History « Thurles Information

Tipp Mid West Radio 104.8 Visits Thurles

Popular local radio presenter Mr Seamus King, broadcasting on Tipperary Mid West Community Radio, is out and about around Tipperary over the coming weeks visiting the various tourist attractions to be found here in our native Premier County.

Tipperary Mid West Community Radio, as everyone will be aware, aims to inform, educate and entertain, through providing a service dedicated to celebrating local music, sports, culture and that rich heritage contained in our ever diverse and picturesque local communities.

Seamus will be broadcasting from St Mary’s Famine & War Museum here in Thurles, just after 11.00am tomorrow morning, (Friday June 13th 2014) in the first of what we hope will be many Friday half-hour broadcasts over the coming months which will be featured and highlighted live on air.

So do turn your radio dials to 104.8 FM–106.7 FM, beginning tomorrow morning, just after 11.00am to listen to radio’s “The Voice of Tipperary” and over the coming weeks be prepared to learn from Seamus King that there is, and I quote; “a hell of a lot more to be found in our historic haven of Co Tipperary, than that which just simply meets the eye.”

Of course if your radio is out of reach you can always catch this broadcast simply by ‘Live Streaming’ same on your computer at http://www.tippmidwestradio.com/radioplayer/listenlive.html

History Lecture In Borrisoleigh Community Centre

Mr. Paddy Gleeson, acting tour guide with Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, will present a lecture entitled “Glasnevin Cemetery, Ireland’s Necropolis,” in the Community Centre, behind the Church in Borrisoleigh, tomorrow night (Wednesday 28th May) at 8.00 pm sharp.

Expect an informative historic lecture based in particular on famous political funerals from Daniel O’Connell (6 August 1775 – 15 May 1847) often referred to as ‘The Liberator’ or ‘The Emancipator,’ to the great Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins (16 October 1890 – 22 August 1922), latter Minister for Finance and Teachta Dála (TD) for Cork South in the First Dáil of 1919, Director of Intelligence for the IRA and member of the Irish delegation sent to England to parley during Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations.

This event promises to be extremely informative and all are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

Note: Borrisoleigh Historical Society in conjunction with Sr. Aine Historical Society will travel to Glasnevin Cemetery on June 14th and note a few seats are still available on the bus for those who would like to take advantage of what promises to be a marvellous and informative history outing.

Upcoming Lecture On Holycross Abbey Thurles Tipperary

Borrisoleigh Historical Society will continue their successful series of historic lectures in the Community Hall Borrisoleigh, on Wednesday night next, April 30th, at 8.00pm sharp.

The title of this months lecture is “Holycross Abbey & the Medieval Treasures of Holycross,” and same will be delivered by historian and retired school principal Mr. Tom Gallagher, Ballycahill, Thurles. Refreshments as usual will be served.

Holycross Abbey, as most people are aware, is a beautifully restored medieval monastery on the banks of the River Suir here in central Tipperary and since its restoration has now returned to its original roll as a parish church.

Visitors to Holycross Abbey today experience rich history, heritage, folklore and legend, as well as breathtaking art and architecture. A Relic of the Cross has attracted millions of pilgrims from far and wide, since its foundation in 1182 AD. In the Abbey Cistercian art can be observed in the form of the rare ‘Sedilia’ and ‘Waking Bier’ found here, carved in stone. The old bell, called Michael, hangs in the tower and is reputedly the oldest church bell in Ireland, originally cast some 800 years ago. The beautiful outdoor Stations of the Cross are the work of Enrico Manfrini, who also designed His Holiness Pope Francis’ ring.

Here also can be observed the widest range of window patterns and tracery of any medieval building and today boasts the only surviving medieval chapter house doorway in Ireland.

Then of course there is the “Whispering Arch” – but enough from me, instead do drop in on Tom Gallagher’s lecture and prepare to be fascinated by his extensive and detailed knowledge of this great Irish treasure that is, after all, Holycross Abbey, Co Tipperary.

Cloughjordan Co Tipperary Honours Thomas MacDonagh

Lament for Thomas MacDonagh – by Francis Ledwidge

“He shall not hear the bittern cry in the wild sky, where he is lain,
Nor voices of the sweeter birds above the wailing of the rain.
Nor shall he know when loud March blows thro’ slanting snows her fanfare shrill,
Blowing to flame the golden cup of many an upset daffodil.
But when the Dark Cow leaves the moor and pastures poor with greedy weeds,
Perhaps he’ll hear her low at morn, lifting her horn in pleasant meads.”

This coming May Bank Holiday Weekend (2^nd – 5^th May 2014) the town of Cloughjordan [ Map Ref ] here in Co Tipperary invite you to the home of the late great Poet, Writer, Gaelgóir, Dramatist, Patriot and Signatory of the Irish Proclamation, Thomas MacDonagh, (Irish: Tomás Mac Donnchadha; 1^st Feb 1878 – 3^rd May 1916).

Weekend Programme of Events

(Please do ‘Right Click’ on picture here [Left] to ‘View Image’ of Weekend Programme of events in greater magnification.)

Thomas MacDonagh was born here in Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, one of eight children born to parents Joseph MacDonagh, latter a schoolteacher and Mary-Louise neé Parker. It was in this environment that he developed a love of music, poetry and education together with a passion for both English and Irish culture. He went on to attend Rockwell College near Cashel at the age of fourteen, where he initially aspired to become a priest or brother, spending several years studying, before realising that this life was no longer for him personally. Soon after, while residing in Co Kilkenny, saw the publication of his first book of poems; “Through the Ivory Gate,” (1902), followed one year later by “April and May,” (1903) and “The Golden Joy,” (1904).

MacDonagh’s lament by Francis Ledwidge, shown above, is a metaphor where “the wailing of the rain” represents the obvious grief associated with MacDonagh’s death. The words “when loud March blows thro’ slanting snows represents the poet’s hope that perhaps out of this historic grief may come something better thus conjuring up vivid images of weather, wild daffodils, both the appearance and sensation that is the present Cloughjordan countryside and which visitors will experience, for themselves, this coming weekend. In Ledwidge’s mind “the Dark Cow leaves the moor,” is a metaphor for Ireland as a nation, in the expectation that things will improve eventually for his beloved country and perhaps MacDonagh’s own execution will become acknowledged as not being totally in vain.

This subject I feel sure will be discussed in even greater debate here in Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, this May weekend, so teachers do encourage you students to attend.

Cloughjordan May Weekend Programme

The weekend long programme features talks on various aspects of the historic events that shaped our nation. Events extend out into the surrounding countryside, which was a source of inspiration for many of MacDonagh’s poems; a guided walk through Knocknacree Wood, a field trip to sites of heritage interest (Modreeny Medieval Settlement) and numerous exhibitions. Come along and enjoy music and song agus beidh fáilte roimh cách ag an Oíche Ghaelach. ( Latter translation from Irish: “and everyone is welcome at the Irish Night.” )

The talks, a painting workshop, exhibitions and evenings of song and story will take place in the Thomas MacDonagh Heritage Centre, Lower Main Street, Cloughjordan and other venues in the town. In this year of commemorations Thomas MacDonagh, World War I and Cumann na mBan (Irish: Women’s Association) receive special attention. The programme invites people of all ages to reflect on our past, which is manifest in the rich heritage of this area.

Volume VIII in the Cloughjordan Heritage series will be launched on Friday at 8;00 pm. The Thomas MacDonagh Summer School begins at 11.00 am on Saturday. On Sunday Prof. Peadar Kirby presents a talk on MacDonagh and later Dr. Mary McCauliffe will speak on Cumann na mBan. Enjoy a family friendly afternoon with Heritage Games and the MacDonagh Pipe Band from Templemore. The programme concludes on Monday with a guided walk in Knocknacree Wood, a CineClub presentation of “War Horse” (based on WWI) agus Oíche Ghaelach le ceol agus caidreamh. ( Latter translation from Irish: “and Irish Night music and relationships.” )

This area in North Tipperary, “in calm of middle country” (T. MacDonagh’s own words) is rich in heritage and natural environment. Cloughjordan is now home to the International Award Winning Sustainable Community and visitors are welcome to come on a guided tour of the Eco Village on Sunday at 3.00 pm. Stay in the Eco Hostel and in local B&B accommodation. Enjoy the evenings in a friendly festival atmosphere.

Bí linn ag comóradh Tomás Mhac Donnachadha ina bhaile dhúchais. ( Latter translation from Irish: “Join us in commemorating Thomas MacDonagh in his home town.” )

Further information on “Cloughjordan Honours Thomas MacDonagh,” can be found by clicking Here.

South Tipperary Development To Launch Derrynaflan Trail

The new ‘Derrynaflan Trail’ tourism project is all set to be launched; hosted in the Horse & Jockey Hotel, Thurles, at 10:00am on Friday April 25th next. Launch is by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Mr Jimmy Deenihan and note all are welcome to attend.

This project is being spearheaded by three Tipperary community organisations, namely; Littleton Development Association, Holycross Community Network and Slieveardagh Rural Development. The project has the support and guidence of South Tipperary Development Company under the Rural Development Programme and these groups jointly have now completed the first phase in this exciting trail development.

A Fifty Eight Minute Audio Guide together with a thirty six page booklet has now been produced, together with a brochure highlighting the rich ecclesiastical heritage of this previously hidden part of middle Tipperary. These three community groups are continuing to develop guided tours of the sites with Holycross Community Network already providing tours of Holycross Abbey and it is now planned to put regular tours of other sites in place. Interpretive signage at each site is now their longer term objective. The overall aim of this project is to now provide a much needed economic boost to rural Tipperary, through increasing overall visitor numbers from both home and abroad.

The ‘Derrynaflan Trail’ will connect ancient ecclesiastical sites from the Slieveardagh Hills, across through Littleton Bog, to the banks of the River Suir. Holycross Abbey, Kilcooley’s Cistercian Abbey, Liathmore’s two churches and of course Derrynaflan Island itself, are numbered amongst the places of significance along this most ancient of routes. This trail will span fifteen centuries of Irish history since early Christian times. Along the way travellers will encounter the rich local folklore concerning rebel priests, saintly miracles, a Viking battle, Cromwellian invaders and indeed much, much more.

All these wonderful sites are free of charge, though donations are appreciated when visiting at Holycross Abbey, latter which provide excellent professional tour guides.