Thurles Information

Unexpected Closure Of Thurles Racecourse Under Bright Spotlight.

Depending on Irish weather, some 3,000 racing events are run across Ireland every year.
Irish racing got €76 million in State funding last year, 2024, (€25,333 per each race sponsored by the Irish taxpayer) and in its new strategic plan, it is suggested that Horse Racing Ireland aims to obtain a targeted figure of over €92 million, over the next 3 years, up to end of 2028. Do we know how this money is spent?

Following the unexpected closure of Thurles racecourse, the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) has stated that the combination of declining media revenue rights, together with rising business costs, over recent years, is instrumental in the continuing decline of Ireland’s smaller racetracks.

The shock announcement on Friday morning last, by the Molony family, citing the cost of doing business as a major factor in their decision to immediately close Ireland’s sole privately owned racecourse, most certainly caught Horse Racing Ireland (HRI); horse racing punters and local Thurles businesses, completely by surprise.

Local politicians claimed they knew about the families intentions, while local councillors were left speechless.

It is now reckoned that this Thurles racetrack would require a multimillion euro investment, in a effort to comply with new licensing requirements, same demanded by Irish Horse-racing Regulatory Board (IHRB).

Last June, 2025, the HRI and IHRB issued minimum requirements for all racecourses, including provision for watering systems. Thurles racecourse had lost three meetings at the end of last year, due to hard ground conditions and currently does not have the now required track watering system. To install, same we understand would require an investment of at least €300,000, to set this matter to rights.
Same is now essential for all tracks, following the regulatory body’s investigation into the sad death of jockey Mr Michael O’Sullivan, due to injuries sustained in a fall at this Thurles track, last February.

A total redevelopment of the Thurles racecourse facility, which would bring same up to the new required standards, is estimated to cost about €3 million and we understand that under Horse Racing Ireland capital development fund rules, the present owners would have to pay three-fifths of any future cost, amounting to €1,800,000.

This closure highlighted in Thurles has now put the finances of Ireland’s 25 other racecourses under a very bright spotlight, with many tracks watching with worried interest at the results of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) meeting with the Thurles track owners; understood to be happening in the near future.

The Irish Horse racing board (IHRB) rightly claim that their aim is to ensure all racecourses operate to high standards, with the safety and well-being of those participating, a major priority. They confirm that the new racecourse manual, is intended to support racecourses in that same aim over time and is not to impose sudden demands, which in turn creates unsurmountable barriers.

Clonmel Gardaí Investigate Male Death In Co. Tipperary.

Clonmel Gardai are currently investigating the death of a man found at a property in Carrick-on-Suir in Co Tipperary; the unresponsive body of whom was discovered during the early hours of this morning.

Emergency services were first alerted and attended at the Ravenswood estate, at around 3:30am, after the man was discovered unresponsive. Sadly, he was pronounced dead a short time later, with his body remaining at the scene.

The area has now been preserved for a technical examination and the Office of the State Pathologist has been notified.

Gardaí confirm that they are attempting to establish the man’s last known movements and are carrying out door-to-door inquiries in the estate as well as checking CCTV footage.

They are also appealed for anyone with information to come forward, including any road users who may have dash-cam or other camera footage and who may have used the Cregg Road area, between 8:00pm last night and 3:30am this bank holiday morning.

Those with information are asked to contact Clonmel Garda Station, Tel 052 617 7640, the Garda Confidential Line Tel 1800 666 111, or indeed any garda station.

A post-mortem examination will now be carried out.

Death Of Margaret Dwyer, Formerly Of Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness we learned of the death, today Monday 4th August 2025, of Ms Margaret Dwyer (formerly Flood), No. 14 Beechgrove, Castlebridge, Co. Wexford and formerly of Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her parents Martin and Eileen Dwyer, her brother Tommy and sisters Johanna and Anne; Ms Dwyer passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at Kerlogue Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughters Sarah and Aileen, son-in-law Patrick, grandchildren Karina, Emma, Jack, Patrick, Ella and Kate, sisters Mary, Eileen, Kathleen, Betty and Teresa, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms Dwyer will repose at Macken’s Funeral Home, Distillery Road, Wexford, (Eircode Y35 HP29) on Wednesday afternoon, August 6th, from 3:00pm until 6:00pm.

Her funeral cortège will be received into the Church of St. Ibar, Castlebridge, Wexford on Thursday morning, August 7th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in nearby St. Ibar’s Cemetery, Castlebridge, Co. Wexford.

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

The extended Dwyer 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.

Death Of Olive O’Donovan, Formerly Of Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness we learned of the death, Saturday 2nd August 2025, of Mrs Olive O’Donovan (née Morrissey), Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry and formerly of Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

Fuair an tUasal Uí Dhonnabháin bás go síochánta lena teaghlach san Aonad Cúraim Mhaolaitheach in Ospidéal na hOllscoile, Ciarraí ar an 2 Lúnasa 2025. Méala mór a bás dá fear céile, Pádraig, dá mac Eoin, dá gaolta agus dá garchlann.
[Translated from Irish: Mrs O’Donovan passed away peacefully with her family in the Palliative Care Unit at University Hospital, Kerry on the 2nd August 2025.
Deeply regretted by her husband, Pádraig, her son Eoin, her relatives and her grandchildren.]

Pre-deceased by her beloved son Donal, parents Johanna and Daniel, brothers Donal and Ned, and her sister Theresa; Mrs O’Donovan passed away peacefully, following an illness borne with admirable fortitude and forbearance in the presence of her family, while in the care of staff at the Palliative Care Unit, University Hospital, Co. Kerry.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving husband Patrick, son Eoin, sisters Mai and Angela, brother John, grandchildren Odhran, Fionán, Dara and Caoimhe, her daughters-in-law Kim and Aoife, sisters-in-law Marion and Liz, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Suaimhneas síoraí go raibh ag Olive uasal.
[May the noble Olive rest in peace.]

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs O’Donovan, will repose at the Gleasure Funeral Home, Matt Talbot Rd, Tralee, Co. Kerry, (Eircode V92 VK71) on tomorrow afternoon, Monday August 4th, from 3:00pm until 5:00pm.
Her funeral cortège will be received into the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rathass, Tralee, Co. Kerry, (Eircode V92 DX62) on Tuesday morning at 9:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 10:00am, followed by a private cremation service.

The extended O’Donovan and Morrissey families 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: Donations in lieu of flowers, if desired, to The Palliative Care Unit, U.H.K.

“The O’Donovan and Morrissey families wish to record their deep appreciation and profound gratitude to the Palliative Care Unit, University Hospital, Kerry, for the outstanding care given to Mrs O’Donovan and the compassion shown to individual family members at all times. The families also acknowledges with sincere thanks the support and assistance of HSE personnel for invaluable services rendered.”

“Silent, beyond silence listened for.”
(Poem ‘Clearances’ by Seamus Heaney)

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

A Song For A Sunday.

The Chain Of Love.

Lyrics: The late American musician Jonnie Barnett (1945 – 2002) and American country music singer and songwriter Rory Lee Feek.

Vocals: American country music artist Clayton Walker.

The Chain Of Love.

He was driving home one evening, in his beat-up Pontiac,
When an old lady flagged him down, her Mercedes had a flat.
He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the snow,
‘Til he said “I’m here to help you, ma’m, by the way, my name’s Joe“.
She said “I’m from St. Louis and I’m only passing through,
I must’ve seen a hundred cars go by, this is awful nice of you”.
When he changed the tyre and closed her trunk and was about to drive away,
She said “How much do I owe you?”, here’s what he had to say.
“You don’t owe me a thing, I’ve been there too,
And someone once helped me out, just the way I’m helping you.
If you really wanna pay me back, here’s what you do,
Don’t let the chain of love end with you.”
Well, a few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe.
She went in to grab a bite to eat and then be on her way.
But she couldn’t help but notice how the waitress smiled so sweet.
How she must have been eight months along and dead on her feet.
No, she didn’t know her story and she probably never will.
When the waitress went to get her change from a hundred dollar bill,
The lady slipped right out the door and on a nakpin left a note.
There were tears in the waitress’ eyes when she read what she’d wrote.
“You don’t owe me a thing, I’ve been there too.
Someone once helped me out, just the way I’m helping you,
If you really wanna pay me back, here’s what you do,
Don’t let the chain of love end with you”.
That night when she got home from work, the waitress climbed into bed.
She was thinking about the money and what the lady’s note had said.
As her husband lay there sleeping she whispered soft and low.
“Everything’s gonna be alright, I love you Joe“.

END