Christmas Street Market & Festive Lights

Fethard Business and Tourism Group are encouraging everyone to support their fundraising effort to light up the town with festive cheer this Christmas. Every little helps. No donation is too small. If our target is reached, we will install new led-lights which are far cheaper to run and far more cost effective to help reduce the exorbitant electricity costs experienced in past years.  We need locals and businesses to contribute what you can and help us get the Christmas Lights up and transform Fethard into a winter wonderland.

The big switch-on is set for Sunday, December 1, to coincide with a Christmas Street Market and craft fair at the Community Convent Hall, including a special visit from Santa Claus. Your support will help us create a magical experience for everyone. Please Donate Now to keep Fethard shining even brighter this Christmas!

Four brothers help Fethard Reach South Final

Four Neville brothers, Shane, Mark, Conor and Gavin, who helped Fethard beat Kilsheelan in last weekend’s South U21 A semi-final.

Fethard U21 A football team beat Kilsheelan in last weekend’s South U21A semi-final, with a significant milestone, in that four Neville brothers started for the Fethard team. Shane was also the Fethard captain at full back, with his three brothers Mark, Conor and Gavin making up the whole full forward line. In a remarkable coincidence, both captains wore the No 3 jersey with the Kilsheelan captain also named Conor Neville (no relation). To add more confusion both Conor Nevilles marked each other. Fethard emerged with a comprehensive win and now play commercials in the South U21 A final.


Photographed at the start of the game L to R: Conor Neville (Kilsheelan), Declan Hickey (Referee) and Shane Neville (Fethard).

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, November 14, 2024. The numbers drawn were 3, 5, 18, and 23. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Sally Hayes. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, November 21, will be €4,975.

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

Tidy Towns show their new 'Rain Gardens'


The above picture shows the start of the planting up of the new Tidy Towns 'rain gardens' located in the recently resurfaced car park opposite Sadlers. These beds have been initiated by LAWPRO (who work to protect and improve water quality) to deal with excessive rain water run off, so that much of the water is captured by the planting. Further planting will be in the Spring when plants become available. Thanks to Mike, Ger, Mary, and Clare for their help. Tidy Towns welcome anyone who wants to get involved, they do different projects throughout the year. Everyone has something to offer, don't be shy!

Fethard Tidy Towns members working on the new Rain Gardens at the ballroom car park.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for November 12, 2024, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 12, 16, 22 and 29. We had no Jackpot winner and one Match 3 winner who received €150, Eoin Whyte. One lucky dip winner received €100: Christopher Quinn. The next draw takes place on Tuesday, November 17, when the jackpot is €30,000.

The committee of Fethard GAA Development Lotto would like to thank all our supporters for the continued support.

Traditional ‘Giant Christmas Stocking’ raffle revived


One of the most memorable Christmas events in Fethard for children from the 1960s onwards was the annual ‘Giant Christmas Stocking’ raffle prepared annually by the Presentation Sisters and displayed in Scully’s shop window on Main Street. It was every child’s dream to win this ‘Giant Stocking’ full of gifts.

One of this year’s Christmas Market features is the revival of the festive 'Christmas St0cking' raffle and hopefully it will give the current generation of children as many happy memories as it did for their parents who lived in Fethard at that magical time of Christmas shop windows.

This year the five-foot ‘Giant Christmas Stocking’ full of toys and goodies is on display in Butler’s Shop Window on Main Street. Tickets are €5 each or three for €10, available from Butlers Off Licence; Lonergan’s Bar; Daltons Pharmacy; O’Sullivans Pharmacy, or from any committee member of  the Fethard & Killusty Community Council’s ‘Christmas Market Festival’ committee. The draw will take place on Saturday, December 14, at 8pm, live on FaceBook.

Musical Extravaganza raises €14,500 for Day Care


Fethard and District Day Care Centre CLG are delighted with the response to our Musical Extravaganza which cleared €14,500. We would like to thank everyone who supported the event. The wonderful artists, volunteers and all who attended this very successful event. 

Christmas Flower Demonstration at Slievenamon Golf Club on December 3.
A Christmas Flower Demonstration will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, December 3, at Slievenamon Golf Club, by Mandy at Fethard Flowers, in aid of Holy Trinity Church of Ireland Fethard and donation to Scoil Aonghusa, Cashel. Ticket Price is €15 and are available from Fethard Flowers and Slievenamon Golf Club. Refreshments served afterwards.

Mass of Remembrance
On Saturday, November 16, there will be a Mass of Remembrance in Holy Trinity Parish Church at 7pm. We will especially remember those that have died in our parish in the past year. We will invite those that have had a bereavement to light a candle during the mass and there will be a procession with the candles which will be placed before the altar.

Died in England
The death has occurred in Peterborough, England, on September 29, 2024 (the day before his birthday), of Billy Sayers, formerly from St. Patrick's Place, Fethard. Billy's daughter, Rebecca Brown, has set up a fundraiser for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall in memory of Billy Sayers after his recent passing.

The late Billy, father to Lisa, Belinda, Rebecca and David, partner of Teresa, a wonderful grandad to all his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and wonderful friend to many. Billy's funeral will take place at Saint Luke's Catholic Church, 26 Benyon Grove, Peterborough, PE2 5XS on Thursday, November 21, at 12.45pm, followed by burial at Fletton cemetery at 2.15pm. The wake will be held at Fletton Ex servicemen’s club from 3pm. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to our chosen charity Sue Ryder (Hospice at Home) Thorpe Hall.

After three long weeks In hospital, Billy's final wish was to return to his home. Sue Ryder enabled this wish to happen by providing hospice at home. Both Dad, and our family are eternally grateful for this. All of the incredible carers provided the most amazing care and support, delivered with genuine empathy, and understanding not only for our dad but for the family too.

Sue Ryder is there to make sure everyone approaching the end of their life or living with grief can access the support they need. There is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need, but with Sue Ryder's support, no one has to face dying or grief alone. They are there when it matters. Thank you to everyone for your love and support at this difficult time. – Teresa, Lisa, Belinda, Rebecca and David.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom


Social Dancing continues at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday, November 17, to the music of ‘Liam Mannering & Maria'. 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.

Celebrate Christmas in Fethard

As part of our Fethard Christmas Celebrations we are delighted to invite you to another great event at Fethard Convent Community Hall, taking place at 7.3pm on Tuesday, November 26, where we host a Christmas Cookery Evening with Sinead Delahunty of 'Delalicious'. Sample dishes on the night, including a wine reception with Canapés sponsored by Sadlers, followed by a Christmas Wreath Demonstration with 'Flowers by Mandy'. Tickets cost €20 per person, and are on sale from Sadlers, O'Sullivans Pharmacy, Daltons Pharmacy or from any member of the committee.

Graystown school 1840-1937 information request?

Pupils attending Graystown National School c.1940

Graystown School is six miles north of Fethard, in the parish of Killenaule & Moyglass. Gerard Walsh, born in Moyglass and now living in Ontario, Canada, is doing some research on the 'Old Graystown school 1840-1937'. Gerard would love to hear from any folks with actual experience of the Old School or memories of their parents from that time. He intends to have his research published when finished. Gerard can be contacted by email: gerardwalsh657@gmail.com

Information from the 'History & Folklore of Killenaule-Moyglass', officially launched on Friday, December 14, 1990, by retired Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dr. Thomas Morris, in Scoil Ruáin, has the following information included at the time of publication in 1990.

‘There were two schools in Graystown, the first one built in 1843, at a cost of £60. This was situated opposite Mr Matthew Gilligan’s house, which is approximately two miles from Moyglass village and about one mile from Graystown Cross. Records from Dublin, shows us that the first teacher to teach here was Phil Dwyer aged twenty-two. It was a one-roomed building with internal dimensions of 36’x15’. The school was slated and had an attendance of approximately forty-five males and thirty females. This school still stands, and its features are still prominent. Surrounded by trees and close to a rippling stream, it is evident that there were two windows in the front and three at the back. A chimney at one end of the building can still be seen, and the porch an old door still stand. This school closed a few years prior to 1937.’

Fethard Gaelic For Mothers & Others

Fethard Town Park welcomed Fethard Gaelic For Mothers & Others, along with Arravale Rovers Gaelic for Mothers, on Saturday November 2, where the ladies played a series of games in a fun filled afternoon here. Well done to everyone who came out to support the girls.

Fethard Ballroom AGM
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Fethard Ballroom Ltd Company will be held in Fethard & Killusty Community Ballroom, Kerry Street, Fethard, E91 AH76 on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 8pm. You are cordially invited to attend.

Mark the Day!


Fethard Men’s Shed FTP will hold a Christmas Coffee Morning Craft Fair in Fethard Town Park On Monday, December 9, in what promises to be a wonderful day with Stalls Music Refreshments and Raffle on the Day, if you have a stall and want to come Contact Michael: Tel: 087 279 9533.

Fethard Christmas Market

A bigger and better ‘Christmas Market’ is planned for Fethard on Sunday, December 1, so be sure to mark the date in your diary. Santa is coming with lots of street entertainment and craft stalls. Fethard Convent Community Hall will also have lots of stalls displaying a variety of goods suitable for your Christmas shopping.

Community Roadshow coming to Fethard Town Park
Carrick-on-Suir Municipal Council are bringing a Free Autumn Health & Wellbeing Community Roadshow to Fethard Town Park (E91 N1F1) on Tuesday, November 19, from 12 noon to 4pm. Health and Wellbeing stands from community organisations around the county will be on display. For more information Tel: 087 4567111.

Big Picture - Fethard U16 Team v Rocklands New York

The Fethard boys U16 football team that played a visiting team from Rocklands GAA Club, New York, in a challenge game in the Barrack Field on July 31, 1982. The team attended a special reception in the Fethard Arms afterwards. The Americans were excellent fielders and got amazing length into their rather unorthodox method of kicking, and won by double scores, 2-13 to 1-6. (Below is report from Nationalist August 14, 1982)

Spectators at the match in the Barrack Field on July 31, 1982.

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 names or 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 photographs taken in 1982 from our archives. 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

Baby Marie O'Meara, St. Patrick's Place, photographed with trophy after winning Baby Show


Printers Soccer team who took part in the Killusty Seven-a-side Soccer Tournament Final on August 6, 1982. Back L to R: Pat Barry, Ernie Makim (captain), Martin Quinlivan, Larry Fahy, Eddie Anderson. Front L to R: John Hunt, Jeddy Walsh, Billy Byrne, and Peter Barry.


Ballylooby seven-a-side soccer team that beat The Printers team by 2-1 in the final of the Killusty seven-a-side Soccer Tournament played on August 6, 1982. Ballylooby Team: Pat O’Brien, Mick O'Brien, Pat O’Brien, Tommy Fitzgerald, P. J. Moloney, Dick Doyle, Pat Phelan (capt), Eamon Condon and Eamon Gleeson.


Working students from Clonmel at Cahir Castle on August 2, 1982. L to R: Denise Ryan, Pamela Crowley and Paula Coyne


Team entered in the Killusty seven-a-side soccer competition in August 1982. Back L to R: Dermot O’Donnell, Jim O’Donnell, Liam O’Dwyer, Paul Looby, Gerry O’Dwyer. Front L to R: John Fitzgerald, Gerry Horan, Conor O’Connor and John O’Connor.

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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