If you are looking to get out and about this celebratory bank holiday weekend in honour of St Brigid, look no further than Monasterevin and Co Kildare.
Faughart, Co. Louth is famously known as the birthplace of St Brigid, but according to local Kildare legend, St Brigid was actually born in Umeras just outside Monasterevin.
Located less than an hour away from Thurles, tomorrow (Monday February 5th), visitors to Monasterevin can take part in a Camino in honour of St Brigid. At 11:00am the walk starts at St Brigid’s Shrine at the Monasterevin – Rathangan Road (414), Eircode: W34 X529. Car parking is provided at Mountrice Cross. The walk will be led by Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, Bishop Denis Nulty and will follow a route via Umeras and then along the New Canal Blueway. The walk is approximately 6km and finishes at the Church of St Peter and St Paul Monasterevin, with a ‘Service of light’ at 12:30pm.
All participants of the Camino will receive a certificate of completion, stamped at the Church of St Peter and St Paul. Refreshments and St Brigid crosses will be available to all on the day also.
After the Camino, why not travel 10 minutes up the road to Kildare Town and visit a relic of St Brigid that has returned to her native Kildare for the first time in 1000 years.
Currently on display in St Brigid’s Parish Church, Kildare Town, the relic is reputed to be a bone fragment from the skull of St Brigid who died in approximately 524. 2024 is the year of ‘Brigid 1500’ celebrations because it is 1500 years since her death.
The relic has returned to Kildare Town from Lumiar, outside Lisbon. Legend has it that three Irish Knights who carried the relic as they journeyed to the Holy Land to fight in the crusades, were killed in Lumiar. The relic remained there for hundreds of years at the church of St John the Baptist where the knights were laid to rest. The relic is now on display in a specially commissioned silver oak tree display box. The choice of an oak tree is very symbolic and apt. ‘Kildare’ in Irish is ‘Cill Dara’ which literally means ‘Church of the Oak’ and refers to St Brigid’s Church that was built beneath an Oak tree.
“Up the quarry and down the Pike, That’s the way to ride a bike “
[Who has ever heard Thurles people sing that old refrain above.]
One of the most delightful of Thurles personalities was the late Nan Roche of Lisheen Terrace, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
I spoke to her on her 80th birthday and some seventy years of her 80 years had been spent in the Quarry, which once produced a World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Paddy Ryan.
Nan Roche recalled to me that she came into the world on the sunny side of Liberty Square, in Thurles; born in Cooks Lane back in 1915. Cooks lane was situated between Hayes Hotel and Roches Hardware
“I have memories of generals and officers, but they were probably Black and Tans”, Nan recalled, and she remembered days of apples galore and one Margaret Cantwell and being told to mind herself crossing the road, in an era when there were no cars; only the animal powered variety.
Nan, a great friend of mine for many years, loved to tell me of great yarns of sporting days in Thurles. For instance, when some folks were not beyond linking doorknobs on opposite sides of the street with string. “I’d hate to try that in Mitchel Street today”, she stated, She continued “In those days people travelled to Templemore for a pair of new shoes. Sure that would be accomplished with all the ceremony and hoo-ha that accompanies a holiday”.
Half upgradedLiberty Square area photographed in 2023. Pic: G. Willoughby
I myself well recall going to the CBS from Fianna Road wading in wellies up the Mall (if you were lucky enough to have them), with a mandatory quick glance at the latest toys or fishing tackle in Kilroys’ window of wonder. Then across the square to school on Market Day held on the first Tuesday of each month. The shop windows were all boarded up for safety and security to avoid the vast and heaving mass of cattle on the streets and sidewalks of Liberty Square. Indeed I well recall playing hurling in the Square.
In the 1950’s, I was always a goalkeeper for matches in Fianna Road, just off Liberty Square. Though my backside faced down towards the river at the junction of Fianna Road and Slievenamon Road, I never had to look around me for traffic, because there was none. Only a car belonging to Detective Garda Pat Wall who was my next-door neighbour and father of All-Ireland hurler, Tony Wall.
I don’t think there ever was an excuse for being late for school. There used to be a Minah Bird in a wee shop in the Square, near PJ Broderick’s auctioneers now, which was forever urging us to “Hurry up, you’ll be late for school”.
I suppose that if a country person knows every corner of every field where he was brought up, the ould townies in Thurles will recall a million stories on the street or road or terrace where they lived.
There is not a square inch of the Watery Mall in Thurles, where I have not played hurling or planned an ambush on the enemy of the United States Marine Corps.
Vocals: Irish pop group Westlife. Lyrics: British songwriter Wayne Hector, and record producer, songwriter and musician Steve McCutcheon[known professionally as Steve Mac]
Flying Without Wings.
Everybody’s looking for that something, One thing that makes it all complete. You’ll find it in the strangest places, Places you never knew it could be. Some find it in the face of their children, Some find it in their lover’s eyes, Who can deny the joy it brings, When you’ve found that special thing, You’re flying without wings. Some find it sharing every morning, Some in their solitary nights, You’ll find it in the words of others, A simple line can make you laugh or cry. You’ll find it in the deepest friendships, The kind you cherish all your life, And when you know how much that means, You’ve found that special thing, You’re flying without wings. So, impossible as it may seem, You’ve got to fight for every dream, ‘Cause who’s to know which one you let go, Would have made you complete. Well, for me it’s waking up beside you, To watch the sunrise on your face, To know that I can say I love you, In any given time or place. It’s little things that only I know, Those are the things that make you mine, And it’s like flying without wings, ‘Cause you’re my special thing, I’m flying without wings. And you’re the place my life begins, And you’ll be where it ends, I’m flying without wings. And that’s the joy you bring, I’m flying without wings.
The passing of Mrs Hickey is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her loving family; husband John F. (Eric), children Valerie, Pamela and Andrew, adored grandchild Cora and daughter-in-law Daphne, sisters and brothers, Pádraig, Séamus, Anne Marie, Caithín, Michael, Mark, Elizabeth and Aileen, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, godchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and wide circle of friends.
For those persons who are unable to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs Hickey, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Hickey and O’Gorman 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.
“New year, New you”. High interest as the search has begun to find the Next 2024 Tipperary Rose of Tralee.
Ms Aisling O’Donovan
This week Ms Aisling O’Donovan, latter reigning Tipperary Rose of Tralee, officially launched the search to find this year’s Rose of Tralee here in County Tipperary. It is going to be hard for the South Tipperary woman to hand on her title, especially having been the Tipperary Rose for the past two years. She remembers fondly her time as the Tipperary Rose and the last minute nudges of encouragement it took to allow her have one of the best two years of her life.
Ms O’Donovan says “Entering and becoming the Tipperary rose has been one of the proudest moments of my life so far. Being able to represent my county on a local, national, and International base is a fantastic feeling that words can’t even describe. This was not only a personal growth and confidence level but the friendships I have made for life, along with the many, many reunions/ events I have attended over the years with my fellow roses and rose escorts; from the week in Tralee to the opening of the German Christmas Markets in Frankfort and our walking in the St Patrick’s day parade on Fifth Avenue New York. Although my reign has lasted two years it has also allowed the time to attend each other’s life events, including weddings and numerous getaways”.
Ms O’Donovan continued, “I would recommend this festival to anyone, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and so much more than what you see on TV. You get to meet so many amazing people, do some amazing things, and become an inspiration to so many girls and women. I would say to anyone that has ever thought about becoming a rose; don’t miss out on something great, because of fear; it’s your time, new year, new you, just apply”.
There is no better time to enter as the Tipperary Rose. Due to the gap caused by the pandemic and following the festivals latest new departure, there is an assurance that every Rose will enjoy a positive experience during her year as her region’s ambassador. The Festival organizers have revamped the selection process by removing the regional qualification process and increasing the age limit, so with no Tipperary Rose since 2022 and the next after this year will be 2026, interest is expected to be high.
Ciarán and the team that Co-ordinates the Tipperary event said: “Aisling has been a true lady and credit to her community throughout her extended time as reigning Tipperary rose of Tralee. She was a great ambassador for her family; County Tipperary, and South Tipperary in general and we want to thank everyone for getting behind her on her trip to Tralee. This year is a big year for the county as there are big changes, which will mean we will only have a Tipperary rose once every two years, so this year is a great and even better opportunity for every young lady to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience to the full. We can confirm after the Covid break and the changes to the festival, the breaking news is that there WILL be a 2024 Tipperary Rose of Tralee selection final this year, with the event taking place on the 24st of March 2024 in the Anner Hotel, Thurles. Note closing date for entrants is the 2nd of March, with new direct entry to the Final night.
Changes mean there are now no regional final elements to the festival, so the chosen Tipperary Rose will go directly to the Stage Interview with the main presenter Mr Dáithí Ó Sé in the Dome in Tralee, Co. Kerry. The age limit has gone up a year to 29, so once you’ve not reached your 30th birthday by the 1st of September 2024, you are still in the competition. Due to the pandemic and the biannual selection this means the Premier County did not have a Tipperary Rose since Ms O’Donovan, the 2022 Rose, and Tipperary won’t have one again till 2026; hence we need help to get that message out there, that the search is on for 2024 with only a six-week window to apply. This year there is no better time than now to give it a go and apply, so if YOU or anyone you know; or living in Tipperary, that you think would make a great Rose for county Tipperary in 2024; do pass the message along; all are welcome.
The chosen Tipperary Rose will travel “Via the Rose Tour” to the International Festival in Tralee, in August and will take part in all the parades, official events, and numerous public engagements at the festival from which 32 Roses will appear in the live selection broadcasts.
More information can be found by searching or DM “(@tipperaryroseoftralee)”, or by texting 086 3871635. Applications can be found via https://roseoftralee.ie/apply-to-the-rose-of-tralee/ . Remember: The closing date will be the 2nd of March 2024 and the Tipperary selection will be held at the Anner Hotel, Thurles, on the 24th of March 2024.
The Rose of Tralee International Festival will be celebrated from Friday 16th – Tuesday 20th of August 2024.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Recent Comments