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Orionid Meteors To Be Seen In Thurles Tonight

Sky watchers could be in for a very special treat tonight, when debris from Halley’s Comet attempts to bombard our atmosphere.

This debris from the comet enters earth’s atmosphere & will lights up the sky as shooting stars and the ‘Orionid Meteor Shower,’ is indeed one of the most beautiful meteor showers of the year.

The best time to see these ‘Orionids,’ will be just after midnight tonight, through until Monday morning (October 21st to 22nd), but they have already been visible in the past few days and possibly will continue visible after the aforementioned peak, once our sky remains clear and dark. Same are expected to appear at the rate of up to 25 per hour or more.

These ‘Orionid Meteors,’ can glow very brightly and can sometimes burn so brightly that they produce fireballs. With no great moonlight, like tonight, casting a glare in the night sky they should be easily visible.

These Orionid meteors will appear mainly to originate from the constellation Orion in our eastern sky’s, but may be visible anywhere in the firmament above & bright enough to be observed with the naked eye, so no telescopes or binoculars will be needed.

David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland explains: “Sometimes large pieces of debris enter the atmosphere and flare up extremely brightly as fireballs – these can often land on the ground.”

Downton Abbey A Tipperary Perspective

A major new & rare exhibition entitled “Downton Abbey, A Tipperary Perspective.” comes to Thurles. The TV series Downton Abbey is set on the fictional estate of Downton Abbey in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England, home to the Earl and Countess of Grantham which follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants during the reign of King George V.

On Friday next St. Mary’s Famine Museum, Thurles will feature this new previously unseen exhibition, which will open to the public for just two weeks beginning Friday September 21st, & continuing until Friday October 5th, inclusive. The event is being kindly sponsored by Thurles Centenary Co-Op & Thurles Fresh Milk.

The exhibition can be viewed during Thurles Famine Museum’s normal opening hours which are 10.00am – 5.00pm. The Museum will feature a special lecture tour of the exhibition starting sharp at 8.00pm on Saturday night next, September 22nd. Total cost of admission to this unique Tipperary exhibition is a mere €2 which also incorporates a chance to examine the Famine Museum, latter which boasts the largest amount of original memorabilia, pertaining to the Great Famine (1845 – 1849), anywhere in the world.

This current new exhibition is also a must for Primary, Secondary & Third Level history students, who will find this ‘primary resource,’ of huge interest & in keeping with the current education curriculum which encourages students to become involved in all such source activity.
The exhibits on display will include household goods, clothing & shoe fashion, including Flapper dresses of the early 20th century period, which had their origins in the period of Liberalism, social and political turbulence and an increased transatlantic cultural exchange, which followed the end of World War I.

Also on show are Military costumes, some dating back before 1900 from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in Surrey, together with rare memorabilia from the Gallipoli Campaign (1915 -1916). Hand guns, Military medals, including two rare military crosses, never before viewed by the public, will also be part of this unique exhibition. Each of the over 100 exhibits displayed all contain a strong Tipperary connection. If sufficient interest is shown in this exhibition by the public and all Tipperary people at large, same will become a permanent exhibition here in Thurles next year, thus adding greatly to the prospects of future tourism in our town.

Downton Abbey & Tipperary – The Similarities

The first series of the TV Downton Abbey drama spanned the two years before the Great War, (WW1) beginning with news of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, which set the story in motion. The second series covered the years 1916 to 1919, and the 2011 Christmas Special covered the 1919 Christmas period, ending in early 1920. The third series has just now returned to our screens, beginning last Sunday on ITV and will begin tonight on TV3.
Created by Julian Fellowes and set in the early 20th century, “Downton Abbey,” boasts an all-star cast, including Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham), Jim Carter (Mr. Carson), Brendan Coyle (Mr Bates), Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley), Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley) and my own favourite Oscar, Tony, BAFTA and Emmy award winning actress the great Dame Maggie Smith, DBE, together with Oscar and Golden Globe winning actress Shirley Maclaine.
Since its premier in September 2010, “Downton Abbey,”” has been met with critical acclaim and has been awarded some of TV’s most prestigious awards including two BAFTAs, six Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe and Best Drama in the National Television Awards. “Downton Abbey,” also holds the record for the most nominated non-American show in Prime-time Emmy history, with 16 nominations since 2011.

Some critics claim that historically the series is not truly accurate, especially with regard to the close interaction between servants & the owners of the “Big House.” However, to prove the critics somewhat incorrect in this claims & their current understanding, please see a report from a correspondent of the Tipperary Star, who wrote on September 10th 1910, as follows:-

PLEASANT NIGHT AT MOYALIFF
“On Saturday night the working men on the Moyaliff estate presented Mr Wm. M. Armstrong, only son of Captain Marks B. Armstrong of Moyaliff, Thurles, with a valuable silver cup and illuminated address on the occasion of his coming of age. Mr. Matthew Kennedy presided and spoke at length on the interest the Armstrong family always took in the welfare of their workmen and servants, and the friendly relations that always existed between Mr. Armstrong, his tenants, and neighbours, and he had great pleasure in making the following presentation, which was numerously signed:-
To Wm. M. Armstrong, Esq., 10th Hussars: “We, the workmen on the Moyaliff estate, offer you our most hearty congratulations on the occasion of your coming of age, and we beg you to accept the accompanying silver cup as a small token of the affection we entertain for you. We hope and pray that you may have a long and happy life, and that success will crown your career in the noble profession to which you belong. Assuring you of our constant devotion and interest in your welfare.”
Mr. Armstrong entertained the workmen and neighbours to dinner at 6.30, and at 7.30 threw open a spacious hall, beautifully decorated, where over two hundred people spent a very pleasant night dancing and singing. Mr. and Misses Armstrong remained for a portion of the night and took part in and enjoyed the performance. The principal contributors of songs were:- Miss M. Ryan, Miss C. Long, Messrs J. McGlen, J.Boyle, J. Mahony, and D. Hayes. Mr. Hayes was inimitably funny with his comic songs, while Miss B. McCarthy’s exhibition of step dancing was a rare treat in itself. Misses M. Kennedy, J. Gleeson, C. Hayes, and J. Hayes were busily engaged distributing refreshments and catering for the ladies. Dancing continued until 5.30 on Sunday morning, and many toasts were proposed and honoured to Captain Armstrong and family.”

Do enjoy the magnificent Downton Abbey series beginning on TV3 tonight and if you get the opportunity call to St.Mary’s Famine Museum on Saturday night next at 8.00pm sharp or over the next fortnight, to view the Tipperary version.
The museum would like to thank Paul Scully, (Thurles Photo Station) Friar Street, Thurles, Stewart Willoughby, Kickham Street, Thurles & Paddy Stakelum (Stakelums Men’s Wear) in Friar Street, Thurles for their particular expertise in assisting with the setting up of the exhibition.

Fine Gael U Turn On Cuts To Personal Assistant Hours

The Minister for Health James Reilly has been forced, after a storm of protests and debate at Cabinet today, to do a U turn on his proposed cuts to personal assistant hours. This climbdown will come as some relief to many people suffering disabilities here in Thurles & Co. Tipperary. However the Department of Health said the Health Service Executive (HSE) would continue to assess people’s needs “on an individual basis.”

The Health Service Executive will now instead, be directed to achieve savings by cutting Administration, Travel Costs & Training, while introducing a better cash management structure in other related agencies.

The cuts to Personal Assistant hours, together with other savage cuts totalling in all an estimated €130 million, had been previously agreed between the HSE and the Department of Health. Following this announcement a group of people with disabilities came out protesting this afternoon outside of Government Buildings, prepared to camp overnight until these plans were reversed. They claimed today that this decision to withdraw Personal Assistant and Home Help services from people will prevent disabled and older people from living independently in their own homes.

Minister Phil Hogan To Cut Co Council Budgets

Outrage is being expressed by North & South Tipperary County Council’s following news that Fine Gael Minister for Environment & Local Government Mr Phil Hogan, has written to all County Managers, to announce that he is cutting their budgets by between 5% and 15%, depending on the success of the household charge collection in the county.

To these outraged Tipperary County Councillors I say: “Stop worrying lads, slow down, you will give yourselves haemorrhoids. According to the said Mr Hogan, who recently spoke at the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal, soon every aspect of local government will see major change. He believes public services should be delivered through locally based bodies rather than centralised agencies and he is updating these structures to increase efficiency and give more value for money for the people they serve. Something like the promised efficient HSE I expect, which is the envy of the western world. It is extremely likely that he will be cutting the number of Authorities & Councillors, so why worry since a good number of you are going to have to live with just one job. He will be strengthening the role of Local Authority Audit Committees to provide better oversight, which means local government must now look to provide new ways of generating income other than handouts from the government’s central funds, already provided by the taxpayer.

Accountability For Taxpayers Money?

Smile, the above video comes directly from Phil’s website. You see lads, a five man trip led by Mr Hogan recently, to a one-day European Council meeting in Luxembourg, cost us the Taxpayers €9,000, & if you are used to staying in luxurious five-star hotels like “Le Royal,” a round of drinks will cost you €47. (By the way, for the benefit of you uncouth taxpayers, a “Hamam,” as advertised on this hotels website is the Turkish variant of a “Steam Bath.”)

Six meals during Mr Hogan’s visit to Brazil cost Irish Taxpayers €842.66 in one of the city’s famous steak houses. (Independent.) Mr Hogan’s department have spent almost €92,000 travelling around Europe and the rest of the world, since he took office in March of last year, and to be fair to the man with this type of necessary expense incurred, sure drastic reductions in Co Council budgets are only to be expected, household charge or no household charge.

Anyway sure Phil wouldn’t penalise us over non payment of household charges. Did he not state in relation to his own personal outstanding service charge of €4,320, in respect of his own personal apartment in Villamoura on the Algarve, quote; “Would you pay a charge if you were unhappy with the service? Did he not state on January 21st 2012 in the ‘Sun,’ newspaper, on page two to be exact, that he admitted his Household Charge was “Unjust.” My Dictionary defines ‘Unjust,’ as “inequitable, partial, unfair, prejudiced, biased, undeserved, unmerited, unjustifiable, lacking in justice or fairness.”

Just stop your whinging and get on with the tasks in hand, health is better than wealth. Let’s play chess with Phil, Move One; Potholes not fixed – Car Taxes not paid.

While you are playing chess tell Phil to return the Derrynaflan Hoard, the Faddan More Psalter, the Book of Dimma and the Two-Mile- Borris Viking Hoard, stolen from Tipperary, to boost Dublin City’s tourism economy, at the expense of Co.Tipperary.

“Me thinks ye Co. Councillors are a ‘soft bunch,’ and it is no wonder AIB are closing five of their rural bank branches here in North Tipperary alone.”

Craggy Island Drifts To Milleas Bar Thurles

Craggy Island’s most celebrated ecclesiastical celebrants, Fr. Ted Crilly, Fr. Jack Hackett and Fr. Dougal McGuire will be making a long awaited return of sorts, this weekend in Thurles.
Enthusiastic Father Ted fans will gather in Milleas Bar in the town’s Liberty Square to emulate all the characters, comedic cues and colourful kinks of the classic TV series.

The event takes place on the 28th July (Next Saturday) in The Castle Tavern (Milleas) Thurles, with all funds raised going to Suir Haven and North Tipperary Hospice. There will be a ‘Dancing Priest Competition,’ a ‘Lovely Girls Competition’ and here please note, local businesses can nominate a girl of their choice for just €10, to take part.

There will also be a battle of the bands for the best rendition of “My Lovely Horse,” and a raffle, containing some excellent prizes & all to raise much needed funds. This event is part of the “Get Back Challenge,” that has raised €10,000 over the last two years alone for North Tipperary Hospice and for Suir Haven.

Deirdre Ryan and Michelle O’Connell have just completed an 80k cycle in June last, to raise funds and this event is to further boost these funds already to hand.

Note: The event will be kicking off on Saturday next from 9.00pm and there is no cover charge, just a nominal amount to enter the various competitions. There will be live music and a DJ, so all in all it’s shaping up to be a great night, promising loads of laughter and good humour.

(Remember Ted and Dougal holding up the protest signs condemning the film “The Passion of Saint Tibulus.”)
Father Ted Crilly: Down with this sort of thing!
Father Dougal: Careful Now!
Possibly one of their funniest episodes ever.