Johnny Sheehan — A Century of Craft and Character

Johnny Sheehan, Fethard, pictured with a plaque presented to him from The Irish Woodturners Guild, to mark his personal achievement of still turning beautiful pieces of wood at 100 years of age.

Earlier this year, Fethard man Johnny Sheehan reached a remarkable milestone — his 100th birthday — and on a recent visit to the Irish Woodturners Guild, he was presented with a plaque in recognition of his being a 'centenarian turner', still working from the small workshop behind his home at St. Patrick’s Place, where the steady hum of the lathe still sounds most days as Johnny continues to shape bowls, lamp stands and candlesticks from blocks of Irish timber. His pieces, polished and precise, reflect a lifetime’s care and patience — and a deep love for working with wood.

In retirement — though Johnny never truly retired — he turned his attention to woodturning, joining the Irish Woodturners Guild, where his craftsmanship and good humour have made him a respected member. Johnny Sheehan continues to inspire all who know him — a craftsman, a storyteller, and a true Fethard gentleman who has never forgotten the value of work well done. “I might take a rest in the morning,” he laughs, “but after lunch, I’ll be back out to the shed.”

The Irish Woodturners Guild is a non-profit organisation that was founded in 1983. It is run by a National Executive of unpaid volunteers. It currently has 18 Chapters around the country and over 400 members, Its aim is to promote the craft of woodturning and support woodturners in all aspects of their craft.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results
Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for November 4, 2025, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 9, 16, 29 and 33. We had no Jackpot winner and two Match 3 winners received €75 each: Garry O'Dwyer and Majella Daly. One lucky dip winner received €100: Chloe Wynne. The next draw takes place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, when the jackpot is €5,400.

Emigrants Newsletter now closed for submissions
We would like to thank all individuals, clubs and organisations who submitted items for inclusion in this year’s annual newsletter. The deadline has now passed, and we can no longer accept articles as the finishing touches are now being applied to get this year’s issue ready for printer.

Postage costs continue to increase every year, current postage prices range from €2.95 (Ireland); €7.30 (Britain & Europe); € 11.40 (Canada USA); to €15.60 (Australia and New Zealand) to post each Newsletter. Again, we aim to post these newsletters free of charge to all our emigrants and family members living away from home throughout the world. This is made possible by your generous donations from home and away, the annual sales of newsletters at home, the volunteers at home who help with packing and posting the Newsletter every year, and of course, all the individuals and organisations who supply photos and articles to include in each individual issue. If you wish to donate and help defray postal and printing costs, you can still do so online at www.fethard.com/donate/

'Light Up Fethard' coming soon!

Fethard Bridge Club Results
The results of our game on October 22 were:

• 1st Nett Gabrielle Schofield and Norah Ryan
• 2nd Nett Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny
• 3rd Nett Margaret Greene and Marie Holoha
• 1st Gross Ann O'Dea and Gemma Burke
• 2nd Gross Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh
• 3rd Gross Anna Cooke and Eileen Frewen

Bridge continues at 7pm every Wednesday in the card room at Fethard Ballroom. New members always welcome.

Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Social Dancing continues at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday night, November 9, 2025, to the music of, ‘Liam Mannering’. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a terrific night’s social dancing from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Admission is €10, which includes refreshments.

November Graveyards Rosary Timetable
Please join us in praying The Holy Rosary at the following graveyards during November. “It is a holy and wholesome thought, to pray for our dead!”

• Sunday November 9: Calvary - at 3pm; Peppardstown – at 3.30pm.
• Sunday November 16: Kiltinan-3pm; Kilmaclugh – 3.45pm.
• Sunday November 23: Rathcoole – 2.30pm; Redcity – 3.15pm; Tullamaine – 4pm.
• Sunday November 30: Killusty – After 10am Mass.Rosary Timetable
  

Thelma Griffith celebrates her 90th Birthday

Thelma Griffith (centre) photographed on the occasion of her 90th Birthday, with her co workers while serving as chairperson of Fethard & District Day Care Centre in the Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, Geraldine McCarthy (left), Day Care Supervisor, and Joan Donohoe (right), Fethard Community Scheme Supervisor.

Congratulations to Thelma Griffith on celebrating her 90th birthday in Fethard. Not long after coming to Fethard, Thelma restarted the Sunday School in the Church of Ireland vestry in 1995, following the last recorded Sunday School in Fethard being back in the mid 1920s.  Over the following months she became a very active member of Fethard Tidy Towns, Fethard & Killusty Community Council, Fethard Historical Society, and was a support member of the ‘Fethard to Fethard’ Annual Walk in aid of the Fethard Day Care Centre that took place in July 1997, that raised £9,215 after expenses.

Thelma was elected chairperson of Fethard & Killusty Day Care Centre in 1999, with the following committee: Brian O’Donnell (vice chairperson), Julie Wall (secretary), Agnes Evans (treasurer), Sr. Christine (Day Care Centre supervisor), Mary Fennel (South Eastern Health Board), Megan Sceats, Nellie Donovan, Phil Whyte, Jimmy Lawrence, Noreen Allen, Maura Tynan, Sean Ryan, Agnes Allen, Carmel Rice, Nora Lawrence, Mary Guider (Killenaule) and Joe Kenny (Community Council). The centre, based in the Fr. Tirry Centre, was running very successfully after its four years in operation.

Thelma worked tirelessly to promote the centre and raise funds with supervisor Sr. Christine, who started the ‘Friendship Club’. This club consisted of daily raffles, with the members donating all the prizes, be it baking, handmade, bric-a-brac, etc.  Out of the proceeds the members enjoyed an annual day trip and purchased items that helped the smooth running of the kitchen. Before long they had purchased their own minibus, driven by Liam Connolly, to collect and drive home clients from Cloneen, Killenaule, Drangan and outlying areas.

In the following years, as the Day Care Centre catered for far more clients and further opened their doors from three days to five days. Thelma became the main fundraiser, organising very successful Christmas bazaars over many years, table quizzes and always pushing us all to do more and better for the elderly.

Thelma is the personification of what being a Christian means.
Thelma celebrated her birthday with her fellow parishioners and Day Care family, including past and present staff, at their new home in the Presentation Convent.  We wish her many more happy and healthy years and thank her sincerely for her unwavering support and work in our community over her many years living among us. Happy Birthday Thelma!

Fethard & Killusty Community Council's 'Split The Cash' Lotto


Well done to Emma Webster for winning our Community Split The Pot of €260 this week. Ticket drawn by Gerry Murphy. Thank you to everyone who supports our weekly draw. All money raised from this draw will be used to benefit our town.

Our next draw takes place on Thursday, November 6. Envelopes are €2 each or 3 for €5 and are available at the Tirry Community Centre, Kennys Centra Fethard, Lonergan's Bar, Fethard, and Butlers Off Licence, Fethard. Also we have a new scan to pay option. Please remember to fill in all three envelopes if you avail of the 'Three for €5' special offer.

Irish Mythology Exhibition Open

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results
There was no jackpot winner in the Parish Lotto on Thursday, October 30, 2025. The numbers drawn were 4, 7, 14, and 22. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Aoife Dillon. Next week's Jackpot for Thursday, November 6, is €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

Fethard beaten in the South U21 A Football semifinal
On Sunday, October 26, 2025, the South Tipperary U21 A Football semifinal was a thrilling game from start to finish with both teams level seven times, and the game going to extra time with Fethard losing in the finish by two points, on a scoreline Fethard 2-14 to Moyle Rovers 4-10.

In the first half Fethard scored 0-6 to Moyle Rovers1-4, the points coming from Liam Kiely, Charlie Walsh, Charlie Hackett, Mark Neville and a two-pointer from Jack Quinlan. Ben Allen came to the rescue on two occasions, making a great save and intervention just before the short whistle to keep a point between the sides. In the 35th minute we lost our keeper to an injury while trying to prevent a Moyle Rovers goal. He was replaced by Alex Knightly.

Fethard scored a point from a free from Mark Neville in the 37th minute. Charlie Walsh scored a goal after a great movement to bring the teams level again. Moyle Rovers had four points up before Shane Neville set up John Lacey for a great point. We then had an exchange of points from both corner forwards. Our Charlie Walsh was also denied a goal with Brian Morrison, Moyle Rovers corner forward and a thorn in our side, scored another point from play.

In the 58th minute, Michael Quinlan set up John lacey, who in turn found Conor Neville, who scored a great goal in the 60th minute.  A free for dissent brought forward 50m, let Mark Neville score a point and draw level at 3-7 to 2-10, and bringing the game to extra time.

The first period was a physical battle on all fronts with both sides reduced to fourteen players. Rovers scored a simple goal and a point to lead by four points at the interval. In the final ten minutes Fethard really fought back to try and win the battle, scoring four points, with Jack Quinlan scoring 0-3 and Mark Neville 0-1.  Rovers scored two points leaving Fethard with not just enough to get over the line with time running out. We lost by two points in a great game.

Best on the day for Fethard were Ben Allen, Shane Neville, Dara O’Meara, John Lacey, Jack Quinlan, Conor Neville, Charle Walsh and Mark Neville. Scorers Charlie Walsh 1-2, Jack Quinlan 0-5 (2ptr), Mark Neville 0-4 (3F), Conor Neville 1-0, Liam Kiely, John Lacey, Charlie Hackett.

Team: Ben Allen, Michael J Phelan, Rory O’Mahony, Michael O’Meara, Shane Neville , Dara O‘Meara, Noah O’Flynn, John Lacey, Darragh Spillane, Liam Kiely, Jack Quinlan, Charlie Hackett, Conor Neville, Mark Neville, and Charlie Walsh. Subs used: Alex Knightly 35m, Danny Barry for Michael O’Meara 45m. – (Match Report Noel Byrne)

St. Rita's Camogie Club Fethard
On behalf of everyone at St. Rita’s Camogie Club, we would like to wish the very best of luck to Clodagh Foley and Izzy Maher, who line out with Peil Na MBan Naomh Padraig in their Munster Junior Football Final this Saturday. It’s a momentous occasion for the club as they contest their first ever Munster Final. What an incredible achievement for the girls. Go out enjoy the day, and give it everything!

Fethard & Killusty Community Council AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place at 8pm on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, in the Tirry Centre, Barrack Street, Fethard.

Tractor Run in aid of Fethard Schools November 29

Light Up Fethard Vintage Car & Tractor Run promises to be one of the brightest events this year, in conjunction with Coolmoyne and Moyglass Vintage Club. Proceed will go towards Fethard’s schools and we encourage all to join in the fun with your lit-up vintage vehicles. Registration takes place from 6pm to 6.45 pm at Fethard Town Wall at Watergate. The run will commence at 7pm. Fee is €20 per vehicle entered.

Christmas Cookery Demo, Nov 6 at Fethard Ballroom

Don’t miss our Christmas Cooking Demo in Fethard Ballroom on November 6 from 7.30pmm featuring Sinéad Delahunty, Delalicious, cookbook author and food educator; plus Live Cocktail Demo and Bites with Sadler’s Restaurant; and Flower Arrangement demo with Flower’s by Mandy, Fethard. Tickets costing €25 are available now from Sadler’s Restaurant, O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy, Dalton’s Pharmacy, Fethard Horse Country Experience or committee members.

Christmas Shoebox Appeal


The Christmas Shoebox Appeal is an Irish project that promises to get your 'Christmas Shoebox' into the hands of a needy child in Eastern Europe. All they ask is for you to fill a shoebox with a range of simple Christmas gifts, and drop it off at your local drop off point at Centra, Fethard, or Monica Pollard, Rocklow Road, up and including Monday, November 10, 2025. Monica also has some wrapped empty Shoeboxes available if someone needs one. HOW TO BUILD A SHOEBOX

All you need to do is get an average size shoebox (or a plastic storage container would also be great), and wrap it with Christmas paper. This year we are very short of empty shoe boxes and would be very grateful if anyone has some, to please drop them in to Fethard Community Centre.

Big Picture: Holy Year Cross Slievenamon 1950s

This photograph was the second pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon taken on June 29, 1951, and we've had many requests to identify some of those in the photograph while we still have people with us that can. If you are one of those, please email us at: fethardnews@gmail.com and send us your valuable information, using the number on photograph along with the name of the person you recognise. We will publish same at a later stage as we receive them.

You can zoom in closer to see more detail by clicking the photograph to zoom-in, and double-clicking the photograph to zoom-out or use the controls when you hover at the bottom of the photograph. 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

A Summary of the names received (including duplicates)

001 - Garda Dan Evans, Congress Terrace
004 - Bridget Penfold (née Darcy) 1912-1991
004 - Nora O’Shea Quartercross
005 - Hannah Darcy (née Curran) mother of Jim Darcy
007 - Pat Byrne Claremore
008 - Tommy O'Connell, Main Street
009 - ? Pollard
010 - Johnny Sheehan?
011 - Christy Williams?
011 - Kearney Jack or Frank Killusty?
011 - Mick Kearney
013 - Jim Corr, Cappadrummin  (died 1954 aged just 53)
013 - Tim Tierney, Burke Street
015 - John (Jack) Corr (possibly a brother of Jim}
021 - Mrs Phil Darcy Killusty
022 - Nora Evans, Congress Terrace
025 - Connie Ryan Killurney
025 - Jim Kenny Grove (young adult)
026 - Jack Sprig Nagle Tinrush
027 - Pa Gleeson Cloran
034 - Sheehan ?
038 - Tommy Pollard Quartercross
044 - Alice O'Neill (née Dunne)
048 – Byrne ?
049 - Mick Halpin Killusty South
051 – Babe Ann McLellan, Main Street
052 - Possibly one of the McLennan boys
053 - Mrs Sergeant Byrne, Main Street
054 - Jim Darcy Killusty South
059 - Joe Ryan, Roebucksland, Fethard.
060 - Dolly Ryan, Roebucksland, Fethard.
065 - Mary Barnable Hill Wall
066 - May Lonergan (helper to Mary Barnable).

Faces and Places from the Past
This week we have a variety of old photographs from our files with little or no information. Maybe someone out there will be able to help. We invite people to let us know any names, or any other information that we can add to our files for future generations. If anyone can help us, please do and send any comments, photo information, names, to fethardnews@gmail.com

Eugene Mullins, Coventry, UK, identified these two ladies. The lady at the front is Elizabeth McGee better known to everyone as Ede Curran who lived in The Valley and the lady at the back is her mother.

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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