Thurles Information

Remove The Parking – Then Charge People To Park?

The removal of parking spaces is now harming town-centre businesses in both Cashel and Thurles.

Cllr Roger Kennedy recently raised the alarm at a meeting of the Tipperary – Cahir – Cashel Municipal District. He said road-realignment works in Cashel had removed 12 parking spaces, leaving fewer places for passing customers and discouraging people from stopping in to shop locally.

Thurles traders know this story only too well.
Successive traffic and public-realm changes have reduced town-centre parking, while the approved second phase of the Liberty Square scheme will remove further spaces.
Traders strongly opposed that plan, warning that it could damage businesses and put further jobs at risk. Nevertheless, it was proposed by Cllr Ms Peggy Ryan, seconded by Cllr Mr Seán Ryan and approved by the municipal-district members.
Against this background, Tipperary County Council is pressing ahead with countywide “harmonised” parking charges.

So who came up with that idea?
The review began following calls from Clonmel councillors. Former Director of Services, Mr Marcus O’Connor, promised the review, after which the council’s Infrastructure Strategic Policy Committee and officials developed the tiered charging system. The final Parking Bye-Laws 2026 were approved by the full County Council on 13th July 2026.

Background to the parking review.
Thurles already had paid parking, it dates back at least to the former Thurles Town Council’s 2005 bye-laws. In April 2025, the elected members of Thurles Municipal District adopted replacement bye-laws retaining paid parking in Thurles. The 2026 countywide scheme now places Thurles in Tier 2 and is intended to standardise parking charges across the county.

The council says parking charges encourage turnover and help make spaces available to shoppers. But that argument becomes increasingly difficult to accept when the council is simultaneously approving schemes that remove the very spaces shoppers need.

You cannot improve parking turnover in spaces that no longer exist.
You cannot encourage people to shop locally while making it progressively more difficult—and more expensive—for them to stop.
You cannot speak about revitalising town centres while ignoring traders who depend on passing customers and convenient short-stay parking.

The issue is not simply parking charges, nor is it simply the removal of spaces. It is the combined effect:

Fewer town-centre parking spaces.
Charges on much of what remains.
Increased competition from out-of-town retailers offering free parking.
Less convenience for older people and those with limited mobility.
Reduced passing trade for independent businesses.
Decisions proceeding despite strong concerns from local traders.

There was significant resistance even among councillors themselves. An amendment allowing municipal districts to provide a one-hour-free-parking option passed by only 19 votes to 17. That close vote shows how divided elected representatives were over the council executive’s original 20-minutes-free proposal.

Cashel and Thurles need a joined-up parking policy based on the actual number of spaces available, business needs, accessibility and independently measured town-centre footfall, not a one-size-fits-all charging exercise.

Before further spaces are removed or new charges take effect, Tipperary County Council should publish:

The total number of spaces removed in each town during the past five years.
The number due to be removed under approved schemes.
The expected effect on footfall and local businesses.
Current occupancy and turnover figures.
A clear plan for replacement parking.
The names and recorded votes of councillors who approved the relevant schemes and bye-laws.

Local businesses are being asked to survive with fewer customers, fewer convenient spaces and additional parking costs.
That is not town-centre regeneration, but rather an obstacle to it.

Thurles Planning Alerts From Tipperary County Council

Application Ref: 2660753.
Applicant: Martin Campbell.
Development Address: 37 Sean Tracey Avenue, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: for a new extension to the side of my existing dwelling and all associated siteworks.
Status: N/A.
Application Received: 31/07/2026.
Decision Date: N/A.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2660753/0.

Application Ref: 2660550.
Applicant: Jason Heskin.
Development Address: Brittas Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: extension to rear of house and permission for new domestic shed to rear of site and all associated site works.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 05/06/2026.
Decision Date: 28/07/2026.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2660550/0.

Application Ref: 2660391.
Applicant: Brendan Maher of BMA Performance LTD.
Development Address: Railway Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: the change of use from a light industrial unit to that of a gym/wellness facility, to include an open gym area, pilates studio, within the existing building along with associated car parking and site access.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 01/05/2026.
Decision Date: 30/07/2026.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2660391/0.

Death Of Donal Ryan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 5th August 2026 of Mr Donal Ryan, Garrangrena, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Donal and Kathleen; Mr Ryan sadly passed away suddenly at University Hospital Limerick, surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving sister Maureen and brother Andrew, aunt Peg, uncle James, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Rest In Peace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Ryan will repose at his home, (Eircom E41 P7D9), on tomorrow afternoon, Saturday August 8th, from 5:00pm until 8:00pm, same evening.
His funeral cortège will be received into the Church of the Sacred Heart, Pallas Street, Borrisoleigh, Thurles on Sunday afternoon, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 2:00pm, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St Brigid’s Cemetery, Borrisoleigh, Thurles Co. Tipperary.

The extended Ryan family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Death Of Joan Wade, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 5th August 2026, of Mrs Joan Wade (née Rochford), Kickham Place, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her beloved parents, Jackie and Peggy, brother John, and nephew Jason; Mrs Wade passed away, surrounded by her loving family, following a long illness most bravely borne, and while in the care of staff at Kilkenny Care Centre and St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughter Aisling, sons Daniel and Sean, adored granddaughter Holly, sister Mary, brothers Tommy and Paddy, brother-in-law Thomas Hamilton, her sisters-in-law Breda and Yvonne, nephews John, Darren and Adrian, nieces Margaret, Noelle, Denise and Gráinne, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended relatives, neighbours and her many dear friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Wade will repose at St Michael’s Church Mortuary, Mullinahone, Thurles on Saturday afternoon, August 8th, from 4:00pm until 5:30pm, before being received into the Church of St Michael at 6.00pm same evening, to further repose for evening Mass. (Reposing will continue following Mass, when the family of Mrs Wade will remain present to receive sympathies).

Requiem Mass will be offered for Mrs Wade on Sunday morning, August 9th, at 11:00am; followed by interment immediately afterwards in St Michael’s Cemetery, Kilaghy, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The extended Wade and Rochford families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

“The Wade and Rochford families wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to the management and staff of Kilkenny Care Centre, and to the doctors, nurses and staff of St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City, for the exceptional care, kindness and compassion shown to Mrs Wade throughout her illness. They also sincerely wish to thank everyone who has offered support, sympathy and kindness during this difficult time. Your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated.“

Solas na bhflaitheas agus leaba i measc na n-aingeal di.

Technical Errors Stall Proposed 42-Home Development in Thurles, Co. Tipperary

A proposal to deliver 42 new homes near the centre of Thurles has encountered an early planning setback after Tipperary County Council ruled the application invalid.

Coolross Homes Ltd submitted plans for the residential development on land at Innisfail, Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. The proposed scheme would provide a range of housing options, including two, three and four-bedroom houses alongside one and two-bedroom apartments.

The development site forms part of the grounds of Inisfail House, a protected structure understood to date from 1898. While the historic property is located within the application site, it would not be redeveloped as part of the current proposal.

Documents accompanying the application indicate that the company intends to lodge a separate planning submission concerning the future restoration and reuse of the house. In the meantime, some temporary work may be required to keep the building secure and protected from water damage.
An architectural heritage assessment prepared for the project said the proposed housing had been designed to retain the historic buildings and the established entrance from Kickham Street. It also concluded that the scheme would not adversely affect the setting or character of the protected structure.

Nine of the proposed homes were earmarked for transfer to Tipperary County Council. These properties would have been made available as social housing, to applicants on the local authority’s waiting list.
Accessibility was another feature highlighted in the plans. The proposed houses were designed so that residents could be provided with ground-floor living accommodation if their needs required it.
However, the council has not progressed to a full assessment of the development because of problems with the submitted documentation.

One issue concerned the public site notice, which did not state that the proposed work would take place within the curtilage or surrounding grounds of a protected structure. Council planners also found inconsistencies between the floor plans and roof plans supplied for one section of the development.

An invalid application is not the same as a refusal of planning permission. Instead, it means the submission has failed to meet certain administrative or documentation requirements and therefore cannot currently be considered on its planning merits.
Coolross Homes must now correct the identified errors and submit a new application if it wishes to advance the project. Once a valid application is lodged, the council can begin its formal assessment and the public consultation process can proceed.