The 400-acre wooded demesne of Glin Castle, situated on the banks of the Shannon estuary in Co. Limerick, with its 12 acres of pleasure gardens, saw the annual “Rare & Special Plant Fair” taking place on Sunday May 12th last.
‘Sparmania’
One of the beautiful rare plants on show at this event was ‘Sparmania’, latter a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae, native to open woodland in Africa, South Africa and Madagascar. The genus name is called after Anders Sparrman, a Swedish naturalist, tutor, abolitionist, ships doctor and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, (1748-1820).
Pictures L-R. [1]Sparmania – [2] Swedish Naturalist Anders Sparrman (1748-1820).
According to the well-respected, dare I say Bible, known as Hillier Manual of Trees & Shrubs( Hillier / Lancaster), the Sparmania shrub(pictured above) is described as a large, stellately-hairy, apple-green shrub of vigorous habit. Leaves are large, often 30cm (11ins) or more across, palmately-lobed. Flowers are white 4cm wide, with yellow stamens (the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower).
This plant is regarded as an excellent conservatory shrub.
While grateful for this description, it was the further information supplied that appealed more to me, as a former restaurant and hotel employee. How often have I watched patrons stub their cigarettes butts out in flower pots used to decorate reception areas / lobbies, same leading eventually to the tragic demise of expensive plants.
Hotels and Restaurants take note: Sparmania, according to the Hillier Manual of Trees & Shrubs, thrives on, wait for it,“on discarded cigarette and cigar-ends, together with tea and coffee dregs, as found in poor quality cafés”. [Not that I have ever worked in poor quality cafés, I’ll have you to note and fully understand.]
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.
Ms Suzanne Brosnan (Senior Library Assistant), Tipperary County Council Library Service, situated in ‘The Source’ building in Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, reports:-
Spring Into Storytime
On Saturday April 13th next Thurles Library will “Spring into Storytime”.
The event will begin sharp at 11.30am. Please do remember that for such enjoyable events, booking is always advisable, so do give us a call to Tel. No. 0761 – 06 – 6131.
We look forward to your visit.
Readers please also note: Daily Opening Hours and Contact Details for Thurles Library are shown hereunder:-
Opening Hours
Monday: 9.30 am to 1.00 pm & 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm Tuesday: 9.30 am to 8.00 pm Wednesday: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm Thursday: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm Friday: 9.30 am to 1.00 pm & 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm Saturday: 10.00 am to 1.00 pm & 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Senior Library Assistant at Thurles Library; situated in Cathedral Street, Thurles, Ms Suzanne Brosnan reports:-
“Join us in Thurles Library during Seachtain na Gaeilge (English – “Irish language week”), for a ‘Coffee Morning’ on Wednesday, March 13th, at 11.00am and enjoy a great Irish Music, Song and Dance performance from the pupils of our local Gaelscoil Bhríde, Durlas Éile. Mr Jimmy Duggan will be ‘Fear an Tí’,(‘Man Of the House’ ) or Director for the session.
Looking forward to meeting you all. Everyone welcome”.
“Ag tnúth go mór bualadh libh. Beidh fáilte romhaibh.” (Irish to English translation – “Looking forward to meeting you. You are all welcome.” )
Note: Seachtain na Gaeilge[English – “Irish language week” ], is a non-profit organisation here in Ireland, which promotes use of the Irish language during a two-week festival held at the beginning of March every year, just before Saint Patrick’s Day, latter which is celebrated annually on March 17th.
Parents Take Note: Exciting Thurles Library Events Happening During February 2019 – Ms Suzanne Brosnan (Thurles Library) Reports:-
Healthy Ireland
As part of Healthy Ireland, Thurles Library branch will host two mindfulness workshops for children on Saturday 2nd of February. These workshops will be facilitated by Tipperary Mindfulness practitioner Máire Shanahan. Mindfulness awareness exercises help children and young people to develop concentration, self-awareness and improve resilience. The first workshop will take place from 2.00pm-3.00pm and is suitable for children aged between 9-12 years. The second session will begin at 3.30pm-4.30pm and is suitable for teens 13 years plus.
Our second Healthy Ireland event will take place on Saturday 16th February. Alexsandra Mitura will host a Zumba taster class for children in Thurles Library from 2.30pm-3.30pm. Zumba is an aerobic fitness programme, featuring movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and performed to Latin American dance music.
Tipperary Young Readers Awards (TYRA’s) Presentation
Over 250 students completed our TYRAs (Tipperary Young Readers Awards) and will receive their awards on Saturday 16th February from 10.30am-12.30pm.
Book Clinic
The Book Clinic will be in the library from 10.30-1pm and 2-3.30pm. If you are a reader and looking for the next series to delve into or need a prescription for an exciting new read? Then pop along to Thurles Library and meet the CBI book clinic doctors. They will be ready to offer you advice and get a new personalized list of books to suit your reading tastes to take away! The Book Clinic is free of charge and a great way to discover new authors!
Animal Magic
Animal Magic will be in Thurles Library on Saturday 16th February from 10.30-12.30pm. Pop in and meet Rosie Campbell and her animal friends. When you are finished learning all about animals why not turn your hand at some science experiments. Anyone4Science will host a drop-in workshop with Angela McGlynn form 10.30am-12.30pm.
Note Please: All the events are free to attend and bookings are only essential for the Mindfulness and Zumba workshops.
Contact: For further information please contact Tel No. 0761-06-6131 for any further details on any of the excellent events listed here above.
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