Tourism « Thurles Information

Tipperary Soil Travels To Illinois For Newborn’s “First Step” On Irish Ground.

The clip hereunder points to a well-known Kerrygold television advertisement, in which an Irish emigrant brings home soil abroad so that a child born overseas can “touch Irish soil first”.

Tipperary to Illinois.

A box of soil and grass gathered in Co Tipperary has been sent nearly 4,000 miles to the United States after an American couple asked that their newborn daughter’s first touch of “Irish ground” could happen at their home.

Mr Michael Murphy and his wife Nikki, who live in Illinois, arranged the delivery through friends in Tipperary shortly after the birth of their daughter, Vivienne, last month. The couple have not visited Ireland, but Mr Murphy can trace his family roots to Co. Armagh and says Irish culture has long been a major interest in their home.

A short video showing Vivienne’s foot touching the box of Irish soil was shared on social media some weeks ago and has since attracted almost five million views.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Murphy described the moment as being deeply meaningful for their family, and said they hope to visit Ireland sometime in the future, including the River Shannon and family places connected with his grandfather in Belleek, Co Armagh. He said the gesture was also intended as a lesson for their daughter encouraging her curiosity, respect and openness to other cultures.

Upcoming Events In Cashel Library, Co. Tipperary.

Ms Maura Barrett, (Cashel Library) Reports:

Date:	Event:	Presenter:	Time:	Reservation Tel. No.:
Friday Dec. 5th.	Chair Yoga.	Lara Slattery. (Sukha Wellness).	11:30am-12:15pm.	Tel: 062 63825
Tuesday Dec. 9th.	Music & Singalong.	Cashel Library.	11:00am-12:30pm.	Tel: 062 63825
Friday Dec. 12th.	Choral Singing.	Cahir Coral A Capella Choir.	6:30pm Sharp. (Mulled Wine).	Tel: 062 63825
Dec. 17th.	Christmas Coffee Morning.	Cashel Library. (School Choirs).	11:00am Sharp.	Tel: 062 63825.

Do Remember booking is essential to these events – Tel: 062-63825.

Visitors attending these events can locate the Cashel Library building; situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (Eircode E25 K798).

Thurles Lions Club Leads New Heritage Trail Initiative In Thurles.

Thurles Lions Club has secured €29,600 in grant support under the LEADER Programme toward the development of a new heritage trail in Thurles. The initiative will offer both visitors and local residents a looped walking route through the town centre, complete with interpretive signage and digital access to the town’s rich history and heritage.

**Members of Thurles Lions Club at the Official signing of the Thurles Heritage Trail were:**
**Back Row:** *Chris Delahunt, Pat Donnelly, Gary Roche, Una Crowley, Eamon Medley, John McCormack, Anne O Dwyer, Anne Bolton, William McDonagh, Tom O Toole, and Paddy Hickey.*
**Front Row:** *Jane Ryan (Thurles Tourism), Margaret McCormack, Pat Shanahan, Mary Slattery and Louis Curley.*

The project will be delivered in two phases:
Phase One involves the identification of the route, the design of the signage, translation of the sign content, consultation with the public and the development of the online component. The total cost of Phase One is €39,600, of which the Thurles Lions Club will provide €10,000 in matching funding to be achieved through public fundraising.

Phase Two will proceed with the manufacture and installation of the physical signage at strategic locations around the town core, and this element will be funded by the Tipperary County Council via the Thurles Municipal District.

**Photographed at the Official signing of the Thurles Heritage Trial**.
**Photo L to R**: William McDonagh *(Thurles Lions Club)*, Patrick Killeen *(North Tipperary Development Company)*, Pat Shanahan and John McCormack *(Thurles Lions Club)*.
*Pic: Louis Curley*

Each sign will incorporate a dedicated QR code, enabling users to explore detailed online content about the town’s heritage and history as they walk the trail.

“The trail will not only enhance Thurles’s visitor offering, but it will also give local people an attractive recreational amenity that connects them with the heritage of their town,” said a spokesperson for Thurles Lions Club.

The project builds on the club’s commitment to supporting community infrastructure and promoting sustainable tourism in Thurles. Once fully implemented, the heritage trail will provide a memorable, interactive experience that combines physical way-marking with digital storytelling.

Hiking, History, Fine Food: Lonely Planet Hails Tipperary As A Must-Visit in 2026.

Tourism Ireland Launches Campaign to Showcase County’s Global Recognition.

County Tipperary has been named one of the world’s top places to visit in 2026 by Lonely Planet, the renowned travel guide publisher. The county features in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026, an annual list highlighting 25 destinations and experiences across the globe that travellers “should not miss” in the year ahead.

Described as “best for hiking, history and fine food,” Lonely Planet praises Tipperary as a place where “the food is remarkable, the landscapes are generous, and the castles are so casually scattered across the county that you’ll probably stumble across one on your way to dinner.” The guide adds that while Tipperary captures the postcard-perfect image of Ireland, it also “holds a few surprises” for those who explore further.

Welcoming the accolade, Elmagh Killeen, Head of Brand and Marketing Communications at Tourism Ireland, said: “We’re thrilled that Tipperary has been recognised among the world’s top destinations for 2026. This is a tribute to the county’s stunning walking trails, rich heritage, and exceptional food scene. It’s a real opportunity to set Ireland apart and to encourage more international visitors to discover Tipperary for themselves. I want to congratulate all the tourism and hospitality providers in the county whose hard work has made this achievement possible.”

Tom Hall, Vice President of Lonely Planet, echoed those sentiments, noting: “Tipperary’s inclusion in Best in Travel 2026 highlights its wonderful blend of hiking, history and fine food. From iconic landmarks like the Rock of Cashel to its namesake blue cheese, the county offers an authentic and quietly beautiful slice of Ireland. Its walking trails, village pubs and scenic drives make exploring Tipperary a true pleasure.”

Tourism Ireland plans to capitalise on this international recognition through an extensive global marketing push. The campaign will include:

Global media outreach: a major PR drive targeting leading travel and lifestyle journalists;
Social media promotion: sharing the news with millions of followers across key markets including the United States, Great Britain, Spain and Italy;
Market focus: special emphasis in Spain and Italy, both of which are ‘twinned’ with Tipperary as part of Tourism Ireland’s regional growth initiative;
Digital spotlight: a dedicated feature on Tourism Ireland’s global website, Ireland.com

Piseógs Talk in Cashel Library, Co. Tipperary.

Piseógs were the most common form of curse used in old Ireland, a Piseóg being a superstitious belief or practice, charm or spell.

Piseógs are traditional Irish curses often associated with rural communities and folklore. Same can be used to cause misfortune to others, steal their luck, or influence events, and are often cast with the intention of causing harm.
The very fear of the piseóg itself was often considered a significant part of the curse, sometimes more damaging than the actual act itself.

Join Maura for Folk Magic of Piseógs in Cashel Library, on Thursday 30th October at 2.30pm.
Note: Adult Event.

This is just one of the many free events at Cashel Library each year.
Do Remember booking is essential to Tel: 062-63825.