Roads « Thurles Information

Victorian Perimeter Wall Ready To Collapse In Thurles.

With the cost of replacing an unsafe 70-metre long perimeter wall around a government office in Dublin, ending up costing nearly a half million Euros; it is now unlikely that the perimeter wall, which daily threatens footpath pedestrians and cars, (some dodging Thurles parking charges), on Ikerrin Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, is unlikely to be repaired within the next century or so.

A **3 metre high wall section due to collapse unto a pedestrian footpath on Ikerrin Road,** **in Thurles.**
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

The works at the Dublin headquarters of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) were originally expected to cost around €200,000, exclusive of Vodka And Tonic (VAT), but ended up costing over €490,000. Thankfully the Ikerrin wall did not collapse during Storm Éowyn last week, although cars bearing antique number plates clamoured for a suitable position under its 4m height, (12 ft).

A **2 metre high wall section due to collapse unto a pedestrian footpath, on Ikerrin Road, Thurles.**
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

Just to speed thing up, when future insurance claims need to be made in respect of car damages or serious head injuries or ‘God forbid’, even deaths, note the wall and the graveyard it surrounds is the property of Tipperary Co. Council, whose Thurles Municipal District Council office is situated on Castle Avenue, in Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Try to lodge your Solicitor’s Letter before closing time at 4:30pm.

**Interesting stone to be found, lodged in the Ikerrin Road Wall, in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

One interesting stone appears in this wall, which is not part of the wall of Thurles as some people have been heard to declare. This wall was constructed mostly from left over stones from the demolished old original Protestant Church that once existed pre 1800. The stone which is of interest can be viewed in the picture above.

Is this stone shown above telling us where we can find some antiquity /treasure, or is it just a piece of an old headstone, which possibly stated “Here lies the body“?

Meanwhile, if you are out walking on Ikerrin Road (Previously known as ‘Limekiln Lane’) remember the words of Budd Nielsen, “Keep your head up, keep your eyes facing forward, and keep telling yourself, I’m going to make it.”

More Changes To Thurles Skyline Following Storm Éowyn.

Persons attempting to reach the village of Littleton and/or the N62 exiting southward out of Thurles, Co. Tipperary; travelling via Mill Road towards Archerstown from Thurles town, are being warned to avoid the area. Council workers presently are attempting to remove a large tree blown over in recent hours by Storm Éowyn.

**Large tree blocking roadway at junction with Littleton village and the N62 route on Mill Road, to the rear of Thurles Golf Club.**
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

Traffic on this route are being asked to turn around and find an alternative route, as no signs are in place warning of this road closure.

Local telephone lines and ESB lines have been broken, brought down by this fallen tree.

Changes To Thurles Skyline Following Storm Éowyn.

At least 15,000 Tipperary homes and business premises are without electric power this morning, with many reports of fallen trees and strewn branch debris, following the extreme winds courtesy of Storm Éowyn.

Here in Thurles town council workers will have a few extra jobs to undertake today, as our pictures hereunder now demonstrate.

**Branches down at the *‘Swinging Gates’*, on the junction of Emmet Street and Thomond Road, Thurles, at early light this morning.**
*Picture: G. Willoughby*

**Large tree blown over on the N62 close to Thurles Golf Club entrance closing the west facing lane. Motorists warned to take care.**
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

**Newly planted trees in the vicinity of Lidl Supermarket, will need immediate attention.**
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

Met Eireann has, this morning, downgraded the Red Level severe weather wind alert to Level Orange for all of Co. Tipperary; same valid from 7:00am today Friday January 24th until at least midday.
For more information see www.Met.ie

Loss Of Life On Island Of Ireland Roads Reaches 242 in 2024.

A total of 174 people lost their lives on roads in the Republic of Ireland in 2024, while 68 people died on Northern Ireland’s roads during this same period. This is according to statistics published by the Road Safety Authority and based on statistics from operational data supplied by An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

This figure of road death victims in the Republic of Ireland is down by 7 (4% decrease), from the figure of 181 reported in 2023, according to An Garda Síochána supported data.
The counties that recorded the highest number of deaths were Dublin (23), Cork (19), Mayo (19) and Donegal (17); same accounting for 45% of all fatalities last year. In 2023, the highest number of road deaths was in Tipperary (16).

In the Irish Republic these deaths were as a direct result of 160 fatal collisions, and include 39 pedestrians; 71 vehicle drivers; 35 passengers; 4 E-Scooters/passengers, and 17 motorcyclists.

Analysis of the figures further reveal a high proportion of male fatalities, with a year on continued increase of young fatalities amongst those aged 25 years old or less, with a high number of same fatal collisions taking place between the hours of 4:00pm and 8:00pm.

In February of 2025, the default speed limit on rural local roads is expected to be reduced, following the recommendation of the 2023 Speed Limit Review.

Motorists Seen As Easy Targets For Further Price Hikes.

Road Safety Authority announces price increases.

New government – New price hikes.

In a country which is unable to properly maintain road surfaces outside of Dublin city; the Road Safety Authority has announced price increases for a number of its services, including driving licence fees and NCTs.

The price of a driving licence is now set to increase in price by €10.00; from the current price of €55.00 to €65.00, while the price of a learner permit will also increase by €10.00 from €35.00 to €45.00.

A full NCT will now also increase in price by €5.00 from €55 to €60, while a retest currently costing €28.00, will now cost an extra €12.00; increased to €40.00.

A commercial vehicle roadworthiness test will also increase by 15% in the pre-VAT cost.

All price changes are expected to come into effect from January 1st 2025.

The RSA maintain that the increase in prices is due to a planned €18m expenditure on “public interest activities and government priorities”, (whatever they are).

Note: Ireland’s current national car fleet currently stands at some 2.36 million vehicles. Petrol and Diesel model account for 89% (two million vehicles) of this National Fleet, while Electric Vehicles (EV & PHEV) represent some 5%. Ireland’s current population in 2023 was 5.262 million.