Thurles Information

Thumb Out, Heart Up – Story Behind ‘To Try for the Sun’.

Donovan’s ‘Hitchhiking Song’ – “To Try for the Sun“.

Donovan’s “To Try for the Sun” doesn’t come roaring in with big declarations, rather it arrives quietly, carrying the kind of determination you only really notice when it stays with you.

Released in the US in January 1966, the single backed with “Turquoise,” gives us a song that feels like a soft-spoken pledge, “Keep moving, even when there’s no proof the road will lead you anywhere”.

To Try for the Sun.

Lyrics and Vocals: Scottish musician, songwriter and record producer, Donovan Phillips Leitch, known mononymously as Donovan.

To Try for the Sun.

We stood in the windy city, the gypsy boy and I.
We slept on the breeze in the midnight with the raindrops and tears in our eyes.
And who’s going to be the one they say it was no good what we done?
I dare a man to say I’m too young for I’m going to try for the sun.
We huddled in a derelict building and when he thought I was asleep,
He laid his poor coat round my shoulder, and shivered there beside me in a heap.
And who’s going to be the one, that says it was no good what we done?
I dare a man to say I’m too young for I’m going to try for the sun.
We sang and cracked the sky with laughter, our breath turned to mist in the cold.
Our years put together count to thirty, but our eyes told the dawn we were old.
And who’s going to be the one that says it was no good what we done ?
I dare a man to say I’m too young for I’m going to try for the sun.
Mirror, mirror, hanging in the sky, won’t you look down what’s happening here below?
I stand here singing to the flowers, so very few people really know.
And who’s going to be the one they says it was no good what we done?
I dare a man to say I’m too young, for I’m going to try for the sun.
We stood in the windy city, the gypsy boy and I.
We slept on the breeze in the midnight, with the raindrops and tears in our eyes.
And who’s going to be the one, they say it was no good what we done?
I dare a man to say I’m too young for I’m going to try for the sun.

END.

The song is tied to Donovan’s early, uncertain years, around Hatfield, Hertfordshire, U.K., his busking, hitchhiking, sleeping rough at times, and learning how to persist before anything “works out”.
Alongside him was close friend and fellow traveller David “Gypsy Dave” Mills, part of the shoestring, unconventional arty style life that fed directly into his earliest writing.

Donovan later described “To Try for the Sun” as essentially a hitchhiking song, and even clarified that its “windy city” isn’t Chicago, it’s Manchester. That detail keeps the track grounded: real roads, real cold air, real miles.

The hitchhiking of the 1970’s for the most part here in Ireland has faded, shaped by reported safety fears, a culture of distrust, and the sheer availibility and convenience of cars and modern travel.

The song’s message still lands, hope without hype, and a simple decision to always keep trying, anyway.

Death Of Nora Sheridan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 28th January 2026, of Mrs Nora Sheridan, (née Maher), Killoskehane, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her beloved husband John, parents John and Anne, sister Maura (Fanning) and brother Paddy; Mrs Sheridan passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, at her place of ordinary residence.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughters Anna (O’Meara) and Maureen, son John, her adored grandchildren, Conor, Aidan, Roisin, Jack, Eoin and Katie, her son-in-law Joe and daughter-in-law Debbie, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The funeral cortège bearing the earthly remains of Mrs Sheridan will be received into St. Mary’s Church, Drom, Templemore, on Saturday morning, January 31st 2026, to repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended Sheridan family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Death Of Francis Ivors, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 28th January 2026, of Mr Francis Ivors, Fennor, Urlingford, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Anthony and Mary and his brother Gerard; Mr Ivors sadly passed away suddenly at his place of ordinary residence, while in the presence of his family.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Eileen, daughter Lorraine, sons William and Richard, William’s partner Lauren, grandchildren Luke, Ava and Callum, brothers and sisters George, Lynn, John, Geraldine, Veronica, Fionnula, David, Ernie, Leonard, Tommy and Sharon, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Ivors will repose at his residence, (Eircode E41 H008), on Friday afternoon, January 30th from 3:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of the Sacred Heart, Gortnahoe, Thurles, on Saturday morning January 31st, to repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in Fennor Cemetery, Co. Tipperary.

The extended Ivors 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: House private on Saturday morning. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to a charity of your choice.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Not Storm Chandra – Just Cabragh Road, Thurles As Usual.

Thurles’ Daily Soaking Service Continues As Blocked Drain Turns Footpath into Splash Zone.

Residents and pedestrians using the Cabragh Road (Thurles town side of the old Sugar Factory site), report that roadside flooding over the past number of days is not a once-off weather emergency linked to Storm Chandra, but an everyday, repeat-performance hazard, caused by a blocked drain.

While Storm Chandra is a real named storm in the current naming cycle, with Met Éireann issuing commentary on its impacts nationally, locals say the Cabragh Road situation is far more reliable: it doesn’t need a storm, a warning, or even a stiff breeze to deliver ankle-deep water and a full-body rinse to anyone on the footpath.

**Photo shows standing water across Cabragh Road with surface flooding consistent with inadequate drainage.**

According to residents, the scene is depressingly familiar; cars, vans and artic trucks pass, water sheets across the road on both sides and pedestrians get soaked “to say the least”, simply for attempting to walk on a public footpath.

“First we’ve heard of it”, again.
Members of the public say they have contacted the local authority repeatedly, only to receive the now-classic response: “Thank you for calling, this is the first we’ve heard of this, and we will get back to you… hopefully a crew will get out there.”
Residents report that nobody gets back to anybody, no crew arrives, and the residential community continues to get “drowned”, with no public comment, they say, from local councillors.

A maintenance service, in theory.
Tipperary County Council’s own public information states that local authorities maintain drains and gullies on public roads by clearing debris to prevent flooding. Locals say Cabragh Road is an example of what happens when that basic function becomes optional.
Other Irish local authorities describe blocked gullies as a straightforward maintenance issue, with clear responsibility for cleaning and response pathways, the kind of normal, boring competence residents say they’d happily settle for on Cabragh Road.

Local reaction
A local spokesperson said: “We’d like to thank Thurles Municipal Council for developing this immersive, all-weather pedestrian experience, where the footpath comes with complimentary road-spray, and the customer service line assures you it’s the first they’ve heard of it, every single time.”

Another added: “Storm Chandra may come and go, but Cabragh Road flooding is part of the local heritage at this stage.”

What residents are asking.
Residents are calling on Thurles Municipal District / Tipperary County Council to:

Clear the blocked drain immediately and confirm completion publicly.
Inspect and jet/clean the line, not just “have a look”, to prevent repeat blockages.
Introduce a routine gully-clearing schedule for known trouble spots.
Publish a basic response standard for reported drainage hazards on public roads.

Because, as residents point out, a public footpath shouldn’t come with a soaking, and “first we’ve heard of it” shouldn’t be the default setting for an issue that locals say happens continuously; storm or no storm.

So tell me again “Why are we paying rates and property tax?”

Suirside “Public Art” Unveiled – Mystery Pipe Takes The Plunge In Thurles.

Local residents and visitors to the River Suir have this week been treated to the latest “upgrade” to the town’s riverside experience, with a section of substantial piping, (previously held up with binder twine and decades old iron brackets), having now visibly collapsed and is dangling into the flooded river.

**Barry’s Bridge, Thurles, Co. Tipperary**
*Pic: George Willoughby.*

What the pipe contains is not known. That uncertainty, however, only adds to the intrigue, because nothing says “welcome” to a riverside town like a large, unidentified piece of infrastructure lounging in the water, like it fe..in owns the place.

Residents say the visual impact has been obvious for some time, but the situation has now progressed from “unsightly” to “are we seriously just leaving that there?”
Come to think of it, didn’t I mention the problem only two years ago, back in January 2024, (See HERE), and then there was that time in February 2024, (See HERE).
The collapsed pipework has become an additional spectacle for people walking the riverside, a kind of accidental attraction, minus the safety signage, the explanation, or the reassurance.

“We’re sure a risk assessment is underway,” a spokesperson for ‘Concerned Suirside Observers’ said, “in the same way we’re sure the Lotto ticket in our pocket is probably a winner“.
In the meantime, the pipe has bravely taken matters into its own hands and made the move closer to the water.

Who’s meant to deal with this?
Without claiming what the pipe is (or who owns it), the public is entitled to expect that whichever agency is responsible for infrastructure beside and above a river will treat a visible collapse into the Suir as something more urgent than a minor aesthetic quibble.

In Ireland, Uisce Éireann is responsible for the public collection and treatment of wastewater, and states it has responsibility for cleaning and maintaining the public sewer network.
Separately, local authorities retain responsibilities across a limited number of water-service areas, including surface water drainage/flooding and water pollution.

Call for immediate action.
As Mikey Ryan said to me in the Arch Bar last night, “The only way you’ll get your own back in this town is to pee against the wind”.

Concerned Suirside Observers are calling for:

An urgent site inspection and public clarification on what the pipe is (storm water, wastewater, utilities, etc.).
Immediate stabilisation/removal of any collapsed or unsecured infrastructure in or over the river channel.
A public-facing timeline for repairs and for restoring the riverside area to a basic standard that doesn’t make the town look like it’s given up.

If anyone suspects pollution.
Members of the public who suspect environmental pollution can contact the relevant authorities; the EPA’s guidance on environmental complaints includes contacting your local council, Uisce Éireann, and/or the EPA.
The EPA also provides out-of-hours incident contact details.
For fish kills or urgent water-quality concerns, the EPA notes that Inland Fisheries Ireland can be contacted via its 24-hour confidential hotline (TEL: 0818 34 74 24).