Farming « Thurles Information

A Taste of Indigestion.

“A Taste of Indigestion” by the award-winning writer, director and actor from County Leitrim, Seamus O’Rourke.

The madness of a simple rural man, who goes through bouts of depression, obesity and anger issues.

Welcome Reduction In Nitrogen Levels In Rivers In 2024, says EPA

There has been a welcome reduction in nitrogen levels in rivers in 2024, says Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator for 2024, published by the EPA, shows that nitrogen levels in rivers have reduced in 2024.
Despite the reduction, nitrogen remains too high in the southeastern half of the country and further reductions will be needed to bring them to satisfactory levels.
Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in our waters. Significant actions are underway by the sector to reduce nitrogen losses.
Ongoing and sustained actions will be needed to reduce nutrient levels so that the ecological health of our waters can improve.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published early insights into nitrogen levels in rivers in 2024. The Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator 2024 has been developed to provide more timely information on nitrogen levels and is based on monitoring data at 20 major and representative rivers. Overall, the early insights indicator shows that nitrogen levels have improved in 2024. However, nitrogen remains too high in the southeastern half of the country. Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in these areas.

Commenting on the report, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said: “The EPA continually strives to produce timely information and evidence on Ireland’s environment. Specifically, this publication responds to a need for early insights into trends in nitrogen levels. Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in Irish rivers and there is significant action underway within the sector to improve water quality. It is therefore very welcome to see these early signs of improvement. It is important that the sector builds on this momentum and continues to implement actions to reduce nutrient losses in a targeted way.”

The EPA will publish its three-yearly assessment of water quality in Ireland, for the period 2019 – 2024, later in 2025. This future report will combine data on nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in waterbodies, with the biological quality monitoring data on fish, aquatic insects and plants, to give a comprehensive assessment of the ecological health of all waters.

Ms Jenny Deakin, EPA Programme Manager, added: “It is very positive to see this improvement in nitrogen levels in 2024, following a period of little positive change in recent years. However, nitrogen levels remain too high in the southeastern half of the country. Further actions will be necessary to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses to levels which will support good ecological health in our water bodies. The ecology will not improve until nutrient levels are reduced in the areas where they are elevated. The EPA will be reporting on the ecological health of our waters later in 2025.”

The Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator 2024 report is now available on the EPA website.

Further information on local water quality and targeting agricultural measures is available on the EPA website.

Inland Fisheries Secure Conviction Against Tipperary Cheese Company.

IFI secures conviction against cheese maker for slurry pollution offence.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured a conviction against a dairy production firm for slurry pollution of a tributary of the River Suir, and have been ordered to pay fines and costs of €7,440.

The Tipperary Cheese Company Ltd was found to have caused slurry to flow into the Clover River system at Leigh, Two Mile Borris, Thurles Co. Tipperary

**Slurry in Clover River latter a tributary of the River Suir**.
*Pic: Courtesy Inland Fisheries Ireland*.

Commenting, Ms Lynda Connor (South-Eastern regional director at IFI) said: “The Clover River was found to be in a poor condition, with polluting material discharging into this river from a drain full of slurry”.
Ms Connor added “Ensuring clean and healthy water is not just a responsibility, but a necessity for the survival of fish and the ecosystems they thrive in. This successful prosecution is part of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s very determined efforts to protect the State’s rivers, streams, and lakes.”

The court heard the evidence for the defence did not match up with photographs which showed deep slurry in the water, not just a spillage, and the issue had been ongoing for a considerable time before action was taken.

It was noted that the pollution constituted a very serious breach on the part of The Tipperary Cheese Company Ltd.

Evidence was given by IFI Fisheries Environmental Officer Mr Oliver McGrath who outlined the facts to the court. The incident took place in December 2023 and was heard at Thurles District Court on February 18th 2025.

IFI urge people to report water pollution, illegal fishing activity, habitat destruction, fish kills or issues of concern in their local rivers/lakes; to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.

Mid-West Region Marks Beginning Of Spring With Imbolc Celebration.

Ireland’s Mid-West Region, which incorporates North Co. Tipperary, Co. Clare and Co. Limerick, welcome the arrival of spring with its annual Imbolc Celebration*, same to be held in Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare. These celebrations will involve a vibrant festival honouring Celtic traditions and Saint Brigid, and will be held on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025, from 11:00am until 5.00pm.

*Meaning of “Imbolc Celebration”: The celebration of Imbolc originates from the Celts. Imbolc symbolizes the halfway point between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara). The word “imbolc” translated means “in the belly of the Mother,” because the seeds of spring are beginning to stir in the belly of Mother Earth.

This Co. Clare family-friendly event, in Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, offers the public an opportunity to meet an array of native Irish animals and embrace the vibrant crafts, traditions, and customs that characterise the spring season.

**Bunratty Castle and Folk Park’s Bean an Tís will guide the public through the traditional craft of butter making, during its annual Imbolc Celebration on February 2nd.**

Visitors can witness authentic demonstrations of Saint Brigid’s Cross weaving and traditional butter making by skilled Bean an Tís (Translation from the Irish: Women of the house or housewives), while the Clare Vintage and Engine Tractor Club will showcase century-old agricultural machinery in action.

“Our Imbolc Celebration will bring visitors on a journey back to an older time in Ireland, to experience and learn more about Ireland’s pastoral traditions,” stated Marie Brennan, (Events Manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park).

“At Bunratty Folk Park, we pride ourselves on showcasing what life was like in Ireland at the turn of the last century and how traditional crafts were a prominent feature in communities across the island,” added Ms. Brennan. “Imbolc represents the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and has been celebrated in this country since ancient times. We are keeping this tradition alive on February 2nd and are promising people of all ages a fun-filled, interactive and educational experience.”

Visitors will be able to learn how to make a Saint Brigid’s Cross, an iconic symbol that has graced Irish homes for centuries. Bunratty’s experienced Bean an Tís will guide the public through these traditional crafts, demonstrating the meticulous process of weaving straw or rushes into the distinctive Saint Brigid’s Cross shape. Butter-making demonstrations also will take place throughout the day.

The art of Willow Weaving will be on full display as Tom Delaney, of Ould Crafty, makes traditional style baskets and other items from locally sourced willow. Regularly featured on TV, Mr Delaney will also use willow to make bird feeders, plant supports, boats and willow houses.

A variety of native Irish animals from Peafowl and Kerry Bog Ponies, to Irish Red Deer and Bunratty’s resident Irish Wolfhounds, Rian and Mide, will be on display as part of this visitor attraction; all part of the ongoing work to increase awareness of native Irish breeds and how they have formed part of Ireland’s social and cultural history down through the centuries.

There will also be children’s entertainment from a host of characters located throughout the 26-acre Folk Park, including a rousing traditional music Seisiún and the resident Seanchaí Mickey Joe, latter who will recall tales of bygone days and traditional ways preserved over the centuries, at Corry’s Pub on the park’s Village Street. Meanwhile, Konor the Clown will be performing magic, juggling and music in the Corn Barn, where there will be a ‘ball pit’ and ‘giant games‘ for toddlers to enjoy.
The Bunratty Express Train also will run throughout the folk park on that day.

**The Clare Vintage and Engine Tractor Club will showcase an array of vintage agricultural machinery at work during Bunratty’s annual Imbolc Celebration on February 2nd.**

As the Folk Park farm springs into life for the new season, the Clare Vintage and Engine Tractor Club will showcase an array of vintage agricultural machinery at work, including water pumps and stationary engines that are over 100 years old.
Ireland’s largest collection of vintage farm machinery, The Talbot Collection, will be on display throughout the 26-acre folk park and will feature more than 50 items of machinery, from ploughs to hay rakes and from traditional threshing machines to Turnip and Mangel Seed sowers.

See www.bunrattycastle.ie for more on the Imbolc Celebration at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, County Clare, to be held on February 2nd 2025, from 11.00am to 5.00pm. Standard entry prices will only apply.

Thurles Veterinary Practise Set For Acquisition By UK Chain VetPartners.

Two veterinary practises, located at Ikerrin Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and at Canal Road, Johnstown, Co, Kilkenny, are both set to be acquired by the United Kingdom’s veterinary chain, VetPartners. Both these successful practises trade as Spa View Veterinary Clinic.

VetPartners is an indirect subsidiary of VetPartners Limited, a UK-based veterinary services provider, employing over 11,000 employees, on 650 sites across Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. They have diversified, since first being established in 2015; to include an animal veterinary nursing school, an equine nursing school, laboratories, a research dairy, a locum agency and pet crematoriums.

The first stage of the proposed acquisition of the two Spa View Veterinary Clinics, by VetPartners, was notified to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) on Wednesday October 16th last.
Back in August 2024, VetPartners also notified the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, of their intention to acquire Midleton Veterinary Hospital, Knockgriffin Industrial Park, Co. Cork.

Here in Thurles, Co Tipperary, Spa View Veterinary Clinic, (situated on Ikerrin Road, close to the junction with Kickham Street), first constructed their offices almost 30 years ago, (1995), having already opened their Co. Kilkenny practise five years earlier.