Irish Phrase Of The Day "Dia duit" - God to you.
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 Aldi, the German discount supermarket giant, have submitted a planning application to set up a new development at the former SuperValu store at Springfort Retail Park, Nenagh Co Tipperary. Aldi purchased the store last month having been refused permission previously to trade at a nearby site, following an objection lodged by Nenagh Chamber of Commerce.
While Nenagh Town Council had previously given the ‘go ahead,’ for Aldi’s previous plan, the Town Council’s decision was further appealed by Nenagh Chamber of Commerce, which, while not opposed to the retail giant coming to Nenagh, argued that the company should find a town centre site for its store. An Bord Pleanála generally accepted this view, and ruled that a peripherally located Aldi would greatly detract from Nenagh’s town centre.
Nenagh Town Council will decide whether or not to grant planning permission in the coming weeks, or may seek further information and clarification from Aldi. Shopkeepers in the town’s centre, in general, are expected to welcome this application, which is basically in line with Nenagh town’s current development plan, latter which strongly recommends that Town planners and Management first protect the town centre, where many business sites are presently available for use. Springfort Retail Park is situated however 1 kilometre to the south-west of Nenagh town centre, on the main Limerick Road
This German owned discount retailer currently operates over 8,000 stores worldwide, of which 84 are based here in Ireland, including one profitable outlet in Thurles.
 There are fears tonight for the future of 30 jobs in Thurles, following plans to close the former Liam Carroll Transport Depot.
MasterLink Logistics, with established warehousing in Dublin, Cork & Galway, who took over some of the work of the failed Liam Carroll Transport Depot in 2010, are understood to have informed their staff this week that the Cabra, plant in Thurles, Co Tipperary, will close with effect from January 29th next.
Former owners of the Liam Carroll Transport Group, which ceased trading over night, due to bad debts and the economic downturn, were immediately taken over by Masterlink Logistics, who stepped into the breach, confirming that it would be recruiting possibly 70 of the then 119 employees, then left jobless as a direct result of Liam Carroll Transports closure.
Reason for the closure of this Masterlink Depot, however is uncertain, but expensive diesel levies, carbon taxes and the lack of any real industry in Thurles, together with a lack of any political will regarding real job creation in the town, a policy carried over from the previous government, are identified as the most likely cause.
Following the Governments Budget announcements of the 6th of December, the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) had expressed extreme disappointed with the failure, to acknowledge the licensed road haulage industry and the contribution the sector made to the overall economy. The Association’s pre-budget submissions were understood to be very practical and had same been implemented, would have resulted in an overall net gain for the Irish exchequer.
Our three local elected politicians to-date, have remained silent over this now expected closure.
 Christmas Lights - Thurles Town Centre It’s Monday afternoon and God knows we need a bit of good news at the start of the working week, here in Thurles.
From a Christmas point of view, I am happy to relate that so far today the signs are looking good.
Joan Pollard Carew, spokesperson for “Thurles Traders Unite,” informs me that the high streets of Thurles will soon ring out to the sounds of seasonal Christmas music. This initative is due in no small way to the hard work and dedication of the members of ‘Thurles Traders Unite,’ a group of high street traders who formed their association, just a few short weeks ago. Shopkeepers have been more than generous in donating money to create a fund, thus in turn enabling this new task force to organise and provide this music and also to further promote high street shopping here in Thurles.
Thurles Town Council have generously given free parking in the towns car parks on the four Saturdays prior to Christmas. (Note: 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th of December only)
Most retail outlets on the Thurles high streets are also offering parking refunds to their customers. (Another innovative idea from “Thurles Traders Unite.”)
Thurles town centre, again this year, boasts some of the best displays of Christmas lighting, anywhere in Ireland. This fabulous display is paid for by all rate paying shops in the town centre. Thurles Town Council took over the management of this project a number of years ago and have been doing such a wonderful job (Thanks John Ryan and Staff) to ensure that our town, in the words of a well known song, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”
Everywhere in the county, because of the present economic situation, most consumers are spending less this year. However, from a consumers point of view, this is beneficial, with shops now on the high streets of Thurles, who incidentally, have a huge selection of retail goods on offer, offering super bargains on individual items. So do make an effort to drop into our town centre and have a good look around. By doing so you help to retain our traditional town centre, while at the same time maximising you own spending power.
On the employment front, some good news also. Noel Coonan TD informs me this morning, that the average waiting time for Garda Vetting procedure, has now fallen from twelve to five weeks waiting time. Justice Minister Alan Shatter has confirmed this reduction which was made possible by the appointment of 20 temporary staff to the Thurles Garda Vetting Unit.
People who were currently undergoing vetting were finding, up to now, this procedure to be a lengthy and delayed process for people who had applied for jobs and in some cases people had been unable to take up a working position, due to these long delays. In September of this year, Minister Shatter said in the Chamber of Leinster House, that he fully appreciated the importance of processing vetting applications within a reasonable time frame and he was determined to address this aspect of the process. The average processing time for applications has now been lessened to five weeks, which is a significant improvement on the average processing time of 12 weeks at the end of last year.
Garda Vetting is carried out by the Garda Central Vetting Unit which is based in Thurles, Co. Tipperary. The Unit processes requests from organisations that have been registered with it, to vet prospective employees including people working with children or vulnerable people.
All in all, not a bad day, let see what tomorrow brings.
“A speech worthy of a wider audience,” was how Tom Noone, the acting Master of Ceremonies, ably described it on Saturday night last, on the occasion of a banquet, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Thurles Credit Union. Fully supporting Tom’s remark, Thurles.Info is proud to publish, in full, the text of this speech, made at this event, by Guest Speaker, Thurles born, Mark Fielding, Chief Executive of ISME.
Note: ISME is the independent organisation for the Irish small and medium business sector, with in excess of 8,500 members nationwide. ISME’s mission is to independently represent, promote and support owner/managers of small and medium enterprises and be vigilant, decisive, and direct in promoting and defending their interests, while helping members to better manage and grow their business through the provision of excellent information and services.
If you are a small business presently seeking direction, a Minister or Politician (regardless of your party affiliations) a Union organiser, then this text is a must read in full, and at least twice. For in this text Mr Mark Fielding amply expresses the most intimate thoughts and feelings of the people of Ireland today, especially in the light of our current financial state.
Read Mark Fielding’s Address:
“Where there is no vision the people perish.“
“The founders of Thurles Credit Union in 1961 had a vision. I would like to congratulate the Thurles Credit Union, Board, Supervisors, Management and Staff and the members themselves on your anniversary, and on the valuable work that you have carried out since the inception of the organisation in 1961.
 Mark Fielding, Chief Executive, ISME. Credit unions are economically important as they mobilise household savings as loans, and socially important, as that they help create community social capital. Guided by that philosophy, the fundamental business purpose is to provide high quality financial services at fair prices to anyone who wants them. By excelling at this purpose, they build the capital reserves needed for sustainability. They are a vital store of intergenerational capital and a facilitator of community social capital.
In time consolidation may see the network consolidate down to less than 100 larger, sustainable credit unions, while maintaining most of the existing branch footprint. Wisely used, state funding will restructure credit unions into a modern credit co-operative system.
Some local politicians have accused Mathew Elderfield of driving people into the arms of loan sharks. Perhaps they should consider why so many credit unions are in financial trouble and why others like Thurles CU are in rude health; why lending has been restricted in some and continues to grow in places like Thurles. It is important to distinguish between a credit union and the people who govern and manage them and here again Thurles is an exemplar.
With the Government and Central Bank intent on stabilising the sector, credit unions need to realise the opportunity it proposes and through prudent management, become a leader in the sector.
When I was asked to speak on this occasion I began to think about what I would have said to a gathering of Thurles people back in 1961, the year of the birth of this fine Credit Union. So Imagine, if you would, what someone like me would say about the FUTURE, back there in 1961, allowing our fancy take flight, looking forward to the next 50 years, back then.
Continue reading Mark Fielding – No Vision People Perish
 Department of Social Protection I suppose it was the day every employer fears, the unexpected arrival mid month, of the officious brown envelope, bearing the insignia of a black harp.
Patrick Ryan, an elderly Tipperary farmer, received such a letter from the Department of Social Protection recently. The letter stated that they suspected he was not paying his employees the Statutory Minimum Wage. The letter further stated that they, the Department, now felt it necessary to send an Inspector to audit Paddy’s affairs and to interview him, personally.
Sure enough, on the appointed day and true to the Department’s promise, a rather stern looking Inspector, complete with heavy black rimmed glasses and matching black leather briefcase, turned up to Paddy’s farm house door, apparently oblivious of “Shep,” Paddy’s rather cross and aging sheepdog.
Parking himself on a chair at the kitchen table, he began to interview Paddy. “Tell me Mr Ryan about your present employees, how many staff do have working here on your farm at present? ” he began.
“Well now let me think,” said Paddy, “First I suppose there’s the farm hand, I pays him about €240 a week, and he has the free use of a cottage, its the gate lodge near the entrance, as you drove in.”
“Then of course there’s the housekeeper,” said Paddy, obviously thinking carefully. “Now I believe she gets €190 a week, along with free board and lodgings, here in the main house.”
“Then of course we mustn’t forget the village idiot, he is a bit of a half-wit. He works about 16 hours a day, seven days a week, and does 90% of the manual labour. He earns around €25 a week, or whatever is spare at the time, along with the occasional bottle of whisky thrown in. Oh, and as a special treat, occasionally he is allowed to sleep with my wife.”
“That’s really disgraceful,” said the Inspector, “I would like to interview this half-wit immediately.”
“No problem,” replied Paddy “Sure it will be me you need to talk to then.“
 Rib World Clonmel Jobs continues to be under threat here in Co Tipperary. This statement is borne out with the news that the Clonmel, Co Tipperary company, STGN Ltd, trading as Rib World, which specialises in the processing of vacuum-packed cooked pork ribs, has now gone into receivership.
The Bank of Scotland have now appointed Mr Liam Dowdall of Smith & Williamson Freany as receiver and manager to the company, which will continue to operate at full capacity, retaining its 65 employees, until same is sold as a going concern. Mr Dowdall met with employees at the company, following his appointment, stating he was confident that a buyer would be found quickly.
Rib World, established in 2004 and situated at Fethard Road, Carrigeen Industrial Estate, Clonmel, is one of Europe’s largest producers of pre-cooked pork ribs. It currently operates an ultra modern processing operation and has a strong core market in both Ireland and abroad.
Founder and Managing Director of Rib World, Scandinavian born Mr Bo Nielsen, had worked in the food industry for over 20 years, prior to starting this enterprise with partners, together with financial and other assistance from the Irish Government agency Enterprise Ireland.
 Mr Binman Fears mount over the future of 500 jobs after Kieran Wallace and Padraic Monaghan were appointed as joint receivers, to the waste collection service “Mr Binman,” earlier this week.
The “Mr Binman,” waste collection service is based in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, but operates subsidiary offices in Tipperary and also counties Clare and Galway, employing 331 staff. A further 200 jobs are indirectly linked to the Company through contracting and other support operations.
The companies’ biggest creditor, Bank of Scotland, owed €53m, stated that the receivers appointed would operate the business as a going concern in the “short to medium term”.
The bank confirmed that wages would be paid and waste collection services, at more than 50,000 households, would be maintained during that time.
“Mr. Binman,” is a privately owned company providing a waste collection and recycling service to household customers since 1994. Mr. Binman is one of the most progressive and environmentally conscious waste disposal companies in Ireland. The company was the first recycling plant in the mid-west region to obtain an EPA Waste Licence.
 Liberty Square The first Task Force meeting of the Thurles Traders Unite committee took place in “The Commercial Room,” in Hayes Hotel, Liberty Square, last evening. (26th October at 6pm.)
Reports, immediately following, state that the meeting was both positive and informative, with a delegation elected to meet with Thurles Town Council Executive and local Councillors on Monday 7th November at 6.30pm, at their Slievenamon offices. The Traders Unite Task Force will again meet in Hayes Hotel on Monday 7th November at 7.15pm, following on from this meeting with Thurles Town Council Officials, to further discuss the progress made by this deputation.
Issues discussed at Wednesday evenings meeting, raised many questions and suggestion in relation to:- Parking, Traffic Management, Tourism and charges regarding present Commercial Rates to local traders.
A review of a planned “Group Advertising Package,” for the town were discussed and planned at length, and a leaflet, containing up to date costs and information on this subject, will now be delivered to all traders on Thurles high streets, in the coming week.
Discount Parking Stickers, sponsored by Thurles Photo Station in Friar Street, Thurles, have now been printed and beginning on Monday next, participating traders / shops will offer 30 minutes free parking, to all customers of premises displaying this 5in x 7in sticker, which can be viewed by customers on shop windows. Please Note: Customers are asked to pay for parking as usual and they will be refunded later, by all shops supporting this new venture.
A motion was passed at the meeting, offering every assistance and support to the upcoming Thurles Christmas Market on 11th December next. All shops will be open in Thurles on that day, and all offering customers some very attractive deals.
In the meanwhile, an Email address has now been set up for this New Task force, and traders and others interested groups are invited to use same to contact the organisation, with constructive submissions which they feel are worthy of further planning, discussion and promotion. Please note this contact Email address is :- thurlestradersunite@gmail.com
A Facebook account, using the name Thurles Traders Unite has now also been set up and local Traders and other interested bodies are invited to join, thus keeping up to date with all relevant Thurles Town information.
For more updates watch this space and do remember if at all possible, please shop local, as future local employment depends on your loyalty to local businesses.
On Wednesday 19th October last, over thirty retailers from the high streets of Thurles attended a meeting in Hayes Hotel Liberty Square, Thurles, to form a Traders Unite Association. This association is inclusive of all traders in Liberty Square, Friar Street, West Gate, Croke Street, Baker Street, Parnell Street, The Mall, Kickham Street and Mitchell Street. The meeting was very positive and participation from traders was informative and uplifting, with brilliant ideas put forward for consideration.
The agenda and aspirations addressed at this Association meeting, chaired by Joan Pollard Carew, (Michael’s Jewellers) came under the following headings:-
(1)Parking issues; (2) Traffic management; (3) Promoting individuality of shopping experience on our high streets; (4) Group advertising campaign, and (5) Music on our streets for Christmas 2011.
 Thurles Traders Unite Association Meeting Endeavouring to address parking issues for Thurles customers, a decision was made to offer free parking to all customers. Indeed at the time of going to press tonight, notices are being designed for shop windows and are expected to be be displayed in participating stores within the next seven days.
All customer who spend a minimum of €10 in Thurles shops, bearing this notice, will be refunded 30 minutes of their parking charges. Smart shoppers will be aware that they can actually, by visiting 4 shops, receive a €2 refund, despite having only paid €1.20 for parking.
It was also mooted that if the Town Council and traders could carve out a deal, where the old style parking discs could be made available, then traders could actually give a disc to their customers and everyone would gain considerably. To this end it was agreed that a delegation from this new Association would meet with the Councillors and Executives of the Town Council and these ideas would be amongst other issues for future discussion.
On Thurles traffic management the mood of the meeting confirmed that the present pedestrian lights system was causing unnecessary traffic jams and numerous safety issues were raised. Again these will be debated when the Association meets with Town Council officials.
To further promote high street shopping in Thurles the Traders Unite Association are considering numerous advertising packages, involving local and national media, in an effort to sustain present levels of employment and information for customers.
Thurles high streets have numerous outlets, selling a diverse range of goods and offering services, thus offering consumers a much better choice. As most shops are family owned and run these businesses can also offer a much more personal service.
The meeting was informed of a Christmas Market to take place in Liberty Square on 11th December. Stall holders will be decked out in period costumes with a proposed Faction Fight , together with Christmas music in the background, under the usual wonderful display of Christmas lighting. This event promises to be an exciting day for all the family. It will also showcase Thurles town centre, and children please note, Santa Claus has accepted an invitation to be present at this event. (More about this Christmas Market and it’s organisers in the coming days, so do stay tuned.)
Greater use of our towns successful Thurles.Info website was also encouraged, this service is free and should now be utilised by local traders for promotions and offers in their stores. The new Hidden Tipperary website is also a wonderful medium of both information and education for the county. Tourism or at least the lack of same was another issue raised, as this industry is not tapped into, in Thurles. Industry means business and as a group this association intends to now promote our town as a real tourist destination.
It was decided, by this meeting, not to form a traditional committee, rather it was felt that hierarchy was of no advantage and would be actually more of a hindrance to the future success of this new Association. The decision then to form a task force of ten traders to handle the day to day running of the Association and thus form smaller groups, to focus on current issues relating to traders, was adopted.
This newly elected task force is a diverse group of traders from across the retail industry in Thurles and are named as follows:-
John Butler, Paul Scully, Gabriella McLoughney, Catriona Griffin, Frances Boyle, William Kinane, Diarmud Moran, Paul McEvitt, George Willoughby and Joan Pollard Carew.
The next meeting of the Association’s task force will be October 25th next at 8.00pm in Hayes Hotel and progress reports will issue on a regular basis.
Joan Pollard Carew, who chaired the meeting, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Association, to the Management of Hayes Hotel, who provided accommodation for this event, free of charge.
Picture courtesy G.Willoughby, Thurles.
 Liberty Square, Thurles. To quote a well known Chinese Proverb “Better to light a candle, than to curse the darkness.”
With this in mind, Thurles.Info have learned today that a meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday 19th October next, in Hayes Hotel, Liberty Square, Thurles, Co Tipperary. The intended purpose of this meeting is to form a Traders Unite Association, encompassing the town of Thurles.
This new association, if formed, will be inclusive of all traders in Liberty Square, Friar Street, West Gate, Croke Street, Parnell Street, The Mall, Kickham Street and Mitchell Street.
Many existing traders believe that the old historical market town of Thurles must now be strengthened, if is to be retained for future generations, while permitting both retailers and customers to enjoy discerning shopping and thus continue to retain and create continued local employment and future sustainability.
The aims of any new association if formed, will be to address and find solutions with regard to:-
- Parking Issues.
- Traffic management.
- Promote the individuality of the shopping experience on our high streets.
- Group Advertising packages. (Details on the night)
- Music on our Streets for Christmas. (Details on the night)
- Election of officers for any proposed new association.
Please note your Diary:- Time: 8.00pm. Date: Wednesday 19th October. Venue: Hayes Hotel.
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