|
|
Starting next Thursday July 28th, Tipperary’s longest running festival, International Miss Macra, will celebrate it’s 40th Anniversary. Joan Pollard Carew, (Michael’s Jewellers’, Friar Street, Thurles.) Macra Sponsor, Published Poetess, and Thurles Community Activist writes:-
 Joan Pollard Carew “I am both proud and honoured to state that I have been involved with International Miss Macra almost since its inception, forty years ago. In 1987, I was invited to join the adjudicating panel and was thrilled to accept. I am delighted to be one of the longest standing adjudicators and sponsors of this successful festival.
Over the years I was privileged to sit on the ‘Judging Panel,’ with Patsy Lawlor (Farmers Journal) Martin Ryan (Limerick Leader) Deputy Teresa Ahern (RIP) Jim Dockery, Matt O’Keefe, Eileen Leamy, Alma Heffernan, Deirdre Crowe and Declan Ryan to name just a few.
I have met and interviewed hundreds of contestants from every county in Ireland. Since the festival became International, we have had contestants from Germany, Holland, Russia, Poland, Scotland and New York. I am proud of all the decisions made by me and my fellow adjudicators over the years.
Our task is difficult, but very enjoyable, as we meet, chat and share time with a wonderful group of young ladies all eager to carry the title home.
I have been privileged to work with numerous Macra Committee Members, all who put their own stamp on the International Miss Macra festival. In the earlier years Paddy Heffernan, Michael Slattery and Tom Horan were among the founder members of the event, Paddy is still very involved today. I worked with Simon Loughman, John Ryan, Eamon and Geraldine Coleman, Jim Dockery, Eileen Leamy, Pat Fogarty, Declan Ryan, Claire Ryan, and the present Chairperson Mary Lyng.
I have fond memories of the earlier years of the festival and the field evenings (Held to raise funding.) up in the cattle mart, at Cabra Road, Thurles. My husband Michael and I were approached for sponsorship by Tim Curran from Clonoulty. That year we sponsored trophies for the field evening. This was our introduction to this wonderful festival as sponsors.
Thurles was the host town of the festival in the earlier years. Clonoulty Rossmore Macra Na Feirme brought a tremendous festival to the town over the August bank holiday weekend, for over thirty years. This added greatly to the economy of the town.
The festival usually started on the last Friday evening in July. Contestants arrived in the car park in Cathedral Street, Thurles, on floats and then were paraded up Liberty Square, to a specially erected platform, usually Dwan’s lorry, decked out in beautiful flower arrangements. The competing young ladies were escorted on to the stage and introduced to the huge assembled crowd. The job of introducing the contestants was very ably conducted over the years by numerous personalities including Jackie Griffin, (RIP) Philip Ryan, PJ Broderick, Eamon Coleman and Mike Egan.
Saturday morning Hayes Hotel in the Square was buzzing as the girls arrived for interviews. Saturday night saw The Premier Hall hosting the Cabaret, then it was dancing time and fun as contestant’s locals and visitors danced chatted and strangers became friends.
The sports day followed Sunday mass in Rossmore. Contestants, host family’s, locals and visitors travelled the short distance to the hurling field in Clonoulty. This was followed by a BBQ, prepared and cooked by the local ICA ladies.
Sunday night was Banquet Night and over the years this was held in Hayes Hotel or The Anner Hotel. Contestants were then coached to The Premier Hall to dance to The Paddies and the announcement and crowning of the winning girl.
International Miss Macra Festival has become the highlight in our calendar of events here in Co Tipperary. The festival has brought thousands of visitors from all over Ireland and parts of Europe to Co Tipperary for this August bank holiday period over the years. The festival is instrumental in helping us showcase Co Tipperary as a destination for holidaymakers who enjoy historical buildings, good fishing, equine activities, forest walks, traditional music / dancing and superb high street shopping.
We are the Premier County in the heart of the Golden Vale and extend a hand of friendship to all who visit us, small wonder that we have holidaymakers returning every year to our beautiful county.
International Miss Macra festivals has gone from strength to strength thanks to the foresight and hardworking committees over the years.”
The festival is now hosted in Dundrum House Hotel and Golf Resort. The ambiance of this great house and resort is a perfect location for this truly prestigious festival.
This festival begins Thursday 28th July and runs until Sunday July 31st, 2011 inclusive.
The late Mattie Ryan would have been very proud indeed. But no doubt he was watching down with a smile as the Gucci Handbags got dusted down, hairs got super glued, false nails were coloured and highlighted (Or was it the other way around, Can’t remember), and new frocks got their first official outing. Tail feathers were plucked from every exotic bird found holidaying in the Thurles area, only to be used later to decorate many of the unusually shaped hats, displayed in abundance.
The ‘glam’ preparations, which I describe, of course were for yesterday’s right Royal Mock Wedding event, held in aid of a most worthy cause, the Thurles Cancer Support Group, Suir Haven, latter a charity once very close to Mattie Ryan’s heart.
The bride for this right ‘Royal Bash,’ was the very lovely Princess Sharon Kerrigan, the groom, the equally handsome Prince Brendan O’Donnell.
Escorted down the aisle by Deputy Michael Lowry TD, the bride looked breathtaking in a brushed silk white bridal evening gown, with delicately laced bodice.
The couple both publicly declared their love for each other in front of a large gathering of family and close friends in that ‘Basilica of Rock Music,’ locally known as HQ Nightclub here in Thurles, presided over by Tipp FM ‘s Breakfast Bowl impersario and the radio stations resident parish priest Rev.Fr. Aidan Mac MC.
A video recording of the ceremony was undertaken by top videographer, Mr Garry Butler and the newly married couple later joined their guests for a large amount of light refreshments, in a pub crawl which included Michael Bowes Pub Friar Street, The Arch Bar, Millay’s Tavern and of course the home of the GAA, Hayes Hotel all located in Liberty Square, just to name a few.
The happy couple were tight lipped on information regarding their honeymoon destination, but to Sharon and Brendan go the good wishes of all their families members and many friends here in Thurles, for a happy, healthy and prosperous life together. (Personally, I just can’t see the marriage lasting.)
Nevertheless a most enjoyable event in aid of a worthy cause, and to all involved well done.
 Dads Charity Cycle - Destination Thurles The newly formed Thurles Tourism group “Hidden Tipperary,” report that the Kells Dad’s Cycle charity event have chosen Thurles as their destination for their sixth annual staged cycle event.
Officially titled ‘Kells Windows Restoration Systems‘ this Dad’s Cycle for Charity Tour, in previous years have raised over €70,000 for worthy causes such as St Vincent de Paul, Meals-on-Wheels, Children of Chernobyl and Crossakiel Young At Heart.
The “Dad’s Cycle Charity,” was initially started by a group of ex-Drumbaragh GFC footballers who decided five years ago, to give back something to their local community, latter who continue to strongly supported all local GAA clubs in the Kells area.
The 12 man group of cyclists will depart from Kells for Thurles on Friday 17th June and the cyclists will stay at the historical Hayes’s Hotel, Liberty Square in Thurles, latter the birth place of the GAA, first founded in 1884.
On Saturday June 18th, the group are expected to cycle to the Rock of Cashel, following in the footsteps of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who recently visited this area.
The group have been invited by the “Hidden Tipperary ” Committee, to visit St Mary’s Famine Museum as guests of Thurles, during their short stay, before returning to Kells on Sunday 19th June next.
So if you spot a group of “Tough looking Meath footballers,” hanging about, do say hello and give them a true Thurles welcome. Remember our Motto “Fleadh agus Failte.” (Translated from Irish:- “Banquet (or Party) and Welcome.”)
Picture Source: The Meath Chronicle
Two barmen, Mr Gary Wright and Mr Aidan Dalton, both charged with the manslaughter of Mr Graham Parish, were found not guilty on the judge’s orders this morning at Nenagh Court. Both men had denied responsibility for the death of Mr Parish in Hayes Hotel, Thurles, Co Tipperary, on June 30th 2008.
 Hayes Hotel, Thurles, Co Tipperary Mr Parish, from Calder Terrace in Lomeshaye village near Nelson, East Lancashire, was celebrating his 26th birthday, when he drank a lethal mix of at least eight shots in one glass.
Mr Parish’s grieving parents David and Julie and his sister Jess were obviously upset, as they left the Circuit Court in Nenagh, where Judge Thomas Teehan directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty. The family of the late Mr Parish said in a statement later, that Graham had brought much happiness to his family and he was greatly missed. They now hoped this case will highlight the dangers of alcohol and if this incident could prevent further deaths then their son’s death would not have been in vain.
Judge Teehan stated that the State had proved Mr Wright and Mr Dalton had a duty of care to Mr Parish, and had breached that duty of care and that their negligence was gross, however he found their negligence was not the cause of the victim’s death and Mr Parish had taken the decision to consume the drink of his own free will. He said there was a high level of personal responsibility in relation to drink and no jury could safely bring in a verdict of guilty on either man, directing the jury to find them not guilty.
This case is set to raise further debate over the responsibility owed to consumers by bar proprietors and those working in licenced premises, and also the responsibility by consumers, to themselves, in controlling their personal drinking behaviour.
Family and friends wept in court as the case was dramatically struck out. The accused, through their Thurles Solicitor, Mr J.J. Fitzgerald, extended their sympathies to the Parish family.
The six-day trial heard that Mr Parish had been drinking heavily in the hotel bar with his five other British contractors, who were working in a meat processing plant in the area. Both Mr Wright, a barman for 13 years, and Mr Dalton, who had worked in the pub trade for some 10 years, told investigators they believed the drink would be shared among his friends.
This case is the first of its kind under newly introduced Irish alcohol liability laws.
 Michael and Joan Carew (Michael's Jewellers) present perpetual cup, for best marching band, to the St. Pat's Day Parade Committee. Pictured shows: J. Purcell , J. Pollard-Carew; M. Ryan; M. Carew and P. Durack-O'Dwyer . Thurles will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2011 on Sunday March 20th. Evenings spent planning by the town’s St Patrick’s Day Committee have ensured that the organisation of this event is well advanced and the celebrations promise to be even bigger and better than any celebration heretofore.
Music In The Square.
Music will be provided, on the band-stand in Liberty Square, by ‘The Moynihan Brothers‘, from 2.00pm to 3.00pm, and immediately after the Parade. This group is being sponsored by ‘The Club for Dancing‘. There will be a dance in The Premier Ballroom from 9.00pm to 12.00 midnight to the music of ‘Patrick O’Sullivan‘. Additional entertainment in Liberty Square, from 2.00pm, include stilt walkers, jugglers, face painters, balloon modellers, comedy etc.
The Parade And Fancy Dress.
This year there is a prize fund of up to €3,000 and a grant of up to €300 is available for any group entering a large float in the parade. Prizes include Cash, Cups, Trophies, Plaques, Shields, Crystal trophies, Ladies watch, Sony Walkman,750 Medals and lots of other prizes. Everyone is invited to take part.
 C. Burke (Thurles Shopping Centre) presents perpetual cup, for Best School entry, to St.Pat's Day Parade Committee. Picture shows: J. Kenehan (Mayor), T. Gleeson PRO, A. Broderick (Pres C of Commerce), C. Burke and J. Kennedy(Chairman NTCC). There are some special prizes for individual entries in costume or fancy dress. Schools are especially invited to take part, as there is a brand new perpetual cup this year, which has been sponsored by Thurles Town Shopping Centre. If your school can’t enter, maybe an individual class can, or alternatively a small or large group of individuals to represent the school. Please be involved and please do take part. Contact Tom Gleeson – Tel: 087-9732837.
Parking Restrictions on Sunday 20/03/2011.
Note:- From 1.00pm to 4.30pm:- No parking in Liberty Square from Executive Menswear to Fones4U and no parking from Brennan’s Pub to Hayes Hotel entrance. No parking in the centre of the Square between those areas. No traffic through this section of the Square from 2.15pm to 4.45pm. Diversions will be in operation. The viewing stand will be placed in the area between Scanlon’s and The Post Office and the band stand will be placed in the centre of the Square opposite Brennan’s Pub. Both of these areas must be clear by 10.00am on Sunday morning to facilitate parking of those lorries. No parking on the left hand side of Abbey Road from the Kennedy Park roundabout to the Railway Bridge for the period from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.
50c Bucket Collection.
The St. Patrick’s Day Committee have organised a bucket collection during the Parade on Sunday 20th March. Everyone is asked to give 50c to this collection. The collectors will be easily recognised, wearing yellow vests marked ‘St. Patrick’s Day Parade Thurles’.
The committee wish to thank all those who have helped to sponsor this year’s parade or who have helped out in any way.
|
Support Us Help keep Thurles.info online by donating below. Thank you.
Total Donated 2025: €130.00
Thank You!
Daily Thurles Mass Livestream
|
Recent Comments