“A Meeting of Youth” – [Translated into the Irish language, ‘Cruinniú na nÓg’.]
Ms Suzanne Brosnan (Senior Library Assistant), Tipperary County Council LibraryService, invites all our youth to let their “imagination fly with Cruinniú na nÓg”, here in Thurles Library, Cathedral Street on Saturday June 15th 2019. (That is next Saturday).
Cruinniú na nÓg represents a national day of creativity for our young people; giving them the opportunity to express themselves through a specific programme of cultural and creative activities, where they can share ideas, learn new skills while having fun.
Enjoy a day full of interactive free events for children of all age groups.
10:30 am – 11:45 pm – “Clowning Around Workshop”, hosted by Danielle Martin. A workshop for children ages 7-12 years exploring mime, comedy and lots more……
11:00 am – 12:00 pm – “Story-time”, with Sarah Tully, who believes “imagination is the magic of childhood”. Sarah will incorporate props, puppets and story sacks into her tales.
12:00 noon – “Summer Stars Reading Challenge” launch: A nationwide campaign promoting reader development and literacy in children.
12:00 noon – 12:30 pm – “Wobbly Circus Performance”. The award-winning circus and street theatre company will provide two street performances during the day.
12:30 pm –“Dance workshop” with dance instructor ‘Cerys’ from the Dwan Dance Academy, latter based in Thurles. This session is suitable for children aged 7 years and plus.
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Mobile Music School will host two workshops this first drumming session is aimed at children aged 4 – 7years. Explore the members of the percussion family and learn the importance of beat in music.
1:30 pm – “Dance Workshop” with ‘Cerys’ – a fun filled lively workshop for children ages 4 years and plus.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm – “Mad Professor Performance”, join Niall O’Dwyer for 60 minutes of educational and fun experiments. This show will spark the imagination with mad programs and activities involving air, sound and lots more! Session 2 of the “Mad Professor” will take place at 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm.
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm – A 2nd session of the “Mobile Music School” suitable for children aged 8 years and plus.
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – “Wobbly Circus Workshop”. Using the props provided and the guidance of excellent teachers; learn to walk the tight-wire, stilt walking, plate spinning and loads more circus skills.
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm – “Wobbly Circus”. A final performance and a great way to end the family day.
We will also have “Pavement Art” and “Milk the Cow”; weather of course permitting, as these are outside events.
Looking forward to welcoming all in attendance.
For further Information please do contact Tel. No. 0761-06-6131
Ms Suzanne Brosnan (Senior Library Assistant), Tipperary County Council Library Service, brings us all the news on the Thurles “Bealtaine Festival”, starting tomorrow, May 3rd.
Friday May 3rd – Exhibition Launch in ‘The Gallery’ – 11.00am
Our May exhibition is the art work of and by four local artists Alice Regan, Marian Maher, Patsy Hogan & Helen Campbell. The exhibition will be launched by branch manager Gerard Flannery. Why not drop into the library for a coffee and browse the beautiful art, presented by talented local artists.
Thurles Men’s Shed(TMS) provides the platform for a large number of gifted craftsmen to practice and exhibit their talents. Thurles library are delighted to welcome the members of the men’s shed to the library to display their work. If you are interested in finding out more about TMS why not call in and chat to one of the members to find out more details.
Tuesday 14th May 14th – Talk on ‘Bee Keeping’, by Jerry Ryan – 6.30pm
Interested in starting up your own hive, wish to hear how you can improve your own or simply interested in learning more about these intriguing insects. Jerry Ryan will offer plenty of knowledge about these fascinating, necessary and endangered species. Booking essential – Tel: 0761-06-6131
Friday 17th May 17th – Coffee Morning in the Library with ‘The Monk’s Musicians’ from 11.00am – 12.00 noon.
One of the annual highlights here in Thurles Library. We are delighted to welcome back the musicians of the Monk’s Pub. Enjoy a cup of tea, and a chat, whilst they raise the gallery roof with their music and song. All are welcome to attend.
Tuesday May 21st – ‘Tin Whistle Class’ – Anthony Condron at 6.30pm
Ever wanted to take-up a traditional Irish instrument but didn’t know how or where to start? Now is your chance with this introduction to tin whistle with accomplished musician Anthony Condron. Booking here is essential – Tel: 0761-06-6131.
Thursday 23rd May – “Greyhound on a Train” by Carnation Theatre – 11.00am
Join the Carnation Theatre as they present the drama “Greyhound on a Train”, formed on the testimonies and real life stories of women who took part in the War of Independence, Josephine Stallard, Bridget Fitzpatrick & Elizabeth Bloxham among others. Once again, for this event booking is essential – Tel: 0761-06-6131
Firstly, Please Note: In the case of all of these three upcoming, popular events; advance booking is essential, as space is limited. So please do make reservations, by contacting Tel No: 0761-06-6131.
Upcoming Events At Thurles Library
Tuesday April 23rd: Thurles Library’s Movie Afternoon will feature “Paddington 2”. This event, beginning at 2.30pm sharp, is best suitable for children aged 6 years plus.]
Wednesday April 24th: Thurles Library will invite you to “Spring Into StoryTime”. The theme for this event, beginning at 11.30am sharp, will be “Princess & Pirates” and Fancy Dress remains optional.
Thursday May 2nd: “Art Session”, featuring local artist Mary Finn at Thurles Library. Mary will be holding her art session between 10:00am and 12:30pm.
Two-Mile-Borris /Littleton district correspondent Mr Gerry Bowe reports:-
On Wednesday August 29th 2018 last, cross-roads in Littleton Village, Thurles, Co. Tipperary has gained an original six to seven-thousand-year-old unique, work of art.
Local butcher Mr Paudie Fitzpatrick has presented to Littleton village; a piece of rare bog-oak which he has been restoring and preserving over many months.
Bog-wood, in this case Oak, is a material from trees that have been buried in peat bogs and preserved from decay by the acidic and anaerobic bog conditions, sometimes for thousands of years. The wood is usually stained brown by tannins dissolved in the bog’s acidic water. Bog-wood may come from any tree species naturally growing near or in bogs, including oak; Quercus – “bog oak”; Pine – “Pinus”; Yew – “Taxus”; Swamp Cypress – “Taxodium”, and Kauri, latter regarded as the most exotic wood in the world – “Agathis”. Such bog preserved timber remains comparable to some of the world’s most expensive tropical hard woods.
Pictured Centre L to R: Mr Tom Ryan, Mr Paudie Fitzpatrick, Mr Dan Fitzpatrick, & Mr John Darmody taking time out to relax having successfully erected the Bog Oak Art piece in Littleton village, Co. Tipperary.
For the past twenty-eight years, Mr Fitzpatrick together with his wife Karen and family, has been providing a quality meat service, which also includes home deliveries, not just to the village itself but also to the surrounding area. But surely his most unique delivery to date, must be the conveyance of a large, ancient, seven-foot-high oak tree trunk with roots attached; same now perfectly preserved with numerous coatings of Danish oil, followed by intense and passionate sandpapering, to extract its ancient, bog preserved, hidden colours.
What was once left to the elements to decay, has now become a visible symbol and a real reminder of the rich, bog-land chronicle that is Tipperary’s biodiversity. This visible symbol must surely challenge us to try to fully comprehend and preserve our local bogs for environmental, recreational and inspirational purposes. The heathers, ferns and fir tree, planted alongside, are but a trivial reminder of this rich variety of rural bog vegetation.
An artistic and wood-working gene is most definitely ingrained within the Fitzpatrick family. Proof, as if proof was needed, can be quickly observed in the ‘butcher’s block’ that was so patiently and lovingly assembled, piece by piece, from maple wood, by Mr Paudie Fitzpatrick’s son Shane; same undertaken as part of his Leaving Cert woodwork project at Colaiste Mhuire here in Thurles. Shane has rightly been granted an award for this work, with the project remaining on display in the school, to further inspire and encourage new incoming students and school visitors alike.
A massive ‘Thank You’ also to Mr John Darmody, Mr Dan Fitzpatrick and Mr Thomas Ryan; all who helped pour the concrete base and secure the bog oak piece with iron stays, having delivered it safely on a tractor loader.
Positive comments are now pouring in from the many who pass through Littleton village on a daily basis and so to from the villagers who are grateful to Mr Fitzpatrick and family for the patient work and generosity in the donating of this artistic creation to further beautify the already picturesque village. With a new Tidy Towns Committee in formation, this feature makes a most excellent beginning to all future work planned.
In his book (P.58), “The Bogs of Ireland” (John Feehan), the author tells us that “bog is an Irish word, derived from the word for soft; ‘bogach’ means in Irish -‘soft ground.’ As roads become busier and life becomes a constant rush, we might recall that another Irish phrase: “Tog go bog è “, means literally “Take it easy”, or “Slow down”, or “Breathe deep”. So why not“Tog go bog è “, and take a look around and admire this ancient and unique piece of bog-oak art, which has full certified Littleton, Co. Tipperary origins?
Make the village of Killea, Templemore, Co. Tipperary you destination on Sunday, June 24th next.
Journalist Tom Ryan reports:
A rural Tipperary village will revive its traditional lifestyle of some 80 years ago, when it takes a step back in time for its 11th annual fun day; in the old -fashioned tradition, on Sunday, June 24th next. It will be officially opened by the Thomas Mac Donagh Pipe Band, from Templemore, starting at 1.30pm.
Children will be admitted free of charge on what should be a colourful day at Killea Sportsfield, latter a nice gesture, indeed, from the organising committee, who are hoping for yet another sunny day for this eagerly awaited annual event, which has gone from strength to strength; sheltering in the shade of the famous 480m high (1575 ft) Bearnan Eile (Translation from the Irish – “Devil’s Bit”) mountain.
Events Taking Place at Killea “Field Day” in Co. Tipperary.
Sean-nós Dancing will feature in this popular “Field Day”, same to be held in conjunction with the hugely popular Margaret O’Sullivan Feile. This old style dance, very popular in the Gaeltachtaí will have seen Tipperary persons; Katie Bourke, Sean Bourke and Tadhg Quinlan, very much to the fore in the GAA’s Scór na bPaisti competitions. Jim Hamill, (Field Day Secretary), stated “The dance requires intricate body movement, using head, hips and hands as well as feet.”
Face painting, Bouncy castles and music will all be “free of charge”, as will entry to a five-aside mini-soccer tournament. A competition will also be held to find the fastest sheep in County Tipperary. Killea will stage a mammoth 30 plus events, to stir nostalgia among older Tipperary people.
A local celebrity will be there to judge the “Elegant Lady” Competition, to raise cash for local groups; including Killea National School, Killea GAA and the Tidy Villages and graveyard committees.
Other events will include set-dancing, figure-dancing, horseshoe-throwing, pillow fights, skittles, penalty taking, pony rides, stock-judging, sheaf pitching, a tug of war competition, a dog show, darts and a tractor run. Participants in the Co. Tipperary Fleadh Cheoil in Templemore are expected to feature among the many musicians who will entertain those in attendance.
Local GAA personalities, including Tipp Senior Hurling panellist, Tomas Hamill, son of Jim, will be present and perhaps others from outside the village who will be involved in hurling skills events.
There will be a five a side mini-Soccer Tournament for children from local schools in the under 10 and under-13 years age groups. [Maybe Martin O’ Neill might pop in in search of talent for the Republic of Ireland squad and find a future star like Shane Long].
There will be a canteen and shop in operation during the day, with locally baked confectionery, home-made Colcannon and sides of bacon at the barbecue provided. A local ladies committee here are in charge, and they will have many home-cooked goodies for folks, including pancakes, which are always very popular in Killea.
All the fun of this event will get under way with a tractor run at 11.00am, which will return to Killea Sportsfield. There will be a set-dancing display from the top senior and junior dancers of Killea & district, together with a host of traditional musicians , singers and dancers from various parts of the county, many of whom have won awards, who will entertain from 1.00pm to 6.00pm. Local musicians will also grace the occasion, which should prove most entertaining.
There are a talented 200 member music class in Killea, which ‘Matt The Thresher’ himself would surely have approved, as would indeed Charles J. Kickham, author of “Sliabh na mBan”, latter the Co Tipperary ‘anthem’.
The officers of the organising committee are:- Chairman – Michael Duff; Secretary – Jim Hamill, & Treasurer – John Fogarty.
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