Tipperary North Organise “The Gathering 2013”

Posted on July 11, 2012 by George

Steering Committee Hold Community Meeting For “The Gathering”

North Tipperary will host a community meeting in advance of “The Gathering Ireland 2013.” The Gathering is Ireland’s national tourism initiative, launched earlier this year by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

To get things rolling, a special Community Meeting will take place in the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, on Thursday 26th July at 7.00pm. All are welcome to attend this meeting, which will offer an opportunity for local people to learn more about ‘The Gathering’ and how they can become involved. Anyone with ideas for a ‘Gathering’ can pledge them online after the meeting. They will also be able to access tools and supports online to help them to organise their Gatherings.

Jim Miley, Project Director of The Gathering Ireland 2013, has urged North Tipperary locals to attend the meeting on Thursday 26th July, stating; “The Gathering Ireland 2013 is a people’s project. It’s all about you, your family, your neighbours, your sports club, your college, your place of work – in fact, whatever community or group you belong to – planning special events in 2013 that will highlight what is great about your town and county. I know people here in North Tipp have a great spirit and some wonderful suggestions for Gatherings. We’re looking forward to hearing all of your ideas.”

Thursday’s meeting is organised by the North Tipperary Gathering Steering Committee, led by local Gathering Co-ordinator, Attracta Lyons, Community & Enterprise Development Officer with North Tipperary County Council. Announcing plans for the meeting, Ms.Lyons stated: “By calling this meeting, we are asking everyone in North Tipperary to get involved in the Gathering in 2013. This is an exciting opportunity for each and every one of us to play our part in showing what is best about the County and our people. We have some great networks and ideas here as to how we can reach out to our friends and loved ones overseas and invite them home next year. 2013 is going to be an incredible year in Ireland and we want North Tipperary to be part of it.”

Gathering Community Meetings will be held throughout Ireland in the coming year ahead. Local Gathering organisations are being set up in every county, comprising a range of organisations. These include sporting bodies, cultural and musical groups, local authorities, local development companies and other bodies.

Community projects already underway throughout Ireland include Clan Gatherings, Genealogical Projects, School Reunions, Twin-Town visits and an Outreach Initiative where local communities will contact people who have left the country.

The Gathering 2013 continues to gain momentum with leading Irish personalities such as Pierce Brosan, Liam Neeson, Maeve Binchy and Paul O’Connell already pledging their support to this exciting initiative. A large number of companies and organisations have already got involved including Google and Facebook, while KPMG and PwC have confirmed they will hold their International Alumni events in Ireland, bringing 1,000 International visitors.

For further information contact Community & Enterprise Department, North Tipperary County Council on Tel. 067 44858 or 067 44522 or Email Attracta.Lyons@northtippcoco.ie

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Famine Service St. Mary’s Church Thurles Co Tipperary

Posted on July 5, 2012 by George

The fourth Annual Famine Memorial Ecumenical Service takes place in St Mary’s Church, Thurles, Co. Tipperary on Sunday next July 8th at 8.00pm sharp.

Thurles Famine Museum.

Thurles Famine Museum.

St. Mary’s Church houses the Thurles Famine Museum containing one of the largest collections of original famine memorabilia in Ireland.

This years Famine Memorial Service is honoured to welcome the talented “Cullinane Band,” joined by multi-talented musician John O’Brien, who will all provide the music. This year the service will feature Gospel music made famous by such singers as Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Stevie Wonder, Michael Card, Allison Krass and Ann Murray. Vocal will be provided by Noreen Cullinane, Shane Willoughby, Ned Cullinane, Rachel Willoughby, & John J Cullinane.

The ceremony, through song and story, will attempt to understand and compare the ‘Great Famine Period,’ with what the Ireland of today is experiencing and hopefully highlight the importance of ‘local community,’ in our daily lives.

Vocal will be provided by Noreen Cullinane, Shane Willoughby, Ned Cullinane, Rachel Willoughby, & John J Cullinane. Historical & poetry readings will be undertaken by Mr Tom Noone,(Community activist & former “Premier Short Story” winner) & Mr Bart Howard (An Garda Síochána (Retired) Holder Garda Merit Award for Community policing & Thurles Credit Union’s Person of the year Award 2011.)

St. Mary’s Church is honoured to be joined this year by Very Rev Fr. Joe Walsh CC (Drombane/ Upperchurch) who will preach the sermon. The ceremony will be conducted by the Rector of St.Mary’s, Very Rev. Peter Massey Cole-Baker.

St.Mary’s Church welcome all who wish to attend this event & the congregation are asked to remain seated during the ceremony, which begins at 8.00pm sharp with doors open at 7.30pm.

Those attending will have an opportunity to visit the Famine Museum and an informed guide will be on hand, after the ceremony, to hopefully answer all /any questions.

Entry to the event is free, however a collection will be taken up during the service in aid of famine relief.

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Tipperary 10k Mini-Marathon To Take Place In Thurles

Posted on June 17, 2012 by George

The Tipperary 10k Mini-marathon takes place this year in Thurles on September 30th 2012.
(Click on image for full enlargement of poster.)

North Tipperary Sports Partnership and South Tipperary Sports Partnership are delighted to announce that the Tipperary Women’s Mini Marathon returns this year to Thurles, latter designated European Town of Sport 2012.

Now in its third year this annual 10k Mini Marathon is open to walkers, runners and joggers of all physical abilities and mobilities, so why not take the opportunity to get involved, by taking an active part.

Tipperary Sports Partnership have devised a new route around Thurles, for this years event, which they claim is “Fair, very flat and which will showcase the Cathedral town as much as is possible, to all visitors & participants.”

Registration this year can be accessed both online and / or via postal contact.  An added incentive this year is that the Tipperary Sports Partnership will be making a charitable donation of €200 to the largest group to register, which will go to that group’s charity of choice.

Check out www.tippminimarathon.ie for details of your local Meet and Train group, also where you can train for this event with others in what promises to be a fun and supportive environment.
Registration: Now open on line Here

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Tipperary – Cahir Carriage Driving Trials 2012 Festival

Posted on June 8, 2012 by George

Cahir Horse Festival begins June 29th 2012

The Cahir Carriage Driving Trials Festival takes place in Cahir, Co.Tipperary at the end of this month, with a major expansion of last years successful programme, & with many other events and attractions planned around this now annual event.

Organised in association with Horse Sport Ireland’s carriage driving section, this now three day event takes place this year, beginning on June 29th, with a Carriage Charity Drive on the Friday, set against a scenic backdrop which includes, Cahir Castle, The Swiss Cottage,  magnificent scenic views of the Galteee Mountain range and of course the Kedrah Equestrian Centre.

Advice To All Visitors: Forgetting you love of equestrian sport for a moment, do allow yourself time to visit the other many varied visitor attractions, which this area of Tipperary has to offer.

For full visual details of all the equestrian activities taking place, simply click HERE

For advertising or sponsorship information please Tel: +353 (0) 87 2268126 or E-mail bpdavis@eircom.net

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Horse & Jockey Thurles Remembers The Past

Posted on June 6, 2012 by George

Horse & Jockey Station

An event, which will take place at the Horse & Jockey tomorrow Thursday 7th June, is expected to attract a large attendance. This event is an attempt to take a long look back at the past historical associations with this immediate area, here in Co. Tipperary.

A descriptions to be found in Bassett’s Directory 1889 informs us that the now village of Horse and Jockey was, quote:-

Horse and Jockey, a village of 6 houses, in the parish of Moycarkey, barony of Eliogarty, is a station on the Southern Railway, 5  3/4 miles, English, south-east of Thurles. The land of the district has a limestone basis, and is good for pasture and tillage. It is excellent sheep country. There are extensive remains of the castle of Moycarkey, on the estate of Mr. John Max. It was at one time occupied as the residence of the Cantwell family, and has a large square tower, with high surrounding wall. A fissure in the tower was caused by lightning over a hundred years ago.

This immediate area is of national historical significance. For example, the village has a close historical association with the infamous murder, on Sat. 30th June 1826, of Richard Chadwick by one Paddy Grace, born near Ballytarsna castle, who foolishly volunteered to become the formers executioner. Latter was eventually tried & ordered to be hanged where he had committed the crime, but tradition is that he was hanged, then tied to a dray car & dragged along the road from Clonmel via Cashel accompanied by his chaplain, Rev. Ed. Brennan, together with a large force of Police & Military. What remained of his body was not given to his relatives as was usual, but he was taken to Cashel infirmary for dissection & burial later in the infirmary grounds. His gloves were handed by a relative to an old man named John Russell of Curaheen, Horse & Jockey, as a keepsake. (I wonder where those gloves are now.)

Then of course, close-by, saw the arrest of the Young Ireland 1848 leaders, T.F. Meagher, M.R. Leyne & P. O’Donohue, who were identified loitering at midnight on Chadwick’s Bridge and lodged in a cell, before being sent next day to Thurles jail, under armed escort.

November 1823 saw the attack on the mail coach at Horse & Jockey. Large stones & horse carts had been placed across the road to stop the coach & even shots were fired luckily without effect. The driver or his guard got the coach past the obstructions, but in doing so, the coach was turned over against a ditch. The fusillade continued until locals came, attracted by the gun shots. Attackers then decamped & the coach was set to rights. When it reached Cashel, however a passenger, the Hon. Mr. Brown, brother of Lord Kenmare, was found missing. During the attack he had alighted on the opposite side of the coach & had taken refuge in a neighbouring house, from whence he arrived in Cork the next day in a Post Chaise, thankfully nothing the worse for his adventure.

There are so many historical associations with this area, but on hand to-morrow night will be GAA County Board Chairman Sean Nugent, former government minister Martin Mansergh & Rev.Norman Gamble, who will enlighten their audience with “Tales of the Unexpected,” so do try to be there sharp at 8.00 pm in the Horse & Jockey Hotel.

“Boys Oh Boys could I tell you tales of the goings-on in that den of iniquity known as the Horse & Jockey, but I have sworn a solemn oath to keep my mouth tightly shut till after this event.”

Posted in History, News | 12 Comments