Thurles Information

Supported By AIB – One Hundred Million Trees Campaign Arrives in Thurles.

Mr Peter McCreevy Reports:

Regional Planting of Special Mini Forest Close to Dun Muileann Housing Estate, Mill Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
550,000 Trees to be Planted Nationwide Over Coming Months.

The One Hundred Million Trees (100 MT) Project is delighted to announce a new partnership with Tipperary County Council as part of the next phase of its 2025 national planting campaign. This ambitious initiative, which deploys a novel planting technique perfected in Japan* is well on course to plant 550,000 trees across Ireland at hundreds of sites by May of this year.

The regional planting programme now moves to County Tipperary with a significant event at the Dun Muileann Housing Estate, just outside Thurles undertaken today, sponsored by Allied Irish Banks.
A site has been cleared and transformed into a thriving green space with 5,500 native-variety tree saplings, contributing to the 100MT Project’s mission of fostering environmental sustainability and enhancing biodiversity.

**Pictured above are Ms Clodagh Loughnane**, *(AIB Customer Service & Sales)*, **Ms Nora Doherty** *(AIB Savings & Deposit Advisor)*, **Mr Richard Mulcahy** *(Co-founder of the 100MT Project initiative)* **and Mr Niall O’Gorman** *(AIB Business Customer Advisor)* **who attended, suitably attired for today’s tree planting in Thurles.**

Local volunteers, transition year students from local secondary schools gathered today to participate in this important crusade to create a greener, more sustainable future for the region.

Founded in 2022 by siblings Richard, David, and Tina Mulcahy, the 100MT Project has already passed some impressive milestones with 20,000 trees planted in its first year and 200,000 in its second year across 85 sites in 23 counties. The ambitious goal for the current planting season, is to plant a further 550,000 trees across 230 sites in 29 counties, by May of this year.

“AIB is delighted to support the tree planting at Dun Muileann Housing Estate for this meaningful native Irish tree planting project,” said Mr Nial Hogan, AIB Branch Manager Thurles. “AIB is committed to supporting communities and the transition to a low carbon economy and by combining our efforts, we are creating a lasting impact on the local environment.”

Ms Sharon Scully, Thurles Municipal District Administrator and coordinator, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, saying, “We are thrilled to partner with the 100MT Project and AIB for this important initiative. It is inspiring to see the response from the local community in Thurles who are coming together to make a small but important positive environmental impact, protecting biodiversity and contributing to the future wellbeing of future generations.”

Mr Richard Mulcahy, (Latter grandson of the late General Richard James Mulcahy TD) co-founder of the 100MT Project initiative, commented, “This event highlights the power of collaboration between local authorities, businesses, and communities in tackling environmental challenges. By working together, we can create lasting change and build a more sustainable future. We are rolling out this campaign at hundreds of locations this year in the knowledge that Ireland was once a densely-forested island with ideal conditions for tree growth. So far this winter season we have planted over 250,000 new trees throughout Ireland. It is ironic perhaps to call it a grassroots campaign when we are actually bringing back hundreds of thousands of native variety trees in to the heart of local communities around the country”

The 100MT invites community members, environmental advocates, and volunteers to get involved in achieving this season’s ambitious goal.

*Japan-The Miyawaki Method.
The project’s ambitious aim is to densely plant between 1,000 and 2,500 native Irish trees at a time across small areas of land using ‘the Miyawaki method’, named after Japanese Botanist, Professor Akira Miyawaki. This method of overplanting trees has been successful in creating over 1,700 forests worldwide, including three established forests in Ireland. By planting excess trees together, they grow considerably faster, denser, are more biodiverse, and most importantly create a very rapid carbon sink. This inexpensive approach requires significantly smaller planting areas and can be conducted on unused or fallow land across Ireland. Dense areas of afforestation can also actually play a role in reducing the impact of forest fires, while at the same time provide excellent areas of biodiversity.

For more information and on how to participate, visit https://100milliontreesproject.ie/.

Battle of Thurles.

Saddened to observe recently, that a plaque which commerated the battle of Thurles, has been damaged beyond repair, during efforts to prise same from its walled position, at the entrance to ‘Ard Carraig’ housing estate, situated east of the town, on the Dublin Road out of Thurles town.

“The Battle of Thurles”
by the late Michael Hogan (31st October 1828 – 19th April 1899) known as the ‘Bard of Thomond’.

The war-fires light gleamed red all night, along the mountain gloom.
King Dónal’s men are up again, from Limerick to Slieve Bloom.
From glen and wood, the bone and blood of his fierce and fearless clan,
In wild array, at dawn of day, o’er Ormond’s plains swept on.

From Waterford the Norman hoarde to the plains of Ikerrin came,
In vengeful haste the land to waste with sword and destroying flame.
Left and right with sweeping might, the headlong hosts engaged,
And life ne’er bled, in a strife so red, while that combat of bloodhounds raged.

But, as the heave of the mad sea wave is barred by the crag filled shore,
So that iron tide, on Durlas’s* side, was stopped by King Donald Mór.
There’s revelry high and boisterous joy from Cashel to Shannon’s shore,
And Luimneach waits to open the gates, for her conquering Donald Mór.

END

*Durlas – Irish for Thurles.

The above named Irish poet Michael Hogan was born in Thomondgate, Co. Limerick. His father was a wheelwright and musician, who crafted the flutes and fiddles that he played.
In his early years he worked at Russell’s Mill, Lock Quay, located at the entrance of the canal flowing into the Abbey River and later in life with Limerick Corporation.
In the year 1858, he married Ms Ann Lynch. They parented no known children.
A life-size statue of Michael Hogan today stands, erected to his memory at King John’s Castle Plaza, in Limerick city, since 2005.

Soon, between elected local Councillors, County Council officials and ‘idle hands’, nothing will be left of our local history.

Death Of Roseanne Corcoran, Formerly Thurles Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Monday 17th March 2025 of Mrs Roseanne Corcoran (née Varley), Cong, Co. Mayo; late of Kilmurry, Co. Wexford, and formerly of Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles Co. Tipperary and Grawn, Ballingarry South Riding (SR), Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her parents Patrick and Delia (Varley), her brothers John and Gerry, sisters Kitty, Josie and Joan, and her husband Martin Corcoran; Mrs Corcoran passed away peacefully.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; daughter Áine, sons Liam, Padraig and Martin, grandchildren Róisín, Clíona, Evan and Theo, son-in-law Christian, daughters-in-laws Deirdre, Dominique and Melissa, brother Michael (Nenagh), sisters Bridie Nalty (Cross), Rita Bane (Tuam), sisters-in-law Kitty and Alice, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Corcoran will repose at Burke’s Funeral Home, Clonbur, Co. Galway (Eircode F12 N9T8) on Sunday afternoon, March 23rd from 5:30pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her funeral cortège will be received into the Church of St Mary of the Rosary, Cong, Co. Mayo, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 9:30am, on Monday March 24th, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in Lisloughrey Cemetery, Cong, Co. Mayo.

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

The extended Corcoran and Varley 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 by request. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Irish Cancer Society .

Leaba i measc na naomh dá h-anam uasal.

FSAI Recall Batches Of Hogans Farm Turkey Burgers.

Recall of specific batches of Hogans Farm Turkey Burgers due to missing or incorrect ingredients listed.

Alert Summary dated Thursday, March 20th 2025.

Alert Notification: 2025.15.
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Code: Please see table below.
Country Of Origin: Ireland.

Product name.	Pack size.	Use by dates.
Hogan’s Farm Turkey Burgers.	400g	*25.03.2025, 26.03.2025 and* 28.03.2025**.
Hogan’s Farm Turkey Burgers with a Spicy Buffalo Glaze.	420g	*25.03.2025, 26.03.2025 and* 28.03.2025**.
Hogan’s Farm Turkey Burgers with an Asian BBQ Glaze.	260g	*25.03.2025, 26.03.2025 and* 27.03.2025**.

Message: The above batches of Hogan’s Farm Turkey Burgers and Hogan’s Farm Turkey Burgers with a Spicy Buffalo Glaze are being recalled due to the absence of an ingredients list on the labels.
In addition, the below batches of Hogan’s Farm Turkey Burgers with an Asian BBQ Glaze are being recalled as an incorrect version of the ingredients list is on the label. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Please also refer to FSAI food allergen alert 2025.A10.

Action Required: Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers and retailers.

Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Wholesalers/distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batches and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retail customers.

Consumers: Sulphur dioxide is an ingredient in the above batches of Hogan’s Farm Turkey Burgers. Sulphur dioxide is not declared on the implicated batches of Hogan’s Farm Turkey Burgers and Hogan’s Farm Turkey Burgers with a Spicy Buffalo Glaze. In addition, sulphur dioxide is incorrectly declared on the list of ingredients on the affected batches of Hogan’s Farm Turkey Burgers with an Asian BBQ Glaze.
This may make these batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of sulphur dioxide, and therefore, these consumers should not eat the implicated batches.

Public Planning Exemption Meeting Re. Thurles IPAS Centre Postponed.

Local Cllr. Mr Jim Ryan has confirmed that a planning exemption has been granted for the creation of an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre, to be accommodated on Mitchel Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

IPAS provides accommodation to people who have applied for international protection. It arranges accommodation and co-ordinates other services (including health, social services, welfare and education) for asylum seekers and people who have international protection.

In a post published on social media yesterday, (19/03/2025), Cllr Mr Jim Ryan stated that: “I can confirm that an application for an IPAS Centre for Thurles is progressing. A Section 5 permission has been granted by Tipperary County Council, to Kilbrin Homes in Cork, for exempted development status at an old commercial building in Mitchel Street. Based on initial drawings it looks like they will be constructing 15 internal units that can accommodate 81 people seeking IPAS accommodation.”

Note: To facilitate the full attendance of all stake holders; including officials and elected representatives, a meeting in relation to this matter, which was originally scheduled for Friday evening next, March 20th, has now been postponed until Thursday March 27th next, (this day week) starting at 7:30pm sharp in the Anner Hotel, Dublin Road, Thurles.

Unbelievably, Cllr Ryan has also revealed that this move has occurred without any consultation with local residents, their elected Councillors, TDs, Gardaí and other pertinent stakeholders.

Local residents and indeed residents of the whole town are dismayed and outraged that a development of this kind should progress without consultation with themselves and their elected Councillors.

**Readers Please Note: This building is no longer in the ownership of the Fitzgibbon family and is presently owned by Kilbrin Homes**.

Section 5 Exemption Declaration.
Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act outlines a mechanism through which individuals can seek formal clarification on whether a proposed development or a specific part of it would be considered exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission. This is a crucial tool for property owners, developers, and architects, as it provides legal certainty before proceeding with any development activities. Below is a summarised, detailed overview of Section 5 regarding exemptions from development.
Section 5 allows individuals to seek formal clarification from their local planning authority on whether a proposed development, or any part of it, is considered exempted development. This is particularly useful for ensuring that a project can proceed without the need for formal planning permission, provided it falls within the specified criteria for exemptions.
If the planning authority determines that the proposed development is exempt from planning permission, they will issue a declaration to that effect. This declaration provides legal assurance that the development can proceed without planning permission, subject to the conditions of the exemption.
Conversely, if the planning authority concludes that the proposed development does not qualify for exemption, they will inform the applicant that planning permission is required. This outcome ensures that all necessary regulatory and planning standards are met before the development proceeds.
Simply by obtaining a Section 5 declaration, same provides property owners and developers with legal certainty, reducing the risk of proceeding with a development that may later be deemed unauthorised due to the lack of planning permission.
This means that the developers will be able to convert the building without going through the usual planning processes.

In recent years, the residents of Mitchel Street have been subjected to the progression of developments that have brought significant problems to the area. Again, these developments progressed without consultation and unfortunately, it is the local residents of the area that have been forced to shoulder the brunt of serious difficulties that have arisen since. Tipperary County Council officials have been of little help.

It is fair to say that local residents are outraged, but the outrage stems from the lack of consultation on a development that will have an indisputable impact on this predominantly residential area of the town. Anyone who drives or walks along Mitchell Street will point out its many needs, least of all its narrow footpaths, that are frequently mounted by cars attempting to navigate the almost impassable narrow sections of the street.

As before, it will be the people of Mitchell Street and surrounding areas that once again will bear the brunt of any difficulties that may arise. It will not be the people who progress planning applications without consideration or consultation of those living nearby.

It is understood that no contract has yet been signed with the Department of Integration, but local Cllr Mr Jim Ryan states that plans indicate that there could be up to 80 asylum seekers housed at the identified site in the near future.

Important – Readers Please Note: Cllr. Mr Jim Ryan has confirmed that invitations to attend the public meeting have been issued to officials from the Department of Integration, representatives of the developer Kilbrin Homes Ltd and local elected TD’s.

Cllr. Ryan also has stated that he has seen a letter from the Department of Integration that was attached to the Section 5 Exemption application, that states they would be interested in signing an agreement with Kilbrin homes for accommodating IPAS applicants, once all relevant permits, permissions and licenses have been approved with the relevant bodies.