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Thurles
is the principal town of east County Tipperary with a population
of over 8,500 people. Derived from the Irish "Durlas Eile", meaning
The Strong Fort of Ely, Thurles is home to a rich heritage dating
back some several hundred years.
The
town itself was formally established by the Norman Butlers
in the 13th century, with the family fortress remains still
standing. Other historic landmarks in the area include the monastic
settlement at Holycross, the only restored Cistercian Abbey
in Ireland and St Mary's Famine Museum, originally built by
the Normans in the 12th century, now displays a memorial to
the Great Famine.
Thurles
is surrounded by some of Ireland's most fertile pastoral land;
set against a backdrop of the heather-clad Silvermine Mountains
to the north-west and the Slieveardagh Hills to the south-east.
The River Suir passes through the township, thus giving Thurles
a perfect angling location for the fishing enthusiast.
Visitors
to Thurles can enjoy a range of outdoor sporting activities
including excellent golf, clay pigeon shooting, equestrian centres,
tennis, horse and greyhound racing. Thurles has no shortage
of fine dining, pubs with live music and accommodation to suit
every pocket.
Historically,
Thurles is well known as the birthplace of Cumann Luthchleas Gael
(Gaelic Athletic Association), founded on November 1st in 1884.
Lar na Pairce is an exciting visitor centre designed to tell
the story of the Gaelic Games in Ireland. Housed in a 19th century
building, the exhibits present the games of Hurling, Gaelic
Football, Camogie and Handball. Semple Stadium in Thurles is
a major sports venue for all Gaelic Games. Accommodating up
to 60,000 spectators, this stadium takes its name form the legendary
Tipperary hurler, Tom Semple.
Today, Thurles is a thriving country town with an excellent
local infrastructure of schools and the new Tipperary Rural
and Business Development Institute. Located on the main Dublin/Cork
route, Thurles is easily accessible by train and road. Food
production is well established with the presence of Erin Foods,
Thurles Creamery and Dew Valley Meats. Other principal employers
in the region are Jobst Ireland Ltd and GMX.
Other local indigenous ventures include speciality cheese makers
and the boutique Dwan Tipperary Brewing Company, operating from
a restored granary building. The Brewery boasts of fine, original
beers, free of additives and preservatives. The Thurles Chamber
of Commerce actively promotes the development of new business
in the town.
Twinning
Thurles is twinned with the Midlands town of Bollington in the
UK.
| Useful contact
details for Thurles |
Thurles Chamber of Commerce |
|
Tel: (353) 0504 23407 |
| Thurles
Urban District Council |
Tel:
(353) 0504 21433 |
| Tourist
Information |
Tel:
(353) 0504 23579 |
| Golf
Club |
Tel:
(353) 0504 21983 |
| Train
Station |
Tel:
(353) 0504 21733 |
| Bus
Eireann |
Tel:
(353) 061 315222 |
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