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Following an application in October last, planning approval has now been granted for a bio-diesel plant near Thurles.
G.R.O. Oil Ltd have been granted approval by North Tipperary Co. Council to construct a bio-diesel production facility at Manselstown, Ballyduff, Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Included in the permission is leave to construct twelve bunded storage tanks, a lab, a process building, an administration building and other ancillary buildings. The proposed plant must operate with an integrated pollution control licence from the Environmental Protection Agency.
In 2008 Centenary Thurles Co-Op finalised contracts with the Cork company, for the sale of this site near Thurles, which had planning permission for this 40,000 tonne processing plant.
What Are The Advantages of Bio-diesel
Locally grown seed is a strengthening market especially where imported oils such as palm oil are seen as environmentally damaging due to rain forest clearance especially in Asian countries. It was then felt that offering the opportunity to grow alternative crops to farmers here in Tipperary, would greatly enhance the sustainability of the region and provide a substitute crop for many tillage growers following the decline of the sugar beet industry.
G.R.O. Oil Ltd. is a Cork based company, established in 2004, manufacturing bio-diesel from rapeseed, which is ready for use in any diesel engine without any modifications required. Bio-diesel is renewable and it has a closed loop cycle, with only the CO2 absorbed by the growing plant being emitted from the engine during the combustion cycle. It is a clean burning renewable fuel made from vegetable oil, animal fats or recycled cooking oil. It can be used in compression ignition (diesel) engines with no modifications. Bio-diesel is simple to use, biodegradable, non-toxic and free from sulphur and aromatics.
In February 2007, Minister Noel Dempsey announced that Ireland would move to a biofuels obligation in 2009, where fuel suppliers would be required to ensure that biofuels represent a certain percentage of their annual fuel sales. In announcing the obligation, the Minister set targets of 5.75% market penetration by 2010 and 10% by 2020.
Goldrop from G.R.O. Oil is manufactured to EN14214 which is the recognized European standard for cleanliness, purity and combustion quality.
 Winter Walking Winter walking festivals have once more begun making their welcome appearance and where better to venture, for lovers of this healthy pastime, than Upperchurch, Thurles, Co.Tipperary this coming weekend, for their Annual Walking Festival.
Winter walking is all about exploring winter wonderlands and it is in this wonderful upland area that the winter hills continue to reward each visitor especially young families. Experience its pure bracing air, its striking views of mother nature in all her winter nakedness and all without any of the heroics and hardship often associated with this healthy pastime.
One of the main reasons people love winter walking is that it is so easy to get the hang of and anyone who has ever donned a pair of walking boots can pick it up straight away without any special lessons required.
Of course good shoes and socks are essential for this kind of outing. Shoes that stand up to mud and rain will keep you from the misery of damp cold feet that could eventually become cracked and sore, thus leading you to the foolish decision that, really, this healthy outdoor life may not be for you.
From my own experience ordinary walking shoes leak while a good pair of hiking boots keep your feet dry and also keep you from sliding in the sometimes mud, snow and ice. When buying always invest in a good lightweight boot that is just a bit larger than your normal shoe size.
With regard to clothing, do put on layers of same, for walking in the cold. In order to feel comfortable as your body adjusts to the outside air, your outside clothing can then easily be shed, should you start overheating. Very heavy wool sweaters will not always allow you to cool down enough while you walk, so if the temperatures rises as you progress, with layering you can take the outerwear off and tie it around your waist.
A hat is also essential to keeping in body heat and gloves are always very desirable, as is a camera for lovers of photography. Indeed you are sure to come across a picture in this place of such wild and natural beauty.
So do head for the Upperchurch Hills this weekend not only for the walking, but also for the healthy atmosphere, the beauty and the freedom that abounds. Also experience the warmth and friendliness of the local people you will meet should you stop off in the village for any type of food or beverage.
Tel: 0504-54284 or 086-0518934 or click here for further information.
The festival begins tomorrow Nov 5th and runs for 3 days and I know from first hand experience you will truly enjoy this trip.
 Adi Roche Tipperary human rights campaigner and Chernobyl Children International founder, Adi Roche, will receive the World of Children‘s 2010 Health Award, at a ceremony tomorrow at UNICEF House in New York City.
The award which is hailed Internationally as the “Nobel Prize for Children” is an annual honor, that includes a cash grant of up to $50,000 (€36,000) for the honorees own charitable program. Adi plans to use this award to fund life saving cardiac operations on children in the Ukraine and Belarus and to further the training and development of local surgeons, ensuring that ‘Chernobyl Children International’ can continue to save lives into the future..
Adi Roche, chief executive of Chernobyl Children Project International (CCPI), has scooped the prize for her continued efforts to improve the lives of children living in the shadow of the world’s worst nuclear disaster area.
Adi started working in Chernobyl in the aftermath of the nuclear disaster in 1991, and has delivered over €85 million worth of aid and has brought more than 20,000 children into Ireland for life enhancing rest and recuperation.
World of Children Awards co-chairman Harry Leibowitz said they are proud to support exemplary individuals such as Adi Roche, who had improved the lives of so many children. Since 1998, the ‘World of Children Awards’ has shared more than $4 million (€2.8m) in grants with 84 individuals working in more than 50 countries.
Born in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Adi now lives in Co. Cork with her husband Seán Dunne.
For her work with CCPI, Adi has been honoured by numerous awards: the Medal of Francysk Skaryna , the European Woman Laureate Award, Irish Person of the Year and the European Person of the Year awards. She was the keynote speaker at the United Nations General Session, latter commemorating the 18th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, and was appointed to represent NGOs on the Steering Committee of the UN’s International Chernobyl Research and Information Network (ICRIN).
Adi and the work of CCPI were featured in the 2003 Academy Award winning film “Chernobyl Heart”. She has also written the book “Chernobyl Heart, 20 Years on.”
Ms Roche has, in the past, stood for the office of President of Ireland as a coalition candidate for the Labour Party, Democratic Left and the Green Party in the 1997 Irish presidential election.
 North Tipperary County Council have recently signed a contract with SIAC Construction for minor remediation works, as part of the ongoing Silvermines Rehabilitation Project.
The cost of the contract is understood to be €593,967.91, excluding Vat and the remediation works are to be carried out at the historic mining sites at Ballygown, Magcobar, Garryard, Gorteenadiha and Shallee, including the various segments.
Works include fencing of mine shafts and subsidence areas, demolition of derelict buildings, asbestos removal, mine shaft capping, drainage improvement works, minor earthworks and re-vegetation, erosion protection works, and other miscellaneous works that are required for the protection of the environment and human and animal health in the Silvermines mining area.
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, in 2005 made a total of €10.6m available for environmental remediation works in the old mining area of the Silvermines.
North Tipperary County Council is acting as Agent for the DCENR (Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources) in having the rehabilitation scheme executed.
 Teagasc the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland. Teagasc, under the guidance of Area Manager Donal Mullane, are hosting an important seminar for all farm families in Thurles on Tuesday 2nd of November at 8.00pm in the Anner Hotel.
Farmers and farm families are continually weighing up their options and planning for the future. Opportunities and threats are continually being assessed as farmers navigate the decision making process for themselves and their families.
In farming there is a great interdependence between the farm and the family life. All farm families have a common aim and that is to maintain a decent household income, have a good quality of life and plan for the future of the farm. The past decade has witnessed huge change in family farm structures and the recent Harvest 2020 report, highlights the significant role that agriculture will play in the economy over the next decade.
The Teagasc Options Programme is designed to help Farm Families address the difficulties which they are experiencing, of reduced incomes and unemployment. Good management is the skill of making things happen rather that letting things happen so planning for a future in farming is the core aim of the Options Programme. A newly designed farm household income ready – reckoner will give a pin picture of the farm family income which will act as a foundation to examine your present income and family situation, to assess the potential of the farm and the family and discuss the many options with potential to generate more income and create a viable and attractive future for a successor on the farm.
To ensure all farmers are familiar with the benefits of the programme Teagasc are hosting a seminar at the Anner Hotel, Thurles on Tuesday night 2nd November to inform farm families of the benefits to planning for the future through the Options Programme. Teagasc Advisors and Specialists will be present at the seminar providing advice on finance, succession, forestry, food rural tourism and organic production. Other Agencies such as LEADER, County Enterprise Boards, Fas, VEC and Citizens Information Board will be available to discuss options and opportunities for farm families.
Programme For This Seminar
8.00 – 8. 15pm. Introduction – Sustaining Farm Income – Donal Mullane Area Manager Teagasc
8.20 – 8.40pm Agricultural Incomes Today – Dr. Cathal O’Donoghue, Teagasc
8.40 – 8.55pm Options for Farm Families – David Meredith, Teagasc
8.55 – 9.10pm Local Issues for Farm Families – Bill Condon Teagasc Advisor
9.10 – 9.30pm Budgeting – The Easy Way – Maria Heneghan, Teagasc
9.30 – 9.50pm Options in Action – A Local Options Story – John Kenny Fairymount Farm
9.50 – 10.00pm Leader Funding – Michael Murray CEO Leader
10.00 – Finish Questions and Discussion
All farm families are welcome.
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