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 Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Girl Guides in 1937. On the 7th of May 2011, the Dome, here in Thurles Co, Tipperary saw over 6,200 disciplined, spirited, inquisitive and members of the Irish Girl Guides gather to celebrate 100 years of their organisation, and what an organisation.
One of the disappointment felt by me, reflecting on the ceremonies organised for the recent visit by Queen Elizabeth II, was the visual absence of senior officials from the Irish Girl Guides Association. While we appear to have fitted in an invite for every other member of the ‘great and the good,’ there was not a sign of a Girl Guide anywhere in sight, despite celebrating their 100th Irish Birthday this year. The fact that Queen Elisabeth herself and her late sister Margaret were both Girl Guides, with the Queen presently the associations patron, this appears to have been a major oversight on behalf of the organisers.
Yes disappointing, no matter, no doubt this will be corrected when US President Barack Obama comes to Ireland on Monday, especially since his wife Michelle is President of the American Girl Scouts. But enough about this, ‘Dedication and Organisation,’ always has it’s own reward and real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determination.
Against the background of our hallowed Semple Stadium, this Girl Guide celebration was packed with Avitars, Moving Statues, Circus Performers, TD’s, Government Ministers, Giant Pigs, Helter Skelters, Musicians, Line Dancers and to close off this fun day an Abba Tribute Band.
The day got off to a brisk start with a Gold Award Ceremony, where 78 teenage girls each received the prestigious ‘Gold Award,’ the highest achievement that a Girl Guide can ever attain. These same group a short time later led the Members Parade, themselves kick starting the groups centenary celebrations, which fully demonstrated the total dedication and commitment by not just Girl Guides, but their leades representing the whole of Ireland.
Fine Gael TD, Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was on hand to officially opened this 100th birthday event. The Minister in addressing the large crowd stated “This is a wonderful, historic, colourful day for you all. It is truly inspiring to see so many young people, and their leaders of all ages, latter still so young in spirit, gathered together to celebrate 100 years of success and true dedication. The organisation has an incredible role to play in supporting the young people of this country; helping them to develop our greatest natural resource to their fullest potential.”
The remainder of the day was spent by the girls becoming involved in their different age group activities. These activities included Circus Skills, Drumming, Dancing, Science Workshops, Animal Roadshows, together with having the time to enjoy a free flow area, which housed a Helter Skelter, many large scale Inflatables, a Carousel and numerous Street Entertainers. The excitement of the day’s events were clearly written and easily read, on the faces of all those in attendance.
Coming near to the close of events, a presentation of ’30 year service pins,’ were presented by IGG’s President Maureen Dillon, Chief Commissioner Emer O’Sullivan and special guest Mary McPhail, Chief Executive of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, to some of the older yet still dedicated leaders.
The girls and their officers ended the day singing and dancing with music and song courtesy of the ABBA tribute band, ABBAesque, and in keeping with the 100th anniversary celebrations, this band lead all in attendance with a wonderful rendition of ‘Happy Birthday.’
A special thanks to Catherine Noone, Carmelia Jordan and PRO Catherine O’Connor for their kindness on the day.
Next huge event will be “Camp 101“, which is the International Girl Guide Camp, taking place in Lough Key Forest Park, Co. Roscommon in July 2012, with Guides from around the world in attendance. Camp 101 for Girl Guides represents the beginning of a new centenary, and the opportunity to further build on a most successful past 100 years of Guiding in Ireland.
Want To Join Irish Girl Guides? Please contact the Irish Girl Guides National Office:- Telephone 01-6683898.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at the Rock of Cashel this morning by royal helicopter, hovering over the site which was the former ecclesiastical capital of Ireland.
 George IV as Prince Regent Her visit to the Rock, the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion in 1169, marked yet another milestone in the history of Irish /English relations. As Queen of England, she became the first reigning British monarch to visit this imposing site, since her forebear King Henry II visited in 1171, although King George IV is believed to have visited the site, while a guest of the Mathew family in Thurles, while then Prince Regent, and prior to ascending the British Throne in 1820.
On landing she was driven from the helicopter by the state Bently to the summit of the rocks outcrop. To loud applause from a group of invited guests and local dignitaries, the Queen went on to visit the 15th century building known as the Hall of the Vicars Choral. She examined a 13th century bronze enamelled Crozier, said to have belonged to Bishop King, Cormac McCarthy, together with the ancient Cashel bell, dating from early 9th century.
Many residents in Cashel felt that security was too tight and regretted not getting a closer view and a chance to properly show their appreciation to the Queen, on her acceptance of their invitation to visit.
The Get BACK Challenge brings businesses together to contribute in tackling the problems of cancer and addressing the issues of obesity among young people though encouraging and facilitating sports participation.
The Focus Consulting organized Get BACk Challenge is now in its fifth year of operation having started in 2006. An annual charity cycle and walk are the main fundraising drivers in addition to attracting corporate support from businesses throughout the region.
This year a team is being put together from Thurles, who are hoping that a group of 12 from the area will take part in either the 10k run or walk.
Last year, as a group we raised a great deal of funds for Suir Haven, and these funds will be presented in the coming weeks. The Thurles organisers hope to at least match last years amount and hopefully make a lot more. They are organising a fundraiser in Milleas (Castle Tavern) on Friday the 17th of June 2011 starting at 8.00pm.
Paud Gleeson will be playing the best of 80’s and 90’s music with some good party games. There will be a raffle with some great prizes and finger food will be provided.
So go on folks , show your support. Register Here now.
The arrival of just one new born baby, in any home, is an expensive occasion, especially in recessionary times, what with Pay Cuts, Rising Food Prices, Universal Social Charges and high Unemployment.
Imagine therefore the problems experienced by Thomas and Theresa Thrush, resident here in Thurles, when quadruplets arrived on Easter Sunday last, taking up residence in their one roomed mud dwelling.
It’s hard going, feeding four babies, whose mouths are constantly open, demanding to be fed, as the video hereunder demonstrates, however the parenting skills of Thomas and Theresa seem to be “up to the mark,” despite having no previous experience in child care.
Here in Ireland the Song Thrush (Turdus Philomelos) is a very common bird, usually found breeding in forests, gardens and parks. It is easily identified by its brownish upper-parts and black-spotted buff underparts.
The female Song Thrush builds a cup-shaped nest, beginning in the month of April. The nest is usually lined with mud and dry grass and on occasion these materials can include bits of twine and plastic paper, e.g. sweet wrappers that she finds lying about. The nests are usually found in tall hedges,trees or hidden in creeping plant such as Ivy, and approximately six feet above ground level.
Theresa this year laid four bright glossy blue eggs which were lightly spotted with black / purplish markings. She incubated her eggs, alone, for 15/16 days with occasional daily visits from her husband Thomas. The four fledgelings now born, are continuing to thrive, but their biggest threat, here in an urban setting over the coming days, will come from domestic cats and magpies.
Thomas and Theresa Thrush are both omnivorous, eating a wide range of invertebrates, but especially insects, earthworms and snails, as well as most soft fruit and berries. Garden pests such as snails are an important part of their diet during times of drought or harsh weather. These birds often use a favourite stone as an “anvil,” to smash the snail before extracting the soft fleshy interior, which it invariably wiped on the ground to remove bits of shell casing, before consumption. The Thrush can be easily observed skipping along the grass in search of food, with its head tilted to one side, since its eyes are on the side of its head.
It is easy to identify a Song Thrush by its sound which has repeated musical phrases. Indeed in the poem by the romantic poet, William Wordsworth, entitled “The Tables Turned,” he refers to the sound of the Song Thrush, and writes:
“Hark, how blithe the throstle sings, And he is no mean preacher,
Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher.”
Miss Catherine Middleton of Bucklebury, Berkshire went into Westminster Abbey at 11am this morning and came out an hour and a quarter later, holding the hand of the second in line to the throne, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Prince William is the elder son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and the Late Diana, Princess of Wales, and third eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His father Prince Charles is a direct descendant of Viscount Elizabeth Poyntz (Lady Thurles) through their eldest son, the Duke of Ormond. Lady Elizabeth married Thomas Butler and both owned the town of Thurles, here in Co. Tipperary, prior to her death in 1673. Their son James Butler (1610-1688) is a direct line to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge who was married today.
From Lady Thurles and six generations later, in direct line to the English throne was the 14th Earl Strathmore whose daughter, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married the future King George VI.
Their daughter Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary II, born 21 April 1926, met her future husband, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, in 1934, and they married on 20th November 1947 at Westminster Abbey.
Heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles, Prince of Wales, was born on 14th November 1948.
Lady Elizabeth of Thurles’s eldest daughter and brother of the afore mentioned James Butler, Mary Butler (Died in 1675) is a direct line to late Lady Diana Spencer through the Hamilton and Spencer families. When Diana married Charles in 1981 their eldest son Prince William Arthur Philip Louis was born on the 21st June 1982 thus completing the circle which began in the 16th century, here in Thurles Co.Tipperary.
Prince William’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II is due to visit Co. Tipperary at the end of May. What a pity that an invitation was not sent in time by our local Councillors, thus ensuring that Thurles could have been included in her up and coming May itinerary. This really demonstrates the imperceptiveness of our Town Council, when we learn that the Rock of Cashel, some 15 odd miles down the road and which has little comparative historical associations, is now assured of inclusion in her visit.
No matter, there are Local Elections due in the not to distant future, and as Granny used to say, “Forgive and forget, but keep a list of names just in case.”
To the Royal pair, William and Catherine, go our good wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous life together.
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