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Thurles St Patrick’s Day Parade 2024 – Part 2

An estimated 2,500 viewers attended at the Thurles St Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday afternoon last, March 17th; encouraged out by the bright spring sunshine and the slight increase in the local temperature.

Possibly the largest crowd ever in the history of such parades; people from the Republic of the Philippines, Ukraine, England, São Paulo in Brazil, China, Poland, Italy and Stockholm in Sweden, joined the large number of local residents, who turned out for this most enjoyable of events.

The huge crowds (See also Video Part 1 HERE) that packed Thurles streets, from Friar Street west, through the town centre and unto Barry’s Bridge, were extremely impressed by the colours of floats; the marching groups representing numerous clubs and societies; the bands and other individuals; all taking part.

A huge “Thank You” to the work undertaken by Mr John Kenehan and his committee, and to the many people ‘in yellow jackets’, who successfully ensured the health and safety of the public in attendance.

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Mná Month Continues In Cashel Library.

Mná Month continues in Cashel Library, but do remember booking is essential for all those attending, so do please telephone Cashel Library at 062 63825, to avoid disappointment.

Current Photographic Display:

(Note: Display continues only until March 17th 2024).
Cashel library celebrates the incredible talent of local photographer Ger Long. From the captivating scenes of nature to the heart-warming moments of childhood, every photograph in this exhibition titled “Liminal”, (between past and present), tells a unique and inspiring story.

Wednesday 13th March @ 7pm: Visit by Author Eimear Ryan.

A chance to meet and greet acclaimed author Eimear Ryan, who will discuss her book “The Grass Ceiling: On Being a Woman in Sport”; she burrows deep into the confluence of gender and sport.

Friday 15th March @11am: St Patrick & the Patriarchy; lecture by Branch Librarian Ms Maura Barrett.

St Patrick is synonymous with Christianity’s arrival in Ireland, heralding a new religious ideology, patriarchal and monotheistic, replacing the older order of the divine feminine.

NOTE: All events are provided FREE of charge at Cashel Library.
Again, Booking Essential please to Tel. No.: 062 63825.
[ You can locate the Cashel Library building, situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (G487+RX) ].

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Agreement Reached On Thurles, Munster Hotel Car Park Rent.

We learned today that an agreement has been reached, allowing the public to continue to use the Munster Hotel car park, latter situated eastward, on the junction of Cathedral Street and Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Metal Cladding remains adrift on Munster Hotel roof, today in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pic. G. Willoughby.

A request sent to Ms Sharon Scully (Thurles MD Administrator), with regards to the details of the new financial package, paid by taxpayers, and now agreed between Tipperary Co. Council and the owner Mr Martin Healy, for the next 12 months, has not as yet been disclosed.

The possible non availability of the parking spaces into the future had been first highlighted by Cllr. Jim Ryan, after negotiations had apparently broken down, thus promising even greater reduction in not just town centre footfall, but major issue with regards to Church services and School student transport.
This massive reduction in footfall follows the half upgrading of Liberty Square, which according to the few remaining businesses trading in the area, has been reduced by at least 65% over the past 4 years.

Regrettably, changes to parking bays on Cathedral Street; same regulations changed in favour of the parking of School buses, which previously sat within the car park, will now have to be reversed again, to ensure that small businesses in the immediate area, continue to attract consumers.

Meanwhile, the large sheet of metal cladding, adrift on the Munster Hotel roof, continues to threaten any vehicles parked in the immediate area.
One wonders whose insurance company is involved and have they been made aware of the need to correct this dangerous issue?

The waste of taxpayers money continues.

By the way, talking about Cathedral Street, Thurles; one Pedestrian Crossing light bulb (Green) has not been working for some weeks, since it was struck by a high sided vehicle, same exiting MIC (St. Patricks College Thurles).

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Munster Hotel Car Park Closed To The Public.

Despite the statements and so called interventions by Fianna Fáil TD Mr Jackie Cahill and Fianna Fáil Councillor Mr Seamus Hanafin, yesterday’s statement printed in the Thurles Cathedral Mass Booklet correctly states, quote:-

“As you are possibly aware, the Munster Hotel Car-park has now closed for public use. This is a regrettable decision for all who visit and attend ceremonies at our Cathedral. Please be aware of this and plan your parking accordingly when visiting the Cathedral. Please note that the MIC (St. Patrick’s College)is available for weekend parking. However, due to the increased number of students the MIC carpark is not available on weekdays during College term”.

This accounts for the fact that the coin slot on the parking metre in this car park was taped-over on Saturday last, although the tape was removed this afternoon (Monday March 4th).

Thurles Cathedral forecourt with partially completed marked car parking spaces.
Pic: G. Willoughby.

Thurles.Info warned of this problem some weeks ago [January 8th, 2024], regarding parking for those attending Mass, Funerals etc at the Thurles Cathedral, and indeed the impending challenges and dangers caused by no parking for retailers/consumers, latter attempting to transact service in numerous small, nearby business premises.

Look skyward as you pass the former Munster Hotel building, latter Thurles town’s number 1 eyesore, believed to be owned by Mr Martin Healy (Member of Thurles Chamber of Commerce), as metal material is ready to displace itself from the Hotel’s roof.
Pic: G. Willoughby.

Right at this moment, while public car parking still occurs at the carpark in question; vehicle owners should be aware that our ‘eye in the sky’ has identified a large section of what appears to be metal material, that has broken loose from the roof of this Thurles town eyesore (Munster Hotel) and is due to descend into the car-park, therefore likely to strike a school bus, or other parked vehicle, or indeed likely to land in Cathedral Street, same propelled by a sharp south westerly wind blowing outside today.

Meanwhile, Thurles Cathedral (see pic. above) has partially undertaken, this morning, to mark out limited car-park spaces and pedestrian lanes on its tiny forecourt, in the interest of public health and safety.

‘The Source’ Car Park, paid for by Rate Payers, (which cannot accept buses) continues to remain closed today following an arson attack last year.
Pic: G. Willoughby.

The Source Car Park, paid for by Rate Payers, still remains closed, although the streamers, ripped from roof insulation which was left uncovered, appears to have been removed, indicating a possible opening in the near future and will, no doubt, be welcomed by Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Jackie Cahill or Independent TD Mr Michael Lowry.

Bicycle bays remained empty this morning as Thurles Town continues to becomes a “no go area” for motor vehicle parking.
This situation should be etched on the electorates mind, when local elections take place shortly, in our once thriving town.
Local newspapers and local radio stations should now be highlighting and publishing this wanton destruction of a town centre, instead of reposting/publishing, ‘willy-nilly’, the press releases of Local Councillors and resident TD’s.

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What Benefits Received For Paying Local Property Tax?

I took a walk along the area beside the River Suir, commonly known as the Thurles River Walk this afternoon.
Sad to see a Swan forced to swim amongst the floating, filthy, dirty litter of a once pristine clear waterway. [See photograph immediately hereunder.]

Swan forced to swim amongst floating, filthy dirty litter, in river Suir, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pic: G. Willoughby.

Further up as I moved northwards along Emmett Street; here underneath Barry’s Bridge, (latter the main thoroughfare in and out of Thurles town), two views meet my eye.

One was the fact that now two streams of fresh water, instead of one, continues to flow from what appears to be a burst pipe. We had notified Ms Sharon Scully of this fact, exactly 4 weeks ago to the very date; January 18th, 2024. No repairs appear to have taken place.
No doubt the problem was imposed, foisted off on Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water), who take the blame for every pothole in town. [See photograph immediately hereunder].

It didn’t rain today, February 18th, 2024, so it looks like two leaks now coming from water pipe(s) under Barry’s Bridge Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pic: G. Willoughby.

Speaking of Barry’s Bridge, Thurles and our previous criticism of those taxed with attracting tourism to Thurles; do take a look at this view from Emmett Street, travelling northwards. [See photograph immediately hereunder.]

Scenic view for visiting tourists, daring to walk northwards from the Thurles River walk, travelling along Emmett Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pic: G. Willoughby.

Note, Do take care while walking along sections of the tarmac laid last year on the River Walk. Same has already begun to ravel at the edges. One major dangerous hole exists close to the “Swinging Gates”, near to, and south of, the large cherry tree; latter’s beauty which may distract you, while out rambling.

So tell me again; “What Benefits do Thurles residents receive having paid Local Property Tax?”

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