Looking back over September 2022 in Tipperary - Franciscans to depart Clonmel after 700 years

September 1 2022

Our first front page of September reported that hundreds of children across Tipperary were on waiting lists for vital therapy services, according to the latest HSE data.
Children across the county were awaiting assessments or treatment in areas such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychology. Some had been left waiting for more than a year for these services.
We reported that 246 children were on waiting lists for psychology services in south Tipperary at the end of May 2022.
Meanwhile, around 450 children were on occupational therapy first assessment waiting lists across both south Tipp and north Tipp/east Limerick.
Almost 850 children were on waiting lists for an initial speech and language assessment in both regions at the end of May.
*******
On the last weekend of August Clonmel Pride committee was beyond proud to kick-off their third annual Pride Festival across various venues in Clonmel.
The festival not only celebrates diversity, love and fellowship, it creates a sense of community and a safe space in Clonmel for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families and all allies.

*******

A year later than planned, musicians and committee members past and present finally had the chance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Banna Chluain Meala, founded in 1971.
On Sunday, August 28 a crowd of about 600 former members, families and well wishers gathered on an ideal summer’s day in the immaculate grounds of Hotel Minella to enjoy performances by three bands.

*******
September 8 2022

The people of Clonmel were left in shock in early September following the announcement by the Franciscan Order that they were withdrawing from the town after over 700 years of a presence.
The official announcement was made at the Friary Mass at 10am on Tuesday morning, September 6 to a stunned congregation.

In a statement, Fr Aidan McGrath, Minister Provincial, The Irish Franciscans sai:
“I so regret having to make this announcement to the people of Clonmel who have prayed with us and supported us in so many ways over the centuries. I thank the people of Clonmel and the surrounding area, and all who have gone before, for the friendship and support to us Franciscans and our work. We will be eternally grateful,” he said.
*******

Clonmel and the sporting community of Tipperary was in mourning that week following the tragic death of Donal O’Keeffe.
The former Tipperary football captain and a stalwart of Clonmel Commercials, who won five county medals during a glittering playing career, died in a freak cycling accident in county Wexford where he lived with his family.

*******

Carrick-on-Suir’s rarely seen Kenny’s Rock appeared from the depths of the Suir after a prolonged dry spell and a crowd witnessed the custom of a fire being lit on the slab when it emerged from the river at low tide.
The fire, lit by local fishermen for an hour on Thursday, September 1, appeared to have worked a treat.
This was the second fire on Kenny’s Rock in two weeks and it was filmed for posterity by an RTÉ news crew while local poet and historian Michael Coady recited his poem Leac na Tine (Flagstone of Fire).
Carrick-on-Suir boatman Ralph O’Callaghan lit the first fire on the rock at 4.05am on Monday, August 15 when it appeared for the first time in living memory at low tide after weeks of dry weather lowered the river’s water level.

*******

September 15 2022

On our front page of September 15 we reported on the unexpected death of Evie Magnier Stockwell, one of the most respected breeders of thoroughbred horses in Ireland and mother to Coolmore founder John Magnier.
Mrs Magnier Stockwell was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at her home at Railway House, Farnaleen, Fethard.
The mourners at the concelebrated Mass at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Fethard, included Evie’s daughter Anne, and sons John and David.

*******

In September we reported that two housing estates proposed for Carrick-on-Suir and Kilsheelan secured planning approval from Tipperary County Council while the council had received a planning application for a 43-house estate in Clonmel.
Jenine and Jeffrey Brophy were granted conditional planning permission to develop 11 two-storey houses at Knocknaconnery, Greenhill Village, Carrick.
Coalquay Developments, meanwhile, received permission to build 24 homes at Ivowen, Kilsheelan on Thursday, September 2.
Tipperary County Council’s received an application from Carmac Investments Limited on seeking planning permission to build 43 two-storey homes at Longfield Housing Estate at Ardgeeha Upper, Cashel Road, Clonmel.
*******
Tipperary County Council’s elected members passed a vote of sympathy on the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabth ll at their September meeting.
The vote of sympathy was proposed by Cllr Marie Murphy of Fine Gael who as Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council welcomed the Queen’s eldest son, the then Prince Charles, now the new King, and his wife Camilla to Cahir and Cashel during their visit to Ireland in March.
*******

Looking back over June 2022 in Tipperary - Village in state of shock as two bodies found

September 22 2022

A major expansion of Carrick-on-Suir Further Education & Training Centre was announced by Minister Simon Harris in September including the introduction of electrical apprenticeship training to the college that will double its student numbers to 300, reported Aileen Hahesy.
The Minister announced the significant capital investment during his visit to the Tipperary Education & Training Board-run college during which he toured its facilities and met some of its students.
Tipperary ETB had secured €1.3m for the centre that was formerly home to Comeragh College for 46 years.
*******

Tipperary County Council announced the awarding of a contract to construct a new Fire Station at Wallers Lot, Cashel.
The building contract to the value of €2.5m was awarded to Finna Construction Ltd, Cross, Cong, county Tipperary.

*******

September 29 2022

Differences of opinion over Clonmel’s town centre provoked a heated exchange of views between two local politicians reported Eamonn Wynne on our front page of September 29.
Cllr John FitzGerald told a meeting of Clonmel Borough District that it was “very embarrassing” when people complained about the dereliction and the number of premises that were vacant in the town centre.
He said he was truly proud of Clonmel, which was a superb, industrialised town with high employment and it had a lot to boast about. But the town centre needed to look the part.
However, Cllr Siobhán Ambrose took exception with those remarks. She told Cllr FitzGerald that if anyone asked what was happening in the town he should give them her number and she would tell them.
*******

One of Clonmel’s most cherished treasures, Peg Rossiter, featured on RTÉ’s Nationwide in September.
The cameras visited her Clonmel home to hear about the fascinating life she has led and the most wonderful memories she holds.
The feature, by RTÉ journalist Helen McInerney, was broadcast during Age Action’s Positive Ageing Week.
Peg, who will mark her 100th birthday this May, was inducted into the Tipperary Association Dublin’s Hall of Fame this year, and is best known for her weekly column, It Seems To Me, published in The Nationalist
*******
Bill Cronin from Ahenny joined an elite group of county Tipperary citizens to reach their 100th birthday in September and he marked the milestone at Carrick-on-Suir’s Sonas Nursing Home surrounded by his family.
The retired forestry worker turned 100 on Thursday, September 22 and the party at the Carrickbeg nursing home that day was attended by several generations of his family. It was one of three celebrations marking Bill’s centenary birthday at Sonas last week.
Bill’s beloved wife Bridie passed away in 1992. He has one daughter Ailish Anthony, who lives in Mullinavat and five sons Francis and Sean who both live in Ahenny, Desmond, Carrick-on-Suir, Liam,Faugheen and Ned, who resides in Manchester.