Thurles Information

URGENT APPEAL: Blood Donors Needed.

URGENT APPEAL: Blood Donors Needed as Stocks Fall Critically Low Across Ireland.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is urgently appealing for blood donors to attend clinics nationwide following a significant drop in blood supplies after the recent bank holiday period.

The IBTS aims to maintain a seven-day supply of blood at all times. However, current levels have fallen to just over two days’ supply of O positive and just over three days’ supply of other key blood groups, thus placing increased pressure on hospital services.
Hospital demand for blood has remained high in recent weeks, particularly throughout March. This has coincided with holiday periods, including St Patrick’s Day and Easter, when many regular donors were unavailable.

To address this shortfall, additional clinics have been scheduled, including five extra clinics nationwide on Sunday, 12 April 2026.

Tipperary Clinics – April 2026
Blood donation clinics will take place at the following locations in Tipperary:
Sunday, 12th April 2026 – Nenagh – Abbey Court Hotel.
Wednesday – 22nd April 2026 – Cahir.
Thursday – 23rd April 2026 – Cashel.

How to Donate!
New donors are especially welcome and encouraged to:
(1) Complete the New Donor Eligibility Quiz.
(2) Call Tel: 1800 731 137 to book an appointment.

Regular donors can!
(A) View venue details
(B) Book appointments via the Online Appointment Booking System

Before Attending a Clinic, Please remember to:
Bring photo ID.
Eat a substantial meal.
Drink plenty of cold fluids
Stay Informed

If there are no upcoming clinics in your area, you can:-
Request a text message alert when the IBTS is next visiting your locality.
Remember: Every Donation Matters.

The IBTS is urging all eligible donors to attend clinics over the coming days. Blood donations are vital for surgeries, emergency care, and ongoing treatments, and the life you save could be yours.

Death Of George Quirke, Clonoulty, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, on Monday 6th April 2026, of Mr George Quirke, Ballycamas Hill, Clonoulty, Co. Tipperary.

In his 94th year and predeceased by his wife Ursula (née Connaughton), parents Denis and Mary, sisters Joan and Bubbles; Mr Quirke passed away peacefully, following a short illness, surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving sons Denis and George, daughter Eleanor (Brennan), grandchildren Rachael, Ursula, Donnchadh, Saoirse, Aoibhinn, Patrice, Matthew and Violet, daughters-in-law Mary and Una, son-in-law Philip, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended relatives, very good neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Quirke will repose at Hayes Funeral Chapel, Clonoulty on Wednesday afternoon, April 8th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, same evening.
His remains will be received into the nearby Church of St John the Baptist, Clonoulty, (Eircode E25 CY91) on Thursday morning, April 9th, at 11:00am to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in the Old Cemetery, Clonoulty, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Quirke, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Quirke and Connaughton families 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.

It’s Good to See You.

Lyrics: British singer-songwriter Allan Taylor.
Vocals: American country music singer, songwriter and 2010 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the late Don Williams, (1939 – 2017).

Yet another beautiful song from the “Gentle Giant” himself, the late Don Williams. The song is one of those quiet, heartfelt tunes that reminds us how special it is to reconnect with someone after time apart. It’s about friendship, memories, and the simple joy of seeing a familiar face again; something we surely all understand.

It’s Good to See You.

It’s good to see you, so good to see you,
Oh, how I’ve missed you, since I’ve been gone.
I’ve crossed the ocean, travelled through many lands,
And it’s good to see you, to be in your home.
There’s something in me that makes me wander,
There’s many a land I have to see.
And when I’m far away in a land of strangers,
I know my good friends think on me.
It’s good to see you, so good to see you,
Oh, how I’ve missed you since I’ve been gone.
‘Cause I’ve crossed the ocean, travelled through many lands,
And it’s good to see you, to be in your home.
Oh, it’s a wonder, when it comes to friendship,
No matter how far away, no matter how long.
There’s a constant thread that’s never broken,
And it ties me to, my friends at home.
It’s good to see you, so good to see you,
Oh, how I’ve missed you since I’ve been gone.
I’ve crossed the ocean, travelled through many lands,
And it’s good to see you, to be in your home.
It’s good to see you, so good to see you,
Oh, how I’ve missed you, since I’ve been gone.
‘Cause I’ve crossed the ocean, travelled through many lands,
And it’s good to see you, to be in your home.

END

Former Ceann Comhairle Mr Seán Barrett TD Dies Aged 81.

The death has been announced of Seán Barrett, former Teachta Dála (TD) and Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, who has passed away at the age of 81 years.

Mr Barrett was a long-serving member of Fine Gael and represented the Dún Laoghaire constituency for several decades. First elected to Dáil Éireann in 1981, he served until 2002 and later returned to public office from 2007 until his retirement in 2020.

Mr Barrett was elected Ceann Comhairle in 2011 and served in that role until 2016. He was widely regarded as a fair and authoritative chair who upheld parliamentary standards and oversaw important developments in the modernisation of Dáil proceedings.

During his political career, he held a number of senior government positions, including Minister for Defence and Minister for the Marine between 1995 and 1997. He also served as Government Chief Whip during the mid-1990s.

Seán Barrett is remembered for his long-standing commitment to public service and his dedication to his constituents over many years.

Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Sheila, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

National Fuel Protest Planned Across Ireland, Including Tipperary.

A large-scale national protest concerning fuel costs is set to take place on Tuesday morning, with participants expected to mobilise from early hours across multiple regions, including Tipperary.

Organisers have confirmed that convoys will begin departing from 6:00 a.m., converging on key towns and cities nationwide. Demonstrations are also expected at various locations throughout Tipperary, as part of the coordinated action. The protest aims to call for a further reduction in excise duty on fuel, as well as the removal of the carbon tax, which organisers argue is placing significant strain on households and businesses.

Participants involved in the protest have expressed serious concerns about the current economic climate. They warn that rising fuel costs are contributing to increasing financial pressure across sectors, with some suggesting that urgent action is needed to prevent wider economic instability.

Law enforcement authorities have been notified in advance of the planned routes and assembly points, including those in Tipperary. Traffic disruptions are expected in several areas, and the public is advised to plan journeys accordingly.

Government sources have indicated that, at present, there is no immediate concern regarding fuel supply shortages. However, officials have acknowledged that the situation remains fluid, particularly in light of ongoing developments affecting global energy infrastructure.

Calls have been made for urgent attention to the energy crisis, with growing pressure for swift and coordinated action to address rising costs and their impact on citizens.

Further updates are expected as the situation develops.