Thurles Information

Yellow Witch Hazel Brings Colour To A Late Winter Garden.

The spidery flowers of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) appear in shades of yellow, orange and red, and brings colour to any late winter garden.

Although slow growing, the shrub will eventually become larger, ranging from 2.5-5m (8-16ft) in height and spread. Potted in a large tub, and under-planted with yellow crocuses, or snowdrops, the Witch Hazel shrub is particularly attractive to the eye, while we await the full unset of Spring.

The leaves and bark of witch-hazel, for centuries has been used in folk medicine, herbalism, and skincare decoctions* by Native American tribes.

Inside witch hazel’s leaves, its bark and twigs are medicinal chemicals called tannins. If you rub these chemicals on your skin, they may reduce swelling and fight bacteria. Extracts of witch-hazel have been claimed effective in the control of psoriasis and eczema; to prevent dehydration of skin; to cure insect bites and razor burn, although more research is needed in relation to these claims.

People have used witch hazel for centuries to soothe chapped, scraped and irritated skin. However, in 2017, please note, that one manufacturer of a skin care product which contained witch-hazel, was warned by the American Food and Drug Administration, having made unsubstantiated health claims, while not providing evidence that their products were safe.

The freshly cut stems from the plant continue to be used by those persons involved in water divining.

Here in Thurles, Witch Hazel shrubs are available at O’Driscolls Garden Centre, situated on the Mill Road east of the town.

*Decoction is a method of extraction by boiling herbal or plant material to dissolve the chemicals of the material.

Girl Aged 15 Killed Following Two Vehicle Collision In North Co. Tipperary.

A 15-year-old girl has lost her life; pronounced dead at the scene, and four other people have been hospitalised, following a two vehicle collision in North Co. Tipperary yesterday evening.

Nenagh Gardaí are today appealing for witnesses to this fatal collision, which occurred at approximately 6:45pm, on the R503 route near the village of Rearcross, Co Tipperary.

Three friends, occupants of the car; latter a man aged in his 20s, a woman in aged in her 20s, and a girl in her mid-teens, together with the female driver of the second car, were transported by ambulance to Limerick University Hospital (UHL) for further assessment. Their injuries thankfully are understood to be not life-threatening.

The deceased, sadly, is now the 25th person to lose their life in traffic accidents on Irish roads in just the first seven weeks of this year.

The body of the deceased 15-year-old girl was transferred to the mortuary at Limerick University Hospital, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out later today.

This section of the roadway currently remains closed, to facilitate examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, with local traffic diversions in place at present.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to come forward particularly those with dashcam or phone camera footage who may have been in the vicinity at the time.

Persons with information are asked to contact Nenagh Garda Station Tel. No. 067 50450, the Garda Confidential Line Tel. No. 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda Station.

University Concert Hall Limerick Announces Exciting Spring Concert Series.

University Concert Hall (UCH) Limerick has announced a series of four springtime Sunday concerts that will fill the Mid-West venue with the sounds of opera arias and the works of some of the world’s greatest composers.

The Limerick Classical Concert Series will commence on Sunday March 3rd with an afternoon concert of operatic delights in association with The Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition. Accompanied by Dearbhla Collins and Mairead Hurley and presented by Lyric FM’s Liz Nolan, the varied programme brings together Limerick singers, Mairead Buicke (soprano) and Owen Gilhooly-Miles (baritone), alongside 2022 VDISC winners, Aebh Kelly (mezzo-soprano) and Aaron Godfrey – Mayes (tenor).

The Mid-West’s premier live entertainment and cultural venue will then welcome acclaimed string quintet The Vanbrugh & Friends on Sunday 21st April. Keith Pascoe and Marja Gaynor (violin), Simon Aspell and Ed Creedon (viola) and Christopher Marwood (cello) to perform the works of Boccherini (String Quintet in E major G.402), Beethoven (String Quintet in C minor Op.104) and Dvorak (String Quintet in E flat major Op.97).

University Concert Hall’s classical programme continues with the annual Rising Stars concert showcasing gifted up and coming classical performers on Sunday, April 14th. These will include Alice Abreu (violin), Aimee Banks (Soprano), Declan Murphy (Piano), Megan O’Neill (Soprano) and Mickey Thomas (Piano).

This Spring Concert Series is complemented by a special, family-fun performance on Sunday April 7th. Soo-Jung Ann and Fiachra Garvey on two pianos alongside members of the Irish Chamber Orchestra and UCH Panto star Richie Hayes narrating, will bring Saint-Saens much loved ‘The Carnival of the Animals’ to life. A humorous musical suite of fourteen movements including ‘The Swan’, Tortoise and wild donkeys, there will be something for music and animal lovers of all ages.

UCH Director Ms Sinead Hope commented, “We are really excited to present this series of Spring and Sunday afternoon concerts and we look forward to welcoming people from across the Mid-West and beyond in the coming weeks. The Irish classical music scene is thriving, and we are proud to provide a platform for new and established musicians and singers and to continue to promote University Concert Hall’s longstanding artistic ethos”.

2024 marks the 30th anniversary year of UCH which became the first purpose-built concert hall in Ireland when it was opened on the University of Limerick campus. The 1,038-seat auditorium has since attracted performances from some of the biggest names in entertainment including the late Johnny Cash, June Carter, James Taylor, Billy Connolly, Leslie Garrett, Van Morrison, The King’s Singers, Jimmy Carr, Sir James Galway, Christy Moore and the late Sinead O’Connor.

Visit HERE for ticket details and more information on UCH’s Spring Series of Concerts.

Death Of Paddy Callanan, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 14th February 2024, of Mr Patrick (Paddy) Callanan, Lucan, Co. Dublin and formerly of Ardbawn, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Callanan passed away peacefully, at his place of residence.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving family; wife Margaret children Martin, Caitriona and John, grandchildren Emma, Lea, Max, Charlie and Ben, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Callanan will repose at Cunningham’s Funeral Home, Lucan, Co. Dublin on Sunday afternoon February 18th from 2:00pm until 4:00pm.
His remains will be received into the Church of St. Mary, Lucan Road, Lucan, Co. Dublin, on Monday morning, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 10:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in Esker Lawn Cemetery, Lucan, Co. Dublin.

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

The extended Callanan 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: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis

Soulmates – Poem By Tom Ryan.

Anyone who has recently lost a parent; a close friend; a romantic partner; a child or a sibling, may feel a painful renewal of their past grief, as expressed in the poem “Soulmates” hereunder, especially on this most heart-oriented day of the year, St Valentine’s day.

Soulmates

In a quiet moment,
Thinking of nothing,
In a quiet place,
Where I hear my heart beat.
My soul aches,
For one who is absent,
And I,
Oh, I,
Am so lonely for you.

END

Tom Ryan, “Iona”, Rahealty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.