Thurles Information

Golden Age Hollywood Star Ann Blyth Dies At The Age Of 98.

Ann (Anne) Marie Blyth, the singer and Oscar-nominated actress remembered for her unforgettable performance as Veda Pierce in the 1945 classic Mildred Pierce, has died at the age of 98.

The Hollywood Golden Age star died of natural causes on Wednesday, according to US media reports.

Blyth became widely known as Joan Crawford’s spoiled and scheming on-screen daughter in Mildred Pierce, a role she played as a teenager. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and helped make her one of the standout young stars of the era.

The film also brought Crawford the only Oscar of her career, for Best Actress, and remains one of the defining melodramas of 1940s Hollywood.

Born Ann Marie Blyth in Mount Kisco, New York, on 16 August 1928, Blyth began performing at a young age, first as a singer and stage performer before moving into films. Her soprano voice later helped her move naturally into musical roles.

Across the 1940s and 1950s, she appeared in a wide range of films, including Brute Force, Mr Peabody and the Mermaid, The Great Caruso, One Minute to Zero, The World in His Arms, The Student Prince, Kismet and The Helen Morgan Story.

Her career was briefly halted after she suffered a serious back injury in a toboggan accident, but she later returned to the screen and continued to work in film, theatre and television.

After stepping away from cinema in the late 1950s, Blyth made occasional television appearances, including roles in The Twilight Zone and Murder, She Wrote. Her final screen appearance came in a 1985 episode of Murder, She Wrote.

Blyth was married to James McNulty from 1953 until his death in 2007. The couple had five children. In 1973, she and her husband, both Roman Catholics were accorded the honorific rank of Lady and Knight of the Holy Sepulchre in a ceremony presided over by Cardinal Cooke.

She now leaves behind her a legacy as one of the last stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, remembered for her grace, versatility and a chilling performance in Mildred Pierce that remains a landmark of classic American cinema.

Death Of Steve Ridge, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death on Tuesday last 16th June 2026 of Mr Steve (Martin Steven) Ridge of Calgary, Canada and formerly of Dublin, Ireland; Vereeniging, South Africa; Harare, Zimbabwe, and Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Maureen and Declan; Mr Ridge sadly passed away suddenly at his place of ordinary residence in Calgary, Canada.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Adri-Anne, daughters Genevieve, Bianca, Monique and Gianna, sister Cathy, brother Dec, aunt Patricia, mother-in-law Tessa, sisters and brothers-in-law, Liz, Tom, Tanya and Gerrie, Louise and Chris, Su-Mari and Johan, Jean-Pierre and Zelda, Eddie and Kobie, extended relatives spread out through Ireland, South Africa, and Canada, and many friends and family all over the world.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

A Memorial Service for Mr Ridge will be held in Miltown Parish Church, Miltown, Dublin 6 (St. Columbanus, St. Gall and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) on Friday July 3rd, at 12:00 noon, while a celebration of his life will be held in Calgary, Canada on Thursday July 16th, 2026.

The extended Ridge 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 measc na n-aingeal dó.

Death Of Joseph Fogarty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great personal sadness that I learned of the death yesterday, Wednesday 24th June 2026, of Mr Joseph Fogarty, Killahara, Dovea, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Loughmore, Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Jeremiah and Winifred; Mr Fogarty passed away peacefully, following a long illness, surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; sons Stephen, Anthony, Damien and Declan, grandchildren Amy, Cameron, Nathan, Cian, Darragh, Daniel, CJ and Óisin, daughters-in-law Michelle, Susan and Amy, son-in-law Graeme, brothers Dermot and Noel, sister-in-law Alisha, nephews, niece, cousins, extended relatives, former colleagues at McCoole’s Garage, Thurles and Tipperary County Council, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Fogarty will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59) on Friday afternoon, June 26th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm. His remains will be received into the Church of the Nativity of our Lady Church, Loughmore, Templemore, (Eircode E41 F5N0) on Saturday morning, June 27th, 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 Fogarty, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Fogarty 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 measc na n-aingeal dó.

Fresh Disruption On Kickham Street, Thurles, As New Pavements Dug Up Yet Again For Fibre Works.

Residents and motorists using Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, faced fresh disruption this morning after crews moved in to carry out further fibre/telecoms-related works along the street.

Newly installed footpaths ripped up yet again, with no notice of single lane Stop & Go traffic delays by Tipperary Co. Council; by Virgin Media or by WhiteKight Civils & Utilities latter undertaking the work.

The works, understood locally to be connected with Virgin Media infrastructure, involved barriers, cones and a mini-digger fitted with a jackhammer operating immediately outside homes and businesses. The activity has caused concern among residents, particularly as the pavements affected were only newly installed in recent weeks.

Locals claim no written warning or advance notification was given to householders before machinery arrived. Residents also expressed frustration that one of the busiest routes into and out of Thurles was reduced to a single lane, creating delays and raising fears of heavier congestion later in the day, particularly when parents travel to collect children from local schools.

Concerns have also been raised about the manner in which the works were being carried out. Residents reported personnel operating in a confined roadside area, with traffic moving nearby, while householders said vibrations from the jackhammer caused homes to shake. Some also complained of difficulty contacting Tipperary County Council, with one resident claiming it took roughly 20 minutes to get through, but without receiving any satisfactory clarification. Directly on a triple junction personnel have no radios and no con saw, resulting in stop signs not in use and an incessant vibrating high pitched hammering sound.

This latest disruption follows earlier concerns reported on Thurles.info regarding fibre/telecoms cabling repairs and the lack of written notice to affected homeowners. That earlier report also highlighted questions around responsibility, communication and delays linked to fibre infrastructure in the area.

The immediate issue for Kickham Street residents is not simply the inconvenience of roadworks. It is the apparent lack of communication, the repeated disturbance to recently completed public footpaths, and the effect on householders, pedestrians, businesses and motorists.

With evening school traffic expected to add further pressure, motorists are advised to avoid the Kickham Street area where possible and use alternative routes until the works are completed.

Residents are now calling on Tipperary County Council and Virgin Media, or their appointed contractors, to explain why newly laid pavements are being disturbed, why householders were not notified in advance, and when the street will be fully restored.

Awareness Levels Of Radon And Associated Health Risks Declining.

People’s awareness levels of Radon and associated health risks is declining, says the EPA.

Radon gas is Ireland’s largest source of radiation exposure and is a leading cause of lung cancer.
A new EPA survey of attitudes toward radiation showed awareness of radon gas has dropped from 82% in 2020 to 71% in 2025.
More than half of respondents were unaware of the link between radon and lung cancer. Even when people are aware of radon gas, fewer than half are likely to test their homes.
The most significant sources of radiation exposure in Ireland arise from natural radiation in the environment, including radon, and medical exposures. However, people are more concerned about nuclear facilities abroad and damage to the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published the findings of a national survey on attitudes to radiation in Ireland. Over a thousand adults were surveyed, on behalf of the EPA, to understand public awareness of, and concerns about, radiation.

The survey indicates that only 31% of respondents are concerned about radiation. Worryingly, the findings revealed the level of awareness of radon had dropped from 82% in 2020 to 71% in 2025. Radon gas is Ireland’s leading source of radiation exposure. It accounts for more than half of the radiation dose received by the Irish population and is the leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Radon gas can enter your home from the ground through small cracks in floors and through gaps around pipes or cables.

The survey found most people are:-
► Not concerned about the health risk of radon.
► Unaware that radon exposure is linked to lung cancer.
► Unlikely to test their home for radon levels.

Commenting on the survey, Mr Patrick Byrne, (EPA Director of the Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring), said: “The EPA is concerned to see a decline in radon awareness, and the continued reluctance among householders to test their homes. We found that many believe that their property is not affected. This is particularly worrying given that radon is our largest source of radiation exposure and a leading cause of lung cancer. Testing for radon in your home is simple and we urge all households to take this step to protect themselves and their families. It costs about €50 and the EPA website has a list of companies that supply the monitors. Reducing you and your family’s exposure to this harmful gas can be achieved using simple and effective methods.”

The survey found that one of the top radiation-related concerns was how nuclear facilities abroad affect Ireland.
Dr Kevin Kelleher, (EPA Senior Scientific Officer), responded to this, noting: “Although our survey indicates public concern over such facilities, our research indicates that a nuclear emergency abroad would not have a significant radiological impact on Ireland. However, it is reassuring to see that the public would follow guidance from Government and expert bodies in the event of such an emergency.”

The National Radon Control Strategy which is led by the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment, brings together departments and state agencies to take action to reduce radon risk. The EPA will use the findings of this survey to strengthen its awareness work under the Strategy to drive testing and remediation to reduce radon risk to people’s health.