Travel « Thurles Information

23 New Speed Camera Zones For Tipperary.

23 new speed camera zones for Tipperary, as national expansion goes live on January 1st 2026.

A total of 390 new safety camera zones will become operational nationwide from January 1st 2026, bringing the overall number of safety camera zones to 1,901, An Garda Síochána has confirmed.

Gardaí say the primary purpose of the safety camera programme is to reduce speed-related collisions, lessen injuries and save lives, against the backdrop of 187 road deaths recorded so far in 2025 – the highest level on Irish roads in more than a decade.

Tipperary and North Tipperary.

Tipperary is set to receive 23 new safety camera zones as part of the rollout.
Updated GoSafe listings for the county include new zones on the M7 and multiple zones on the R498 latter the Nenagh to Thurles road.

In North Tipperary, motorists travelling through Latteragh are also being reminded to observe temporary measures associated with ongoing works on the R498, with Tipperary County Council publishing traffic management updates and roadworks speed-limit orders for the route.

In a Garda message, Assistant Commissioner Ms Catharina Gunne said the vast majority of drivers obey speed limits, but a “small persistent cohort” continue to drive in excess of posted limits, putting others at risk. The aim of targeting high-risk areas, Gardaí say, is to reduce fatal and serious-injury collisions.

A full list of all safety camera zones is published on the Garda website, including downloads for navigation providers HERE

Tipperary Soil Travels To Illinois For Newborn’s “First Step” On Irish Ground.

The clip hereunder points to a well-known Kerrygold television advertisement, in which an Irish emigrant brings home soil abroad so that a child born overseas can “touch Irish soil first”.

Tipperary to Illinois.

A box of soil and grass gathered in Co Tipperary has been sent nearly 4,000 miles to the United States after an American couple asked that their newborn daughter’s first touch of “Irish ground” could happen at their home.

Mr Michael Murphy and his wife Nikki, who live in Illinois, arranged the delivery through friends in Tipperary shortly after the birth of their daughter, Vivienne, last month. The couple have not visited Ireland, but Mr Murphy can trace his family roots to Co. Armagh and says Irish culture has long been a major interest in their home.

A short video showing Vivienne’s foot touching the box of Irish soil was shared on social media some weeks ago and has since attracted almost five million views.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Murphy described the moment as being deeply meaningful for their family, and said they hope to visit Ireland sometime in the future, including the River Shannon and family places connected with his grandfather in Belleek, Co Armagh. He said the gesture was also intended as a lesson for their daughter encouraging her curiosity, respect and openness to other cultures.

Status Yellow Rain and Wind Warnings – Tipperary Urged to Prepare.

The public are being asked to exercise caution as Met Éireann has issued a series of Status Yellow weather warnings impacting County Tipperary over the coming days.

A Status Yellow rain warning has been issued for Tipperary, along with counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, Kerry and Waterford, from tomorrow night (Monday) until Tuesday morning.

**Above picture shows flooding on Liberty Square outside Tesco.**
Thurles Municipal District Officials are being invited to examine blocked drains outside Tesco, on Liberty Square and McCabes Pharmacy, latter regularly prone to flooding on the junction of Kickham Street and Cathedral Street.

Heavy rain falling on already saturated ground is expected to bring:
Localised flooding in parts of Tipperary.
Difficult and hazardous travel conditions.
Possible disruption to outdoor events.

In addition, a Status Yellow wind warning for the entire country, including Tipperary, will be in place from 3:00am until 9:00pm on Tuesday. Very strong and gusty southerly winds are forecast leading to debris and loose objects being displaced, while further impacting on outdoor events and other activities.

Public Advice for Tipperary Residents and Road Users
Residents in Tipperary are urged to:
Allow extra time for journeys and avoid driving through floodwaters.
Secure bins, garden furniture, signage and other loose objects that could be lifted or blown about by strong winds.
Take particular care on roads prone to surface water and spot flooding.
Heed all local authority, Garda and emergency service advice.

Members of the public are encouraged to stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings from Met Éireann and to follow updates.

Upcoming Events In Cashel Library, Co. Tipperary.

Ms Maura Barrett, (Cashel Library) Reports:

Date:	Event:	Presenter:	Time:	Reservation Tel. No.:
Friday Dec. 5th.	Chair Yoga.	Lara Slattery. (Sukha Wellness).	11:30am-12:15pm.	Tel: 062 63825
Tuesday Dec. 9th.	Music & Singalong.	Cashel Library.	11:00am-12:30pm.	Tel: 062 63825
Friday Dec. 12th.	Choral Singing.	Cahir Coral A Capella Choir.	6:30pm Sharp. (Mulled Wine).	Tel: 062 63825
Dec. 17th.	Christmas Coffee Morning.	Cashel Library. (School Choirs).	11:00am Sharp.	Tel: 062 63825.

Do Remember booking is essential to these events – Tel: 062-63825.

Visitors attending these events can locate the Cashel Library building; situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (Eircode E25 K798).

Thurles Bypass Formally Included In Revised National Development Plan.

Thurles Bypass confirmed in the updated NDP today, a major step forward.

Major Step Forward as Project Enters Pre-Approval Stage Under Government’s Updated Framework.

Now classed as a priority project, it will advance through design & planning, with a push to be construction-ready by 2030.

The long-awaited Thurles Outer Bypass has been formally included in the revised National Development Plan (NDP), announced today, November 26th, 2025. The confirmation marks a significant milestone for the town of Thurles and the wider mid-Tipperary region, placing the long-discussed project back onto the national agenda and ensuring it will now advance through the required planning and design phases.

**Damage caused on a regular basis by heavy goods vehicles.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

Project Confirmed Under Appendix A of the National Development Plan.
According to today’s announcement, the Thurles Bypass is listed within Appendix A of the NDP and designated to progress through the Pre-Approval / Gateway 1 stage. However, this represents only the first formal step in the Government’s project-delivery process, enabling detailed assessment, updated design work, and the preparation of a preliminary business case.
The scheme is viewed as essential to addressing long-standing congestion and safety concerns, as well as supporting the town’s commercial and residential development.

Associated Road Projects Also Advancing.
Today’s publication confirms that the Thurles Bypass will sit alongside other significant transport projects for the area, including:

Thurles Inner Relief Road.
Local realignment schemes intended to improve connectivity and traffic flow.
Additional regional investments aimed at strengthening transport infrastructure across County Tipperary.

These projects combined form an integrated approach to improving mobility, safety, and economic prospects for Thurles town and surrounding areas.

Next Steps: Planning, Design and Approvals:
While the Thurles bypass’s inclusion in the NDP does not indicate an immediate start to construction, it does secure its place within the Government’s investment programme through to 2030. The project will now move into:

Updated design and engineering work.
Preparation of statutory documents.
Preliminary business case development.
Environmental and route-corridor assessments.
Progression through further Government approval gates.

List of Strategic Regional Road Projects Scheduled to Commence Construction by 2030.

Project.	Sponsoring Agency.	Current Stage of Project Lifecycle.	Next Approval Gate.	Procurement Timeline.	Construction Timeline.	Successful Tenderer.	Cost Range.
Thurles Inner Relief Road.	Tipperary County Council	Final Business Case	AG1	Procurement by 2026	Commence by 2027	Not yet awarded	€10m- €20m
Appendix A. Thurles Bypass.	Various	Pre-AG1	AG1	?	?	?	?

See table above:
“There’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip.” King Ancaeus of Samos.

It is now important, unlike in the past, that local representatives, at all levels, emphasise their intention to push for tangible, measurable progress on this project, so that the scheme can be construction-ready by 2030.

A Long-Awaited Boost for Thurles.
The bypass is widely regarded as a crucial infrastructure project for Thurles. Heavy traffic, including a high volume of HGVs, currently passes through the town centre, particularly in Liberty Square where national routes intersect. Business groups, residents, and community organisations have repeatedly highlighted the impact on safety, air quality, congestion, and commercial activity.

Today’s confirmation is seen as the first real movement on the project in many years, following earlier plans which stalled during the economic downturn.