George Willoughby « Thurles Information

Former Pupil & Hockey Player From Ursuline Convent Thurles, Sinks Germany.

Mr Tom Ryan reports:

A leading hockey player and native of Newport Co. Tipperary was on target to score the winning goal in the over 45s Euro Hockey Championship final, against Germany, in Valencia Spain, last week.

The player, Barrister Ms EJ Walsh, daughter of Ed and Stephanie Walsh, of Oakhampton, Newport, was a past pupil of the Ursuline Convent, here in Thurles. Back in 1996, Ms Walsh made history when she captained her team to win the very first All-Ireland schools Senior Hockey final, for her school.

Ms Walsh is presently married to Mr Ray Delahunt and both reside currently, with their two children, namely Hannah (aged 11) and Sam (aged 10), at their home in Donnybrook, Co. Dublin.

Ms EJ Walsh with her children holding a painting showing the moment of triumph after EJ scored the winning goal against Germany. The painting was conveyed to canvas by renowned Dublin based artist, Zanya Dahl.

The whole family were in Valencia for the Hockey final and stayed on, in that city after the tournament, to enjoy a short break.
“I was glad to meet my friend, Linda Caulfield who captained Ireland’s Senior team for many years. We had shared accommodation together for years. Linda holds 151 senior Caps” said Ms Walsh.

Ms Walsh, who specialises in Civil Litigation, now works mainly in Dublin, but still practices on the South East Circuit and will be back in Tipperary when the courts sit again in Nenagh and Thurles.

“Winning in Valencia was great, but not like winning the Kate Russell Trophy, with the Ursulines convent school back in 1996” said Ms Walsh, who still has a great ‘grá’ for her old alma mater, which she formerly attended in Thurles.

That great All-Ireland winning team of 1996, held a lovely re-union in the Ursuline Convent Thurles in 2006.

Death Of Thomas Ryan (Jerry), Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, today Sunday 17th August 2025, of Mr Thomas Ryan (Jerry), Reiska, Kilcommon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Paddy and Etta (nee Hanly), brothers Fr Phil, Jerry, John and Pakie, sisters Marion, Nora, Kitty and Peggie; Mr Ryan passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny city, Co. Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Natalie, son William, daughters Mai (Gillman), Natalie (MacEntire), Valerie (Lowe) and Martina (Robinson), sons-in-law John, Gus, Damien and Phil, daughter-in-law Cliona (Tuohy), grandchildren John, Marion, Natalie, Philomena, Tom, Callum, Kate, William, Natalie, Sarah, Annabelle, Tom, James and Jack, brothers-in-law Jimmy Finn and Paddy McKeon, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended relatives,neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Ryan will repose on tomorrow afternoon, Monday August 18th at the private residence of William and Cliona, Knockmaroe, Reiska, Co. Tipperary (opposite Arrabawn Stores) [Eircode E41 F7Y0], from 4:00pm until 7:30pm, before being received into the nearby Church of St Patrick, Kilcommon, Thurles, same evening.

Requiem Mass for Mr Ryan will be offered on Tuesday morning, August 19th, at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

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

The extended Ryan 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.

Note Please: Family Flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Kilcommon Parish Fund.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Eileen Ryan, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Saturday 16th August 2025 of
Mrs Eileen Ryan (née Lawlor) Pallas, Gorey, Co. Wexford; formerly Carlingford, Co. Louth and Killenaule, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her infant son Darren; Mrs Ryan passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at St Lucy’s Ward, St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving husband Paddy, sons David and Robert, daughters Darina, Jennifer and Niamh, cherished sister of Geraldine, Bernadette, Jimmy and Francis, 12 grandchildren, son-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Rest in Peace.

Funeral Arrangements.

Funeral arrangements will be published later, as soon as details are confirmed.

The extended Ryan and Lawlor 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.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Tipperary Gardaí Offer Van Theft & Contents Theft Advice.

Tipperary Gardaí Offer Advice On Van & Contents Theft.

Thieves are targeting vans by drilling near locks.
Protect your tools & other vehicle contents.

ADVICE OFFERED:

Upgrade to deadlocks or hook locks.
Fit armoured lock plates.
Store tools in a secure, lockable box.
Park in well-lit, CCTV-covered areas.
Use alarms & tracking devices.
Remove valuables overnight.
Telephone 999 or 112 if you see anything suspicious.

Hope For Continued Horse Racing At Thurles, Co. Tipperary Following Positive Discussions.

As yet, unnamed and undecided individuals are understood to have expressed a keen interest in taking a lease on the Thurles racetrack.

The future of racing at Thurles Racecourse remains hopeful following a “positive” meeting between Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR), and members representing the current owners.

The Molony family recently announced that they were stepping back after more than a century of running the Thurles, Co. Tipperary venue, raising fears it could close altogether.
However, the family has left the door open for new investors or managers to take over the complex.

We understand that Thurles still has six fixtures scheduled for the current year and has been allocated 11 dates pencilled into the draft 2026 fixture list, thus showing confidence that racing can and will continue.
AIR chief executive Mr Paul Hensey said he was “hopeful” of an agreement, noting the track’s importance for winter National Hunt racing.

The Molony family’s surprise decision was linked to several factors including retirement plans, the rising cost of doing business, and the impact of recent tragedies in the racing community.

A former racecourse manager Mr Angus Houston has urged authorities to ensure the Thurles track remains open, calling it “too important to lose” and suggesting the situation could be an opportunity to strengthen support across all other Irish horse racing tracks.