Thurles Information

Killer Covid-19 Cases Reach 13,765 Today In Irish Republic.

There have been 13,765 new cases of Covid-19 reported by the Department of Health, here in the Irish Republic in the past 24 hours. Same recorded figures today represents the highest ever total number of cases confirmed in one day, overtaking the previous 11,182 cases announced just yesterday.
There are 378 patients with Covid-19 in our hospitals around the country, of whom 87 are being treated in intensive care units, down 2 on yesterday.

No figures for northern Ireland are presently available at time of going to press.

Health Service Executive has said Covid-19 vaccination clinics around the country will remain closed for Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day. Vaccinators will resume vaccinating the over-40s, healthcare workers and people with underlying conditions, on Monday, December 27th next.

Meanwhile, a government panel of experts in Israel has recommended a fourth dose of a Covid-19 vaccine for all people aged over 60 and healthcare workers.

In Australia researchers are conducting a trial to see whether squirting an anticoagulant (blood thinner) into the nose could offer protection against Covid. This nasal spray uses the cheap drug heparin in an attempt to neutralise Covid’s spike protein. When sprayed into the nose of a Covid-infected person it appears to make them non-infectious, the researchers have stated.

European leaders are reinstating coronavirus restrictions, as the Omicron virus variant continues to spread across the continent. Germany and Portugal are among nations announcing post-Christmas curbs and greater social distancing measures. Omicron is now the dominant version in many European countries.

Time to cancel now and celebrate later, rather than celebrate now and grieve later.

Death Of John Joe Maher, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Friday 24th December 2021, of Mr John Joe Maher, Garraun, Two Mile Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Predeceased by his wife Monica and infant son Mathew, Mr Maher passed away peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family and while in the care of staff at Fennor Hill Care Facility, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted by his sons Barry and Noel, daughter Marie, daughters-in-law Mairéad and Pauline, grand-daughter Éabha, sisters Bríd, Mona, Bernie and Mairead, brother Mattie, sisters-in-law Mary and Kathleen, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, good neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Maher will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on Monday evening, December 27th, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
His body will be received into the Church of St James, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, on Tuesday morning, December 28th, at 11:00am to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed immediately afterwards by interment in nearby Two-Mile-Borris cemetery.

[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending Requiem Mass will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]

The extended Maher family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Rural Rhapsody

Rural Rhapsody

Courtesy of Thurles Author & Poet Tom Ryan ©

I have learned to breathe with the earth,
In search of that elusiveness,
That other and beautiful birth,
Eternal happiness.

All my gruelling travail,
The sweat and the unshed tears
Are gone now, gone to the devil,
As are my life-long fears.

In a house by the trees and the fields,
Where the crows now ravish the barley.
Where the turf smoke upward soars
And late is always early.

I have shaped new–splendid dreams
And have loved an old–new vision.
The world is not what it seems
And I have learned a lesson.

We do not see for the sweat
That blurs the sight of the eye,
Fuming, forever we fret
Blind to that inward joy.

But in a home with a turf fire burning
And a woman to love the day,
I have no inward yearning
Nor any desire for the fray.

We have but a short, sweet hour
In a thought–feeling and more,
Then fade before the power
That was timeless long before.

A power so great and so awesome.
The heart can scarce withstand
Even a breath of its presence
That I have known in this land.

Where silence is still forever
And the world is a pithy thing,
Body from soul nigh sever
And strange is everything.

Fools that we worship the earth.
‘Tis but a path to home
And so, in sadness and mirth,
Go, journey, but not alone.

END

Tom Ryan, “Iona”, Rahealty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Crib Scene In Cathedral Of Assumption, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

St Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 1 to 7.

It came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (This taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.), and all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

**Christmas Eve Crib scene in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, December 24th, 2021**.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered, and she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Killer Covid-19 Cases Reach 13,924 Today On Irish Mainland

A further 11,182 cases of coronavirus were reported in the Republic of Ireland in the past 24 hours, up from 7,411 reported yesterday.

The latter confirmed figures represent the highest number of cases reported on any one day, since the pandemic began and overtakes the previous figure of 8,248 reported on January 8th last.

There are 393 patients with Covid-19 in hospitals around the country, a rise of 3 above yesterday. There are 89 of these patients being treated in intensive care units, a decline of 9 from yesterday and the lowest number since November 9 last.

The total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 here in the Republic of Ireland since the start of the pandemic stands at 5,890.

Ireland now has the second highest uptake rate in the European Union for booster and third dose vaccination.

On January 10th, 2022 all other adults aged 16 to 29 will be able to avail of a booster vaccine, as well vaccines for children aged 5 to 11.

Another 3,286 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Northern Ireland today, up from 3,227 cases reported yesterday.
Here also, today’s figures represent the highest number of daily cases reported in Northern Ireland since the start of the pandemic.

On Friday, there were 256 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals, up from 254 yesterday.
There are 34 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospital intensive care units, the same number as reported yesterday.
However, sadly, 3 more Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today, bringing their total number of deaths to 2,962.

Please stay safe and continue to take all measures necessary to ensure a safe and happy Christmas in Co. Tipperary.