In 1845 this building, hereunder shown, situated on the left hand side of Mitchel Street, (then known as Quarry Street) Thurles, Co. Tipperary, [as you travel eastward closer to theMoyne Road area] was the then Thurles local Dispensary. Same is easily identified by its flat arch doorway, with its rare, detailed, ornamental relief surround; all be it in miniature form, reminiscent of what surrounds the bronze gates of Saint Isaac’s Orthodox Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
In more recent years, residents will remember it was part of Ryan’s galvanized roof public house. Today is stands, like so many other buildings within the town of Thurles, vacant, boarded-up and decaying, long before the COVID-19 epidemic.
As you face the building today, note the premises on the left side of this Dispensary (formerly Ryan’s Pub) was John Mullany’s corn store in 1845, latter who also sold candles and soap, etc..
Continuing left and westward, the building next door, today currently occupied by Thurles Municipal District / Co. Councillor Mr Jim Ryan, was then the home of Denis Mullany.
On the right, again while facing the Dispensary building; previously in 1845, existed a right-of-way / lane-way, which has long since been built across. Next travelling east of this former lane was the home of James Kerwick, who was neighboured by John Carroll, latter a shoemaker.
In 1845 and right through the Great Famine years, in this dispensary the poor and dying came, seeking medicine and medical treatment, which was offered free of charge.
The treatments being offered here in 1847 is today a matter of public record, which saw patients being sent from here to the Thurles Fever Hospital, latter then run by Dr. George Bradshaw Esq M.D.. [Latter was the father of Dr. William Bradshaw V.C.]
Who was the doctor in the Thurles local Dispensary in Quarry Street, I hear you ask?
I suspect some of you may have already guessed. Yes, it was Dr. Robert Charles Knaggs, the same man who identified the project known as the “Double Ditch” which in turn gave employment to a large number of men 175 years ago, in 1846, putting bread into the mouths of starving Thurles families.
If you believe that Ireland in 2021 has too few ‘Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds; read about our towns problems in March of 1847, transcribed from a meeting attended by the same Dr. Robert Charles Knaggs, who described conditions at the Thurles fever hospital; quote “Destitution and sickness are on the increase. The Fever Hospital is full. In the female ward there are two patients in every bed. The funds are nearly exhausted and it is with the deepest regret that we have to announce that the Hospital must be closed on the 13th April (1847) from want of funds.”
Then in 1845, as indeed now in 2021, little has changed; we the electorate, are still unable to get support from our elected politicians.
Perhaps now Thurles elected Co. Councillor Mr Jim Ryan, with his known established associations with this same building, together with all the other local lazy councillors and self-promoting politicians, might decide to answer the question, “Will the planned Thurles inner relief road impinge, in a negative way, on the 1846 Thurles “Double Ditch”, which has been a right of way and a Mass Path for 175 years and which is the property of the people of Thurles and a national monument?
By the way, when you our elected councillors and politicians; of all political groupings, assume a particular position for photographers; (anxious that latter photographic captured material be used to build your delusionary public profiles), while you lay wreaths at 1916 commemorative events; realise it was the Great Famine (1845-1849), which truly engendered the 1916 rising, undertaken by unselfish individuals “the latchet of whose shoes you are not worthy to unloose,” [Apologies toSt. Luke Ch.3: V.16.], and who eventually, at their great personal expense, brought about the freedom we all enjoy today; free from our colonial enslaving neighbours.
We promise you more startling news on the ‘Double Ditch’, coming very soon.
Hereunder, view the sad current demise of Westgate, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, situated on the junction of ‘Liberty Square’, ‘Friar Street’, ‘Croke Street’ and ‘Wolf Tone Place’.
Today, the area is sadly a place of dereliction and is disintegrating at breakneck speed, despite the odd coat of grey paint brushed on, in the vain hope that same will turn a ‘pig’s ear into a silk purse’, to the detriment of nearby rate paying businesses, attempting to trade.
Westgate, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, photographed in January 2021.
Here readers can view Westgate, Thurles, Co. Tipperary in better days, demonstrating a high level of business activity in the area.[This scene was possibly photographed in the early 1950’s, dated by the model of Morris Minor shown in the picture, latter manufactured between 1948 and 1952.)
The latter ‘Wolf Tone Place’ named above, gets its name from Theobald Wolfe Tone, (posthumously known as Wolfe Tone). Wolfe Tone was a leading Irish revolutionary figure and one of the founding members of the United Irishmen, latter a republican society that revolted against British rule in Ireland, where he was a leader going into the failed 1798 Irish Rebellion.
The Presentation Sisters, first founded by Nano Nagle in 1775, have been involved in education here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary since 1817, where they have dedicated their religious order to serving the people of Thurles and its environs, by providing outstanding primary and secondary education, grounded within the Presentation ethos.
Above Picture: Then East Main Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, now today Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The above Convent building was erected in 1862, replacing six thatched houses which extended eastwards from Chapel Lane, today the current driveway into the Archbishops residence.
The small residential businesses which the above building replaced had been formerly owned by Patrick Loughlin (Bakery), Martin Clear (Grocery & Bakery), Thomas Tierney (Huckster or a seller of small wares), Edmond Ryan(Pub & Grocery) and John Headon (Shoe Maker). All latter houses had been in disrepair after previously being destroyed in the hurricane wind of January 6th 1839; the night of the Big Wind.
Presentation Building today, Friday January 22nd 2021.
Interesting to note above the differences between todays image and the earlier picture, latter possibly taken in the early part of the 20th century.
Note, the high wall with its Palladian arch style entrance is gone replaced by a low wall with railings. Also, note the Palladian style, half-moon or eyebrow arched windows, prominent in the centre portion of the earlier building, have also been altered, as indeed have the original centre single sash windows. Some chimneys have also been removed.
Note: Palladian architecture was a neoclassical style of building design created by Andrea Palladio, an early 16th century Italian Renaissance architect, who was greatly influenced by Roman and Greek architectonics.
It was announced today that eleven Tipperary projects are to be included for funding, announced under the ‘Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme’.
The total funding announced for the county was €200,000, none of which was allocated to Thurles Town.
Just so as non local people fully understand; The Grange Loop, who bears the Thurles postal address, and who were rightly gifted €20,000; refers I believe to the lovely Grange Crag loop walk trailhead, in the Civil Parish of Kilcooly, Co. Tipperary, close to the Kilkenny border, latter a 21 minute drive from Thurles town, 21.5 km / 13.25 mls from Thurles, via the N75 minor road. [Surely, it hardly refers to the townslands of Grange, on the N62, (Brittas Road, Thurles. )]
No effort was made to get funding for the “Double Ditch” Mass Path, latter situated between the Mill Road, Thurles and College Lane in the town. But then our politicians and county councillors didn’t notify us, regarding any available government funding worthy of being sought.
We first raised issues regarding fly-tipping on the Great Famine “Double Ditch” on lands either side of same, owned by Tipperary Co. Council, on October 28th, 2019. ViewHERE.
Every official, local councillor and local politician were advised.
Today, some 15 months later, not one solitary item dumped back then, was ever removed.
See slide show hereunder, compiled from views captured in recent days.
On site today, (19th January 2021) the stolen shopping trolleys have doubled, so also the paper and other plastic litter, the discarded toys, the beer cans, and the bottles, the burnt household items, the cookers and fridges, the gym equipment, etc. etc. etc. All three original sweet crab trees, and some mature Hawthorn trees, have now been either burnt on site or cut down for firewood.
We are reminiscent of a town that refuses to pay Local Property Tax(LPT) and a town devoid of any real quality political or official leadership. The new council housing project being built on a flood plane and running parallel, is using the Double Ditch to drain flood water unto the ditch and through it, unto the land on the other side.
Yet the local people though solidly offended, stay silent, realising, not for the first time, that they are powerless in the face of constant political pretence and official deceipt and hogwash.
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By the way, we received two communications relating to the Great Famine ‘Double Ditch’ in recent weeks. To refresh your memory, view links to read past such communications HERE.
The first recent communication came from Tipperary Fianna Fáil Councillor, Mr Sean Ryan.
Councillor Ryan confirmed in a Facebook private message in recent weeks, “I did enquire George, but still haven’t a definitive answer. When I do, I’ll let you know.” My question had been, “Is the Thurles inner relief road going to effect the Double Ditch”.
Note: This last question above was first asked originally in May 2020, over 8 months ago.
If Councillor Ryan’s answer is truly the case, it would appear that Tipperary Council officials are also refusing to communicate with all elected representatives; since all elected representatives, contacted by me, remain silent on this issue.
This is despite being instructed to communicate with me by Tipperary Co. Council’s ‘Ethics Registrar‘, namely Mr. David Coleman, (Administrative Officer, Corporate Services), who contacted all Councillors, yet same continue to openly resist and refuse to obey his instructions, thus fully ignoring their required Code of Conduct, demanded under the Local Government Act of 2001.
Note: An email message does not carry Covid-19 virus infection.
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The second communication arrived from Ms Máire Ní Chonghaile (National Monuments Service) on Christmas Eve last, 24th Dec. 2020, at 10:11am.
Ms Máire Ní Chonghaile wrote: –
Dear Mr Willoughby I refer further to your email below. The Double Ditch is not a Recorded Monument and it is not afforded legal protection under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014. The concerns raised appear to relate to planning and development, which is a matter for the Local Authority. Wishing you a happy Christmas. Kind regards Máire
Allowing for Christmas leave etc, I replied to Ms Máire Ní Chonghaile on Wednesday night, 13th January 2020 at 20:46, as follows: –
To Ms Máire Ní Chonghaile Madam, I am saddened to note that your office has obviously not read anything that I sent to your department, in the last year. I am fully aware this is not a recorded monument. The reason I wrote to you in the first place was for you to investigate my claim and have it declared such, thus, affording legal protection under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014.
Perhaps I need to clarify this issue in simpler terms.
On Tue, 12 Nov 2019, 13:40, I contacted Ms Roisin O’Grady (roisin.ogrady@tipperarycoco.ie). Latter is Heritage Officer with Tipperary County Council at Ballingarrane House, Cahir road, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, To Ms Roisin O’Grady, In keeping with Tipperary County Councils promise to “promote awareness and appreciation of our rich heritage and to protect and enhance it for future generations” may I request that you take time to view the following link: – http://www.thurles.info/2019/10/28/thurles-double-ditch/.
Remembering that next year (2021) is the 175 year in which we commemorate the ‘Great Famine’; the images in the slide show provided by the link shows clearly that among other improprieties and illegalities, barbed wire has been recently introduced on a public monument, on a public right-of-way which is also formerly a ‘Mass Path’ and was one of the first projects undertaken to assist in feeding the poor of Thurles. The slide show demonstrates clear evidence of neglect, vandalism and a convenient land grab by land owners on either side, latter reducing the width of the pathway to one of single file.
Yours sincerely George Willoughby
I briefly met with the said Ms O’Grady at 2.30pm on the Great Famine Double Ditch in Thurles on 22nd Nov. 2019 and requested that she contact the National Monument section, regarding the need to declare this area, itself, a national monument.
Correspondence from Ms O’Grady came dated Thur, 27th Feb. 2020, at 16:08.
It read: – George A quick line just to say I haven’t forgotten about your query, but there has been a lot of applications due in the last few weeks so I am slower than expected tracking down the necessary information. I will revert in due course once I have some information for you.
Regards Róisín O’Grady
This was the last communication I ever had from Ms O’Grady, despite contacting her office on several occasions.
Note: The great famine double ditch is being totally ignored, despite Tipperary Co. Council owning the land on either side.
I have since discovered, based on documentation obtained from Tipperary Co. Council offices, that Tipperary Co. Council intend to demolish this ‘Double Ditch’ to provide an inner relief road for the town. Ms O’Grady’s silence perhaps is being controlled by someone or something that is much more powerful.
A copy of an Archaeological Survey (See attached) is grossly misleading. Note: The Great Famine Double Ditch is totally and I believe deliberately ignored within this document, despite Tipperary Co. Council owning the land on either side.
Perhaps you could confirm also, if Ms O’Grady ever contacted your office, seeking legal protection for the Great Famine, Double Ditch, under the National Monuments Acts, which was requested by me in November 2019 or do we have a case of the tail(namely Tipperary Co. Council) wagging the dog(Tipperary’s own Co. Council Heritage Office ).
In all, now to-date, 16 persons, including senior Co. Council officials, e.g Mr Joe MacGrath (CE, Tipperary Co. Council);4 Teachtaí Dála; two of which support this present government here in Co. Tipperary, [namely MrMichael Lowry and Mr Jackie Cahill, Minister Malcolm Noonan, (latter Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform), and Minister Darragh O’Brien, (latter Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage), all of whom have failed to answer the simple question; “Will the planned Thurles inner relief road impinge, in a negative way, on the 1846 Thurles ‘Double Ditch’, which has been a “Right of Way” and a “Mass Path” for almost 175 years and which is the property of the people of Thurles Town?”
Beginning September 2021; the British government has committed some 100 million sterling to a new study and work abroad programme for students, to be known as the ‘Turing Scheme’.
The Turing Scheme gets its name from Alan Turing OBE. FRS. a brilliant mathematician, cryptographer and founder of modern day computer science and artificial intelligence, whose family once resided at Tombrickane, Kyle Park, Borrisokane, North Co. Tipperary.
Click HERE to read more about the man with the Tipperary connection, who according to British statesman, Sir Winston Churchill, shortened World War II, by at least 2 years and single handedly saved the lives of some 2 million people.
Same Turing Scheme is set to replace the UK’s participation in Erasmus+. This new Turing Scheme aims to fund 35,000 students in universities, colleges, and schools abroad. Educational institutions are welcome to begin applying to participate in this scheme this year affording British students the opportunity to attend European universities.
Erasmus+ remains the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. With the UK unable to agree on the cost of their continued participation in Erasmus+, the programmes budget is now no longer available for participation to British students.
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