Two top actresses, currently both in huge demand, and both previously educated at the Ursuline Convent Secondary School here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, were among those who walked the Green Carpet at the Oscar Wilde Awards last night; latter organised by the US-Ireland Alliance.
Seeing both actresses, namely Ms Kerry Condon and Ms Jessie Buckley, ushered in a huge sense of pride for the people of Thurles and Tipperary, through their many achievements to date, within the entertainment industry.
The US-Ireland Alliance is a proactive, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to consolidating existing relations between the United States and the island of Ireland and building that relationship for the future. The Oscar Wilde Awards event is an annual event of the US-Ireland Alliance.
Green Party Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Minister, Ms Catherine Martin, travelled to Los Angeles, with the aim of developing stronger links with the entertainment industry. While many eyes are currently focused on Ireland’s 14 nominations, here was an ideal time to attempt to attract film companies, granting them opportunities to build stronger relationships with Ireland’s scenic locations and its supberb acting talent.
We understand Ms Martin has already met with Sony, Disney, and with representatives from Marvel.
We wish all those nominated for Academy Awards, (latter awards to be announced on March 13th, 2023), the very best of luck.
Roger Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council launched the Schedule of Events Brochure for Month in Cashel Library on Thursday 22nd “with extreme pride”.
The library will host a series of free ‘Mnásome‘ events over the course of the month, which are available to all person’s regardless of pronoun. There is a very exciting programme of events beginning with an evening with Una Healy, and has something for everyone.
Mná Month is the brain child of branch librarian Maura Barrett who first muted the concept in 2020 as a pilot project. The notion being that it could be considered as a possible contender for an annual event across all libraries, in the same way that other programmes, like Bealtaine, which happens in May, have become staples in the library calendar.
“I am delighted to be able to revive this in 2023 with the help of Local Government Creative Ireland,” says Maura. “Creativity and community are two stays in Cashel Library’s philosophy of engagement with our patrons. We endeavour to support all library users to achieve their highest potential through the mechanism of creativity. International Women’s Day falls on the 8th of March and so does Mother’s Day making March the perfect time to celebrate the achievements of women”, Maura added.
Life changed irrevocable for people in Tipperary during the coronavirus pandemic. The impact being felt particularly by women in terms of economic security, social interactions, community cohesion, and their skills, learning and development. “Women carried the burden of the education of their children, sourcing food and basic supplies for the family and keeping spirits high in 2km lockdowns”, says Mr Roger Kennedy, “I’m delighted to see this initiative come to fruition, Cashel Library is a lovely space.”
These issues and the fall out of Covid have challenged patrons’ mental health in untold ways. “It is with this in mind that we plan of keeping all of our creative activities light, fun, engaging and interactive by ensuring they are delivered in a non-threatening and enjoyable way by skilled facilitators,” explains Maura Barrett. “Our theme ‘A Series of Mnásome Events’will take a simple back to basics approach, valuing what is really important in life, Mná Month 2023 will be a celebration.”
The programme kicks off with a concert by The Cedartowns, one of the most exciting sounds on the current folk scene on the 4th March. Other headline acts include an evening in conversation with Una Healy on the 8th March, a writing workshop with Anne MacDonald, traditional paper flower making with Mary Doll Reilly, a sculpting workshop with Philip Quinn, the joy of journaling with Margaret O’Brien, mindful mandala making with Maria Coleman, an interview with the internationally renowned author and Tipperary woman Melissa Hill. Deise Medieval showcase the lives of Viking women, there is Music Therapy, the renowned Davog Rhynne takes you on a musical bardic journey celebrating the women of Irish myth, while Stephanie Woods discusses the women stain glass artists of An Tur Gloine and their works in Tipperary. Other offerings include practical sustainability with Eanna Ni Lamhna of ‘Mooney Goes Wild’, leaving off steam with Big Bang Drumming, Eileen Heneghan shows you how to give back to yourself using colour and meditation, there is Bridge for all generations, Creative Crafts, an Art exhibition with Ann Brennan and her students, Jewellery by Ms Manton, a mad hatters event with Millinery Vibes, jewellery by GG Designs and Eileen Acheson discusses the mental health Ireland campaign HELLO, How R U? We will also be recording patrons striking the #EmbraceEquity pose and showcasing this on social media.
All activities in a library setting are provided free to patrons and equality and diversity are main stays in all of our work. There is something for everyone and booking is essential for all events – TEL. No. 062 63825.
The song sung hereunder, is about the Irish boxer, of the 1930s. Mr Jack Doyle latter who was known as ‘The Gorgeous Gael’. Born into a working-class family on August 31st, 1913 in Cobh, Co. Cork; he would pass away on December 13th, 1978 in Paddington, London, England.
Jack was tall (six feet five inches), good-looking and a multi-talented individual. He was a contender for the British Boxing Championship; a Hollywood actor, and an accomplished Tenor (between baritone and alto), however his often generous nature and love of drink was to be his eventual downfall.
Doyle became involved with the actress Movita Castaneda. Following a celebrity wedding, in Dublin’s Westland Row Church, (Jack’s second wedding; he was previously married, in 1935, to Judith Allen), after which the couple toured both sides of the Irish Sea, selling out Music Halls and Opera houses.
About this time, Jack fought his last professional fight, against a journeyman named Chris Cole. Same took place in front of some 23,000 fans, in Dalymount Park, Dublin. He arrived for the event late, having stopped at The Clarence Hotel for refreshments. The bout saw an inebriated Doyle, go down in the first round. Soon afterwards, having had enough, Movita packed up and moved back to Hollywood, where she would go on to marry film star Marlon Brando.
Doyle, shortly afterwards, found himself in Mountjoy Jail, Dublin, having assaulted and knocked out a Garda Detective, in a Dublin pub. Having moved to England he spiralled downwards into alcoholism and bankruptcy and found his friends had deserted him, as fast as his bank balance, latter spent in his own words on “slow horses and fast women”.
I had the privilege of meeting Jack on several occasions, in the early 1970’s, walking on the sea front in Bray, Co. Wicklow, where he had a flat for a short time. His only source of income during this time was an allowance he continued to receive, by agreement, from former wife Movita.
Sadly, Jack died in 1978, aged just 65 years, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, in the City of Westminster, Central London; his death caused by cirrhosis of the liver. He is interned in the Old Church Cemetery, on the outskirts of Cobh town, Co. Cork, Ireland, his grave today visited by thousands of people annually.
The Contender.
Singer: Irish (Co. Kildare) Folk Musician, Dan McCabe, [latter who is expected to tour in Co. Tipperary shortly]. Original Lyrics: (Shown Hereunder), From the pen of Cork born Irish singer and songwriter Jimmy MacCarthy.
The Contender. [Original Lyrics]
When I was young and I was in my day, Sure I’d steal what woman’s heart there was, away, And I’d sing into the dawning, Saw a blaze into the morning, Long before I was the man you see today.
I was born beneath the star that promised all. I could have lived my life without Cassandra’s* call, But the wheel of fortune took me, From the highest point she shook me, By the bottle live by the bottle I shall fall.
There in the mirror on the wall, I see the dream is fading, From the contender to the brawl, The ring, the rose, the matador, raving.
And when I die, I’ll die a drunk down on the street. He will count me out to ten in clear defeat. Wrap the Starry Plough* around me, Let the piper’s air resound me, There I’ll rest until the Lord of Love I’ll meet.
There in the mirror on the wall, I see the dream is fading. From the contender to the brawl, The ring, the rose, the matador, raving.
* In Greek Classical Legend, Cassandra was the daughter of Priam and Hecuba, endowed with the gift of prophecy. *Starry Plough, a banner, a socialist symbol, the significance of which it was declared, that a free Ireland would control its own destiny, “from the plough to the stars”.
On Wednesday last, February 22nd, Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee officially launched details of this year’s town parade (2023), following a meeting held in the Thurles Chamber Enterprise Centre.
PicturedL-R: Pat Carey, Hugh Ryan, Jane Ryan, Julie Barrett, Helen Pollard (Sponsor Michael’s Jewellers, Westgate, Thurles.) Cllr. Peggy Ryan (Cathaoirleach Thurles Municipal District Council), Ciaran Callanan, Cllr. Seán Ryan and Sgt. John McCormack.
Mr Johnny Kenehan (Chairperson St. Patrick’s Day Committee) Reports: –
The Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee wish to announce the holding of a live parade on March 17th next, 2023, starting at 2.30pm in Liberty Square, in the town. This years parade follows a 3 year hiatus; caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The parade will assemble at Abbey Road, Thurles at 1.45pm at Jysk Store and leave at 2.15pm.
We, the committee invite entries from clubs, social organisations and schools, to participate in this live parade, and to take this opportunity to showcase, publicly, their various organisations and proud achievements, in this most public of settings.
“The Past, Present and Future”
The theme for this year’s parade is “The Past, Present and Future”, thus leaving those taking part, to come up with their own pivotal theme or interpretation of some other concept, whether real or imaginary.
Prizes
To mark the return of the 2023 Thurles Parade, the prize for the Best Overall Entry will be a whopping €1,000, with a trophy. There will be cash prizes and trophies also for 2nd Best and 3rd Best parade entries; with various other categories also receiving trophies, plus a Special Award of the Judges choosing.
To add to the festivities, there will be live music in the Square prior to the parade, with O’Donoghue’s Funfair in O’Meara’s Car Park, together with facepainting for smaller children. [So do come early!]
The committee are pledged to making this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade a success, so do keep in mind that it is the level of participation and the quality of entries that will make this years parade a success.
We ask that all shop fronts display a St. Patrick’s Day Theme the week, before the national day of celebration, greening up the town, bigger and brighter than ever before. To this end there will 2 prizes for Best Dressed Window [Best Traditional Window Display and Runner-Up]. Note: Judging in the Best Dressed Window category, for will take place the week prior to the main parade and a Trophy presentation will be held on Saturday March18th at 3:00pm, in The Thurles Chamber Enterprise Centre, Jimmy Doyle Road, Thurles.
All entries can be made by sending details to these email addresses – johnnykenehan@hotmail.comor thurlespaddiesday@gmail.com. It is hoped that all clubs, schools, organisations and businesses will be in a position to participate and we greatly look forward to hearing from you.
More information will forthcoming in the weeks ahead.
To date the committee would like to thank the following sponsors for their kind donations:
The Banshees of Inisherin Star, Thurles native and natural beauty, Ms Kerry Condon this evening, as expected, won a Bafta award for ‘Best Supporting Actress’. (After an unaired gaffe, which saw the wrong winner of the award being announced).
Thurles born and natural beauty, Ms Kerry Condon.
In accepting the award, Ms Condon thanked Director Martin McDonagh for giving her the part, and for all the parts he gave her throughout her career. “You make me so proud to be an Irish woman”, she added.
Barry Keoghan, won best supporting actor, and dedicated his award to the kids from the area that he came from, “who are dreaming to be something”.
Mr Martin McDonagh won original screenplay for “The Banshees Of Inisherin”, making it three wins in total for this dark comedy film. Receiving his award, Mr McDonagh, thanked Bafta; his fellow nominees; his production company and all those who performed in the film.
“Ms Condon, you make Thurles; County Tipperary and Ireland so proud”.
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