Thurles Information

Allergy Alert Notification In Relation To Dunnes Stores White Sub Rolls

Yesterday the Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued an allergy alert notification in relation to Dunnes Stores White Sub Rolls (4 Semolina Dusted White Sub Rolls); pack size: 290 g; best before date: 17/07/2022.

The implicated batch of Dunnes Stores White Sub Rolls were improperly or incorrectly packaged, with Dunnes Stores Floury White Baps. This bap product contains milk and eggs, which are not declared on the list of ingredients .

This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to, or intolerant of milk or eggs.

Bee Swarming Season In Co. Tipperary.

The “Swarming” of our honey bee (Apis mellifera) population, here in Co. Tipperary, is a natural annual process. Most swarming activity takes place between 11:00am – 4:00pm during spells of very warm weather and never during periods of rain.

Their reasons for swarming are identified as either the hive having become too crowded, so they decide to split into smaller groups; with one group agreeing to remain in the existing hive. Sometimes, however, the complete hive population may decide to totally abscond, due to persistent heat; parasite or disease infestation; frequent disturbances from humans or animals, poor ventilation, or problems with the queen bee.

Worker bees are able to detect when it’s time to swarm due to the overcrowding of their hive or the lack of pheromone production from their queen.

In preparation for their swarming, the workers will deprive the queen of food in order to slim her down, so she can fly with them. They will also agitate her in order to prevent her from laying further eggs. They can also decide to allow the queen to lay eggs, so that a new queen can emerge and take over the hive.

On swarming, the colony leave their hive to find an area where they can hang in a cluster from a branch or even alight on the ground, until such time as the scout bees can decide on new accommodation, such as in a tree cavity, or abandoned building. They can, however, become a nuisance when they take up residence in the walls of a residential house, or garden shed. But usually bee keepers are more than happy to come and take offending swarms, consigning them to more acceptable hive homes.

A honey bee swarm can be somewhat frightening when thousands of bees appear in a large, rather noisy buzzing cloud, before settling into a cluster in your garden or other space.
Most honey bee swarms are not aggressive, but best advice is to keep away and leave them alone. Swarming bees usually don’t sting but it is always best to stay clear and keep children & pets indoors.

Do remember that besides making honey, our honey bees are essential for pollinating some 90% percent of our crops worldwide, and our earth would be much the worst without these hard-working little creatures.

Humans have been collecting honey from bees since ancient times, with cave paintings in Cuevas de la Araña, Valencia, Spain depicting humans foraging for honey back at least 8,000 years ago.

Note: Most microorganisms do not grow in honey, so sealed honey does not spoil, even after thousands of years.

Death Of Helen Devitt, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Wednesday 13th July 2022, of Mrs Helen Devitt (née Guidera), Cnoc Neibhin, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Kennedy Park, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her husband Donal; the passing of Mrs Devitt is most deeply regretted by her loving daughter Breda, son-in-law Owen, grandchildren Nicole, Adrian, Tadgh and Saoirse, brothers Billy, Pat, Michael and John, sisters Mary and Bridget, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Devitt will repose at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Castle Quarter, Borrisoleigh, Thurles on Saturday evening from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
Her body will be received into the nearby Church of the Sacred Heart, Borrisoleigh, Thurles on Sunday morning to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in Clonenagh Cemetery, Mountrath, Co. Laois.

For the many persons who would have liked to have attended the funeral service for Mrs Devitt, but due to distance or ill health are unable to do so; same can be viewed online HERE.

[NB: Due to C-19 virus fears; those attending will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]

The extended Devitt family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.

Thurles Musical Festival 2022 – Final Pictures

Final batch of pictures uploaded herewith from the highly successful Thurles Musical Festival 2022, which was held in Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, just last weekend, July 9th & 10th.

You can view some 450 pictures of the earlier uploaded frames, all of which can be found HERE – HERE – HERE – HERE – and HERE.

Enjoy.

Sewer Gas Emanated From Liberty Square, Thurles, During Recent Music Festival.

Sewer gas is a by-product of the breakdown of natural human waste. Same substance comprises of a mixture of gases, including Hydrogen sulphide, Ammonia, Methane and Carbon dioxide.

The hydrogen sulphide in sewer gas is what gives it its signature rotten egg stench, which currently is being experienced by Thurles residents, following the recent upgrading of Liberty Square in the town.

Possibly the worst stench is located east of the Liberty Square, close to a primary School, but nevertheless emanates from several manhole covers in the area, depending on the prevailing wind.

During last weekend’s Musical Festival, the matter was drawn to the attention of Festival Chairperson and local Councillor Mr Jim Ryan, who admitted that the matter required serious attention.

High level exposure to sewer gas can cause symptoms of ‘sewer gas poisoning’. There are numerous possible causes for sewer gas smell, 90% of which are the result of improperly placed or damaged drainage pipes.

Sewer gas can leak into buildings when plumbing vents are: (1) installed too close to a window or door; (2) through cracks in the foundation of buildings; (3) clogged up or collapsed drains or (4) air intake vents due to sewer gas building up in other nearby sewer pipes.

As we are all aware, sewer drains are responsible for the transportation of toxic waste and if drains are clogged from items that should NOT have been flushed, same can cause a sewage backup. If this backup is not treated, the content in clogged pipes will continue to decompose, thus leaking sewer gas back into homes and business premises.
Water movement through sewer systems in Liberty Square, latter which normally helps to provide a barrier against potentially harmful gases, does not seem to be functioning at present.

Sewer gas is a complex mixture of various gases and compounds, some of which can be toxic to humans, and while same is not dangerous in small amounts, these compounds can contribute to sewer gas toxicity at high levels.

Hydrogen sulphide, the primary gas in sewer gas, is toxic to the oxygen systems in the body. In high amounts it can cause adverse symptoms, organ damage, leading often to death.

Ammonia, remains a well-known compound used in many cleaning products. Exposure to this latter substance can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. At high levels, ammonia is toxic to humans and again it can cause organ damage.

Methane and Carbon dioxide are both comparatively non-toxic greenhouse gases. However, in large amounts, methane gas mixed with air is extremely flammable and therefore becomes a fire hazard and can be easily ignited by sparks induced by minor frictional impact.

In industrial workplaces and confined room areas, high levels of sewer gas can cause fatigue, headaches, vomiting, dizziness or light-headedness, poor memory and concentration, a loss of smell, dry mouth, throat or lung irritation, eye irritation or contagious conjunctivitis and even seizures.

Time for Tipperary Co. Council officials & local Councillors to now get this Liberty Square issue immediately sorted out, before the area becomes totally uninhabited.