Thurles
Encyclopedia
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary
, Ireland
. It is a civil parish
in the historical barony
of Eliogarty
and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly
. It is the site of the diocesan cathedral.
(to the north-west) and the Slieveardagh Hills (to the south-east). The town itself is built on a crossing of the River Suir
. The mild climate and the waters of the Suir have combined to produce some of the finest agricultural land in Ireland.
The M8 motorway
connects Thurles to Cork
and Dublin via the N75
and N62
roads. The N62
also connects Thurles to the centre of Ireland (Athlone) via Templemore
and Roscrea
. The R498 links Thurles to Nenagh.Thurles railway station
opened on 13 March 1848. and is one the best served railways stations in the country, On average, there are more than 16 trains from Cork to Dublin that serve Thurles every day.
obtained its name from pre-historic inhabitants called the Eli, about whom little is known beyond what may be gathered from legends and traditions. The extent of Éile varied throughout the centuries with the rise and fall of the tribes in occupation. Before the 5th century A.D. the details of its history which can be gleaned from surviving records and literature are exceedingly meagre, obscure and confusing. During this century however Éile appears to have reached its greatest extent, stretching from Croghan Bri Eli (Croghan Hill in Offaly) to just south of Cashel (in Corca Eathrach Eli). The southern part of this territory embraced the baronies of Eliogarty
and Ikerrin
, a great part of the modern barony of Middle Third
, the territory of Ileagh, and portion of the present barony of Kilnamanagh Upper
.
By the 8th century, the territory of ancient Éile had broken up into a number of petty kingdoms: the O'Carroll occupied the northern portion, the O'Spillanes held Ileagh, the Eóganacht Chaisil
had annexed Middle Third while the O'Fogartys held what is now the barony of Eliogarty. The O'Fogarty's gave their name to the town. In Irish, Durlas Éile means "Strong Fort of Éile", or more correctly Durlas Éile Uí Fhogartaigh ("Strong Fort of the O'Fogarty
's of Éile"). The clan dominated the regions of Templemore
and the Devil's Bit
stretching as far as the Tipperary/Kilkenny border.
family of Butler came to be the most powerful. It is to that family that Thurles owes much of its early development. Their architectural legacy may be seen today with two of the original family fortresses still standing (the Black Castle near the centre and O'Fogarty Castle by the Suir).
Theobald Walter, 1st Baron Butler or Theobald Butler was the ancestor of the Butler dynasty
of Ireland
. His father had been the hereditary holder of the office of butler
of England and when Theobald assisted Kings Henry II of England
and John of England
in their invasions of Ireland, he was named "Chief Butler of Ireland". He was also granted a large section
of the northeastern part of the kingdom of Limerick
. Later in 1328, his descendant, James Butler, was created Earl of Ormond by Edward III
.
Boots UK
and Holland and Barrett opening in the town. Thurles Shopping centre was recently extended and plans to open a new a Tesco
store to replace the current store in Liberty Square have also been announced. Stakelums Hardware is one the biggest family owned business in the town which recently moved out to the Nenagh road and expanded it's floor space. McKevitts Costcutter is also another large family business, with two supermarkets in the town it is one the most successful stores in the town. High technology industries have been established in the Thurles Technology Park.
which ran from 1990 to 1994, was held in Semple Stadium
. At the height of its success, an estimated 100,000 people attended the festival, which was also known as "The Trip to Tipp". Acts that played included The Prodigy
, The Cranberries
, Blur
, Bryan Adams
, Van Morrison
, Rage Against the Machine
, Slayer
, The Saw Doctors
and Christy Moore
.
, Bipolar Empire Jester and other bands.
, founded in 1884 in Hayes' Hotel
. Semple Stadium
, where the centenary All-Ireland hurling final was played, is the second largest GAA stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500, second only to Croke Park
in Dublin. The stadium is the "spiritual home" of Munster hurling and many famous matches, especially Munster Finals, have been played. In 1984 it hosted the All Ireland Hurling Final to celebrate 100 years since the founding of the GAA in Thurles.
The cathedral seat of the ecclesiastical province
of Cashel in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly
, is not in its original site of the Rock of Cashel
. This is due to the assumption of certain ecclesiastical properties by the established Church of Ireland
at the time of the English Reformation
. Instead, following the relaxation of the Penal Laws, the Roman Catholic Archbishop chose to locate his cathedra
and residence in nearby Thurles. The present Cathedral of the Assumption stands on the site of earlier chapels in the centre of the town. Work on the cathedral, with its Romanesque architectural style and its facade modelled on that of Pisa
, commenced in 1865. It was consecrated by Archbishop Thomas Croke
on 21/06/1879. The architect was J.J. McCarthy while Barry McMullen was the main builder. Mr. J.C Ashlin was responsible for the enclosing walls, railing and much of the finished work. The cathedral's main features include a rose window, a free-standing baptistery and a magnificent altar. Particularly noteworthy is the tabernacle, the work of Giacomo dello Porta, who was a pupil of Michelangelo.
The cathedral was extensively renovated and the sanctuary sympathetically remodelled on the occasion of its centenary in 1979.
, is built on the site of another pre-reformation church in Thurles. This structure was built by the Normans in the 12th century to provide them with a separate and more exclusive place of worship.
The building is currently occupied and boasts a Famine museum as well as a War Museum.
road. It features a collection of early Hurleys, Trophies
, Match Programmes and other GAA paraphernalia.
County Council demolished the old swimming pool with plans to build a new pool which were later scrapped. News of Roscrea
(Much smaller town) getting a new pool angered the people of Thurles and the council were forced to build a new pool (though smaller and less glamorous than the pool in Roscrea) The new pool also includes a gym.
The principal unelected officers are:
and Mickey Byrne
.
(formerly TRBDI soon to be renamed Limerick Institute of Technology
Tipperary, was established in 1998. It is the only third-level institution in North Tipperary.
with:
:
North Tipperary
North Tipperary is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-West Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the town of Tipperary and consists of 48% of the land area of the traditional county of Tipperary. The county was established in 1898 and has had a county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is a civil parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in the historical barony
Barony (Ireland)
In Ireland, a barony is a historical subdivision of a county. They were created, like the counties, in the centuries after the Norman invasion, and were analogous to the hundreds into which the counties of England were divided. In early use they were also called cantreds...
of Eliogarty
Eliogarty
Eliogarty is one of the baronies of Ireland, an historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Thurles. It is one of 14 baronies in the old county of Tipperary between Ikerrin to the north , Kilnamanagh Upper to the west and Middle Third to the south .The...
and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly
The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly is a Roman Catholic archdiocese in mid-western Ireland. The diocese is in the secular province of Munster. The Diocese of Cashel was established in 1111 by the Synod of Rathbreasail and promoted to the status of a Metropolitan Province in 1152 by the...
. It is the site of the diocesan cathedral.
Location and access
Thurles is located in the south-east of North Tipperary and is surrounded by the Silvermine MountainsSilvermine Mountains
The Silvermine Mountains are a mountain range situated in North Tipperary in Ireland...
(to the north-west) and the Slieveardagh Hills (to the south-east). The town itself is built on a crossing of the River Suir
River Suir
The River Suir is a river in Ireland that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Waterford after a distance of .Popular with anglers, it holds plentiful reserves of brown trout...
. The mild climate and the waters of the Suir have combined to produce some of the finest agricultural land in Ireland.
The M8 motorway
M8 motorway (Ireland)
The M8 motorway is an inter-urban motorway in Ireland, which forms part of the road from the capital - Dublin - to Cork city. The 149 km motorway commences in the townland of Aghaboe, County Laois and runs through the counties of Kilkenny, North Tipperary, South Tipperary and Limerick,...
connects Thurles to Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
and Dublin via the N75
N75 road (Ireland)
The N75 road is a national secondary road in Ireland. It runs for its entire length in County Tipperary, east to west from Thurles to its junction with the M8 motorway close to the village of Two-Mile-Borris.The N75 is only in length.-See also:...
and N62
N62 road (Ireland)
The N62 road is a national secondary road in Ireland. It links the M6 motorway east of Athlone, County Westmeath with junction 6 of the M8 motorway south-east of Thurles in County Tipperary...
roads. The N62
N62 road (Ireland)
The N62 road is a national secondary road in Ireland. It links the M6 motorway east of Athlone, County Westmeath with junction 6 of the M8 motorway south-east of Thurles in County Tipperary...
also connects Thurles to the centre of Ireland (Athlone) via Templemore
Templemore
Templemore is a town in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty. It is part of the Roman Catholic parish of Templemore, Clonmore and Killea....
and Roscrea
Roscrea
Roscrea is a small heritage town in North Tipperary, Ireland. The town has a population of 4,910. Its main industries include meat processing and pharmaceuticals. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Ikerrin...
. The R498 links Thurles to Nenagh.Thurles railway station
Thurles railway station
Thurles railway station is near the centre of Thurles town, North Tipperary in Ireland. The station has two through platforms and one terminating platform...
opened on 13 March 1848. and is one the best served railways stations in the country, On average, there are more than 16 trains from Cork to Dublin that serve Thurles every day.
Ancient History
The ancient territory of ÉileÉile
Éile, Éle or Éli, commonly anglicised Ely, was an ancient and medieval kingdom of northern Munster in Ireland.-Overview:They claimed descent from Céin , a possibly mythical or spurious younger son of Ailill Aulom and brother of Éogan Mór, and thus kinship with the Eóganachta...
obtained its name from pre-historic inhabitants called the Eli, about whom little is known beyond what may be gathered from legends and traditions. The extent of Éile varied throughout the centuries with the rise and fall of the tribes in occupation. Before the 5th century A.D. the details of its history which can be gleaned from surviving records and literature are exceedingly meagre, obscure and confusing. During this century however Éile appears to have reached its greatest extent, stretching from Croghan Bri Eli (Croghan Hill in Offaly) to just south of Cashel (in Corca Eathrach Eli). The southern part of this territory embraced the baronies of Eliogarty
Eliogarty
Eliogarty is one of the baronies of Ireland, an historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Thurles. It is one of 14 baronies in the old county of Tipperary between Ikerrin to the north , Kilnamanagh Upper to the west and Middle Third to the south .The...
and Ikerrin
Ikerrin
Ikerrin is one of the baronies of Ireland, a historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Roscrea. It is one of 14 baronies in the traditional county of Tipperary between the baronies of Eliogarty to the south and Ormond Upper to the west...
, a great part of the modern barony of Middle Third
Middle Third (South Tipperary)
Middle Third is one of the baronies of Ireland, a historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Cashel. It is one of 14 baronies in the old county of Tipperary between Eliogarty to the north , Iffa and Offa East to the south , Clanwilliam to the west and...
, the territory of Ileagh, and portion of the present barony of Kilnamanagh Upper
Kilnamanagh Upper
Kilnamanagh Upper is one of the baronies of Ireland, an historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Borrisoleigh...
.
By the 8th century, the territory of ancient Éile had broken up into a number of petty kingdoms: the O'Carroll occupied the northern portion, the O'Spillanes held Ileagh, the Eóganacht Chaisil
Eóganacht Chaisil
Eóganacht Chaisil were a branch of the Eóganachta, the ruling dynasty of Munster during the 5th-10th centuries. They took their name from Cashel which was the capital of the early Christian kingdom of Munster...
had annexed Middle Third while the O'Fogartys held what is now the barony of Eliogarty. The O'Fogarty's gave their name to the town. In Irish, Durlas Éile means "Strong Fort of Éile", or more correctly Durlas Éile Uí Fhogartaigh ("Strong Fort of the O'Fogarty
Fogarty
-Sportspeople:*Aidan Fogarty , Irish former hurler.*Alan Fogarty, Irish water polo player.*Amby Fogarty , Irish former football player.*Bryan Fogarty , Canadian ice hockey player....
's of Éile"). The clan dominated the regions of Templemore
Templemore
Templemore is a town in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty. It is part of the Roman Catholic parish of Templemore, Clonmore and Killea....
and the Devil's Bit
Devil's Bit
The Devil's Bit is a mountain in North Tipperary, Ireland which is 478m above sea level at its highest elevation. It lies to the north-west of the town of Templemore. The mountain is usually ascended via the village of Barnane...
stretching as far as the Tipperary/Kilkenny border.
Feudal period
Towards the end of the twelfth century, the power of the O'Fogarty clan began to wane and by the early part of the thirteenth century, the NormanNormans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
family of Butler came to be the most powerful. It is to that family that Thurles owes much of its early development. Their architectural legacy may be seen today with two of the original family fortresses still standing (the Black Castle near the centre and O'Fogarty Castle by the Suir).
Theobald Walter, 1st Baron Butler or Theobald Butler was the ancestor of the Butler dynasty
Butler dynasty
Butler dynasty refers to the several branches of the Butler family that has its origins in the Cambro-Norman family that participated in the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. Variant spellings include le Boteler and le Botiller. The surname has its origins in the hereditary office of...
of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. His father had been the hereditary holder of the office of butler
Butler
A butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
of England and when Theobald assisted Kings Henry II of England
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
and John of England
John of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
in their invasions of Ireland, he was named "Chief Butler of Ireland". He was also granted a large section
of the northeastern part of the kingdom of Limerick
History of Limerick
The history of Limerick , stretches back to its establishment by the Vikings as a walled city on King's Island in 812, and its charter in 1197....
. Later in 1328, his descendant, James Butler, was created Earl of Ormond by Edward III
Edward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
.
Commerce
Thurles was originally an agriculture market town but in the past twenty years has become more a major shopping town with chains like Dunnes AldiALDI
ALDI Einkauf GmbH & Co. oHG, doing business as ', short for "Albrecht Discount", is a discount supermarket chain based in Germany...
Boots UK
Boots UK
Boots UK Limited , is a leading pharmacy chain in the United Kingdom, with outlets in most high streets throughout the country...
and Holland and Barrett opening in the town. Thurles Shopping centre was recently extended and plans to open a new a Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
store to replace the current store in Liberty Square have also been announced. Stakelums Hardware is one the biggest family owned business in the town which recently moved out to the Nenagh road and expanded it's floor space. McKevitts Costcutter is also another large family business, with two supermarkets in the town it is one the most successful stores in the town. High technology industries have been established in the Thurles Technology Park.
The Source Arts Centre
The Source Arts Centre opened on 2 October 2006 and has become the biggest music, theatre and arts venue in North Tipperary. It consists of a 250 seat auditorium with fully flexible seating, and a dedicated gallery space. The year round programme of events includes film, theatre, dance, ballet, opera, music, family events and visual art exhibitions. Acts like Aslan, Foster and Allen, The Fureys are among the list to have played there.Féile festival
The Féile FestivalFéile Festival
Féile was a music festival held in the Republic of Ireland between 1990 and 1997. Most years it was in Semple Stadium in Thurles, North Tipperary, hence the nicknamed of "TheTrip to Tipp". In 1995, it was held in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork city; Féile 96 was indoors at the Point Depot in Dublin. ...
which ran from 1990 to 1994, was held in Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium, located in Thurles, North Tipperary, Ireland, is the home of hurling for Tipperary GAA and for the province of Munster. It is the second largest stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500....
. At the height of its success, an estimated 100,000 people attended the festival, which was also known as "The Trip to Tipp". Acts that played included The Prodigy
The Prodigy
The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s...
, The Cranberries
The Cranberries
The Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in Limerick in 1989 under the name The Cranberry Saw Us, later changed by vocalist Dolores O'Riordan. The band currently consists of O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler...
, Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
, Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written...
, Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
, The Saw Doctors
The Saw Doctors
The Saw Doctors are an Irish rock band. Formed in 1986 in Tuam, County Galway, they have achieved eighteen Top 30 singles in Ireland, including three number ones. Their first number one, "I Useta Lover," topped the Irish charts for nine consecutive weeks in 1990, and still holds the record for the...
and Christy Moore
Christy Moore
Christopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is a popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of Planxty and Moving Hearts...
.
Thurles Arts Festival
Thurles arts festival started in 2009. Organised by local councillor Jim Ryan. It will return for a third time in 2011 with various events around the town in Pubs, Clubs and The Source arts centre. Revive will be held in Thurles greyhound Stadium on the 6th of August. Line up will include MundyMundy
Mundy is an Irish singer-songwriter. 'Mundy' is a nickname given to Enright, as it not only refers to his name Edmund, but it is how he pronounces the word "Monday".-Biography:...
, Bipolar Empire Jester and other bands.
Semple Stadium
Thurles is the birthplace of the Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
, founded in 1884 in Hayes' Hotel
Hayes' Hotel
Hayes Hotel is a hotel in Libery Square Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland. In 1884 the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in the billiards room of the hotel.- History :...
. Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium, located in Thurles, North Tipperary, Ireland, is the home of hurling for Tipperary GAA and for the province of Munster. It is the second largest stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500....
, where the centenary All-Ireland hurling final was played, is the second largest GAA stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500, second only to Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
in Dublin. The stadium is the "spiritual home" of Munster hurling and many famous matches, especially Munster Finals, have been played. In 1984 it hosted the All Ireland Hurling Final to celebrate 100 years since the founding of the GAA in Thurles.
Thurles Cathedral
Ecclesiastical Province
An ecclesiastical province is a large jurisdiction of religious government, so named by analogy with a secular province, existing in certain hierarchical Christian churches, especially in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches and in the Anglican Communion...
of Cashel in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly
The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly is a Roman Catholic archdiocese in mid-western Ireland. The diocese is in the secular province of Munster. The Diocese of Cashel was established in 1111 by the Synod of Rathbreasail and promoted to the status of a Metropolitan Province in 1152 by the...
, is not in its original site of the Rock of Cashel
Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel , also known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick's Rock, is a historic site in Ireland's province of Munster, located at Cashel, South Tipperary.-History:...
. This is due to the assumption of certain ecclesiastical properties by the established Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
at the time of the English Reformation
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
. Instead, following the relaxation of the Penal Laws, the Roman Catholic Archbishop chose to locate his cathedra
Cathedra
A cathedra or bishop's throne is the chair or throne of a bishop. It is a symbol of the bishop's teaching authority in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, and has in some sense remained such in the Anglican Communion and in Lutheran churches...
and residence in nearby Thurles. The present Cathedral of the Assumption stands on the site of earlier chapels in the centre of the town. Work on the cathedral, with its Romanesque architectural style and its facade modelled on that of Pisa
Pisa
Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa...
, commenced in 1865. It was consecrated by Archbishop Thomas Croke
Thomas Croke
Thomas William Croke D.D. was the second Catholic Bishop of Auckland, New Zealand and later Archbishop of Cashel and Emly in Ireland...
on 21/06/1879. The architect was J.J. McCarthy while Barry McMullen was the main builder. Mr. J.C Ashlin was responsible for the enclosing walls, railing and much of the finished work. The cathedral's main features include a rose window, a free-standing baptistery and a magnificent altar. Particularly noteworthy is the tabernacle, the work of Giacomo dello Porta, who was a pupil of Michelangelo.
The cathedral was extensively renovated and the sanctuary sympathetically remodelled on the occasion of its centenary in 1979.
Famine Museum
St. Mary's church, belonging to the Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
, is built on the site of another pre-reformation church in Thurles. This structure was built by the Normans in the 12th century to provide them with a separate and more exclusive place of worship.
The building is currently occupied and boasts a Famine museum as well as a War Museum.
Lár na Páirce
A museum devoted to the GAA, is located in SlievenamonSlievenamon
Slievenamon is a mountain in County Tipperary in the province of Munster in Ireland. It stands at 721 m . It is located in the south of the county, near the town of Clonmel...
road. It features a collection of early Hurleys, Trophies
Trophy
A trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
, Match Programmes and other GAA paraphernalia.
Thurles Leisure Centre
Thurles leisure centre opened in 2008. In 2003 North TipperaryNorth Tipperary
North Tipperary is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-West Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the town of Tipperary and consists of 48% of the land area of the traditional county of Tipperary. The county was established in 1898 and has had a county...
County Council demolished the old swimming pool with plans to build a new pool which were later scrapped. News of Roscrea
Roscrea
Roscrea is a small heritage town in North Tipperary, Ireland. The town has a population of 4,910. Its main industries include meat processing and pharmaceuticals. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Ikerrin...
(Much smaller town) getting a new pool angered the people of Thurles and the council were forced to build a new pool (though smaller and less glamorous than the pool in Roscrea) The new pool also includes a gym.
Town Council
Under the provisions of the Local Government Act (2001), the former Urban District Council was renamed the Town Council. The members of the Town Council as at 2010 are:- Evelyn Nevin (Mayor), (Non-Party)
- Gerard O'Brien (Deputy Mayor), (Fianna Fáil)
- Michael Cleary, (Fine Gael)
- Michael Grogan, (Non-Party)
- John Kenehan, (Labour)
- John Kennedy, (Labour Party)
- David Doran, (Sinn Féin)
- Noel O'Dwyer, (Non-Party)
- Jim Ryan, (Non-Party)
The principal unelected officers are:
- Town Manager: Matt Shortt
- Town Clerk: Michael Ryan.
Gaelic games
Thurles local hurling club, Thurles Sarsfields is an honoured and decorated club which has produced some of the finest hurlers in the country such as Jimmy DoyleJimmy Doyle
James 'Jimmy' Doyle , is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with the famous Thurles Sarsfields club from 1956 until 1975 and was a member of the Tipperary senior inter-county team from 1957 until 1973...
and Mickey Byrne
Mickey Byrne
Mickey 'Rattler' Byrne was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Thurles Sarsfields and with the Tipperary senior inter-county team in the 1940s and 1950s. He is regarded as one of Tipperary’s greatest-ever hurlers. .His grandson Shane Byrne plays wing back with Moycarkey...
.
Soccer
- Peake Villa (founded 1967), playing in Tower Grounds
- Thurles Town, playing in the Greyhound Stadium. The team competed in the League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
between 1977 and 1982. - Borroway RoversBorroway RoversBorroway Rovers F.C. is an association football club based in Thurles, Co. Tipperary. The club plays in the North Tipperary & District Division 1 having been promoted as champions from Division 2 in 2009/2010. The club's playing colours are red with white trim although they have previously used...
( re-started 2002), playing in a shared pitch in Loughtagalla Park - Thurles Celtic ( founded 2007), playing in a shared pitch in Loughtagalla Park
- Suirside Wanderers (founded 2009), playing in the Vocational School grounds
Primary
- Gaelscoil Bhríde
- Scoil Ailbhe, CBS
- Scoil Angela, Ursuline Convent
- Scoil Mhuire na Toirbhirte, Presentation Convent
Secondary
- Christian BrothersChristian BrothersChristian Brothers may refer to:* Congregation of Christian Brothers, a Catholic lay order founded at Waterford, Ireland in 1802 by the Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice...
School - Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed
- Presentation Convent
- Ursuline Convent
Third-Level and Adult Education
A third-level college, the Tipperary InstituteTipperary Institute
LIT Tipperary is a college of higher education, development agency and research centre in County Tipperary, Ireland and is one of the five constituent schools of Limerick Institute of Technology . Tipperary Institute was founded by the Irish Government in 1998 and opened two campuses in Thurles...
(formerly TRBDI soon to be renamed Limerick Institute of Technology
Limerick Institute of Technology
Limerick Institute of Technology is an institution of higher education in Limerick, Ireland and is one of 13 institutes that are members of the Institutes of Technology Ireland . The Institute has four campuses in Limerick City, one in both Thurles and Clonmel in County Tipperary and a regional...
Tipperary, was established in 1998. It is the only third-level institution in North Tipperary.
- St. Patrick's CollegeSt. Patrick's College, ThurlesSt. Patrick's College, Thurles is a third level college of education in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, formerly a seminary the College specializes in Humanities courses in Accounting, Business Studies, Irish and Religious Studies.-History:...
- Colaiste Eile
- Colaiste Mhuire Adult Education
- Thurles Community Training Centre
Notable people
- Mary HanafinMary HanafinMary Hanafin is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who was a Teachta Dála for Dún Laoghaire from 1997 to 2011. She served as Government Chief Whip , Minister for Education and Science , Minister for Social and Family Affairs , Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport and Minister for Enterprise,...
- Una HealyUna HealyUna Theresa Imogene Healy is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician, best known for being one fifth of girl group The Saturdays...
- Pat ShorttPat ShorttPat Shortt is an actor, comedian and entertainer. In 2007, he starred in the film Garage, directed by Lenny Abrahamson for which he won the Best Actor award at the 2008 IFTAs...
- Tony RyanTony RyanThomas Anthony "Tony" Ryan was an Irish multi-millionaire, philanthropist and businessman.He was a founder of Guinness Peat Aviation as well as co-founder of Ryanair with Christy Ryan and Liam Lonergan...
Founder of Ryanair. - Des HanafinDes HanafinDesmond A. "Des" Hanafin is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a member of Seanad Éireann for over 30 years.-Personal life:Des Hanafin was born in Thurles, County Tipperary in 1930...
, Father of Mary Hanafin - Patrick Leahy (bishop)Patrick Leahy (bishop)Patrick Leahy was Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cashel.-Life:Leahy, son of Patrick Leahy, civil engineer and county surveyor of Cork, was born near Thurles, County Tipperary, on 31 May 1806, and was educated at Maynooth....
, buried in Thurles Cathedral
International relations
Thurles is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with:
- BollingtonBollingtonBollington is a small rural town and civil parish in the county of Cheshire, , England, in the unitary authority of Cheshire East. It is located east of Prestbury. In the Middle Ages it was part of the Earl of Chester's manor of Macclesfield., and the ancient parish of Prestbury...
, England - Salt Lake City, UtahSalt Lake City, UtahSalt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
, United States
Annalistic references
From the Annals of the Four MastersAnnals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
:
- M894.6 - Gairbhith, son of Muireagan, lord of Dearlas, died.
- M931.9 - A battle was gained in Magh-Uatha by Fearghal, son of Domhnall; and Sichfraidh, son of Uathmharan, i.e. the son of the daughter of Domhnall, over Muircheartach, son of Niall, where were slain Maelgarbh, son of Gairbhith, lord of Dearlas; and Conmhal, son of Bruadhran; and many others along with them.
- M934.3 - Bec, son of Gairbhith, lord of Dearlass, died.
- M962.9 - Furadhran, son of Bece, lord of Dearlas, was slain by the Cinel-Eoghain.
- M983.8 - Dubhdarach, son of Domhnallan, lord of Dearlus, was slain.
- M999.4 - Ua Domhnall, i.e. Cuchaill, lord of Durlas, was slain by Ua Neill, i.e. by Aedh.
See also
- List of civil parishes of North Tipperary
- List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland