THURLES.ie

Culture & History - areas of interest

Cathedral of the Assumption - Ard-Eaglais na Deastógála
This impressive Italianate Romanesque building, on Cathedral St., owes its existence mainly to the vision and ambition of Dr Patrick Leahy, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly from 1857 until 1875. Eminent architect of the time, J.J.McCarthy, was engaged to draw the plans. The design was modeled to a good extent on the cathedral of Pisa in Italy. Work on the new building commenced in 1865 and Archbishop Thomas Croke solemnly dedicated the Cathedral of the Assumption in 1879. Recent renovations were completed in Oct. 2003. Thurles is also known as “The Cathedral Town”.
Thurles Parish Centre: 0504 22229

Semple Stadium - Staid Semple
Since the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Thurles on Nov.1st 1884, the town has been the 'Mecca' for the followers of Gaelic games, particularly hurling. The town’s renowned sports ground, Semple Stadium, is considered by generations of Ireland’s hurlers as the country’s premier hurling venue. With its natural sod and true bounce of the sliotar (hurling-ball), it is here that this ancient Gaelic craft can be seen in all its glory and at its best.
Lar Na Páirce: 0504 22702

Opened: 1910
Renovated: 1981 & 2007
Capacity 55,000
Home of hurling for Tipperary and for the larger Munster area
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final Venue for the association's centenary celebrations 1984

Hayes Hotel - Ostán Uí Aodha
Hayes's Hotel, on Liberty Square, was the venue for the foundation meeting of the Gaelic Athletic Association, on Nov. 1st 1884.The meeting took place in the hotel’s billiard room and the aim of the new association was ‘the Preservation and Cultivation of National Pastimes'. Clareman, Michael Cusack, the principal architect of the G.A.A., had convened the meeting. Ever since then, Hayes’s Hotel has been a traditional meeting place for the many thousands of GAA followers who throng the town on days of major games played at famed Semple Stadium. G.A.A. Golden Jubilee (1934) and Centenary celebrations (1984) were held at the hotel.
0504 22122 |hayeshotel@eircom.net | www.hayeshotel.com

St. Mary's Famine Church / Military Museum
This church, with its graceful spire, stands on the site of the first Anglo-Norman parish church built here at the end of the 12th century. The present building is the third church to be constructed here, having been erected in 1820. It is still used as a place of worship by the local Church of Ireland community. Lady Elizabeth Mathew, Viscountess of Thurles and progenitor of the British Royal Family, was buried here in1673.
www.faminemuseum.com

Lár na Páirce - The Story of Gaelic Games
Lár na Páirce is an exciting visitor centre designed and equipped to tell the story of Gaelic Games from earliest times to the present day. It is located just off Liberty Square in a most imposing, elegant 19th century building. This fine cut-stone edifice was built for the National Bank about the time of the G.A.A.’s foundation. Thurles Development Association, Shannon Development and Tipperary G.A.A acquired the building with the intention of developing a visitor attraction for the town. President Mary Robinson officially opened this interpretative centre of Gaelic Games in 1994. The various exhibits invite the visitor to experience the excitement and colour of Hurling, Gaelic Football, Camogie and Handball.
Beidh fáilte romhat chuig Lár na Pairce, ionad léiriúcháin ina bhfuil taispeantais den scoth ag baint le cluichí na nGael.
0504-22702 | tipperary@gaa.ie | www.tipperary.gaa.ie

Farney Castle
Farney Castle is the home and design studio of Irish International Designer, Cyril Cullen, and it is the only RoundTower in Ireland occupied as a family home. The castle was originally built at Farney in 1185 and this would have been a timber structure at the time. The present round tower was built in 1495 by Thomas Butler, 7th Earl of Ormond, and it was part of the defensive system created by the Butlers to protect their land in Tipperary. The castle is steeped in history having many owners through the centuries and is an example of some of Ireland’s finest architecture. Tours of the castle are available daily and it is well worth a visit.
FarneyCastle: | 0504-43281 | fax: 0504-43357 | farneycastle@eircom.net
Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. | more information

Memorials on Liberty Square

For more Informtaion about Thurles Memorials visit www.thurlesmemorial.com

Leachtanna Cuimhneacháin ar Chearnóg na Saoirse - The Croke Memorial
The bronze life-sized monument at the top of Liberty Square is the Croke Memorial. The Gaelic Athletic Association erected it, twenty years after the death of Dr. Thomas Croke, (1823-1902), Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. The statue is mounted on a tapering, triangular limestone pedestal with shamrock-shaped base. Dr.Croke was the first Patron of the G.A.A. and his support was vital for the success of the fledging Association. The memorial, which faces towards the Cathedral, the finest of its kind in Tipperary, is the work of F. Doyle Jones, a Londoner. McDonnell of Templemore sculpted the stonework. Dr. Croke retired as Archbishop in 1896, died in 1902 and is buried in the Cathedral of the Assumption.

The 1798 Memorial
Familiarly referred to as "the stone man", the 1798 Memorial stands at the lower end of Liberty Square. Commemorating the 1798 rebellion, it consists of a limestone-sculpted figure of a pikeman. The ten-foot pedestal, also of limestone, has carvings depicting Wolfe Tone, Lord Edward Fitzgerald and Robert Emmet, all prominent United Irishmen. The memorial was erected to mark the first centenary of the rebellion and was unveiled on St Patrick’s Day 1900. The following verse by John Kells Ingram forms part of this memorial.

To The Memory of the Men of ‘98
They rose in dark and evil days to right their native land;
They kindled here a living blaze that nothing can withstand.
Alas! That might can vanquish right-They fell and passed away,
But true men, like you men, are plenty here today
Liam Ó Donnchú