Travel | Thurles Information

Longford Pass, Co. Tipperary, An Irish Answer To Roswell, New Mexico.

“Out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. Behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.” Ezekiel Chapter 1

It’s being happening in Co. Tipperary long before the Roswell, New Mexico incident of July 1947, same still considered the most famous UFO case of all time.

Older people will remember that a flying saucer was supposedly struck by lightning, before crash landing, killing all aliens on board. Same wreckage was located by ranch foreman William “Mac” Brazel. Of course the claims were that the incident was covered up by the US government, who claimed it was simply a United States Army Air Force balloon.

**Wind measuring device on Bord Na Móna bogland close to the area of Longford Pass, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**
*Photo courtesy Two-Mile-Borris correspondent Mr Jerry Bowe*.

Indeed, in the annals of American UFO history, few incidents have inspired as much fascination and speculation. Well that was until today.

For years local UFO observers in the Thurles area have kept what they saw back in early 1970, totally secret, refusing even to discuss the matter amongst themselves. However, recent happenings in the vicinity of Longford Pass, Thurles, Co. Tipperary; located close to the R639 south of the M8; forces me to break confidence. Yes, I report that Longford Pass and the surrounding area, is Ireland’s answer to Roswell, New Mexico.

Before I relate the frightening events of the early 1970’s, make yourself aware of the following; simply in the interests of health and safety, you understand.
If you and your partner should perchance, decide to take a nightly constitutional, for the betterment of your health; passing along the Clover Bog way, and if in the darkness you should look skyward, you will most likely observe a red flashing light.
No it is not a UFO. So fear not, a company called GaleTech Energy Services have simply installed this red flashing light on top of a 150 metre, approx. high structure, which in turn is supporting an instrument used to measure wind speed. (See image above).

Flying Saucers observed on Bord Na Móna bogland.

There have been, in all, 3 UFO incidents spoken about locally, in or around this area, starting first with a sausage shaped object as early as the late 1890’s. Another incident involving a UFO was reported closer to the Littleton village area, in the 1950’s, observed by 3 men, one of whom was a policeman; while the most recent siting occurred in the 1970’s.

The very large metal object observed in the 1950’s was watched having landed on the bogs surface for some minutes and was described as being of polished metal with circular windows. The object suddenly shone a beam of light on those watching, before spinning silently, whizzing off “at a speed faster than the speed of light”.

Having spoken to one of the observers, who witnessed the 1970’s sighting, he believes that the again large object he saw was sucking up bog water. The object he claims was in no hurry to leave and was viewed by a group of individuals working near the area of Drish Bridge, in Thurles.
This large object appeared to be stationary in the sky over the Longford Pass area. Spectators, having watched it for some minutes, saw the craft shoot out what looked like molten metal. Bright stars then flew around the stationary craft before it disappearing altogether moving eastwards slowly across the sky and out of sight.

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy”.
[William Shakespeare “Hamlet” ]

Three Tipperary OPW Sites Offering Free Admission To Outside Visitor Spaces.

With the country wisely making staycation holiday plans this year, the government has given hard-pressed families an uplift, by waving the cost of admission charges at all OPW sites for the rest of 2021.

Traditionally, except for the first Wednesday of each month, families had to shell out for an annual OPW heritage ticket to avail of free access to our best-loved castles, gardens and ancient sites, latter costing some €90 for a family pass.

In announcing this decision, Minister of State Mr Patrick O’Donovan stated that with a growing list of open heritage sites and the easing of travel restrictions, we have a renewed opportunity to explore the treasures which the OPW has in trust for the nation.

While the news is no doubt a limited blessing for holidaying families here in Tipperary, currently as yet only some OPW sites in the county are open and those that are, namely Cahir Castle, Ormond Castle and the Rock of Cashel, are only offering admission to their outside areas.

Road From Yellow Lough To Cabra Road, Thurles To Close Temporarily.

Temporary Traffic Management will come into place on the R659, on the stretch from the Yellow Lough, Thurles to Cabra Road, Thurles in Co. Tipperary.

The reason for the Traffic Management is to undertake very necessary road resurfacing, which is expected to commence between 8:00am on May 19th 2021 and continue until 7:00pm on May 25th 2021.

Signage has already been put in place, warning of Tipperary Co. Councils intentions and further diversions will be put in place when work commences.

Local access only will be permitted, until the resurfacing work is complete.

Missing A Bicycle?

Almost 200 recovered bicycles remain unclaimed in Garda Stations nationwide.

Photos of bicycles which have been recovered by Gardaí, but are not yet returned to their owners are now available to view hereunder, categorised under each Garda Division, together with full details which allows for the owners to claim the return of their bicycle.

For County Tipperary Division – Click for pdf HERE.

For All bikes – Nationwide – Click for pdf HERE

St. Patrick’s Day Greening Of World Heritage Sites

St. Patrick’s Day greening of World Heritage sites puts Cashel in the shade.

Ireland’s efforts to green global historic sites, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Pyramids of Giza for St. Patrick’s Day is in marked contrast to “lacklustre efforts to win recognition for historic sites in Tipperary and elsewhere around the country”, according to Deputy Michael McNamara.

**Queen Elizabeth II visited the Rock of Cashel on the final day of her four-day 2011 state visit.**

The Clare Independent T.D.’s comments come ahead of a June 30th deadline for local authorities, community organisations and State bodies to submit applications for Ireland’s Tentative List for future World Heritage nominations to UNESCO.

The Irish list was last updated in 2010 and includes Royal Sites of Ireland such as Cashel (Tipperary), Tara (Meath), Dún Ailinne (Kildare), Hill of Uisneach (Westmeath) and the Rathcroghan Complex (Roscommon). It also includes Georgian Dublin, the Burren, and groups of related Early Monastic Sites, comprising Clonmacnoise (Offaly), Glendalough (Wicklow), Inis Cealtra (Clare), Kells (Meath) and Durrow (Laois), and Western Stone Forts, including Dun Aonghusa (Aran Island, Galway), Cahercommaun in north Clare and the Kerry forts of Benagh, Caherconree and Staigue.

Deputy McNamara said, “Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening project comes about as a result of much effort and some cost to the State (€48,583 in 2019), but I accept that it results in a benefit, not limited to direct income, to our State. We have, however, neglected to progress various sites in Ireland to UNESCO world heritage status over the past decade.”

“We currently only have two sites on the UNESCO world heritage list, Skellig Michael and Newgrange,” he explained. “By comparison, Austria and Denmark have ten world heritage sites, the latter having advanced five sites to designation in the past decade.”

“In 2014, I met with UNESCO representatives and learned that there had been little or no communication from the Irish government on the matter for some time and little effort had been made to advance the Irish tentative list since it was handed over in 2010″.

“When I raised the matter with the then Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in 2015, I was informed that Kerry County Council had informed the Department that it did not wish to be involved in progressing the potential Western Stone Forts nomination. This was also the case in Clonmacnoise, which had obvious implications both for the potential nomination of the site in its own right, as well as for its status as a crucial element of the potential group nomination of the Early Medieval Monastic Sites.”

“Since then, successive governments have failed to progress the designation of this tentative list, despite the fact that it would bring worldwide attention to our unique patrimony and to the natural and built heritage sites themselves. As well as a requirement to ensure any development is sympathetic to and protects the integrity of the sites, which may explain the reluctance of some, more cavalier local authorities, designation also typically results in an increase in tourism, with associated economic benefits”.

In response to a recent parliamentary question, Deputy McNamara was informed that a new tentative list is being developed by the National Monuments Service, with a June 30th deadline for applications from local authorities, State bodies, community organisations and individuals, for sites or properties of natural and/or cultural heritage to be included.

He continued, “Given the increase in tourism typically generated by World Heritage site designation, and the unprecedented challenges that will face the domestic and international tourism sector when we open up to world again, every effort must be made to advance built and natural heritage sites across Ireland to the World Heritage list.”

“Unless the government prioritises the list that will be developed and puts the same effort into obtaining world heritage status for our own sites as it puts into “greening” other states’ world heritage sites, I fear the list will be as useless an exercise in bureaucracy as its predecessor. Our annual celebration of international World Heritage sites being lit up in green must be matched by a similar enthusiasm for securing similar designation for our own world class heritage sites,” concluded Deputy McNamara.