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Congratulations To Emma And John On Their Wedding

Recently, the wedding took place of Miss Emma Lyons, daughter of Mrs Eleanor and Mr Pat Lyons, Rathmanna, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, to Mr John Hayes, son of Mrs Ena and Mr Toss Hayes, Mitchel Street, Thurles, Co.Tipperary.

The wedding ceremony took place in the quaint historic 19th century church of St John’s, Killenard, Co Laois. The ceremony was presided over by Rev. Fr. Abe Kennedy, P.P. Portumna, a friend of both the Lyons and Hayes families.

Escorted down the aisle by her father Pat, the bride looked stunning in a brushed silk, ivory gown, adorned with a timeless mixture of elegant pearls and lace. Equally beautiful were the bridesmaids, who wore black and ivory full-length corset tie back gowns.

The couple exchanged their vows in front of a large gathering of family and close friends, while music and songs for the ceremony were performed by celebrated and talented singers and musicians from Thurles.

Following the ceremony, the new Mr and Mrs Hayes retired to the The Heritage Five Star Golf and Spa Resort, where guests were entertained to music and light refreshments followed by a champagne reception.

Following family photographs, the newly married couple joined their guests in the palatial ballroom of The Heritage for a lavish banquet, which was followed by live music and dancing late into the evening.

The couple have chosen Malaysia as their favoured honeymoon destination.

A video recording of the days events were undertaken by top videographer Pat Corbett

From all their family and many friends in Co.Tipperary go best wishes to them both for a happy, healthy and prosperous life together.

River Suir – Water Lilies And Mute Swans

Our local water ways, namely the river Suir, which flows through the town of Thurles and the Cabragh Wetlands on the outskirts of the town, are particularly attractive at this time of year.

The native White Water Lily (Nymphaea alba) and the invasive Yellow flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) are in full bloom in Cabragh Wetlands, while on the river Suir our year round resident Mute Swans (Dan and Doris)  have finally introduced their surviving three cygnets, hatched in mid May, to the local residents.

The male (called a Cob), and the female (called a Pen) birds, usually attempt to mate for life, although it is not true to say that if one of the birds were to die, that the other would necessarily pine away. It is very possible for an adult bird to find an alternative mate.

Their nest is a huge mound of mixed material, normally assorted vegetation, consisting of  sticks dried grasses and rushes, are constructed at the water’s edge. The nest is built by the female, while the male supplies the materials.

The female lays up to seven eggs between late April and early May. Both sexes incubate the eggs, which hatch within 35-41 days. The young birds (called cygnets) sometimes ride playfully on their parents’ backs as seen in this video clip.

The youngsters remain with the adult birds for four or five months before being driven from the breeding ground in mid Autumn.

Swans normally find enough food in the wild without supplementary feeding. It is only in freezing weather that extra food can be helpful. Many people like feeding bread to swans and while this is unlikely to do them any real harm in the long term, it is no substitute for the proper diet that the birds themselves will seek out. Grain, such as wheat, and vegetable matter, especially lettuce and potatoes, can be fed to swans.

Food should be thrown into the water to avoid encouraging the young birds onto the bank, thus putting their lives in danger.

A visit to Cabragh Wetlands is such a peaceful experience and for those who enjoy a closeness with nature, it is well worth a visit, particularly in the evening time.

Music used in the video clip is by Johannes Brahms, entitled “The Cradle Song”.

Long Life And Happiness To The New Mr And Mrs Long

The historic Abbey at Holycross, Thurles, Co.Tipperary was the scene for the wedding, yesterday, of one of  Tipperary’s most popular couples.

"Good Health and Happiness"

The very lovely Miss Margaret Long, daughter of Mrs Christine and the late Mr Thomas Long, Holycross, Thurles, and Mr Evan Long son of Mrs Jacinta and Mr Matthew Long, Thurles, Co.Tipperary, both publicly proclaimed their love for each other in front of a very large gathering of friends and family.

The ceremonies chief celebrants were local parish priest Rev. Fr. Tomas Breen assisted by Rev. Monsignor James Commins.

This beautiful and ancient venue of Holycross Abbey has become the favourite hitching centre for marrying celebrates over past years and in recent times was the chosen venue of Dolores O’Riordan of the ‘The Cranberries’ fame and TV3’s news anchor Colette Fitzpatrick.

Following the ceremony Margaret and Evan entertained their guests in the wonderful gardens of the Anner Hotel ,Thurles, Co Tipperary, where over 200 guests enjoyed a champagne reception, combined with the first of this seasons fresh strawberries.  This was  followed later in the evening by a lavish six course banquet.

Music and dancing continued well into the early hours, and over the next  few days the happy couple will depart on honeymoon to tour Thailand.

Friends and neighbours in Tipperary send their best wishes to you both for a happy, healthy and prosperous life together and thank you both, most sincerely, for such a wonderful day.

Breda And PJ Start New Year As Mr And Mrs

XmasYesterday’s prevailing wind, snow and rain went totally unnoticed as the very lovely Miss Breda Kirwan, daughter of Mrs Kathleen and Mr Joe Kirwan, Horse and Jockey, Thurles, Co Tipperary, married Mr P. J. Maher, latter son of Mrs Breda and Mr James Maher, Dunkerrin, Birr, Co. Offaly.

A stunning bride was escorted down the aisle by her father Joe and the ceremony was performed by Rev Fr.George Bourke PP ably assisted by Rev Fr.Pat Mulcahy, in the quaint and historic church of St Peter, in Moycarkey, Thurles, in the diocese of Cashel and Emly.

Here, the couple publicly proclaimed their love for each other in front of a large gathering of family and friends before joining close family members for photographs.

Following the event the new Mr and Mrs Maher retired to the popular local wedding venue, the Anner Hotel, latter situated on the outskirts of Thurles town.

Here guests were entertained, on arrival, to light refreshments before joining the newly married couple at a lavish banquet, which was followed by music and dancing late into the evening.

The couple have chosen to tour America as their favoured honeymoon destination and from all their many friends and admirers in Co.Tipperary, go best wishes to them both for a happy and very prosperous life together.

Durlas Óg Photographic Exhibition in Tipp Institute

Denis Maher of Thurles Sarsfield in action

Denis Maher of Thurles Sarsfields in action

While events to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the GAA may have come to an end, there is at lease one further associated event yet to come in the Co.Tipperary GAA calendar, which should not missed.

This event is a truly exiting exhibition of photographs, which will go on show in the Tipperary Institute on Thursday next the 19th November at 8.00 pm. The exhibition is part of the overall 30th Anniversary celebrations which mark the founding of GAA club Dúrlas Óg .

This exhibition will feature a  large collection of photographs taken over the years, many of which have never been seen by the public and which will also depict many of the winning teams since 1979.

One of the highlights to be featured in this exhibition will be prints by the Thurles accomplished club photographer Mr. John O’ Loughlin LIPF, from his own private collection.

In 1979 Dúrlas Óg came into being, born of the frustration of committed followers of Gaelic games, who, rather than simply criticise the lack of interest in hurling and football among the youth of Thurles, set about lighting their own candle to beat the impending darkness.

Since its foundation in 1979 this club has gone from strength to strength and one of  it’s latest developments was the opening of the Pat Staklum Memorial training facility which incorporates Astro Turf and Hurling wall.
This interesting new exhibition will be opened officially on Thursday night by former All Star Hurler, Eddie Enright and is an event not to be missed by true lovers of both Gaelic games and photography.