Thurles Information

Vanishing Thurles.

How many people in Thurles can remember this house?

**The above picture was photographed by Jill Forrest in 1969**.

The photographer, Jill Forrest, was the wife of well-known artist/book illustrator Donald Forrest, both of whom hailed from Hastings, Sussex, on England’s south-east coast.

The Forrest family were previously owners of Farney Castle, close to Holycross, in Co Tipperary and at least one of their daughters was educated for a time, here in Thurles, by the Ursuline Convent.

The above rare picture of this quaint Thurles thatched building, was once the property of the McCormack family.

Those who can still remember the building, will also remember the delightful displays, set in drills, of Dahlias and the tall colourful supported stalks of trumpet-shaped blooms, known as Gladioli, (latter meaning ‘Sword’ in Latin).
Same flowers were then easily visible on the left side of the above dwelling.

**Former Jobst Ireland Ltd, medical goods manufacturing plant building as viewed today.**

Alas, the building is no longer to be seen; demolished by the IDA, to accommodate the short lived medical goods manufacturing plant, known as Jobst Ireland Ltd, once situated in the Archerstown Industrial Estate, here in Thurles.

Cases Of Coronavirus Last Weekend In Irish Republic.

The Department of Health in the Irish Republic has today confirmed 3,473 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19; up from 3,351 cases on Sunday. Yesterday, 2,865 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal.

Two previous days of Covid data were also released today, showing 3,351 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid and 2,574 people registering a positive antigen test yesterday.
On Saturday last 4,847 PCR-confirmed cases and 3,076 people registered a positive antigen test.

However, today there were 634 people with Covid-19 being treated in hospitals across the State, up from 594 on Sunday. There were 53 patients with Covid-19, also, in hospital intensive care units in the Irish Republic; 1 more than on Sunday.

Parents and guardians of children aged between 5 and 11 years of age can now book Covid-19 vaccine appointments online. Minister For Health Mr Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that this move follows on from advice offered by National Immunisation Advisory Committee.
Note: Children attending must have a parent or guardian present. Children attending alone will not be vaccinated.

In Northern Ireland, a further 2,235 cases of coronavirus were reported today, up from 1,865 on yesterday.

Today, there are 443 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals and of these, 12 patients are in their hospital intensive care units, an increase of 3 on Friday’s reported figures.

Sadly, 4 more Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today and a further Covid-19 booster vaccine is to be offered to all those aged 75 and over.

Man’s Body Located Following House Fire In Co. Tipperary

A man has, sadly, lost his life following a house fire in Co Tipperary, which is believed to have broken out sometime before noon today.

Units from Thurles fire Brigade were summoned by a passer-by, to the scene of the fire, which began in a bungalow near the village of Ballingarry (South Riding), Thurles, Co Tipperary.

When the house was examined by fire crew; the fire having been quickly extinguished, the body of a man was discovered inside, believed to be aged in his 40s. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The scene has since been preserved by Gardaí and a forensic examination of the house will now be carried out by members of the Garda Technical Bureau, to determine the actual cause of the fire.

The body of the man was removed to South Tipperary General Hospital before being moved to Waterford University Hospital, where a postmortem will take place.

Enquiries remain ongoing; however it is not believed that there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding the fatal blaze or the mans death at this time.

However, Gardaí at Thurles are appealing for anyone with information regarding the victims last known movements or who may have witnessed the fire breaking out, to contact them immediately on Tel No: – 0504-25100.

Death Of Tony Gooney, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death today, Sunday 20th February, 2022, of Mr Anthony (Tony) Gooney, Butler Avenue, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Galboola, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Predeceased by his son Johnny and mother Catherine, Mr Gooney passed away peacefully at his home, under the devoted care of Vera and Ella.

His passing is most deeply regretted by his loving family, partner Vera, sons Chris and Stewart, daughters Ellie, Frances and Ella, grandchildren, extended relatives, Lorraine, carers, Ruby and Millie, neighbours, many close friends, together with colleagues in Funeral Directors Hugh Ryan Undertakers.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Gooney will repose in Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, on Tuesday evening, February 22nd, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
His body will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles on Wednesday morning, February 23rd, at 10:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed later by private cremation.

For the many persons who would have liked to have attended Requiem Mass for Mr Gooney, but are unable to do so, due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic; same can be viewed online HERE.

[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending Requiem Mass will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]

The extended Gooney family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Note Please: House strictly private. Family flowers only, donations in lieu, if desired, to Milford Home Care.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Anna Walker To Adjudicate Co. Tipperary Open Drama Festival At Holycross, Thurles.

The prestigious County Tipperary Open Drama Festival returns to St Michael’s Community Theatre, in Holycross, Thurles again, after a lapse of two years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Tipperary Open Drama Festival this year will run from Friday, March 18th, to Saturday, March 26th, starting nightly at 8:30pm, [except for the final night when it begins at 8:00pm, when awards will be presented].

It is also a return to centre stage for Mr Donal Duggan, who is Holycross Festival Director once again, for this prestigious festival, which has for decades attracted Ireland’s top drama Groups, staging first class plays by some of the theatre world’s most popular authors.

Having adjudicated across the length and breadth of Ireland, and having supported and nurtured a host of travelling players, Ms Anna Walker has agreed to adjudicate at this year’s Co. Tipperary Open Drama Festival, to the delight of the organisers.
Ms Walker, has performed on stage, screen and television, having first trod the boards as an amateur actress with The Olivian Players, in Dublin, where she won a host of best acting awards.

Plays & Players.

Friday, March 18th, (Open), “The Beacon”, by Nancy Harris, (Ballycogley Players).

Saturday, March 19th, (Open), “The Door on the Left”, by Killian McGuinness, (Carrigallen D. G.).

Sunday, March 20th (Open), “Conversations on a Homecoming”, by Tom Murphy, (Kilmeen D. G.).

Monday, March 21st (Confined), “Little Gem”, by Elaine Murphy, (Kilrush D. G.).

Tuesday, March 22nd, (Open) “The Beauty Queen of Leenane”, by Martin McDonagh, (Brideview D. G.).

Wednesday, March 23rd, (Confined) “Quite Moment”, by Mick Finn, (Kilworth D. S.).

Thursday, March 24th, (Confined), “One flew over the Cuckoo’s nest”, by Dale Wassermann, (Mullingar D. G.).

Friday, March 25th (Open) “Brighton”, by Jim Nolan, (Skibbereen T. S.).

Saturday, March 26th, (Confined), “The Kings of Kilburn High Road”, by Jimmy Murphy (Camross D. G.)