers, winner of the junior side saddle class, with her parents Laura and Richard.

The local riding class under 158cm was won by Thomas Delaney on ‘Send Him Down’, while the local riding class under 138cm was won by Kate Gaule on ‘Ellie’s Ruby’. The Champion of the ‘O’Brien Riding Pony Championship’ was Kate Gaule on ‘Ellie’s Ruby’ and  reserve was Lucy Sayers on ‘Hattie’.  The cob pony class proved popular again this year with Charlotte Walsh on ‘Charlesfield Rose’ winning the class.

Our Small Hunter Championship proved very successful with competitors travelling from near and far to compete. Qualifying rounds were held in various shows around the country including, Kingdom County Fair, Middleton Agricultural Show, Belgooly Show, Balivor Horse and Pony Show, Western Area IPS Show, Raheendaw Horse and Pony Show, Athlone Show, Newcastle West Show and Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show. The final was held in Killusty and Brian Murphy’s 'Flurry Knox' was the Champion.

The winner of the Mini- Supreme was Imelda O’Shaughnessy’s ‘Carwgwyn Finality’ ridden by Nicole O’Shaughnessy. This was very kindly sponsored by Coolmore Stud. The supreme championship was won by Margaret Greene’s ‘Lehenagh Nellie’, which went on to represent Killusty in the All-Ireland Pony Supreme Final. The reserve champion was Emma Walsh’s ‘Skellorn Superted’. It was a wonderful occasion for spectators to watch the judges deliberating over the standard of championship winners across the field. To the delight of the onlookers the champion and reserve were called forward to a sincere applause.


Killusty Pony Show Supreme Champion: Margaret Greene with ‘Lehenagh Nellie’ photographed with Judges and chairman Pat Culligan (left)

It was a historic occasion for the committee and competitors alike, as the first ever All Ireland Pony Supreme Championship Final was held in Killusty. Each of the ponies in the final had won a Supreme Championship at one of the ten shows that held qualifiers. The array of ponies presented in the final were all of high caliber and ranged from lead rein to in-hand ponies, and first ridden to intermediate riding types.  Mary Ann Casey’s ‘Griffenstown’ ridden by Sadhbh O’Connor was the overall winner of the All-Ireland Pony Supreme Final. Stud manager, Donna Vowles, presented the prize on behalf of Kiltinan Castle Stud. This horse will go on to compete at the RDS later in the summer.


All Ireland Pony Supreme: Sadhbh O’Connor on ‘Griffenstown’ with Kiltinan Castle Stud manager Donna Vowles

Despite the heavy showers, many children took some time out of their busy showing schedule to participate in the dog show. There was a wide range of dogs and puppies that participated in an array of classes from the Golden Oldies to the Best Tail Wagger! Thank you to Ms Nikki Veasey and Ms Carita Kirby, from Mo Chara Dog Trust, for judging the dog show. Thank you also to Geraldine Piggott for judging the fancy dress class, which was won by John Burcher – Holohan and his amazing dragon costume.


Clodagh Blake with her dog in the dog show at the Killusty Pony Show

As a parting word, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who made the show possible. Thank you to all who helped to prepare for the show in the days leading up to it.  I want to thank all the stewards all over the field who worked earnestly throughout the day, without their help and support the show would not be possible. Many thanks to all those who cooked food and baked treats, your generosity is greatly appreciated, and many compliments were given in the marquee regarding the high-quality lunch. Thank you to all who helped in the marquee on the day of the show, we greatly appreciate your time and dedication to the show.


Derek Walsh, Fethard, photographed with his pony at this year's Killusty Show

A very special thank you to the Walsh family for their kind permission to use their field to host the show. We greatly appreciate the support of all our sponsors, as without their continued support the show would not be possible. To all the competitors, who travelled from near and far, we hope that you left Killusty with fond memories of the show.  We wish them all the best of luck in the remainder of the showing season.
– Pat Culligan, Chairman of Killusty Pony Show

Big Picture - Hogan Musical Society's production of 'The Sound of Music' 1989

The sound of music reverberated literally and figuratively through the Abymill Theatre in March 1989, with the Hogan Musical Society's production of 'The Sound of Music'. CLICK HERE or image below, to read the Hogan Musical Society's twelve-page programme for their production in March 1989.

This was the musical society's first official production in the new Abymill theatre and what a joy it was to have such first class facilities at their disposal. Gone forever are the days when, in frosty weather, they had to prepare for an evening's rehearsal as if preparing for a trip to the North Pole. Now they rehearse in the comfort of the Abymill Theatre with all the amenities of a modern theatre.

'The Sound of Music' which ran for ten nights in March was a run-away success and played to packed houses every night. It was also a first for new producer, Anne Connolly, who was involved with the Fethard Players and the Hogan Musical Society for many years. This was her debut as a producer, and what a debut! Any theatrical production is only as good as the producer behind it, and we can look forward to many years of outstanding shows from the Hogan Musical Society.

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 some old photographs from our archives that were copied or gathered locally, but information for some and others without. There may be someone out there with further information that we can add to our files, so if anyone can help us, please do. Please send any comments, photo information, names, to fethardnews@gmail.com

Taking part in the Fethard and District Credit Union Primary School's Table Quiz on January 26, 1999, were L to R: L to R: Tracey Lawrence, Lucy O'Hara, Sarah Costello and Melissa Rochford.


A section of the large crowd that attended the 'Girls Night Out' held at Fethard Convent Community Hall on March 25, 2010, in aid of ACORN Childcare Centre.


Junior Infant group at Kilvemnon National School Mullinahone on January 19, 2001. Back L to R: Paul Gayson, Marie Lyons, Sean Birmingham, Sarah Bradshaw. Front L to R: Shane Egan, Brian O’Riordan, Mikaela Horan, and Daniel Freeman.

Photographed at the Credit Union Table Quiz in Fethard on January 25th, 2001, are L to R: Alan O'Connor, Lory Kenny, Ciarán Leahy and Declan Doyle.

Students going home from St. Patrick’s Boys School Fethard on January 30, 2001. This photo will being back memories of their school days from 1965, when the 'new' National School was built, up to September 1, 2010, when both Nano Nagle National School and St. Patrick's Boys School amalgamated and was renamed as Holy Trinity National School. The boys school above no longer exists as it was recently demolished in early July, 2024.

Please send any comments, photo information, names or stories, to fethardnews@gmail.com

Fethard News for inclusion on this website
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.

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