Fethard & Killusty Emigrant’s Newsletter selling fast!
Some of our Annual Newsletter Packing and Postal crew busy at work getting the Fethard & Killusty Emigrants Newsletter off to An Post for delivery throughout the world. L to R: Miceål McCormack, Michael Kenrick, Carol Kenny, Rory Walsh, Edwina Newport, Tony Morgan and Brud Roche.
This year’s Fethard & Killusty Emigrant’s Newsletter is selling fast, to avoid disappointment get your copy as soon as possible as a limited number of copies are still available for sale in the following local shops at €12 each, Centra Supermarket (The Green), Daybreak Supermarket (Kerry Street), and Fethard Post Office (Main Street).
All copies for Fethard emigrants and family members living away from home, and on our mailing list, have also been packed and posted and are now making their way to destinations throughout the world.
We take this opportunity to thank everyone who submitted articles and photographs this year; our crew of voluntary helpers who helped with postage and packing, our local shops who stock and sell the Newsletters locally, and especially all those living at home and away, who make generous annual donations, that help in no small way to make this annual publication possible – now it its 65th year. We wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and healthy New Year and sincerely for your ongoing support.
Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland
 Holy Trinity Church of Ireland Fethard invites everyone to their annual Christmas Carol Service that will take place on Sunday, December 22, at 7pm. Fethard Choral Group will attend with musical director Ann Barry, together with members of the Strappe family's traditional music players.
The service will be taken by Heidi Good with organist James Clooney and cellist Fiona Barry.
Come along and join us sing all the traditional Carols. Refreshments will be served after the service.
St. Vincent de Paul thanks
Fethard St. Vincent de Paul would like to thank all who donated to our Christmas collection which was very well supported. As donations are still coming in, we will give the final total in January.
If anybody has applied to us for assistance for Christmas and has not received a reply by next Saturday December 21, please text or call 085 808 6099 and we will do our very best to get to you before Christmas. After that it would be extremely difficult for us to reach you in time. A very happy and Holy Christmas to all.
County Cross Country 2024
The County Cross Country took place on Sunday, December 15, in Cashel, hosted by Dundrum AC. A fantastic day of running saw Fethard AC athletes take on the challenging course with the women competing over 6K and the men over 10K.
Fethard AC men's cross country team L to R: John Hurley, Emmet McNamara, Fintan Rice and Jack Spillane
We had great success in the men’s race, with Emmet McNamara delivering an outstanding performance to claim 3rd place (34:56)! He was supported by excellent runs from Fintan Rice, who came in 21st (41:22), Jack Spillane, finishing 30th (43:56), and our club chairman John Hurley, in 40th (49:34). A superb effort from the men’s team, showcasing strong results and teamwork.
Fethard AC Ladies Cross Country team L to R Paula Hendriksen, Aine Doocey, Deirdre Royce, Marie Carroll, and Carol Molloy.
The women’s team also put in a fantastic performance. Paula Hendricken led the way, finishing 19th (29:16), followed closely by Carol Molloy in 21st (29:54). Marie Carroll (25th, 31:14), Deirdre Royce (29th, 33:48), and Áine Doocey (30th, 34:02) all ran determined races, finishing strong and scoring valuable points for the team.
Huge congratulations to all involved, and a big thank you to Dundrum AC for hosting such a brilliant event!
New Doggie Bag dispensers
Fethard Tidy Towns have now organised for four new ‘Doggie Bag’ dispensers erected around Fethard to help alleviate the problem of dog fouling on public roads, footpaths and parks. The boxes are situated at Jesuits Walk, the Ballroom (down steps), and the Town Wall at Watergate (Salam Farag’s building) and wall opposite Abymill Theatre.
Hopefully in 2025 we will acquire funding to install bag deposit boxes as well as we realise the inconvenience for dog owners to dispose of dog litter when bins are limited. We ask for your cooperation in making our walkways and parks safer to walk and play.
One of the new benches at Fethard Playground
During the year Tidy Towns have also purchased benches for the playground park on the Cashel Road, with the one closest to the playground also wheelchair accessible. If you would like to get involved with Fethard Tidy Towns we would love to hear from you. We invite people of all ages to join us at any time. Everyone is welcome to help, shares ideas or even give advice. Email us at: fethardtidytowns@gmail.com
Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Fitzgerald, presenting the Tidy Towns award and €1,400, to Siobhán Atkinson and Mary Healy (right), representing Fethard Tidy Towns, in recognition of their thirteen increased marks attained in the National Tidy Towns Competition 2024.
Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in this week's Parish Lotto on Thursday, December 12, 2024. The numbers drawn were 1 10, 23, and 24. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Mary Hanrahan. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, December 19, 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
Santa lights up Fethard at Christmas Street Market
Santa photographed with some of his wonderful helpers that turned up in Fethard on Sunday, December 1, to help greet the children and officially turn on the festive street lighting.
On Sunday last, December 1, Fethard’s Christmas Street Market came alive. with a huge crowd came along to sample the fun, entertainment and the wide variety of over sixty food. Christmas gifts and craft stalls offering their seasonal goods for sale at the Convent Community Hall centre, Lower Main Street and on Main Street and The Square.
Packed Christmas Market in the Convent Community Hall
The organisers did a terrific job in keeping Main Street pedestrianised for the day and very much appreciated the good will and co-operation received from the house owners and businesses in Main Street. This allowed for free entertainment stalls and amusements to set up and facilitate a brilliant traffic-safe family friendly environment for all to enjoy. Apart from one early shower, the afternoon brightened up with sunshine and cheer.
Santa photographed with children from 'Fantasia' who entertained the crowd on The Square with Christmas Carols.
The highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of Santa in his sleigh at 2.30pm to spend some time meeting children as he roamed the full length of Main Street posing for memorable photographs and chatting to his adoring young fans. A ‘Santa Train’ made continuous trips up and down Main Street ferrying young children on a visual tour of activities.
Fethard Main Street a hive of Festive Activities on Sunday, December 1
Santa had one big job left to do at 4pm, and that was to switch on the new Christmas Tree lights on The Square. Fethard Main Street had also new energy-saving lights erected in the past week which was funded by locals and businesses contributing to a ‘Light up Fethard’ fundraiser organised by Fethard Business & Tourism Group.
Santa leaving Fethard on his sleigh before darkness falls
Great credit is due to the ‘Festivals’ committee, under the umbrella of Fethard & Killusty Community Council, who organised the daunting ‘Christmas Street Market’ to perfection. Take a bow Pamela Sweeney, Annette O’Donovan, Amanda Kehoe, Shannon O’Brien, Roseann Carroll, our secretary P.J. Henehan, and all the helpers they enlisted to realise their plans. Well done to all! Upwards and onwards!
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.
Big Picture - Fethard South Football Champions 1943
Fethard 1943 South Senior Football champions with supporters. Front L to R: Tom Dalton, Paddy Dalton, Joe O'Dwyer, Jimmy Hayes, Bill Connors, Dickie Allen, Paddy Ahearn, Mick Hickey, Billy Matthews, Jimmy Madden. Middle L to R: Mick Byrne, Peter Napier, Derek Wall, Jimmy (Slicks) McCarthy, Joe Fogarty, Mick Fogarty, Tony Newport (boy). Back L to R: Neddy Trehy, 'Cautious' Cummins, Dick Hayes, Tom Burke, Mick Hayes, Dick Wall, Mikie Connors, Jim Noonan, Mick Prout, Canon Lee, Connie Danagher, Michael Quigley, Mick O'Neill, two boys in front of Canon Lee are Dinny and Chris (Cly) Mullins. Other people at back include Jim Williams (Clonmel), Stoney Brien, Jim Costigan, Willie Ryan and Jack Leahy.
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 photographs copied from the family album belonging to Fredrick Cribbens, husband of May Mackey, when he visited Fethard in September 1994. 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
Photograph taken on Slievenamon
Photograph taken on Slievenamon
Photograph taken on Slievenamon
Kathleen Ahearn 1946 (Jim's daughter)
Postman Jim Ahearn delivering post to a house in St. Patrick's Place.
Leaving Fethard by train 1946.
Alan, Kitty and Billy Power
Nan and Jim Ahearn
Group sitting in a room?
Mrs La Terriere's batty ponies at Kiltinan
Woman holding dogs at Kiltinan Castle.
Lady and boy holding pony
Fethard Parish Church altar. 1940s
Rock of Cashel
Staunton Row, Clonmel
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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