Thurles Information

Sporting World Salutes Josef (Joe) Veselsky.

Sporting world salutes Josef (Joe) Veselsky – Holocaust survivor, pioneer of Irish table tennis and lifelong learner – following His death, aged 107.

European Table Tennis Union and Table Tennis Ireland pay tribute to a man whose courage, community spirit and love of the game inspired generations.

**Josef *(Joe)* Veselsky** and **poster**
*‘For Democracy – For Czechoslovakia’*

Tributes are being paid across Ireland and the international sporting community following the death of Josef (Joe) Veselsky, Holocaust survivor, former International Table Tennis Captain and a towering figure in Irish Table Tennis, who died on January 3rd, aged 107.

In a statement, the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) said the European and International table tennis community is mourning Mr Veselsky’s passing, describing a life that reflected the “unifying power of sport” and the endurance of the human spirit.
Born in Trnava in 1918 in what was then Czechoslovakia, Mr Veselsky joined the Resistance as a young man after Nazi forces invaded. He survived the war in the Carpathian Mountains, while his parents and older brother were murdered in Auschwitz Concentration Camp, a loss that remained with him throughout his life. He was later decorated with the Order of the Slovak National Uprising for bravery.

After the Second World War, Mr Veselsky rose to the highest levels of his sport, captaining the Czechoslovak national table tennis team. In 1949, he and his wife Katarina (Kathy) fled the post-war political regime, emigrating to Ireland, where he built a successful jewellery business, despite arriving with limited English and no formal business background.

In Ireland, his impact went far beyond the table. Mr Veselsky became a key driving force in the development of the sport here, and later served as Life President of the Irish Table Tennis Association (now Table Tennis Ireland). Table Tennis Ireland said his contribution was recognised with multiple honours, including an ETTU Badge of Honour, and noted he was officially recognised last year as Ireland’s oldest man.

To mark his lasting legacy, the Joe Veselsky Award, introduced by the Association in 1986, continues to honour outstanding achievement in table tennis administration in Ireland.

Away from sport, Mr Veselsky also became celebrated as Trinity College Dublin’s oldest student, attending extra-mural courses for years and receiving an honorary Master of Arts in 2016, an acknowledgement of his remarkable commitment to lifelong learning.

Mr Veselsky is survived by his children Peter and Kate, and by a legacy that continues to inspire players, volunteers and supporters across Europe and beyond.

Funeral arrangements
A funeral service will take place at 10:00am on Wednesday, January 7th next, in the Victorian Chapel at Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, Dublin.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Death Of Patrick Stokes, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Sunday 4th January 2026, of Mr Patrick Stokes, Galbertstown, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

In his 95th year and pre-deceased by his sister Renee (Fitzpatrick) and brother Nicholas; Mr Stokes passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, following a short illness, while in the care of staff at Acorn Lodge Nursing Home, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Moira, daughters Alma, Roma and Valerie, son Frank, adored grandchildren Ciara, Rory, Alex, Isabel, Laura, Ben, Melissa and Naomi, sons-in-law Thierry (Sueur) and Fergal (O’Mongain), daughter-in-law Elaine (née Crowley), nephews, nieces, brother-in-law Alfred (Butler), sisters-in-law Kay and Pauline (Butler), cousins, extended relatives, great neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Stokes, will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP58), on Wednesday afternoon, January 7th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.

His remains will be received into the former Cistercian Monastery Abbey Church, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, (Eircode E41 PH01) on Thursday morning January 8th at 11:00am to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

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

The extended Stokes 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Thank God For The Radio.

Lyrics: American country singer and songwriter, the late Max D. Barnes (1935-2004) and American songwriter and former employee of the record label Ovation Records, Robert John Jones.
Vocals: American neotraditional country singer/songwriter Alan Eugene Jackson.

Thank God For The Radio.

Thank God For The Radio.

On the wrong end of the highway,
When a long night has no end,
When there’s no one there beside me,
Till I hold you once again.
Thank God for the radio,
When I’m on the road,
When I’m far from home,
An’ feelin’ blue.
Thank God for the radio,
Playin’ all night long,
Playin’ all the songs that mean so much,
To me and you.
There’s a song, that we first danced to,
And there’s a song, they played the night we met,
And there’s a song, we first made love to,
That’s a song, I’ll never forget.
So, thank God for the radio,
When I’m on the road,
When I’m far from home,
And feelin’ blue.
Thank God for the radio,
Playin’ all night long,
Playin’ all the songs that mean so much,
To me and you.
Thank God for the radio,
When I’m on the road,
When I’m far from home,
And feelin’ blue.
Thank God for the radio,
Playin’ all night long,
Playin’ all the songs that mean so much,
To me and you.
Playin’ all the songs that mean so much,
To me and you.
Thank God for the radio.

END

Death Of Larry Ryan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Sunday 4th January 2026, of Mr Larry Ryan (Larry), Liscrea, Bouladuff, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Tim and Josie, his brothers John and Pakie and brother-in-law Tom; Mr Ryan passed away peacefully, while in the care of the staff at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; sisters Kathleen (Hennessy) and Eileen (Nellie) and brother Timmie, sisters in law Margaret, Pat and Maura, his special friend Kitty, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Ryan will repose at Stapleton’s Funeral Home, Pallas Street, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, (Eircode E41 YT20), on Monday afternoon, January 5th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of St Laurence O’Toole, Inch, The Ragg, Thurles, on Tuesday morning at 11:40am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in St Michael’s cemetery, Bouladuff, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Lily Maher, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Sunday 4th January 2026, of Mrs Lily Maher (née Ryan), Athnid, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly Cappamore, Co. Limerick.

Pre-deceased by her beloved husband Paddy, parents Elizabeth and John; Mrs Maher passed away peacefully, following a short illness while in the care of staff at Tipperary University Hospital.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving sons Paul and Colm, daughters-in-law Tricia and Siobhan, grandchildren Emma, Aisling and Aoife, sisters Bridget and Marie, brothers Tommy and John, nephews, nieces, sister-in-law Mary, brothers-in-law Connie and Dick, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Maher will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59) on Tuesday afternoon, January 6th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, on Wednesday morning January 7th, at 10:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Lognafulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Maher 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.