Thurles Information

Importance Of Thurles One Hundred Million Trees Project.

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” – Greek Proverb.

It was great to see, once again, biodiversity being restored to the area of the Thurles Double Ditch, latter situated beside Dun Muileann Housing Estate, on Mill Road, in Thurles yesterday and sponsored by Allied Irish Banks (AIB).

In this area, not alone had the biodiversity been totally eradicated back in March 2023, but also a substantial piece of Thurles Heritage had been torn down and obliterated, courtesy of Tipperary Co. Council, led by now retired Thurles Fianna Fáil Councillor, Mr Seamus Hanafin and his known associates.

**Tree planters pictured above are students from Thurles Ursuline Convent Secondary School with Ms Anne Marie Fleming,** *(Tipperary County Council Biodiversity Officer)* **and Mr John Lanigan** *(Refresh Thurles)*.

**Tree planters pictured above are students from Thurles Presentation Convent Secondary School with Mr** **Richard Mulcahy** *(Co-founder of the 100MT Project initiative)*

So, how important was yesterday’s Thurles undertaking?

The two videos, shown immediately hereunder, should assist, greatly, in granting an understanding into the importance of yesterday’s Thurles project.

So what can we expect to see here in just 2 years from now?

Congratulations to all those responsible for yesterday’s undertaking, which, sadly, saw no elected politicians making themselves available to turn sods; however, in mitigation I suppose it wasn’t an election year and the trees were too small to allow the holding up of election posters, using tech screws.

Tipp Co. Council Approves Another ‘Section 5’ Thurles Planning Exemption

It has been confirmed today that Kilbrin Homes Ltd, has now decided not to go ahead with their plans for an IPAS Centre, scheduled for Mitchel Street, in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Meanwhile, news obtained by Thurles.Info today, confirms that Tipperary County Council planning has once again approved, yet another, ‘Section 5’ planning exemption application for a second property in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

This second application once again allows for the bypassing of planning approval regulations for the former Bed & Breakfast establishment known as Rosendale House, on Friar Street, latter situated west of Thurles town.

**Modular Home site for Ukrainian Refugees, Thurles, opened in 2023 last.**

The developer in this case is ‘Rosendale Property Limited’, Carrick-On-Suir, and we were unable to confirm whether this building/address is intended to accommodate Ukrainian Refugees or people who have applied for international protection (IPAS).

In mid 2023 new modular homes were already constructed here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, latter designed to accommodate fleeing Ukrainian refugees.

Local Cllr. Mr Jim Ryan has confirmed that, yet again, this move has occurred without any consultation with local residents, their elected Councillors, TDs, Gardaí and other pertinent stakeholders.

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.