Thurles Information

Community Recognition Scheme Provides €50,000 For Thurles Playground.

We learned this week, that some 6 weeks ago, that Tipperary County Council received €50,000 in funding from the Government’s Community Recognition Funding Scheme, to repair, yet again, the local skateboard park positioned in the playground in Thurles Town Park.
The skateboard park has remained closed for the second time for over the past 12 months, thus depriving some 10 skateboard owners of weekend fun.

Hopefully, a sign will now be erected informing other individuals that abandoned supermarket trollies are no longer permitted within this skatepark park area.

This Community Recognition Fund was first introduced back in 2023 and is a government initiative here in Ireland that provides funding to local communities to support the development of infrastructure and facilities in recognition of their efforts in welcoming and supporting people arriving from Ukraine and other countries.
The fund, which is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development, is allocated to local authorities, in this case Tipperary Co. Council, based on the number of new arrivals in each area. Projects include the development of community swimming pools, sports facilities, playgrounds, and community halls.

Regrettably, the filling of potholes is not included in this same Community Recognition Funding Scheme, which means that the Thurles streetscape must continue to remain looking like the much cratered, far side, of the moon’s surface. So our major pothole problem must remain in abeyance. Interestingly the word “Abeyance” comes from the Old French word “Abeance” meaning “gaping”; which aptly describes our Thurles pothole increasing epidemic.

The long promised, 40 year old, continuously sought “Thurles Ring Road” is not included in this funding scheme either. This is despite a 2024 report which confirms that traffic movement through Thurles, (depending on the day), averages between 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles, required to pass daily through our medieval streets, before entering unto Liberty Square; latter being our much restricted Thurles town center.

Rural Tipperary, it appears, must continue to eat the crumbs that fall from this government’s table. [My apology to St Matthew Ch15:V27].

One piece of good news however; the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has confirmed that the OPW will hand over the development of modular homes erected at Heywood Road, Clonmel, to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration shortly, thus providing much needed accommodation to those seeking temporary protection as a result of the war in Ukraine.

A spokesperson has stated that, from next week colleagues with the Ukraine team at the Department will work with the International Organisation for Migration, to place families in this new accommodation.

Thurles Planning Updates.

Thurles Planning Alerts from Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2560668.
Applicant: Laura Purcell.
Development Address: 1 Dallcassian Terrace, Kickham Street, Thurles.
Development Description: the removal of steel railings and low support wall to facilitate off street parking for two cars and to install matching paving brickwork in place of wall.
Status: N/a.
Application Received: 09/07/2025 and 11/07/2025.
Decision Date: N/a.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560668/0.

Application Ref: 2560661.
Applicant: O’Ceallaigh Westfield Ltd.
Development Address: Brittas Road , Thurles , Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: the development will consist of the construction of 52 X No. residential dwelling units, comprising of 3 X No. house-type G (4 bed 7person two-storey semi-detached house), 15 X No. house-type H (3 bed 5person two-storey semi-detached house), 18 X No. house-type K (3 bed).
Status: N/a.
Application Received: 10/07/2025.
Decision Date: N/a.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560661/0.

Application Ref: 2560656.
Applicant: Coffitz Limited.
Development Address: Thomond Road , Thurles , Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: change of use of existing ground floor area from retail/commercial use to veterinary clinic with all associated siteworks.
Status: N/a.
Application Received: 09/07/2025.
Decision Date: N/a.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560656/0.

Application Ref: 257.
Applicant: Rossa Drinks Ltd.
Development Address: Part Of 8 and 9 and all of 10 To 13 Parnell Street , Thurles , Co. Tipperary
Development Description: 1) revisions to the internal layout of the public house at the dining area, associated kitchen facilities and toilet facilities, 2) shopfront design on the Parnell Street facade fronting the dining area of the public house, 3) revised layout of the 1st floor.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 22/01/2025.
Decision Date: 01/07/2025.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/257/0.

Application Ref: 2460955.
Applicant: Harry Langley.
Development Address: Archerstown , Thurles , Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: a) the construction of a new dwelling house and access road; b) the use of an existing entrance; c) the construction of a secondary treatment system and soil polishing filter with all associated site works. This proposed development is within the curtilage.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 07/11/2024.
Decision Date: 01/07/2025.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2460955/0.

FSAI Warn Of Allergens – Bao Long Soup Seasonings.

Update to undeclared allergens in specific batches of various Bao Long Soup Seasonings

Alert Summary dated Wednesday, July 16th 2025.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A27 (update 1)
Allergen: Soybeans
Product Identification: (1) Bao Long Pho Ga Soup Seasoning; pack size 75g,
(2) Bao Long Hu Tieu Nam Vang Soup Seasoning; pack size: 75g
Batch Code: All batch codes and all best before dates.
Country Of Origin: Vietnam

Message: Further to FSAI food allergen alert 2025.A27, the above additional batches of Bao Long Soup Seasonings contain soya which is not declared on the label.
This may make the implicated batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of soya. Therefore, these consumers should not eat the implicated batches.

The affected batches are being recalled.

Death Of Jimmy Sweeney, Formerly of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, today Wednesday 16th July 2025, of Mr Jimmy Sweeney, No. 918 Glenshane Road, Carn, Dungiven, Co Derry and formerly of Templetuohy, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Sweeney passed away suddenly, but peacefully, while in the care of staff at Altnagelvin Hospital, Northern Ireland, surrounded by his loving family

Pre-deceased by his parent Patrick and Bridget and brother Joseph; His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Margaret, daughters Maria (Murray) and Ursula (Mullan), son Paul (Leon), sons-in-law John and Harry, grandchildren James, Liam, Eoghan, Joseph, Maranna, Brenda, Clare, Mary, Sarah, Senan, Eva and Esmae, brothers Michael, John and Thomas, sisters Bridget and Statia, Celine and Mary (Decanniere), brother-in-law Andy Rogers, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Sweeney will repose at his home (BT47 4SB) on Thursday morning July 17th from 11:00am until 10:00pm same night and on Friday morning July 18th from 11:00am until 10:00pm same night.
His remains will be received into the Church of St Patrick, Dungiven on Saturday morning, July 19th, with his funeral cortège leaving his home at 9:15am to further repose for Requiem Mass at 10:00am followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

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

The extended Sweeney 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 home strictly private on Saturday. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired to Saint Vincent De Paul Society (SVP)

Saint Joseph, patron of departed souls pray for him.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Ballad Of A Rambling Bard.

Ballad Of A Rambling Bard.

To ramble is to wonder at the majesty of life.
All its rich diversity, serenity and strife.
For many a year I rambled, aye, I met times good and bad.
Some had tea pots for this rambler, and others a dog gone mad.
Oh, it’s weary on that long road and how my feet get sore,
But what a pack of learning, it makes you ramble more.
For life’s to me is seeking, till there’s nothing more to see.
The more I think about it; it’s like eternity.
Often on the darkest road, with not a star for light,
I think of that fixed abode, where never falls the night.
When on the long and lonely bitter night in the whistling wind and rain,
Then oft my heart gives way to fright and my body is torn with pain.
‘Tis then I ponder journey’s end, when old and cold and sad,
‘Tis then I wonder where I’ll go, aye, wonder till I’m mad,
But then always dawns the sun, that miracle of the morn.
Broken, broke and bewildered with that sun I’m newly born.
And Nature, like a Spanish wine, engulfs my soul with joy,
And I go on the road again, but still keep asking why?
Ah, but the weary wherefores, that dull the heart of living,
That tear at the finest thoughts, in manner unforgiving.
Ifs and buts and constantly that never ceasing quest-
Sweet bird’s sweetest harmony, is reasonless the best.
Yet, nigh always in my roving I see strange sights, it’s true,
The lonely wonder of the moon, the awesome sea of blue,
Queer things that bother reason and ways beyond the mind,
Aye, and queerest of them all, the goodness of mankind.
I once met a widow woman, three biscuits were her store,
A cup of tea into my hand and then she had no more.
Yet did I see a wonder there, that no one could imagine,
The wonder of a heart of care and, aye, it baffles reason.
I think it’s all this giving that nothing can defy,
That makes life worth the living and living worth a try.
Just a friendly cup of tea and brown bread, sometimes bacon,
Oft drowns all rationality and reason’s overtaken.
Many a like yarn I’d relate, many a one tomorrow,
‘Tis love transforms the heart of hate, empties the cup of sorrow.
Lowlands, highlands, dale and glen, for many a lifelong season
I have trod time and again and ‘tis love gives me a reason.
Then my pen no longer traces each possibility.
Thank God for the friendly faces for they are life to me.
For all such is a mirror of that which will not die,
All troubles, tears and terror depart with all the why.
For love was never reason, all reasons of the earth,
My God, my bones were freezing, but joy was in my heart.
Dear God to whom we wander with every struggling mile
Scorn not the hearts that ponder, they only sleep awhile.
And one day we will waken with all this rambling o’er,
Never again to reason or wherefore anymore.

END