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Howling Beast From East Arrives In Thurles

Howling Beast From The East Arrives In Thurles from George Willoughby on Vimeo.

The heavy snow falls over night here in Thurles and throughout Co.Tipperary have created extremely dangerous driving conditions, particularly on secondary roads. Main roads also around Thurles are reported as being dangerous, as, according to AA Roadwatch, are the roads around the towns of Nenagh, Clonmel and Cahir.

Light snow is continuing to fall here in Thurles, while the strong winds have abated.

However the status Red Snow-ice Warning remains in place for Munster, while the public safety advice to stay indoors has been withdrawn, with those out and about being advised to exercise extreme caution.

“We Remember” – Holocaust Memorial Day

“The Power of Words”

“Silence is the first thing after hate, that is dangerous, because silence indicates approval”.

[The words of Sonia K, a Holocaust survivor, forced to reside first in the Warsaw Ghetto, before being transported to four concentration camps; namely Majdanek on the outskirts of the city of Lublin, Poland; Auschwitz, 37 miles west of Krakow, Poland; Ravensbruck, 56 mls north of Berlin, Germany; and finally, Malchow, Mecklenburg, Northern Germany.]

Every year, on the last Sunday in January, closest to the date of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland, by Russian troops (January 27th 1945); this same date across the world, has been dedicated as Holocaust Memorial Day.

During the existence of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, the Schutzstaffe (SS) camp authorities murdered nearly one million Jews from across Europe, together with other victims, which included approximately 74,000 Poles, some 21,000 Roma (Gypsies), and approximately 15,000 Soviet prisoners of war.

Today, January 28th 2018, this year’s theme is ‘The Power of Words’; yes, debate can make a difference today, both for good but alas also for evil. Nevertheless, this gathering of people is to remember that over six million Jews were brutally massacred by mad men, through being forced to live in Ghetto’s; in Concentration Camps; through the use of Carbon Monoxide Gas Wagons, and the deliberate use of Zyklon B Pellets, introduced into gas chambers designed to look like shower rooms, between 1942 and 1945.
These people the majority of which were Jewish, had been brought into numerous Concentration Camps from across Europe by train and cattle truck, the sole purpose, to enslave and annihilate.

Here in Ireland a Memorial Ceremony has been held in Dublin this evening, marking National Holocaust Memorial Day, organised by the Holocaust Education Trust Ireland. include readings, survivors’ recollections, and music.

The event was held in the Mansion House, and included readings, survivors’ recollections, music and the lighting of six candles to symbolise the six million Jewish people who lost their lives. Over 100 school children from across Ireland took part in the ceremony, reading from the Scroll of Names of Irish people living here in Ireland, whose next of kin died during the Holocaust.

The ceremony was attended by Taoiseach Mr Leo Varadkar, Minister for Justice, Mr Charlie Flanagan, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Mícheál Mac Donncha, together with other dignitaries.

“We Remember”.

Neil Diamond Cancels Third Leg Of 50th Anniversary Tour

Tipperary fans (of which there are very many), will be sad to note that American singer-songwriter, musician and actor, Mr Neil Diamond, has announced that he is retiring from touring, following his recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, the most obvious signs of which are slowness of movement and difficulty with walking.

The truly outstanding world class performer, who turned 77 years old, just yesterday, (January 24th 1941) informed his massive international fan base this week that he had made this decision with great reluctance and personal disappointment; while thanking them for their continued support.

His song “Hell Yeah” [Video hereunder (2005)], possibly best interprets his overall outlook on his life. (Lyrics HERE).

The onset of this disease is said to have made it arduous for Mr Diamond to tour and perform on any large-scale footing. The singer has reassured his numerous devoted enthusiasts that he plans to continue to write and record his music for some time to come.

In a statement this week on his website he stated “It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring. I have been so honoured to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years.
My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows. I plan to remain active in writing, recording and other projects for a long time to come.
My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world. You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you.”

Mr Diamond was due to embark on the third leg of his 50th anniversary tour in Australia and New Zealand in March of this year. These now cancelled gigs followed concerts in Europe, including Ireland, and the US back in 2017.

Death Of ‘The Cranberries’ Lead Singer Dolores O’Riordan

The Ballybricken, Co. Limerick lead singer with ‘The Cranberries’, Ms Dolores O’Riordan, has passed away unexpectedly today, aged just 46 years. Ms O’Riordan passed away while in the London Hilton, on Park Lane in London, England, for a recording session.

Ms O’Riordan and her 6ft-4in ex-husband of 20 years, Mr Don Burton, (Latter the former tour manager with band “Duran Duran”), married in Holycross Abbey, Thurles, Co.Tipperary in 1994, holding their wedding reception at the Aherlow House Hotel, Newtown, Aherlow, Co. Tipperary before honeymooning in Dingle, Co. Kerry and the Aran Islands situated at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland.

Dolores & Don outside Holycross Abbey Thurles, following their marriage in 1994, & during happier times.

The couple had first met while ‘The Cranberries’ toured with ‘Duran Duran’ in the early 90’s.

Their marriage was later blessed by three children; a son Taylor Baxter, and two daughters Molly Leigh and Dakota Rain, who are understood to be living in Canada with their father since their divorce in 2014. (Mr Burton also has a son from a previous relationship named Donald Jr, known as Donny.)

In 1998, the couple bought a 150-acre stud farm, called Riversfield Stud, located in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, selling it six years later in 2004.

Following an invitation by Pope Benedict XVI, Ms O’Riordan performed at the Vatican’s annual Christmas concerts in 2001 and 2002, and later performed at the invitation of Pope Francis in 2013.

Around 2004 the couple moved to Howth, in Co. Dublin, and spent the summer season at their log cabin located in Buckhorn, Ontario, Canada, before moving full-time to Buckhorn in 2009.

In August 2013, Ms O’Riordan returned to live in Ireland.

The cause of her death has not yet immediately been made public this evening.

Parish priest at Ballybricken and Bohermore, Fr James Walton, latter formerly a curate here in Thurles, has confirmed that the body of Ms O’Riordan will be interred in her home parish.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a h-anam dílis.

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

“If Tomorrow Starts Without Me.”

^{(Extract from a poem attributed to David Romano.)}

“If tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.
I know how much you care for me, and how much I care for you,
and each time that you think of me I know you’ll miss me too;”

The Christmas Season has almost come to an end. For two millennia, people across the world have been observing the season with traditions and practices. Some practises will have been religious, others cultural and commercial in nature. Those lucky this year succeeded in decorated a Christmas tree; waited for Santa Claus; attending their chosen religious institution; exchanged gifts and shared a meal with kinsfolk and acquaintances.

Yet over this Christmas period, as we pack away our Christmas decorations tomorrow, let’s spare a thought or a fond memory for those who may have lost a loved one, through accident, disease or just old age.

And you have been forgiven and now at last you’re free.
So, won’t you come and take my hand and share my life with me?”
So, if tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart,
for every time you think of me, please know I’m in your heart.