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Longford Pass, Co. Tipperary, An Irish Answer To Roswell, New Mexico.

“Out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. Behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.” Ezekiel Chapter 1

It’s being happening in Co. Tipperary long before the Roswell, New Mexico incident of July 1947, same still considered the most famous UFO case of all time.

Older people will remember that a flying saucer was supposedly struck by lightning, before crash landing, killing all aliens on board. Same wreckage was located by ranch foreman William “Mac” Brazel. Of course the claims were that the incident was covered up by the US government, who claimed it was simply a United States Army Air Force balloon.

Wind measuring device on Bord Na Móna bogland close to the area of Longford Pass, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Photo courtesy Two-Mile-Borris correspondent Mr Jerry Bowe.

Indeed, in the annals of American UFO history, few incidents have inspired as much fascination and speculation. Well that was until today.

For years local UFO observers in the Thurles area have kept what they saw back in early 1970, totally secret, refusing even to discuss the matter amongst themselves. However, recent happenings in the vicinity of Longford Pass, Thurles, Co. Tipperary; located close to the R639 south of the M8; forces me to break confidence. Yes, I report that Longford Pass and the surrounding area, is Ireland’s answer to Roswell, New Mexico.

Before I relate the frightening events of the early 1970’s, make yourself aware of the following; simply in the interests of health and safety, you understand.
If you and your partner should perchance, decide to take a nightly constitutional, for the betterment of your health; passing along the Clover Bog way, and if in the darkness you should look skyward, you will most likely observe a red flashing light.
No it is not a UFO. So fear not, a company called GaleTech Energy Services have simply installed this red flashing light on top of a 150 metre, approx. high structure, which in turn is supporting an instrument used to measure wind speed. (See image above).

Flying Saucers observed on Bord Na Móna bogland.

There have been, in all, 3 UFO incidents spoken about locally, in or around this area, starting first with a sausage shaped object as early as the late 1890’s. Another incident involving a UFO was reported closer to the Littleton village area, in the 1950’s, observed by 3 men, one of whom was a policeman; while the most recent siting occurred in the 1970’s.

The very large metal object observed in the 1950’s was watched having landed on the bogs surface for some minutes and was described as being of polished metal with circular windows. The object suddenly shone a beam of light on those watching, before spinning silently, whizzing off “at a speed faster than the speed of light”.

Having spoken to one of the observers, who witnessed the 1970’s sighting, he believes that the again large object he saw was sucking up bog water. The object he claims was in no hurry to leave and was viewed by a group of individuals working near the area of Drish Bridge, in Thurles.
This large object appeared to be stationary in the sky over the Longford Pass area. Spectators, having watched it for some minutes, saw the craft shoot out what looked like molten metal. Bright stars then flew around the stationary craft before it disappearing altogether moving eastwards slowly across the sky and out of sight.

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy”.

[William Shakespeare “Hamlet” ]

LIT Announced As New Basketball Ireland Centre Of Excellence.

Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) is now a Basketball Ireland Centre of Excellence.

Earlier today (Wednesday June 16, 2021), the national governing body for the sport on the island of Ireland, announced LIT and Trinity College Dublin as the latest Basketball Ireland Centres of Excellence, taking the number of centres to six nationwide.

Welcoming the announcement President of LIT Professor Vincent Cunnane said LIT was delighted to further develop its relationship with Basketball Ireland, thereby allowing for the further development of basketball in LIT and the region.

“The centre of excellence at LIT will provide a one-stop-shop for all the needs of Basketball Ireland teams and visiting teams. Here at LIT we have a renowned strength and conditioning programme as well as recognised expertise in sports data and analytics, and nutrition. These areas of expertise will be available to Basketball Ireland and the Centre of Excellence, along with our courts, meeting and presentation facilities, media facilities and changing rooms.”

Mr Jimmy Browne, [LIT Vice President Corporate Services & Capital Development] stated, “LIT is delighted to announce this important further development of our relationship with Basketball Ireland. LIT and Basketball Ireland have an ongoing relationship which culminated with the appointment of basketball development officer Niall Berry in 2020. The inclusive nature of basketball as a sport is perfectly aligned with LIT’s ethos, community reach and sporting philosophy. Today’s announcement will provide a platform to further enhance this ethos and the growth of basketball in the Mid-West region.”

Mr Niall Berry, BasketbalI Ireland Development Officer LIT added “Ireland’s international basketball teams have been doing a great job over the years competing in Europe. The Basketball Ireland Centres of Excellence, like the one here in LIT, give young basketball players a vision of a collegiate structure that will in turn encourage them to work hard to be involved in a Centre of Excellence. These young players will also see their own club members going to Centres of Excellence and travelling just down the road to LIT, to train and to play. These players will want to emulate that success and this in turn will have a massive impact on both the players and basketball in the region.”

Speaking about the LIT and Trinity College Dublin announcement Basketball Ireland CEO, Mr Bernard O’Byrne said, “This is another significant announcement to have renowned institutions like Trinity College Dublin and LIT as Basketball Ireland Centres of Excellence. They both have a strong track record in basketball and this commitment further reinforces it. With Ulster University, NUI Galway, Waterford IT and Letterkenny IT already announced, it illustrates our commitment to have a geographical spread of these facilities across the country, to reach all corners and provide top notch facilities for our basketball community, continuing to provide platforms for the growth of our sport.”

The Centres of Excellence will be used for national training camps for international sides, along with Basketball Ireland academies. There will also be the ability to host international fixtures, national senior competitions, intervarsity competitions, as well as local schools’ cups and blitzes.

Death Of John Walsh, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with the deepest regret that we learned of the death, yesterday Tuesday 15th June 2021, of Mr John Walsh, Cahir Road, Cashel, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Sarsfield Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Walsh, passed away peacefully at South Tipperary General Hospital, having received the last rites of Holy Mother Church.

His passing is most deeply regretted by his loving wife Kathleen (nee Shortt), his family Maighréad (Callanan), Peadar and Brighid; son-in-law Jim; grandchildren: John, James, Melanie, Christopher, Monica, Marilouise and Joseph, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Walsh will repose for Rosary at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Shanakiel, Co. Cork [T23 T389] on Thursday evening at 6:00pm. He will further repose for Requiem Mass on Friday morning at 11:00am, followed by interment, at 3:00pm in Cormac’s Cemetery, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

“Those who die in grace go no further from us than God, and God is very near”.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on his soul. Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for him.

The extended Walsh 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.

[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending (limited to 50 mourners), will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing and face covering.]


Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Field Buttercups On Emmet Street, Thurles.

“There, on stems waving in the air on a warm gentle breeze,
Buttercups, ebb and flow like restless tides on rolling seas”

[Extract from the poem ‘Sun-Kissed Flowers‘, by Jenna Logan]

The hairy leaved bright yellow field Buttercups growing on the west bank of the river Suir presently, East on Emmet Street, are indeed quite striking. But soon their petals will fall, leaving behind green spiky fruit, reminiscent of tiny chestnuts.

View on Sunday last, June 13th, east on Emmet Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Nowadays the younger generation are more fascinated by their mobile phone screens, rather than playing the childhood game of holding a buttercup under your chin to see if you like butter. As children adults had us believe that the colour of the flowers eaten by cows somehow got into the milk giving rise to the production of yellow farmer’s butter.

Buttercups will grow anywhere and have in the past been used to treat rheumatism and fevers.
The plants flowers contain a chemical ‘Ranunculin’, which, when the plant is broken, crushed or chewed, changes to the toxin called ‘Protoanemonin’.

Protoanemonin is a bitter-tasting oil that irritates the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, and is poisonous to horses, cats, and dogs. However, they generally don’t pose any real threat, because the toxin’s bitter taste limits the amount any animal will eat.

When dried these toxins which are part of the Buttercups makeup become harmless and so are edible for animals when found in dried hay.

Death Of Eddie Clowrey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with the deepest regret that we learned of the death, yesterday Monday 14th June 2021, of Mr Edward (Eddie) Clowrey, The Village, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, and formerly Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK.

Predeceased by his parents Tim and Anna (Yorkshire), his brother Frankie, sister Kim, brother-in-law Johnny Hayes; Mr Clowrey passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, while in the care of the palliative care staff at South Tipperary General Hospital.

His passing is most sadly missed by his devoted wife Biddy, daughters Deborah (husband Chris) and Lisa (partner Michael), grandchildren Carrie and Percy, brothers Tony, Gordan and Tom, sisters Sheila and Coleen, nephews, nieces, brothers in law, sisters in law, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The funeral cortège, bearing the earthly remains of Mr Clowrey, will leave his residence on Friday, June 18th, to be received into the Abbey Church at Holycross, Thurles at 11:00am, to repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by cremation in the Island Crematorium, Rocky Island, Spike Island, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork at 3:00pm.

For the many persons who would have liked to have attended the funeral service for Mr Clowrey, but are unable to do so, due to current coronavirus pandemic restrictions; same can be viewed online HERE.

The cremation service can also be viewed online HERE.

[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing and face covering.]

The extended Clowrey 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.