We learned today (and it has been confirmed) that His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, previously visited Thurles, Co. Tipperary. His Holiness stayed for 5 nights at the Horse & Jockey Hotel, Horse & Jockey, Thurles, latter regarded as the traditional crossroads of Ireland, set in the heartland of Co. Tipperary and one of Ireland’s overall great meeting places for some 250 years.
Thurles.Info contacted the Horse & Jockey hotel today; successfully run by the Egan family and while management and staff declined to comment, a well informed source who was present during his stay, confirmed that His Holiness was a resident guest there, for some five nights, towards the end of June 2013, while presiding over an Augustinian seminar, held in the hotels excellent, tiered, conference facility.
His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, was Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine for some 12 years; from 2001 until 2013. The Order of Saint Augustine is a mendicant religious order of the Catholic Church and was founded back in 1244, after groups in the Tuscany region; latter not concerned with the temporal world or swayed by mundane considerations, were found to follow the Rule of St Augustine, written by the theologian, writer, preacher, rhetorician, Bishop and later Saint Aurelius Augustine of Hippo, in the fifth century. (Note: Hippo Regius is the ancient name of the modern city of Annaba, Algeria). St Augustine was known to have written over 200 books and nearly 1,000 sermons, letters, and other works, before the theologian and philosophers own death on August 28th 430.
Aurelius Augustine of Hippo was canonized by popular acclaim and recognized as a Doctor of the Church by Pope Boniface VIII in 1298. His feast day is also celebrated on August 28th.
Currently the Horse & Jockey Hotel is justifiably regarded as the number one “licensed hostelry”, here in Co. Tipperary and beyond; having been awarded the Gold Medal Awards:- ‘Best 4* (Star) Hotel in Ireland’, last year, (2024) and also the Georgina Campbell ‘Best Business Hotel’; again in 2024.
Trinidad and Tobago to be added to list of visa required countries.
Brings Irish visa requirements in line with the United Kingdom.
Minister for Justice, Mr Jim O’Callaghan TD, and Minister of State for Migration, Mr Colm Brophy TD, have today (Friday 9 May 2025) announced that nationals of Trinidad and Tobago will be required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland. These requirements will apply from May 12th 2025. A transit visa will also be required, if the person intending to transit through Ireland, if enroute to another destination.
Commenting on this announcement, Minister O’Callaghan said: “Visa requirements are an effective screening measure to determine who can travel to Ireland. They bolster the security of our borders while permitting travel to Ireland for legitimate purposes. To minimise disruption, my officials will have transitional measures for those with existing travel arrangements in the next few weeks.”
Irish visa requirements are kept under ongoing review, having regard to the need to ensure that effective immigration controls are in place whilst also facilitating those who wish to travel to Ireland for the purposes of a visit, to work, to study or to join family members.
Commenting on this announcement, Minister Colm Brophy added: “This is a carefully considered decision which will bring Ireland into closer alignment with the United Kingdom. While Ireland will continue to operate an independent visa regime, keeping in step with the requirements of the United Kingdom protects our Common Travel Area and dissuades irregular movements.”
Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who made travel plans prior to May 12th 2025 and who can provide evidence of a valid booking and payment for the trip, may be accommodated for emergency travel in the following situations where the scheduled travel is on or before May 31st 2025:-
A critical medical case involving a family member being seriously ill or undergoing medical treatment. Evidence from the relevant medical institution must be provided.
Visiting for a significant family event – a birth, wedding, or funeral. Suitable evidence must be provided.
Taking up a place obtained in a third-level institution on an undergraduate or post-graduate degree course. Evidence must be provided from the relevant institution.
Taking up employment and holding an Employment Permit for Ireland. Evidence of the permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment must be provided.
Travelling for business. Confirmation of the arrangements for the visit from the business in question must be provided.
Persons falling within the above categories are asked to email becoming_visarequired@justice.ie with the subject line “Visa Required – Emergency Travel Requested”.
More than 15,000 people from counties Tipperary, Clare and Limerick’s Mid-West Region are expected to pass through the gates of Craggaunowen and Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this Easter Bank Holiday Weekend.
Lady Longbottom and Madame Bloomers will be judging the Easter Bonnet Competition at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this Easter.
The popular County Clare visitor attractions are hosting a comprehensive programme of family-friendly activities and entertainment for all ages.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park’s Easter events will be held on Friday, April 18th, Saturday, April 19th, and Sunday, April 20th from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
The public is invited to step back in time with reenactors from Clan Life and Tercio Irlanda, who will bring 16th-century Gaelic Ireland to life, through engaging displays and talks on the era’s chieftains, warriors, and culture.
The traditional skills of the past will also be on display. Visitors will be able to witness the art of traditional Irish ironworking with live blacksmith demonstrations, showcasing the history and craftsmanship passed down through generations.
At 2.00 p.m. daily, the Bean an Tí will showcase the art and traditions behind Irish baking as the aroma of freshly baked griddle bread fills the interior of the Golden Vale Farmhouse.
Easter Bunny&Chick will be appearing at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and Craggaunowen this Easter.
Along with getting the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny and Chick, there will be plenty of children’s entertainment throughout the visitor attraction, as well as live traditional Irish music.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is calling all young designers aged 12 and under to showcase their creativity using recycled or upcycled materials in the Easter Bonnet Competition. The judges, Lady Longbottom and Madame Bloomers, will announce the winning bonnets and hats on the village street at 2.30 p.m.
The Wobbly Circus will keep visitors entertained outside the Tea Rooms with a showcase of fire-juggling, unicycling and circus skills, while Garry Rossiter will be combining juggling, comedy, audience participation and danger through knife juggling, fire eating and stilt walking.
Guests can hop on the Bunratty Express and travel through the Folk Park past the elegant Georgian design of Bunratty House and the reconstructed Ardcroney Church, and through the Fairy Trail, woodland trails and paddocks, with their vast array of indigenous Irish animal species from Kerry Bog Ponies to Irish Red Deer and Bunratty’s resident Irish Wolfhounds Rian and Mide. The 10-minute train ride departs from the Red Barn, located behind Mac’s Pub, from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
A fun and interactive Clue Trail, designed for younger visitors and their families, will lead participants through the folk park’s scenic woodland trails. Along the way, they will meet lively characters such as Mike the Seanchaí, the School Master, and the Village Policeman, all while uncovering fascinating stories from Ireland’s past.
Ms Marie Brennan(Events Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park), said, “The Easter bank holiday weekend will be filled with various family-friendly activities and entertainment suitable for all ages. Visitors can expect a diverse range of attractions, including circus performances, storytelling sessions, train rides and living history reenactments. The programme aims to offer a blend of fun and educational experiences and is an opportunity for everyone to join us in a true Easter celebration.”
The Easter Bunny makes a quick leap from Bunratty to Craggaunowen, where more exciting activities await on Easter Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tony Baloney will entertain with his puppet show, while The Wobbly Circus provide fire-juggling, unicycle and circus tricks.
Craggaunowen will celebrate Ireland’s ancient crafts with talented artisans hosting woodworking, blacksmithing and weaving demonstrations.
There will also be an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny at the popular East Clare visitor attraction, which has undergone significant investment and upgrades during the past year.
Saddened to observe recently, that a plaque which commerated the battle of Thurles, has been damaged beyond repair, during efforts to prise same from its walled position, at the entrance to ‘Ard Carraig’ housing estate, situated east of the town, on the Dublin Road out of Thurles town.
“The Battle of Thurles” by the late Michael Hogan (31st October 1828 – 19th April 1899) known as the ‘Bard of Thomond’.
The war-fires light gleamed red all night, along the mountain gloom. King Dónal’s men are up again, from Limerick to Slieve Bloom. From glen and wood, the bone and blood of his fierce and fearless clan, In wild array, at dawn of day, o’er Ormond’s plains swept on.
From Waterford the Norman hoarde to the plains of Ikerrin came, In vengeful haste the land to waste with sword and destroying flame. Left and right with sweeping might, the headlong hosts engaged, And life ne’er bled, in a strife so red, while that combat of bloodhounds raged.
But, as the heave of the mad sea wave is barred by the crag filled shore, So that iron tide, on Durlas’s* side, was stopped by King Donald Mór. There’s revelry high and boisterous joy from Cashel to Shannon’s shore, And Luimneach waits to open the gates, for her conquering Donald Mór.
END
*Durlas – Irish for Thurles.
The above named Irish poet Michael Hogan was born in Thomondgate, Co. Limerick. His father was a wheelwright and musician, who crafted the flutes and fiddles that he played. In his early years he worked at Russell’s Mill, Lock Quay, located at the entrance of the canal flowing into the Abbey River and later in life with Limerick Corporation. In the year 1858, he married Ms Ann Lynch. They parented no known children. A life-size statue of Michael Hogan today stands, erected to his memory at King John’s Castle Plaza, in Limerick city, since 2005.
Soon, between elected local Councillors, County Council officials and ‘idle hands’, nothing will be left of our local history.
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