Fethard Heritage Day Festival plans well underway for Sunday, August 25

Fethard Heritage Day Festival and Fancy Dress Parade will take place on Sunday, August 25, by the Medieval Town Wall at Watergate Fethard.
A steering committee have been meeting over the past few weeks to organise this year’s family friendly Fethard Heritage Day Festival on Sunday, August 25, at Fethard Town Wall Park. We look forward to a favourable response for entries in this year's annual Fancy Dress Parade with over €500 in prizes. The parade will be led from Fethard Ballroom by Banna Chluain Meala – the colourful majorettes and marching band, who are also looking forward to making a return visit to Fethard.

All the usual Festival Fare and Craft Stalls will be set up at the Medieval Town Wall at Watergate. Other events include the 'Wobbly Circus', a unique family-run circus company, based in Ireland, providing circus performers and entertainment, since 2007; annual Dog Show run by Katherine Kearney and Pat Culligan; ‘Duck Race’ organised by Bill O’Sullivan; lots of amusements, music, food and entertainment available. The site is fully wheelchair friendly with free admission to all. Lots more information to follow, so please mark the date in your diary.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council wish to acknowledge the support received from Tipperary County Council and The Heritage Council.
Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, August 8 , 2024. The numbers drawn were 6, 7, 9 and 17. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Esther Fitzgerald. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, August 15, will be €4,200.
We are delighted with the support shown for our Parish Lotto, it is a fundraising initiative that is of great benefit to the parish. Please pass the word on and invite friends and family to take part. You can join, see the draw results, and details of how your support is making a big difference at: https://www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/fethardkillusty
Munster U11 Football Blitz in Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Fethard Under 11 Football team who took park in a Munster GAA Activity Blitz in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Back L to R: Jamie Burke, Tiernan Gahan, Jayden Setters-Coffey, Fionn O'Meara, James Sheehan, Cian Connolly, Kevin Connolly. Front L to R: Mason Lawlor, Matthew Ledger, Killian Setters-Coffey, Evan Allen, Tom Aherne, and Con Higgins.
Fethard Under 11 Football team who took park in a Munster GAA Activity Blitz in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. They played teams from Cork, Waterford and Tipperary. The boys were a credit to the club playing some terrific football. Well done lads!
GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, August 6, 2024, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 15, 16, 22 and 25. We had no Jackpot winner and no Match 3 winner. One lucky dip winner received €100: Stephen White.
The next draw takes place on Tuesday, August 13, when the jackpot is €30,000. The committee of Fethard GAA Development Lotto would like to thank all our supporters for the continued support.
Fethard Ladies Football - August Newsletter


Community Games South Regional Athletics Finals
CLICK HERE to view information, programme of events, or to purchase tickets for the Community Games South Regional Athletics Finals that takes place in Clonmel Sports Hub next Saturday, August 10, 2024.
Local qualifiers include Andrew Faraq, from Fethard Killusty; Sarah Feery and Tara Moquet, Killenaule Moyglass; Thalia Hanly, Cait Clancy, Sarah Tobin, from Drangan Cloneen; and Moya O’Donnell, Clerihan. Best of luck to all.
Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom

Social Dancing continues at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday, August 11, to the music of ‘Magic Moments'. 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.
County Intermediate Football Championship Round 1, Fethard v Rockwell Rovers
On Saturday last, August 3, in Monroe, Fethard played the first round of the County Intermediate Championship with a tight sweet victory. Other games to come in their group two, include Golden Kilfeacle, and Thurles Sarsfields, with the top two going forward to the semifinal and quarterfinal. The bottom team will face relegation.
The first half on last Saturday was a low scoring half, with teams holding on to possession a lot. In the first few minutes we had an exchange of scores with a point from Brian Healy in the 8th minute. Matt Coen made a mark, scored a point, and we were level again for the second time before 10 minutes had passed. We edged the opposition for the next 15 minutes, with Brian Healy scoring a point from a free. Cathal O Mahony scored a point from a 45 – the point of the opening half – and a great opening of defence with a point from Liam Kiely. For the last six minutes we lost our way, when Rockwell Rovers scored 0-2 leaving the half time score, Fethard 0-5, Rockwell Rovers 0-4.
No changes at the interval and within a minute the teams were level at 0-5 each. We had a head collision then on the field which resulted in Fethard’s Ryan Walsh being replaced by David Hayes. Rockwell Rovers scored the next two points before David Hayes, in the 46th minute, scored a point from play. Within a minute we were level again when Cathal O’Mahony scored from a 45. Subs David Hayes and Paul Moloney changed the game in our favour when, combined with Andrew Connorton, David Hayes scored a great goal to go 3 up with 10 minutes to go. Fethard’s stamina and endurance were tested when we were reduced to 14 after a black card was issued. Rovers scored a point from a free, taken by their best player Cian O’Brien.
We survived a Rover’s shot hitting the post when Rockwell’s Alan Moloney missed a golden chance of a goal hitting the goalpost. With Michael O’Meara’s interception we had an exchange of points with Fethard’s Matt Coen scoring from a free. In the final two minutes we had an exchange of points with Fethard’s Jack Dolan scoring from a free leaving the final score, Fethard 1-9, Rockwell Rovers 0-10. Fethard’s best on the night were: Dara O’Meara, Liam Kiely, Andrew Connorton, David Hayes, Brian Healy, Conor Neville, and Matt Coen.
Fethard Team: Jack Dolan (0-1f), Brian Delahunty, Cathal O'Mahony (0-2 F), Liam Kiely (0-1), Michael O’Meara, Dara O’Meara, Joedy Sheehan, Willie Morgan, Darragh Spillane, Andrew Connorton, Ryan Walsh, Jack Purcell, Matt Coen (0-2 f), Brian Healy (0-2 1f), and Conor Neville. Subs were David Hayes (1-1), Paul Moloney, and Joe Morgan.
– Noel Byrne
Died Recently
The death has occurred on Friday, August 2, 2024, of John Britton, Naas, Co. Kildare and formerly of Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow and Cloneen, Co. Tipperary, peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, in the tender care of the nursing staff at St. Brigid’s Hospice The Curragh.
John, beloved husband of Kay (Catherine) and dear father of Alan, Fergal, Oonagh and Aoife; John will be forever loved and missed by his loving wife, sons, daughters, grandchildren Cormac, Katie, Clodagh, Conall, Ciarán, Sadhbh, Anna, Oisín, Méabh, Colm, Féilim and Diarmuid, brothers Alan and Frank (Cloneen), sister Mary, sons-in-law James and Darach, daughters-in-law Pauline and Deirdre, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Reposing on Monday, August 5, from 2pm to 5pm with Prayers at 4pm at Murphy Brothers Funeral Home, Church Lane, Naas. Removal on Tuesday, August 6, to the Church of the Irish Martyrs, Ballycane arriving for 11am Mass. Funeral immediately afterwards to St. Corban’s Cemetery.
Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland or St. Brigid’s Hospice The Curragh. House private please. Enquiries to Murphy Brothers Funeral Directors Church Lane, Naas Ph: 045 897397. Messages of condolence can be left online by CLICKING HERE“Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a Anam Dílís”.
Fethard Connections

This photograph was sent to us recently of two boys playing under 14 football in Athlone many years ago. Both died this year and have Fethard connections. The photo shows Peter McManus (left), Burke Street, who died on Friday, July 12, 2024; and Paddy Moran is the father of Mandy Quigley, Mandy's Flower Shop, Burke Street. Paddy died on Monday, July 1, 2024.
Died Recently
The death has occurred on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, of Vincent Allen, St. Mary's Road, Edenderry, Offaly, and formerly Killusty, Fethard.
Vincent, a retired member of An Garda Síochána, passed peacefully in the dignified care of the staff of Tullamore Midlands Hospital, in the company of his loving family. Predeceased by his parents Richard and Mary Allen. He is sadly missed by his loving wife Maureen (nee Craughwell), his daughters Jackie (Hyland), Martina (Meegan) and Karen (Cullen), his sons David, Niall, Cormac and Paul, his fifteen grandchildren, his sons-in-law Sean, Kieran and Seamus his daughters-in-law, Sarah, Anne-Marie, Anne-Marie and Paula, brothers John and Joseph and sister Mary, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. May Vincent Rest in Peace.
Reposing at Larkin’s Funeral Home, Edenderry on Friday, August 2, from 4pm to 7pm, with Rosary at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday at 12 noon in St. Mary’s Church, Edenderry, followed by burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery. House private at all times.
Family flowers only, donations if desired to Tullamore Hospital Patient Comfort Fund. Vincent’s presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. The Allen family wish to thank their relatives, neighbours and friends for their kindness at this time and those wishing to leave a message of condolence online can do so by CLICKING HERE
Save The Day – Afternoon Tea Party

Goldie Newport, organist for almost seventy years at Holy Trinity Parish Church, photographed on St. Patrick’s Day, 1999. The late Goldie Newport died on Monday, October 18, 2021.
To raise funds for the refurbishment of the piped organ in The Parish Church and in memory of Goldie who was the church organist for almost seventy years, the Newport family are organising an Afternoon Tea Party in the Fethard Ballroom on Saturday, October 12, at 2.30pm.
Invitations to participate will issue over the coming weeks to include further details on the event, and we particularly welcome all former choir members, their families and friends to join in at what will be a most enjoyable afternoon.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon
A number of people have asked when the pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross will take place this year, well you can pencil Sunday, August 18, in your diary, weather permitting.

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.
This will be another special year for us as it is the 50th anniversary since the erecting and blessing of the present Cross. The project was led by Fr Donal Cunningham, who sadly passed away late last year. The main builder was John Harrington, and while not assisted by a cast of thousands, Fr Donal made sure that anyone with a bit of free time on their hands helped out when they could. Fr Donal worked as hard as anyone, he didn't ask people to do work that he wouldn't do himself, he carried materials, mixed concrete, climbed scaffolding, you name it, he did it.
We had hoped that he would make it back to Sliabh na mBan one more time, but sadly that was not meant to be. If any of Fr Donal's relatives are reading this, maybe you would like to join us on a day that will be dedicated to his memory. We will be giving you a few gentle reminders as we get nearer the time.
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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