Thurles Information

Spotted in Thurles, But How Rare Is The Holly Blue Butterfly In Co. Tipperary?

The small Holly Blue butterfly is one of those bright, delicate insects that can be missed until it suddenly flashes pale blue in front of you. This one was spotted in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, drinking water from damp stones; a behaviour butterflies often use to take in moisture and dissolved minerals.

**The Holly Blue **Butterfly**, *(Celastrina argiolus)*.**
*Picture: George Willoughby.*

The Holly Blue, (Celastrina argiolus), is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.6 – 3.4cm (1.02 -1.34 Inches approx). It is usually the first “blue” butterfly, that people see in spring, and it can appear again later in summer.
Unlike the Common Blue, which is more often seen low over grassland, the Holly Blue tends to fly higher around hedges, shrubs, trees, gardens, parks and woodland edges. Its pale silvery-blue underside, marked with small black spots but no orange markings, is a useful identification feature.

So how rare is it in Co. Tipperary? Nationally, the Holly Blue is not considered threatened. The Irish Red List assessment lists it as Least Concern, describing it as common and widespread in Ireland, with evidence of spread in suburban habitats. However, that does not mean every sighting is ordinary at local level. In Tipperary, Holly Blues are present but still worth recording, especially because they can be easily overlooked as they move quickly through gardens and hedgerows. A recent Butterfly Conservation Ireland note describes the Holly Blue as a successful garden and woodland-edge species, seen in wooded parks, gardens, hedges and woodland, with a second generation often emerging in July.

Its success is closely linked to two familiar plants; namely holly and ivy. In spring, females lay eggs mainly on holly flower buds; later in the year, ivy becomes especially important for the summer generation. This is why mature hedges, old gardens, churchyards, woodland margins and ivy-covered walls can be surprisingly good places to find them.

The Thurles sighting is a lovely local record because it shows the species using an everyday urban or garden-edge habitat. Damp stones, puddles and wet paths can attract butterflies when they need moisture, particularly during warm weather. Leaving a little wildness helps: keep ivy where safe, allow holly to flower, avoid cutting all hedges at once, and grow nectar plants such as bramble, bugle, thistles and other native flowers.
In short, the Holly Blue is not rare in Ireland overall, but a confirmed sighting in Thurles is still a valuable reminder that Co. Tipperary’s gardens, hedgerows and green spaces can support beautiful native butterflies.

Anyone who sees one should consider submitting the record to the National Biodiversity Data Centre, as local sightings help build a clearer picture of how this small blue butterfly is doing across the county.

Death Of Teresa Mulvey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, today Thursday 9th July 2026, of Mrs Teresa Mulvey (née Harding), the Old Schoolhouse, Ballingarry (South Riding), Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mrs Mulvey passed away peacefully at her place of ordinary residence, surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving son David, daughters Catherine, Jennifer and Patricia, son-in-law Tony, adored grandsons Matthew, Dylan and Adam, extended relatives, neighbours, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing the deceased.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Mulvey will repose at her place of ordinary residence, the Old Schoolhouse, Ballingarry (SR) Thurles, (Eircode E41EW20), on Sunday afternoon, July 12th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Church of the Assumption, Ballingarry, (SR), Thurles, on Monday morning, July 13th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by a service of cremation at the Island Crematorium, Rocky Island, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, at 3:00pm.

The extended Mulvey 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 of Mrs Mulvey would like to thank most sincerely Mr Michael Dalton and staff and Ms Roisin Cleere”.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Death Of Frank Moore, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 8th July 2026, of Mr Frank Moore, Killoran, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

In his 91st year and pre-deceased by his parents Tom and Bridget, sisters Madie and Julia, brother Paddy-Joe; Mr Moore passed away peacefully while in the presence of his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving and heartbroken wife Maureen (Pidge), daughters Stephanie Ryan (Annacarthy) and Gena Carroll (Thurles), sons Thomas, Séan, Fergus and Aidan, sons-in-law Michael and Liam, daughters-in-law Breda, Nicola, Niamh and Pauline, adored grandchildren David, Jack, Niall, Ellen,Lauren, Emily, Luke, Sara-Jane, Grace, Rachel, Daniel, Ben, Robyn, Milly, Will and Fiadh, brother Michael, brothers-in-law Paddy Burke and Neddy Butler, nephews PJ and Eamon, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Moore will repose at his place of residence Killoran, Moyne, Thurles, (Eircode E41 WP77) on Friday afternoon, July 10th, from 3:00pm until 8:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of St Mary, Moyne, Thurles, on Saturday morning, July 11th at 11:00am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in Cooleeney Cemetery, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The extended Moore and Pidge 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: Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired to Friends of St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny, in memory of Mr Frank Moore.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Chris Ryan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 8th July 2026, of Ms Christina (Chris) Ryan, No.5 Abbey Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Shevrie, Upperchurch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family, extended relatives, former staff and management of Hayes Hotel, Thurles, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

Her funeral cortège will be received into the Church of St Joseph and St Brigid, Bothar-na-Naomh, Thurles, on Friday morning, July 10th at 10:30am to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in Upperchurch Cemetery, Cappanaleigh, Upperchurch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Note Please: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Suir Haven, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, in memory of Ms Christina (Chris) Ryan.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Ms 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.

Solas na bhflaitheas agus leaba i na n-aingeal di.

Death Of William Ryan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 8th July 2026, of Mr William Ryan, No.24 McDonagh Terrace, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his wife Mary, parents, brothers and sisters; the passng of Mr Ryan is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; Loving son Liam, daughters Marie, Margaret and Tina, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brother Patsy, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Ryan will repose at his place of ordinary residence, (Eircode E41 TN24) on Friday afternoon, July 10th, from 5:00pm until 7:30pm, before being received into the Church of Our Lady and St Kevin, Littleton, Thurles, at 8:00pm same evening.
Requiem Mass will be offered for Mr Ryan on Saturday morning, July 11th at 11:00am, 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.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.