Project Description
14th August
Busking
An interesting element of the Tradfest Weekend should be the Busking competition on Saturday evening. This event will create a wonderful atmosphere around the village and keep the toes of the attendance tapping. Individuals and groups are invited to participate for a cash prize of €100.
This will be followed by a Dancing Workshop, conducted by Marie Touhy, who will focus on the basic steps of a number of different dances.
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12th August
Exercise Class
Something different during the Tradfest weekend! A free exercise class with Orla Delaney to tone up the body after the exertions of the weekend and the sweltering warm weather. Come along to the Marquee on Sunday 17th at 2pm.
Novel Games
Also on Sunday 17th, there will be a novel hurling game in the Longhouse Field, when Newport and Mulcair Rovers will renew rivalries of over 65 years ago. This is confined to Junior ‘C’ players who have come together this year to participate in the championship for the first time. Teams will be selected from players who hail from the areas from which Newport and the Rovers traditionally drew their players during the 1930s, 40s and 50s.
Opening the weekend’s activities on Friday 15th will be a series of Soccer Blitzes involving local mixed teams in 7-a-side games.
All will then adjourn to the Village to participate in a BBQ before PJ Murrihy takes to the stage to entertain us until midnight.
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11th August
Dog Show
A popular event at most festivals is the Dog Show. It certainly has attracted much attention at events in Birdhill in recent years and is sure to bring many owners and their pets to the village on Sunday 17th August at 5.30pm. See adjoining poster for details of classes.
The Dog Show will be part of a family afternoon which will begin at the Longhouse Field with a Junior ‘C’ Hurling Challenge and continue at the rear of Coopers with fun and games. All the while, attendees can enjoy a BBQ and refreshments with the usual home baking delights.
With good weather forecast for the weekend, what better way to spend an evening before the end of the holidays and return to school.
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4th August
History Walk &Treasure Hunt
To mark National Heritage Week, there will be a guided Historical Walking Tour during the Birdhill Tradfest weekend on Sunday 17th August. Local historian Matt Lynch will lead the walk which will commence on the Village Green at 4.30pm and last approx 45 minutes. This will be followed by a Treasure Hunt, again confined to the Village and Community Park. You might even get information on some of the clues during the Guided Walk.
Community Orchard
The community Orchard in Cooleen has an abundant supply of apples this year. Members of the community are invited to help themselves before the birds and the bees have their fill.
Newsletters
Read Tipperary County Council’s Arts Office newsletter for August
Read Age-Friendly Ireland’s newsletter for August
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30th July
Rambling House, Poetry & Story-telling
We look forward to Saturday 16th August when Birdhill Tradfest will feature poetry-reading and story-telling. We are sure to hear some of the old reliable compositions, yarns and tall tales from the local literati and wits. No doubt we will hear some newly-composed pieces and Tipperary’s recent All Ireland victory is bound to feature.
This will be followed by a Rambling House with music and songs from local and visiting artists. Special guest, Seán Ó’Sé will attend to lead off activities. His popular ‘Poc ar Buile’ will surely get the crowd going.
Seán Ó Sé is an Irish singerger and retired schoolteacher from Cork, who sings folk and traditional songs in Irish and English. He came to prominence as a singer in the 1960s with Seán Ó’Riada’s group Ceoltóirí Chualann. He later toured internationally with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
Ó Sé is most associated with the comic song “An Poc ar Buile” (“the angry goat”), of which a version written in 1940 by Dónall Ó Mulláin of Cúl Aodha became a surprise hit single in 1962 when Ó’Sé recorded it for Gael Linn. From this song is his nickname “the Pucker” or “An Pocar“; the latter used as the title of a 2013 biography broadcast on TG4.
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25th July
Social Dancing in Birdhill
The opening night of Birdhill Tradfest will feature dancing in the marquee to PJ Murrihy. The West Clare man first came to prominence in 1988 when his song “Pat Murphy’s Meadow” (which was originally a poem, written in the late 1930s by J.M. Devine) entered the Irish charts. Other memorable songs recorded by P.J. include; My Father’s House, The Old Trashing Mill, ‘Should I Fall Behind’ (duet with Isla Grant) and The Land of the Gael. One of P.J’s most successful recordings is his own composition, ‘There’s Life in the Auld Dog Yet’ which has been recorded by numerous artists.
In May 2013 P.J. was honoured to sing his own composition, ‘The West Clare Famine’ song for President Higgins at the National Famine Commemorations. P.J. has been a firm favourite on cruise ship holidays and Irish festivals in Europe and the UK, as well as continuing to draw in the crowds at all popular dancing venues at home in Ireland.
In March, 2014, P.J. was awarded ‘Best Original Song’ for ‘Drawing Little Men in the Ashes’ by Irish County Sound of the Irish Farmer’s Journal. The success of this song was followed by another original song written by P.J. called ‘Soldier On’ (Sell the pig).
To date songs written by P.J. have been recorded by a number of prominent artists including, Big Tom, Daniel O’ Donnell, Foster and Allen, Michael English, Brendan Shine, Margo, Declan Nerney and Patrick Feeney.
Make a note in your diary: Friday 15th August in Birdhill Village – dancing to PJ Murrihy. Or perhaps you would just like to sit and listen to the dulcet tones and melodious story-telling of the Man from Mullagh. Not to be missed!
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15th July
Birdhill Tradfest
Something to look forward to! Birdhill Tidy Village Committee’s community event for 2025 will take the form of a Tradfest from August 15th – 17th. Included will be activities such as Social Dancing, Busking, Dancing Workshop, Rambling House, Dog Show, Poetry Reading, Treasure Hunt, Hurling and Soccer Games, Novelty Games, etc. Not forgetting the usual BBQ and Tea Rooms! Full details later. Keep the weekend free! The weekend will be sponsored by Shannonside Business Park. Anyone wishing to sponsor any of the activities or provide spot-prizes is invited to contact any member of the committee.
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4th June
Adjudication
As adjudication approaches, we ask all residents to be vigilant for litter on our roadsides and public spaces. Why not “Bring a Bag for a Walk” and be prepared to pick up any unwanted material which takes from the appearance of our environment. Bags, gloves, pickers and high vis vests are available if required. Meanwhile, help would also be appreciated for ongoing maintenance during the summer -weeding, watering, sweeping, etc. Your support can make a difference.
Community Employment
Birdhill Tidy Village is considering withdrawing from the Newport-Ballina CES. We’ve had no participant on any scheme for a number of years. If there is any eligible candidate in the locality or surrounding area who would like to become involved, please get in touch asap.
Heritage Week
Heritage Week will be held in August with events which help to raise awareness of, protect and preserve local heritage. Any ideas on how we could highlight the rich heritage of Birdhill?
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Flowers 2025
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May Newsletters
Click on the following to read some recent newsletter:
Farming for Nature Bealtaine newsletter: e-Newsletters – Farming for Nature
Connecting Nationwide: Connecting Nationwide this May
Men’s Shed newsletter: New Beginnings 💐
Age Friendly Ireland: Latest News
Tipperary Together newsletter: Tipperary Together Issue 4.pdf
Tipperary County Council’s Arts Office newsletter for May: May.pdf
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17th April
Teenage Kicks: Many thanks to our local teenagers who have been of great help this season, painting, collecting litter and gathering leaves for composting.
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1st April
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19th March
Parades
We participated in the Newport and Ballina/Killaloe St Patrick’s parades and won the overall award in both for our depiction of Storm Éowyn. Thanks to our great crew of participants for their creativity, innovation and overall support. They really got into the spirit of the occasion and entertained the large crowds at both venues. Special thanks to Fitzgerald Groundworks who provided the ‘float,’ Paddy Ryan for the provision of materials and help in setting up the float and Vision Signs for the creation of signage
See our Photo Gallery for a selection of images from the two parades.
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10th March
Guímíd beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ar cách
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20th February
After the Storm!
Work to be done!
Sorted!
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4th February
Love Your Community
The Love Your Community poster placed on the Village Green nudges us to consider the role that ‘community’ plays in our lives and the role that we can play in our community. Participation and involvement are key elements of society. The active involvement of individuals within their communities and in broader society helps generate pride, spirit, identity and a sense of well-being. Local people in Birdhill are encouraged to interact with neighbours, join clubs and organisations, attend community events, participate in decision-making, etc. It’s your community! Be part of it! Engage, Volunteer, Connect!
Storm Éowyn
Many local houses, farms and businesses were badly hit by the recent storm, some without power for over a week and much cleaning up to be done. We are more fortunate than other parts of the country where electricity and water outages are still ongoing. Our Community Park was badly hit, with a number of trees down and a considerable amount of debris to be gathered up.
Newsletters
Click here to read some recent newsletters:
- Arts Office January issue
- Age-Friendly Ireland January newsletter
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12th January 2025
Notice Nature
As we begin a new year, it would be great to get as many as possible from the local community observing and recording the changes in the environment around us. When did you see the first snowdrop or daffodil? On what date did you first note frog spawn in a local pond or drain? When did the first swallow arrive to your area? Please look out for the bursting forth of new growth, the arrival of migratory birds, the awakening of hibernating creatures, etc. We would love to hear about your findings.
National Outdoor Recreational Strategy
National Outdoor Recreational Strategy (2023-2027) was developed to oversee and guide the development and promotion of all aspects of outdoor recreation in the country. A key recommendation was the development of a County Outdoor Recreation Plans (CORP’s) for every county. Tipperary County Council along with multiple local partners including Tipperary Sports Partnership are currently driving the development of a County Outdoor Recreation Plan for Tipperary. The plan will aim to lead, guide and facilitate the sustainable development and management of outdoor recreation and increased participation, in order to realise social, health and economic benefits. We will do this whilst respecting the custodians of land and water, caring for the environment and promoting responsible recreation.
If you would like to input into a short survey to have your view please click on this link https://forms.office.com/r/BgVapNg2jU before 5pm, Wednesday, 15th January 2025.
It will take no longer than 5 mins to complete.
Please email info@tipperarysports.ie if you require further details.