Thurles Information

One of the largest Fashion and Beauty evenings ever undertaken in Co Tipperary to date, will take place in Dundrum House Hotel on March 2nd next organised by Dundrum Tidy Towns Committee.

The show, aptly entitled “Divas & Diamonds,” will feature Celia Holman Lee and models from the Holman Lee Agency. Her professional models will be showing clothing, jewellery, shoes and other fashion accessories by leading retailers, e.g. Le Chateau, Footsteps & Stakelums Fashions (Thurles), Fran & Jane (Clonmel), Mr Mister (Mitchelstown),  Kilkenny Shop & Golden Threads (Cashel) and Pageant Boutique (Tipperary Town).

(Click on poster image for larger resolution)

The evening will also include a Wine & Canapé reception on arrival at 6.30pm, a Fashion & Beauty exhibition, a style talk by Fashion TV Presenter Celia Holman Lee, the Fashion Show itself, beginning at 8.00pm sharp, followed by music in “The Venue,” provided by top entertainer Willie Bun. Note the event will also feature “Best Dressed Awards,” with lovely prizes to be won, so “don your best frock,” ladies.

The event promises to be a fabulous evening of fashion entertainment and your chance to view Tipperary’s full range of retail fashion stock all under one roof. Tickets costing just €20 are available by telephoning Cait on 087 244 1265, Michelle on 062 – 71116, Collette on 087 852 0248, Claire’s Hair Studio & The Beauty Suite (Dundrum) or from the Fashion Houses participating.

Dundrum Tidy Towns Committee was formally established in February 2010 and is constituted as an “open,” committee with three elected officers, namely a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.

Since it’s formation the Committee has been ably chaired by D.J. Butler, with the support of Vera O’Dwyer as Treasurer and Kyran Colgan as Secretary. Active membership consists of approximately 10 people, with supplemental support from a further 10 associated members, from time to time as work and planning demands.

The committee has now participated in two National Tidy Towns competitions and have made considerable progress since their inception.  They scored a very creditable 269 points in the 2010 competition which placed them joint third with Newcastle in their county category, and with only Emly and Kilsheelin (Both National winners) ahead of them. With an increased effort from everyone last year, and with the benefit of a full year of planning, they managed to improve their score in the competition by a further 9 points up to 278.

The activities of the Committee have given a fantastic boost to local community spirit and village awareness. The Committee’s activities to date have been funded by modest grants, donations, and fund raising activities. However, they now need to undertake more ambitious projects, which will require a greater level of funding and support.

The village is fortunate to be home to a fine array of historic buildings and features, as well as a fantastic natural environment and high quality outdoor amenities. The Committee’s long term aim is to maintain, improve and integrate all these assets in a way which will enhance the village experience for both residents and visitors alike. They hope that this in turn will help the village develop an even stronger sense of identity and continue it’s evolution, to being both a vibrant business centre and a gateway for leisure and environmental tourism.

They hope that this forthcoming Fashion Show, to be held in Dundrum House Hotel on the 2nd. March 2012 will give them the financial foundation to embark on a number of projects already identified in the village this year.

Note your calender:  Venue: Dundrum House Hotel;  Date: 2nd. March 2012;   Ticket Cost: €20;  Time: 6.30pm till Late.

Tipperary Beauty, Miss Rozanna Purcell

The “Luck of the Irish” has been slow to materialise with regard to the Miss Universe Pageant down the years.

Sure enough, Miss Roberta Brown almost made it in 1983 when she was placed as second runner-up to Lorraine Downes who represented New Zealand.  Then there were of course the “also ran”  finishes, by the Irish lovelies, Julie Ann Farnham in 1975, Loraine Bernadette Enriquez in 1977, Olivia Tracey in 1985 and Andrea Roche in 1997. However Ireland’s beautiful women have always fallen short in the final first place selections, unlike the Miss World contenders, whose performance continues to maintain a relatively high standard.

Well that was before Co.Tipperary entered the fray, this year, with 19 year old top Irish model Miss Rozanna Purcell, a native of Clonmel, here in Co. Tipperary.

Top Irish model and Miss Universe Ireland 2010, who stands 5’9″ tall with light brown hair, isn’t just your average top quality eye candy, there’s brains and not a little self confidence travelling with this classic Tipperary beauty this year.

The quick witted and focused Miss Purcell, who spent her early life growing up on a horse breeding farm here in Tipperary, is presently a full time student, studying Politics in University College Dublin (UCD). Between studies she has carved out a very successful modelling career with Assets Model Agency in Lower Leeson Street, Dublin, and in addition, she is UCD’s Representative on Politics. In 2007, she was selected to act as an Ambassador for Ireland in Ecuador as part of the Experience International Living (EIL) program, working on the renovation of a school in the Riobamba region, and funding book supplies for the school through her many fund-raising activities here in Ireland.

While many would feel that the whole Miss Universe concept is disrespectful of her sex, Rozanna is quick to point out that this pageant serves as a platform to empower young women to celebrate the many forms of worldwide beauty, while helping women throughout the world to achieve their career goals, giving them the opportunity to become both National and International role models.

This is one very positive and focused young lady and the eyes and hopes of a nation will be on her when she represent her country and county in Miss Universe 2010 in Las Vegas, USA on August 23rd, 2010.

This year looks like our best chance ever to take home this coveted title and Tipperary and the Irish Nation wish her every success. We think the “Luck of the Irish” won’t be necessary in this particular case.