A monumental bronze sculpture by Kilkenny artist Mr Aidan Harte was unveiled outside FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles today, celebrating the town’s unique place in the history of Gaelic Games.
Standing more than three metres tall, Ár gCluichí Féin, (meaning Our Own Games), depicts a male and female player in motion, representing the energy, skill and shared traditions of hurling, camogie and Gaelic football.
Ár gCluichí Féin. Pic: G. Willoughby.
The inclusion of the female figure is particularly significant, making the work the first major GAA statue to portray a female player.
The sculpture honours Thurles as the birthplace of the Gaelic Athletic Association, which was founded at Hayes’ Hotel in the town in 1884. The Ladies Gaelic Football Association was also established at the same location 90 years later, in 1974. GAA President Mr Jarlath Burns attended the unveiling alongside young representatives of the Primary Games and leading Tipperary players, including senior hurling captain Mr Ronan Maher, vice-captain Mr Jake Morris and senior camogie captain Ms Caoimhe McCarthy.
GAA President Mr Jarlath Burns. Pic: G. Willoughby.
Commissioned by Tipperary County Council in partnership with Tipperary GAA and FBD Semple Stadium, the artwork forms part of a wider place making programme for the area. The investment also includes tourism, active-travel, road, cycling and public-realm improvements around the stadium and truly is a must view.
Mr Harte began his career in the arts at Kilkenny-based animation studio Cartoon Saloon, working alongside its founders Tom Moore and Paul Young. He later studied sculpture in Florence and has created several prominent works, including the widely discussed Púca sculpture commissioned for County Clare.
Now permanently positioned beside one of Ireland’s most celebrated sporting grounds, Ár gCluichí Féin provides a striking tribute to the generations of women and men who have played, supported and sustained Ireland’s native games.
Present Chairperson (Cathaoirleach) of Tipperary County Council, Labour CouncillorMs Fiona Bonfield summed up the occasion in her introductory opening speech stating: “It is wonderful to see such a large attendance here today. Unlike most occasions held in Semple Stadium, there is no debate this morning about team selections, controversial refereeing decisions, or whether the ball went over the bar. For once, we are all gathered in complete agreement to celebrate something truly special. It is a great pleasure to be here today for the unveiling of this remarkable artwork—a piece that celebrates a place of profound importance in Ireland’s sporting, cultural and social history: Thurles, the birthplace of the Gaelic Athletic Association. In a week when we have witnessed at first hand the importance of our national games to our people, and collectively celebrated a historic game last Sunday, (Mayo v Kerry) we have, as a nation, felt a tremendous sense of pride in that journey.
Today, we gather not only to welcome a new artistic creation, but also to honour a story—a story that began here in Thurles in 1884, when a small group of visionaries came together with the ambitious idea of preserving, promoting and strengthening Ireland’s indigenous games and cultural traditions. From that meeting emerged an organisation that would grow beyond anything its founders could ever have imagined. What would those founders think if they could see the GAA today? For more than 140 years, the GAA has helped to shape communities across Ireland and throughout the world. It has nurtured generations of players, volunteers, supporters and families. It has provided places where people belong, where friendships are forged, where leadership is developed and where local pride flourishes.”
Chairperson (Cathaoirleach) of Tipperary County Council Labour CouncillorMs Fiona Bonfield. Pic: G. Willoughby.
“At the heart of that story is Thurles. This town occupies a unique place in our national consciousness. It is where the foundations were laid for a movement that would become one of the largest amateur sporting organisations in the world. It is fitting, therefore, that this artwork should stand here in Thurles as a permanent reminder of that legacy, and of the vision, determination and community spirit that inspired the founders of the Association. Public art has a special role in our communities. It allows us to connect with our shared history, celebrate our identity and tell our stories in a way that resonates across generations. Great artwork, however, endures. It captures the imagination, sparks conversations and leaves a lasting impression. This artwork does precisely that. It honours the past while speaking to the future. It reminds young people of the extraordinary heritage they inherit and encourages them to become the next generation of players, volunteers, artists, leaders and custodians of community life. As we unveil this artwork, we celebrate far more than a historical event. We celebrate creativity. We celebrate artistic mastery. We celebrate community. We celebrate volunteer-ism. We celebrate identity. Above all, we celebrate a town whose name will forever be linked with one of the most influential organisations in Irish life.” continued Ms Bonfield.
While welcoming the many dignitaries and team players in attendance today; Ms Bonfield further stated, “Fittingly, here in Thurles, at the Field of Legends, we celebrate a passion that can unite neighbours, families and entire counties”.
Our Games Began Here — and Today, They Come Home
“Ár gCluichí Féin” artist Mr Aidan Harte. Pic: G. Willoughby.
Speaking after the sculpture was revealed, Ár gCluichí Féin artist Mr Aidan Harte described the satisfaction of finally seeing the completed work installed on its plinth. The artist spent much of the previous year modelling the figures in clay at his Kildare studio, before the piece was transferred to a foundry and cast in bronze.
Mr Harte stated, “My father will be the first to tell you that I am Ireland’s worst sportsman. I peaked as a corner-forward at the age of nine. But sculpting this pair of giants was my version of senior hurling. Thank you to Ms Melanie Scott of Tipperary Arts Office for awarding me this commission amid strong competition, and for supporting me throughout its year-long creation.
Thank you to Mr Vincent O’Shea for his good advice, and the occasional kick up the arse when I needed it. Thanks also to sculptors Mr Alan Clarke, Ms Liz O’Kane and Mr Hywel Pratley for their second opinions on anatomy and composition, and to Mr Kieran Riley for his engineering advice on constructing a work of this scale. The Foundry did far more than cast the sculpture; they were co-creators. My thanks to Mr David O’Brien, Jessica, Sandra, Ahmed and Brian for transforming the clay created in my studio into bronze.
The raw materials for the plinth came from Manor Stone, while Thomas Duffy and the County Council team constructed it, along with the elegant space in which the sculpture now stands. Completing everything on time required close coordination between Thurles District Council and Semple Stadium, led by Ms Deirdre Dunne and Mr David Morgan.
Finally, thank you to the people of Thurles for allowing my champions to become part of the Semple Stadium’s story. Our games began here. They thrived here. Today, they come home.
Down in County Clare, my first public sculpture, The Púca, stands in the birthplace of Michael Cusack, founder of the GAA, with FBD Semple Stadium one of the great arenas of Gaelic games, and it is an honour to take part in its continuing story. I hope this sculpture reminds everyone who sees it of how powerful we can be when people unite around the things they love. The two figures do not depict any particular players, because Gaelic games belong to all of us. Thank you to everyone who helped bring this work to life: my wife, Bronagh, who put up with the muddy floors; my neighbour Stuart, who loaned me his football boots; and my models, Natalia Hornet, Noémie Birard, Michael Harte and Pierce Harte. I created the sculpture on top of a steel armature, built by my father Billy, back in the 1970s. Billy himself hurled on these hallowed grounds for Kilkenny.
Thank you all for coming out and sharing this special occasion”, concluded Mr Harte.
Rain has returned to Thurles this evening, Monday, July 27th 2026, after an unusually long dry spell.
Met Éireann’s provisional summer records show that much of County Tipperary experienced sustained dry conditions through the first three weeks of July, while the nearby Gurteen weather station had recorded a notably wet June. On the available evidence, the last proper measurable rain in the Thurles area appears to have fallen around June 30th, making this evening’s rainfall the first significant rain for almost four weeks.
“Singin’ In The Rain”.
Lyrics: American lyricist and a Hollywood film producer, the late Arthur Freed[Grossman](1894–1973). Vocals: American dancer, actor, singer, director and choreographer, the late Gene Kelly(Eugene Curran Kelly)(1912–1996) latter whose parents were both of second generation Irish decent. [Derry on his mother’s side (Harriet Catherine Curran), and possibly Co. Clare (but not conclusively) on his father’s side (James Patrick Joseph Kelly)]
Late GreatGene Kelly. (Eugene Curran Kelly)(1912–1996).
Few songs capture the pleasure of a rainy evening as perfectly as “Singin’ in the Rain,” famously performed by Gene Kelly in the 1952 musical film of the same name. First introduced decades earlier, the song became immortal through Kelly’s joyful performance as he dances along a rain-soaked street, splashing through puddles and turning an ordinary downpour into an expression of happiness and romance. The sequence remains one of the most recognisable moments in cinema history.
I’m singin’ in the rain, just singin’ in the rain, What a glorious feelin’, I’m happy again. I’m laughin’ at clouds so dark up above, The sun’s in my heart and I’m ready for love. Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place, Come on with the rain, I’ve a smile on my face. I walk down the lane with a happy refrain, Just singin’, singin’ in the rain.
Dancing in the rain, I’m happy again.
I’m singin’ and dancin’ in the rain. I’m dancin’ and singin’ in the rain.
Get ready to squish, splash, scoop and explore at our Messy Play Session in The Source Library, Thurles, Co. Tipperary!
Designed for children aged 0 – 4years, this fun sensory activity encourages little ones to discover new materials, textures, sounds and smells through hands-on play. It’s a wonderful way to spark creativity, build confidence and support early learning.
Date: Wednesday, August 5th. Time: 11:30am. Venue: The Source Library, Thurles. Suitability: Suitable for ages 0 – 4 years.
Note: Places are limited and advance booking is essential. Call Tel. No. 052 616 6131, to reserve your child’s place.
Ms Brenda Fricker, the acclaimed Irish actress whose powerful and deeply human performances touched audiences around the world, has died at the age of 81 years.
Her agent confirmed that she passed away in Dublin following a period of ill health. Over a career spanning six decades, Ms Fricker became one of Ireland’s most respected performers and left an enduring mark on cinema and television.
Ms Brenda Fricker, R.I.P.
Born in Dublin on February 17, 1945, Ms Fricker initially hoped to become a journalist and worked as an assistant in the art department of The Irish Times newspaper. However, acting soon became her calling. She began appearing on stage and television during the 1960s, gradually establishing herself as a gifted character actress capable of bringing warmth, honesty and emotional depth to every role.
British television audiences came to know her particularly well through the BBC medical drama Casualty. Ms Fricker played Megan Roach, a compassionate and memorable nurse who became one of the programme’s most familiar early characters. Her television work helped establish her reputation, but it was her performance in Jim Sheridan’s 1989 film “My Left Foot”, that brought her international recognition.
In the film, Fricker portrayed Bridget Fagan Brown, the determined mother of Irish writer and artist Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy. Her restrained yet emotionally powerful performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1990. The victory made her the first Irish woman to win an acting Oscar and represented an important moment for Irish cinema on the international stage. Mr Daniel Day-Lewis, who played Christy Brown, also won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Although “My Left Foot” remained one of her most celebrated achievements, Ms Fricker’s career extended far beyond that single performance. She appeared in Jim Sheridan’s “The Field” and later took supporting roles in several prominent American films, including; “So I Married an Axe Murderer”, “Angels in the Outfield” and the courtroom drama “A Time to Kill”.
For many viewers, however, she will always be remembered as the kindly Pigeon Lady in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”. Initially presented as a mysterious and lonely figure living in Central Park, the character forms an unlikely friendship with Kevin McCallister, played by Mr Macaulay Culkin. Fricker brought tenderness and dignity to the role, helping to create some of the film’s most heartfelt moments.
Her other notable credits included Veronica Guerin, Inside I’m Dancing, Omagh, Albert Nobbs and Cloudburst. Even when appearing in supporting roles, she had an exceptional ability to make her characters feel authentic and unforgettable.
Behind her professional accomplishments, Ms Fricker spoke candidly about periods of depression, loneliness, personal loss and poor health. Her willingness to discuss difficult experiences added another dimension to the public’s appreciation of her resilience. In 2025, she published the memoir She Died Young: A Life in Fragments, reflecting on her life, career and the hardships she had survived.
Tributes following her death have celebrated not only her remarkable talent but also her humour, honesty and forceful personality. Director Mr Jim Sheridan described her as an extraordinary actress and a strong, memorable character.
Ms Brenda Fricker helped open doors for Irish performers, while demonstrating that quiet, compassionate acting could carry enormous emotional power. From her historic Oscar victory to her beloved appearance in Home Alone 2, her work will continue to be discovered and cherished by future generations.
Her death marks the loss of a true pioneer of Irish screen acting, but her extraordinary legacy will endure.
Sam Neill remembered – From Omagh to Hollywood, with a memorable Tipperary visit.
Sir Sam Neill, the acclaimed actor whose career moved effortlessly between Hollywood blockbusters, unsettling psychological dramas and warm-hearted comedies, has died at the age of 78. His family said that Mr Neill died in Sydney on Monday, July 13th 2026, surrounded by loved ones. His death was described as sudden and unexpected. Although he had previously been treated for a rare form of blood cancer, his family confirmed that he remained cancer-free at the time of his passing.
For millions of cinema-goers, Neill will always be Dr Alan Grant, the practical and quietly courageous palaeontologist who found himself pursued by dinosaurs in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. Released in 1993, the film transformed Neill into an international star. He later returned to the role in ‘Jurassic Park III‘ and ‘Jurassic World Dominion‘, introducing the character to new generations of viewers. However, concentrating solely on dinosaurs would overlook the remarkable range of an acting career that lasted for more than five decades.
The Late Sam Neill – In ár gcroíthe go deo.
Mr Neill could be charming, threatening, romantic, vulnerable or wonderfully dry. He appeared opposite Meryl Streep in ‘A Cry in the Dark‘; playing a Soviet submarine officer in ‘The Hunt for Red October’ and delivered one of his most disturbing performances in the cult horror film ‘Possession’. In the same year that Jurassic Park reached cinemas; Mr Neill appeared in Jane Campion’s ‘The Piano’. He later earned another generation of admirers through ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’, directed by fellow New Zealander Mr Taika Waititi. His television work was equally memorable. In ‘Peaky Blinders’, he played the ruthless Major Chester Campbell, a Belfast police officer, determined to destroy Tommy Shelby and his criminal organisation.
Mr Neill was born Nigel John Dermot Neill, in Omagh, County Tyrone, in 1947. His father, a New Zealander serving with the British Army, was stationed in Northern Ireland at the time. The family later lived in County Armagh before moving to New Zealand when Sam was seven. Although New Zealand became his home and the foundation of his professional life, Neill retained a strong affection for Ireland. He held an Irish passport and spoke warmly about the country’s literature, history and culture. He once described himself as quietly proud of his Irish connections, while rejecting the exaggerated stereotypes often associated with Irish-ness.
Was There a Tipperary Connection? There was, nevertheless, a real and memorable Tipperary connection. In November 2012, Mr Neill travelled to Cork and to Co. Tipperary to promote wines from ‘Two Paddocks‘, the vineyard he established in Central Otago, New Zealand. During the visit, he discussed his Irish identity, his love of wine and his preference for an ordinary life away from the excesses of celebrity. Wine was far more than a commercial sideline for Mr Neill. He took enormous pride in his vineyard, its Pinot Noir and the animals living on the property. ‘Two Paddocks’ offered him a retreat from filming and a connection with the land that appeared to matter deeply to him.
His visit to Tipperary may have been brief, but it provides the county with its own small place in the story of an actor whose life stretched from Northern Ireland to New Zealand, Australia and the great film studios of the world. Mr Neill became internationally famous relatively late. By the arrival of Jurassic Park, he had already spent years building a respected career in New Zealand, Australia and Britain. That experience gave his performances a grounded quality. Even when surrounded by computer-generated dinosaurs, supernatural forces or larger-than-life characters, he rarely appeared overwhelmed by the spectacle. He remained believable, restrained and entirely human.
Following his death, New Zealand Prime Minister Mr Christopher Luxon described Mr Neill as “one of the greats” and credited him with helping bring New Zealand stories and film-making talent to international audiences. That is perhaps the most fitting way to remember him. Mr Sam Neill was the star of one of the biggest films ever made, but he was never defined by a single role. He was an Irish-born New Zealander, an actor, writer, farmer and winemaker, whose curiosity and understated humour remained evident throughout his life. Mr Neill is survived by children; Andrew, Tim, Elena, Maiko, and several grandchildren.
Tipperary sadly cannot claim him as one of its own, but it can recall the occasion when one of cinema’s most distinctive gentlemen came to this county, raised a glass and spoke proudly of his enduring Irish connection.
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