Thurles Information

My Grandfather’s Clock.

Lyrics – Late American Civil War composer and songwriter Henry Clay Work (1832 – 1884).
Vocals – Late American country singer-songwriter John R. Cash. (1932 – 2003).

According to folklore this famous song ‘My Grandfather Clock’ was inspired by a clock at The George Hotel, in the village of Piercebridge, latter located in the borough of Darlington in County Durham, England.
The hotel in past times was a wayfarers’ inn and was owned and operated by two Jenkins brothers.
In the lobby of the Inn was a longcase tall weight driven pendulum clock, which kept perfect time, until one of the brothers passed away.
Following his passing the clock began to lose time at an increasing rate, despite the best efforts of a local clockmaker to repair it.
When the second brother died, the clock stopped suddenly and completely, never to work again.

It is understood that in 1875 the songwriter, Henry Clay Work, visited the George Hotel, and having listened to the tale of the clock from various employees and locals, he composed this song ‘My Grandfathers Clock’.

We also learn from folklore that the clock appears to recognise both the good and bad events in this grandfather’s life; it rings 24 chimes when the grandfather brings his bride into his house, and near his death it rings out an alarm, which the family recognize as meaning that the old grandfather is near death, and so they gather around his bed side. After the grandfather dies, the clock suddenly stops, and never works again.

My Grandfather’s Clock

My grandfather’s clock was too large for the shelf,
So it stood ninety years on the floor;
It was taller by half, than the old man himself,
Though it weighed not a pennyweight more.
It was bought on the morn, of the day that he was born,
And was always his treasure and pride,
But it stopped short, never to go again,
When the old man died.

Ninety years without slumbering, his life seconds numbering,
It stopped, short, never to go again,
When the old man died.

My grandfather said, that of those he could hire,
Not a servant so faithful he found,
For it wasted no time and had but one desire,
At the close of each week to be wound,
And it kept in its place, not a frown upon its face,
And its hand never hung by its side,
But it stopped, short, never to go again,
When the old man died.

It rang an alarm, in the dead of the night,
An alarm that for years had been dumb,
And we knew that his spirit, was pluming for flight,
That his hour for departure had come.
Still the clock kept the time, with a soft and muffled chime,
As we silently stood by his side.
But it stopped, short, never to go again,
When the old man died.

Ninety years without slumbering, his life seconds numbering,
It stopped, short, never to go again,
When the old man died.
[Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick……..]

END

Death Of Josephine Mackey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Thursday 27th April 2023, of Mrs Josephine Mackey (née Fleming), Graystown, Killenaule, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her parents Kitty and John; Mrs Mackey passed away while in the care of staff of St. Theresa’s Hospice, Clogheen, surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her daughter Lesley, sons David, Joseph, John and Paul, her brothers and sisters Peggy, Mick, Bernie, Matty and Robert, her step father Tom, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, partners, grandchildren Kate, Jack, Lily, Sam, A.J., Pia, Joseph, Emily and Rowan, extended relatives and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Mackey will repose at McCarthy’s Funeral Home, Fethard, on Saturday afternoon, April 29th, from 5.00pm until 7.00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Church of the Visitation, Cloneen, on Sunday afternoon, April 30th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 2.00pm, followed by interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.

Note Please: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to South Tipperary Hospice.

The extended Mackey 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.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.

Death Of Mary Maher-Ryan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Thursday 27th April 2023, of Mrs Mary Maher Ryan (née Dunne), Lacey’s Cross, Rossmore, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her husbands Mr Timothy Maher and Mr Larry Ryan; Mrs Maher-Ryan passed away, while in her 97th year, and in the care of staff at Sacre Coeur Nursing Home, Tipperary Town.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her daughters Maura (Maher), Elizabeth (Penston), Patricia (Phelan) and Siobhan (Ryan), sons T.J. (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.) and Liam, sons-in-law P.J. and Pat, daughters-in-law Kate and Bridget, sister-in-law Bridget Stapleton, grandchildren Jacqueline, Timothy, Stephen, Tadhg, Sean, Rebecca, Daniel and Dillon, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Maher-Ryan will repose in the Hayes Funeral Chapel, Clonoulty Village, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, on Saturday evening April 29th. from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.
Her remains will be received into the Church of St. John the Baptist, Clonoulty, Cashel on Sunday morning to further repose for Requiem Mass at 10:00am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in nearby Clonoulty Cemetery, Clonoulty, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mrs Maher-Ryan, same can be viewed, streamed live online HERE.

The extended Maher-Ryan 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.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Neglected Cuchulain Road Junction At Brittas Road To Undergo €30,000 Repairs.

Earlier this month (April 18th 2023), we highlighted the unacceptable state of Brittas Road, Thurles and the adjoining Cuchulain (Cuchulainn) Road junction.
On Monday last, April 24th, 2023, we learn that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have approved funding of €30,000 to resurface at least some of this area.
All eyes will now be focused on this area, to observe at first-hand what those paying motor tax actually receive for their €30,000 outlay.

**Brittas Road, outside Veterinary Clinic.**

We understand that Thurles Municipal District made their application under the TII’s Geo App funding stream. The grant is made available for works on national routes estimated as being under €50,000, with the responsibility of TII, under this funding stream carried out by local authorities. The Exchequer Capital Allocation notified to TII for national roads for 2023 is €254 million for Asset Protection and Renewal, and €237 million for New Roads.

**Centre of junction joining Brittas Road and Cuchulain Road**.

Due to the sheer wanton past neglect and the poor condition currently experienced by motorists on this arterial route; this road, which services not just traffic from the midlands, but the transport needs of some 1,500 second level students, including numerous 48 seater buses, will now need to be closed, during any repair period, date for which has not been released publicaly.

Death Of Michael Ryan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Wednesday 26th April, of Mr Michael (Mickey the Twin) Ryan, Hillview Drive, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his mother Phyllis, twin brother Martin (Rocky) and sister Yvonne; Mr Ryan passed away peacefully at his place of residence.
His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving family; wife Marian, daughters Éimear, Aoife and Deirdre, son Colm, adored grandson Senan, father Martin, sons-in-law Joe (Connolly) and Will (Gleeson), daughter-in-law Maria (McCoole), brothers Johnny and Thomas, sisters Breda and Mary, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Ryan will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on Friday afternoon, April 28th, 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, April 29th, at 10:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mr Ryan, same can be viewed, streamed live online HERE.

The extended Ryan 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.