A new bridge over the River Shannon, which will form part of the 6.2km Killaloe Bypass road project, connecting Killaloe, Co. Clare with Ballina Co. Tipperary, has been officially opened today. The new structure has been named the ‘Brian Ború Bridge’, latter the name of a 73 year old ancient Munster High King of Ireland (941-1014). Ború was killed at the Battle of Clontarf, by a fleeing defeated Viking, named ‘Brodar’, who supposedly came upon the old king while he was in his tent praying during the battle.
One of ten pedestrian river viewing points staged along the Brian Ború Bridge.
Taking two and a half years to complete at a cost of some €88 million; the construction of the bridge was carried out by John Sisk and Son Ltd, who were awarded the contract by Clare and Tipperary County Councils.
The need for this bridge/bypass had been evident for many years and will, from today, remove congested traffic, including heavy goods vehicles, out of the two tourist town centres, positioned either side of the River Shannon, thus providing a needed boost to the tourism sector in that area.
Application Ref: 2560395. Applicant: Coolross Homes Ltd. Development Address: Thurles Townparks Bohernamona And Bowling Green, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Development Description: the following works: a) alterations to previously approved planning permission register reference 21/279 in respect of the Blocks No. 1-8 inclusive only; b) The alterations relate to the general redesign and alteration to the floor areas, external elevation. Status: N/a Application Received: 09/05/2025 Decision Date: n/a Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560395/0.
Application Ref: 2560219. Applicant: Micheal & Zanita O’Gorman. Development Address: Bohernanave, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Development Description: the construction of two single storey extensions, one to the side and one to the rear of the existing dwelling with all associated site works. Status: Conditional Application Received: 19/03/2025 Decision Date: 07/05/2025 Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560219/0.
Application Ref: 2460923 Applicant: Shane & Natalie Moloney Development Address: Killinan, Thurles , Co. Tipperary Development Description: a new single storey extension to the existing dwelling; associated alterations to existing dwelling external elevations to accommodate proposed new extension & internal layout; new wastewater treatment system and percolation area. Retention planning permission. Status: Conditional Application Received: 27/10/2024 Decision Date: 07/05/2025 Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2460923/0.
This proposed single storey restaurant was intended to be erected on a site situated adjacent to the N62 at the junction of Clongour Road and Slievenamon Road, south of a proposed and as yet unfunded inner relief road close to Lidl Supermarket.
If erected same would immediately invade the privacy of a large cluster of private residential properties, already erected within meters of the surrounding area.
The appeal rightly raises concerns about the impact on the residents of the area; pedestrian safety due to undoubted traffic congestion, and the existing biodiversity, especially close to the nearby Thurles River Walk. Tipperary County Council had granted permission on April 9th 2025, but with some 15 conditions attached. These conditions included limiting the restaurant to operating strictly between the hours of 6:00am and 10:00pm, instead of the day and night permission, which had initially been sought by McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland Limited.
Further submissions on this appeal can be made, up until June 4th 2025, at a cost of €50.
Application Ref: 2560357. Applicant: Coolross Homes Ltd. Development Address: Thurles Townparks Bohernamona And Bowling Green, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Development Description: for the following works: a) alterations to previously approved planning permission register reference 21/279 in respect of the Blocks No. 1-8 inclusive only; b) the alterations relate to the general redesign and alteration to the floor area & elevations. Status: n/a. Application Received: 24/04/2025. Decision Date: n/a. Further Details:http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560357/0.
Application Ref: 2560354. Applicant: Rory O’Regan. Development Address: Knockroe, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Development Description: Construction of a new milk truck access road and for construction of a milking parlour, dairy and ancillary rooms, drafting and handling facilities, waiting yard, meal bin, water storage tank and underground slatted soiled water storage tank. Status: n/a. Application Received: 24/04/2025. Decision Date: n/a. Further Details:http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560354/0.
Application Ref: 2560150. Applicant: Tipperary Education and Training Board. Development Address: Colaiste Mhuire Co Ed Castlemeadows , Thurles , Co. Tipperary. Development Description: 6 relocated car-parking spaces, extension to internal access road with all ancillary site works necessary to facilitate the proposed development. Status: Conditional. Application Received: 28/02/2025. Decision Date: 15/04/2025. Further Details:http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560150/0.
Application Ref: 2460906. Applicant: Charlie Hartnett. Development Address: Clongower , Thurles , Co Tipperary. Development Description: 4 no sites for 4 single storey houses, 4 domestic garages, 4 number treatment tanks percolation areas and entrances. Status: Conditional. Application Received: 22/10/2024. Decision Date: 17/04/2025. Further Details:http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2460906/0.
Speaking in Dáil Éireann the newly elected north Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD Mr Ryan O’Meara, has concurred that the town of Thurles is being strangled by traffic issues; requiring immediate attention for an inner relief road. Same, if funding was provided, would link the N62 at Slievenamon Road to the Mill Road, thus providing a third vehicle bridge.
Proposed Inner Relief Road for Thurles
[Funny that, VIEW HERE. Back in 2021, we here in Thurles were previously informed that funding had already been acquired.]
However, many residents believe that Mr Ryan O’Meara has been fed false or inaccurate information and most business leaders see the proposed inner relief road as further waste of public funding. An inner relief road already exists via the Mill Road, same entering and exiting south of Thurles at Turtulla Cross on the N62, which has seen 3 vehicles crash and be written-off, within the past 12 months.
Any new inner relief will only permit the exit and entering of vehicles closer into the town centre, with HGV traffic still required to travel to the four corners of Ireland, directly through our medieval streetscapes, which for the past 4 years have become a bottle neck, currently existing for all vehicles attempting to pass through Thurles town centre.
The only piece of common sense and perhaps even a small glimmer of hope was expressed by An Taoiseach, Mr Micheál Martin TD, responding to our misinformed, raw recruit, Mr Ryan O’Meara. Mr Martin stated that the long queues of traffic being experienced, would become a thing of the past, if Thurles had a ring road/bypass and he would try to feed that into an expected review of the present National Development Plan.
As for Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Ryan O’Meara’s speech interjection in Dáil Éireann; same was perceived and smelled of the scent of a vote catching press release, same greedily accepted from his Nenagh office by local press, who were obviously experiencing a slow news day.
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