Thurles Tipperary Fayre – Were You There?

The annual Tipperary Fayre 2012, took place on June 2nd last at The Source, Cathedral St, here in Thurles Co.Tipperary, organised by Thurles Chamber Of Commerce for the second year running.

Firstly congratulations to P.J. Shanahan (Chamber President) & Clodagh Duggan both of whom, together with Chamber comrades, organised this magnificent event, bringing together, once again, all that is the very best in Tipperary food products & crafts, produced by local growers and native artisans.

Here are just a few of the highlights of this day-long event, spoiled only by a little ‘gentle rain,’ which fell late into the evening.

Amongst the many ‘Business Stands,’ trading at this event, offering “from a needle to an anchor,’ were:- Duggan Timber Design, Joe Saunders (Public Relations & Media Research), The Craft Corner (Children’s Workshops), Mag’s Home Baking, Tulega Foods, Cabragh Wetlands (Wild Life Sanctuary), HomeBake (Gortnahoe), Thurles Co-Op Creamery, Face Painting, Inch House Restaurant, Thurles Fairtrade, The Green Bowl Company (Fruit & Veg), Jewels (Fashion Jewellery), Juanita’s Bath & Body (Soaps), John Dowling (Wood Turning), The Craft Corner (Children’s Workshops), Crack Pots (Pottery Painting Studio), For The Birds (Bird Boxes), Julia Agnes (Clothing & Head-wear Design), Donal Ryan (Wood Turning), Personalised Canvas (Handmade Gifts), Handmade Toys For U, Fruit & Nut Bakes (Breads & Cakes), Tipperary Green Business, The Tipperary Kitchen, Cooleeney Cheese, Irish Piemontese Beef, Liam Campion (Butcher), Tipperary Aloe Vera, & Fogarty Traditional Sweets, just to name a few.

The fountain spouting up from the river Suir was greatly enhanced by a Chocolate Fountain on the Source Boardwalk, ah yes!, there is something special to be enjoyed in a tub of fresh strawberries & marsh mallows covered in delicious chocolate.

Also in attendance were members of Thurles Farmers Market including Lough Bora Organic Farm, latter which can be found every Saturday morning busily trading from the grounds of Thurles Greyhound Car Park. (Whisper! There is a guy up there, from The Horse & Jockey area, selling potted geraniums for just €2.00. Track him down.)

Of course I cannot sign off without mentioning Premier Meats who passed on much knowledge on available meat cuts, not to mention carving and boning skills.

I also noticed a large turn-out of dedicated teachers in attendance for a lecture by Naomi’s Cafe, Friar Street, Thurles, which expounded the virtues of packing a healthy lunch-box.  (Note to kids: Chocolate Bars & Packets of Crisps may be about to undergo a reduction in consumption in the school yard in the near future. Parents & Teachers are such spoil sports.)

Of course the big attraction at this year’s event was a cookery demonstration by renowned TV chef, Cookery School proprietor and food writer Catherine Fulvio, who operates out of Ballyknocken Cookery School and Ballyknocken House in Co Wicklow.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable event for all the family and well done to organisers, participants and supporters.