General - Thurles Information

St Brigid, Imbolc & Co. Tipperary.

February 1st is St Brigid’s Day, the feast day of Ireland’s Patroness Saint, St Brigid. In pre-Christian times February 1st was also known as Imbolc or Imbolg, the ancient festival marking the beginning of spring. February 1st and the Imbolc celebration marked the halfway point between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara).

**Church of St. Joseph and St. Brigid, Bóthar-na-Naomh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary**

The goddess Brigid was considered one of the most powerful Celtic gods, the daughter of the Dagda, the oldest god in the Celtic pantheon Tuatha du Danann.

Historically, the traditions were widely observed throughout Ireland, with Imbolc one of four ancient seasonal festivals, together with the other three; Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain.

Many scholars opine that when Ireland converted to Christianity, it was hard to convince people to get rid of their old gods, thus the goddess Brigid was adopted into Christianity as St Brigid.

It is interesting to note that ‘Imbolg‘ derives from the old Irish word ‘imbolc’ meaning “in the belly”, indicating that the seeds of spring were beginning to stir in the belly of Mother Earth. Therefore one could be forgiven for wondering if there could be an association with the word Imbolc and the numerous Sheela na Gig’s located across Co. Tipperary and indeed Ireland; which we now hope those involved in Tourism promotion will take on board. View Here.

Since 2023, St Brigid’s Day has become an annual public holiday here in the Republic of Ireland and so we wish all our readers a very Happy St Brigid’s Day.

Put Out Your Bratóg Bríde Tonight For A Year of Better Health.

Have you ever heard of the Brat Bríde or Bratóg Bríde (roughly translating from Irish as Brigid’s Rag)?

It’s an old Irish tradition in honour of St Brigid. Long ago it was the custom to tie a small piece of cloth to a bush on January 31st, the eve of St Brigid’s Day, February 1st.

Overnight it was believed that the cloth would be blessed by St Brigid and conferred with healing properties. It was then worn under clothing to protect against sickness, relieve headaches and cure toothaches.

It was particularly important for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, because it was said to help women to produce enough nourishing milk to feed their babies.

This fascinating ancient tradition is currently being highlighted by the “Monasterevin Women’s Collective in Honour of St Brigid” and is among a host of initiatives and activities taking place across Ireland as part of Brigid 1500 celebrations this year, 2024.

Death Of Marian O’Mahony, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Thursday 25th January 2024, of Mrs Marian O’Mahony (née Grant), Knockanevin, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her parents Dermot and Babbie; Mrs O’Mahony passed away, surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her family; her devoted husband Liam, daughters Deirbhile (Blair) and Grace, son Cian, grandchild Ella, son-in-law Dan, daughter-in-law Katie, sisters Bridie (Quirke), Norah (Ryan), Rena (Clancy), Pat (Ryan) and Rita (Fahey), brothers Gerry and Eddie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, extended relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs O’Mahony, will repose at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Borrisoleigh, Thurles on Saturday afternoon next, January 27th, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Church of the Sacred Heart, Borrisoleigh, Thurles on Sunday afternoon to further repose for Requim Mass, at 1:00pm, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in Templebeg Cemetery, Rossmult, Templebeg, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who are unable to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs O’Mahony, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended O’Mahony and Grant families 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.

Note Please: House strictly private on Sunday morning.
Family Flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Irish Cancer Society, or Milford Care Centre or Suir Haven Thurles.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis i dteannta na Naomh agus na n-aingeal.

Deposit Return Scheme For Empty Plastic Bottles & Aluminium Cans.

**Aldi,** *(Translated “Albrecht Discount”)* **Kickham St, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, *[E41 YP28]* Thurles** **has ‘Deposit Return Scheme‘ machinery for empty Bottles & Cans, installed in advance of the February 2024 recycle deadline**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

Ireland will soon be introducing a Deposit Return Scheme.
In February 2024, when you buy a drink in a plastic bottle, aluminium or steel can that features the Re-turn logo, consumers will pay a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink. When you return your empty, undamaged container to any retail outlet, you will get your deposit back in full.

Convenient for Everyone:
With return points all across Ireland, returning your Re-turn drinks containers couldn’t be easier. Anywhere that sells drinks with the Re-turn logo, must accept your empty, undamaged containers and refund your deposit in cash or against other purchases

Communities Together:
Recycling is one of the most effective actions we can take as individuals and communities to tackle climate change. Working together with a common purpose, we can protect our communities and create a healthy and positive footprint for future generations.

Protecting our Environment:
Internationally, Deposit Return Schemes have proven very successful in reducing litter. By placing a monetary value on these drinks containers, there is more incentive for consumers to return them, rather than littering our environment.

Economy Initiative:
As a circular economy initiative, the new Deposit Return Scheme aims to move away from the ‘take make and dispose’ culture to one of returning valuable materials, and keeping them in the economy for as long as possible.

General Comment:
Pity that only returns bearing the ‘Re-turn logo‘ are being accepted. No incentive for people to pickup empty cans already discarded across our Irish countryside.

Death Of Paddy Fanning, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 3rd January 2024, of Mr Paddy Fanning, Maxfort, Horse & Jockey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Joe and Ellen brothers Rodge, Danny and Joe, sisters Mary Darmody, Josie Sheil and Peggy Power; Mr Fanning passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Padre Pio Nursing Home, Holycross, Thurles, surrounded by his loving family and his good friend David O’Hea.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by by his sister Biddy Moloughney, brother Mattie, brother-in-law John Power, sisters-in-law Biddy Fanning and Joan Fanning, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Fanning will repose at Devitt’s Funeral Home, The Green, Cashel, this afternoon, Thursday, January 4th from 4:30pm, before being received into the Church of St. Peter, Moycarkey, Thurles at 6:30pm .
Requiem Mass for Mr Fanning will be celebrated on Friday afternoon, January 5th at 1:00pm, followed immediately afterwards by interment in the nearby Old Graveyard, Moycarkey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who are unable to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Fanning, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Fanning 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.