Thurles Information

Vatican Reports Pope Francis Has Passed away.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17th 1936 and who was Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, has sadly passed away this morning.

Pope Francis first became Pope after his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, resigned in 2013.

His death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a statement released by the Vatican. He said: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis”.
He passed away at 7:35am this morning.

He was the first pope from the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order), the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first born and raised outside Europe, since the 8th-century Syrian pope Gregory III.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of 1971 Irish Born, English Eurovision Contestant Ms Clodagh Rodgers.

The Warrenpoint Co. Down Irish singer Ms Clodagh Rodgers sadly passed away on Good Friday last, April 18th aged 78 years. Ms Rodgers, who had been ill for around three years, passed away at her home in Cobham, Surrey, England, where she had lived for many years.

Ms Rodgers was best known for her hit singles which included “Come Back and Shake Me”, “Goodnight Midnight” and “Jack in the Box” and albums including “You Are My Music”, “It’s Different Now” and “Save Me”.

Save Me

Ms Rodgers was asked to represent the UK in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. Despite being a Roman Catholic female and from Northern Ireland, she received death threats from the Irish Republican Army (IRA); latter who regarded her as a traitor, as a result of her agreeing to appear for the United Kingdom.
Regional juries decided she was the winner, with her song “Jack in the Box”, with lyrics written by John Worsley and David Myers. On Eurovision night she went on to finish in fourth place, behind Monaco, Spain and Germany.

Ms Rodgers was married twice; firstly to Mr John Morris in 1968, in London. Mr Morris later became her manager, with the marriage producing one son, before they divorced in 1979.
She married her second husband, guitarist Mr Ian Sorbie, in 1987; with whom she had a second son in 1984. They remained married until Ian’s death from a brain tumour in 1995.

Ms Rodgers had numerous successes on stage and screen, including ‘Sunday Night at the London Palladium’; ‘The Morecambe and Wise Show’; ‘The Two Ronnies’; ‘The Bill’ and became the face of ‘Bisto Gravy’, in a series of television advertisements.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

“Ormond Octaves” Choir To Perform In Thurles Cathedral.

A wonderful evening of music and song is being embraced with news that the Ormond Octaves Choir, with special guests, Music Generation Tipperary, will perform in concert at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, in just under 12 days’ time, on Friday, May 2nd, 2025.

The Ormond Octaves choir consisting of an 80 member four-part choir of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses was initially founded by its Musical Director, Ms Niamh Ryan, almost two decades ago and donates the proceeds of all concerts to worthwhile local charities and other worthy causes, throughout North Co. Tipperary.
The worthy cause, in this case, is the Thurles Cathedral Reroofing Fund, latter sadly having fallen into disrepair and is now leaking unto the ceiling plaster work, particularly during periods of high wind.

Included in the upcoming programme will be musical performances by special guests, “Music Generation Tipperary”, with vocal performances coming from Tipperary soloists, including tenors Willie O’Brien and Liam Brennan; tenor bass, Robbie Powell; alto, Edwina Morrissey; sopranos, Eithne Kennedy, Niamh Slattery and Maria McElgunn.

Expect to hear and enjoy the music from much loved musical shows, together with the songs of such artists as Simon and Garfunkel; Abba; Billy Joel; U2; Adele; Coldplay; Don McLean; Snow Patrol; Elbow; Lady Gaga and Toto, with a small sprinkling of well known and loved spiritual numbers.

This is an event for music lovers, young and old and not to be missed.

TICKETS: Tickets for the event are €25 each and are currently on sale at the Parish Offices in Nenagh, Holycross and Thurles and from Bookworm (latter situated in Liberty Square, Thurles).

Death Of Fred Stacey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Saturday 19th April 2025, of Mr Fred Stacey, Ballywalter, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Surrey, England.

Mr Stacey passed away peacefully on April 19th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; partner Tina (Peters), daughter Kim, grandson Josh, sister Launa, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Stacey will repose at his place of ordinary residence, (Eircode E41 T678) on Tuesday afternoon, April 22nd, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.

His remains will be received into the Church of St Michael, Kickham St, Mullinahone, Thurles, (Eircode E41 EW94), on Wednesday morning, April 23rd, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by a Service of Cremation, immediately afterwards, in The Island Crematorium, Rocky Island, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.

The extended Stacey and Peters 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.

“Both families would like to express their sincere thanks to all those who cared for Mr Stacey throughout his illness“.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Only Our Rivers Run Free.

Lyrics: County Fermanagh Irish musician and songwriter Mickey MacConnell. (Written in 1965)
Vocals: Irish male folk group “Onóir” (Word translated from Irish to English meaning “Honor”).

Only Our Rivers Run Free.

When apples still grow in November,
When blossoms still bloom on each tree,
When leaves are still green in December,
It’s then that our land will be free.
I wander her hills and her valleys,
It’s still through my sorrows I see,
A land that have never known freedom,
Still only her rivers run free.
I drink to the death of her manhood,
For the men who’d rather have died,
Than to live in the cold chains of bondage,
To bring back their rights where denied.
Where are you now when we need you?
What burns where the flame used to be?
Are you gone like the snows of last winter?
Will only our rivers run free.
How sweet is the life for we’re crying,
And how mellow the wine but we’re dry,
How fragrant is the rose but it’s dying,
How gentle the wind but it sighs.
What good is in youth when it’s ageing?
What joy is in eyes that can’t see?
When there’s sorrow in sunshine and in flowers,
And still only our rivers run free.
And still only our rivers run free.

END

“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Above quote by South African anti-apartheid activist and politician the late Nelson Mandela, (1918 – 2013).