Thurles Information

Warning To Those Of Male Gender.

This year 2024, you will have noted, is a leap year, meaning that there are 29 days in February, instead of the usual 28.

A Leap year exist because while the world follows a 365-day Gregorian calendar, it actually takes our earth a little bit more than a year to orbit our sun. It takes our planet precisely 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds to orbit, according to NASA.
A leap years is therefore added to account for the difference and this extra day keeps calendars and seasons from gradually falling out of sync and impacting on harvesting, planting and other cycles based on our seasons. Without Leap Days, in every 100 years, calendars would be 24 days off.
The next leap year will be in 2028.

Here in Ireland we have the long held tradition of Leap Day marriage proposals; the 29th of February being the one day, in every four years, when women can propose marriage to their menfolk.

So where did this tradition come from?
Legend has it that Saint Brigid complained to Saint Patrick that the women of Ireland had to wait far too long for their partners to propose. Saint Patrick conceded that women could have this one day every four years, allowing women to pop the question themselves. However, if the man being targeted refused their lady love, tradition has it that her victim had to buy her either a dress or a pair of silk gloves. Given the cost of silk it seems likely that many men would have taken the option to marry, in the hope of saving a few quid.

There is another more practical theory however, on the origins of Leap Day proposals. No marriages were permitted to take place during Lent and since the start of Lent begins at the end of this month, is was the day to guarantee that women would not be left ‘on the shelf’, for a future 40 days and 40 lonely nights.

Men be warned, the tradition of leap day proposals is still upheld in modern Ireland, remaining on the Irish folklore calendar. So we recommend if your lady friend insists on seeing you or has invited you for a meal, tell her you have tested positive for Covid 19, unless you want to start shopping on line for that dress or a pair of silk gloves.

Tipperary Former Soldier Accused Of Co. Kerry Murder.

A 66-year-old former soldier, named as Mr Thomas Carroll, with an address at Brookway, Clonmel, Co Tipperary has appeared before a sitting of Tralee District Court this afternoon, charged with the murder of 84-year-old Paddy O’Mahony in his home, situated at Ballyraemeen, Castlemaine, Co Kerry, on February 24th last.

Detective Sergeant Mark O’Sullivan of Tralee Garda Station gave evidence of his arrest, charge and the cautioning of Mr Carroll at 12:00pm, at New Road Tralee. The court was informed that the accused made no reply to the charge against him.

Mr Justice John King; having granted free legal aid, remanded the accused in custody to Cork Prison, to further appear via video link on Wednesday next, March 6th, to Tralee District Court.

Mr Pat Mann, solicitor for Mr Carroll, requested that his client have continued access to all necessary prescription medication and that he continues to receive all required appropriate medical attention.

Funding To Protect Historical Landmark – Too Little Too Late For Thurles.

A total of 26 rural towns; including one in Co. Tipperary, have been approved for a scheme which will see a million euros spend on tackling dereliction and creating new community spaces.

The Town Centre First (TCF) initiative aims to enable areas to pursue projects like redeveloping a derelict site; creating a community park; a river walkways; boosting tourism or protecting an existing historical landmark.
Sadly, this latter funding was not available to save the Great Famine, Mill Road, Double Ditch, same allowed to be destroyed by Tipperary Co. Council, and their officials, led by Chief Executive, Mr Joe MacGrath.

**Destruction of Thurles, Great Famine Double Ditch, by Tipperary Co. Council, led by Mr Joe MacGrath (*Chief Executive).* and local Fianna Fáil** **Cllr. Mr Seamus Hanafin**.

Note Well: The following commitments, posted on the Tipperary Co. Council website have since been deliberately deleted; but not before being read by thousands of Tipperary and world wide readers. SEE HERE.
E.G. “The aim of the plan is to connect the citizens of Tipperary to their heritage and to make it an integral part of everyday life at the core of our communities” – Fianna Fáil Cllr. Siobhán Ambrose, Tipperary County Council.

“Our heritage is a precious asset and one we must look after. Part of looking after it is to raise awareness of what it is and its value to us as citizens of Tipperary.” – Fianna Fáil Cllr. Roger Kennedy, Tipperary Heritage Forum.
Same should be remembered by their electorate, prior to next local election due this year.

These new towns join 26 others, one in each county, whose final action plans were published by Minister for Rural and Community Development Ms Heather Humphreys and Minister of State for Local Government Mr Kieran O’Donnell, today.

The named town situated in Co. Tipperary is Carrick-on-Suir.

Ms Humphreys stated that the scheme is about empowering people, to develop a vision for their town, thus making it a better place to reside, work, invest in and enjoy. New town regeneration officers will ensure that the projects on vacancy, will have a strategic and coherent approach at local level. Although it is unlikely that local people will have any say in how this limited funding is used.

Ms Humphreys said “Government is firmly committed to strategic projects that will transform rural Ireland, such as under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, and we are already seeing the hugely positive impacts of investment right across the country. It is very welcome that the Department of Rural and Community Development is giving local authorities funding of up to €10,000 to establish new town teams or build up existing teams”.

The 26 successful named towns will receive €30,000 each to complete their redevelopment plan. The Town Centre First initiative is also designed to increase housing supply, by bringing vacant buildings back into residential use.

The programme’s national co-ordinator, Ms Mairead Hunt said it is hoped that many more town teams will come forward.

Death Of Vera Hazel, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Tuesday 27th February 2024, of Mrs Vera Hazel (née McCormack), Booterstown, Co. Dublin and late of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her loving husband Finbar and brother John; Mrs Hazel passed away peacefully at the Hermitage Clinic, Old Lucan Road, D20 W722 Co. Dublin.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her children; Audrey, Barry, Michael and Clodagh, brother Vincent and sisters-in-law Joan and Monica, step-brothers Richard and John, daughters-in-law Suzy and Dervla, Michelle and her sons-in-law Daniel and Alan, grandchildren Isobel, Pearce, Vincent, Evelyn, Christian, Siona, Fionn and Adaline, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a close circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Hazel will be received into the Church of the Assumption, No. 67 Booterstown Avenue, Booterstown, Co. Dublin [A94 NW53] to repose for Requiem Mass on Saturday morning next, March 2nd, at 11:00am, followed by Cremation at 3:00pm in Mount Jerome Crematorium, No. 158 Harolds Cross Road, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, [D6W HY98].

Note Please: Family flowers only.

The extended Hazel and McCormack 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.

Irish People Continue To Be Positive About Benefits Of Climate Action.

The results of the second wave of the EPA’s Climate Change in the Irish Mind survey show:

Consistent with the previous study, findings show widespread agreement on many climate change attitudes and strong majority support for climate action.
81% of people in Ireland are worried about climate change and 75 percent think extreme weather poses a moderate or high risk to their community over the next 10 years, with increases in worry in relation to severe storms (74 percent) and extreme heat (54 percent).
89% report that climate change is important to them personally and 79% say climate change should be either a “very high” or “high” priority for Government, with high overall support for a range of climate action policies.
Irish people think that climate action will increase economic growth and create jobs (56%), and actions to reduce climate change will improve quality of life in Ireland (74%).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published initial results from the second wave of its ‘Climate Change in the Irish Mind’ project (CCIM). This work was undertaken by the EPA and the Yale University Program on Climate Change Communication in support of the National Dialogue on Climate Action.

The findings of the nationally representative survey show broad consistency with the 2021 study, including continued high level of climate awareness (95%), acceptance of human causation (92 percent) and the personal importance (89 percent) of climate change. Key changes include an increase in worry about severe storms (74%) and extreme heat (54%) and a large increase in people who hear about climate change in the media once a week or more often (73%).

Speaking about the report Ms Laura Burke, (Director General of the EPA) said: “We know that Ireland is experiencing the impacts of climate change. These findings highlight that Irish people are aware of these impacts and are worried about the harm it may cause. People are engaged with this issue, talking about it with their friends and families and hearing about it frequently in the media.”

She added: “Despite the many challenges, including cost of living increases, people remain positive about the benefits of climate action for our economy and quality of life. There continues to be majority support for a range of climate policies. In particular, we see overwhelming support for improved public transport and renewable energy, which can deliver significant emissions reductions, air quality improvements as well as delivering cost savings for individuals”.

There has been an increase in the number of people who reported hearing weekly about climate change in the media from 51% in 2021 to 74% in 2023. This is aligned with high levels of public trust in mainstream media (68%) and in journalists (68%) on the topic of climate change. Furthermore, over 80% of people trust scientists, the Irish EPA, educators, family and friends, television weather reporters, and environmental NGOs on the topic of climate change.

A large majority of Irish people (79%) say climate change should be either a “very high” or “high” priority for Government. In addition, a majority of people in Ireland believe climate action will provide opportunities to create new jobs (56%) and improved quality of life (74%). While still receiving majority support, two policies “higher taxes on cars that use petrol or diesel”, and “banning peat, coal, and oil for home heating” received weaker support from those who had experienced economic difficulties. However, the findings show that those who reported economic difficulties in the last year expressed the same levels of worry and feelings of personal importance about climate change as those who experienced no difficulties.

Speaking about the report, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Mr Eamon Ryan TD said: “The findings of this second Climate Change in the Irish Mind survey are very encouraging. It confirms that Irish people have a good understanding of the complex issues of climate change, that they are concerned about its effects on their lives, but importantly that they believe that taking climate action can make our country more resilient, creating jobs and improving our quality of life.
This survey also shows us that climate is not an issue that divides people as much as it unites us. It also underlines the importance of ongoing engagement and communications. As a Government, we must listen and act so that we are supporting people to take climate action that works for their community — from the ground up. Climate action won’t work if it’s a top-down, blame or shame approach. Our transition to a new way of doing things must be fair, it must involve everyone and it must ensure that things will be better”.