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Tipperary & Thurles Needs Someone With Political Clout.

The previous five-seater Tipperary constituency has now been re-drawn to form a two x three-seater constituency (Tipperary North and Tipperary South). Thurles Town remains in Tipperary North, so with 3 seats now up for grabs, it does not take a genius to realise and accept that possibly at least one totally new individual will take a seat in Dáil Éireann.

This scenario follows the fact one of two previous Thurles Teachtaí Dála, namely Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Jackie Cahill, some weeks ago, announced that he would not be contesting the 2024 General Election on Friday next, November 29th, due to health concerns.

On November 17th 2024, last a headline on the Nenagh Guardian newspaper [READ FULL ARTICLE HERE], correctly pointed out that “Tipperary is lacking in political clout”.

From a sports point of view this article correctly pointed out that the previous week had seen the third sports capital funding allocation for the year, with €173 million for 35 projects being part of the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
While a number of Tipperary clubs were successful in appeals over their CSFF allocations, it would appear, as our local politicians slept, that the application pertaining to refurbishment works for Semple’s field (Semple Stadium), lost out to Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, with the Kerry venue getting €6 million for work on its west terrace, to not only improve the spectator experience for matches, but also as an outdoor concert venue.
This all happened despite having two resident Thurles TD’s who supported the present outgoing government.

On Friday next Thurles and District electorate, not to mention the Constituency of North Tipperary, as a whole, will get a chance to introduce this new face into Dáil Éireann.

Thurles over the past 10 years, in particular, and even longer, has been allowed to slide into slow disintegration. We have for too long listened to promises, with current politicians announcing funding for an ‘Inner Relief Road’; a Business Innovation Centre; increased employment; a ‘Holycross Museum’; a ‘Ring Road’ etc. etc., none of which have ever come to pass, as present incumbent politicians continuously tied themselves to wealthy individuals, latter who used them to seek even more government funding and changes in the law.

With Tipperary North now a three seater constituency and Thurles town on the decline; sound logic would indicate that Thurles now badly needs to elect candidate and present Co. Councillor Mr Jim Ryan, who is currently resident in Thurles town and who will represent, not just Thurles Town, but also the constituency of Tipperary North, if elected to take a seat in our 34th Dáil.

Mr Jim Ryan, to date, has given his adult life to both local and Co. Tipperary politics. He has consistently been elected as a County Councillor in local elections and as his poster states, he is proven; is certainly experienced and is reliable.

Try to forget “Political Party Allegiance” when voting on Friday next. Vote No1 Jim Ryan, before marking your No. 2 choice etc…

We must ask ourselves, as logical Thurles voters, the following question. “What have other candidates currently in the race; including some with absolutely no political experience whatsoever and now seeking our individual, valuable vote, ever achieved for Thurles Town.

George Willoughby’s No.1 Vote will go to Councillor Jim Ryan on Friday morning next, in an effort to attempt the slow the obvious decline to a town that I love so well.

I ask all voters and lovers of Thurles, to think logically and to support Thurles and North Tipperary, by electing Jim Ryan to the 34th Dáil.

You know it makes sense, otherwise we will have nothing for the next 5 years; yet again.

Elected Municipal District Councillors To Discuss Phase 2 Of Thurles Town Upgrade.

Tipperary County Council’s Chief Executive, Ms Sinead Carr, [latter who took over from Mr Joe MacGrath, following his retirement from the post at the end of May this year (2024)], has submitted her report in relation to Phase 2 of the long awaited Liberty Square upgrade.

Proposed Liberty Square West Layout (Phase 2).

We understand that all nine of our elected Municipal District Councillors have now received copies of her final deliberations and we further understand that the matter will be considered by same nine councillors at a council meeting on November 18th next (2024).

We understand that a total of 22 submissions were received during the period of public consultation which ended, on August 30th 2024. At least one submission (which is surprisingly included), was forwarded outside the period of public consultation; received on 2/9/2024.

See link and download all submissions shown HERE noting the received date of each submission.

Two submissions were received from one affected family business, sharing Parnell Street with O’Donovan Rossa Street, both bearing the same content. So if honesty was to prevail, only 20 submissions were received. Please read HERE.

Parnell Street (formerly New Street) at the junction (right) with Cúchulainn Road (formerly Nicholas Street).

We understand that Tipperary County Council’s Chief Executive Ms Sinead Carr, despite the submissions forwarded by the public and received, is recommending that little or no changes should be made to the original plans initially set out.

Where Are Promised Extra Thurles Parking Spaces?

Picture Top: Looking West, unto Slievenamon Road, Thurles.
Picture Centre: Looking East, unto Emmett Street, Thurles.
Picture Bottom: Looking North from rear of Bank of Ireland, facing unto Liberty Square, Thurles.

So, where are those promised extra Thurles car parking spaces that were promised behind Bank Of Ireland, latter facing unto Liberty Square in Thurles?

One is reminded of a remark once used by American showman, businessman (Barnum & Bailey Circus), Mayor (Bridgeport Connecticut), author and anti-slavery Republican politician, Mr Phineas Taylor Barnum. the remark, demonstrates the deep understanding of scepticism, human nature, and the limitations of deceit, including that expended by our local Thurles councillors and politicians.
The remark attributed to Mr Barnum states, quote; “You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”
The adage “There’s a sucker born every minute”, is also frequently attributed to the aforementioned Mr Barnum; latter remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes.

Truth was that customers drove into the Bank of Ireland (BOI) car park, parked their vehicles, dealt with their banking business, and then walked out to Liberty Square or back unto Emmett Street, entering into the rear of the multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer Tesco, leaving their car free of street parking charges.

Now, with a new wall backing unto BOI, latter moved further northwards, and a second gap opened from what was known as the Slievenamon Road car park (or Checkpoint Charlie) we have actually, once again, lost at least 6 car parking spaces, hitherto available to the town centre. [I base this assumption, noting that the new gaps created, (one leading east unto Emmett Street and the other leading north unto the rear of Bank of Ireland), will no longer offer parking spaces.]

Government Policy: See Page 8 of “Town Centre First, A policy Approach for Irish Towns”.

Quote: “Ireland’s towns and villages are an important resource to protect and nurture. We want to ensure that they remain resilient locations with vibrant inclusive communities and a strong cultural and social fabric that deliver a good quality of life for future generations. We (the government) will support them through a strong commitment to ‘place-making’ so that any town centre environment is one in which people want to live, do business, visit and is ultimately successful”.

Why does ‘The Source’ Car Park remain closed.

A 2024 General Election date is to be announced on Thursday November 7th next.
The previous disastrous decisions forced on our town centre businesses, (first begun on August 17th, 2020), now leaves our medieval streetscapes fully choked with HGV’s and other traffic; and will not easily be corrected even when, (if ever), a bypass is eventually constructed.

To those canvassing for votes on our doorsteps, the question which should be on the lips of every Thurles resident and remaining, business owner in our town is; “When will ‘The Source’ car park be open again, in an effort to support town centre businesses?

With just 7 weeks until Christmas, why was this presently closed parking benefit, situated under ‘The Source’ library building, not taken in hand, as a greater parking priority, rather than the opening of a new gap in a partially land locked car park, latter which will now lead to even greater frustration, with motorists forced to emerge onto Barry’s Bridge, from this new Emmett Street gap, to take their chances manoeuvering around a totally ‘castle blind’ corner, unto Cathedral Street.

Could Climbing Hydrangeas Be Answer To Thurles Graffiti Issues?

Hardly the work of Banksy, latter that pseudonymous England-based street artist and political activist, whose real name and identity remain, as yet, unconfirmed.

The above 35.56 centimetre (14 inch) high, expletive / salutation has greeted the arrival and departure of those using the new Liberty Square / Slievenamon Road, car park, [aka ‘Checkpoint Charlie’], latter positioned just 20 metres from the Thurles Tourist Office, since June 2021.
It appeared prior to the removal of the money wasting, two year old Perspex coated, parking ticket shelter the costings of which remain a closely guarded secret, retained only by Municipal District wasting officialdom.

Former eradicated Perspex coated, parking ticket shelter.

One would have hoped that these two worded expletive could have been removed by Thurles Council, along with the two year old car parking barrier system, or even by the well-meaning ‘Refresh Thurles’ grouping, but, alas, it has gone unnoticed over the past 3.5 years, due to the everyday ‘hussle and bustle’ of a now struggling Thurles town centre market place.

Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris).

Graffiti, seen by some as a form of visual communication, usually illegal, involving the unauthorized marking of public spaces by individuals or groups, has become a continuing problem here in Thurles and goes unchecked.
Could the planting of climbing Hydrangeas (Hydrangea petiolaris) be the answer to this wanton vandalism?

Autumn shade of the Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris).

This charming, fully hardy, self-clinging, climber enjoys full sun to partial shade, but will still thrive even on a north facing wall.
In midsummer white lace-cap-style hydrangea flowers cover the plant, before the leaves turn slowly to yellow in autumn. Same grows best in a sheltered position in soils rich in organic matter, reaching some 3.048 metres (10 ft) – 6.96 metres (20 ft) in height.

Power Washing needed!

Death Of RTÉ Broadcaster & Correspondent Mr David Davin-Power.

It is with great sadness that we share the news with our readers, having learned of the passing of former RTÉ broadcaster and correspondent Mr David Davin-Power, aged 72 years.

Mr Davin-Power first began working for RTÉ News in 1978 and was part of the team that established the Morning Ireland radio programme in 1984.

In 1989 he left RTÉ, for some two years, to head up the newsroom at the now defunct commercial radio station, known as Century Radio, (aka Century 100 and later Century FM), returning to RTÉ as their Northern Editor.

He returned to Dublin, in 2001, again becoming political correspondent; reporting on affairs in Leinster House.

In 2017, Mr Davin-Power retired from RTÉ, having been their political correspondent for some 16 years. However, despite illness, he continued to work as a columnist with The Times Ireland Edition, as well as appearing on RTÉ, Newstalk, and Virgin Media, as a commentator.

Mr Davin-Power is survived by his wife Dearbhla, children Nick, Julia, Caroline, Ben and Emily.