Tourism « Thurles Information

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.

Two Thurles Eateries Honoured At Irish Restaurant Awards Night.

Not surprisingly, two Thurles eateries were honoured at the Munster Regional Finals of the Irish Restaurant Awards on Friday night last.

Naomi’s Café, situated on Friar Street, Thurles, took the award for ‘Best Café ‘, [Sponsored by Illy], while Mitchel House Restaurant on Mitchel Street, Thurles took the award for ‘Best Customer Service‘. [Sponsored By Restaurant-Insurance.ie Provided by Dolmen]

Both Thurles establishments will now go forward to the All-Ireland finals, latter which will take place on September 19th, next, in the Dublin Convention Centre.

Full details of the Munster Regional Award Winners 2022 Announced can be viewed HERE.

Paschal Donohoe Accuses Hospitality Representatives Of Price Gouging.

Finance Minister, Mr Paschal Donohoe has demonstrated his displeasure at greedy hoteliers for price gouging their customers.

Mr Donohoe met with representatives of the hospitality sector which included the Irish Hotels Federation; Irish Tourism Industry Confederation; Licensed Vintners Association; Vintners’ Federation of Ireland and the Restaurants Association of Ireland, for a requested pre-Budget meeting.

The above named representative organisations had gone into the meeting seeking to retain the lower existing 9% Vat rate; a reduction in excise duty on alcohol, and a targeted financial support package to help with the cost of energy increases.

Representatives were quickly reprimanded by Mr Donohoe; latter who informed them that the Government had provided strong supports for hotels in recent years. Same supports had gotten them through Covid-19 he stated, and he was therefore extremely disappointed that value for money for those looking to holiday in Ireland had not been forthcoming.

Finance Minister Donohoe made it known that that charging over €500 for a room with an American football game in the Capital, was not acceptable and politicians were now looking for the 9% Vat rate to be increased due to exorbitant accommodation prices. It is understood that there was a muted acceptance by some representatives that some hotels were indeed involved in price gouging.

In May 2022, Mr Donohoe had extended the special 9% Vat rate, latter introduced in November 2020, for a further six months, at an estimated revenue loss to the State of €250m: to assist businesses that had been severely impacted by harsh, but necessary, Covid restrictions.