‘Little Egret‘. Extract from a poem by Johno Brett. “Standing tall and proud at the water’s edge, Plumage stark white against the salt marsh, Jet black legs and yellow feet, With a sharp stabbing beak, Stands the Little Egret.”
Little Egret(Egretta garzetta) Feeds In Thurles Town Centre. Pic: G. Willoughby
The little egret (Egretta garzetta) is a species of small heron, white in colour with a slender black beak, long black legs and yellow feet. Every day this week, usually between the hours of 4:00pm and 7:00pm, one such bird can be observed fishing in the shallow water of the river Suir, close to Barry’s Bridge, in the centre of Thurles Town.
Research shows that the little egret was once very common in Ireland, but became extinct through a combination of over-hunting in the late medieval period. In England the inclusion of some 1,000 egrets in a banquet to celebrate the enthronement of George Neville as Archbishop of York at Cawood Castle in 1465, indicates the presence of a sizeable population in northern England at that period in time. They were also listed in the coronation feast of King Henry VI in 1429 and by the mid-16th century, they had become scarce and nearly extinct.
Little EgretClad In Black stockings & Yellow Shoes. Pic: G. Willoughby
From the 17th century onwards the plumes of the little egret and its close relatives were in demand for the decorating of hats and became a major craze in Victorian times with the number of egret skins passing through dealers hands reaching into the millions annually, reducing the population of the species to almost extinction and stimulating the establishment of Britain’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in 1889.
Sometime in the 1950s, conservation laws were introduced in southern Europe to protect the species and since then their numbers began to increase. By the beginning of the 21st century the breed began expand westward, breeding again in the UK back in the 1960s before arriving in Ireland in more recent years.
Little egrets stalk their prey in shallow water, often observed shuffling their feet in an effort to disturb small fish, or may stand still and simply wait to ambush other available prey which include frogs, crustaceans, molluscs, insects, spiders and worms.
Here in Ireland, the species bred for the first time in 1997 at a site in Co. Cork and the population has expanded rapidly since, aided by climate change, and is now breeding in other Irish counties, since 2010, despite the severe cold winter weather experienced during the years 2010 – 2012.
Immediately opposite the front gates of Thurles Golf Club (N62, on left side entering the town) there exists what appears to be a large drain, the lid of which has since disintegrated.
Possibly A Collapsed Drain Cover(N62 Thurles).
Due to the grass and its proximity to the verge, this large drain; the mouth of which measures approximately 31cm (12ins) X 76cm (30ins) is of extreme danger, in particular to pedestrians walking at night and also faster moving cyclists and motorists, latter who may decide to stop their vehicle on the outer margin or verge, which allows for parking.
Our second picture shows water cascading down Emmett Street, from opposite premises owned by Pat The Barber and The Recovery Hub, situated at the junction of Barry’s Bridge and Emmett Street.
Water Leakage From Water Metres on Emmett Street, Thurles.
The picture above shows water flowing from what appears to be water metres which were placed too close to the roadway and possibly damaged by the constant moving of heavy trucks required to offload in this area.
Food Safety Authority recall additional batches of Al’Fez Natural Tahini Smooth and Nutty due to the possible presence of Salmonella.
Alert Summary Dated Friday, July 12 th 2024.
Category 1: For Action. Alert Notification: 2024.29 (update 1). Product Identification: Al’Fez Natural Tahini Smooth & Nutty; pack sizes: 160g and 270g. Batch Code: All batches; all best before dates. Country Of Origin: United Kingdom.
Message: Further to FSAI food alert 2024.29, all batches of Al’Fez Natural Tahini Smooth & Nutty are being recalled due to the possible presence of Salmonella. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.
Nature Of Danger: People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. Other symptoms may include fever, headache and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
Action Required: Caterers & Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Consumers:Consumers are advised not to eat the affected batches.
“The Town Centre First (TCF) policy aims to create town centres that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community.” – See Town Centre First.
We learn this morning that the major upgrade of the N75, (Kickham Street), latter the main entry and exit route into and out of Thurles town (See Images) will now not go to tender, due to a lack of funding for the project from Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
To refresh our readers memories regarding this ongoing saga, please View Here and also View Here.
Meanwhile, here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, other new serious concerns are being expressed by Thurles residents and local businesses, regarding the removal of parking spaces from within the Thurles town central area, due to a number of recent public announcements, none of which are being communicated by recently elected local representatives or Tipperary Co. Council officials.
The commitment that “The Town Centre First Plan will be driven by the local community and businesses as part of a Town Team, who will be supported by Town Regeneration Officers and technical expertise within each Local Authority”, appears to have been totally disregarded by council officials. See Town Centre First.
The announcements, raising such concerns, are emanating from Thurles Leisure Centre, and are as follows:
Tipperary County Council intend to now close the 49 space car park established in Thurles Town Park, beside The Source building, latter positioned at the entrance to Cathedral Street, with effect from August 6th 2024, until December 2025, (16 months). Same closure is to effect the installation of a canopy over the existing car park area, thus creating an event space and also to refurbish an existing Great Famine era farm shed, into an 83 seater restaurant with glass facade café. Under this completed development it is planned to remove 16 car parking spaces from this area.
The Department of Rural and Community Development approved funding of over €3 million for this Thurles Market Quarter Project, with undeclared substantial match funding element also provided by the taxpayer through Tipperary County Council.
Problems arose last December with regards to the leasing by Tipperary Co. Council, of the 100 space car park, behind the now derelict Thurles Munster Hotel, Cathedral Street, owned by Mr Martin Healy. Although it was announced on TippFM radio on March 5th, that a 12 month deal had been agreed between the owner and Tipperary Co. Council; the Council and the property owner are now believed to have failed to agree any such new leasing agreement, leaving any future ongoing access to this car park in doubt and uncertain from next September. People will also be aware that present management at the Mary Immaculate College (formerly St Patrick’s College), as is their right, no longer allow parking on the College avenue and grounds.
With 60% of parking removed from Liberty Square in the past 3 years; as many as 19 other car parking spaces are expected to be removed from the west end of Liberty Square, if and when work begins on that same long drawn out project, first begun on August 17th, 2020.
Some 40 car parking spaces are expected to be removed with the expected upgrade to take place on Slievenamon Road (N62), between Liberty Square and Thurles Shopping Centre Roundabout.
The car park provision, underneath ‘The Source’ building, has remained closed for the past number of years due to anti-social behaviour, which saw the low uncovered ceiling insulation torn down by idle hands, resulting in same being set alight, causing a small fire at this location, back in October of 2023. Both car parks within this immediate area, were intended for use by patrons of ‘The Source’ Arts Centre, including Thurles Library, the Thurles Town Park children’s play area, the Thurles Leisure Centre, local businesses and those attending daily religious services, in the nearby Cathedral of the Assumption on Cathedral Street, in the town.
Pre-deceased by her loving parents Tom and Mary, Loughtagalla House, Thurles; Ms Cahill passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at the Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, following a short illness most bravely borne.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; brothers Willie, Michael and Thomas, sisters Kathleen, Anne, Rita and Stella, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and dear friends.
For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Ms Cahill, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Cahill family 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.
Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis i dteannta na Naomh agus na n-aingeal.
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