Thurles Information

Death Of Sylvia Cooke, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Tuesday 4th February 2025, of Mrs Sylvia Cooke (née Whiteford), Oakfield, Boherard, Ballacolla, Co. Laois and formerly of Newpark, The Commons, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mrs Cooke passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, while in the care of staff at the Sacred Heart Nursing Home, Crosspatrick, Co. Kilkenny.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; husband (of 62 years) Tom, daughter Sharon (Handcock), son-in-law Alan, adored grandchildren Claire, Ross and Kyle, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Cooke will repose at her daughter’s place of residence Oakfield, Boherard, Clough, Ballacolla, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 P934) on Thursday afternoon, February 6th, from 2:00pm, pausing for prayer at 7:00pm same evening. A Funeral service will take place on Friday afternoon, February 7th at 1:00pm at Kilcooley Parish Church (C of I), Kilcooley Abbey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary (Eircode E41 YY97), followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St. Canice’s Church graveyard, Ashbrook, Aghaboe, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 HX92).

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mrs Cooke, same can be viewed streamed live online, (Link to Follow Later).

The extended Cooke and Whiteford 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.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Thurles Plans For St Patrick’s Day Parade 2025 Are Taking Shape.

Mr John Kenehan, (Chairperson Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee) Reports:

The Thurles Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Monday 17th March 2025, and will leave from
Abbey Road at 2:15pm sharp.
The main sponsors of the parade are Tipperary County Council, the Thurles Chamber of Commerce and as in previous years local Businesses.
The Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee are once again seeking your support by sponsoring this event, donating funds towards organising the Parade.

Video: G. Willoughby.

The success of the Parade over the years is due to this generous sponsorship and the participation by local businesses, clubs, schools, residents’ associations and other organisations. The theme of the 2025 Parade is “Mythical Ireland, in the time of Saint Patrick”; Or “A theme of your personal choice”.
Entry, as always is free and all are welcome to showcase their business or organisation.
Note: As always, the Committee will advertise the names of all sponsors in local media outlets.

Video: G. Willoughby.

Prizes will be awarded as follows:

Over All Winner: €500 & Trophy Sponsored by Michael’s Jewellers.
Best Large Entry €250 & Trophy Sponsored by Thurles Supermac’s.
Best School Entry: €200 & Trophy sponsored by Thurles Shopping Centre.
Best Band Entry: €200 & Trophy.
Various Category Prizes: 12 Prizes plus Cash and 500 Medals.

For further information, please contact or text the Chairperson Johnny Kenehan @
085 1974620 or email durlaseileparade25@gmail.com or hello@thurlestouristoffice.ie
Post To: The Treasurer, Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, c/o Thurles Tourist Office, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, E41 C6W8.

Thurles Town Centre – Realigned Without Planning Permission.

At first, we thought it was caused by storm Éowyn, but then we heard that it was possible that proposed notion (or was it motion, whatever), put forward last December, by Fine Gael Tipperary Cllr. Ms Peggy Ryan; latter seeking more short term parking in the centre of Thurles, that had suddenly materialised.
But not so, on making enquiries, (facts not yet fully confirmed) it appears that one of the many heavy goods vehicles, laden with some 3500 kg (3.5 Metric tons) of produce; all of which are forced to pass daily through Liberty Square town centre, simply ran out of narrow road, while attempting to progress unto Slievenanon Road.

**Railings removed for the second time, on entering Slievenamon Road from Liberty Square.**
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

Thankfully, no Latte Coffee drinking pedestrians, normally seated in this general area, were killed or injured and the rate-paying businesses will happily have no problem in paying for the damaged railings. Engineers who came up with the farcical and ill-conceived planning of this area will not be found financially liable. Sadly however our one remaining local Thurles TD (we learned today) will no longer have speaking rights in Dáil Éireann, to ask for an update on funding for the 50 year old awaited ‘Ring Road’, latter the answer to this ongoing demolition problem.

**Railings removed last August for the 4th time and not yet repaired**.
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

However, look on the bright side; one additional benefit has come out of this latest piece of demolition work. Both sides of this junction, entering and exiting unto Liberty Square, are now almost a perfect match, thus greatly enhancing the Thurles town centre.

2024 Key Year For Provision of Timely Environment EPA Info.

Last year (2024) was a key year for the EPA, in the provision of timely and targeted information on the environment.

In 2024, the EPA completed more inspections, monitoring, and sampling than ever before, including:

Over 2,500 waterbodies monitored
Over 1,300 inspections of industrial and waste facilities
Over 210 urban wastewater treatment plant inspections
200+ Drinking water plant inspections
Continuous air quality monitoring at 115 stations
The EPA’s 2004 State of the Environment report highlights that across the five key indicators (air, water, climate, nature and waste), Ireland’s scores range from Moderate to Very Poor, and requires immediate, transformative action.

30th January 2025: In its Annual Highlights, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showcases its work in addressing environmental challenges across Ireland.

Publishing the review, EPA Director General, Laura Burke said: “A key priority for the EPA continues to be the provision of timely and targeted information on the environment. In 2024, the EPA published our landmark four-year assessment of the State of Ireland’s Environment. The report highlights the progress that Ireland has made, however, it identifies that future prosperity and health are threatened unless we better protect our environment. Delivering on the five key environmental priorities identified in the State of the Environment Report would support providing a healthy, clean and resilient environment for ourselves and future generations.”

During 2024, the EPA also published over 50 major reports on water, air, circular economy, environmental compliance and more. Highlights include:

Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 6.8% in 2023 – their lowest level in over three decades.
16 towns and villages continued to discharge raw sewage daily in 2024 – a reduction from 19 in 2023 but still unacceptably high.
A 2024 report showed that Ireland continues to rely on exporting municipal waste with 1.24 million tonnes (39%) of all municipal waste being exported in 2022.
79% of bathing waters in Ireland had excellent water quality in 2023.
EPA awarded funding of €18.5 million for environmental and climate research, a significant increase over previous years.
Latest figures show that less than a third of packaging waste is being recycled (2022 figures).
EPA’s Climate Change in The Irish Mind study showed that 53% of the Irish population correctly understands that climate change is caused mostly by human activities.

Concluding, Ms Burke added, “In 2025, the EPA will continue to use our expertise, extensive monitoring systems, evidence and research to protect, improve, and restore Ireland’s environment.”

Note: Further information is available in the EPA’s Highlights 2024.

NASA Warned Yesterday Of Three Asteroids Skimming Past Our Earth.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has stated it has been closely watching three giant asteroids that would be making a close approaches to our Earth.

One of them, called ‘2025 CF,’ and estimated as being 12 feet in width, was expected to come within 77,200 miles of earth; the distance being roughly one-third of the average distance between our Earth and our moon.

Same has not had a close encounter with Earth for the past 12 years and will not fly-by of our planet again until January 2033.

Two other space rocks, named ‘2025 CD’ and ‘2025 CE’, are estimated at being 22 feet and 43 feet wide, respectively. Relative to approximately the size of a bus, but are flying further away from our planet having made their way pass earth at a distance of 396,000 miles, and 680,000 miles.

While most flybys are harmless, NASA’s Planetary Defence Coordination Office continuously tracks Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) to assess potential risks. One asteroid, 2024 YR4, has recently raised concerns. Estimated to be 200 feet wide, it currently has a 1.2 percent chance of impacting Earth on December 22nd, 2032.