Thurles Information

Death Announced Of Respected Tipperary Racing Giant Edward O’Grady.

It was with sadness we learned of the death, at the age of 75, of Mr Edward O’Grady, Killeens, Ballynonty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, one of the giants of Irish National Hunt racing.

This morning, (July 28th), his family announced; “It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Edward O’Grady, who passed away peacefully yesterday evening at St James’s Hospital, surrounded by his family”.

Mr O’Grady took over his father Willie’s training licence in 1972 and celebrated his first winner with ‘Vibrax’, latter ridden by Timmy Hyde, at Gowran Park on January 27th, 1972.
His father had purchased the yard at Ballynonty, County Tipperary in 1947.

Mr O’Grady was one of Ireland’s most successful trainer at the Cheltenham Festival, with some 18 winners to his name. He was champion jumps trainer in Ireland for four consecutive seasons between the years 1977 and 1980, and also in the mid-1990s with horses like ‘Sound Man’ and ‘Ventana Canyon’.

During his lifetime he was associated with such significant horses as ‘Golden Cygnet’ (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 1978), ‘Sound Man’, ‘Time For A Run’, ‘Bit Of A Skite’ (Irish Grand National winner 1983), ‘Drumlargan’ (Whitbread Gold Cup winner 1983), ‘Mister Donovan’, ‘Sky’s The Limit’, ‘Prolan’, ‘Mucklemeg’, ‘Pizzaro’, ‘Flame Gun’, ‘Jack Of Trumps’, ‘Mr Midland’, ‘Loving Around’, ‘Staplestown’, ‘Back In Front’, ‘Ned Kelly’(winning 12 of his 27 races), ‘Grey Goddess’, ‘Rusty Tears’, ‘Mountrivers’, ‘Northern Game’, ‘Ventana Canyon’, ‘Sacundai’, ‘Hindhope’, ‘Hard Tarquin’ and ‘Cash & Go’ (Champions Novice Hurdle, 2011).

Mr O’Grady was closely connected with the emergence of Mr JP McManus as a leading owner, with both teaming up with ‘Shining Flame’, in 1978, to win the Galway Plate, together with other numerous big-race winners.

Mr O’Grady is predeceased by his second wife, Maria, their daughters Mimi and Rosie Mae, as well as his older children, Jonathan, Amber and Lucy.

Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.

Death Of Linda O’Keeffe, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death today, Monday 28th July 2025, of Ms Linda O’Keeffe, Roseville, Callan Road, Co. Kilkenny and late of Mullinoly, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her father Tom, brother Eamon and nephew Thomas; Ms O’Keeffe passed away peacefully, while in the loving care of staff at Roseville (Auora), surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving mother Josie, sisters Miriam, Carmel and Sandra, brothers-in-law Noel, Michael and Noel, nieces Ciara, Orla and Eimear, nephews Darragh, Donnacha, Ollie and Aidan, aunts, uncles, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms O’Keeffe will repos at Brett’s Funeral Home, Mullinahone, Thurles, (Eircode E41 EV78) on Wednesday evening, July 30th, from 6:00pm, ending with prayers at 8:00pm.
Her remains will be received into the Church of St Michael, Mullinahone, Thurles, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 12:00 noon on Thursday July 31st, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in St Michael’s Cemetery, Killaghy, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended O’Keeffe 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.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to all those who cared for Ms O’Keeffe throughout her life and illness.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

FSAI Recall McCormack Family Farms Spinach & Mixed Leaves Products.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland recall various branded Spinach and Mixed Leaves products, produced by McCormack Family Farms, due to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes.

Alert Summary dated Sunday, July 27th 2025.

Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2025.35.
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Code: Please see table below.
Country Of Origin: Ireland.

Message: The below branded Spinach and Mixed Leaves products are being recalled by McCormack Family Farms due to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes.

Product Name.	Pack Sizes.	Best Before Dates.
McCormack Family Farms Energise Super Mix.	100g.	29/07/2025; 30/07/2025.
McCormack Family Farms Irish Spinach Leaves.	100g, – 200g, – 250g.	25/07/2025; 26/07/2025; 27/07/2025; 28/07/2025; 29/07/2025; 30/07/2025; 31/07/2025.
McCormack Family Farms Mixed Leaves.	75g.	29/07/2025.
McCormack Family Farms Baby Leaves.	100g, – 200g.	25/07/2025; 26/07/2025; 27/07/2025; 28/07/2025; 29/07/2025; 30/07/2025.
Tesco Mild Spinach.	350g.	25/07/2025; 26/07/2025; 27/07/2025; 28/07/2025; 29/07/2025; 30/07/2025; 31/07/2025.
Egan’s Irish Baby Spinach.	250g.	23/07/2025; 24/07/2025; 27/07/2025.

Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale in stores.

Nature Of Danger: Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly.
The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks, but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers & Retailers:

Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated products from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Wholesalers/Distributors: Same are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated products and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers.
Caterers: Same should not use the implicated products.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated products.

UPDATE.

Product Identification: SuperValu Spinach bag (Unwashed); pack size 250g.
Batch Code: Best before dates; 28/07/2025, 30/07/2025, 31/07/2025.

The above batches of Supervalu Spinach are also being recalled by McCormack Family Farms due to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes.

Pigs Liver Casserole.

This 142 year old receipe, for Pigs Liver Casserole, was originally sourced from Mr Adam Hodgkins, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, back in 1883. (Any remaining family I wonder?)

Back then pig’s liver we are informed was “of a high standard in Ireland when cooked in the following way, and resembles goose liver”. Latter goose liver or “Pâté de Foie Gras”, French for ‘fat liver’, a specialty food product made up of the liver of a duck or goose fattened by ‘gavage’ or the administration of food by force, especially to a bird/animal, typically through a tube leading down its throat into its stomach.
In the Ireland of 2025, restaurants menus would possibly title Pigs Liver Casserole as French or Scandinavian Liver Pâté.

**Book ‘A taste of Ireland’** *(1968)* **and its author Theodora FitzGibbon** *(1916-1991)*.

This receipe is featured in a rare book entitled “A Taste Of Ireland”, initially published by Mrs Theodora FitzGibbon, some 57 years ago, in 1968.

The recipe, if you would like to try it, is as follows.

One lb (0.45 kg) pigs liver.
Six rashers of bacon (streaky if possible).
One large onion.
A little flour.
A half teaspoon of meat essence.
One tablespoon chopped parsley.
One cup water or stock.
Salt and pepper.

Remove the rind from the streaky rashers and lay two on the bottom of a casserole dish.
Rub the liver slices (see that they are not sliced too thin) in the flower.
Then put half the sliced onion on top of the rashers, followed by a layer of liver.
Repeat this until all the ingredients have been used up, ending with streaky rashers.
Season very well between layers, then add the Parsley, the stock of water, cover and cook in a moderate oven. (350 Fahrenheit Electric or gas mark 4) for no longer than one and a half hours.
The liver can be left in one piece if preferred, in which case cook for two hours.
Dish serves three to four persons.

Note: Pigs liver is regarded by medical experts as being highly nutritious; containing essential substances necessary for the body’s functioning, including vitamins A, B, and D vitamins, protein, folic acid (B9), iron, and certain digestive enzymes.

It is particularly high in vitamin A compared to other foods like meat, fish, eggs, etc. This high vitamin A content supports eye health, helps treat night blindness, and prevents dry eyes, and eye fatigue.

While not suitable for everyone, when eaten in moderation, liver can be a nutritious addition to your diet.

Death Of Kay Bourke, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death today, Saturday 26th July 2025, of Mrs Kathleen (Kay) Bourke (nee Hayes), Kinsale, Co. Cork and formerly of London and Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her husband Paddy; Mrs Bourke passed away, while in the care of her family, supported by staff at Haven Bay Care Centre and Dr. Helen Barry.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; daughters Rita and Catrina, sons Sean, Eamonn, Noel and Anthony, grandchildren Oisín, Clódagh, Oscar, Elly, Claire, Domonic, Tom, Stephanie, Jodie, Róisín, Olivia and George, great-grandchildren Sean, Teddy, Órlagh, Roscoe and Celeste, daughters-in-law Lorna, Marietta and Karen, sons-in-law John and Niall, sisters-in-law Mary (Burke) and Kathleen (Hayes), nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Rest In Peace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The remains of Mrs Burke will repose at Gabriel and O’Donovan’s Funeral Home, Kinsale, Co. Cork, (Eircode P17 WC61) on tomorrow evening, Sunday July 27th, from 7:00pm until 8:00pm.
Her remains will repose at Brett’s Funeral Home, No 6 Kickham Street Mullinahone, Thurles (Eircode E41EV78) on Tuesday afternoon, July 29th, from 5:00pm until 6:30pm, before being received into the Church of St Michael, Mullinahone, Thurles, at 7:00pm same evening.
Requiem Mass Mrs Burke will be celebrated on Wednesday afternoon, July 30th at 2:00pm, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in Kilbride Cemetery, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.

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 Burke and Hayes 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.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.