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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.
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 20th – Saturday 24th 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.
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.
 It is with great sadness music lovers learned of the death, on Monday 15th January 2018, of Ms Dolores O’Riordan, Late of Ballybricken, Bohermore, Co Limerick; Howth, Co. Dublin; Buckhorn, Ontario, Canada, and formerly the lead singer with “The Cranberries”, latter a world famous Irish rock band first formed in Limerick in 1989.
Ms O’Riordan, aged just 46 years, and who was married in Holycross Abbey, Thurles in 1994; performing at Féile ’94 in the Tom Semple Stadium, Thurles, Co. Tipperary on Sunday 31st July of that same year; sadly passed away unexpectedly, while visiting in London, England.
Predeceased by her father Terry, her passing is most deeply regretted by her loving mother Eileen: children Taylor, Molly and Dakota and their father Don Burton; sister Angela; brothers Terence, Brendan, Donal, Joseph and P.J.; brother-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces; nephews; extended relatives and a large circle of friends.
Funeral Arrangements
The earthly remains of Ms O’Riordan will lie in repose in public at St. Joseph’s Church, O’Connell Avenue, Limerick on Sunday afternoon next (January 21st), from 12.30pm to 4.00pm.
She will further repose at Joseph Cross & Sons Funeral Home, Ballyneety, Co. Limerick, on Monday evening (January 22nd) from 4.00pm, followed by removal at 8.00pm to St. Ailbe’s Church, Ballybricken.
Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday (January 23rd) at 11.30am, followed by private family interment.
Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a h-anam dílis.
The Ballybricken, Co. Limerick lead singer with ‘The Cranberries’, Ms Dolores O’Riordan, has passed away unexpectedly today, aged just 46 years. Ms O’Riordan passed away while in the London Hilton, on Park Lane in London, England, for a recording session.
Ms O’Riordan and her 6ft-4in ex-husband of 20 years, Mr Don Burton, (Latter the former tour manager with band “Duran Duran”), married in Holycross Abbey, Thurles, Co.Tipperary in 1994, holding their wedding reception at the Aherlow House Hotel, Newtown, Aherlow, Co. Tipperary before honeymooning in Dingle, Co. Kerry and the Aran Islands situated at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland.
 Dolores & Don outside Holycross Abbey Thurles, following their marriage in 1994, & during happier times. The couple had first met while ‘The Cranberries’ toured with ‘Duran Duran’ in the early 90’s.
Their marriage was later blessed by three children; a son Taylor Baxter, and two daughters Molly Leigh and Dakota Rain, who are understood to be living in Canada with their father since their divorce in 2014. (Mr Burton also has a son from a previous relationship named Donald Jr, known as Donny.)
In 1998, the couple bought a 150-acre stud farm, called Riversfield Stud, located in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, selling it six years later in 2004.
Following an invitation by Pope Benedict XVI, Ms O’Riordan performed at the Vatican’s annual Christmas concerts in 2001 and 2002, and later performed at the invitation of Pope Francis in 2013.
Around 2004 the couple moved to Howth, in Co. Dublin, and spent the summer season at their log cabin located in Buckhorn, Ontario, Canada, before moving full-time to Buckhorn in 2009.
In August 2013, Ms O’Riordan returned to live in Ireland.
The cause of her death has not yet immediately been made public this evening.
Parish priest at Ballybricken and Bohermore, Fr James Walton, latter formerly a curate here in Thurles, has confirmed that the body of Ms O’Riordan will be interred in her home parish.
Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a h-anam dílis.
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