Planning « Thurles Information

Thurles Planning Alerts From Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2561181.
Applicant: John Ryan (Ned).
Development Address: Wolfe Tone Place, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: the construction of an extension (south of existing structure) and undertaking of alterations to a property adjoining and within the curtilage of a protected structure (TRPS2503) E41 PX09. Permission for completion of works relating to this extension – decision made.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 19/11/2025.
Decision Date: 20/01/2026.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2561181/0.

Application Ref: 2461122.
Applicant: Board of Directors, Thurles Lions Trust.
Development Address: Croke Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: (1) a two storey apartment building fronting onto Croke Street, comprising of 1 number one-bed apartment at ground floor level and 1 number one-bed apartment at first floor level and (2) a two storey apartment building located to the rear of the site.
Status: Planning Permission Granted – Conditional.
Application Received: 19/12/2024.
Decision Date: 20/01/2026.
Further Details: Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/.

Site Clearance Begins For Drive-Thru McDonald’s On Slievenamon Road, Thurles.

Site clearance works have begun in recent days to facilitate the construction of a drive-thru McDonald’s restaurant on Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary — a development which has generated strong local reaction, particularly among homeowners living nearby.

According to information published by Tipperary County Council, the proposed works are scheduled to run from February 2nd, 2026 to July 8th, 2026.

The development is described as follows:

Development Type: Assembly and Recreation
Overview: Construction of a 478.8 sq. m. single-storey drive-thru restaurant, including:
Access from the existing access road serving the Lidl and Insomnia units to the north
Drive-thru infrastructure including a height restrictor and customer order points with canopies
Outdoor seating area
Corral area with bins and general storage
Plant and associated infrastructure works
All related site works above and below ground

“Over the moon”… apparently.
While the development has been termed “controversial” by some, a number of local residents, particularly those with mortgages in the immediate vicinity, have been described as “over the moon” about the works, albeit in a tone that suggests the “moon” in question may be made of concrete, brake lights and late-night engine noise.

Speaking informally, several locals said they were “delighted” at the prospect of increased convenience food, traffic movements and, potentially, the sort of atmospheric ambience only a busy drive-thru can provide, especially at peak times.

In what residents stressed was “pure excitement” (and absolutely not weary sarcasm), some even expressed hope that the area could be further “enhanced” over time, with suggestions including an underground techno club, an industrial music venue, or a large-scale rave facility, should anyone (who needs to go to work in the morning), feel the neighbourhood needed more “vibrancy” after midnight.

Election season expectations:
Others said they were eagerly looking forward to the next local and general elections, when they expect to have an opportunity to express, in their own words, their “genuine, sincere and unfeigned gratitude” to whoever they believe most deserves it.

For now, the diggers are in, the clearing has started, and residents say they will be watching the project closely, if only because it may become difficult not to.

Planning Permission Granted For Social Housing On Croke Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Tipperary County Council have granted planning permission for six social housing apartments on Lower Croke Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Selected Site: Tipperary County Council – [Add File Number 2461122 to search panel on link https://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/searchresults/recvdate ].

Tipperary County Council have granted planning permission for a new social housing development that will deliver six one-bedroom apartments on Lower Croke Street, (Formerly known as Stradavoher), Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The board of directors of Thurles Lions Trust applied to the local authority to build the scheme on a vacant town-centre site. The development will comprise two new buildings providing a total of six one-bed apartments, all intended for social housing.

A number of local residents made submissions during the planning process, raising concerns about storm-water capacity and the potential for overlooking of neighbouring properties. One objection argued that a proposed balcony (on apartment 5), would allow direct overlooking into a private garden and negatively impact on privacy.
Another submission warned the project could place added pressure on a storm drainage/sewerage system that, they claimed, is already struggling with surface-water run-off; contributing to flooding risk for older homes on the street.

Despite the objections, the council have approved the development subject to conditions.
These include the removal of the proposed balcony for apartment 5, requirements to keep the public road clean and tidy during construction, and that all service cables be routed underground.
The developer must also submit a public lighting scheme for council approval, agree details of external finishes in advance, and comply with restricted construction hours: Monday to Friday (8am–6pm) and Saturday (8am–2pm).

Emergency Preparedness Booklet To Be Delivered To Every Irish Household.

Emergency Preparedness Booklet to be Delivered to every Irish household, with new guidance on Community Support Centres.

Every household in Ireland is set to receive an emergency-preparedness publication in the coming weeks, as Irish Government moves to strengthen national readiness for severe weather and other disruptive events.

**Large tree blown over on the N62 close to Thurles Golf Club entrance, during Storm Éowyn**, **last January 2025**.
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

The “household resilience” booklet, prepared by the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) in the Department of Defence, will provide practical guidance for households on preparing for and coping with emergencies, particularly extreme weather events such as major storms and the potential loss of essential services including electricity, water, heat and communications.

The booklet’s publication follows a recommendation from the review group that examined Ireland’s response to Storm Éowyn, which struck on January 24th, 2025 and triggered nationwide red wind warnings. The Storm Éowyn review notes that 768,000 electricity customers lost power, with peak gusts reaching 184 km/h at Mace Head, and that disruption was particularly severe in remote and rural communities.

**Uprooted tree at junction with Littleton and the N62, on Mill Road, to the rear of Thurles Golf Club**, **during Storm Éowyn**, **last January 2025**.
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

According to reporting, the review group highlighted the importance of households having a clear checklist of actions to remain safe, warm, fed and hydrated during an extended outage, with practical steps aimed at helping families to manage disruption.

Community Support Centres guidance issued to councils.

In parallel, local authorities have been issued with guidelines for establishing Community Support Centres (CSCs) to provide the public with essential services when major outages and disruption occur.

The guidelines indicate CSCs may be set up in a range of premises, including sports halls, community centres, town halls and leisure centres, and list practical requirements such as a large main room, tables and chairs, a kitchen or food-preparation area, toilets, reliable Wi-Fi, and sufficient extension cables. Accessibility requirements and provision for private space for specific needs are also referenced.

Press reports are understood to indicate CSCs are not intended to be used as overnight rest facilities, and that a key operational requirement is that locations should be generator-ready (or capable of being made ready), with local authorities covering electrician costs and supplying generators.

An Oireachtas committee opening statement in late 2025 also referenced that a Guide to Community Support Centres is now in place for use by all local authorities.

New Tipperary Community Water Officer Appointed As Funding Opens For World Wetlands Day 2026.

Community groups across Tipperary are being invited to celebrate and showcase their local wetlands, following the appointment of Mr Darragh Kelly as Tipperary’s new Community Water Officer.

Mr Kelly has spent the past number of years working in the Environment Section of Kilkenny County Council and has said he is delighted to take on this new role, supporting communities to protect and enhance local waters and wetlands.

Coming from a farming background, Mr Kelly said he has a strong interest in the outdoors, including fishing and hiking, and is particularly fond of exploring Slievenamon.

World Wetlands Day — 2 February 2026.
This year’s World Wetlands Day will be marked on Monday, 2nd February 2026, the International Day that commemorates the signing of the Ramsar Convention ♦ on Wetlands.

♦ The Ramsar Convention (or Convention on Wetlands) is an International Treaty for wetland conservation, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, promoting the “wise use” of wetlands for sustainable development, especially for waterfowl habitats.

The 2026 theme is: “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage”, highlighting the links between wetlands, communities, and the knowledge passed down through generations.

Funding now open for World Wetlands Day promotions.
Mr Kelly has confirmed that the Small Grants and Events Scheme 2026 portal opened for applications on Monday, 19th January at 11.00am, specifically for World Wetlands Day promotion.

Groups and organisations are encouraged to make contact if they would like to organise an event to celebrate a local wetland — from guided walks and talks to school visits, clean-ups, wildlife sessions or community information events. Revised scheme guidelines for 2026 are also available.

How to apply.
The information portal is now available HERE, so do get in touch.
Anyone wishing to organise an event or looking for support is invited to contact Mr Kelly directly @ Darragh Kelly, Community Water Officer (Tipperary), Mobile: 085 8333383.