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Blue to Gold – One To Watch This Christmas.

Following on from Tipperary’s successful campaign to win back the Liam McCarthy Cup in July 2025, Tipperary GAA have released ‘Blue to Gold‘, the definitive behind the scenes story of Tipperary’s All Ireland winning season.

The official movie was produced locally in Thurles by Retake Productions, a venture run by two local Thurles men Mr Conor Stakelum and Mr Ben Walsh.

‘Blue to Gold‘ takes you from the depths of the miserable 2024 season to the steps of the Hogan Stand in July 2025. This journey takes viewers behind the scenes and lays bare the agonies and ecstasy that are associated with Tipperary’s run to Liam McCarthy success. It gives you a fascinating insight into the character and characters behind the Cooper helmets!

‘Blue to Gold‘ is available to rent or buy with the proceeds going towards Tipperary GAA and the recently announced Centre of Excellence.

A great stocking filler for young and old, and more importantly it is supporting locally produced content by the team at Retake Productions.

To view ‘Blue to Gold’ – Please visit HERE

Superhero Litter Of 15 Pups Born To Parents Omma & Mango In Tipperary.

“Superhero litter” of 15 pups born in Tipperary as Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland marks record milestone

Two-Mile-Borris Correspondent Mr Gerry Bowe Reports:-

Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) has welcomed a record-breaking litter of 15 Labrador puppies; nine males and six females, born to proud parents Omma and Mango at a foster home in Leigh, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co Tipperary.
The puppies arrived between 4:00am and 1:00pm on October 22nd at the home of Mr/Mrs Robert and Bridget [nee Kerwin (formerly Moycarkey Thurles)] Hayes, thus marking the largest litter in the charity’s personal history.

**Mr Robert & Mrs Bridget Hayes, Leigh, Two-Mile- Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**
*Photo Courtesy Ms Sophie Duchaney*.

Affectionately dubbed the “Superhero Litter”, each puppy has been named after a superhero to reflect the life-changing role many of them may one day play for autistic children and their families: Marvel, Phoenix, Harley, Rogue, Storm, Wanda, Peter, Rocket, Falcon, Groot, Loki, Flash, Thor, Hulk and Dara.

“Every puppy born here has the potential to become someone’s superhero,” said Ms Elaine Cannon, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland Brood Programme Manager.

**Pic Shows: Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) members Ms Elaine Cannon, Ms Sarah Murphy, Ms Jessica Santos, Mrs Bridget Hayes, and Ms Rose Hurley.**
*Photo Courtesy Ms Sophie Duchaney*.

Behind the milestone is a quieter story of nights interrupted and hands-on care: AADI said volunteer puppy raisers Bridget and Robert Kirwan, opened their home to Omma and her litter during the crucial early weeks, helping ensure each pup was warm, fed and thriving.

The celebration comes amid sharply rising need. AADI says it has seen a 53% increase in interest over the past two years, with more than 1,000 families expressing interest in 2025 alone’ but without direct government funding, the charity could only commit to supporting 38 families.

“An assistance dog isn’t just a companion; it’s a lifeline,” Ms Cannon said, pointing to the daily barriers many autistic children face in ordinary outings and public spaces.

AADI estimates each dog costs €25,000 to train and is provided free of charge to families; the organisation says it has delivered 138 assistance dogs since its founding, while demand continues to grow.

One puppy, Dara, carries a special tribute. The name honours Dara Kissane from Castledermot, Co Kildare, whose family fundraiser has raised €25,474 for AADI.

AADI CEO Ms Nuala Geraghty said: “By supporting us, you’re not just making a donation, you’re giving a child independence and helping families live more freely together.”

Blink Outdoor 4: One Of The Strongest Black Friday Security Bargains.

The Blink Outdoor 4, a wireless HD smart security camera with a two-year battery life and IP65 weatherproof rating, has to stands out this Black Friday as one of the most compelling home-security bargains online. With this 2-camera system bundled with the Sync Module Core, now reportedly reduced by around 59%, the value proposition is hard to ignore.

In a season when home burglaries tend to rise, particularly over darker winter evenings and especially around Christmas, when homes may be unoccupied or gifts visible through windows, investing in reliable external surveillance is increasingly prudent.

View the HD smart security camera HERE.

What it does well.

Long battery life & low maintenance: Blink claims up to two years on two AA lithium batteries, a rare advantage among battery-powered outdoor cameras.
Hassle-free, wireless installation: The wireless design avoids messy complicated wiring, making it easy for homeowners to place cameras where they are most needed.
Weather resistance & durability: With IP65 rating, Blink Outdoor 4 is built to withstand rain, wind, and cold, essential for Irish winter conditions.
Good video quality & effective motion detection: Users in the Thurles area report satisfactory 1080p HD video and reliable motion-activated alerts.

Local storage option (no mandatory subscription): The included Sync Module Core allows for local USB storage, (latter not included but can be purchased cheaply HERE) giving homeowners control over their surveillance footage without needing to pay for a cloud plan.

High quality outdoor adjustable brackets, (also not included), can be purchased cheaply HERE.

Why this deal matters, especially now:
With many discounts across the board this Black Friday, the steep reduction in price makes Blink Outdoor 4 a very attractive entry point for homeowners seeking upgraded security, especially for those living alone, in a period where opportunistic burglaries tend to increase. The balance of ease of installation, decent video quality, weather-proofing and low maintenance makes it a very sound choice for people who want visible deterrence and peace of mind, without investing in a fully wired CCTV system.

Given the current price drop, this looks very much like one of the “best deals online” for outdoor, battery-powered home-security cameras.

Tipperary-Born Writer-Director Jo Southwell Embarks On Feature Film.

Tipperary-Born Writer-Director Jo Southwell Embarks On Feature Film, “The Catch.”

Press Correspondent Tom Ryan Reports.

Tipperary-born writer/director Jo Southwell (née Kelly) has confirmed her transition into feature filmmaking with “The Catch“, a bold new project which she has written and is directing.

**Tipperary-Born Writer/Director Ms Jo Southwell**.

Ms Southwell brings to the film a rich background in screen acting, television directing and immersive formats. A second-generation Irish woman now based in Henley-on-Thames, UK, she began her professional life teaching in Ireland; including at Teach an Leinn in Nenagh and St Mary’s in Newport, before moving into acting and subsequently into filmmaking. Her mother, Hanora Kelly, formerly resided in Templederry, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

Her acting career has included roles in Irish film and television dramas, before she relocated to the UK to further her screen work. She has directed short films that screened at BAFTA, BIFA and Oscar-recognised festivals, and has worked on episodic television (including shadow director placements on ‘Killing Eve and ‘Trigger Point‘).

“The Catch” emerges from this evolving trajectory. The film is described by Patrick Ewald, CEO of Epic Pictures, as “a razor-sharp blend of myth and obsession, a story that reminds us that the real monsters are often human.” The project attaches high-profile actors (including Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Ben Miles) and is being steered collaboratively by Southwell and producer Sara Gibbings.

Ms Southwell said: “I’ve always been drawn to stories that combine emotional truth and mythic resonance. In The Catch I explore how obsession distorts reality, and how the real monsters walk among us in human form.”

Production is scheduled to begin in 2026, with locations and final casting to be announced. The production is developed by Mermaid Pictures in association with Epic Pictures.

About Jo Southwell
Jo Southwell is an award-winning writer-director whose career spans screen acting, voice-over, radio presenting and directing. Born and educated in Ireland, she has directed television, feature and immersive formats, delivering emotionally driven and visually distinct storytelling with discipline and precision. She has served as a BAFTA juror (Best Supporting Actress 2023; Best Short Form TV 2025) and is completing an MA in Screenwriting at Falmouth University.

About Mermaid Pictures
Established in 2024 by Jo Southwell and Sara Gibbings, Mermaid Pictures is a UK-based production company focused on bold, female-led, genre-independent film and television. With “The Catch” as its first feature slate, the company seeks to bring imaginative and emotionally authentic stories to the screen.

Thurles Shoppers Observe Sharp Supermarket Price Gaps.

Shoppers in Thurles are noticing striking price differences between local supermarkets, underlining the continued strain of rising grocery costs across Tipperary.

A check in Thurles this week showed that an 18-can slab of 7UP Zero cost €8.99 in Aldi, €10.00 in Dunnes Stores, and €11.99 in Lidl; a €3 difference between two main German international discount chains operating in Ireland.

**Zero 7Up – Comparing Lidl price today.**

While small on paper, the gap highlights how uneven supermarket pricing has become during Ireland’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Prices remain high.
Nationally, grocery inflation stands at 6.3%, with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) estimating that food prices have climbed by roughly 27% since 2021. Even as energy bills ease, household shopping remains costly. Shoppers say they are now comparing prices item by item, with differences between stores adding up quickly.

Surveys show major contrasts.
A recent Checkout.ie study found big variations in the cost of a standard grocery basket. Prices came to €150 at Lidl, €207 at Dunnes Stores (or €172 after vouchers), €195 at Tesco (or €185 with Clubcard), and €209 at SuperValu.
An Irish Independent comparison of branded goods found a smaller basket costing €34.51 at Aldi, versus €49.24 at Dunnes and €49.88 at Tesco, a price gap of more than 40% on identical everyday items.

Different models, different prices.
Aldi and Lidl run leaner operations with smaller product ranges and lower margins, helping them hold prices down.
Local costs and Ireland’s new deposit-return scheme can also affect prices; for example, some 18-can packs now include a €2.70 refundable deposit, which does not appear on shelf labels.

Impact on local households.
For families in Thurles, a few euro saved on a single product can mean €20 to €25 per week, or over €1,000 a year.
With grocery prices still rising faster than inflation overall, more shoppers are switching stores, choosing own-brand goods and tracking weekly promotions.
The example from Thurles shows that even between discount retailers, prices now vary widely, making careful comparison a key part of every household shop.