Thurles Information

Major Funding Secured For New 5 km Thurles Loop Walk.

€447,300 awarded to extend walking route via Mill Road, in Thurles.

It is with great pleasure that the community of Thurles welcomes a landmark advancement in local amenities: a generous fund of €447,300 has now been secured by Thurles Lions Club to realise the long-awaited 5 km looped walk extension, starting from the heart of Thurles town-centre before meandering along the N62 national route to the “Lady’s Well” path stile entrance, positioned some 100 metres north of Thurles Golf Club. By following Lady’s Well main path, the rambler will then join the route at Mill Road (formerly Manor Mill Road, latter the ‘rat run’ or current inner relief road, for vehicles avoiding Thurles town) and the road locally known, affectionately, as “Fat Arse Boulevard”.

This funding is part of a number of Tipperary projects that have been allocated more than €900,000 between them to improve outdoor recreation facilities, is a minor part of a national fund of €16.5 million for 63 projects.

**Footpath plans advance for Mill Road in Thurles.**

Following the first publication of the planning application by Tipperary County Council, on 24th July 2024, same seeking the installation of a footpath on the Mill Road corridor, the project has now progressed significantly. Land access has been graciously granted by local residents along Mill Road, with, we understand Tipperary Council bearing the cost of acquisition. This co-operation paves the way for the looped walk to become a safe, well-designed pedestrian route for the community.

When complete, the new path will link the town centre securely with the outskirts of the town, via an attractive, town-to-country route, promoting greater recreational walking, better access for all ages, and contributing to the well-being and amenity of the Thurles area.
Observers have welcomed the scheme as a vital safety upgrade, especially along Mill Road, where pedestrian access had long been compromised by traffic speeds and inadequate parking provision.

When the local TDs catch wind of this scheme, their press releases will no doubt exclaim with great gusto how utterly thrilled they are to have “secured” this funding, for a project they only discovered existed yesterday via their inbox.

This awarding of funding marks a significant milestone, after one year and three months since the application’s initial publication, and confirms a concrete step towards long-envisioned connectivity for the region. Next steps will include detailed design, boundary works, signage, landscaping (including new native hedging) and final construction of the concrete 1.8-metre wide footpath along the route from the existing built-up path towards the bridge at Lady’s Well.

Residents, walkers, cyclists and families in Thurles now have cause to look forward with genuine excitement, the promise of “Fat Arse Boulevard” becoming a cherished walking loop is now indeed on its way to realisation.

Residents can find, view and download the initial plans and reports HERE. (Scroll to the bottom of the link provided).

FSAI Recall Some Templetuohy, Farm Fresh Foods Products.

FSAI recall specific batches of some Templetuohy Farm Fresh Foods chicken products, due to the possible presence of Salmonella.

Alert Summary dated Monday, November 3rd 2025

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.59
Product Identification: Please see table below for product details.
Batch Code: Use by date: 06/10/2025

Message:
The below batches of Templetuohy Farm Fresh Foods chicken products are being recalled due to the possible presence of Salmonella. Although these batches are past their use by date, they are suitable for home freezing. Consumers are advised to check their freezers for the implicated batches.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Product name.	Use by date.	Pack size.	Approval number.
Templetuohy Farm Fresh Foods Chicken Fillets.	06/10/2025.	460g.	IE 2892 EC.
Templetuohy Farm Fresh Foods Chicken Pascal.	06/10/2025.	460g	IE 2892 EC.
*Templetuohy Farm Fresh Foods Fresh Chicken Fillets 10/Tray.**	06/10/2025.	1100 g	IE 2892 EC.
Templetuohy Farm Fresh Foods Garlic Chicken En-Croute.	06/10/2025.	400 g	IE 2892 EC.

Nature Of Danger: People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. Other symptoms may include fever, headache and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Action Required: Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers & retailers:
Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

Death Of Matt Stapleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday of Mr Matthew (Matt) Stapleton, Atshanboe, Upperchurch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

In his 89 year and pre-deceased by his parents Jim and Josephine, sister Freddy (Kennedy) and brother Dick; Mr Stapleton passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at Fennor Hill Care Facility, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; brother Tom, nephews Conor and Eamon Kennedy, nieces Margaret (Kennedy), Josephine (Kinnane), Freda (Stapleton) and Marie (Kennedy), extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Stapleton will be received into the Church of the Sacred Heart, Cappanaleigh, Upperchurch, Thurles, to repose for Requiem Mass on Wednesday morning, November 5th, at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Kilvalure Cemetery, Drombane, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

Note Please: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Fennor Hill Care Facility.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Focus Ireland Founder, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, Passes Away.

Focus Ireland Founder Sister Stanislaus Kennedy (Sr Stan) has sadly passed away aged 86 years

The Religious Sisters of Charity are deeply saddened to announce the death of Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, known to so many across Ireland simply as ‘Sister Stan’, who passed away peacefully this Monday morning at St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown, Dublin.

A lifelong advocate for social justice, equality and compassion, Sister Stan devoted more than six decades to improving the lives of people experiencing homelessness, poverty and exclusion. Her remarkable legacy includes the founding of Focus Ireland, one of Ireland’s leading homelessness organisations, and several other initiatives that continue to have a profound impact on Irish society.

A powerful and fearless voice for change, she dedicated her life to service, compassion and justice, and her tireless work inspired hope in those most in need. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and the congregation. While there will be expressions of deep sadness across the country, it is hoped that her extraordinary legacy will continue to inspire future generations of activists and social innovators.

Born Treasa Kennedy on June 19th, 1939, near Lispole on the Dingle Peninsula, in Co Kerry, Sister Stan was one of five children in a farming family. Deeply influenced by her rural upbringing and her parents’ sense of community and care for others, she entered the Religious Sisters of Charity in 1958, inspired by the life and mission of the order’s founder, Mary Aikenhead. She was professed in January 1960 and went on to dedicate her entire life to helping others.

In the years that followed, Sister Stan became one of Ireland’s most respected and influential advocates for social change. Her vision and determination led to the establishment of ‘Focus Point’, later Focus Ireland, in 1985, an organisation founded to respond to the growing crisis of homelessness. Under her leadership, Focus Ireland grew, from a small advice and support service, to a national organisation providing housing, advocacy and a voice for people without homes.

Her commitment to inclusion extended far beyond homelessness. She played a leading role in supporting new communities in Ireland, co-founding the Sanctuary in Dublin, a spiritual centre for mindfulness and wellbeing and contributing to the development of a range of initiatives addressing loneliness, mental health and social cohesion.

Throughout her life, Sister Stan challenged policymakers and institutions to confront inequality and injustice. She was never afraid to speak truth to power and believed that real change required both compassion and courage. Her advocacy influenced social policy, helped shape public attitudes, and encouraged a deeper national conversation about homelessness and human dignity.

Sister Stan received numerous awards and honours for her work, including honorary doctorates and civic recognitions, but she always regarded these tributes as belonging to the people and communities she served.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Death Of Chris Heaney, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday, Sunday 2nd November 2025, of Mrs Chris Heaney (née O’Connell) Turtulla Cross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her beloved husband Eamon, sisters Nancy, Sheila, Elsie and brother Michael; Mrs Heaney, sadly, passed away while in the care of the Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughters Mary, Catriona and Michelle, sons Denis and Eamon, grandchildren Crystal, Adam, Róisín, Shane, James, Grace, Ellen, Donnacha and Jacob, sons-in-law Merle, Kevin and Tom, daughters-in-law Kate and Debbie, sister-in-law Breda, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours, wonderful carers and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Heaney will repose at Dan Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Upper Kickham Street, Dublin Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 XY47), on tomorrow afternoon Tuesday, November 4th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the nearby Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, on Wednesday morning, November 5th, to further repose for Requiwm Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Lognafulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs Heaney, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

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

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.