Planning « Thurles Information

Shannon Pipeline Project Moves Forward, Despite Strong Tipperary Opposition.

The controversial Water Supply Project for the Eastern and Midlands Region has cleared another major hurdle, after its business case was approved by the Uisce Éireann board and noted by Government.

The decision allows the project, which would take water from the River Shannon at Parteen Basin and pipe it towards the Greater Dublin Area, to move into its next phase, including procurement and tendering. Uisce Éireann says the scheme is needed to reduce the east coast’s dependence on the River Liffey and to provide a more secure water supply for up to half the State’s population.

Under the proposal, water would be abstracted from the lower Shannon, treated near Birdhill in Co Tipperary, and then transported through Tipperary, Offaly and Kildare to Peamount in Dublin. Uisce Éireann says the project would involve taking a maximum of 2% of the long-term average flow at Parteen Basin and insists its studies show no negative impact on Shannon water levels or water quality.

However, the plan has faced sustained opposition across Co Tipperary and the wider Shannon region. Local concerns centre on the principle of removing water from the Shannon system to serve the east of the country, with opponents questioning whether enough has been done to protect Lough Derg, the Lower Shannon, wildlife habitats, farming communities and local water needs. Others argue that Dublin’s supply problems should be tackled first through leak reduction, conservation and upgrades to existing infrastructure before a multi-billion euro pipeline is advanced.

There are also concerns among landowners along the proposed route, including disruption during construction, compulsory purchase issues, long-term restrictions on land use and the scale of works required for a 170km pipeline. Critics in Tipperary have repeatedly described the project as one that asks rural communities to carry the environmental and construction burden for the benefit of the capital.

Uisce Éireann has defended the scheme as essential national infrastructure. It says the project would not only serve Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, but could also create a treated-water “spine” with future offtakes for communities in Tipperary, Offaly and Westmeath.

Gary Gibson, Senior Programme Manager with the Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region, states that the utility is already seeking contractors as the project progresses. If planning is secured, Uisce Éireann has previously indicated that construction could begin in 2028 and take around five years to complete.

Help Shape Future Of The River Suir.

Mr Darragh Kelly (Community Water Officer, Tipperary & Waterford) Reports.

I am delighted to share details of the upcoming public consultation on the proposed Suir Rivers Trust.
Please see the poster attached hereunder.

Communities, river users, businesses and landowners are being invited to help shape the future of the proposed Rivers Trust for the Suir.
A River Trust is a community-focused organisation to protect rivers and their surrounding catchment habitats.

Please note the River Suir community meeting dates are as follows;
Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary – May 27th.
Cabragh Wetlands Centre, Holycross, Thurles – Thursday May 28th.

Why Participate?
Share your views on the future of the river Suir.
Highlight local issues, concerns and opportunities.
Help shape how proposed River Trusts could and should be developed.

All information, booking links for meetings and focus groups, and access to the online questionnaires are available by scanning the QR code in the attached poster above or by visiting: www.researchanddig.com/three-sisters-rivers-trusts.

Thurles Planning Alert From Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2660281.
Applicant: Catherine & Ken Ryan.
Development Address: 12 Cabra, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: an attic conversion to the existing dwelling and all associated siteworks.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 31/03/2026.
Decision Date: 13/05/2026.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2660281/0

The Day Tipperary Co. Co. Replaced Speed Signs With “Slow Down, Potholes Ahead”

The whole thing kicked off in the Arch Bar in Thurles, Co. Tipperary last Friday night, when Mikey Ryan burst through the door looking like a man who’d just witnessed either a miracle or a tractor on fire.

“Lads,” he says, gasping for breath, “Tipperary County Council have given up.”
Now that got attention. Even Pat Hayes behind the bar stopped drying glasses.
“What d’ye mean given up?” says Pat.
“Gone altogether,” says Mikey. “No more speed limits.”
The pub fell silent. Jimmy Bourke slowly lowered his pint. “No…” says he in his usual languid manner of speaking turning his single syllables into multiple sounds.
“Oh yes,” says Mikey. “They’re replacing every speed sign in the county with signs saying: ‘SLOW DOWN – POTHOLES AHEAD.”

A woman at the corner table crossed herself.
Pat blinked twice. “Sure isn’t that just every road in Tipperary?”

“EXACTLY,” says Mikey, lowdly slapping the counter so hard that a bowl of peanuts nearly declared independence.

Apparently the Council realised there was no point changing from 80 km/h to 60 km/h when the average human spine couldn’t physically survive 40 km/h anyway.
Mikey claimed he saw three council workers outside Littleton removing a brand-new speed sign only four hours after initially installing it.

“One lad looked exhausted,” says Mikey. “Poor devil, a native of Co. Cork says; ‘What’s the point, bai? The road itself is enforcing the speed limit.”

And according to Mikey, the council has gone fully committed now. Outside Thurles there’s allegedly; a pothole deep enough to baptise a child; another has been classified by NASA as a “seasonal crater,” and one near Templetuohy village that is supposed to have swallowed a Nissan Micra and returned it as a Ford Focus.

“Jaysus,” says Jimmy.
“That’s nothing,” says Mikey. “A fella hit one outside Roscrea last week and it activated his airbags, windscreen wipers and Eircode and all at the same time.”

The Council, according to recent rumour, have now stopped measuring potholes in inches. They’re measuring them in sizes; “small dog,” – “washing machine,” and “possible entrance to the underworld.”
Meanwhile crews are driving around replacing all official speed signs. 80 km/h sign?Gone. 60 km/h sign? Gone. Now every road in Tipperary just has giant yellow signs reading: “SLOW DOWN – POTHOLES AHEAD”

Mikey says one poor tourist from Ukraine thought it was the county slogan, while another from Gaza asked if “Potholes Ahead” was a village near Cashel.
But the best story came from near The Ragg. Council workers arrived with cones, flashing lights, diggers, rollers and enough machinery to invade a small European nation.
Locals thought: “Grand. They’re finally fixing the road.” No, they installed six massive warning signs around a pothole before announcing that it was now “part of local Tipperary heritage.”
Another engineer apparently referred to it as, “Traffic calming infrastructure.”

At this point the pub was in ribbons laughing. Even the old lad asleep beside the fire woke up laughing and he hadn’t previously been conscious since the 2022 All-Ireland Final.

Mikey took a deep dramatic gulp of Guinness. “But wait till ye hear the newest plan.”
“Oh sweet suffering Jaysus,” muttered Pat.
“They’re thinking of renaming roads altogether,” announced Mikey
“What?” said Pat.
“Yeah. Instead of the N62 or the R498…”; He leaned in over the counter. “…they’ll just call them according to the size of the potholes.” Examples include: ‘The Shaky Mile’; ‘Axlebreaker Avenue’; ‘Suspension Lane’ and one outside Nenagh simply called, ‘Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.”
“And what about the speed vans?” an unknown someone asked.
“Cancelled,” says Mikey.
“Why so?”
“No car in Tipperary can physically reach speeding pace anymore,” said Mikey.

At this stage the entire pub was gone completely feral with laughter. Mikey drained the last of the pint, straightened himself proudly and delivered the final line, like a prophet descending from Slievenamon mountain itself; “Mark my words lads… within five years every road sign in Tipperary will simply say: ‘Best of Luck.”

Concerns Raised Over New Roadside Memorial Ban & Ongoing Road Sign Issues In Thurles.

A new policy approved in Tipperary will ban roadside memorials in areas where speed limits are 60 kilometres per hour and above. The decision follows updated national road safety guidelines aimed at reducing dangers for motorists, pedestrians, and road maintenance crews.

Under the new rules, future memorials will not be allowed along higher-speed roads due to concerns about driver distraction, roadside parking and pedestrian safety. Existing memorials will remain in place, but any damaged memorials requiring replacement must comply with the updated regulations.

While many understand the importance of improving road safety, the decision has sparked debate among communities who see roadside memorials as important tributes to loved ones lost in tragic accidents. The issue is especially sensitive for grieving families and local residents who feel these memorials serve as lasting reminders for drivers to slow down and take greater care on dangerous roads.

At the same time, many people are questioning whether enough attention is being given to other road safety problems across the county. In Thurles, concerns continue to grow about road signage in several busy areas. A number of directional signs have reportedly become loose, damaged, are pointing in the wrong direction, or in some cases have disappeared altogether.

Areas such as Mill Road, Cathedral Street and Liberty Square in Thurles have been highlighted by residents as locations where signage problems are creating confusion for motorists and visitors alike. Many signs are hidden by hedge growth and some locals believe these practical road safety issues should also be prioritised alongside the introduction of any new policies and restrictions.

Road safety campaigners continue to stress that clearer signage, proper maintenance, safer junctions, and responsible driving all play a major role in preventing accidents and protecting lives on local roads.

As discussions continue, many will be watching closely to see how the new memorial policy is implemented and whether wider road safety concerns throughout Tipperary receive the same level of urgency and attention.