Recreation « Thurles Information

Mitchel House Restaurant – Wine Appreciation Dinner

Possible one of the best kept secrets in Thurles at this time is the Mitchel House Restaurant. Proprietors of this fine establishment are Michael and Denise O’Dwyer, both veterans of the world of good food. The restaurant is tucked away in the oldest part of Thurles town, with private free car parking at the rear, (left off St. Mary’s Avenue). This quality restaurant allows the customer to enjoy excellent food in a friendly and unhurried atmosphere.

If you are a lover of good food and excellent wine, you will not want to miss this restaurants Wine Appreciation Dinner on 20th November next, hosted by Award Winning Sommelier and wine educator Pascal Playon. Pascal will guide you on a fascinating sensory experience of whites & reds. He will explore the origins of some of the restaurants most famous varieties, and suggest the foods that best complement each choice.

The menu chosen for the evening, I understand, will include Salmon, Loin of Venison, and Roasted Pork Belly ( had the latter with mixed herbs, roasted pimentos drizzled with scallion vinaigrette the other night – makes my mouth water). Award winning Head Chef Brendan Sheridan from Claridges Hotel in London will be slaving away over the hot stove as usual. (Have you tasted his warm fritters of Plum & Apple, with just the hint of ginger orange caramel. I think I could marry that man). Oh and request a little vanilla ice cream with the fritters, – yeees yum.

I think its probably best that I empty my head of all food thoughts and examine wine matters. The restaurant’s cellar, for me, boasts, some of the best and Pascal will root them out. Pascal by the way is a former winner of the Wedgewood Wine service award in 1998 and represented Ireland internationally in London. Georgina Campbell graded him Best Sommelier in Ireland in 2000, Best Wine List in 2001 and while I am name dropping, his name comes up in Gerry Ryan‘s book (RTE fame) as his favourite Sommelier.

Two of my favourite labels to be found in Michael’s cellar at Mitchel House are:

Les Hauts du Monteillet, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes 2006. An imaginative and very attractive wine made from a blend of white Rhone region varieties. It has a zippy nose, if you can imagine, of a mixture of apple-blossom, lilies and lemon bon bons. The palate has a silky texture , with fine, green apple acidity that marshals the flavour. It’s not unusual for a white wine to benefit from decanting and this wine does just that.
Moscato Passito (Denominazione Di Origine Controllata), Made from the native Moscato grape dried on ‘graticci’, latter a traditional Italian rush mat. Once fermented it is aged for 12 months in oak barrels and has a deep golden colour and an intensely aromatic flavour rather like a mix of apricot and liquid Acacia honey. This Moscato Passito is perfect with mature cheeses or any dessert.

Need to score brownie points with the wife or return a favour to a good friend? Here is your chance, make a reservation to what promises to be a delicious and enjoyable event.

My advise to the customer: Best to arrive hungry.

Reservations for the Mithcel House Restaurant, Wine Appreciation Dinner on Thursday 20th November can be booked by either;

Phone: 0504-90776

or

E-Mail: mitchelhouse@eircom.net

See you there, remember November 20th. Put it in your diary.

Thurles – Recreation Facilities and Amenities

The new Thurles Swimming Pool/Leisure Centre which is located in the Cathedral Street carpark adjoining The Source was completed in 2007. This state of the art facility includes a 25 metre swimming pool, gymnasium, aerobics studio, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and coffee dock.

The complex is of major benefit to the public, local groups, schools and people with disabilities. The total cost of the project was in the region of €6.5m and was funded by way of a grant of €3.8m from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism with the balance of €2.7m being provided by Thurles Town Council and North Tipperary County Council.

Open Spaces

There are approximately 26 acres of open space within the town. This includes the parks at Loughtagalla, Clongour, Stradavoher , river side walk and the open spaces in the various housing estates. Grass is cut on a weekly basis during the growing season.

Trees

There is an annual programme for the pruning and replacement of trees around the town and an additional 28 trees were planted in the last two years.

Flower Beds and Hanging Baskets

108 hanging baskets are erected around the town for the Spring/Summer season – these are watered three times per week and are also fed monthly to extend their life span.
48 hanging baskets are erected in the town centre in the winter.
20 flower beds around the town are planted in the Spring and Winter.

River Walk

The River Walk extends from Thomond Road to Slievenamon Road with access at Thomond Road, Kavanagh Place, The Shopping Centre and Slievenamon Road. An Ecologist prepared the Thurles River Walk Habitat Study in 2004 and provided advice on the enhancement of the walk in an ecological friendly manner. The principal aims of the project were to enhance the River Walk as an amenity, to maintain and enhance its ecological value and to educate the public to respect and enjoy the ecological habitats in this area.

The improvement works carried out included :

The removal of the barriers at the entrance to the Walk to make it wheelchair accessible.
Widening and resurfacing of the path.
Extensive landscaping with native species of plants and trees to further enhance the area.
Removal of old seating to discourage anti social behaviour.

Tidy Towns

Thurles were awarded 253 marks in the Tidy Towns Competition 2007 which represented an increase of 20 marks on 2006. The Tidy Towns Adjudicator commented positively on the cleanliness and tidiness of the overall town and the amount of work that is ongoing. The report highlighted the many examples of beautiful landscaping and delightful wildlife and natural amenities in Thurles.

Arts

The Council is empowered under the Arts Acts 1973 to provide assistance with money or in kind or by the provision of services or facilities to any person organising an exhibition or other event which would stimulate public interest in the arts, promote the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts or assist in improving the standard of the arts.

The Source – Regional Arts Centre

The Source Regional Arts Centre opened on 2nd. October 2006 and is Ireland’s newest Arts Centre. It consists of a 250 seat auditorium with fully flexible seating and a dedicated gallery space. An all year round programme of events include film, theatre, dance, ballet, opera, music, family events and visual art exhibitions. Thurles Town Council makes an annual contribution towards the operational costs of the facility.

Grants

Grants are allocated each year to :

• Sporting and other organisations in the town to assist them in the provision and maintenance of facilities for their members.

• Residents Associations to assist them in the maintenance and improvement of open spaces, flower beds, trees shrubs etc. within their estate.

Community Sports and Cultural Grant Scheme

The Community, Sport & Cultural Grants Scheme established by the North Tipperary Local Authorities provides financial assistance to community based clubs and voluntary organisations for the development of sporting, recreational, environmental and cultural facilities in their areas. The scheme is funded through the Community Development Levy. The scheme provides Technical and Capital Assistance.

The Technical Assistance Fund permits community based clubs or voluntary organisations to apply for financial assistance towards the cost of preparing a development plan or feasibility study.
Capital Assistance is available to new projects or refurbishment of existing facilities. Priority will be given to projects, which combat social exclusion or marginalisation.

The Community Sports and Cultural Grants Scheme is administered on behalf of Thurles Town Council by the Community & Enterprise Department of North Tipperary County Council.