Santa comes to Fethard this Sunday, December 1, at 2.30pm – Craft Stalls open from 11am

If your planning on coming to Fethard on Sunday to visit our Christmas Market Day why not make a day out of it and come a bit early and pay a visit to Fethard’s Car Boot Sale / Christys Market in Fethard and browse all the stalls there, and then make your way down to Main  Street, stop into Fethard Convent Community Hall and visit all the beautiful hand crafted gift stalls in the hall and in the marquee outside the hall, then wander up Main Street and enjoy the street stalls, great food and entertainment.

Santa will be arriving at 2.30pm and our Christmas Tree lights will be turned on at 4pm. When you have picked up some beautiful unique Christmas gifts, eaten some fabulous food and maybe even given the ‘Rodeo Bull’ a try, and why not finish off your Sunday by joining in our street ‘Rock The Boat’ at 4.45pm Make your way to Fethard next Sunday you won't be disappointed!

On this coming Sunday, December 1, Santa will come to Fethard’s Christmas Street Market at 2.30pm with his helpers to meet all the local children and switch on the new Christmas Lights at 4pm, that are currently being erected on Main Street in time for the exciting event planned for Sunday afternoon.

We are delighted to be able to give the pupils of Fethard Primary School, Killusty Frimary School, and Fethard children attending Scoil Cormac in Cashel vouchers to get FREE candy floss and FREE popcorn at our Christmas Market in Fethard on Sunday December 1st. Things like this are made possible when we work together as a community! Available in the marquee at the Convent Community Hall.


StayWell Dalton's Pharmacy has very kindly offered to sponsor the kids face painting on Sunday, December 1. Face Painting ladies available on Main Street and in the marquee at the Community Hall. Thank you Mike!

We’ll have lots of free entertainment on Main Street, including Christmas Crafts on the street and indoors at the Convent Community Hall. Children can avail of free rides on ‘Santa’s Train’ which will tour up and down the Main Street. There will also be plenty of free treats available on the way.

Fox Photos will be available for family photographs ‘Christmas Session’ at Fethard Horse County Experience from 2pm.Weather permitting we are going to wrap up our Christmas Market Day by ‘Rocking The Boat’ on the Main Street at4.45pm with DJ Aidan Mac!

Important Notice – Main Street Closed to Traffic from 8am on Sunday. Please note that Main Street will be pedestrian only and closed to traffic from 8am to 5.30pm, with diversions in place. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

New Mass Times at the Augustinian Abbey
Please Note that the following changes of Mass times in the Abbey will apply from Sunday, December 1, 2024.

• Sunday  9 am  and 12.00 noon   
• Monday  8 am and 10.30 am
• Tuesday and Wednesday. 10.30 am
• Thursday 8 am
• Friday 10.30 am
• Saturday 11.30 am
• The 9.30 am Sunday morning Mass is at the earlier time of 9am.
• There will be no 8 am Mass on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and no 10.30 am on Thursday.

Munster Athletics Masters and Juvenile Relays Cross-Country Championships

Fethard's Masters athletes at the Munster Athletics Masters and Juvenile Relays Cross-Country Championships. L to R: Michael McCarthy (over 40), Fintan Rice (over 55) , and Neilie Hall (over 60).

The Munster Athletics Masters and Juvenile Relay Cross-Country Championships took place on Sunday November 24, in Two Mile Borris, and Fethard AC athletes turned out in great numbers to represent the club. The blue and black jerseys were prominent across both the masters and juvenile events.
Masters XC:

The Masters athletes faced a challenging 7K, however this didn’t phase our Athletes. Michael McCarthy (over 40) showcased his endurance and speed, finishing in 9th place overall with a time of 23:41. His stellar performance earned him a spot on the Tipperary Over 35 team, that went on to claim the silver team medal. Fintan Rice (over 55) demonstrated his consistent form, completing the course in 26.57, securing 39th place overall. His efforts were rewarded with an individual bronze medal in the Over 55 category. Neilie Hall (over 60) made his first cross-country appearance of the season and crossed the finish line in 32.49, placing 66th overall. A fantastic effort by Neilie. Well done to all three athletes.

Juvenile XC Relay Teams

Fethard Girls U10 Relay Team L to R: Ella Coffey, Mackenzie Barry, Leah Brett and Annabelle Barry.

Fethard AC’s young athletes participated in the highly competitive 4x500m Juvenile Relays, proudly representing their club in both the Girls' and Boys' U10 categories. Our Girls U10 Relay Team consisted of Mackenzie Barry, Ella Coffey, Leah Brett and Annabelle Barry. Despite not placing, the girls put in a strong performance and embraced the experience of competing at this level.

Our Boys U10 Relay team L to R: Aaron Tyrell, Fionn Halley, Billy Horan and Darragh Smyth

Our Boys U10 Relay Team included Aaron Tyrell, Fionn Halley, Darragh Smyth and Billy Horan. The boys gave a strong effort, working well together as a team. While they didn’t place this time, their focus and determination stood out throughout the race. Congratulations to everyone who participated, and a special mention to the coaches, parents, and supporters.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Sunday, November 24, 2024, of Heinrich 'Heinz' Gillessen, Coleman, Fethard. Deeply regretted by his loving wife Inge, his children Erika, Rudolf and Gabi, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Reposing in McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, on Wednesday, November 27, from 5pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass in St Michael's Church, Clerihan, on Thursday, November 28, at 11.30am, followed by burial in the adjoining Cemetery. Heinz's Funeral Mass can be watched live online at churchcamlive.ie . Messages of condolence for the family can be left online by CLICKING HERE May he rest in peace.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom


Social Dancing continues at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday, December 1, to the music of 'Peter Burke’. 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.

Christmas Street Market & Festive Lights

Thank you so much for your continued and successful efforts in fundraising for the Christmas lights. We are thrilled to have surpassed our initial target of €13,000 and have reached €15,000 thus far, with a few more donations promised.

David O'Mahoney and his team have started the install today and will be working their way up Main Street in the coming days. Best wishes to all and looking forwards to seeing you at the Switch-On at the Christmas Market on Sunday, December 1, at 4pm.

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, November 21, 2024. The numbers drawn were 4, 12, 13, and 24. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Sharon O'Meara. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, November 28, will be €5,000.

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

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for November 19, 2024, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 14, 17, 21 and 22. We had no Jackpot winner and one Match 3 winner who received €150, Matthew O'Shea. One lucky dip winner received €100: Martha Sheehan. The next draw takes place on Tuesday, November 26, when the jackpot is €30,000.

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

St. Vincent de Paul annual appeal
Dear friends and supporters, as Christmas is just around the corner can we invite anybody who needs our help to contact us as soon as possible, by giving your name and address to any member of the Fethard Conference, or by texting any of the following numbers 085 8086099, 086 1940016, 086 8443622 or 086 8588118. Please get in touch with us before December 11, as after that date we may have difficulty getting back to you before Christmas. Although we will do all we can to do so.

Our Annual Church Gate collection will be held at all Masses on December 7 and 8. We are always grateful for the great response every year to our collection but because of the lesser numbers attending mass since Covid, we very respectfully ask that if you wish to donate other than at the Church Gates, then you can do so online website at www.svp.ie/donate/
You can name our Conference: Holy Trinity Conference Fethard Co Tipp, and your donation will reach us eventually.

Alternatively, if you want to donate by mail, please address it to: The Treasurer, St. Vincent de Paul, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, and a receipt will be sent to you. We remind you to please do not send cash in the mail.

Lastly thanks to everyone for your continued support, not least through donating in our collection boxes in local shops and businesses, as this is very helpful and appreciated. We wish everybody a very Happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous 2025.

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.

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.

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 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.

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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