Annual 2014 Thurles Service Of Harvest Thanksgiving

Posted on October 16, 2014 by George

‘Come ye thankful people come, raise the songs of harvest home.
All is safely gathered in ere the winter storms begin.’

The 2014 annual Thurles ‘Harvest Thanksgiving Service’ will take place this year in St Mary’s Church (C of I) Thurles on Sunday night next, (October 19th) at 7.00pm sharp.

Harvest services in all Christian churches here in Co. Tipperary usually take place in the evening time during the months of September and October. Church of Ireland churches lend themselves to being atmospherically lit and decorated with seasonal produce; taken from private gardens, orchards and fields of agriculture.

Such decorations usually consist of apples, pears, courgettes, pumpkins, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, turnips, cabbages, sugar beet and arrays of garden flowers together with a sheaf or two of corn, latter tied together in the old fashioned ways of grain harvesting.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services have long held historical rural roots in all Christian religions, with prayers of thanks offered to our Creator, once the hard work of harvesting has been completed and same is always experienced, by those attending, as being of a most joyous and uplifting occasion. Same is possibly brought about because of the choice of those wonderful Victorian hymns sung at these events, such as “We plough the fields and scatter,” “Come ye thankful people, come” and “All things bright and beautiful,” performed at very few other times during the churches calendar year.

In past years, following such services, all fruits and vegetables were donated to old folks homes, orphanages and workhouses etc., but this practice is rarely the case today as many such institutions have their food menus already pre-planned in advance and same is therefore more trouble than it is worth for them to accept such varied small gifts of such produce.

This year’s Thurles Harvest Thanksgiving Service, on Sunday October 19th, will be conducted by acting Thurles Rector Rev. Ian Coulter, while the special guest speaker will be Co. Waterford Curate, Rev. Jim Wallace.

St Mary’s Church Thurles are happy, as always, to welcome back again all Christians of all denominations to this most ecumenical of thanksgiving services, with the customary cup of ‘tea and a biscuit’ shared with all in attendance following the service.

Note: Based on previous attendances to such thanksgiving events in St Mary’s; elderly people are advised to come a little early, thus ensuring that same are not left standing due to limited space within the small church building.

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Borrisoleigh Festival Will Commence October 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2014

Posted on September 27, 2014 by George

borrisoleigh

Borrisoleigh Co Tipperary is the place to be for the first weekend in October with their Festival taking place from Friday Oct 3rd to Sunday October 5th, 2014.

Local residents have been busy once again this year painting premises around the town and even more exquisite murals have been added this year. A booklet has also been produced to mark this growing festival occasion.

Friday 3rd: The festival will commence with an officially opening in McDonagh Square. The Borrisoleigh festival committee are launching this year’s festival with a Mayoral Candidacy contest. The candidates will be trying to impress you to get your ‘No 1 Vote‘ and a fun filled evening’s entertainment is guaranteed, followed by live music by ‘Outa Diesel.’

Saturday 4th: Same will see two walking tours organised by the local ‘Bush and Briar Ramblers,’ over the Devil’s Bit and on the newly opened Inch Loop Walk. There will be also a ‘Line Dancing Workshop’ in the Marion Hall and a ‘Food and Craft Fair’ in the Square. Live music in the Square starts at 7.30pm with the ‘White Gypsy Band,’ followed by the ever popular ‘Silver Dollar & friends’ at 9.00pm.

Sunday 5th: Sunday starts off with the annual 40k charity cycle organised by the local cycling club with funds raised this year going to Downs Syndrome North Tipp Branch. This Family Fun Day in the park is bigger and better this year with a host of new fun activities added. Along with popular favourites from last year such as Bubble Soccer, Strongman Display by Irish Champion and local man Kevin Murray, Tug of War, Sheaf Tossing, BBQ and Novelty Games of Skill. There is also an exhibition of Birds of Prey, Bouncy Castles, Sumo Wrestling, Rodeo Bull, Arts, Crafts and Music workshops for kids, a Vintage Tractor display, a Climbing Wall, Face Painting and more.

Live music in the Square kicks off at 5.00pm with the ‘Castle Trio,’ and at 7.00pm the acclaimed Liam Ó Maonlaí (Hothouse Flowers fame) will take to the stage. At 9.00pm the band ‘Ebony’ will take over and the new Mayor of Borrisoleigh will be announced.

Note: There will be parking restrictions in the town over the course of the weekend so do follow directions.

For further details or to register for events visit www.borrisoleighfestival.com or email info@borrisoleighfestival.com. You can also follow updates on Facebook and Twitter.

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New Website For Tipperary’s Lough Derg Region

Posted on September 9, 2014 by George

1Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Mr. Alan Kelly TD yesterday (Monday, 8th September 2014) launched a brand new website dedicated exclusively to the promotion of the Lakelands Lough Derg region.

The website www.discoverloughderg.ie provides visitors to the region with information on places to visit, events, accommodation providers and restaurants, special offers, and land and water based activities.

The website is one of a number of marketing initiatives being rolled out over the coming months and during 2015 to establish the Lough Derg area in counties Clare, Galway and Tipperary as Ireland’s premier Lakeland destination.

“Lough Derg is the most important tourism asset in this region, and the lake has the capacity and the potential to entice and host domestic and international visitors alike,” stated Minister Kelly at the launch of www.discoverloughderg.ie.

The Minister added: “We need to continue to work on increasing the demand for lakeside and leisure activities and attract tourists into the Lakelands Lough Derg Region. An online presence is just one activity to assist us in doing this.”

Minister Kelly confirmed that a €2 million stimulus package is being invested to progress the objectives of the “Roadmap for Experience Development and Destination Marketing Plan 2014-2017” for Lough Derg, which was launched earlier this year.

Implementation of the Plan is being co-ordinated by the Lough Derg Marketing Group (LDMG), comprising Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland, Inland Fisheries, Clare, Galway and Tipperary County Councils, LEADER and tourism trade representatives from the private sector.

In addition to the website, the LDMG has coordinated a promotional video for the Lakelands Lough Derg Region, which is available to view on the newly launched website and which local tourism businesses are encouraged to incorporate into their websites. Lakelands Lough Derg will also be promoted on websites across France and Germany later this year, while a domestic marketing campaign is planned for the national print and broadcast media in early 2015.

Mr Joe MacGrath, LDMG Chairperson and Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council commented: “One of the key objectives outlined in the Roadmap is to improve orientation around Lough Derg for visitors. This will be achieved by erecting new signage to create a sense of arrival and enhance the visitor experience in exploring the area. It will focus on the three counties of Clare, Tipperary and Galway that border the lake with signage from motorways to the regional and local roads included in the scheme. Work is progressing in relation to this project and new signage is expected to be put in place in 2015.”

“The marketing and promotion of Lough Derg is an ongoing process,” explained Áine Mc Carthy, Tourism Marketing Coordinator for Lough Derg, who added: “For example, the Lough Derg Marketing Group launched a pilot food tourism initiative, A Taste of Lough Derg 2014, in June of this year which became an instant success generating public attention on social media through a series of events organised by the tourism trade in July and August. The initiative, which continues this month has created a significant interest in local produce available around Lough Derg and has heightened awareness of Lough Derg as a food tourism destination.”

“The initiative will be extended next year to get more of the tourism trade involved, with more events taking place throughout the summer months offering visitors to Lough Derg a choice of food events to attend,” added Ms. Mc Carthy.

Meanwhile, the LDMG has been involved in an EU Project called TRAP (Territories of Rivers Action Plans) since March which involves improving stakeholder engagement around Lough Derg.

Businesses wishing to be added to www.discoverloughderg.ie or to have their details updated should send an email to info@discoverloughderg.ie.

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The KUBE Comes To Tipperary

Posted on September 4, 2014 by George

Kube
“Have You Got What It Takes To Beat ‘THE KUBE’?”

Have you got the physical and mental ability required to beat ‘The Kube‘? Well you can find out at The Dome here in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday September 20th when THE KUBE visits Co Tipperary for the very first time.

Brought to The Dome by the Kilcooley Community Hall development and fund raising committee and proudly sponsored by Campion Pumps; THE KUBE is similarly based on the concept of the popular ITV Game-show, and regular TV viewers of this programme can view this same high class professional event here in Thurles, which is set to entertain, and WOW its Tipperary audience.

For to achieve maximum entertainment value, the format on the night will be just slightly different from the game show on TV. Forty contestants will be split into 8 groups with 5 contestants in each group. Two contestants from each of these groups will then proceed to the quarter finals. Same 16 contestants will then take on the Kube again to reach the semi final. Eight contestants will then battle it out in a semi final, with 4 contestants progressing to the final.

First prize on the night is €1,500, with €500 for second prize winners and 3rd and 4th positions winners will also receive prizes. This event will host a live DJ on the night and full bar facilities will be available to all in attendance.

At I go to press tonight I understand that 32 contestants have taken on THE KUBE challenge, with 8 contestants still being sought to participate. This could be your chance to test your physical and mental ability, not to mention your intelligence and responsiveness. (For more information on becoming a contestant contact Peter Cooke on Mobile Tel. No 087-4188890 ASAP.).

Remember: Event: THE KUBE; Venue: The Dome, Semple Stadium, Thurles; Date: Saturday September 20th next.

Doors open at 7.30pm – THE KUBE starts at 8.15pm sharp – Full Bar and Live DJ.

Guaranteed to Entertain and WOW.

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Féile Fidelma International Gathering In Cashel September 12th Next

Posted on September 1, 2014 by George

Celebrating Ireland’s International Best Selling Historical Crime Mystery Series.

The 5th three-day gathering of international enthusiasts of the best-selling historical crime series “The Sister Fidelma Mysteries,” by Peter Tremayne will be held in The Cashel Palace Hotel, Cashel, Co Tipperary from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th September 2014.

The series, which has been published in some 18 languages to date, is set in 7th century Ireland, whose sleuthing heroine is Fidelma, sister of King Colgú of Munster. With her companion, a Saxon, Brother Eadulf, she is an advocate of the Brehon Laws of old Ireland. There are now 25 books in this series.

Sister Fidelma

The event will be extra special as it will coincide with the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the first ever Sister Fidelma novel entitled “Absolution by Murder” published in 1994.

Online registration is now open. You may pay in Euro or dollars. Full registration is €160 or US$225. This fee covers the opening reception on Friday evening, a registration pack, three days of talks, an outing to Coolmore Stud Farm to accompany a talk on the horse breeds in Fidelma’s day, tea/coffee breaks and of course the Saturday evening gala dinner with Peter Tremayne and guests.

Day registration is also available, which will include the three lectures and tea/coffee break at €30 per day and €40 if a visit to Coolmore Stud Farm is also to be included.

Please Note: There is limited availability to Coolmore Stud Farm for day registration.

Féile Fidelma 2014 Community Programme of Events

Friday, September 12th 2014
From 18.00-19.00: Registration at The Cashel Palace Hotel.
19.00: Reception by the Mayor of Cashel.
19.30 Official Opening of Féile Fidelma Weekend 2014.
20.00 An Evening with Peter Tremayne.
This will be followed by an informal session in the Cellar Bar.

Saturday, September 13th 2014
09.30: The Sister Fidelma Novels: Professor Edward Rielly, Maine, U.S.A..
10.30: Coffee Break.
11.00: What was in Sr. Fidelma’s Liber Hymnorum?: Dr. Ann Buckley, T.C.D..
12.00: Horses in Fidelma’s Day: Mr. Noel Mullins, equestrian expert.
14.30: Visit Coolmore Stud Farm, the centre of bloodstock breeding in Ireland.
19.30: Gala Dinner in The Cashel Palace Hotel featuring Caroline Lennon (The Voice of Fidelma) who will read passages from the Sr. Fidelma Series.
Click here to download the Gala Dinner Menu.

Sunday, September 14th 2014
09.30: Food in Fidelma’s time: Regina Sexton, U.C.C..
10.30: Coffee Break.
11.00: The Eóghanacht: Professor Pádraig Ó Riain, U.C.C..
12.00: David Robert Wooten, founder of the International Society.
13.00: Conclusion of Féile Fidelma Weekend 2014.

Distinguished Speakers

Professor Edward Rielly from Maine, USA, who was co-editor, with David Robert Wooten, of the academic study “The Sister Fidelma Mysteries”: The Historical Novels of Peter Tremayne (2012). Rielly is Professor of English at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in the U.S.A.

Professor Pádraig Ó Riain is Ireland’s leading scholastic expert of the Fidelma’s period. Ó Riain is an Irish Celticist and prominent hagiologist focusing on Irish hagiography, martyrdom, mythology, onomastics and codicology. He has spent much of his academic life at the University College Cork, where he became a lecturer in 1964 and was professor of Old and Middle Irish. He has been a member of the Royal Irish Academy since 1989, president of the Irish Texts Society since 1992, Parnell Fellow at Magdalene College, Cambridge, since 2002 and more recently, a member of the ‘Place Names Commission of Ireland,’ (Irish: An Coimisiún Logainmneacha).

Dr Ann Buckley is a leading expert on liturgical music in Fidelma’s time. Buckley holds a B.Mus., M.A. (National University of Ireland), doctoral (University of Amsterdam) and a Ph.D. (University of Cambridge) and is a research associate at the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Trinity College, Dublin.

Regina Sexton from University College Cork, who is a food historian, food writer, broadcaster and cook. Sexton has been researching and publishing in the area of Irish food and culinary history since 1993. Her research interests include food and identity, food and tradition and food in the Irish country house. She has published widely at academic and popular levels and is a leading expert on food in Fidelma’s time.

Noel Mullins is an equestrian expert. Mullins has not only authored two books about the origin of horses in Ireland, countless articles in equestrian journals, but he is also an expert advising and appearing in many films and television shows on the subject. In 2005, for example, he played a huntsman in the remake of ‘Lassie’ with Peter O’Toole.

David Robert Wooten is the founder of The International Sister Fidelma Society, its director and editor of its thrice yearly journal The Brehon. Wooten will be introducing and chairing the first evening with the author, Peter Tremayne. He will also be winding up the event on Sunday with his usual look at the state of Fidelma’s World. He will be reflecting on the Society’s thirteen years of existence (it was founded in 2001 and The Brehon was launched in February, 2002). And, of course, he will be examining the Féile Fidelma past and present and future.

Caroline Lennon is the actress acclaimed as the ever popular ‘Voice of Fidelma,’ and who reads the Sister Fidelma Audio Books published by Soundings, Isis Publishing Ltd.

So please do note your calendar and take a break to experience this truly most enjoyable of annual events.

Book Tickets: http://www.cashelartsfest.com/content/Buy-Tickets.html

Date: Friday 12th until Sunday 14th September
Venue: Cashel Palace Hotel, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Cost: €160.00

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