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Thurles River Walk & Other Smelly Problems

The words “River Walk” should flash upon our inward eye, visions of tranquillity, a certain colourful exoticism or romantic allure. Alas, not so when we describe the Thurles River Walk, running southwest beside the River Suir in the heart of Thurles.

The stench from drains, each deliberately designed to flow into the river, from various nearby developments, ensured that walkers, today, kept to the well-trodden Slievenamon Road route.

If local residents, council officials or even politicians, wish to view this offensive run-off into the river, with the help of your nose you can find same, some 50 yards south of the new Thurles footbridge on the west side of the river bank walkway.

See picture above of what appears to be the overflow to a flooded sump, latter designed to collect undesirable liquids.

Even the delusional Jackie Cahill TD, last week; who soon will be responsible for bringing the World Cup to Semple Stadium, Thurles, thankfully, possibly because of the existing stench, kept his weekly concocted, fictitious and mendacious promotional video very short, when announcing €120,000 (amount €30,000 less than his annual salary & expenses) for an extension to this same walkway.

(Ah, yes you do possibly remember the above other J.C.; the guy who sent me the famous misspelt quote in relation to the “Double Ditch”: “Iv done more in 5 years than you have in youre life GEORGIE WILLOBY”. Stop emailing”. On €100,000 plus expenses J.C., we hope you have, but we greatly doubt it.).

Meanwhile, on the east side of Thurles town, the now derelict Munster hotel, situated close to a Medical Pharmacy; two Food Takeaways and two Dine-in Restaurants and opposite a most beautiful Cathedral; has allowed its underground cellar to flood to a depth of at least one metre. Owned by a member of Thurles Chamber of Commerce, we understand; the flood water now attracts water rats from the river to operate behind terraced houses in the area, while also collecting an abundance of litter. Here also we can expect to find a different, yet another unpleasant fragrance.

It would appear no one is in charge in the Thurles Municipal District presently. Maybe we need to have a public demonstration and a change in political direction, when we get this accursed Covid-19 under control.

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River Suir Pedestrian Walkway Closed.

As we posted on October 10th last; the decision to close the River Suir walkway to all pedestrians; [starting from the “Swinging Gates” at the junction of Thomond Road and Emmet Street, through to the junction of Slievenamon Road and Clongour Road.], forecast to commence on October 5th according to the Tipperary Co. Council website had failed to materialise.

Work eventually began yesterday, seven days late (October 12th) starting at the Thomond Road and Emmet Street junction. Currently the work being undertaken appears to be the installation of ducting to carry wiring for proposed future public lighting.

No drawings or details have been provided by council officials for this upgrade work, with those responsible claiming that such resurfacing of this existing pedestrian way and other works, does not require design drawings. They claim a Habitats Directive Assessment Screening Report has been carried out for this proposed work, with a local fisheries representative having been consulted.

Most people believe that this threatened upgrade is really to provide a cycling path, instead of the existing footpath, along the river bank, at the expense of leisurely pedestrian traffic and much badly needed seating areas.

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River Suir Walk, Thurles To Close, Effective From Oct. 5th.

The River Suir walkway here in Thurles will be closed to all pedestrians; starting from the “Swinging Gates” at the junction of Thomond Road and Emmet Street, through to the junction of Slievenamon Road and Clongour Road.

Same comes into effect from 7:00am on tomorrow morning, Tuesday October 5th to 7:00pm on Tuesday October 19th 2021.

The closure is required to facilitate resurfacing work, which has greatly angered local residents and those who over the years had freely volunteered, offered their servives to keep the area clean of litter, beer cans, wine bottles and syringes.

Sadly, none of the aforementioned volunteers were consulted about the resurfacing work and feel that the funding acquired should have been better spent on the river itself, now an embarrassing, foul-smelling eyesore, rather than spent on widening the existing walkway with tarmac.

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Thurles Town’s Magical Riverside Walk.

With huge “Thank You” to Catherine Fogarty, Rona Sorrell, Una and David Crowley, Mary Joe Fanning, Eamonn Medley and Eamonn Mason and indeed all who have contributed their voluntary service to this area of Thurles.

Thurles Town’s Magical Riverside Walk.

© Thurles.info 2021.

The Riverside Walk is a magical place
With butterflies, otters and trees,
There’s rushes, wild flowers and ivy,
Bird houses and honey bees.

There’s bugs and nettles and hedges,
Long grasses and ducks galore.
And it’s nice to take a walk there,
Alongside the River Suir.

And as you go along the walk,
There’s something else to see:
The entrance through a little door
Inside a rotting tree.

A tiny fairy lives there.
She checks that you are good
And taking care of nature,
Like everybody should.

And late at night she comes to life
And flies through Thurles’ streets;
Checking under pillows
For unwanted children’s teeth.

So why not visit this fairy
And the otters and ducks and flowers?
Come stroll along the Riverside walk
And while away the hours.

END

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Catherine Fogarty Reflects On Thurles Riverside Walk.

Picture courtesy T. Doyle, Thurles.

Speaking to Thurles.Info last evening, keen environmentalist, Ms Catherine Fogarty, has complimented the many volunteers, chief among them Una Griffin-Crowley, for their initiative in respect of the River Walk Amenity in Thurles. Ms Fogarty stated that “their actions are real rather than mere talk”.

Ms Fogarty correctly stated, “It is a sad fact that Thurles has severely neglected and abused the River Suir. The new addition of 12 Bird Boxes between Clongour and Thurles Town Park is indeed admirable and a welcomed sight”.

Ms Fogarty continued, “In my time with ‘Refresh Thurles, we developed the ‘SuirFest‘ event in 2019 and hoped it would grow into an annual Thurles event, celebrating that body of water, the River Suir.
Despite current Covid -19 restrictions, this of course can still happen into the future.

As regards the River Walk, it means different things to different people – some want an exercise option, in a relaxing outdoor environment – the presence of trees and wildlife enhances that experience”.

The absence of litter and anti social behaviour is essential to a positive experience.

Ms Fogarty continued, “The redevelopments at the former Erin foods site will bring some change as would future plans to construct a vehicular bridge at the Erin Foods site to cross the River and the construction of a road to link with the Mill Road.
This is some years away, but would change the environment considerably.
I would hope that our planning authorities would see the value in balancing the developer’s needs at the former Erin Foods site with the needs of the wider community.
The removal of the entire hedgerow at the river bank will mean a loss of biodiversity – we would lose a lot of bird habitats if this goes ahead.

Another current planning application seeks access to the lands to the south of the former Erin Foods site – this if allowed, it would see trees removed and the entire ambience of the space destroyed. I am referring to the pathway linking Clongour to the river.
It is good to know that the Council consider this as a critical artery route connecting to the River Path – protecting the existing tree canopy provided by this linear woodland is therefore essential.

I have proposed to the Council that the sliver of land on the Erin Foods Site south of the Roadway into the former Erin Foods site be planted with trees to effectively create a mini urban forest to supplement the value of the linear woodland. Thurles could lead the way in adding trees and habitats.

The installation of discharge points into the river in years gone by has left a legacy of damage, however the recent work in respect of 3 new discharge points seems to expose a most abusive mindset and demonstrates a minimal value placed on the riverbank as an amenity and a habitat.

There has been recent news of €120,000 funding for the River walk to be upgraded from The Willowsto Emmet Street“. This is welcome news but it is also puzzling as the funding was not listed on the breakdown of financing provided by the Council that detailed the €4.3 million in ‘Active Travel Funds’, allocated to County Tipperary, under the scheme for 2021.

The council confirms that the primary function of this section of walk/cycleway, from the Willows to Emmet Street, incorporating the pathway from Clongour to the river, is the provision of a safe walkway and cycling route for school children in the western side of the town.
Much hope had been pinned on an application to the Outdoor Rural Infrastructure Scheme, to bring the proposed Thurles River Loop walks, to a design stage; regrettably this was unsuccessful.

I now expect that the council will make another future application in respect of concluding a revamp of the route fromThe WillowstoTurtullaextending across “Ladies Well” to the “Mill Road”.
This area has so much potential with the provision of seating, interpretative signage, repairs to the river bank for safety reasons etc.
A previous report produced in circa 2000 by Anne O’Leary & Associates, had included a suggestion from Inland Fisheries, for the addition of sand on the bank of River Drish, to support Kingfisher nesting.
Alas, this delightful idea was not implemented and instead we have seen shocking levels of foliage/trees and hedgerow removed in the area between the River Drish and the Mill Road
.

If we are to achieve the important goals of World Earth Day, we need to realise that we must do better here in Thurles”, concluded Ms Fogarty.

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