Thurles Information

The Chain Of Love.

Lyrics: The late American musician Jonnie Barnett (1945 – 2002) and American country music singer and songwriter Rory Lee Feek.

Vocals: American country music artist Clayton Walker.

The Chain Of Love.

He was driving home one evening, in his beat-up Pontiac,
When an old lady flagged him down, her Mercedes had a flat.
He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the snow,
‘Til he said “I’m here to help you, ma’m, by the way, my name’s Joe“.
She said “I’m from St. Louis and I’m only passing through,
I must’ve seen a hundred cars go by, this is awful nice of you”.
When he changed the tyre and closed her trunk and was about to drive away,
She said “How much do I owe you?”, here’s what he had to say.
“You don’t owe me a thing, I’ve been there too,
And someone once helped me out, just the way I’m helping you.
If you really wanna pay me back, here’s what you do,
Don’t let the chain of love end with you.”
Well, a few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe.
She went in to grab a bite to eat and then be on her way.
But she couldn’t help but notice how the waitress smiled so sweet.
How she must have been eight months along and dead on her feet.
No, she didn’t know her story and she probably never will.
When the waitress went to get her change from a hundred dollar bill,
The lady slipped right out the door and on a nakpin left a note.
There were tears in the waitress’ eyes when she read what she’d wrote.
“You don’t owe me a thing, I’ve been there too.
Someone once helped me out, just the way I’m helping you,
If you really wanna pay me back, here’s what you do,
Don’t let the chain of love end with you”.
That night when she got home from work, the waitress climbed into bed.
She was thinking about the money and what the lady’s note had said.
As her husband lay there sleeping she whispered soft and low.
“Everything’s gonna be alright, I love you Joe“.

END

We learned this week, that some 6 weeks ago, that Tipperary County Council received €50,000 in funding from the Government’s Community Recognition Funding Scheme, to repair, yet again, the local skateboard park positioned in the playground in Thurles Town Park.
The skateboard park has remained closed for the second time for over the past 12 months, thus depriving some 10 skateboard owners of weekend fun.

Hopefully, a sign will now be erected informing other individuals that abandoned supermarket trollies are no longer permitted within this skatepark park area.

This Community Recognition Fund was first introduced back in 2023 and is a government initiative here in Ireland that provides funding to local communities to support the development of infrastructure and facilities in recognition of their efforts in welcoming and supporting people arriving from Ukraine and other countries.
The fund, which is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development, is allocated to local authorities, in this case Tipperary Co. Council, based on the number of new arrivals in each area. Projects include the development of community swimming pools, sports facilities, playgrounds, and community halls.

Regrettably, the filling of potholes is not included in this same Community Recognition Funding Scheme, which means that the Thurles streetscape must continue to remain looking like the much cratered, far side, of the moon’s surface. So our major pothole problem must remain in abeyance. Interestingly the word “Abeyance” comes from the Old French word “Abeance” meaning “gaping”; which aptly describes our Thurles pothole increasing epidemic.

The long promised, 40 year old, continuously sought “Thurles Ring Road” is not included in this funding scheme either. This is despite a 2024 report which confirms that traffic movement through Thurles, (depending on the day), averages between 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles, required to pass daily through our medieval streets, before entering unto Liberty Square; latter being our much restricted Thurles town center.

Rural Tipperary, it appears, must continue to eat the crumbs that fall from this government’s table. [My apology to St Matthew Ch15:V27].

One piece of good news however; the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has confirmed that the OPW will hand over the development of modular homes erected at Heywood Road, Clonmel, to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration shortly, thus providing much needed accommodation to those seeking temporary protection as a result of the war in Ukraine.

A spokesperson has stated that, from next week colleagues with the Ukraine team at the Department will work with the International Organisation for Migration, to place families in this new accommodation.

Neath The Shelter Of Your Eyes.

Lyrics and Vocals: American country music singer, songwriter and 2010 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the late Donald Ray Williams [Don Williams (1939–2017)]

Neath The Shelter Of Your Eyes.

In the shelter of your eyes,
I have finally learned the song.
It took so long to realize,
I just can’t make it all alone.
Words are only what they say,
But this feeling isn’t wrong.
I’m so glad I found my way,
It’s good to be where I belong.
And I’m gonna stay,
Right here, ’cause I’m,
In rhythm with your mind.
Tune out the world,
And rest my head,
‘Neath the shelter of your eyes.

Words are only what they say,
But this feeling isn’t wrong.
I’m so glad I found my way,
It’s good to be where I belong.
And I’m gonna stay,
Right here, ’cause I’m,
In rhythm with your mind.
Tune out the world,
And rest my head,
‘Neath the shelter of your eyes.
END