Death Of Michael Bourke, Barnane, Drom, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Saturday 28th January 2023, of Mr Michael Bourke, Barnane, Drom, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his wife Mary, brother Donal, sisters-in-law Eileen and Nuala, brother-in-law Tobias and niece Margaret; Mr Bourke passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Acorn Lodge, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

His passing is most deeply regretted by his son Michael, daughters Evelyn, Doreen, Lucy, Ada and Dympna, his daughter-in-law Marisa, sons-in-law Ned, Matt, Seamus and PJ, brothers Sean, Denis and Kevin, sisters-in-law, grandchildren Louise, jack, Bill, Mary, Jane, John, Rachel, Joseph, Ruth, Tom, Faye, Paddy and Aoife, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Bourke will be received into the Church of St. Mary, Drom, Co. Tipperary at 7:00pm to arrive at 7:45 pm. Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday morning, January 31st, at 11:30am followed by interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.

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

The extended Bourke family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Allergy Alert Notification

Incorrectly Declared Allergens In Harvest Morn Protein Bars.

According to an Allergy Alert Notification, published by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, (FSAI), dated Friday January 27th last; Gluten, Peanuts, Soybeans and Milk have been incorrectly declared in Harvest Morn Protein Bars.

The FSAI warn that in all batches and best before dates of Harvest Morn Protein Bars, allergens may not be emphasised on the label. This may make the products unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of cereals containing gluten (barley), peanuts, soybeans, and milk.
The implicated bars were sold in Aldi stores.

See details of all the recalled product ranges shown above or View HERE.

Words.

“Words”.

“Always engage brain before operating mouth.” Same was a regular piece of advice doled out by Eliza Jane, my Grandmother.

Proverbs 15:28: “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”

According to the late Robin Gibb (CBE), (1949 – 2012) of the musical group, “Bee Gees” the song ‘Words’ reflected a mood, and was originally written following an argument. Barry and Robin Gibb had both been arguing with someone, about absolutely nothing. They were just words, however, as we all appreciate, the spoken words can make a person happy or words can make a person sad and angry.

Vocals: Bee Gees
Lyrics: Maurice Ernest Gibb; Robin Hugh Gibb and Barry Alan Gibb

Smile an everlasting smile,
A smile can bring you near to me.
Don’t ever let me find you gone,
‘Cause that would bring a tear to me.
This world has lost its glory.
Let’s start a brand new story now, my love.
Right now, there’ll be no other time,
And I can show you how, my love.
Talk in everlasting words,
And dedicate them all to me,
And I will give you all my life.
I’m here if you should call to me.
And you think that I don’t even mean,
A single word I say.
It’s only words and words are all I have,
To take your heart away.
And you think that I don’t even mean,
A single word I say.
It’s only words and words are all I have,
To take your heart away.
It’s only words and words are all I have,
To take your heart away.
It’s only words.

END

Three Tipperary Meat Processing Plants Approved For Exports Of Beef To China.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Charlie McConalogue, has announced the resumption of Irish beef exports to China. Stakeholders in the industry have obviously welcoming this development, since the Chinese market previously imported Irish beef to the tune of €96 million in 2019.

Chinese buyers of Irish beef have placed orders with a number of processors and cattle eligible for export to China have been processed in a number of facilities throughout Ireland as of Friday, last January 27th 2023.

In total twenty four Irish sites are currently listed on the China Imported Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) website, each approved to export beef to China, with some of these sites slaughtering cattle while other sites store or process the beef.

The Irish Meat Processors in Co. Tipperary who have been approved for the export of beef to China are as follows:

ABP Cahir Kilcommon, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
ABP Nenagh Grange, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
Ashbourne Meat Processors (Roscrea) Castleholding, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

Irish beef exports to China and including Hong Kong, latter which operates as a special administrative region with different market access rules, were worth €45 million in 2020, down from exports of €96 million in 2019. Readers will remember that in May 2020, Irish beef shipments to China were suspended following the confirmation of an isolated case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or referred to as ‘Mad Cow Disease,’ a neurological disorder of cattle.
Note: This isolated case of BSE did not enter the food chain and posed no risk to human health. Nevertheless, beef exports to China were immediately suspended at the time, purely as a precautionary measure, and in line with the bilateral protocol on trade agreed with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Suicide In The Trenches.

The poem hereunder describes the true realities for those forced to go to war to protect their country.
The poem tells of the suicide of a young man sent off to war, while attacking the often “smug-faced crowds” who group together to greet returning soldiers.

The poem is by English war poet, writer, and soldier, Siegfried Loraine Sassoon, (1886 – 1967); [Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, (CBE); Military Cross (MC) July 27th 1916].

“Suicide In The Trenches”

I knew a simple soldier boy,
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.

In winter trenches, cowed* and glum,
With crumps* and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.

You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you’ll never know,
The hell where youth and laughter go.

END.