Thurles Sarsfields International Hurling Festival

Thurles Sarsfields International Hurling Festival for the Tom Semple
Cup: A competition whose aim is to promote hurling on an international
basis and also promote Thurles and the surrounding area as a tourist
attraction through the the medium of hurling. The competition is being
organised by Thurles Sarsfields one of the oldest, most traditional
and most successful clubs in Tipperary.

Not alone will this be a hurling festival but events in keeping with
the occasion will be organised by Thurles Sarsfields. The hope is that
the participants, supporters and visitors will enjoy the first ever
international competition for the Tom Semple Cup. The Tom Semple Cup
has been donated by the Semple family in memory of the great Tom
Semple who's name graces Munster's finest stadium. The competition
takes place over the Munster Final weekend and will be an annual event
in Thurles no matter where the Munster Final is played. With the
modern new roads and transport facilities we are only 1.5 hours away
from other likely Munster Final venues.

The Munster Final has a special place in the hearts of all hurling
people and we hope that all who come here will experience all that is
good about the great Irish cultural game of hurling.

The teams competing this year are Brussels, under Willie Cashin of
Moycarkey-Borris; Kilburn Gaels are managed by Moyne man Tom Bergin;
One of the big names in Robert Emmets is Mick O'Dea of Liscarroll, Co
Cork handball fame; The exclusive hurling club of Na Magha in Derry is
taking part in its first international competition and is driven by
Damian Doherty; The traditional Gaelic club of Keady from Armagh is
under the charge of Jim McCormack and has on occasion been coached by
Thurles Sarsfields' senior coach Paddy McCormack; Ger Collins, former
centre-forward with Thurles Sarsfields was involved in the setting up
of a hurling club in Dundalk, Naomh Moninne. Its great to see another
exclusive hurling club being guests of Thurles Sarsfields; Naas, Co
Kildare are managed and coached by Pat English from Carlow and their
secretary is a former Watergrasshill hurler Brian O'Riordan; The Wild
Geese from Lakenheath managed by Major Tim Neylon are representing the
USA. They are the first US army team to take part in an official
international competition.

Is this the first fully international competition since the Tailteann
Games of the twenties?

With such a diverse range of clubs and talent coming form so many
different places it promises to be the start of something great in the
hurling world. It will be a major historic event and it is hoped that
this event will blossom and bloom to become one of the highlights of
the hurling calendar year in conjunction with the Munster Final.

Contact sarsinternationalfestival@gmail.com for information or queries.

CIRCUS GERBOLA FOR THURLES-6th to 8th May, 2011

CIRCUS GERBOLA
PRESENT THEIR INCREDIBLE NEW SHOW FOR 2011
MUSICA!!
At Thurles Greyhound Station
From Friday 6th to Sunday 8th May
Circus Gerbola are delighted to announce that of the 6,000 Girl Guides that will be descending on Thurles for their Fun Day Out on May 7th, the circus will be training 200 girls in circus skills at the Gerbola Circus School. This is a real challenge for the circus as the numbers are large but the workshops promise to be great fun with training in Juggling, Rolla Rolla, Acrobalance and much more. Of course, the girls can then come along to the show later to see how the professionals do it!
Circus Gerbola's 10th anniversary show is a spellbinding spectacle packed with amazing performances, mischievous fun and Live Music including Aerial Violinist, Cello Extraodinaire & Grand Piano Contortionist! An act not to be missed is the collaboration with internationally renowned Irish contemporary circus company Fidget Feet, joining fantastic acts of skill with original music. Of course you can expect ridiculous and hilarious clowning and there's more great acts like Flying Tango, Cloud Swing, Balance Perch, Adagio and Liberty Horses. For the younger circus goer don't miss Barney & Friends!
SEATS FROM ONLY
€7.99!!!
With discount voucher
(look out for them around the town)
Now That's Value!!
VENUE
Thurles Greyhound Stadium
Showtimes: Friday 6th @ 7.30pm, Saturday 7th @ 7.30pm Sunday 8th @ 2pm & 5pm
Bookings 086 3700620
email: info@circusgerbola.ie
www.circusgerbola.ie



Circus Gerbola are proud to be sponsored by
The Arts Council of Ireland

THURLES TO HOST 6,000 VISITORS ON 7th May, 2011

Below is a Media Release for National Fun Event where 6000 Girl Guides will descend on Thurles, Co. Tipperary for Centenary Celebrations

Location: Semple Stadium, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Date:Saturday 7th May 2011.

Special Guest’s: Over 6,000 members of Irish Girl Guides

Event:Centenary Celebrations & Record Breaking Event

On the 7th of May 2011, the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) will hold the largest celebration fun day in its history, to celebrate 100 years of changing lives here in Ireland. Over 6,000 girls and Leaders will descend on Thurles, Co. Tipperary to join together for a day of great fun activities including a Guinness Book of Records attempt.
All the branches will be joining in the celebrations – the Ladybirds who are aged between 5 – 7 years, the Brownies from 6½ – 11 years; the Guides 10½– 15 years and Senior Branch 14½ - 26 years.
The day will begin with a parade which will be led by 85 teenage girls, who are Guiding Stars, as each will be receiving the prestigious Gold Award, the highest achievement that a Guide can achieve. Then IGG will take on the challenge of breaking the Guinness Book of Records for the longest string of reef knots ever!
After this the girls will break into their different age groups to try activities such as Drumming, Circus skills, Dance, Animal Roadshow, Science workshops, Reptile village, Gospel Singing along with time to enjoy the free flow area which will include Large scale inflatables, Helter Skelter, Carousel, Giant paint by numbers and Street entertainers.
As the day comes to a close there will be a presentation of 30 year service pins to many dedicated leaders by special guest Mary McPhail, CEO of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. This is especially significant as 2011 has been designated the European Year of volunteering.
Emer O’Sullivan, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Girl Guides, said, “This is a great opportunity to thank all our volunteer Leaders but an extremely special chance to thank the leaders with 30+ years of service. Today we will remember with pride and gratitude, the work and efforts of those who have gone before and those who strive today to make Guiding the wonderful organisation that it is.”
To end the day on a high the girls and leaders will party to an ABBA tribute band concert as IGG continues to celebrate our centenary for the rest of 2011.
In essence the day is all about celebrating 100 years of an association that has grown from strength to strength, and continues to meet the needs of girls and women in Ireland through a programme of fun and friendship that enables them to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.
Well known former members of the Irish Girl Guides include Sonia O’Sullivan, Olympic Medallist; Catherine McGuinness, Former Supreme Court Justice; Roisin Ingle, Journalist and Una Healy of The Saturdays.

EASTER GREETINGS

A very happy Easter to all our readers for 2011.

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE - THURLES.

The much enjoyed Parade held in honour of our National Apostle, Saint Patrick was held on Sunday, 20th March, 2011. This was a truly magnificent parade held in beautiful weather with very good support from all areas including business, sports, and cultural.
Congratulations to the organising committee and all who took part including the spectators. See video of parade on the following link:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=B_J71wDE2D8