Video - Thurles Information

166 New Members Join An Garda Síochána.

Yesterday morning, 166 new members joined the Irish Garda Síochána police force.

Intake No 233, having commenced their training on July 31st, 2023, have now completed their Phase 1, Stage 3 training at the Garda Training College, situated in Templemore, Co. Tipperary, and have taken their Oath.

Attestation Oath
“I hereby solemnly and sincerely declare before God [Words “before God” may be omitted from the declaration at the request of the declarant] that:-
* I will faithfully discharge the duties of a member of the Garda Síochána with fairness, integrity, regard for human rights, diligence and impartiality, upholding the Constitution and the laws and according equal respect to all people.
* While I continue to be a member, I will, to the best of my skill and knowledge, discharge all my duties according to law.
* I do not belong to, and will not while I remain a member form, belong to or subscribe to, any political party or secret society whatsoever”.

The Garda “Attestation Oath”, above, is sworn by all members of An Garda Siochana and the Garda Reserve.

Congratulations to all.

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.

Thurles St Patrick’s Day Parade 2024.

Under a clear sunny sky, the Thurles St Patrick’s Day Parade began sharply from Abbey Road Thurles at 2.30pm in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, travelling via Friar Street unto Liberty Square as is usual.
The parade featured two marching bands; namely the Sean Treacy Pipe Band and the C J Kickham Brass Band.

This year the St Patrick’s Day Parade “Guest of Honour”, in keeping with this year’s theme, “Youth: Our Hopes For the Future’, featured Thurles Christian Brothers Secondary School pupil Master Luke Blackwell, latter a winner in the 2024 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Prior to the start of the parade live music was performed beginning at 1:00pm, with face painting and other side attractions keeping those attending occupied.

The Arch Bar [a favourite abode of the fictional Mikey Ryan], in Liberty Square, hosted a 12-hour Irish Traditional Music Session on the day, to raise funds for the ‘Ciarán’s Cancer Treatment Fund’, latter a seriously ill 4 year old boy, currently undergoing medical treatment for his present condition.

For the first time, RTE television captured video footage of the event; of which a sample of same footage can be VIEWED HERE (Scroll down the page to headline – ‘Limerick, Ennis, Thurles‘).

A Song For A Sunday

The Goodness Of God

“Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.”

[Extract from the poem “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann (1872 – 1945)]

Lyrics: Benjamin David Fielding, Jason David Ingram, Edmond Martin Cash, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson.

Vocals: Priscilla Marie Winans Love, known professionally as CeCe Winans.

The Goodness Of God

I love You, Lord,
For Your mercy never fails me,
All my days,
I’ve been held in Your hands,
From the moment that I wake up,
Til I lay my head,
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.

Chorus.

Though my life, You have been faithful
Though my life, You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.

I love Your voice,
You have led me through the fire,
In darkest nights,
You are close like no other.
I’ve known You as a father,
I’ve known You as a friend,
And I have lived in the goodness of God.

Repeat Chorus.

Your goodness is running after, running after me.
Your goodness is running after, running after me.
With my life laid down, I surrender now, I give You everything.
Oh Lord Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.
With my life laid down, I surrender now, I give You everything,
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.

Repeat Chorus.

END.

RTE To Feature Thurles St Patrick’s Day Parade.

NOTE: We learn from the Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee; same ably led here in Thurles by Mr John Kenehan, that RTE have indicated that the latter will be covering the Thurles St. Patrick’s day Parade for the first time this year.
The Parade will begin sharply at 2.30pm in the town’s centre, Liberty Square, so make sure you ladies are wearing your best bonnets.

It’s A Great Day For The Irish.

Lyrics: By Hollywood composer, arranger and associate producer, the late Mr Roger Edens (1905 – 1970).

Vocals: Internationally acclaimed American actress and singer Ms Judy Garland.
The song was partly written to capitalize on Ms Garland’s Irish roots. Ms Garland was a quarter Irish through her maternal grandmother Eva Fitzpatrick.

It’s A Great Day For The Irish

Oh, I woke me up this morning and I heard the joyful song,
From the throats of happy Irishmen, a hundred thousand strong.
Sure it was the Hibernian Brigade,
Lining up for to start the big parade.
So I fetched me Sunday bonnet and the flag I love so well,
And I bought meself a shamrock just to wear in me lapel.
Don’t you know that today’s March seventeen?
It’s the day for the wearing of the green.
It’s a great day for the Irish, it’s a great day for fair,
The side-walks of New York are thick with Blarney,
For shure you’d think New York was Old Killarney.
It’s a great day for the Shamrock, for the flags in full array,
We’re feeling so inspirish, shure because for all the Irish,
It’s a great, great day.

Begosh and begorragh, every Irish son and daughter,
Every good old Irish name and his relation.
They come from Tipperary, Donegal and County Kerry,
But they are all here to join the celebration.
Now, there’s Terrence O’Toole and Cahal O’Doherty, Patrick O’Bogle and Mullin McGrew, Mike Maley, Tim Dayley, and Barney O’Flagherty, Daniel Doolan and Shamus Carew.
Conleys and Donleys and Padraic O’Bannigan, Ryans, O’Briens, McLaughlins, and Lynch, McGloans and McFaddens and Mister Pat Flannagan, Hogans and Glogans, McPhersons and Finch.
Cowans, McGowans, and Carricks and Garricks, Mahoneys, Maloneys, O’Donnels, O’Connells,
Are here to join the jubilee!

It’s a great day for the Irish, it’s a great day for fair.
Begosh, there’s not a cop to stop a raiding,
Begorrah all the cops are out parading.
It’s a great day for the Shamrock, for the flags in full array,
And as we go a-swinging, every Irish heart is singing,
It’s a great, great day.
END