Tourism - Thurles Information

State of St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Loughtagalla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Two of societies golden rules remain as good today, as they have been in the past.

“What rules are they“, I hear you say.

* A person can check out the cleanliness of a hotel, by the state of its toilets.
* A person can check out a communities pride in its self, by the state of its local cemetery.

**State of St. Patrick’s Cemetery Loughtagalla, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

While individual family graves in St. Patrick’s Cemetery Loughtagalla, Moyne Road Thurles are kept in pristine condition, maintenance under the control of Thurles Municipal District Council, leaves a lot to be desired.

[See image above of the area upon which people are being asked to walk in an effort to reach nearby family graves.]

It is also worthy of note that St. Patrick’s Cemetery, situated at Loughtagalla, Moyne Road, Thurles, is one of the very few graveyards in Tipperary which does not list those interred there on the internet, other than one very brief mention on the charity website Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

With people across the world anxious to trace their family histories, surely a website identifying graves in St. Patrick’s would greatly benefit in attracting tourists to an area where Tipperary Co. Council has deliberately and with great success, totally destroyed the town’s past existence.

“Just Transition Plan” Confirms Significant Ireland/EU Funding For Tipperary.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin has welcomed the European Commission’s adoption of Ireland’s Territorial “Just Transition Plan” .

The adoption of the “Just Transition Plan” confirms significant Ireland/EU funding to support the Midlands region, as Ireland moves away from fossil fuels. The tourism element of the “Just Transition Plan” includes allocations of €38 million under Regenerative Tourism business supports and €30 million for a Tourism Trails Network.

Eight midland counties are expected to benefit from the allocation.

The eight counties expected to receive funding include Co. Tipperary, Co. Laois, Co. Westmeath, Co. Offaly, Co. Longford, Co. Roscommon, Co. Galway and Co. Kildare; all targeted areas that were previously heavily dependent on peat production.

CEO of Fáilte Ireland Mr Paul Kelly said: “This investment reinforces the value of tourism to the economic well-being and development of a destination. I want to pay tribute to the team at Fáilte Ireland for their tireless work over a number of months on developing our successful submission to the EU. The allocation to Fáilte Ireland is recognition of our expertise as the National Tourism Development Authority to deliver projects of scale that will create jobs, empower businesses and build stronger communities leaving a lasting legacy of transformative change that will enhance the appeal of the Midlands as a tourist destination for generations to come. It is an unprecedented investment in tourism, and one that is going to have a tangible economic impact in the towns and communities of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East
Fáilte Ireland is looking forward to working collaboratively with local tourism businesses and communities, the East and Midlands Regional Assembly (EMRA), Bord na Mona, Local Authorities, and our strategic partners including Waterways Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Coillte, to deliver this transformational project of scale.”

This EU “Just Transition Fund” in Ireland has 3 priority areas for investment:

Generating employment through diversification of the local economy.
Restoration of degraded peatlands and regeneration of industrial heritage assets.
Smart and sustainable mobility.

Plan To Erect 28 Hotel Bedrooms Near Rock Of Cashel Heritage Site, Sparks Outrage.

A current planning application seeking to build 28 hotel bedrooms in the vicinity of the Rock of Cashel, here in Co. Tipperary, has been described as outrageous by residents in Cashel.

This planning application follows a previous application last year for a similar project, which was subsequently withdrawn, due to the large number of objections.

**Late Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in September 2022, visited this site in 2011**.

The proposed development (Ref 2260575) is seen as being detrimental to a bid by the Rock of Cashel site, to obtain UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination status; not to mention its impact on the immense history of the area.

We understand that not just locals, but Archaeologists, have objected to the planning application for the 28 hotel bedrooms; understood to be in two one-and-a-half-storey blocks, to be erected at Moor Lane in Cashel, on the southern base of the Rock.

The planning application, published in the Irish Examiner, has been submitted by Marymount Assets Limited, accompanied by a letter of consent from Trevester Unlimited Company, latter trading as Donoghues Bar, Mikey Ryan’s, and The Cashel Palace, Hotel.

The proposed application is seen as equivalent to developing a project a few metres from the great mound at Newgrange, Donore, Co. Meath.

Earlier this year, the Rock of Cashel tourist attraction was among three Irish applications sent for possible inclusion in the new ‘World Heritage Tentative List’ for Ireland, along with the 150 year old ‘Valentia Island Transatlantic Cable Station’; latter which heralded the birth of global communications, and the important ‘Passage Tomb Megalithic Complex’, which joins Carrowmore and Carrowkeel in west Co. Sligo.

In a submission sent to UNESCO, the Rock of Cashel is part of the Royal Sites of Ireland, which is strongly linked to myth and legend and associated with the transformation of Ireland from Paganism to Christianity.

Tipperary County Council officials, known for their failure to examine and protect Tipperary history, will accept submissions, on this application, up until November 28th next, with a decision expected to be announced on December 19th next.

22nd Annual Visit To Moyasta Co. Clare, By Two-Mile-Borris Community Thurles.

Local correspondent Mr Gerry Bowe Reports: –

This long established annual visit to Moyasta, Co. Clare initially started with the Nell Galvin Music Festival back in the year 2000. Nell Galvin’s son Michael and his wife Phyllis both resided in Two-Mile-Borris for over 50 years and the late Michael was the man who first got “the show on the road”.

**Pictured above are members of the Two-Mile-Borris community, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, following their recent 22nd annual visit to Moyasta, Co. Clare**.

Sadly, Michael died in March 2011 and his wife Phyllis (nee Kavanagh) passed away in September 2021, thus the main impetus for the continuing of this most pleasurable of reunions.

The group stayed with Michael and Bridie Keane at the Oyster Bar Lisdeen, Kilrush Rd, Garraun, Kilkee, where once again they were treated right royally, in a most homely fashion, during their recent visit. The contact with the Keane family and with Barney and Linda Eustace, Ennis, is always greatly enhanced throughout the year by regular phone communications.

This year 25 members, from the Two-Mile-Borris community, made the annual visit to once again mark this occasion. The group visited Carrigaholt; Fanny O’Dea’s, in Lissacasey, Ennis and Murty Brown’s, in Tullycrine, on the way down, not forgetting a visit to the Keogh family, in Moyasta.

A massive “Thanks You” to all who renewed their friendship during this most enjoyable weekend and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Templemore Library Schedule Additional Culture Night Activities.

Ms Rachel Hoban, (Branch Manager – Templemore Library) Reports:-

“On ‘Culture Night’ [September 23rd next], Templemore Library have scheduled three full additional Culture Night activities, shown hereunder as follows: –

**Templemore Library, Co. Tipperary**.
*(Picture R. Hoban)*

Basketry & Natural Art Demo: 6:00pm – with Ms Lynn Kirkham.
As one of the first contemporary basket makers in Ireland, Ms Lynn Kirkham is well-known for her woven artworks.
Do please join her for an introduction to basketry and natural art.

Ukrainian Culture: 7:15pm – Templemore Library are delighted to welcome our new friends and neighbours from Ukraine, latter who will showcase a mix of Ukrainian music, art, dance and culture.
Traditional Ukrainian food will also be served on the night.

Ceol Agus Craic: 8:00pm – Join Templemore Library for their very own “Seisiún Mór”.
Traditional music from ‘Loughmore Comhaltas‘; Irish Dancing from the ‘Flynn O’Kane Academy‘, and Irish Set Dancing from the ‘Templemore Set Dancing Group‘.

All three events will take place in Templemore Library, on the night of September 23rd, 2022, (Culture Night).

Looking forward to seeing you in attendance, but remember booking is required to access all events – répondez s’il vous plaît (RSVP) to Tel: (0504) 32555.