Tomorrow, March 17th, will see the Thurles Town’s St Patrick’s Day parade (Lá Fhéile Pádraig)2025, taking place, leaving from the west side of town, from Abbey Road, down Friar Street, into Liberty Square, starting at 2:15pm sharp.
The nearby parade in the village of Littleton will start in the morning, with other events occurring in Tipperary throughout the day, all expected to draw large crowds to the areas of Cahir, Tipperary town, Clonmel and Cappawhite, and northwards, into Nenagh, Templemore, and Roscrea.
With weather promising to remain dry but cloudy and with temperatures of 8° to 10° best to keep well wrapped up.
The “Sweet White Violets”(Latin Name: Viola odorata alba), which is expected to appear in late winter or early Spring, arrived exactly on time this year, exhibiting a massive crop of blossoms.
Sweet White Violets pictured here with emerging wild Primroses. Pic: G. Willoughby.
This small hardy herbaceous perennial is also commonly known as ‘Wood Violet‘; ‘English Violet‘; ‘Common Violet‘; ‘Florist’s Violet‘ and ‘Garden Violet’.
Sweet White Violets: The flowers which are either dark violet or white in colour, are scented, with the species most often found near the edges of forests or in shaded clearings; it is also a common “uninvited guest” found on shaded lawns or elsewhere with in Irish gardens.
Both the leaves and flowers are edible and in the late Victorian period, were used in the production of cosmetic fragrances and perfumes and in the production of medicine. Interesting to note: The scent somehow has suggested sex, so the violet served as a symbol of a favoured flower of Aphrodite, (latter ancient Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty); and her son, Priapus, (latter a minor fertility god in Greek mythology), who was also the protector of livestock, fruit plants and, yes male readers should note, male genitals. Both the former named Greek goddess and minor god were the deity of gardens.
A Bunch Of Violets Blue.
Lyrics: Attributed to composer, writer John McCormick. Vocals: Irish country, traditional and easy listening singer, guitarist and saxophone player, the late Tom McBride, (Big Tom 1936–2018).
A Bunch Of Violets Blue.
It was out in a moonlit garden, Not far from the ballroom grand, A soldier and his sweetheart, Went strolling hand in hand. Tomorrow the war would call him, And he vowed he would be true, And from her breast she gave to him, A bunch of violets blue. They were only a bunch of violets, A bunch of violets blue, Fresh and fair and dainty, All sparkle like the dew. Fresh and fair and dainty, As he pressed them to his heart, He smiled and said where’er he’d roam, From them he’d n’er would part. A soldier boy lay dying, Upon the cold, cold ground. A bunch of withered violets, Upon his breast was found. Turning to his comrades, In a feeble voice he sighed. Take them back and tell her that, I wore them till I died. They took the withered violets back, It been on her wedding day. An old man’s gold had won her, From her soldier far away. An old man’s gold had won her, From her soldier young and tall, And this is what he said to her, One evening at the ball. They were only a bunch of violets, A bunch of violets blue, Fresh and fair and dainty, All sparkle like the dew. Fresh and fair and dainty, As he pressed them to his heart, He smiled and said where’er he’d roam, From them he’d n’er would part.
Lyrics and Vocals: American singer, songwriter, actor and country musician Vince Gill (Vincent Gill).
When I Call Your Name.
I rushed home from work like I always do. I spent my whole day just thinking of you. When I walked through the front door, my whole life was changed, ‘Cause nobody answered when I called your name. A note on the table that told me goodbye. It said you’d grown weary of living a lie. Oh, your love has ended, but mine still remains, But nobody answers when I call your name. Oh, the lonely sound of my voice calling, Is driving me insane, And just like rain, the tears keep falling, But nobody answers when I call your name. Oh, the lonely sound of my voice calling, Is driving me insane, And just like rain, the tears keep falling, But nobody answers when I call your name. Oh, nobody answers when I call your name.
It was at the last election that me uncle Pat got in. He was always fond of politics and the faith I knew he’d win. He made such pretty promises to the people one and all, That’s how he got elected as a member of the Dail.
Oh, me uncle is a T.D. me boys, me uncle is a T.D., And that’s the very reason why nothing bothers me. Me brother was made a foreman, though he never built a wall, Ah, but then you’ll see me uncle, he’s a member of the Dail.
Now, he’s not good at learnin’, sure he never went to school, But that’s no disadvantage in this country as a rule. He was in the county council, but you know that means damn all, But hats off to me uncle, he’s a member of the Dail.
Oh, me uncle is a T.D. me boys, me uncle is a T.D., And that’s the very reason why nothing bothers me. He got a pension for me Da, though he’s not blind at all, Yea, but then you see me uncle, he’s a member of the Dail.
Now he’s not fond of arguing, sure he’s as quiet as a mouse. He never says a wrong word up there in Leinster House. He never connects with either side Fine Gael or Fianna Fail, So long as he draws a salary as a member of the Dail.
Oh, me uncle is a T.D. me boys, me uncle is a T.D. And his sister’s going to marry a ministers secretary, She met him up in Dublin in Barry’s at a ball, That’s how they got acquainted through me uncle in the Dail.
Now, we’re the finest family that ever yet was seen, We make a tidy packet from the makin’ of poitin. It goes across the border and up to Donegal, And they drink it in the lobbies, with my uncle in the Dail.
Oh, me uncle is a T.D. me boys, me uncle is a T.D., And me mother got her pension at the age of forty-three. We draw family allowance though we’ve no kids at all, Yea, but then you see me uncle, he’s a member of the Dail.
Oh, me uncle is a T.D. me boys, me uncle is a T.D., And that’s the very reason why nothing bothers me. We draw family allowance though we’ve no kids at all, But then you see me uncle, he’s a member of the Dail. But then you see me uncle, he’s a member of the Dail.
The R&B professional singer-songwriter, Ms Roberta Flack, best known for the hits “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song”, passed away peacefully at her home this morning, February 24th 2025, surrounded by her loving family, while in her 89th year.
Ms Flack (February 10, 1937 – February 24, 2025) had previously announced in 2022 that she had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neurone disease), and could no longer continue to sing.
Born in North Carolina and raised in Arlington, Virginia, USA, the musician started out as a classical pianist. She gained a full school scholarship to Howard University when aged just 15 years old; thus making her one of the youngest students ever to enrol there. Her classical training led her into teaching piano, but at night she’d accompany opera singers on piano, while singing pop standards during the breaks. Her Atlantic recordings did not sell particularly well, until actor/director Clint Eastwood chose a song from her first album “First Take”, using the lyrics written by Ewan MacColl, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” for the sound track of his directorial debut “Play Misty for Me”. The song became the biggest hit of the year for 1972, spending six consecutive weeks at No. 1 and earning Ms Flack a million-selling Gold disc.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.
The first time ever I saw your face, I thought the sun rose in your eyes, And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave, To the dark and the endless skies, my love, To the dark and the endless skies. And the first time ever I kissed your mouth, I felt the earth move in my hand, Like the trembling heart of a captive bird. That was there at my command, my love, That was there at my command, my love. And the first time ever I lay with you, I felt your heart so close to mine, And I knew our joy it would fill the earth, And last ’til the end of time, my love, And it would last ’til the end of time, The first time ever I saw your face. Your face, your face, your face.
END
In 1966, Ms Flack married jazz musician Steve Novosel. The couple divorced in 1972. They had no children. In 2010, she established “The Roberta Flack Foundation”, which promoted animal welfare and music education. Ms Flack would go on to became the first artist ever to win a Grammy Award for ‘Record of the Year’ in two consecutive years; 1973 and 1974. In 2020 Ms Flack won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ms Flack was predeceased in 2022, by her godson and former music director, funk and jazz keyboardist Bernard Wright, latter who died in an accident.
Rest in Perfect peace, Ms Flack, your legacy will live long. In ár gcroíthe go deo.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Recent Comments