Local Election Candidate Mr Fergal Butler Working Hard At Exploiting Agri-Tourism Sector

Mr Fergal Butler, emailed Thurles.Info from his hospital bed today, and his communication can be read hereunder.

May we here at Thurles.Info wish Fergal a very speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing you back “in harness” in the coming weeks.

Mr Butler Writes:-

“My name is Fergal Butler, I am 44 years of age and living in the heart of Upperchurch Village, working in the family business “Kinnane’s of Upperchurch”.

Firstly may I thank you for the opportunity / invitation to contribute on your website.

I am the grandson of Paddy Kinnane TD, latter who represented Tipperary in the past. I am also the great grand nephew of Phil Shanahan who was a member of the first Dail.

I am married to Eavan (née Fogarty) from Cashel, who is a granddaughter of Andy Fogarty, latter who also represented Tipperary in Dail Eireann. We have two young children Maisie and Andy. My wife Eavan is a nurse in Accident & Emergency in University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

I was brought up in a family, who remain passionately devoted to supporting tourism and community spirit and who have contributed tirelessly to the survival of Rural Ireland. I am very conscious of the exodus from our rural communities and I want to ensure that an endangered rural Ireland continues to survive.

I am both honoured and humbled to be given this opportunity to seek your support next Friday 24th May in the local elections.

From a very young age I became aware of rural isolation and loneliness and I wish to tackle this in rural areas. Our rural schools and local businesses must be maintained and developed, by creating affordable rates and structures.

I am working hard at fully exploiting the Agricultural tourism sector for all areas, and in particular the promotion of our own Annual Walking Festival here in Upperchurch.

I am currently building a new home and I am very conscious of the planning regulations and I feel strongly about the practical guidelines of family homes in the area. From my own background I feel I can bring a broad range of experience to the table. I am a ‘people person’ with a ‘can do’ attitude and with a passion for rural life.

Unfortunately, due to a burst appendix; followed by sepsis, I am currently in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) recovering from emergency surgery and cannot get around to visiting you all, but I wish to thank you most sincerely for the courtesy you have show to my canvassing team, in my absence. Indeed, to my team, may I also thank them for all their help and support throughout the last number of weeks.

Finally to the people of Ballysloe, Gortnahoe, Moycarkey, Littleton, Two-Mile-Borris, Graigue, Holycross, Thurles Town, Thurles Rural, Leugh, Ballycahill, Inch, Rahealty, Drombane, and my own home of Upperchurch, may I appeal to you for your Number 1 vote on next Friday, May 24th, and I pledge to be a strong new voice on your behalf.