Thurles Information

Straw Bales Maliciously Set On Fire On South Tipperary Farmland.

South Co. Tipperary farmer, Mr Seán O’Reilly, suffered the loss of some 40 straw bales, following a fire maliciously set alight, sometime around midnight on Wednesday night, August 9th, last.

The fire, which was first spotted by his wife, latter having spotted the flames from their nearby home; was restricted to a field which had just been harvested on Sunday last, on land in the townland of Ballinree, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, situated off the Cashel to Mitchelstown Motorway.

Flames from the fire could be spotted from a distance, before Gardai and Emergency Services, who quickly attended at the scene, got the blaze under control.

Investigating Gardai are now anxious to hear from anyone who may be in a position to assist them in their ongoing enquiries. Witnesses and those with any information are asked to contact either Cashel, Tel: (062-75840) or Cahir Tel: (052-744 5630) Garda Stations.

A Discussion On Making Hay In Ireland In 1806.

In his book entitled “A Tour In Ireland”, [In 1806], the author, Sir Richard Colt Hoare, describes the difference in the method used to harvest hay in Ireland.

He writes: “The Irish method of making hay, though most obstinately defended and approved by the generality of the natives, appears to the English farmer both singular and contrary to reason.

**Hay Cocks**.
Picture: *Jonathan Wilkins* (https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1439469)

Hay-harvest extends from the beginning of July, to the beginning of October, including the early crops near towns and the more backward in the mountainous regions.
Saving hay is thus performed: after the mowers, the grass you’re shaken out, in the day following, if weather permits, it is turned in rows with rakes and forks; after which it is made into small cocks, called lap-cocks.

This operation is thus conducted: One person goes before, with a rake and takes in as much ground as can be reached: a small arm-full of the grass gathered from this space into a ridge, is taken by another person, who closely follows, shakes it, and with the hands and knees, neatly folds it into small round heaps, with a whole passing through it like a muff, and lightly lays it on the ground.

In this situation the grass is suffered to remain until sufficiently withered; in the course of one day, by shaking and turning, it is in a proper state to be put into trump-cocks, which are made of different sizes, and so it is suffered to remain until it is taken in.

Such is the mode almost universally adopted by the Irish in making their hay; and as an objection to their adopting the English method, they state the extraordinary succulents of their grass, and humidity of their climate, which renders it necessarily to expose the hay in cocks for a considerable time to the sun and wind; and this I have seen carried to a great extent in many places, where the tramp-cocks have remained for several weeks exposed to all kinds of weather and as the corn follows the hay harvest as a very short interval, the latter is frequently not put into rick’s before the other is safely housed.

The loss of good hay by great surface of outside in the tramp-cocks, and which are often soaked with rain from top to bottom, must be evident to every one, and I am clear, that if the grass, when cut, was turned as often as it is in England, during the heat of the day, there would be no danger in ricking it; but the operation of turning is slightly attended to; and that process only constitutes the difference between good and bad hay.”

Death Of Anne O’Dwyer, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Thursday 10th August 2023, of Ms Anne O’Dwyer, Grenville, Portlaoise, Co. Laois and late of Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her father Denis, mother Maureen, sister Margaret, and brother Denis; the passing of Ms O’Dwyer is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her loving family, neighbour and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms O’Dwyer will repose for Requiem Mass on Sunday morning, August 13th, at 11:30am in St. Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen, Co. Carlow.
Interment will take place immediately afterwards in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, with the funeral cortège expected to arrive at 2:30pm approximately.

The extended O’Dwyer 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: No flowers. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Poor Clare Convent, Graiugecullen, Co. Carlow.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Inland Fisheries Ireland Prosecute Tipperary Land Owner.

A land owner resident in South Co. Tipperary, named as Mr Milo Cuddihy, has been convicted of carrying out in-stream works on some 300 metres of the Lingaun River at Breanormore, Glenacunna, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
The work undertaken, we understand, affected the habitats of resident fish, including populations of salmon, trout, lamprey and eel.

**Realignment of Lingaun River bed and bank.**
*Pic: Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI)*

Ms Lynda Connor, South-Eastern River Basin District Director at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) noted that this was an act of ecological destruction, and further declaring this action, by the defendant, as demonstrating a real disregard for the river, their fish species and the local habitat.

Ms Connor said “Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) would continue to prosecute such illegal activity in fulfilment of its remit to protect and conserve Ireland’s important inland fisheries resource. The decimation and removal of a river’s habitat can be devastating in terms of its effects on fish. It can also impact in-stream biodiversity, such as vegetation and insects.”

Mr Cuddihy had carried out the in-stream works on the interior of the river bed and its banks, at the Lingaun River, Co. Tipperary, destroying 300 metres of the river channel.
IFI had learned of the issue first on January 28th 2023, and the case was heard at Carrick-on-Suir District Court on July 5th 2023 last, with Mr Cuddihy fined a total of €4,000, and directed to pay a further €750 in costs directly to IFI.

Ms Connor concluded by stating, quote; “Landowners need to seek all necessary and relevant information from their advisors, and from Inland Fisheries Ireland, before carrying out any works near, or on, a watercourse adjacent to their land. The appropriate window for any in-stream works is strictly between July and September, but only with the guidance and permission of IFI. During the closed season, from October to June, no works should take place in a river.
IFI continues to encourage members of the public to report incidents such as this, and those of water pollution, fish kills, and illegal fishing to its 24/7 phone number, TEL: 0818 34 74 24.”

Death Of Joe O’Shea, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, Friday 11th August 2023, of Mr Joseph (Joe) O’Shea, Farranrory, Ballingarry (South Riding), Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Tommy and Alice and brother Eddie; Mr O’Shea (Former publican at the Commons, Ballingarry (SR), Thurles) passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, while in the care of staff at University Hospital Waterford.

His passing is most deeply regretted by his loving wife Margaret, his family Michelle (Cuddy), Anthony, Stephanie (Breen) and Christopher, sons-in-law Peter and John, daughter-in-law Moira, grandchildren, brothers James, Michael and Richard, sisters Catherine, Jodie and Mary, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr O’Shea will repose at his residence in Farranrory, Ballingarry (SR), Thurles (Eircode E41 HN81) on Saturday afternoon, August 12th, from 4:00pm until 8:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of the Assumption, Ballingarry (SR), Thurles on Sunday morning, August 13th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the Good Shepherd Cemetery, Gortnahoe. Thurles. Co. Tipperary.

The extended O’Shea 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.