Pre-deceased by her parents Paddy and Chris, sisters Nuala and Noreen; Mrs O’Farrell passed away peacefully following a long illness most bravely borne, while in the care of staff at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, South Co. Tipperary.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving husband Peter, sisters Helen and Ann, brothers John, Patrick and Martin, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
For those persons who wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs O’Farrell, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended O’Farrell and Forrestal families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
2025 Integration Fund is now open to applications from non-government and community organisations.
€3.5 million available to national, regional and local non-profit groups; to support the integration and inclusion of people who have moved to Ireland as migrants.
Fund to support projects that benefit integration of all people from a migrant background, with dedicated support for projects supporting people applying for international protection.
2025 Integration Fund is now open to applications from non-government and community organisations. €3.5 million available to national, regional and local non-profit groups to support the integration and inclusion of people who have moved to Ireland as migrants Fund to support projects that benefit integration of all people from a migrant background, with dedicated support for projects supporting people applying for international protection
The Irish government have announced that applications are open for the 2025 Integration Fund. The fund, which brings together the previous International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF) and the Communities Integration Fund (CIF), will enable communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants, with parts of the fund directed to a specific focus on people seeking international protection.
There are two streams of funding now available for applicants;
Scheme A: Same will provide grants of between €10,000 and €100,000 for integration projects, targeting people seeking international protection. Scheme B: Same will provide grants of between €1,000 and €10,000 for local integration projects, focused on any migrant group.
All applications must be submitted electronically.
Applications for funding will remain open until noon on Thursday 31st July. Groups can access a detailed guidance document and complete an online application form at the following link: www.gov.ie/integrationfund
2025 will be the first year that Communities Integration Fund and the International Protection Integration Fund have run as a single consolidated funding call.
Since its inception in 2022, the IPIF has supported 193 projects with grant funding totalling €5.3 million.
Since its inception in 2017, the CIF has supported over 930 projects, with grant funding totalling €4.32 million.
4,000 Competitors to deliver €2.8 million boost to Mid-West Economy.
Limerick has today been announced as the host city for the 2026 Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) World Championships, just two years before the sport is set to make its official debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO), the global governing body for OCR, confirmed that the event will take place from August 7th to 9th, 2026, at Limerick Racecourse, with the University of Limerick serving as the official Athlete Village.
More than 4,000 athletes from over 60 countries are expected to compete, making it one of the largest international sporting events ever staged in the Mid-West region; latter which consists of counties Tipperary Clare and Limerick.
Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO) confirm Mid-West Region as venue for 2026 Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) World Championships, ahead of LA28 Olympics.
Organisers say the economic impact will be significant, with the event is projected to generate over €2.8 million for the wider Mid-West economy.
Obstacle Course Racing is one of the fastest-growing sports globally and has now been elevated to Olympic status for LA28. The sport blends speed, strength, and strategy, challenging athletes to overcome a range of natural and man-made obstacles — including walls, rigs, rope climbs, carries, and crawls — across courses of varying distance and difficulty.
The World Championships to be held in Limerick will feature a range of formats, from short and explosive 100m and 400m sprints to 2–3km technical courses, a 15km endurance race, and high-energy team relays. The competition is open to professionals, age group athletes, Para-OCR competitors, and dedicated amateurs, making it a diverse and inclusive global event.
The successful bid to host the event in the Mid-West was prepared and submitted by the Obstacle Course Racing Association of Ireland (OCRA Ireland), Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Aimwell Events, the University of Limerick and Limerick Racecourse.
Mr Sergej Dikun, (President of OCRA Ireland), described the announcement as a landmark moment for Irish sport, “Hosting the World Championships just two years before the sport’s Olympic debut is a huge moment for Ireland. We’re honoured to bring the global OCR community to Limerick — and to showcase the passion, people, and places that make the Mid-West Region so special.”
Mr Adam Taylor (Aimwell Events), who travelled with Mr. Dikun to Portugal to present the bid, commented, “Bringing the OCR World Championships to Limerick is a landmark moment not only for the sport but for the entire Mid-West region. We’re proud to be part of the team delivering a world-class event that will attract thousands of athletes and fans from around the globe for this showcase event.”
Ms Danielle Devaney(Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau) said the benefits of hosting the World Championships would be far-reaching. She explained, “This event will leave a lasting legacy for the Mid-West. It’s a chance to welcome the world, be part of an Olympic story, and generate real economic impact for our communities across the region.”
Mr Michael Lynch, (CEO of Limerick Racecourse), stated, “We are delighted to be working with the event stakeholders towards delivery of this prestigious event. This is a proud moment for us. Limerick Racecourse offers a potentially spectacular setting for OCR, and we can’t wait to see it transformed into a world championship arena.”
This week’s event announcement coincides with Limerick playing host to the first-ever European 400m OCR Championships, which will take place at the University of Limerick from July 18th to 20th. That event will bring 300 elite athletes from across Europe to Ireland, marking the country’s first major international OCR competition.
Mr David Ward (Sports Business Development Manager at the University of Limerick), added, “With OCR going to the Olympics, this is a sport on the rise. UL is proud to help grow its global footprint by hosting the athlete village and supporting both this and the European Championships. It shows the scale of what this region can deliver.”
Organisers says the event will require hundreds of volunteers that will be vital to the smooth running of the championships, from obstacle marshals and hydration stations, to medal ceremonies, race kit distribution, and media support.
Visit www.ocrwc2025.com for information on this year’s OCR World Championships, taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden, in September.
A man in his 50s, and the chief suspect in the suspected murder, has again been rearrested in connection with the death of an 89-year-old woman in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
Mrs Josephine (Josie) Ray (née O’Meara), also known as Joan, with an address at St Joseph’s Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, was found with severe bruising to her face. Blood was also found close to her body and a pillow seized as part of the murder probe, was subjected to a full forensic examination. Emergency services located Mrs Ray’s deceased body just after midday, on Sunday August 4th, 2024 last.
The male arrested today remains detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. Previously, two people had been arrested, under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, in connection with the investigations into her death, but were both released later, without charge, with files prepared for the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). We understand that this rearrest today, by gardaí, follows new information recently received in the case.
The couple arrested by gardaí on the same day as the funeral of Mrs Ray; were named as Mr Hasan Ali Gori and Ms Mary Ray (latter her daughter), both aged in their 50s, who both strongly deny any role in the death of Ms Ray’s mother.
Mrs Josephine Ray was well known throughout Nenagh, especially in her community of St Joseph’s Park. Following her murder, her funeral took place at St Mary of the Rosary Church, in Nenagh, where she was remembered as a woman of remarkable presence and a beacon of the town.
It was reported that gardaí had been called to Mrs Josephine Ray’s home on several occasions, during the weeks prior to her death; in an effort to deal with a number of different alleged complaints.
Gardaí will continue to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding this suspected murder.
“Dhá fháid é an lá, tiocfaidh an tráthnóna”. “However long the day, evening will come”.
Lyrics and Vocals: Irish ballad singer, entertainer and songwriter Johnny McEvoy.
Matthew.
Johnny McEvoy.
What are you thinking of Matthew my friend, As you sit in your room all alone. You can see the bright lights in the city below, In the place where you once called your home, And I’m sure you can still hear the laughter and noise, Of your kids as they run and they play, And you thought you were doing the best that you could, But it just didn’t work out that way.
Chorus. Just didn’t work out, just didn’t work out, Just didn’t work out that way. You thought you were doing the best that you could, But it just didn’t work out that way.
And your mother’s long gone and your father is too, And there’s times that you wish you were dead, And this morning the nurse took your whiskey away, When she said you’re not right in the head, And when your wife calls you can’t think of her name, And her visits get shorter each day, And you wish in your heart you could walk out that door, But it just doesn’t work out that way.
Repeat Chorus.
I can see you’ve been thinking again of the past, And the place where the tall cedar grows. You remember the evening you planted that tree, But I’m sure that nobody else does, And it grew to the sky, as the years drifted by, And I’m sure it’s still standing today, But Matthew it’s somebody else’s tree now, Cause it just didn’t work out that way.
Repeat Chorus.
So close your eyes Matthew, say good night to the world, There’s a better one waiting for you. The time here is over, it’s time to move on, There’s nothing here left you can do, But you could have moved mountains and danced on the moon, You could have turned night into day, And you thought you were doing the best that you could, But it just didn’t work out that way.
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