Sport « Thurles Information

Candidates Sought For Positions In GRAI.

Candidates today are being urged to come forward to fill the roles of Chairperson and the six Ordinary Members positions, at the newly established Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann [the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI)].

The GRAI is a new statutory body that will be responsible for the licensing and regulation of gambling in Ireland. Once established, it will focus on public safety and well-being – covering gambling online and in-person – and will have the power to regulate advertising, gambling websites and other applications (apps).

Historic legislation setting out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of the GRAI passed both Houses of the Oireachtas earlier this month and has already been signed into law by President M.D.Higgins.

Closing date for applications is 3:00pm on Friday November 15th, 2024.
Applications for the roles can be found here at Public Jobs.ie.

Clash Of Ash – Poem By Tom Ryan

Clash Of Ash.

Clash Of Ash. ©

The under twelve camogie girls,
Little and lithe and lovely,
Under warrior helmets, visors and all,
Screamed at the winter sky,
In the field where leather meets ash.
Pull and crack,
What craic!
Little Josie, hurley high, screams to heaven,
At Thurles Sarsfields’ Bill,
Who had showed them how to bend and strike,
And first time pull for goal.
Like Bill himself in glorious days,
On summer sun-soaked hurling fields,
Times distant and delightful to recall,
“Bill, Bill,” she shouts, time and time once more,
“Oh,Bill I want to play with her”.
A plea to waiting mums familiar,
When all those mums were girls,
When Bill and I were boys.

END

Tom Ryan ‘Iona’ Rahealty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Legislation To Streamline, Strengthen & Modernise Gambling Regulation.

Legislation will Establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.
Introduce a modern and robust licencing and regulatory framework for both in-person and online gambling.
Establish a National Gambling Exclusion Register.
Introduce tight restrictions on gambling advertising.
Introduce a Social Impact Fund to support educational measures and problem gambling treatment activities.
CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has been progressing important preparatory work.

The Gambling Regulation Bill, 2022, has passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas. The legislation sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body, Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, (the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland) and for a modern and robust licencing and regulatory framework for both in-person and online gambling.

**Painting by Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio** *(1571-1610)***, “*The Cardsharps*.”** *(painted c.1594)*.

The Bill provides for the establishment and operation of the National Gambling Exclusion Register and introduces tight restrictions on the advertisement of gambling activities.
It also provides for the creation of a Social Impact Fund to support awareness–raising and educational measures and to support problem gambling treatment activities.

With regard to black market operators, the Bill contains a suite of measures to address illegal or criminal gambling activity and includes explicit prohibitions on illegal activity or practices, some of which could result in significant custodial sentences.

Once the Bill is enacted, the GRAI will be established with a seven-person authority. A Programme Board has been established in the Department of Justice to ensure that the legislation and the operational preparations are progressed in parallel, allowing the Authority to commence operations, on a phased basis, as soon as possible, after enactment and appointment of the Authority members.
Ms Anne Marie Caulfield has been appointed to the role of CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland and has been progressing important preparatory work.

As part of Budget 2025 announced on October 1st last, the GRAI will receive €9.1m in 2025, including €4m of ICT capital investment.

A Changing Thurles Landscape.

Thurles Golf Club commenced work on Friday August 9th, to fell their commercial forestry at the Mill Road entrance to “Our Ladies Well” walk-way.
Walkers will be aware that the “Our Ladies Well” walk-way remained closed from both entrances (both from the Mill Road and N62 Turtulla entrances), on Wednesday 14th, Thursday 15th and Friday 16th last (August 2024), but has since opened again to the public.

**“Our Ladies Well Walk-Way”, Thurles.**
*Pic. G. Willoughby.*

Perhaps the seat on the walk-way, kindly sponsored by Dew Valley Meats, in Thurles, could now be moved slightly westward, into shelter.
In the coming months for those who may choose to“Dwell Awhile”, at where it resides presently, no shelter remains available and that line taken from an Irish blessing, “Go raibh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl” (English translation- May the wind be always at your back.), I have no doubt was written for those walking and not for those seated.

Meanwhile; back on Barry’s Bridge, in the Thurles town centre, a mystery has unfolded.

**Where Are The Missing Chrome Bollards Gone?**
*Pic. G. Willoughby.*

Where are the 4 Chrome impact protection bollards/posts, each costing possibly €137.00 [ inc VAT. (Total €548.00) plus labour costs ] and once situated on the left-hand-side, as you crawl westward, slowly behind numerous HGV’s?
Were they stolen?
Were they struck by a heavy goods vehicle, (HGV)?

The bolts end, which once retained these missing chrome bollards to the pavement, suggest that an angle grinder had at least a small part to play in their sudden disappearance.

The waste of ratepayers money, by Tipperary Co. Council, continues.

Minister Humphreys Announces Almost €1 Million For Tipperary Projects.

Major investment in sports clubs, community centres, parks, walking trails and playgrounds.
Funding for the purchase of buildings and vehicles for community use.
Focus on making our towns and villages more vibrant places to live, work and visit.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Mrs Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Friday, August 2nd 2024) announced €16.5 million to deliver 185 community projects across the country, 16 of which are in Co. Tipperary.

This major investment will support a diverse range of projects such as upgrades to sports facilities, community centres, parks, walking trails and playgrounds.

As part of the initiative; funding is also provided to support the purchase of buildings and vehicles for community use.

Local Authority.	Town/ Village.	Lead Applicant.	Project Description.	Funding Approved.
Tipperary.	Thurles.	Durlas Óg GAA Club.	Community Walkway.	€57,000.
Tipperary.	Thurles.	Thurles Rugby Football Club.	Thurles RFC upgrade of drainage, new car park layout..	€62,000.
Tipperary.	Thurles.	Thurles Lions Trust Housing Association CLG.	Works to Community Garden to rear of Lion Matthew Burke House.	€60,000.
Tipperary.	Carrick-on Suir.	St. Nicholas Boxing Club.	Purchase of Parish Hall, works to roof.	€95,000.
Tipperary.	Nenagh.	Nenagh Éire Óg Hurling & Football Club.	MacDonagh Park Pathway & Lighting Works, including additional field.	€69,000.
Tipperary.	Roscrea.	Muintir na Tíre Roscrea.	Muintir na Tíre Hall Roscrea Car Park Works.	€55,000.
Tipperary.	Roscrea.	Roscrea Rugby Football Club.	Drainage to main pitch and training area.	€69,000.
Tipperary.	Roscrea.	Roscrea Golf Club.	Upgrade of Clubhouse & Toilet Facilities including adding Disabled Toilet & Ramp.	€50,000.
Tipperary.	Roscrea.	Roscrea Scouts CLG (6th Tipp Roscrea).	Extensive renovations to Scout Hall.	€105,000.
Tipperary.	Borrisokane.	Borrisokane Tennis Club.	Borrisokane Tennis Club Resurfacing & Upgrade.	€50,000.
Tipperary.	Tipperary Town.	Rosanna Tennis Club.	Rosanna Tennis Club resurfacing of courts.	€56,200.
Tipperary.	Littleton.	Muintir na Tíre Littleton.	Muintir na Tíre Hall Window replacement, Disability Access Toilet & Roof Repairs.	€50,000.
Tipperary.	Clonmel.	St. Mary’s Choral Society (White Memorial Theatre).	Refurbishment Works.	€50,000.
Tipperary.	Killenaule.	St. Mary’s Community Hall.	Groundworks & upgrade of outdoor area.	€50,000.
Tipperary.	Cahir.	Coláiste Dun Iascaigh.	Replace surface of astro pitch.	€59,645.
Tipperary.	Fethard.	Fethard Town Park.	Carpark Upgrade.	€50,000.
Tipperary Total.	___	___	___	€987,845

Speaking today, Minister Humphreys stated: “I’m delighted today to announce €16.5 million for 185 projects right across the country. This major investment, under the Community Recognition Fund, will support the upgrade of sports facilities, community centres, walking trails, parks, playgrounds and so much more. The projects are diverse in nature – demonstrating the fact that communities have different needs. All the projects being funded today are designed to bring communities together and make them more vibrant places to live, work and visit. This investment is just the first of a number of tranches that will be announced under the Community Recognition Fund over the coming months.”

She concluded by stating “This is about giving back and saying ‘thank you’ to communities, for what they do week-in, week-out. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this funding will have on the ground in communities all across Ireland.”