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 Ben & Una pictured with local friends on a recent trip home. The Saturdays girl band member and Thurles native Una Healy cried tears of joy on stage last night , when her band-mate Rochelle Wisemanit, announced, not unexpectedly, that the gorgeous Una is to marry.
The fellow band member told a packed audience at London’s O2 arena, that Una had said ‘yes,’ to Northampton full-back, English rugby star and love of her life, Mr Ben Foden.
The 30-year-old beauty, who is currently expecting the couples first child, is due to give birth to a baby girl in March.
The girl band are currently on tour and will play in their “All Fired Up!” tour at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast tonight, followed by a gig in Dublin on Monday 19th next, when they will hit the O2 Arena.
The Thurles native stated “We’ll get married eventually but I want it to be special, not hurried.”
The flame haired beauty has been in the company of 26 year old Ben Foden, since 2008, after he persuaded his agent to approach her regarding a possible first date.
From Thurles, Co Tipperary go our congratulations and best wishes to Una and Ben, for their future happiness together.
Photo courtesy G.Willoughby.
It’s hard to describe the magic of candlelight, particularly in church at Christmas time, however we would like you to share with us and experience it for yourself.
To this end “Vocalize,” will perform their new original show “Christmas By Candlelight,” at St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Thurles, on Saturday 17th December next. The performing group “Vocalize,” are no strangers to Thurles theatre lovers and consist of some of the towns most harmonious and talented voices.
“Vocalize,” Videographer and Sound Technician, Garry Butler has been to rehearsals and sends us just a small clip of what music lovers can expect on the night.
Do come listen to the golden voices of Katie & Claire Lawless, Maria Griffin, Stacey Taylor, Peter Donnelly and Damian Sweeney, together with David McElgunn, and others under the wonderful musical direction of Geraldine Delaney. All will be performing by candlelight and you’ll feel like you’ve just taken a step back in time, when you join them for this most enchanting and emotional of local event.
Expect Christmas songs with a difference and of a new world, songs like; ‘I Need A Silent Night,’ ‘Hope Is Born Again,’ ‘A baby changes everything,’ and my own favourite ‘Christmas is.’
Of course one of the earliest stagings of Christmas music by candlelight began in the 19th century, when Cornish Miners in Moonta, South Australia (As this sites Irish /Australian able ambassador Katie O’Connell Nott will attest. “Happy Christmas from all in Tipperary & Thurles to all of you Katie.”) would gather on Christmas Eve to sing carols lit with candles, stuck to the brims of their safety hats. Today the tradition has spread around the world and is happening here in Thurles this year for the first time in St. Mary’s Church.
Tickets for this event will cost you €10 and are available from Bookworm, in Liberty Square, Thurles, with total proceeds going to a most worthy cause, the Suir Haven, Thurles Cancer support centre.
So come along to St. Mary’s and for a while, enjoy an 18th-century style Christmas by candlelit, and why not take a look around the famine museum while you chat and enjoy a cup of tea after the show.
A word to the wise: Tickets are very limited so do book early, to ensure your space.
 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.
 Jonathan Gleeson as Bill Snibson & Michelle O'Connell as Sally Smith in the 2011 production of 'Me and My Girl.' staged by Thurles Musical Society Thurles Musical Society will launch it’s history book ‘Stage to Page – A History of Thurles Musical Society,‘ on Sunday October 30th in the Anner Hotel, as part of this great Societies 60th anniversary celebrations.
An open invitation is being extended to everyone to attend this Gala Event, which will feature entertainment from current Society members, to reflect the type of shows undertaken down through six decades, with plenty of chat, music, song and dance to follow later.
The book – a 330 page full colour publication – has been written and edited by the Society’s PRO, Noel Dundon and contains one thousand photos taken throughout the six decades of musical theatre in this the Cathedral Town.
This excellent publication charts the Society’s growth from its inception, through the formative years, to the modern day where an energetic, enthusiastic and musical loving company continue to carry the flame first lit by our late founding father, Rev Canon William Noonan.
The book delves into the reasons behind the establishment of the Society; those responsible for it’s formation; and all those who have continued to pursue musical theatre excellence, during the decades since.
There are sections on the impact of the Association of Irish Musical Society on TMS and vice versa. There are comprehensive pen pictures on all our Honorary Life members – living and dead, and there are also chapters on the people behind the major and most popular musicals, staged down through the decades.
Each show, undertaken by the Society, is detailed in this wonderful publication, with everyone who ever set foot on stage, helped out backstage, or worked in any way for the Society, included, in so far as is possible. The ‘Minute Books,’ have been trawled through; the newspaper archives raided; and many closets and attics in Thurles emptied in a bid to dig up photographs. The result is a resounding success with many photographs contained in the book, never seen before in any public forum.
The evening kicks off at 8:00pm with a cheese and wine reception to be followed by the Society’s chorus taking on a number of popular arias, book launch by the President of the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) Mary Heaney, and great fun thereafter.
There is no entry fee for this Bank Holiday Sunday evening of rich entertainment and an open invitation is being extended to all to come along.
The book, which is truly value for money – the perfect coffee table or waiting room read – the perfect Christmas present for friends abroad, will be available in local shops and on the night, retailing at just €20 (Hardback) and €15 (Paperback).
Happy sixtieth birthday Thurles Musical Society and thank you for all those years of wonderful entertainment and music.
Photo courtesy of G.Willoughby.
 Autonomous i Last November Thurles.Info informed you all about Tipperary’s newest ‘Rock Band’ sensation, which is quickly taking Ireland by storm.
(Click on poster left to see full resolution picture)
Now music critics are describing Autonomous i as being “the best undiscovered band in Ireland and it defies logic why Autonomous i is not top of the charts, it is about time for Autonomous i to be discovered.”
Since forming some years ago in a dark damp community hall here in Thurles, Autonomous i have honed their songwriting and performing skills to the point where their music is influenced as much from within the group, as it is from external sources. These five lads fuse sounds together from a breathtakingly broad sonic palette and are producing a range of original tracks that a well stocked duke box would give it’s last dime for!
Autonomous i of course are:- Frah Butler – Guitar and Vocals, Daragh Kennedy – Guitar and Vocals, Jamie Kelly – Bass and Vocals, Eddie Dwan – Violin, Synth and Adrian Creany – Drums.
The band’s live shows are varied in the extreme and the band seamlessly navigates through rock, funk and dance inspired grooves, with an infectious confidence and cheeky grins.
For all the bands fans, note tomorrow’s (Saturday) the Irish Daily Mail newspaper, will offer a free copy of the CD “Backstage Pass” which features Autonomous i and which was produced as part of the successful weekly TV series “The Apprentice.”
 Congratulations to Thurles born and Saturday’s Girl Band star Una Healy who has announced that she is three month pregnant with her first baby.
The delighted 29-year-old beauty was home to Thurles on Wednesday week last, enjoying a break at her parents home before returning to the UK to perform with her band on the following Friday.
(Click on Image for larger picture.)
The talented singer and her 26 year old boyfriend Ben Foden, whom she has been dating since November 2008, are understood to be really happy and excited about the forthcoming event. Ben, who is currently on the other side of the world, touring New Zealand with the England rugby team for the World Cup, also shared the announcement with his team mates at their hotel in Queenstown.
While the sex of the baby has not yet been disclosed, Una has shelved plans to celebrate her 30th birthday with Ben in New Zealand next month. It is understood she is worried about the effects any long-haul flight might have on her unborn baby.
Photo courtesy George Willoughby.
New fighting words and music from Brian Corrigan, which will further assist fans in supporting our Tipperary Champions in their mammoth battle tomorrow against Kilkenny in Croke Park.
So all together now folks “Everyone in Tipperary Sing Is Feidir Linn”
Words to this lyric are supplied hereunder.
Everyone in Tipperary Sing “Is Feidir Linn.”
Kilkenny’s drive for five is forever gone.
Heroically they ended it, the boys from Slievnamon.
The blue and gold ribbon hang from the McCarthy Cup,
And be jasus Tipperary boys don’t want to give it up
Chorus
I’m tellin you it’s so, the boys will have a go.
Come on Tipperary lets do the two in a row.
The boys in blue and gold, we know we’re going to win.
Everyone in Tipperary sing “Is Feider Linn.”
Brave and fierce and true and not an ounce of fear,
The boys from Tipperary we love this time of year.
In Croke Park in Dublin town, belief that is so strong.
All Ireland hurling final day, that’s where we belong.
Repeat chorus
From Nenagh town and Roscrea, they’ll answer the call,
And half of the Obamas from the town of Moneygall.
They’ll be cheerin for Tipperary, to shout and roar and sing,
The boys in blue and gold just say “Is Feidir Linn.“
Repeat chorus
Up Tipp
 Harpist Siobhán Armstrong Explains Early Harp to Queen Elisabeth II The Historical Harp Society of Ireland will present one of its 2011 Summer Series of three concert highlighting 16th—18th century Gaelic harps, vocal and piping repertoire, at the Holy Trinity Church, Main Street Fethard, Co. Tipperary, on Friday, 19th August next.
This is a rare opportunity to hear early Irish harps, the meltingly beautiful sound of brass, silver and 18-carat gold strings played in the old manner, with fingernails, by three of the world’s foremost early Irish harp players.
The Concert, entitled “Mac-talla nan Dun: Echoes of a Gaelic Chieftains’s Castle,” will be joined by Scottish singer and piper Griogair Labhruidh, whose family has been steeped in the musical traditions of Scotland’s Argyll for centuries; historical Scottish piper, Barnaby Brown, whose haunting early 19th century pipes complement the harps and voice so perfectly and Ann Heymann, Andrew Lawrence-King and Siobhán Armstrong performing on Irish harps.
Note: Siobhán Armstrong played the harp for Thurles native, Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II, during her Royal visit.
The early Irish harp is the Gaelic world’s illustrious medieval harp strung in brass and sometimes even silver and gold. Played in Ireland and Scotland from at least 1000 AD and made famous by harpists such as blind Turlough O’Carolan. The skill of early Irish Harp playing almost died out in the early 19th century.
Ticket Cost: €12/10, (Payable at the door, but pre-booking is highly recommended.)
For Bookings: Tel: 087 113 0578.
Time: Concert begins at 8.00pm sharp on Friday, 19th August next.
For lovers of real music everywhere, this performance is truly a ‘must see,’ event.
 Dancing Lessons in Thurles The Club for Dancing, which was founded in 1971, have organised a set of dance classes commencing on Tuesday 6th September at 8.30pm sharp in The Premier Ballroom Thurles.
(Click Poster on left for larger image.)
The course lasts for six weeks and costs a total of just €20 inclusive. Anyone, over 16 years of age, who like to learn the basic steps of social dancing should come along for a most enjoyable six weeks.
Learn the basic steps of The Foxtrot, Quickstep, Old Time Waltz and The Slosh, (A novelty dance).
The Club For Dancing have been running these classes successfully, twice a year, since 1994.
The last set of classes finished in March of this year and over 100 people attended for the six weeks. The classes are ideal for anyone preparing for their wedding day, going to a wedding or other important social event. (Between you and me, it helps to get the body shape looking good also.)
Whatever your reason, fun and value for money is fully guaranteed, so get out there and ‘shake a leg.’
For Further Information: Contact Tom Gleeson @ Tel: 087-9732837.
June each year, ‘Come hell or high water,’ dozens of Ireland’s top musical societies make their annual pilgrimage down to the capital of the Kerry kingdom, to Killarney, to the highly coveted Association of Irish Musical Societies awards (AIMS). Why not, afterall this event is the Oscars of Irish Amateur Musical theatre, embracing the thirty two counties of this green and present land.
This year was to be no different, with winners of the AIMS/HB awards being announced on Saturday last, June 18th, in the Gleneagle Hotel, with some nine hundred amateur performers waiting eagerly in attendance.
As ever, Tipperary’s most talented thespians held their own and came up trumps at this years, 2011, award ceremony. Thurles Musical Society, St. Mary’s Choral Society Clonmel and Nenagh Choral Society, were among the top nominees on the night, with a further strong Tipperary representation spread out among the bevy of other worthy societies.
Clonmel and Nenagh scored individual wins on the night, with former AIMS winners Thurles Musical Society just very unlucky not to come away with a win for their much deserved “Best Visual,” and “Best Stage Management,” nominations.
 Spring Awakening-2011 AIMS adjudicated 'Best Show.' The night however belonged to Tralee Musical Society and Dublin’s new National Youth Musical Theatre-Ireland, both winning ‘Best Overall Show,’ in their respective categories for the musicals “Michael Collins,” and “Spring Awakening.”
This best show victory for “Spring Awakening,” in the Sullivan Section, is the latter’s second such win, since last September, having already won the International Festival of Light Opera in Waterford, just last November.
Particular congratulations must go out to Tipperary native Spring Awakening cast members Ed Leamy (Roscrea), Shane Willoughby (Thurles) and Chris Britton (Clonmel). You’ve done your local Musical Societies in this Premier County very proud folks.
Congratulations to everyone involved with AIMS 2011, and here’s to another fantastic year of musical theatrics.
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