Although the weather has been extremely cold here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary over the past week, it has remained extremely dry with very little rain.
We therefore took the opportunity to photograph two x 22.86 centimetre (9in) deep giant potholes or craters; call them what you will, currently available to view on the Mill Road, in Thurles, which we first highlighted on April 20th, 2023; again on October 15th, 2023 and more recently on November 24th, 2023 at high tide.
One crater on Mill Road, Thurles, unattended since before April 20th, 2023.
Today, again we photographed same, at low tide, in an effort to warn the public of the dangers when travelling on the Mill Road, with the craters existing just 600 meters (0.373mls) from the residence of one local Councillor.
Second crater on Mill Road, Thurles, unattended since before April 20th, 2023.
Since April last, yet another local town Councillor has been calling to local residents on this same Mill Road, canvassing for road frontage to enable the installation of a footpath and has failed to notice this piece of roadway sliding into the Drish river.
Dear Sir, Thank you for your e-mail regarding ” Road or path defects “ I have forwarded your e-mail to the Thurles District Office for their attention and direct reply to you. Should you wish to follow up on this case, please contact Customer Service Desk quoting reference number T-233557-V8T6. Regards, Customer Service Desk, Tipperary County Council.
The Mill Road, over the past two years, as our readers will attest, has become the preferred route for increased car and heavy duty vehicles, same anxious to avoid Thurles town centre, because of major traffic delays caused by the recent upgrading of half of the Liberty Square town centre area.
Evidence of vehicle tyre tracks on our half updated, expanded, footpaths on Liberty Square, Thurles, as vehicles attempt to find a non-existent parking or set down space.
Picture above indicates that some of our Thurles traffic have already begun to avoid our lack of town centre parking spaces and now park on our overextended footpaths. It is this lack of set down spaces, which has driven most of our town centre traders, out of the Thurles town centre.
Last few remaining traders will certainly move out of Thurles town centre, if the Munster Hotel car park, situated on the junction of Cathedral Street and Kickham Street closes. The car park is used extensively and daily by local school buses, business consumers and those attending nearby Church services in the Cathedral. Closure is threatened in February next, in a dispute over failure to agree on a future rent, between the owner of Thurles towns greatest eyesore, (the Munster Hotel), and Tipperary County Council.
In a text message received from Mr Santa Claus, this evening we here at Thurles.Info can confirm that he is arriving here to Thurles tomorrow evening.
Please inform all children.
Tomorrow evening, December 1st 2023, will also see the annual turning on of the Thurles Christmas lights in both Liberty Square and the surrounding streets.
Those wishing to consult with Santa Claus, can call to his ‘Grotto’ in the local Tourist Office on Slievenamon Road, between 6:30pm – 7:30pm same evening, after the lights have been turned on.
Note: Mr Claus will also be in attendance again from 2:00pm until 4:00pm on Saturday December 2nd, 9th and 16th.
[Note: A charge of €3 per child, will insure a gift and sweets.]
Over the past 12 months two craters have developed close to the Lady’s Well entrance, latter situated immediately on the corner, having exited the stone bridge which crosses the Drish River. View HERE
The Mill Road, over the past 24 months, has become the preferred choice of cars and heavy duty vehicles, same anxious to avoid Thurles town centre, because of major traffic delays caused by the recent upgrading of half of the Liberty Square town centre area.
Because of a number of issues, which include (A) the flooding of the Drish river; (B) massively increasing & speeding traffic, which also includes heavy transport vehicles; the road surface has begun to now slide into the river.
From what we understand, (although it is difficult to say for certain these days) this roadway is the responsibility of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), whose purpose is to provide sustainable transport infrastructure and services, thus delivering a better quality of life, supporting economic growth and respecting the environment.
Currently, the true dept of these craters is being camouflaged/disguised/concealed by the presence of muddy, oily water. No advance warning signs are currently in place, despite regular users of this roadway being forced out past the centre of the roadway, into oncoming traffic, on a bad corner bend.
Pictures hereunder currently show the present state of just a two meter (6.56ft) stretch of roadscape in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
State of roadscape currently on Friar Street in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, latter a town with two Dail Éireann politicians both currently in residence, who have their constituency offices less than 500 meters from the above. Pic: G. Willoughby.
The craters have developed over a period of 12 weeks, on Friar Street in the town, and can be easily located just east of Supervalu.
Cyclists in particular are warned to take great care to avoid these craters positioned close to the footpath. These craters measuring up to 15cm (6ins) deep are a particular hazard after dark, and presently force cyclists to quickly move out into often fast moving traffic, in an effort to avoid the cratered surface.
The current state of this particular streetscape, together with other areas of the town [e.g. Barry’s bridge, Kickham Street etc, etc], demonstrate a total lack of proper administration by Thurles Municipal District Council officials.
Kickham Street, Thurles, pictured after a light rain shower. Pic: G. Willoughby.
Perhaps, this would be an opportune time for Mr Jackie Cahill TD and Mr Michael Lowry TD to invite Minister for Transport, Mr Eamon Ryan TD to visit a now forgotten Thurles. Emphasize and ensure that he brings his bicycle and pedals around the town. Other benefits would be that the latter TD’s could have their pictures taken, together with local Town Councillors.
We have seen, or at the very least heard of ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’, the 1984 American supernatural slasher film; the plot of which concerns a group of teenagers who are targeted by Freddy Krueger, latter an undead former child killer, who can murder people through their dreams; as retribution against their parents, who burned him alive.
Well our picture above shows ‘Crater on Croke Street’ which today measured 71.12cm(28ins) across at its widest, and 12.7cm(5ins) at its deepest, and which can be found at the junction of Croke Gardens and Croke Street. The hole, which has grown considerably larger since first observed, has the ability to slashtyres, or break the axle of a vehicles. [Compare its size to the now defunct small Uisce manhole cover.]
So do take care when driving in this area, as local Thurles Municipal Council officials seem to have become entirely unforthcoming with their shovel of cold tarmac and also with regard to their responsibility as highly paid administrators.
Thurles Tourism promoters take note: I bet you won’t see one of these beauties outside Leinster House on Kildare St, Dublin 2.
Attention Local Councillors: Time to chat-up the Minister for Transport as promisedat recent talk shop.
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