St Mary’s Church Thurles Tipperary – Carols By Candlelight

Posted on December 17, 2012 by George

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum

The annual ecumenical service “Carols by Candlelight,” will take place in St Mary’s Church, Thurles, Co Tipperary on Friday next December 21st at 8.00pm.

Music for this seasonal event will be directed by local, well known Thurles organist Mr John O’Gorman and will feature recording artists & former rock Band “Cephas,” (Latter Noreen, Edward & JJ Cullinane), well known recorded ‘Tenor,’ Michael Molumby, Miss Rachel Willoughby, & published Poet Mrs Joan Pollard Carew.

Carols by Candlelight

One of the earliest forms of “Carols by Candlelight,” began in the 19th century, when Cornish Miners working in Moonta, South Australia would gather on Christmas Eve to sing carols, lit with candles stuck to the brims of their safety helmets. This tradition spread through Victoria and Melbourne until it was popularised in 1938 by Norman Banks, a radio announcer, then with a Melbourne radio station. Story goes that whilst walking home from his night-time radio shift on Christmas Eve in 1937, he passed a window and saw inside an elderly woman sitting up in bed, listening to ‘Away in a Manger,’ being played on the radio and singing along, with her face being lit by candlelight. Wondering how many others spent Christmas alone, he had the idea to gather a large group of people to all sing Christmas carols together by candlelight. The first ever such event was held in Alexandra Gardens the following Christmas, 1938, and was attended by around 10,000 people.

Doors to St Mary’s Church will open at 7.15 pm to ensure that elderly people attending will be offered suitable seating for this event, which will also feature performances from Thurles Chamber of Commerce and other Community leaders in Thurles and its environs.

All are welcome to attend this free, no ticket seasonal concert.

A collection will be taken during this special Church Christmas seated concert event, proceeds from which go to the Annual overseas C of I Bishop’s Appeal Fund.

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Best Shop Front Thurles Finalist De Búrca’s Pub

Posted on November 15, 2012 by George

De Búrca’s Pub, Cathedral Street, Thurles, Tipperary.

It comes as no great surprise to many tourists & Thurles residents that De Búrca’s Pub, positioned in Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co Tipperary, has been chosen as one of the finalist, in this years ‘Best Presented Shop Front Award 2012.’

Deirdre Cox, (Environmental Awareness Officer ) of North Tipperary County Council has notified Refresh Thurles, that of the possible 17 Thurles premises nominated for the County Council’s Best Presented Shop Front Award 2012, De Búrca’s Pub has been successfully selected as a finalist.

(Click on Image, left, for larger picture.)

The overall winners of the finalist nominations are expected to be announced at an Environmental Awards Ceremony to be held on November 19th next, and at which the current understandably proud proprietor M/s Marie Bourke is expected to attend.

De Búrca’s licensed hostility opens seven nights a week and is viewed by locals and visitors as the ideal cosy location for that quiet drink, where cosy conversation is assured to materialize uninterrupted. This traditional premises in Thurles is still one of just a few pubs now in the town, which still provide that cosy and welcoming old style open fire, which down through the years has been so welcoming to those travelling.

Remember also, that each Friday, the lovers of traditional Irish music are kept fully entertained, starting from 10.00pm each Friday night.
[mappress mapid=”15″]

Click on P (Pub) Tag on Map for Directions by road, cycling, driving or hiking.
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New Free State Army Database Comes On-Line

Posted on November 13, 2012 by George

Portrait of Micheál Ó Coileáin (Michael Collins)

It was in October of 1922 that the Irish Army Council decided to organise a census of National Forces, to be undertaken at midnight spanning the 12th & 13th November of that year. Its purpose was “To ascertain the exact strength of the National Forces by location, for administrative, logistical and operational purposes.”

In the coming weeks, history lovers can view a full list of personnel in the Free State Army originally led by General Michael Collins is being currently launched on-line, on the website of the Defence Forces’ Military Archives.

When the site is complete, the full contents of Ireland’s first, and indeed only military census, which was compiled just months after General Collins was killed in 1922, will list the names of all those who served in the Irish National Army, during the Civil War.

The then National Army consisted of units of the IRA who had fought for independence from Britain. Their Commander in Chief was General Collins, who was also the Chairman of the new Provisional Government of the Irish Free State, which was scheduled to materialise in December 1922. However this expected transition to Irish independence was to be disrupted by the Irish Civil War, which began in June 1922. This new army would now split between those who supported the Treaty and the “Irregulars,” latter, those who opposed it.

Following his death in an ambush by ‘Irregulars,’ at Béal na mBláth, Cork in August 1922, General Michael Collins was replaced as head of the provisional government, between August to December 1922, by William Thomas Cosgrave. (Though it had the option to appoint General Richard Mulcahy, the pro-Treaty leadership decided on W. T. Cosgrave to succeed, in part due to his democratic credentials as a long-time serving politician.)

A sample on-line page listing named individuals in the barracks at Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co Tipperary, can now be viewed by clicking Here

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Co Tipperary Halloween Festival In Thurles

Posted on October 26, 2012 by George

Thurles Halloween Festival

The 5th annual Thurles Halloween Festival came alive last evening, here in the Cathedral town, with a host of events to keep the whole family occupied over the next very spooky 5 day period.

The festival committee have put a huge effort into this years festival and it kicked off last night and will finish on Wednesday 31st October next.

Over the 5 remaining days of this festival, a host of events will be taking place including Art Exhibitions, Drama, Comedy, Various Workshops, Live Music, Street Entertainment, Fireworks, Fire Shows, Public Talks, Poetry Readings, A Soccer Tournament, Street Parade, A Battle of the Bands Competition, Films and a Street Cycle Race.

Sponsors of these events include North Tipperary Leader Partnership, The Arts Council and also the general public here in Thurles, who gave so generously at numerous fund-raising initiatives, over the past 12 months.

So do come along during this week and enjoy the various events including the Annual Fireworks spectacle, which will finish off this years Festival in its usual unique style.

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Winter Walking Weekend Upperchurch 2012

Posted on October 25, 2012 by George

EXPERIENCE “ELEGY WRITTEN IN AN ‘UPPERCHURCH,’ YARD.”

(With sincere apologies to poet Thomas Gray)

“The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The lowing herd winds slowly o’er the lea,
The ploughman homeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the world to torchlight and to me.
Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight,
And all the air a solemn stillness holds,
Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight,
And drowsy tinklings lull the Upperchurch folds.”

So what are ye all up to on Friday Nov 9th next? Usual old Friday night activity I suppose. Boring Late Late Show, lounging in front of the TV, kids stuck ‘gaming,’ on the Play-station, or simply uploading text on Facebook in the hope of a LIKE. Am I right?

So time to take a break, grab HERSELF and steal away from that old constant Friday night drudgery, by experiencing at first hand the aforementioned poetic lines above, in that magnificent, wild, unspoilt and uncontrolled heavenly environment, that is Upperchurch, Thurles, here in Co.Tipperary.

Take HERSELF, instead, on a romantic torchlight stroll through beautiful farmland, quiet country roads, hills and lowlands and continue to stretch your legs on a variety of other walks, for all abilities, ranging from 6km to 18km on Saturday Nov 10th and Sunday Nov 11th also. This is not just my advice, it’s also the advice of the Upperchurch /Drombane Development Association, latter organising their annual Weekend Winter walks. Your kids will so enjoy the wide open space and the clear, pure hilly air.

Note: The Friday night walk is free of admission to all & complimentary refreshments will be provided after all the weekend’s events.

Suitable Gear

Walkers do not need to be reminded, but are nevertheless advised to bring suitable footwear, rain gear, a backpack with a snack, drinks and possibly a change of clothes. Remember Strictly No Dogs.

If your legs are up for it after hiking through the hills, there are free set dancing lessons on Saturday evening & traditional music will be provided in all the local pubs during the weekend. There will be free set dancing lessons on Saturday evening at 5.00 p.m. in Oliver Ryan’s Pub and visiting musicians and performers are as usual very welcome.

Upperchurch/Drombane Development Association wish to thank sincerely all area landowners for their co-operation, over this weekend’s events.

Remember: Walking Weekend 9th, 10th & 11th November
Registration Fee Adults: €10
Post Primary Students: €5
Primary School Students: Free.
Further Details: Click here on www.upperchurch.ie.

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