Play For Your Parish – And Help Raise The Roof.

This August, the fairways of Thurles Golf Club will become the setting for something far greater than a round of golf.

From Tuesday, 18th August to Friday, 21st August 2026, golfers from across County Tipperary and the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly are invited to gather in friendship, rivalry and common purpose for the Thurles Lions Club Golf Classic 2026.

At the heart of the event stands one of Thurles’s most treasured landmarks: the magnificent Cathedral of the Assumption.

Construction of the Cathedral began in 1865, and it was consecrated in 1879. For almost a century and a half, its towers, domes and sacred spaces have watched over generations; marking baptisms, weddings, funerals, feast days and countless moments in the life of the community.
Now, as the Cathedral approaches its 150th anniversary in 2029, its roof requires major replacement. The wider fundraising campaign is working to secure the future of this much-loved building, described by Thurles Parish as more than stone and mortar, but a place of faith, memory and community that must be preserved for generations still to come.

Thurles Lions Club has committed to raising €50,000 over four years in support of that mission, and the upcoming Golf Classic is one of the central events in that effort.

A golf competition with parish pride at stake.
Teams of three players are invited to enter, with every team competing for the Thurles Lions Club Golf Classic Trophy and a share of an overall prize fund of approximately €2,000.

But this is no ordinary golf classic.
Parish teams will also have the opportunity to compete for two special perpetual trophies:
The Tipperary Parishes Trophy, sponsored by Thurles Lions Club.
The Cashel and Emly Trophy, sponsored by Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly.

To represent a parish, each member of the team must either live in that parish or have grown up there.
A parish may enter as many teams as it wishes. The two best team results from each parish will be combined to determine its overall score—opening the door to friendly rivalry, local bragging rights and, perhaps, a little parish history.

► Who will carry the honour of their community?
► Who will hold their nerve over the closing holes?
► Which parish will return home with the trophy?

Event Details:

Date: 18th – 21st August 2026.
Venue: Thurles Golf Club.
Teams: Teams of three.
Cost: €210 per team, including green fees and a meal.
Prizes: Approximately €2,000 in prizes plus Trophies.

Thurles Golf Club provides a fitting stage for the occasion: a mature parkland course known for its peaceful surroundings, welcoming atmosphere and strong playing conditions.

Book Your Team Now.

To register, contact Mr William McDonagh of Thurles Lions Club:- 📞 086 379 7881
Email: thurleslionsgolfclassic@gmail.com

Note: Payment may be made when the team checks in at Thurles Golf Club on the day of play.

Businesses, organisations and individuals can also support the event through tee-box sponsorship for €100. Parish teams are encouraged to seek local sponsorship and bring their wider communities into the campaign.

This is an opportunity to play for your parish—but also to play for heritage, remembrance and the generations who will one day walk through the Cathedral doors.

Four summer days.
Three players per team.
One great community cause.
Great golf. Great cause. Great community.
Support. Play. Make a difference.