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Thurles Among Communities Affected As Born Clothing Enters Liquidation.

Born Clothing Group Enters Provisional Liquidation.

The High Court has appointed provisional liquidators to the Born Clothing retail group, marking a significant development for one of Ireland’s long-established fashion chains.

The decision follows an urgent court application in which the company was deemed insolvent. The group, which operates 15 stores nationwide and employs approximately 116 staff, has accumulated debts totalling €7.82 million, including €2.2 million owed to the Revenue Commissioners.

Court-Appointed Liquidators.
At a sitting of the High Court, Judge Mr Micheál O’Connell appointed David O’Connor and Ian Barrett of BDO as joint provisional liquidators across multiple entities within the Born Clothing group. The court heard that the appointment was necessary to preserve the business and manage its affairs, as an alternative creditors’ winding-up process would have resulted in the immediate cessation of trading.

Retail Footprint and Regional Impact.
Born Clothing has been a familiar presence across Ireland for over a decade, with stores located in numerous towns and shopping centres. This includes outlets in Thurles Shopping Centre, Co. Tipperary; The Canopy, Co. Sligo and Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. The inclusion of Thurles highlights the broad regional reach of the brand, with communities across the country now facing uncertainty regarding store closures and job losses.

Background and Financial Position.
The court was informed that the company has experienced sustained financial difficulties, culminating in its current insolvent position. The provisional liquidation process is considered an emergency measure designed to stabilise the company’s affairs, while a full hearing on winding-up is pending.
Industry reports indicate that the retailer had struggled with ongoing losses in recent years, contributing to mounting liabilities and ultimately leading to the court intervention.

Next Steps.
The provisional liquidators will now take control of the company’s operations and assets while assessing the viability of the business. Their role includes safeguarding assets, reviewing financial records, and determining whether any parts of the business can continue trading or be sold.

The outcome of the process will have significant implications for employees, creditors, and the retail landscape in towns where Born Clothing has operated, including Thurles and Sligo.

Mid-West Region Will Celebrate Easter At Bunratty & Craggaunowen.

More than 15,000 people from counties Tipperary, Clare and Limerick’s Mid-West Region are expected to pass through the gates of Craggaunowen and Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this Easter Bank Holiday Weekend.

Lady Longbottom and Madame Bloomers will be judging the Easter Bonnet Competition at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this Easter.

The popular County Clare visitor attractions are hosting a comprehensive programme of family-friendly activities and entertainment for all ages.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park’s Easter events will be held on Friday, April 18th, Saturday, April 19th, and Sunday, April 20th from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

The public is invited to step back in time with reenactors from Clan Life and Tercio Irlanda, who will bring 16th-century Gaelic Ireland to life, through engaging displays and talks on the era’s chieftains, warriors, and culture.

The traditional skills of the past will also be on display. Visitors will be able to witness the art of traditional Irish ironworking with live blacksmith demonstrations, showcasing the history and craftsmanship passed down through generations.

At 2.00 p.m. daily, the Bean an Tí will showcase the art and traditions behind Irish baking as the aroma of freshly baked griddle bread fills the interior of the Golden Vale Farmhouse.

Easter Bunny & Chick will be appearing at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and Craggaunowen this Easter.

Along with getting the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny and Chick, there will be plenty of children’s entertainment throughout the visitor attraction, as well as live traditional Irish music.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is calling all young designers aged 12 and under to showcase their creativity using recycled or upcycled materials in the Easter Bonnet Competition. The judges, Lady Longbottom and Madame Bloomers, will announce the winning bonnets and hats on the village street at 2.30 p.m.

The Wobbly Circus will keep visitors entertained outside the Tea Rooms with a showcase of fire-juggling, unicycling and circus skills, while Garry Rossiter will be combining juggling, comedy, audience participation and danger through knife juggling, fire eating and stilt walking.

Guests can hop on the Bunratty Express and travel through the Folk Park past the elegant Georgian design of Bunratty House and the reconstructed Ardcroney Church, and through the Fairy Trail, woodland trails and paddocks, with their vast array of indigenous Irish animal species from Kerry Bog Ponies to Irish Red Deer and Bunratty’s resident Irish Wolfhounds Rian and Mide. The 10-minute train ride departs from the Red Barn, located behind Mac’s Pub, from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

A fun and interactive Clue Trail, designed for younger visitors and their families, will lead participants through the folk park’s scenic woodland trails. Along the way, they will meet lively characters such as Mike the Seanchaí, the School Master, and the Village Policeman, all while uncovering fascinating stories from Ireland’s past.

Ms Marie Brennan (Events Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park), said, “The Easter bank holiday weekend will be filled with various family-friendly activities and entertainment suitable for all ages. Visitors can expect a diverse range of attractions, including circus performances, storytelling sessions, train rides and living history reenactments. The programme aims to offer a blend of fun and educational experiences and is an opportunity for everyone to join us in a true Easter celebration.”

The Easter Bunny makes a quick leap from Bunratty to Craggaunowen, where more exciting activities await on Easter Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tony Baloney will entertain with his puppet show, while The Wobbly Circus provide fire-juggling, unicycle and circus tricks.

Craggaunowen will celebrate Ireland’s ancient crafts with talented artisans hosting woodworking, blacksmithing and weaving demonstrations.

There will also be an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny at the popular East Clare visitor attraction, which has undergone significant investment and upgrades during the past year.

See www.bunrattycastle.ie and www.craggaunowen.ie for Easter Event 2025 ticket details. Early booking is advised.

Amazon Prime Day 2024 Starts Midnight Tuesday July 16th.

1) What is Prime Day?
Prime Day is Amazon’s deal event exclusively to Prime members, featuring personalized deals and top brands. The event came to life first for customers on July 15, 2015, as a way to celebrate Prime members on Amazon’s 20th birthday.

2) How can I prepare to find deals on Prime Day?
Join Amazon Prime to participate fully in Prime Day. Some additional ways to prepare include: Check out Prime exclusive member deals and get exclusive discounts on thousands of items when you shop as a Prime member.

3) What is included with Amazon Prime?
Membership allows you to access all the Prime Day deals for members, as well as exclusive benefits such as Exclusive Member Deals, Prime Video, Amazon Music, and more………

To View Amazon Prime – Popular movies and TV shows, link HERE.
To View Audible Audiobooks, link HERE.
To View Kindle Unlimited, link HERE.
To View Amazon Wedding List, link HERE.

Note: The site offers a 30-day return window on most purchases made during Prime Day.


‘Executive Menswear’ Thurles – It’s The Sale Of The Century Folks.

With only 3 days left until the owner’s retirement,Executive Menswear, situated on the junction of Slievenamon Road & Liberty Square, here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary is offering, truly, the ‘Sale of the Century’.

As part of their massive giveaway (sale seems inappropriate because prices are rock bottom), there is over a 70% reduction on all items of stock currently remaining.

Incredible Bargains Include: Real leather belts €10; Lamb’s wool scarves €10; Three piece suits €120; Shirts €10, Knitwear from €20, Shoes from €20; ‘I Clip’ credit card wallets, now costing less than a quarter of their normal retail price; Jeans from €10 upwards etc. etc. etc.

Be sure to grab a truly great deal on all remaining top brands/labels and quality clothing before 5:30pm on Saturday next, 24th February 2024, before the blinds come down on yet another shop closure in the heart of the town.

Take Note: All stock must go, so over the next 3 days, both Ladies and Gentlemen can easily pick up a Birthday Gift, Anniversary Gift or indeed a future Christmas Gift, for that special person in their lives; and for often less than 70% of their normal retail price!
So do get in there while stocks still remain on shelves.

Tipperary Boutique Listed On Revenue Defaulters Register.

The owner of a boutique in north Co. Tipperary has been registered on a Revenue List of defaulters. [See Defaulters list – part 2 – Quarter 4, 2022]

Ms Mai Madden, owner of Mai’s boutique, latter situated at 108 Main Street, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, was ordered to pay €126,159 in tax, €46,485 in interest and €37,848 in penalties.

Same requested payments, we are informed in a Revenue publication, followed a Revenue investigation into the under-declaration of PAYE, PRSI, USC and VAT.