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A Song For A Sunday.

“Runaway Train”

The message in the lyrics of the song “Runaway Train”, composed by Soul Asylum’s lead singer Dave Pirner and released in May 1993 (featured hereunder), highlights the feelings of severe depression. It also reminds both young and old individuals that our real world is not all a bed of roses. It also, importantly, highlights that we are not fully alone.
Few realise that the video and lyrics would later become more than just music industry entertainment: it would literally save lives.

Grammy Award winning American rock band “Soul Asylum”.

Tony Kaye has on many occasions recalled what inspired his video of this song “Runaway Train”.
He states that he was on his way home in Los Angeles, when an idea first struck him, having observed a poster by the road side. The poster was of a milk carton with a missing kid’s face etched on the side. He decided to use the faces of missing children in his “Runaway Train” video.

The National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children sent him the photos, and Music Television (MTV) the American cable television channel aired it with a message urging people to call, if they had seen any of the faces of those featured, then declared missing.

At first, the record company worried as no children had returned, but soon one child did and then came another, followed by another and another. The first located was Elizabeth Wiles, a runaway teenager who recognized herself in the video and reached out once again to her family.

Sadly not every story ended happily as some children had died, but each time one was found, the video was again updated with a new missing child’s face added.
In total, 21 of the 36 kids featured were actually located.

“Runaway Train”

Vocals: Grammy Award winning American rock band “Soul Asylum”.
Lyrics: Soul Asylum‘s lead singer, Dave Pirner.

“Runaway Train”

Call you up in the middle of the night,
Like a firefly without a light.
You were there like a blowtorch burning,
I was a key that could use a little turning,
So tired that I couldn’t even sleep,
So many secrets I couldn’t keep,
Promised myself I wouldn’t weep,
One more promise I couldn’t keep.
It seems no one can help me now.
I’m in too deep,
There’s no way out.
This time I have really lead myself astray,
Runaway train never going back.
Wrong way on a one-way track.
Seems like I should be getting somewhere,
Somehow I’m neither here nor there.

Can you help me remember how to smile?
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile.
How on earth did I get so jaded?
Life’s mysteries seem so faded,
I can go where no one else can go,
I know what no one else knows.
Here I am, just drowning in the rain,
With a ticket for a runaway train,
And everything seems cut and dry.
Day and night,
Earth and sky,
Somehow I just don’t believe it.
Runaway train never going back,
Wrong way on a one-way track.
Seems like I should be getting somewhere,
Somehow I’m neither here nor there.

Bought a ticket for a runaway train,
Like a madman laughing at the rain.
A little out of touch, a little insane,
It’s just easier than dealing with the pain.
Runaway train never going back,
Wrong way on a one-way track.
Seems like I should be getting somewhere,
Somehow I’m neither here nor there.
Runaway train never coming back,
Runaway train tearing up the track,
Runaway train burning in my veins,
I run away but it always seems the same.

END

Death Of Bridget Wells, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Sunday 17th August 2025, of Mrs Bridget Wells (née Connolly), Georgesland, Cashel, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre- deceased by her brothers Joe, Patrick, Michael and John, sisters Betty and Christina (Dinie); Mrs Wells passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, South Tipperary.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving partner Joe Shelly, sons Anthony and Patrick, daughter-in-law Nalini, grandchildren Stephanie, Sophie, Jody, Roisín and Cian, great-granddaughter Polly, brother Seamus, sister Mary, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Wells will repose at Devitt’s Funeral Home, The Lower Green, Cashel on Saturday afternoon, August 23rd from 5:30pm until 7:30pm same evening.
Her funeral cortège will be received into the Church of St. John the Baptist, Friar Street, Cashel, Co. Tipperary on Sunday August 24th at 12:00 noon, to further repose for Requiem Mass, followed by interment immediately afterwards, in Dualla Cemetery, Rathclogh North, Dualla, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Wells and Connolly 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.

Death Of Michael Nolan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, on Saturday 16th August 2025, of Mr Michael Nolan, Ballinastick, Coalbrook, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his loving wife Nuala (nee O’Mahoney), sisters Mary, Julianne and brother Tom; Mr Nolan passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving brother Willie, sister-in-law Teresa, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Nolan will repose at O’Connell’s Funeral Home, Killenaule, Thurles, (Eircode E41 HH66) on tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday August 19th, from 5:00pm until 7:30pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of St Patrick and St Oliver, Glengoole, Thurles, on Wednesday morning, August 20th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in adjoining graveyard.

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

The extended Nolan and O’Mahoney 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.

Former Pupil & Hockey Player From Ursuline Convent Thurles, Sinks Germany.

Mr Tom Ryan reports:

A leading hockey player and native of Newport Co. Tipperary was on target to score the winning goal in the over 45s Euro Hockey Championship final, against Germany, in Valencia Spain, last week.

The player, Barrister Ms EJ Walsh, daughter of Ed and Stephanie Walsh, of Oakhampton, Newport, was a past pupil of the Ursuline Convent, here in Thurles. Back in 1996, Ms Walsh made history when she captained her team to win the very first All-Ireland schools Senior Hockey final, for her school.

Ms Walsh is presently married to Mr Ray Delahunt and both reside currently, with their two children, namely Hannah (aged 11) and Sam (aged 10), at their home in Donnybrook, Co. Dublin.

Ms EJ Walsh with her children holding a painting showing the moment of triumph after EJ scored the winning goal against Germany. The painting was conveyed to canvas by renowned Dublin based artist, Zanya Dahl.

The whole family were in Valencia for the Hockey final and stayed on, in that city after the tournament, to enjoy a short break.
“I was glad to meet my friend, Linda Caulfield who captained Ireland’s Senior team for many years. We had shared accommodation together for years. Linda holds 151 senior Caps” said Ms Walsh.

Ms Walsh, who specialises in Civil Litigation, now works mainly in Dublin, but still practices on the South East Circuit and will be back in Tipperary when the courts sit again in Nenagh and Thurles.

“Winning in Valencia was great, but not like winning the Kate Russell Trophy, with the Ursulines convent school back in 1996” said Ms Walsh, who still has a great ‘grá’ for her old alma mater, which she formerly attended in Thurles.

That great All-Ireland winning team of 1996, held a lovely re-union in the Ursuline Convent Thurles in 2006.

Death Of Thomas Ryan (Jerry), Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, today Sunday 17th August 2025, of Mr Thomas Ryan (Jerry), Reiska, Kilcommon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Paddy and Etta (nee Hanly), brothers Fr Phil, Jerry, John and Pakie, sisters Marion, Nora, Kitty and Peggie; Mr Ryan passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny city, Co. Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Natalie, son William, daughters Mai (Gillman), Natalie (MacEntire), Valerie (Lowe) and Martina (Robinson), sons-in-law John, Gus, Damien and Phil, daughter-in-law Cliona (Tuohy), grandchildren John, Marion, Natalie, Philomena, Tom, Callum, Kate, William, Natalie, Sarah, Annabelle, Tom, James and Jack, brothers-in-law Jimmy Finn and Paddy McKeon, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended relatives,neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Ryan will repose on tomorrow afternoon, Monday August 18th at the private residence of William and Cliona, Knockmaroe, Reiska, Co. Tipperary (opposite Arrabawn Stores) [Eircode E41 F7Y0], from 4:00pm until 7:30pm, before being received into the nearby Church of St Patrick, Kilcommon, Thurles, same evening.

Requiem Mass for Mr Ryan will be offered on Tuesday morning, August 19th, at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

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

The extended Ryan 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 Kilcommon Parish Fund.