Thurles Information

Death Of Mick Lysaght, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 11th March 2026, of Mr Michael (Mick) Lysaght, Glen Waverley, Victoria, Australia and formerly of Loughbrack, Kilcommon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

In his 92nd year and pre-deceased by his parents Frank and Josie, sister Mary Ann and brothers Dinny and Paddy; Mr Lysaght passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and family.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Robin, son Michael, daughter Rachel, son-in-law Daniel, daughter-in-law Rebecca, grandchildren, brother Frankie, sister Mary, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

Mr Lysaght’s funeral service will take place in Australia and Requiem Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul, in the Church of St Patrick, Kilcommon, Thurles, at a date yet to be announced.

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

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Olympic Champion Ronnie Delany Marks End Of Irish Athletics Era.

“Ronnie Delany was one of Ireland’s greatest sporting figures, whose unforgettable Olympic success brought pride and inspiration to the nation. His legacy extends far beyond medals, and he will be remembered with enormous admiration and gratitude.”

**Delaney Statue in Arklow, Co. Wicklow.**

The death of Mr Ronnie Delany, at the age of 91years, has prompted deep sadness across Irish sport, as tributes are paid to one of the country’s most iconic and respected athletes.

Mr Delany will forever be remembered for his historic victory in the 1,500 metres at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, where he delivered one of the finest performances in Irish sporting history. At just 21 years of age, he produced a thrilling late finish to win gold in an Olympic record time of 3:41.2 in front of a crowd of 120,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

A native of Arklow, Co. Wicklow, who was raised in Dublin, Mr Delany first came to prominence through Crusaders Athletic Club, before continuing his athletics career at Villanova University in the United States. There, he established himself as one of the outstanding middle-distance runners of his era, winning multiple NCAA titles and achieving international acclaim.

His distinguished athletics career also included a bronze medal in the 1,500 metres at the 1958 European Athletics Championships, as well as continued success on the international circuit during a remarkable competitive career.

Beyond his achievements on the track, Mr Delany made an enduring contribution to Irish sport through his lifelong support for the Olympic movement and his commitment to fellow athletes. In later years, he served as President of the Irish Olympians Association and remained a strong voice for the value of sport and the role of Olympians in Irish life.

Mr Delany’s name is woven into the fabric of Irish sporting history. His Olympic triumph inspired generations and his contribution to sport, both on and off the track, will be remembered for years to come.

We extends sincere sympathies to Mr Delany’s family, friends, former teammates and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Cashel Library – Childrens Scratch Coding Workshop.

The next Scratch Coding Workshop will take place in Cashel Library on Saturday next March 14th from 2:30pm-3:30pm.

This workshop is suitable for children ages 9+, and as is always,
booking required, please, to Tel: 062-63825.

The Benefits of Scratch Coding for Children.

Scratch coding gives children an inviting first step into programming because its block-based design lets them focus on ideas rather than syntax. Instead of getting stuck on punctuation errors, they can build stories, games, and animations while learning core concepts like sequencing, loops, conditionals, and variables. The Scratch Foundation describes Scratch as a creative learning platform used by millions of young people worldwide, and research reviews on computational thinking and coding in primary education link these kinds of activities with stronger problem-solving, persistence, and computational thinking skills.

Just as importantly, Scratch helps children see themselves as creators, not just consumers, of technology. When kids design their own interactive projects, they practice imagination, communication, and iterative thinking: they test ideas, fix mistakes, and improve their work. UNICEF also emphasizes that digital literacy is now a core skill for school, work, and life, which makes early, playful experiences with tools like Scratch especially valuable. In that sense, Scratch does more than teach coding; it builds confidence, creativity, and a sense of agency in a digital world.

Thurles Planning Alerts From Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2660203.
Applicant: Rory Purcell.
Development Address: Caraig Rua, Monadreen, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: a) the as constructed domestic garage to the rear (South West side) of the dwelling, b) as constructed extension to the rear of the existing kitchen area, c) as constructed sunroom to the side (South east side) of the dwelling, d) as constructed single storey structure incorporating utility room/bath room, home gym/store room and home office/study, and permission to construct a corridor link to same with all associated siteworks.
Status: N/A.
Application Received: 05/03/2026.
Decision Date: N/A.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2660203/0.

Application Ref: 2660199.
Applicant: Albert Stone.
Development Address: No. 3 Brittas, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: an extension to the side of existing bungalow and all associated site works.
Status: N/A.
Application Received: 05/03/2026.
Decision Date: N/A.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2660199/0.

One new commencement notice:
Windsor Grove, Mill Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Work Dates: 17/03/2026 – 16/03/2027 (proposed)
Development Type: Residential (Dwellings).
Development Overview: Construction of 2 no. semi detached bungalows, entrances, and all associated site works.

Tipperary Receives €1.4 Million To Return More Vacant Council Homes To Use.

Tipperary County Council has been allocated €1.4 million under the latest round of the Government’s Voids Programme, in a move expected to help bring more vacant local authority homes back into use across the county.

The funding forms part of a wider €40 million national investment announced by Housing Minister Mr James Browne, which will support the refurbishment and re-letting of around 2,200 local authority homes across the country in 2026.

The latest allocation is expected to provide a significant boost for Tipperary as demand for housing remains strong and pressure continues on local authority stock. The funding will be used to prepare vacant council-owned properties for new tenants, helping to increase housing supply through the reuse of existing homes.

The announcement also signals a major policy shift in how future funding under the Voids Programme will be distributed.

Under a revised performance-based model introduced by the Minister, future allocations will be linked to how effectively local authorities reduce vacancy levels and improve turnaround times for re-letting homes.

From 2027, local authorities, including Tipperary County Council, will be expected to maintain a vacancy rate of no more than 2% and achieve a maximum average turnaround time of 18 weeks for vacant properties. The turnaround target will tighten further to 15 weeks in 2028 and 12 weeks in 2029.

Councils that meet those targets will qualify for full funding under the revised model, placing a stronger emphasis on delivery, efficiency and the rapid reuse of existing housing stock.

The funding will be seen as a positive development for Tipperary, particularly given the ongoing need to maximise available housing and reduce the time homes remain vacant between lettings.

Nationally, the Government says the Voids Programme has played a significant role in bringing empty social homes back into use over the past decade. Since the scheme began in 2014, a total of €385 million has been invested, supporting the return of 27,860 homes to active use.

The 2026 allocation is also a 29% increase on the previous year’s funding, reflecting what the Department says is a continued focus on tackling vacancy and increasing housing availability through refurbishment.

For Tipperary, the €1.4 million allocation is expected to support further progress in returning vacant homes to use, while positioning the local authority to meet the tougher targets that will shape future funding in the years ahead.