Thurles Information

‘Hydrangea Limelight’ On Liberty Square, Thurles.

Currently growing in the centre of Liberty Square Thurles, replacing what use to contain parking spaces, which in turn generated town centre footfall for once thriving businesses, we now find growing ‘Hydrangeas’. Same are of the medium-sized deciduous shrub variety known as ‘Limelight’.

‘**Hydrangea Limelight**‘, **(Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary**).
**Note**: Because the street is now so narrow, due to poor planning; heavy traffic *(In this case, more recently, a tractor and trailer)* is forced unto the flowerbed in order to progress forward. *(See also recent picture below)*.
*Pic. G. Willoughby*.

The leaves on this shrub are pale green, same attached to grey-green stems and from mid-summer to autumn their flowers display magnificent conical shaped panicles, emerging as a delicate ‘pistachio green colour’, before fading slowly to ‘death brown’ as it naturally drops its leaves.
An easy plant to grow and particularly beautiful; they will bloom year-after-year in the right location with little maintenance required, other than pruning them, once a year, enabling it to generate new flowering wood.

Hydrangea Limelight holds the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award for Garden Merit.

**Traffic forced to invade Liberty Square flower beds in Thurles town centre due to simply poor planning.**
*Pic. G. Willoughby.*

It is a very important task, each year, to prune ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas, as they flower only on new wood (In other words the shrub develops its flower buds only on new growth), with annual pruning producing a flush of new stems to carry the future year’s flowers.
‘Limelight’ hydrangeas are commonly pruned between late fall and late winter, when the plant is most dormant, and before the plant sets its buds for the next upcoming summer.
With the shrub having lost its leaves; one can get a better look at its shape and also get easier access, to the branches, to make clean pruning cuts.

Sadly, the ‘Russian Sage‘ plants, sown on the outside, to frame these ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas, are not looking so healthy presently. Also a recipient of a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award for Garden Merit; this deciduous hardy plant, with its upright, bushy grey-green leaves, attached to tall silver-grey flower-stems, should this year produce violet-blue flowers, attractive to pollinators.

‘Russian Sage’ was chosen because of its tolerance to salt, and it is hoped Co. Council trucks spreading salt on the icy winter street surface, would shield the ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas, enabling them to survive.
We wait in eager anticipation.

Again, poor engineering plans and even poorer administration, will decide the future of these shrubs and the town centre itself, with the upper unfinished half section of Liberty Square, now threatened with the loss of an estimated further 19 car parking spaces, if and when it is decided to undertake this now long awaited update.
Sadly, soon we may have a deserted town centre, with little or no footfall, if misguided government officialdom is allowed to make its delusionary progress.

Death Of Lillie Sullivan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 6th March 2024, of Mrs Elizabeth (Lillie) Sullivan (née Dunne), Sue Ryder Homes, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and late of Drimnagh, Co. Dublin and Rosmuc, Conamara Gaeltacht, Co Galway and Oughterard Connemara, Co Galway.

Pre-deceased by her husband Tom, sisters Peggy, Ellen, Ann and Josephine, brother Tom, and while in her 96th year of age; Mrs Sullivan passed away peacefully, residing at the Sue Ryder Homes, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her many nephews and nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Sullivan will be received into the former Cistercian Abbey Church at Holycross, Thurles on Saturday, 9th March, at 11:30am, to repose for Requiem Mass at 12:00 noon.
A Committal Service will take place on Monday morning, March 11th, in the Garden Chapel, Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, at 11:15am.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mrs Sullivan, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
Her Cremation Ceremony on Monday can be viewed HERE.

The extended Sullivan 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.

Note please: No flowers. Donations in lieu, if desired, to the Sue Ryder Foundation.

Thanks to the Sue Ryder staff and community in Holycross, where Mrs Sullivan enjoyed the last years of her life, in peace and comfort. Special thanks to Josephine and Ann-Marie for their enduring commitment and care for Mrs Sullivan; to Anne and Neill for their sustained friendship and support. Mrs Sullivan had strong faith and loved to say the Rosary. She was adventurous, always ready to sing and laugh, generous to everyone she met.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis i dteannta na Naomh agus na n-aingeal.

Death Of Maureen Maher, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 6th March 2024 of Mrs Maureen Maher (née Moriarty), Inchorourke, Urlingford, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her parents Jack and Mary, brothers John and Ritchie and grandson Craig; Mrs Maher passed away suddenly but peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her heartbroken husband Paddy, adoring family, Marie, Patrick, Majella, Michael-John, Israel, Alan, Eileen, Deboragh and Kevin, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunt, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Maher will repose at Doyle’s Funeral Home, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny (Eircode E41 XO38) on Saturday afternoon, March 9th, from 4:30pm until 7:30pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Church of the Sacred Heart, Gortnahoe, Thurles on Sunday morning, March 10th, arriving at 10:15am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 10:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in the Good Shepherd Cemetery, Gortnahoe, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Maher and Moriarty 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Death Of Marese Kennedy, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 6th March 2024 of Ms Marese Kennedy, Annfield, Bouladuff, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her father Denis and brother Paddy, Ms Kennedy passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Milford Care Centre, Co. Limerick.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her loving mother Nonie, brothers Shane, Donncha, sister Antoinette (Hassett), sisters-in-law Fiona and Rachelle, brother-in-law Tomás, Donncha’s partner Aisling, nieces Molly, Evie and Anna, nephew Quinn, Aunts, Uncles, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms Kennedy will repose at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, (E41 VX81), on tomorrow afternoon, Friday March 8th, from 4:30pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Church of St. Laurence O’Toole, Munroe, Inch, The Ragg, Thurles (E41 RC96) on Saturday morning, March 9th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment in St. Michael’s Cemetery, The Ragg, Bouladuff, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Ms Kennedy, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Kennedy 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.

Note Please: House private on Saturday morning. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Milford Care Centre.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Decision To Increase Retirement Age Of Gardaí, Defence Forces & Prison Staff Approved.

Retirement age of An Garda Síochána to increase from 60 to 62 years.
Extension will further support An Garda Síochána with the resources they need.
Additional measures to support recruitment into uniformed services to be considered.
Total gross allocation for Garda force in 2024 is €2.31 billion, an increase of over €172 million on 2023, the highest ever Garda Budget.
The next intake to the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary is scheduled for April 8th 2024.
Another 174 Garda Members are due to attest on March 22nd 2024.
Since 2020 approval has been granted for over 150 retirement extensions for Garda members, at the request of the Garda Commissioner; to work beyond the age of 60.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee T.D, along with An Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Mr Micheál Martin TD and the Minister for Public Expenditure Mr Paschal Donohoe T.D. have received Government approval to increase the mandatory retirement age in An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and the Irish Prison Service.

The increased mandatory retirement age in the uniformed services will be facilitated by amendments to the relevant pension legislation, to be brought forward by Minister Donohoe.

Speaking today, Minister McEntee said: “This increase in the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 62 is just one measure I am taking to support An Garda Síochána, as this Government demonstrates its determination to build stronger, safer communities.
We know a strong An Garda Síochána is central to that and in order to keep it strong, it is important that we retain the knowledge and expertise of experienced people where possible. In addition, increasing the mandatory retirement age reflects the reality across all sectors that people can and want to work in their chosen careers for longer.
We are immensely grateful to our Gardaí and Prison Officers for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the vital role that they play in keeping people safe.
I will continue to engage with Minister Donohue and the Tánaiste over the coming weeks to support this legislation and we will continue to explore any additional measures to support recruitment into An Garda Síochána and all our uniformed services”.

Both Minister McEntee and the Garda Commissioner have agreed that An Garda Síochána should grow to 15,000 and beyond. To reach that target, the government will continue to consider all additional measures to progress and enhance recruitment over the coming months.

Yesterday’s decision follows from other recent changes introduced to ensure that An Garda Síochána have the resources they need to keep people safe. This includes a record Budget allocation of over €2.35 billion, increasing the maximum age of entry to 50 and boosting the training allowance by 66% to €305 per week. This year’s Garda recruitment competition also received almost 6,400 applications, a significant increase on the 5,000 applications last year.

At present, retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by law, which sets the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age.