Cyclists’ Touring Club – Irish Road Book Part 1 – Tipperary South 1899.

I recall the phrase, accredited to French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr in 1849, who wrote “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” – translated from the French “The more things change, the more they stay the same”, and meaning that despite apparent changes or advancements, certain fundamental aspects or patterns remain unchanged over time.

Following our history tale of two days ago, (January 9th, 2024), news that a number of Tipperary routes are to be included in a 3,500 kilometre cycle network, have been announced by the National Cycling Network (NCN).

NCN aim to link 200 towns, cities and destinations across Ireland with a safe, connected and inviting cycle network integrating with other cycle infrastructures including greenways; encouraging people away from their cars onto bicycles, for at least 4 months of each year and expect to serve 2.8 million people upon these new network completions.

Routes expected to be put in place here in Co. Tipperary, are expected to include, Clonmel to Limerick through Thurles, [The report claims that existing railways in Tipperary can be repurposed into a tourist connection between large population centres in County Tipperary through the underserved midlands region]; Cahir to Cashel and possibly Roscrea to Birr. A cycleway, same linking Limerick to Waterford could also take in Tipperary Town, Cahir, Ardfinnan, Clonmel and Carrick on Suir.

Today, here on Thurles.Info we feature the Nenagh To Thurles Route, as once set out in the 125 year old Cyclists’ Touring Club – Irish Road Book Part 1, for Tipperary South, same compiled and edited by R.T. Lang, (published in 1899).
Hopefully, the National Cycling Network (NCN), will publish and continue the practise hereunder of describing the areas passed through, in a fluent and persuasive manner, in advance of the opening any future network.

Route 153. Nenagh To Thurles.

Mls from Thurles.	Places on the road.	Intermediate Milage.	Comprehensive Milage.	General description of the road.
22-3/4	Nenagh Post Office	…..	—–	From the post office turn to the left into Barrack Street and then straight on up same and over the railway bridge by an indifferent level road to Kilkeary cross-roads.
22-1/2	Railway Bridge.	1/4
22-1/4	Union Workhouse.	1/4
21-3/4	Tyone Bridge.	1/2
19	Kilkeary Cross-roads.	2-3/4		Here keep straight on leaving the R.I.C. Barrack on the rightand a direct forward road, with better surface, to Borrisoleigh.
16-1/4	Carrick Wood.	2-3/4
12-1/4	Curraghbaba Cross-roads.	4		Almost level road, but with a few slight rises and falls to Curraghbaba Cross.
9	Ballyroan Bridge.	3-1/4		For the last 2-1/2m the road winds down the valley of the Cromoge River.
8-1/4	Borrisoleigh.	3/4	14-1/2	Entering the village, pass the Church (on right) and keep straight forward on a winding but obvious road past ‘The Rag’ public house.
6-3/4	Rathmoy House.	1-1/2
5-1/4	Inch House.	1-1/2
4-3/4	The Rag, Public House.	1/2
1-1/2	Kilyon Graveyard*.	3-1/4		300 yds further bear to the left at a fork, then straight on to Kilyon, where ascending the hill bear to the left, before reaching the graveyard and then to the right at same, then forward and over the railway bridge (Great Southern and Western Railway)* into Thurles.
1/2	Union Workhouse.	1		Entering Thurles by New Street* to the Square
1/4	Railway Bridge (G.S.& W Railway).	1/4
	Thurles Square.	1/4	22-3/4	With the exception of the short easy hill, at Kilyon*, a practically level road, with good surface.

Nenagh To Thurles Reverse, – Leaving Thurles Square by New Street *, pass over the railway bridge and at the workhouse turn to the left. At Kilyon* graveyard bear to the left again and 100 yards further, just as the road slopes downward towards the bog, keep to the right, and thence forward through Borrisoleigh, to Ballyroan Bridge, where turn to the right, and cross same, and then forward into Nenagh. On reaching Castle Street, turn to the right, to the post office.

Note Please * Kilyon Graveyard, is known today as Killinan Graveyard. * New Street is known today as Parnell Street, following changes to the names of certain Thurles streets and lanes by Thurles Urban District Council in more recent years.

The information, above, has been passed to Green Party Minister Mr Eamon Ryan, in an effort to progress ideas and implement this network as soon as possible on behalf of Thurles towns currently non existent tourism. [eamon.ryan@oireachtas.ie].