Entertainment - Thurles Information

Upcoming Events In Two-Mile-Borris & Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Local Correspondent Mr Gerry Bowe Reports on Upcoming Events.

Race Night.

A ‘Race night’, in aid of MBL Mens Shed, will take place in Bannon’s Bar, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, on tomorrow night, Friday, March 31st, beginning sharp at 8.00pm.

Coffee Morning.

A ‘Coffee Morning’ in aid of the Irish Cancer Society will be held in the Muintir Na Tire Hall, Littleton, Thurles, on Saturday morning next, April 1st, from 10:00am until 12:00 noon.
All support given is very much appreciated.

**“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”**
*Pic: J. O’Loughlin*.

Church Easter Ceremonies

St. Kevin’s Church, Littleton, Thurles.
Holy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord Supper at 7:30pm.
Good Friday – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3:30pm, Stations of the Cross at 7:30pm.
Outdoor Stations of the Cross in Liathmore, Leigh, Two-Mile-Borris at 12:00 noon.

St. James Church Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles.
Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil at 6:00pm.

St.Peter Church, Moycarkey, Thurles.
Good Friday – Stations of the Cross at 1:45pm.
Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil at 8.00pm.

Note: Easter Sunday – Masses in all of the above Churches at usual Sunday times.

2023 Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade Winners.

**Mr Pat Carey presenting the *‘Special Award’* to the Ukranian Ladies Dancing Troop, following the Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2023.**

**Mr Johnny Kenehan presenting *‘Best Sports Award’* to Mr Tomas Loughnane, Thurles Rugby Football Club, following the Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2023.**

**Mrs Anne Kennedy presenting the *‘Runner Up Small Float Award’*, to Mr Tim Quinn & Colleagues, representing Mens Shed Thurles, following the Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2023.**

2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Winners.

**Mr Johnny Kenehan, *(Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade Chairperson)*, presenting 1st Prize of €1,000 and winners trophy to the overall winner, Thurles Panto Society.**

Mr John Tarpey presenting Supermac’s Crystal Bowl to *‘Best Large Float’*; the award going to Coolmoyne Moyglass Vintage Club, the Club also received prize money of €500 sposored by Dew Valley Foods.

Cathoirleach Thurles MDC Cllr. Ms Peggy Ryan presenting the Runner Up Large Float Award to Clonoulty Rossmore Vinatge Club together with money prize of €250 Sponsored by Barry’s SuperValu, Friar Street, Thurles.

Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Committee would sincerely like to thank all donors who made the 2023 Parade possible.

List of Donors:

The People of Upperchurch/Drombane, Borrisoleigh, Moyne and Thurles, JYSK Thurles, Thurles.Info (website), Declan Maher Financial Services Ltd, Executive Menswear, Dwans Hardware, Denis Kinane Motors, Sheppard’s Opticians, TUS Thurles, Dew Valley Foods, Barry’s SuperValu, Bowe Travel, Pat Brennans Bar, Vale Oil Co., Thurles Credit Union, Noel Ryans Pub, Thurles Photoshop, The Mall Curios, Dr. Paul Ryan & Dr. David Millman, Centenary Thurles Co-Op, A.I.B. Thurles, Tipperary County Council, Michael Lowry T.D., Eoin Dunne Driving School, Jackie Cahill T.D., The Anner Cleaners, The Anner Hotel, Jennings Opticians, Daly’s Fish Shop, Linnane’s Off-Licence, Hickey’s Pharmacy, Moran’s Menswear, Ryans Cleaning, Sammons Pharmacy, Brennans Bar, Mitchel House, Q Mobiles, The Village Market Holycross, Frank Roche & Sons, E. Cleary Motors, CM Signs, Kennedy’s County Bar, Supermacs Thurles, Thurles Shopping Centre, Michael’s Jewellers, Flynn’s Childrenswear, Grace’s Fashions, O’Dwyer Transport, Sklep Polski Jelonek, Inga Mikelsone, Margaret Skehan, Thurles Irish Country Womens Association, Hanafins Furniture, Roynanes Hardware, Tim Looby Accountants, W.F. Gleeson Solrs, Martin Shanahan Tyres, Kambo Chinese Restaurant, Golden Nails, Stakelums Hardware, Dinans Timber, Thurles Tourist Office, Tipperary Star, Tipperary Live, BC IT, Tip Mid-West Radio, and TippFM.

Sudden Death Of Comedian Paul O’Grady MBE DL.

Sadly, we wake up to news of the death, yesterday, of the well-known and much loved comedian, television and radio presenter, actor, drag queen and writer Mr Paul O’Grady, MBE DL. [Order British Empire – Deputy Lieutenant].
Mr O’Grady achieved notability in the London gay scene in the 1980s and 1990s, with his drag queen persona “Lily Savage”.

Mr O’Grady dropped the latter character in the 2000s, to become the presenter of various television and radio shows, including the much loved ‘The Paul O’Grady Show’.

Born to a working-class Irish migrant family, [Father Paddy Grady Co. Roscommon & mother Molly Savage latter with strong Co. Louth connections], in Tranmere, Cheshire, Mr O’Grady moved to London in the late 1970s, initially working as a travelling care officer for Camden Council.
He developed his drag act in the late 1970s, basing his character “Lily Savage” upon traits found amongst female relatives.

Touring England, Mr O’Grady became a popular stand-up comedian in the early 1980s and for the next eight years performed at a South London gay pub, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT), where he gained a popular following among London’s gay community, and used his character to speak out for gay rights.

Having being nominated for a ‘Perrier Award’ (now known as Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards), in 1992, Mr O’Grady attracted mainstream attention, making numerous television, radio, and theatrical appearances.

Later as “Lily Savage”, he presented the television shows The Big Breakfast (1995–1996), Blankety Blank (1997–2002), and Lily Live! (2000–2001), earning various awards and becoming a well-known public figure.

Additional television shows included Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs, Paul O’Grady’s Animal Orphans and Paul O’Grady’s Great British Escape (2020). He published several books, including a four-volume memoir.

Mr O’Grady was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 – Birthday Honours list for his services to entertainment.
In 2020, he became president of the British Music Hall Society.

Sadly yesterday, March 28th, 2023, Mr O’Grady passed away “unexpectedly but peacefully” aged 67 years. His death was confirmed by his husband, Mr André Portasio.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Thurles Tops 40th Tipp Drama Festival in Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Tom Ryan Reports:

The 50 years old Thurles Drama Group were accorded a very enthusiastic standing ovation at the conclusion of Conor McPhearson’s “The Seafarer”, in a packed St. Michael’s Community Centre Holycross, last week.

It was a truly sterling and hugely entertaining production that last Sunday night saw them scoop the awards for Best Production (The Tipp FM Trophy) presented by Geraldine O’Neill to Johnny Fogarty; Best Tipperary Play (Dr. Morris Cup), Most Entertaining Play (Hannifin Trophy) and Best Producer (Frank Gleeson Award) to Margaret McCormack Purcell.

**Picture Courtesy Thurles Drama Group**

The Tipperary Star cup for Best Play in the Confined Category went to Harvest Moon (“God of Carnage”) and Stephen Gleeson of the Tipperary Star was present.

Thurles, who have appeared in eight All-Irelands at Athlone had qualified for this year’s All-Ireland also in Athlone, with four festival wins achieved before Holycross. And this may not be the end of the Thurles success story. The national finals will be held in late April or early May.

The nine top groups who competed were from as far away as Lifford in Donegal and Rossmore in West Cork and a number of top thespians with professional experience were present in the audience including a member of RTE’s “The Offenders” from Cobh.

So also were many faithful festival fans from all over Tipperary and further afield. Festival Director for the last 40 years, Mr Donal Duggan, paid tribute to these great amateur theatre folk for their dedication; people he said who all have jobs to go to in the mornings after the show and after along journey for many miles through the nights and mornings for months from October onwards.

The Festival committee in Holycross also had dedicated much time and effort into organizing this wonderful festival the only one of its kind in County Tipperary. The Adjudicator, whose insightful remarks were appreciated by discerning and theatre loving audiences, was Mr Peter O’Driscoll. He was an actor, designer, and director with Strand Players and many other companies.

The hard working committee, who deserve to be congratulated on their trojan efforts, comprised of Very Rev. Celsus Tierney (President), Donal Duggan (Festival Director), Tommy Lanigan (Chairman), Claire Ryan (Secretary), Maudie Bourke and Tommy Lanigan (Joint Treasurers), Geraldine O Neill (PRO), Marty O’Neill and Ger O’Dwyer (sponsorship), Diana Lacey (Raffle), Marty O’Neill and Paddy Connolly (Technical), and Marie Spillane, Peg Ryan Elaine O’Dwyer, Andy Slattery (Committee).

The Sub Committee comprised of Jack Henchion, John Glasheen, Aishling Henchion, Gerry Kennedy, Derek Doherty and Jim Fin.

The popular festival continues to attract many loyal fans and also new faces including Presentation Thurles secondary school teacher Deborah Harty.

What Splendid entertainment we had in the picturesque village from Ireland’s top theatre groups performing top plays from tragedy to comedy.

It is also a great social occasion when friendships are formed or renewed. It is one of the most convivial occasions of the year and, of course, the tea breaks and Diana Lacey’s raffles for splendid prizes are all an integral part of the occasion always.

The large attendances included Archbishop (Emeritus) Dermot Clifford, a faithful festival fan, Denis Carroll Clonoulty, Tom Purcell Littleton, Josephine O’ Gorman Thurles, Mary Moore Thurles, Pat Maher Freighduff Cashel, Nora Maher Thurles, Martin Fitzgerald Holycross, Michael and Mary Blake Thurles, John Quinlan and friends Moyne, Comedian Tim Curran Thurles, top actresses Patricia Lowry and Jacqui Lacey Thurles and Cashel.

Other Awards.
GALLAGHER AWARD – for most promising actor/actress – Siobhain Corcoran Helen (“The Cripple
of Inishmaan”).
BEST SET OVERALL- Josie Slattery Award – (“Blithe Spirit”): Kilmeen D.G.
BEST LIGHTING: – Declan McCarthy – (“The Father”): Brideview D.G.
BEST SOUND: – Zara Holmes – (“When Elephants Collide”): Lifford Players.
1st ADJUDICATOR AWARD: – For Live Music – (“Playboy of the Western World”): Hinterland.
2nd ADJUDICATOR AWARD : – Allison Murphy as the Maid – (”Blithe Spirit”): Kilmeen.