General « Thurles Information

Tipperary Residents Advised To Get Vaccinated as Hospitals See Rising Flu Pressures.

As influenza activity continues to climb across Ireland, the HSE is calling on eligible members of the public to get their flu vaccine now, before cases escalate further.

Recent data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) shows that influenza activity rose in week 44 of 2025, with the highest number of cases so far among adults aged 65 years and older. Hospitalisations have also increased. Multiple strains, A(H3), A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B, have already been detected this season.

Local hospitals, including Tipperary University Hospital, and Limerick University Hospital, are under heavy pressure, with Emergency Departments experiencing large numbers of people presenting. As a result, many hospitals have introduced visitor restrictions to help manage the rise in flu cases.

With flu cases rising sharply, the vaccine remains the safest and most effective way to protect yourself, your family, and the wider community. Speaking to Liberty Pharmacy (Prop: Kate Kennedy) this morning, (Premises situated at No. 34 Lower Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary Tel: 0504 90604), their spokesperson stated, “We continue to have appointments available and now is the time to act, while the vaccine is still readily accessible.”

Keep in mind: Vaccination is free under the national programme for people aged 60 and over, children aged 2–17, pregnant women, health-care workers, carers, household contacts of people at higher risk, residents of long-stay facilities, and those with certain health conditions or regular contact with poultry, waterfowl or pigs.

Getting vaccinated helps prevent serious illness — and helps protect those around you.

Tipperary Claim Seven Places in 2025 PwC Hurling All-Stars.

All-Ireland winners Tipperary lead the way with seven selections, while Cork secure four, Kilkenny two, and Galway and Dublin one each in the elite XV of the year.

The 2025 Hurling All-Stars have been announced, and reigning All-Ireland champions Tipperary lead the way with seven selections, following their Liam MacCarthy Cup success.

Tipperary’s Outstanding Representation.

Tipperary’s haul comprises: Rhys Shelly (Goalkeeper); Robert Doyle (Defence); Eoghan Connolly (Defence); Ronan Maher (Centre-half-back; Captain); Jake Morris (Forward); Andrew Ormond (Forward)
and John McGrath (Forward).
Shelly was a unanimous choice in goal after a season of standout performances.

Other Counties Recognised

Cork have four players selected: Seán O’Donoghue, Ciarán Joyce, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Brian Hayes.
Kilkenny secure two places: Huw Lawlor (his third All-Star) and Martin Keoghan.
Galway’s Cathal Mannion makes the midfield.
Dublin’s Cian O’Sullivan is selected in the half-forward line, the county’s first All-Star in this code since 2013.

Looking Ahead to Individual Honours

Three players; Jake Morris, John McGrath (both Tipperary) and Brian Hayes (Cork), are certainly in contention for the “Hurler of the Year“.

For the “Young Hurler of the Year“, contenders include Robert Doyle (Tipperary), Darragh McCarthy (Tipperary) and possibly Adam English (Limerick).

The awards ceremony takes place at the RDS in Dublin on Friday evening next and will also be streamed live.

Thurles.Info congratulates all the recipients on their exceptional contributions throughout the 2025 season and look forward to the gala evening where further individual honours will be presented live on the night.

Historical Chalices Of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

**“Walter of the Rosaries Chalice”.** *(Walter na bPaidríní)*.
*Pic: G. Willoughby* ©

If you ask Thurles [Map Ref.] people what is the oldest manufactured object in daily use in this area, they might not immediately think of the chalices located in their local Church. This may well be so, and the story behind each chalice may be interesting in itself, to lovers of local and Irish history.

Our special thanks to historian and researcher Very Rev. Monsignor Dr Maurice Dooley, AP, Parish of Loughmore, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, and former lecturer on Canon Law at St Patrick’s College, Cathedral, Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Urgent Safety Alert for 114,000 Tucson Heating Pumps.

CCPC Issues Urgent Safety Alert for 114,000 Tucson Heating Pumps Posing Electrocution Risk.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has today issued an urgent safety alert concerning approximately 114,000 Tucson heating system pumps installed in Irish homes, which may present a serious risk of electrocution.

The affected models are Tucson 5m, 6m and 8m circulating pumps manufactured between 2017 and 2024.

An investigation by the CCPC, following a referral from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), found that the mains cable on these pumps can be connected in reverse, allowing the live pin to connect to the earth pin. This electrical fault poses a significant risk of electric shock to anyone handling the unit.

This is one of the largest and most serious product safety alerts ever issued by the CCPC.

Consumers are advised that they may continue using their heating systems as normal but must not touch or attempt to service, disconnect, or adjust the affected pumps.

The manufacturer, Tucson Pumps, has launched a nationwide replacement programme. Consumers with affected products can have their pump replaced free of charge by an approved Tucson technician or service agent.

Mr Patrick Kenny of the CCPC urged all households and tradespeople to check heating systems installed or serviced within the last eight years.

“Check your heating system very carefully – do not touch the pump. Look for the Tucson brand, locate the serial number, and check it against the list on CCPC.ie,” Mr Kenny said.
“If your pump is affected, Tucson will replace it for free through an approved service technician.”

The CCPC is also appealing to retailers and tradespeople to take immediate action.

“Anyone working on heating systems must be fully aware of the serious risk posed by these pumps. Retailers should check their stock and cease the sale of affected units immediately,” the Commission stated.

Consumers can find the pump’s serial number on the front of the unit and verify it via CCPC.ie, tucsonpumps.ie, or by calling TEL: 01 842 6255.

Serial numbers beginning with any of the following indicate that the pump must be replaced:
S/N A, S/N B, S/N C, S/N D44 or earlier, S/N 2017, S/N 2018, S/N 2019, or S/N 2020.

Death Of Ricky Molony, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, today Thursday 2nd October 2025, of Mr Richard (Ricky) Molony, Lisduff, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Molony passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at ‘Meadow View’, Church Rd, Moneygall, Co. Offaly.

Pre-deceased by his parents Biddy and Jimmy and his sister Margaret; the passing of Mr Molony is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving sisters Maura, Catherine and Brídann, brothers Gerard and Jim, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, friends in his community and the many wonderful people who took care of Ricky in St Anne’s over the years.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Molony will repose at his place of residence in Lisduff (Eircode E41 D2C9) on Saturday afternoon next October 4th, from 5:00pm until 8:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, on Sunday morning at 10:30am to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Molony, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Molony family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.