Thurles Information

Aldi Thurles Co. Tipperary Launches Exciting New Winter Attraction.

Thurles Aldi launches exciting new winter attraction; “Aldi-on-Sea”.

Delighted to see the Thurles Aldi carpark has once again been transformed into a seasonal water feature. Since 2023, it’s become a reliable annual tradition: you arrive for milk and end up needing a canoe.

And no, Storm Chandra had nothing to do with it; Tipperary for the most part escaped the major flooding experienced on the east coast.
(But maybe Aldi Ltd, could apply for humanitarian emergency aid funding which was limited to €5,000 and now increased up to €100,000, because Co. Councils down the years successfully failed to maintain our clogged river channels, thus reducing water flow and capacity).

***Sunlit and glass-still; Thurles’ Aldi “water feature” waits, like a love letter, for pintail ducks, whooper swans, and even the odd escaped feral mink***.

A few helpful customer updates:

Trolleys now come with a complimentary reflection for your Instagram.
Parking bays are “first come, first served” and float-tested.
Shoppers are advised to wear wellies, or at least bring a lifebuoy.

All jokes aside: this happens every winter. It’s not a “once-off”, it’s a recurring problem that needs a proper fix. People shouldn’t have to dodge puddles the size of Liberty Square, in an effort to purchase a loaf of bread.

So, any chance we could upgrade from ‘Seasonal Lagoon‘ to ‘Normal Carpark‘ before winter 2027?

Seriously, following my complaints sent initially to Aldi Stores Ltd, I discovered an email waiting on my computer this morning. Same Read:-

Hi George, (Yes, we’re practically pen pals at this stage).
Thanks so much for your patience.
I can confirm the Area Manager has advised that the work for the car park had to wait for adjacent work to be completed first, organised via the local council. This was completed prior to the festive break. (Xmas 2026)
They have confirmed that as a result, the work on the car park to fix appropriate drainage systems is scheduled to be completed by the end of February, (Which February remains unclear).
If there is anything else we can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to reach back out.
Thanks again for reaching out to us.
Best wishes, …………

My reply:
Madam:
This flooding has been a recurring winter issue since at least 2023.
It is particularly difficult to understand the continued problem at the main entrance area where the public drains are almost one metre lower than the Aldi site level itself.
With that level difference at the point of outfall, it raises an obvious question as to why a lasting drainage solution was not implemented earlier, rather than allowing the same disruption to customers repeat itself year after year.

Your reply now begs the question, has your anonymous ‘Area Manager’ ever visited Aldi Thurles, since at least 2023 and have staff not repeatedly reported the issue year after year?
Has this problem in Thurles not been reflected in Aldi Thurles branch profits?
I find the explanation by your area manager both condescending and disappointing.
Yours sincerely…………

Obviously Municipal District Officials and local elected Councillors don’t shop there, although Aldi are the only stockists of Ice Cream in Thurles Town, which containing no risky additives, less water and skim milk powder.

Death Of Hanibal Ramos, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Sunday 25th of January 2026, of Mr Hanibal Ramos, (Dew Valley Foods Ltd), Ormond Flats, Friar Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of the Philippines.

Mr Ramos will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, (Eircode E41 A528) on Tuesday morning next, February 3rd, to repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by a ‘Service of Cremation’ later.

The extended Ramos family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Gerry Forrestall, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Thursday 29th January 2026, of Mr Gerry Forrestall, St. Mary’s Avenue, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny and formerly Kylemakill, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his father Martin; Mr Forrestall passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, while in the care of staff at University Hospital, Waterford.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving and heartbroken daughter Chloe and her partner Danny, mother Lizzie, sister Margaret, brother-in-law M.J., nephew Bobby, niece Bella, Chloe’s mum Ann, uncles, aunts, extended relatives, neighbours, work colleagues at Pierce Kavanagh and sons Urlingford and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Forrestall will repose at Doyle’s Funeral Home, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, (Eircode E41 X038), on Sunday afternoon, February 1st, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of the Assumption, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, on Monday morning, February 2nd, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the Mill Cemetery, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Forrestall, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, [Link to Follow].

The extended Forrestall family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Thumb Out, Heart Up – Story Behind ‘To Try for the Sun’.

Donovan’s ‘Hitchhiking Song’ – “To Try for the Sun“.

Donovan’s “To Try for the Sun” doesn’t come roaring in with big declarations, rather it arrives quietly, carrying the kind of determination you only really notice when it stays with you.

Released in the US in January 1966, the single backed with “Turquoise,” gives us a song that feels like a soft-spoken pledge, “Keep moving, even when there’s no proof the road will lead you anywhere”.

To Try for the Sun.

Lyrics and Vocals: Scottish musician, songwriter and record producer, Donovan Phillips Leitch, known mononymously as Donovan.

To Try for the Sun.

We stood in the windy city, the gypsy boy and I.
We slept on the breeze in the midnight with the raindrops and tears in our eyes.
And who’s going to be the one they say it was no good what we done?
I dare a man to say I’m too young for I’m going to try for the sun.
We huddled in a derelict building and when he thought I was asleep,
He laid his poor coat round my shoulder, and shivered there beside me in a heap.
And who’s going to be the one, that says it was no good what we done?
I dare a man to say I’m too young for I’m going to try for the sun.
We sang and cracked the sky with laughter, our breath turned to mist in the cold.
Our years put together count to thirty, but our eyes told the dawn we were old.
And who’s going to be the one that says it was no good what we done ?
I dare a man to say I’m too young for I’m going to try for the sun.
Mirror, mirror, hanging in the sky, won’t you look down what’s happening here below?
I stand here singing to the flowers, so very few people really know.
And who’s going to be the one they says it was no good what we done?
I dare a man to say I’m too young, for I’m going to try for the sun.
We stood in the windy city, the gypsy boy and I.
We slept on the breeze in the midnight, with the raindrops and tears in our eyes.
And who’s going to be the one, they say it was no good what we done?
I dare a man to say I’m too young for I’m going to try for the sun.

END.

The song is tied to Donovan’s early, uncertain years, around Hatfield, Hertfordshire, U.K., his busking, hitchhiking, sleeping rough at times, and learning how to persist before anything “works out”.
Alongside him was close friend and fellow traveller David “Gypsy Dave” Mills, part of the shoestring, unconventional arty style life that fed directly into his earliest writing.

Donovan later described “To Try for the Sun” as essentially a hitchhiking song, and even clarified that its “windy city” isn’t Chicago, it’s Manchester. That detail keeps the track grounded: real roads, real cold air, real miles.

The hitchhiking of the 1970’s for the most part here in Ireland has faded, shaped by reported safety fears, a culture of distrust, and the sheer availibility and convenience of cars and modern travel.

The song’s message still lands, hope without hype, and a simple decision to always keep trying, anyway.

Death Of Nora Sheridan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 28th January 2026, of Mrs Nora Sheridan, (née Maher), Killoskehane, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her beloved husband John, parents John and Anne, sister Maura (Fanning) and brother Paddy; Mrs Sheridan passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, at her place of ordinary residence.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughters Anna (O’Meara) and Maureen, son John, her adored grandchildren, Conor, Aidan, Roisin, Jack, Eoin and Katie, her son-in-law Joe and daughter-in-law Debbie, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The funeral cortège bearing the earthly remains of Mrs Sheridan will be received into St. Mary’s Church, Drom, Templemore, on Saturday morning, January 31st 2026, to repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended Sheridan family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.