The late Mattie Ryan would have been very proud indeed. But no doubt he was watching down with a smile as the Gucci Handbags got dusted down, hairs got super glued, false nails were coloured and highlighted (Or was it the other way around, Can’t remember), and new frocks got their first official outing. Tail feathers were plucked from every exotic bird found holidaying in the Thurles area, only to be used later to decorate many of the unusually shaped hats, displayed in abundance.
The ‘glam’ preparations, which I describe, of course were for yesterday’s right Royal Mock Wedding event, held in aid of a most worthy cause, the Thurles Cancer Support Group, Suir Haven, latter a charity once very close to Mattie Ryan’s heart.
The bride for this right ‘Royal Bash,’ was the very lovely Princess Sharon Kerrigan, the groom, the equally handsome Prince Brendan O’Donnell.
Escorted down the aisle by Deputy Michael Lowry TD, the bride looked breathtaking in a brushed silk white bridal evening gown, with delicately laced bodice.
The couple both publicly declared their love for each other in front of a large gathering of family and close friends in that ‘Basilica of Rock Music,’ locally known as HQ Nightclub here in Thurles, presided over by Tipp FM ‘s Breakfast Bowl impersario and the radio stations resident parish priest Rev.Fr. Aidan Mac MC.
A video recording of the ceremony was undertaken by top videographer, Mr Garry Butler and the newly married couple later joined their guests for a large amount of light refreshments, in a pub crawl which included Michael Bowes Pub Friar Street, The Arch Bar, Millay’s Tavern and of course the home of the GAA, Hayes Hotel all located in Liberty Square, just to name a few.
The happy couple were tight lipped on information regarding their honeymoon destination, but to Sharon and Brendan go the good wishes of all their families members and many friends here in Thurles, for a happy, healthy and prosperous life together. (Personally, I just can’t see the marriage lasting.)
Nevertheless a most enjoyable event in aid of a worthy cause, and to all involved well done.
Death Notice
John Joe opened the Tipperary Star newspaper and was dumbfounded to read in the obituary column that he had died. So he quickly phoned his best friend Dick to allay any rumours.
“Did you see the paper?” asked John Joe. “They are saying I died!!”
“Yes, I saw that!” replied Dick. “Where are you callin’ from?”
Laughter
Mysterious Death
His wife had died under mysterious circumstances and the police were interviewing Murphy.
“Did your wife say anything before she died?” asked the Police Man.
“She spoke without interruption, non stop, for about forty years,” said Murphy.
Medicine
The young Thurles Doctor was puzzled, “I’m very sorry but I can’t seem to diagnose your trouble, Paddy. I think it must be drink. ”
“Sure don’t worry about it Doctor, I’ll come back later when you’re sober.” replied Paddy.
Scientific Exploration
Germany conducted scientific exploration involving their very best scientists. Core drilling samples of soil were taken to a depth of 50m and during the core examinations, small pieces of copper were discovered. After running many arduous tests on the samples, Angela Merkel announced that the ancient German people some 25,000 years ago, had a nationwide underground telephone network.
The British government decided to do tests of their own. So they ordered their own scientists to take core samples at a depth of 100m. From these samples, they found small pieces of glass and David Cameron later announced that the ancient Brits, 35,000 years ago, already had an underground nationwide optic fibre telephone network.
Ireland not wishing to be outdone immediately ordered their scientist to take samples at a depth of 200m, but found absolutely nothing. The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny later confirmed that the ancient Irish people over 55,000 years ago, were a more advanced civilisation than the rest of Europe, and had developed the worlds first ever wireless telephone network system.
Johnny B and the Boogie Men have just released a fantastic new song and video called Lar Outside! This song follows on from their very successful hit last year called Premier Rap which everybody loved, including our sporting rivals. The new song is once again all about our great Tipperary hurling team and Lar Corbett in particular. The video has only just been put up on YouTube but already it has had over 40,000 views. You can check out the video below, it rocks!
Well done to Johnny B and The Boogie Men, this song is going to be huge. You can expect to hear ‘Lar Outside’ on local radio stations like TippFM and even national radio. Here’s to Tipperary winning this years All Ireland Hurling Championship.
When Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is being whisked down O’Connell Street, Dublin, this week, she should keep an eye out for one of her relations from Co.Tipperary, who has been standing there, waiting for her visit since 1893, and is now unlikely to be there if she ever visits again.
Her Majesty, according to today’s Independent newspaper will be attending The British Embassy’s ‘little bash’ in the €380m National Conference Centre on Dublin’s Spencer Dock. She will be meeting leading Irish peace campaigners, like Amanda Brunker, former presenter of “The Podge and Rodge Show,” and chef Rachel Allen, who appears to be getting the day off from O’Briens Sandwich Bars, where she autographs the plastic wrappers on sandwiches for customers.
But enough about that, lets discuss Her Majesty’s Tipperary relation waiting patiently in Sackville Place, Fr. Theobald Mathew, (1790 -1856) Capuchin Friar and Apostle of Temperance, whose life sized limestone monument is shortly to be dumped, according to the same newspaper, from Dublin’s O’Connell Street, to make way for the latest plans by Dublin’s Luas Light Rail System, to flutter away more of taxpayers money in the Pale.
The statue of Fr. Theobald was erected there in 1893, three years after it’s foundation stone was laid on 18th October 1890, latter the centenary of Fr. Mathew’s birthday and 36 years after John Henry Foley’s sculpture in Cork was unveiled.
The statue of the friar in O’Connell Street, Dublin, his back turned on the adulterous Charles Stewart Parnell, (The separated Mrs Katharine O’Shea Affair) is wearing the costume of a late nineteenth-century priest, attired in a ‘Surtout ‘ or man’s frock coat, belted with a rope and hung with rosary beads, his arms raised in a blessing.
Fr. Theobald’s anti-drink campaign is considered to have been a great social revolution, that saw the establishment of Temperance Societies in just about every parish in the country. At its very peak, his campaign, between 1838-1845, it was estimated that there were almost 4 million people abstaining from drink here in Ireland. His success was aided by the fact that Fr. Mathew appealed to every class, creed and rank in Irish society. In 1843, Fr. Mathew went to England and Scotland, where he had even further success, and later spent over two years in the US, where he handed out the Pledge in over 300 towns.
Today, intoxicated Dubliners can often be seen loitering, under the Tipperary man’s statue, ignoring his past warnings regarding the evils of drink, and I regret to report that as religion continues to decline, he commands less and less respect from those that pass underneath his outstretched arms.
Prices nationwide during April 2011 rose 3.2% higher than during April last year. This rise in personal commodity prices marks the 19th successive month of increases in inflation, with household bills being the main contributor to these increases.
Irish Rail increase ticket price by over 100%
Inflation in Ireland is at its highest level since October 2008, when inflation topped 4%. Phone, broadband and health costs rose by 4%, while electricity, gas and fuel prices were 11.8% higher and goods and services rose almost 9%.
But here in Thurles, Irish Rail (IarnrĂłd Éireann) the national railway system, subsidised by the taxpayer, “beat the band,” by raising their on line train ticket prices from Thurles to Monasterevin by over 100% and not a murmur from our daily commuters. (I always knew there was no shortage of money in Thurles.)
From Thurles to Monasterevin on 16th January 2011 and prior, rail tickets booked on line cost €10 plus an extra €2 for using Laser Cards and €3 for using other major credit card. (Sure we haven’t paid the banks near enough money yet.)
On March 17th 2011 (St Patrick’s Day, Irelands National Holiday,) tickets booked on line increased in cost by 50% to €15, plus the afore mentioned charges for using Laser and Credit Cards.
On May 6th 2011 Irish Rail again (without even blushing), raised their on line booking prices for the same journey from Thurles to Monasterevin to €21.50, plus the same charges when you pay by Laser and Credit Card.
So lets do the sums:-
January 2011 Thurles to Monasterevin tickets booked on line cost €10.00 plus compulsory use of Laser card €2.00.
May 6th 2011 Thurles to Monasterevin tickets booked on line cost €21.50 plus compulsory use of Laser card €2.00.
The extra cost, to daily commuters using Irish Rail’s morning 6.10 am service, to get about their business, has now increased by €11 per day or €55 per working week, travelling one way, based on this daily fare.
One regular commuter has now choosen to stay in a Four Star En Suite Bed and breakfast in Monasterevin, which charges him just €35 and includes a full Irish Breakfast, (Not to mention an extra 1.5 hours in bed) rather than as he states ” Allow myself to be robbed in broad daylight by Irish Rail.”
Incidentally a trip from Thurles to Dublin is only €0.50 pence more expensive. These prices are obviously being charged to allay expenses for “Are you our Smartest Commuter?” Nice one IarnrĂłd Éireann, to hell with service, the availability of broadband, a cup of coffee that doesn’t taste like slop, canteen staff that are discourteous, let’s promote getting our customers better dressed.
Still, now with TD’s using this service, people should really make a better effort with their “Makeup” in the morning.
Thurles.Info is sending a copy of this post to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Leo Varadkar T.D. and we will be posting a copy of the Ministers explanation, when same is received, (on the same day).
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Recent Comments