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No Place For ‘Faint Of Heart’ At Holycross Pumpkin Fest Yesterday.

I want you to imagine the situation yesterday.

You get out of bed, bleary eyed and trundle along to your local Holycross Village Market. Your sole intention is to get a couple of your favourite apple sponge cakes; a bunch of organic carrots; a bee’s wax candle (well you never know when the ESB is going to be cut off these days); a loaf of freshly baked brown bread and your first creamy coffee of the day.

A female stall holder screams. You turn around and “God help us”, there they are; natives of Mars, North America, Transylvania and Tipperary.

Photographs don’t lie. Watch the video.

I first spotted a knife wielding bride of Dracula; then as if in a nightmare, a blood splattered Thurles Sarsfield hurler (looking, no doubt, for Kilkenny supporters; after they had dealt with Kiladangan); Vampires all operating in bright daylight; the blood thirsty Dracula himself; numerous walking Skeletons and Zombies; Witches old and young, all dressed in black; a crowd of Muppets (none of which had been elected to Dáil Éireann); a giant Bumble Bee; a Green Woman from Mars; a 68 million year old, sweet eating, Horned Triceratops Dinosaur from the late Cretaceous period (and they told us they were extinct!); a Changeling from the outer world, latter a member of that supernatural race Tuath Dé Danann (“the folk of the goddess Danu”).

Then as if things were not bad enough, Pennywise the dancing evil clown from “It” appeared out of nowhere, leaving me suffering from an attack of coulrophobia (that’s a fear of clowns).

Thankfully super heroes, Black Panther; Superman; Super Mario; a Super Megaforce Power Ranger, together with a Dragon Slaying Knight, in his shining armour, made their appearence, which as you can imagine, set not just my mind, but also the minds of the frightened stall-holders at their ease.

I need not tell you I was out of there like lightening having done my shop, and on arriving home, bolted the front and back door, before pulling all the curtains. Is it safe to go out yet I wonder?

October 31st, 2021 | Category: Community News, Entertainment, Tourism, Video | Leave a comment | |

Do Not Forget To Put Clocks Back One Hour.

Every year, we change our clocks on the last weekend in March and on the last weekend in October.

Despite the European Parliament voting in favour of removing daylight saving time, permanently, after the spring of 2021, we will still be changing our clocks again tomorrow morning at 2.00am. The notion of removing daylight saving time permanently was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Our clocks will go back one hour at 2:00am on tomorrow morning, Sunday, October 31st 2021; which effectively means you get an extra hour in bed.

But cheer up kids; there are just 59 sleeps left until Santa comes down your chimney on Christmas Eve.

October 30th, 2021 | Category: Community News, Video | Leave a comment | |

Remember – Today, Fri. October 29th, – World Stroke Day.

How would you feel if I said that in the time it takes you to read this text, you could lose two million brain cells?

Today, Friday October 29th, is World Stroke Day.

There are 1,440 minutes in the next 24 hours. Taking three of them to read this information could help you save a life.

ONE:

It takes just one minute to remember the importance of acting F.A.S.T., when someone has a stroke; because two million brain cells die every minute after a stroke.
Know the signs of a stroke and remember to always Act F.A.S.T. if you or someone you love is having a stroke.

TWO:

It takes one minute to watch this video hereunder, which shows the signs of stroke.

When we know the signs and Act F.A.S.T., we can save a life, a future, and preserve a past. Let’s look out for each other. Learn the signs, save precious time.

THREE:

It takes just one minute to share this post with friends and family.

October 29th, 2021 | Category: Community News, Education, Health, Video | One comment | |

Tomorrow Sat. Oct. 30th Three Hours of Pumpkin Festivities At Holycross Market.

Muppet Monster.

It is “Ready, Set, Go” for Halloween Festivities at Holycross Market, here in Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, tomorrow, with their extra special “Holycross Pumpkin Fest” taking place.

A host of spooky and other spectacular events will take off, promising to entertain young and old and guaranteeing the very best in family fun.

Market organisers will be seeking those skilled conker fighters to participate in the “Tipperary Conker Championship” which will result in a trophy and prizes for both the winner and runner-up.

Don’t forget Ruadhán Gormally, that incredibly talented Galway born puppet maker, who was recently featured on the Ryan Tubridy Show, will be here in Holycross Market tomorrow, to entertain and delight with a collection of his best puppets.

A “Muppet Monster” style Puppet will also be raffled off as part of the afternoon’s much anticipated festivities.

As stated, the market will be extending their opening time by one hour, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, with lots of extra music, tricks, treats and other shenanigans, for children and adults, in honour of this truly Irish tradition.

Meanwhile; the market organisers of this Holycross Market Pumpkin Fest, want to keep the family fun rolling out over the full Halloween holiday, with other ‘spooktacular’ Halloween activities after their market closes.

Create Your Own Halloween Puppet from Paper

After Ruadhán Gormally’s puppet display, you’ll be inspired to make your own puppets. To make these easy Halloween hand puppets, all you need is paper, glue, scissors and some ‘crafty’ creativity.

Make Some Halloween Garlands.

Street area’s and stalls at the Holycross Market will be decorated for Halloween. Why not have a go at making your own Halloween decorations? Many of us will remember making these paper garlands as children. Why not put a Halloween spin on this oldest of paper crafts. No skill required, just some folding and cutting with a scissors. Just click HERE.

Learn to Draw a Favourite Halloween Monster.

You are sure to see lots of creepy costumes at the Holycross Halloween Market. When you get home, why not learn to draw a few. As always, Art for Kids Hub offers hundreds of free tutorials on how to draw our favourite Halloween characters. With lessons for all ages and abilities it’s no wonder this channel has over 5 million subscribers. Click HERE.

Bake Some Halloween Buns with Mum.

Once you have eaten all the delicious cakes you bought at Holycross Market, try out some of these delicious Halloween bakes, courtesy of Oldlum’s by clicking HERE.

Play Some Halloween Games.

Still feeling competitive after the Holycross Conker Championship? Here are five other Halloween games that will provide lots of fun for young and old.
Halloween Charades click HERE.
Pin the Spider on the Web click HERE.
Wrap the Mummy click HERE. (Persuade Mum to buy a few extra toilet roll)
Halloween Relay Race click HERE.
Guess the Gross Food click HERE.

See you all tomorrow at Holycross Market Pumpkin Fest. – It’s the place to be.


October 29th, 2021 | Category: Art, Community News, Education, Entertainment, Food, Sport, Video | Leave a comment | |

Roundabout vs Traffic Lights For Clongower Junction, Thurles, Tipperary.

According to qualified engineers which
one is the ‘Better’ and ‘Safer’?

Roundabouts vs traffic lights has always been an argumentative topic, however it has long been agreed, based on extensive studies that in the majority of cases, the ‘Roundabout’ is far better and safer than a ‘Traffic Light’ controlled junction.

Drivers need to slow down and think at roundabouts, as opposed to trying to beat a red light. Overall, studies undertaken worldwide declare that the existence of a ‘Roundabout’, will achieve a 37% reduction in collisions as opposed to traffic lights.

Roundabouts also improve traffic flow. Cars do not have to wait for a green light and as such roundabouts promote continuous traffic flow in low flow or uncongested traffic; as is the case in a rural town like Thurles.
With a Roundabout at this junction, Gardaí can go about their real business, instead of directing traffic volumes where same is not necessary.

Roundabouts also cost less to implement. Over the long term, roundabouts are considerably cheaper to operate each year, as there are no electrical costs involved.

To sum up; qualified engineers declare that ‘Roundabouts’ are the clear winners of choice. They are safer, improve traffic flow, are cheaper than traffic lights and can be installed for use in most situations.

The introduction of ‘Roundabouts’ will also put a stop to elected local Councillors and TD’s having to embarrass themselves, by continuously going on radio to justify why engineers are constantly wasting large sums of taxpayers money.

Looking abroad; after a century of resistance, cities in the USA, which have to endure larger volumes of traffic, are finally learning to love the ‘Roundabout’ – the Bronx in New York has got its first – believing it to be safer and far better for traffic flow.

October 24th, 2021 | Category: Community News, Politics, Roads, Transport, Video | Leave a comment | |
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