Thurles Information

A Song For A Sunday.

Speak To The Sky.

Lyrics: Singer, Australian-American musician, actor and songwriter, Rick Springfield.
Vocals: Australian folk pop and gospel band “The Seekers” made up of the late Judith Durham (1943 – 2022) on vocals, piano and tambourine; former politican Athol Guy on double bass and vocals; Keith Potger on twelve-string guitar, banjo and vocals and Bruce Woodley on guitar, mandolin, banjo and vocals.

“Speak to the Sky,” performed by The Seekers and featuring the unmistakable voice of Judith Durham, is a gentle and uplifting song that reflects the group’s signature blend of folk, pop, and easy-listening styles. Originally written and released by Rick Springfield in 1972, the song was later reinterpreted by The Seekers on their 1997 album ‘Future Road’.

With its soothing melody and reflective lyrics, The Seekers’ version captures a sense of hope, introspection, and emotional openness. The song encourages listeners to look beyond their struggles, to “speak to the sky,” and find comfort in expressing their feelings; an idea that resonates deeply through Durham’s warm and heartfelt vocal delivery.

Speak To The Sky.

Speak to the sky whenever things go wrong,
And you’ll know you’re not talking to the air,
To the air,
And the world will look better from up there.
Speak to the sky ’cause things can get you down,
And you’ll know when you’re talking to the Lord,
To the Lord,
The world will look better than before.

And if I stumble, and it seems that I am blind,
Or if the road I’m on seems awful hard to find,
And though my conversation doesn’t always rhyme,
I always try to find some time,
To speak to the sky, and tell you how I feel,
And you know sometimes what I say ain’t right,
It’s all right, (It’s all right),
‘Cause I speak to the sky every night.

Yeah, speak to the sky whenever things go wrong,
And you’ll know you’re not talking to the air,
To the air,
And the world will look better from up there.
And the world will look better from up there.
Yes, the world will look better from up there.

Speak to the sky whenever things go wrong.
Speak to the sky whenever things go wrong.
Yeah, speak to the sky whenever things go wrong.
Speak to the sky whenever things go wrong.

END.

Statement By Minister For Justice, Home Affairs & Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan TD.

Minister For Justice, Home Affairs & Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan TD has stated in a press release issued at 6:28pm this evening that, quote:
“Over the past four days An Garda Síochána has engaged extensively with protestors seeking to allow access to critical sites and ensure certain trucks containing fuel, medicine and animal feed were allowed pass through blockades.

Despite the increasingly difficult situation facing people across the country and requests from Government to end the blocking of critical infrastructure, the blockades continued. This is unacceptable.

While we all acknowledge the impact of higher fuel prices, and seek to minimise that impact, no groups are entitled in our Republic to hold our people to ransom in such a manner.

An Garda Síochána has commenced operations to allow critical infrastructure to operate, so that people have access to fuel.

I will continue to engage with the Garda Commissioner and my colleagues in Government as these operations continue.

I want to thank the Gardaí and their colleagues from the Defence Forces, for carrying out these difficult duties in such a professional manner.”

We now understand that An Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin has convened a Cabinet meeting for tomorrow where an update on ongoing fuel crisis talks, undertaken between ministers and sectoral representatives will be given.
However, the Government has stated that nothing will be announced until protesters end their blockades.

Four Events Next Week In Cashel Library, Co. Tipperary.

Ms Maura Barrett, (Cashel Library) Reports:–

(1) Comhrá sa Leabharlann.
Bain triail as do chúpla focal sa leabharlann Chaiseal Mumhan. Tá fáilte roimh gach duine.
[Try your hand at a few words in the Cashel Munster library. Everyone is welcome.]

(2) Memory Cafe in Cashel Library.
The next meeting of the Memory cafe will meet Tuesday 14th April, 11am–12.30pm. All are welcome to attend.

(3) Cashel Juvenile Book Club.
The next meeting of the juvenile book club in Cashel library will take place Tuesday evening,14th April 6.30pm, suitable for those Aged 9-11years.

(4) Cashel Craft Circle.
Join the Cashel Craft Circle every Wednesday from 10am-12pm for their social gathering. Bring along your own project to work, share ideas, patterns and enjoy a chat and cuppa with others.
No need to book just come along.

People wishing to attend the above events can locate the Cashel Library building; situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (Eircode E25 K798). TEL: 062-63825.

Death Of Jim Norris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Friday 10th April 2026, of Mr Jim Norris, No. 10 Monakeeba, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Sean and Josie, brother John, son-in-law David (Sully) and brother-in-law Joe; Mr Norris sadly passed away while in the care of staff at St. Vincents Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin.

His passing is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Patricia, daughter Josephine, son James, daughter-in-law Sinead, adored grandchildren Amelia, Sophia and Lauren, sister Madeline, nieces Paula and Laura, nephews Sean, Mark, Richard and Sean, sisters-in-law, extended relatives, colleagues in Thurles Rugby Club and Thurles Fire Brigade, wonderful neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Norris will repose at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Upper Kickham Street, Dublin Road, Thurles, (E41 XY 47), on Monday afternoon next from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His funeral cortège will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, (Eircode E41 A528) on Tuesday morning at 10:30am to further repose for Funeral Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St Patrick’s cemetery Moyne Road, Lognafulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Norris, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Norris 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.

Loving Arms.

Lyrics: American folk singer-songwriter and guitarist, the late Tom Jans (1948–1984).
Vocals: American musician and actor, the late Kris Kristofferson (1936–2024) and American recording artist Rita Coolidge.

Back in the early ’70s, there was a song that captured something a lot of us have felt at one time or another; that moment when you walk away from love, thinking you need freedom, only to realize later what you left behind really mattered.
Written by Tom Jans and brought to life by Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge, ‘Loving Arms’ is a quiet, heartfelt reflection on regret, longing, and the hope of finding your way back home.
This is a song about mistakes, and the courage it takes to admit them.

Loving Arms.

If you could see me now,
The one who said that he’d rather roam,
The one who said he’d rather be alone,
If you could only see me now.

If I could hold you now,
Just for a moment, if I could make you mine,
Just for a while, turn back the hands of time,
If I could only hold you now.

I’ve been too long in the wind, too long in the rain,
Takin’ any comfort that I can,
Lookin’ back and longin’ for the freedom of my chains,
Lyin’ in your lovin’ arms again.

If you could hear me now,
Singin’ somewhere through a lonely night,
Dreamin’ of the arms that held me tight,
If you could only hear me now.

I’ve been too long in the wind, too long in the rain,
Takin’ any comfort that I can,
Lookin’ back and longin’ for the freedom of my chains,
Lyin’ in your lovin’ arms again.

END