Music « Thurles Information

Time Again To “Cut Loose” On Sunday, 15th July.

It has been announced that one of this year’s largest Irish Country Music Festivals, “Cut Loose”, will take place on Sunday, 15th July, at Holycross GAA Pitch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, from 1.00pm to 7.00pm.

The festival will see a host of artists perform and amongst the headliners expect to see:-

Michael English, Louise Morrissey, Derek Ryan, Jimmy Buckley, Cliona Hagan & Nathan Carter.

Gates Open at 12.00 noon

Free Car Parking – Seating – Dance Floor

Picnic Area – Full Bar & Food Service.

Tickets are on sale through the usual outlets and online at TICKETS.ie for just €20 plus booking fee.
Why not check out their official “Cut Loose” Facebook Page HERE for more information.

A Happy St. Patrick’s Day To You From Thurles, Co. Tipperary

“Oh, the summertime is comin’, and the trees are sweetly blooming”.

The Thurles, Co. Tipperary St. Patrick’s Day parade got under-way today at 4.00pm sharp.

Despite low prevailing weather temperatures of below 5°; mostly, I might add, unusual in the Premier County for this time of year; well wrapped viewers turned up in large numbers to support this our National Saints local parade.

St. Patricks’s Day Thurles, Co. Tipperary 2018 from George Willoughby on Vimeo.

While it rained 21 days out of the past 30 days here in Co. Tipperary, and despite a cold 30km/h biting wind, the day remained dry here in Thurles town, with even occasional sunshine; thus, allowing our local parade to pass off, in its usual good humoured, quality style.

Other Parades which took place today included: Cahir – 12.00 noon; Templemore – 12.30pm; Cashel and Tipperary Town – 2.00pm; Clonmel – 3.00pm; Roscrea – 3.30pm and finally Carrick-on-Suir – 5.30pm, latter followed by fireworks from Ormond Castle.

The North Tipperary town of Nenagh will hold their Annual Parade at 2.00pm tomorrow, Sunday 18th March.

Slide Show Music & Vocals: “Will Ye Go Lassie Go” courtesy of that warm, confident, haunting and hypnotic voice that is Ms Nora Fogarty, from her amazing album “One Star Awake.”

Slide Show Photography: Courtesy Stewart Willoughby.

Official Launch Of 2018 Thurles, St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Mr Johnny Kenehan, (Chairperson), St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, Thurles, reports:-

The official launch of the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Thurles took place in the Thurles Chamber Enterprise Centre, LIT Campus, Gortataggart, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, on Monday last, March 5th.

Photo Courtesy Sarah Kenehan.

The launch was attended by local dignitaries and sponsors, including the Municipal Area Chairperson, Cllr. Seamus Hanafin, Mr. Michael Carew (Jeweller), Mr. John Butler (President Thurles Chamber), Mr. Gary Roche (President Thurles Lions Club), Fr. James Purcell (P.P. Thurles), Cllr. Seán Ryan, Lt. Michael Black (RDF) together with Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and friends.

The wheels are now in motion for the 2018 Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade, starting from Abbey Road, Thurles at 4.00pm on Saturday March 17th, 2018.

N.B. The parade starting time has been put back one hour (to 4.00pm); changed from the information previously advertised at the request of Thurles Chamber, to allow a full day Saturday trading, thus making up for lost business as a result of last weeks Storm Emma.

A number of new entries are taking part in this year’s parade and we eagerly await their participation, e.g. Dúrlas Éile Archers and Munster Blades Fencing Club, all feels like the Game of Thrones could be coming to Thurles on St. Patrick’s Day.

We await more entries, and Entries Forms can be downloaded from the following websites; Thurles Chamber and Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade or contact the Chairperson, Mr Johnny Kenehan at Mobile (087) 9964587.

A total of €1,500 in prize funding and trophies are there for the taking for the different, unusual, interesting and entertaining entries. There are a wide variety of categories; from best business entry to best overall entry. There is no special theme for this years parade, leaving scope for all entrants to deliver something special in the way of innovation and entertainment.

There will be a number of attractions, consisting of a marching band, the Thurles Silver Band, the Jim O’The Mills traditional group will also feature and play in the centre of Liberty Square, presenting once again a great treat in live traditional music. There will be a small farm animal attraction in Lower Liberty Square, and in O’Meara’s car park a selection of carnival attractions provided by 5 Star Fun Entertainment.

Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sponsors:

The Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee would like to thank all our sponsors to date:-

Lyons Tyre & Battery, Stakelum’s Fashions, Morans Menswear, Silver Needles, Daly’s Seafood, Frank Roche & Sons Ltd., Centenary Thurles Co-Op, Jackie Cahill T.D., Dan Kennedy Funeral Director Inc., Kennedy’s County Bar, Sparrow Insurances Ltd, Orion Broadband & IT Services, Hanafins Furniture Store, Sammons Pharmacy, United Nations Veteran Association, Michaels Jewellers, Supermacs Thurles, Thurles Shopping Centre, Air Impact, Boomerang Recycling, Cleary Motors, Premier Health Clinic, Thurles Golf Club, Tim Looby Accountants, 5 Star Fun, Bowe Travel, Nico’s Shoe Repairs, Mary Hanna’s Curtains and Blinds, Gordan’s Turkish Barbers, Martin Shanahan’s Tyres, Murphy Machinery, Eoin Dunne School of Motoring, Denis Kinane Motors, Ryans Cleaning, The Monks Bar, The Irish CountryWoman’s Association, Thurles Credit Union, Thurles Hardware, Larry Fogarty Public House, Walter Drohan’s Mace Shop, Peoples of:- Thurles, Holycross, Ballycahill, Moyne, Drombane, Upperchurch and Borrisoleigh.

“Ragtime” Returns To Thurles Musical Society After 14 Years

Thurles Musical Society will bridge a fourteen year gap with their staging of “Ragtime” the Musical here in The Premier Hall, Thurles, from Tuesday March 20^th – Saturday 24^th next, inclusive.

Jack Carolan, Barry Derby, Harry Keane, Linda Ryan and John Scott, main role players in the TMS’ Ragtime.

The Thurles society had the honour of staging the European Amateur première back in 2004 under the direction of Vivian Coates, and amazingly two of the main players are now returning to reprise the same roles again this time round.

While quite a number of the 2018 company were in the 2004 production as well; Michael McLoughlin is returning to play the part of Coalhouse Walker Junior, as he did fourteen years ago. Donal Taylor is also returning to play the part of Booker T Washington, again, a role he played almost a decade and a half ago – Donals wife Maria McElgunn returns to play the part of Emma Goldman, having played the part of Mother back in 2004. And, her brother David will play the part of Tateh in this years show.

Another link with the first production sees Danielle Martin play the role of Evelyn Nesbitt – she is daughter of Ricky Martin who played the part of Father– and niece of Patricia Ryan (Kenny) who played the part of Evelyn last time round.

With a sixty strong cast under the Direction of Christine Scarry, choreographer Lea Carroll and Musical Director Mary Rose McNally, who was also MD fourteen years ago; the Thurles crew have been working very hard to get this massive show off the ground.

Audiences flocked to The Premier Hall in 2004 to see this ‘new show’ and Thurles Musical Society expects more of the same, such was the success of Ragtime last time round.

Tickets, costing €20 for adults and €10 concessions, can be booked at the Booking Office in Bookworm, Liberty Square, Thurles or at 085 2868726.

There are, as always, family tickets available, together with various group discounts.

Neil Diamond Cancels Third Leg Of 50th Anniversary Tour

Tipperary fans (of which there are very many), will be sad to note that American singer-songwriter, musician and actor, Mr Neil Diamond, has announced that he is retiring from touring, following his recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, the most obvious signs of which are slowness of movement and difficulty with walking.

The truly outstanding world class performer, who turned 77 years old, just yesterday, (January 24th 1941) informed his massive international fan base this week that he had made this decision with great reluctance and personal disappointment; while thanking them for their continued support.

His song “Hell Yeah” [Video hereunder (2005)], possibly best interprets his overall outlook on his life. (Lyrics HERE).

The onset of this disease is said to have made it arduous for Mr Diamond to tour and perform on any large-scale footing. The singer has reassured his numerous devoted enthusiasts that he plans to continue to write and record his music for some time to come.

In a statement this week on his website he stated “It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring. I have been so honoured to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years.
My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows. I plan to remain active in writing, recording and other projects for a long time to come.
My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world. You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you.”

Mr Diamond was due to embark on the third leg of his 50th anniversary tour in Australia and New Zealand in March of this year. These now cancelled gigs followed concerts in Europe, including Ireland, and the US back in 2017.