Thurles Information

Death Of Michael Shanahan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Wednesday 3rd January 2024, of Mr Michael Shanahan, Ballydavid, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and Parkstown, Horse and Jockey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Martin and Nora, brother Jimmy, sister Mary-B and nephew Martin; Mr Shanahan sadly passed away unexpectedly in Waterford University Hospital.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving family; sister-in-law Margaret, nephews, nieces, adored grand-nephews, grand-nieces, extended relatives, close friend and colleague Pat, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Shanahan will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on Saturday afternoon, January 6th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.

His remains will be received into the Church Of St. Peter, Moycarkey, Thurles on Sunday afternoon, January 7th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 1:30pm, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in nearby St. Peter’s cemetery, Moycarkey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The extended Shanahan 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Larry O’Connor, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Tuesday 2nd January 2024, of Mr Laurence (Larry) O’Connor, Killinan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Knocknagoshel, Co Kerry.

Mr O’Connor passed away peacefully, following a short illness, while surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his heartbroken family; devoted wife Clare (née Kenny, Borrisoleigh), sons Ken and Graham, daughter Grace, adored grandchildren Lisa and Alex, daughter-in-law Charlotte, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended relatives, former colleagues in An Teagasc and University of Limerick, great neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr O’Connor will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on Friday afternoon, January 5th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles on Saturday morning, January 6th, at 10:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Killinan Cemetery, Nenagh Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who are unable to attend Requiem Mass for Mr O’Connor, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended O’Connor 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.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Death Of Bill Gooney, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Wednesday 3rd January 2024, of Mr William (Bill) Gooney, Ballytarsna, Horse & Jockey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Gooney sadly passed away while in the care of staff at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by all his family, extended relatives, neighbours, and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Gooney will repose at his place of residence [E41 W577] on Friday afternoon, January 5th, from 4:00pm.
His funeral cortège will will be received into the Church of St. Peter, Moycarkey, Thurles, on Saturday morning, January 6th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in nearby St. Peter’s Cemetery, Moycarkey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The extended Gooney 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

‘Extraordinary’ 315-Million-Year-Old Fossil Found At Cliffs Of Moher.

‘Extraordinary’ 315-million-year-old fossil sponge found near the Cliffs of Moher

An extraordinary new species of fossil sponge, dating back to a time when County Clare was located close to the Equator has been discovered in the rocks that make up the Cliffs of Moher, by Dr. Eamon Doyle, geologist for the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark.

The 315-million-year-old sponge, named Cyathophycus balori, is up to 50cm tall and is the largest known example of its kind anywhere in the world.

**315-million-year-old fossil sponge found near Tipperary Mid-West tourist attraction – the Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare**.

When it was alive the vase-shaped sponge featured a circular opening at the top surrounded by a ring of eyelash-like structures. It would have resembled the modern-day Venus Flower Basket sponge, which is found the Pacific Ocean and often features on deep sea wildlife documentaries.

The new species was named after the mythological giant Balor, whose eye wreaked havoc on his enemies when opened.

Commenting on his discovery, Dr. Doyle said, “This is an exceptionally large example of a type of fossil sponge that was previously only known from much older rocks elsewhere in the world. It is the first record of this type of fossil sponge from Ireland and its excellent preservation is highly unusual.”

He continued, “The sponge was originally composed of a rectangular meshwork of tiny spicules made of silica, held together by a thin organic membrane. When they die, they usually fall apart quickly, and often only scattered remains of the spicules are preserved as fossils, so I was delighted to find these largely intact specimens.
The excellently preserved fossil dates back to a time when the Atlantic Ocean had not even started to form and what we now call County Clare was part of an earlier sea, located near the Equator,” explained Dr. Doyle. “Discoveries like this help us to promote awareness about the wonderful geological legacy we have on our doorstop here in County Clare and to encourage a new generation of palaeontologists, that is, geologists that specialise in the study of fossils to visit and learn more about the unique geology of Ireland’s west coast.”

The new discovery has been published in the latest edition of international geological journal Geobios, with the collaboration of lead author and international fossil sponge expert Dr. Joseph Botting and co-author Dr. Lucy Muir, both Honorary Research Fellows at National Museum Wales (Amgueddfa Cymru), who worked closely with Dr. Doyle.

According to Dr. Botting, “I was amazed to see the size and excellent state of preservation of this fossil; this was totally unexpected. This find offers important insights into the evolution of sponges and how some species can survive in niche environments where few other species can live. Finding such large and intact specimens is exceptional.”

Dr. Lucy Muir commented, “This is a wonderful find and reminds us that there are still new and interesting fossils to be found which help us understand the story of Life on Earth.”

Sponges are creatures with a very basic body plan, they do not have a nervous system or circulatory system, but they are very abundant and form an important part of our biodiversity today. They filter large volumes of water for microscopic organisms that they feed on.

State Of Kickham Street Thurles, Over Christmas Period.

It would appear that our elected politicians; our Municipal District Councillors and our Thurles Municipal District officials no longer have the will or indeed the power, to organise the filling of a pothole in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

**Just a section of the road surface on Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary**.

The pictures shown here demonstrate a small section of road conditions being experienced by motorists over the Christmas holiday period.
It must now be clear to our electorate the need to seek out fresh blood, come the local elections next March 2024, and the need to replace those who have demonstrated total contempt for our towns; its needs, while further demonstrating their total lack of respect and courtesy to those who elected them to highly paid posts.

**Another view of the numerous pot holes that vehicles encounter on Kickham Street, Thurles**, **latter the busiest exit and entrance into the town**.

Page 8 of Tipperary Co. Council’s Management Report to Council (VIEW pdf HERE), published in February of 2023, stated that the N75, Liberty Square to the Anner Hotel, (which includes Kickham Street, the most used road surface in Thurles), would involve the rehabilitation of approximately 1km of road pavement on the N75 National Secondary road within the town of Thurles, from its junction with Mitchel Street to the Anner Hotel; with the scheme then at a preliminary design stage. Back then it was anticipated that works would commence in Q4 of 2023. We now understand that this date has been postponed until possibly Q3 of 2024.