https://www.offalyexpress.ie/section/1236/advertise-with-us weather & more in Offaly and County Offaly All the latest breaking local news from Offaly and County Offaly Keep up to date with the latest sports news Read all the latest Irish news and updates from around Ireland Keep up to date with the latest news from life in Offaly - Offaly Live Offaly Express Offaly News Midland Tribune Tullamore Tribune Enjoy our award winning photos and picture galleries taken in Offaly and County Offaly Read about the latest properties available in Offaly and County Offaly Offaly and County Offaly Met Eireann Weather Forecast Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter Support our mission and join our community now you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism Our photographer Niall O Mara was out and about on the town on Saturday night See who was pictured out and about enjoying a night out CLICK ON THE ARROWS ABOVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THE PICTURES " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g please subscribe and support local journalism Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news Leigh Kavanagh is consoled after Offaly's defeat THROWBACK TUESDAY: Who will you spot out and about in Offaly back in the day The volunteers will be delighted to welcome friends old and new at St Patrick’s Hall in Delvin (N91 X449) on Sunday MEMORY LANE MONDAY: A stroll through the Offaly archives – Recognise anyone today Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie Co-owner of Damer Veterinary Clinic, Roscrea. Predeceased by his dear uncle Pat and beloved grandparents. Noel passed away suddenly at home, leaving a deep void in the hearts of those who loved him. He will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by his devoted parents, Moss and Martha, his beloved sister Marie, his dear brothers James, Barry, and Aidan, along with his aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, housemates, and his many treasured friends and colleagues. May Noel’s kind soul rest in peace, forever cherished in our hearts. Noel will repose at his home in Bracklin (N91 PN32) from 5pm on Wednesday the 7th of May and throughout Thursday. Noel’s Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday the 9th of May at 11am in Saint Francis of Assisi & Bridget Church, Ballycommon (R35 E224) with burial to follow in the adjoining cemetery. House strictly private on Friday morning, please. If you wish to leave a message of condolence, please do so below. memorial mass or anniversary for a Loved One?You can now create a family notice on RIP.ie to remember your loved one Melanie celebrates special birthday on night out in Tullamore A special birthday was celebrated recently on a night out in Tullamore Pictured by our photographer Niall O Mara in the centre of the picture above is Melanie Caduff Melanie was pictured celebrating her 30th birthday in Fergies in Tullamore recently READ NEXT: Offaly DJ helps newly married couple celebrate their special day in Las Vegas we have a gallery of pictures from a night out and about in Tullamore including at The Bridge House CLICK ON THE ARROWS ABOVE OR NEXT TO GO THROUGH THE GALLERY OF PICTURES Former staff of a leading store in Tullamore got back together recently for a big reunion The staff of The Greenhouse (Cloonans) on William Street in the town held the get together in the Tullamore Court Hotel.  Our photographer Niall O Mara was out and about on the town in Tullamore last weekend The town was alive with plenty of Offaly jerseys on display after the game with Galway Go through the gallery of pictures to see who was spotted on the town Shuffle through arrows on photos to see full gallery The wait is over — the official launch of the brand-new Tullamore Spa has taken place and celebration saw the pink ribbon officially cut by the ever-dynamic Kristine Subrovska and Michael Martin Byrne who know exactly how to make an entrance — and sure did Some very special guests were present to help mark the occasion including Alan Hughes (Ireland AM) Karl Broderick (Eurovision songwriter and screenwriter) and Gillian Fitzpatrick (Founder & MD of Bolter Media) Their presence brought star power and support The Spa Collection are over the moon to officially add the Tullamore to their growing portfolio While the town is already world-renowned for its delicious Tullamore DEW whiskey The Spa Collection are equally excited to help make it a go-to wellness destination known for incredible treatments and total relaxation just outside the city proudly owned and operated by Kristine Subrovska and Michael Martin Byrne has already been shortlisted for the Midlands Beauty Awards — a testament to their passion The pair also went live on Midlands 103 during launch day sharing their vision and welcoming new clients with open arms they’re offering an exclusive 20% off all treatments for the entire month of May Tullamore Spa is officially open — and it’s already shaping up to be the region’s ultimate beauty and wellness escape Future Ticketing (left) pictured in Aughrim with Wicklow GAA chair Damien Byrne THE Chairman of Wicklow GAA has said its partnership with an Offaly-based ticketing company means more fans can attend games Wicklow GAA is using a digital platform developed by Tullamore firm Future Ticketing for online ticket purchases for its matches and events “The continued partnership with Future Ticketing is a welcome development for Wicklow GAA By making tickets more accessible through a safe and trusted platform we’re ensuring more supporters can experience our national games first hand.” which is based in Axis Business Park in Tullamore and also has an office in Manchester says it is the premier provider of ticketing software and services The company said it is privileged to team up with Wicklow and is looking forward to working closely with the county and helping it gain from the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation client success manager with Future Ticketing said: “At Future Ticketing we understand that volunteers and supporters are at the heart of the GAA and that is why we work so hard to smooth the path to the adoption of digital ticketing and all the benefits it brings in terms of administrative efficiency and access to revenue.” Mr O’Brien added: “We have seen how Wicklow has demonstrated its determination to grow Gaelic games through its Garden County Academy and we have also been impressed with its commitment to health and wellbeing in its healthy clubs programme.” “Future Ticketing is well aware that clubs are the bedrock of the county and we are delighted to be facilitating the Wicklow GAA Club Season Membership scheme.” Future Ticketing says it continues to grow its presence across GAA counties as the Gaelic games community nationwide recognises the value of its user-friendly platform and the secure The company says that by using a simple copy-and-paste function clubs can set up events for each round of the championship in just minutes Future Ticketing says that each county's decision to partner with it is a vote of confidence in the company and its ability to meet the needs of the GAA into the future In February the company revealed that it had entered a long-term deal with Kildare GAA a county it had first teamed up with in 2021 Kildare GAA chair said: “Renewing our partnership with Future Ticketing is an excellent opportunity to promote our games for all our supporters in Kildare GAA and beyond We're happy that Future Ticketing can offer our supporters a simple and reliable online ticketing service.” which is run by Liam Holton (pictured below) is very active in horse racing and last month announced a multi-year partnership with Naas Racecourse which hosts up to 20 meeting annually It is also the online ticketing provider for the Jockey Club Louth football manager Ger Brennan has criticised the decision to play his side's Leinster semi-final clash against Kildare at Tullamore Brennan’s main issue with the staging of the game at Glenisk O'Connor Park was the fixing of the Leinster League Division 2 final beforehand at the same venue and the travel time that his team faced on match day The Leinster league fixture threw in at 11.45am and featured two Westmeath teams The game ended in Division Two final success for Milltown on a 4-15- 1-13 scoreline But Louth manager Brennan said the curtain-raiser had an impact on his team’s meeting with Kildare soon after "I thought the decision to bring Louth and Kildare to Tullamore was a terrible decision," he told RTE Sport "There was an intermediate Leinster club final played beforehand which meant that two of the bigger dressing rooms at the ground were already being used and all of us were squeezed into sardines into the dressing rooms that we got "I thought it was terrible to bring us there in the first place "And whoever granted access to an intermediate club final to be played beforehand In a move that was widely embraced earlier this year Leinster GAA made the call to switch both provincial SFC semi-finals outside of Croke Park for the first time since 1995 This call came on the back of last year's Leinster semi-final double-header attracting just over 21,000 at Croke Park making it the lowest attendance for that stage of the competition for 14 years The emptiness of the Croke Park stadium and the reduced atmosphere were factors in bringing this year’s semi-finals to Portlaoise and Tullamore This followed a ticket price cut of adult stand tickets for first-round games from €25 to €15 Leinster GAA also unveiled a group pass for the semi-finals which were held at regional grounds including stand packages of €160 for 20 children (U16) and four adults and terrace packages of €150 for 20 children (U16) and four adults Brennan says he can see why the provincial council made a call to go outside HQ but said their preference would have been to play at Croke Park "I can see why they would have brought games out but from a Louth and Kildare point of view Kildare travelled 30 minutes to Tullamore while we travelled two hours," he said Croke Park would have been Louth’s preference and I would have thought it would have been Kildare’s preference too "When you’re looking at Dublin (moving out of HQ) that’s an entirely different story." Watch a provincial football final double-header Kerry v Clare (1.45pm) and Mayo v Galway (4pm) on Sunday from 1.15pm Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 We need your consent to load this YouTube contentWe use YouTube to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts RTÉ.ie is the website of Raidió Teilifís Éireann RTÉ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Louth manager Ger Brennan was not happy with the logistics around the venue \u003Cp\u003EGer Brennan and Brian Flanagan after the match\u003C/p\u003E Man allegedly stole eight bottles of champagne from Tullamore supermarket A man has been accused of stealing eight bottles of champagne from a Tullamore supermarket was allegedly committed by Narcis Tudose (33) When the prosecution came before Tullamore District Court Judge Fiona Brennan was told by Sergeant Brendan Kearns that the DPP had ordered that it be disposed of summarily and the matter could be adjourned for either a plea of guilty or a date for a hearing Judge Brennan remanded the accused on continuing bail to appear again in court June 4 next and reserved the issue of legal aid pending a statement of means READ NEXT: Man in the Midlands charged with possession of 95 child pornography videos RESIDENTS of Church Hill housing estate in Tullamore are afraid to open their back doors during the current hot spell due to the amount of rats in the area attracted by illegal dumping said the area has been used for indiscriminate illegal dumping since last year READ MORE: ‘No entry’: The inaccessibility of two important amenity sites in Offaly "The smell is awful and the rats will come into the house if the door is left open," he complained The resident said he raised the issue on several occasions with Offaly County Council to no avail He said he would happily give the council permission to put up CCTV cameras on his property in a bid to catch the culprits The resident said he had looked through some of the dumped bags in an effort to identify the perpetrators but did not find anything READ MORE: Final call issued for Offaly Rose Selection 2025 in Tullamore Court Hotel He said he had also contacted all the local councillors to highlight the problem Recently the council paid €59,332 to have illegal dumping cleared away at Chancery Close in Tullamore A working hub is to be established in this premises on Church Street in Tullamore Architectural drawings in relation to two buildings purchased by Offaly County Council in connection with the O'Connor Square/Church Street link are to be ready soon this is with a view to going to the Part 8 public consultation process in June At the April meeting of Tullamore Municipal District Senior Executive Engineer with Offaly County Council Joe Dooley said two buildings were bought by the council last December One is the former Scanlon house on Church Street which will be renovated and used as a remote working hub the other is a house also located on Church Street beside the Methodist church Mr Dooley reported to the meeting that work on the Tanyard Lane is progressing well He said there had been issues with unforeseen ESB ducts which had to be moved and this delayed the project by 4 days READ NEXT: Company withdraw appeal in connection to proposed neighbourhood complex in Offaly Works will continue with the paving of a raised pedestrian crossing at the front entrance to Oisin O'Sullivan's and Robbins ''It's important to know that access is maintained at all times to the businesses and we will be maintaining vehicle access People will be able to come up from the Tanyard ''The final piece is the junction with the Tanyard a raised table and new footpaths,'' said Mr Dooley TULLAMORE train station is one of 10 chosen by Iarnrod Eireann for the first phase of its Age Friendly initiative Irish Rail hopes that by implementing age friendly principals more people will be able to access rail transport than ever before Confirmation of Tullamore's place in the initial rollout of the work came as a station in Laois was awarded Age Friendly status by Age Friendly Ireland Age Friendly Ireland recognised Iarnrod Eireann's commitment to making public transport more accessible particularly for older adults and people with disabilities The process is aligned with the principles of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities Age Friendly Ireland is the national organisation delivering the Government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland and the Ballybrophy project was in collaboration with the Laois Age Friendly Programme Iarnrod Eireann is aiming to have all 146 of its stations achieve Age Friendly status and Tullamore is currently one of 10 going through an audit and recognition process Kilkenny's MacDonagh Train Station was the first to gain the status and it had undergone a 'walkability' audit Accessible routes into and out of the building and accessible facilities including ticketing seating areas and luggage store are key points unveiled an Age Friendly plaque and said: “My priority is ensuring that as people get older they are supported to live in their own homes and communities with the correct wraparound supports Making public transport more accessible and age friendly is part of the toolkit to ensure older people can age well and remain connected and integrated in their communities.” READ NEXT: New Offaly Life magazine hits the shelves! The April/May edition will put spring in your step chief executive of Iarnród Éireann said:  “Today with the recognition of Ballybrophy as an Age Friendly Station we’re delighted to launch of the first phase of our Age Friendly Stations Initiative – an initiative which ultimately intends for each of our 146 stations to attain Age Friendly Status Our vision for rail in Ireland is to be the backbone of an integrated connecting and serving all of Ireland’s communities We’re investing in infrastructure upgrades across the network to enhance accessibility and facilitate safe independent access for more of our customers while also providing our staff with Accessibility and Disability Awareness training Initiatives like these are helping us to provide a better Age Friendly Laois ambassador and managing director of the National Ploughing Association said: “It is a privilege to see our local communities come together with a shared goal of ensuring everyone is included and no one is left behind when we are creating public services in Ireland With a high number of older people living in rural communities such as Ballybrophy it is important that they have equal access to public transport and that the work is done to ensure they can have a high quality of life I want to empower older people in rural communities to avail of these services and continue to live a long and social life I look forward to taking more trips via Ballybrophy knowing it now carries the Age Friendly mark.” phase one of Iarnród Éireann’s Age Friendly Stations Initiative includes Dublin Heuston THE Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore has urged the public to stay sun safe and know the healthcare options this May Bank Holiday weekend Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore is reminding the public to consider all care options and GP out-of-hours services before attending the emergency department (ED) The HSE said all injury units have access to x-ray and basic diagnostic services (for more information see www.hse.ie/injuryunits) Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore said: “We continue to be very busy in the lead up to the Bank Holiday weekend Our emergency department in particular is dealing with significant presentations and hospital admissions We are working hard to minimise the length of time patients wait to be treated Those who believe they may be seriously ill and require emergency care should of course come to hospital but we would urge others to consider seeking support from pharmacists GP out-of-hours services and injury units.” With sunny weather forecast this May Bank Holiday weekend the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) reminds everyone to protect themselves from UV radiation and follow the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5 S’s: Slop on broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+ for adults READ NEXT: Tee off for a cause – golf fundraiser for Offaly counselling service HSE NCCP said: “With the sunny weather forecast for this weekend people will have more opportunity to get outside and enjoy the outdoors We want to remind everyone to enjoy the sun safely by following the SunSmart 5S’s Making SunSmart part of your daily routine is just as important here in Ireland as it is when holidaying abroad as from April to September the sun’s UV rays are strong enough to damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer For more information see the SunSmart hub at www.hse.ie/sunsmart and check out #SunSmart on social media People can also check the UV index forecast in their area on the Met Éireann website (www.met.ie/uv-index) or app Colourful scenes from last year's Africa Day celebrations in Tullamore For the second year in succession an Africa Day event will take place on Saturday "Our aim for the event is to showcase African culture in the form of music all while encouraging everyone to take part in this colourful fun day," said Anna Heagney of the organising committee."Our vision is to promote a vibrant and inclusive African community across Offaly with an emphasis on creating a well integrated and inclusive community where everyone is accepted and welcomed."She added; "The group was formed in 2023 and we held our first Africa Day event last year in Tullamore."Last month members of the Irish African community joined Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin to launch Africa Day 2025 READ NEXT: Offaly DJ helps newly married couple celebrate their special day in Las Vegas Africa Day returns to Ireland this year with a series of events to be held nationwide including a vibrant celebration in Offaly .Dancer Lapree Lala presenter of the popular Black & Irish Podcast and Discovery Gospel Choir singer Michael Chanda joined Minister Richmond at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin which will once again host the flagship Africa Day celebration on 18th May.Africa Day is the annual day that commemorates the foundation of the African Union and celebrates the people and culture of African countries the day will be celebrated with events taking place in towns and cities across the country alongside the flagship Dublin event.Celebrations will include a cultural festival showcasing African music bringing communities together to celebrate the rich cultures of the African continent The events will feature performances by local artists and family-friendly activities designed to promote cultural awareness and integration.Organised in partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade tens of thousands of people are expected to attend events all over the country where they will be entertained by over 40 musical acts dancers and cultural groups representing countries across Africa Minister Richmond said:m“I am honoured to help launch this fantastic event that celebrates the rich cultures of the African continent political and cultural links across the continent of Africa There is also a large Irish-African community who are making significant contributions to our society and economy in towns and villages throughout Ireland READ NEXT: Popular Offaly couple celebrate milestone wedding anniversary “This day is an opportunity to promote those links and learn more about African cultures I am delighted that local authorities across Ireland will be taking part in Africa Day 2025 and look forward to vibrant celebrations nationwide.”All 31 Local Authorities across Ireland will host cultural and family-friendly events around the country These will include contemporary African-Irish culture events which will take place in every county across Ireland.For more information visit: www.AfricaDay.ie | Instagram - @africadayireland | Facebook - Africa Day Our photographer Niall O'Mara was out and about in Tullamore on Sunday night for a Big Bank Holiday Weekend night on the tow See who was spotted out and about in Tullamore on Sunday night!! Our photographer Niall O'Mara was out and about on the town on Saturday night in Tullamore See who was pictured enjoying a night on the town Man admits drugs charge but denies dangerous driving in Tullamore A man who admitted drugs offences also denied charges accusing him of dangerous driving Tullamore is accused of dangerous driving on June 6 last year at various locations in Tullamore including Clara Road Mr Collins is also accused of possession of drugs on October 14 last year at Tullamore Garda Station said a hearing would be required in relation to the allegations of dangerous driving Judge Fiona Brennan remanded the man on bail on all matters to June 16 next READ NEXT: Busy Offaly service station on the market but the asking price is a mystery Minister Carroll-MacNeill with cousins Sheila McDermott and Cllr Shane Murray Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill had a chance to meet up with close family members when she paid a visit to Tullamore recently The Fine Gael Dublin TD was in the Offaly county town to visit the proposed site of the long awaited Midlands hospice on Arden Lane READ NEXT: Health Minister backs Midlands hospice on chosen Tullamore site During the visit she met well-known Tullamore woman Sheila McDermott and local Fianna Fail councillor who is also chairman of Tullamore Tidy Towns Cllr Murray's grandmother and Minister Carroll-MacNeill's grandmother were three sisters who originally hailed from 13 Davitt St Cllr Murray said he and Sheila were "very proud of the Minister and delighted to welcome her to Tullamore." Our photograph shows Minister Carroll MacNeill with Sheila and Cllr Murray Offaly Pool Association recently hosted a night out in Tullamore The Association is celebrating its 30th year Minister Robert Troy and young local residents A tree planting ceremony took place in Oakfield this week as residents joined forces with Tullamore Tidy Towns to plant an inspiring selection of fruit trees throughout the estate Among those in attendance were local TD Tony McCormack was a celebration not only of environmental sustainability but of community spirit READ NEXT: Over €300,000 allocated for Offaly projects under Community Monuments Fund offering both pollination benefits and a visual tangible reward for children growing up in Oakfield — the chance to quite literally see the fruits of their labour himself a long-time supporter and participant in the Tidy Towns movement in Westmeath “Tidy Towns groups are essential across the county,” he said I’ve worked to ensure these volunteer groups no longer have to pay insurance — it’s vital that we support those who give their time to better their communities.” READ NEXT: Volunteers step up to the mark for Tidy Towns Spring Clean Day in Offaly town Deputy Tony McCormack echoed the Minister’s sentiment and praised the strong community involvement “The people of Oakfield clearly care deeply about their area Choosing fruit trees shows foresight and care for the environment,” he said ‘the person who plants a garden believes in the future.’ What a wonderful example for the young people of Oakfield.” READ NEXT: Just one litter fine issued in Offaly over the last year Cllr Shane Murray welcomed both the Deputy and the Minister commending the local residents and Tidy Towns volunteers for their dedication He highlighted the significance of tree planting for both ecological and social well-being in the area Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open You are visiting us because we have something you value Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. TWO MEN CHARGED with possessing firearms with the intention to endanger life at a halting site in Tullamore Offaly were remanded in custody when they appeared at Portlaoise District Court this afternoon Before the court were Patrick Ward (38) from Kilcruttin Halting Site Tullamore and John Ward (41) from a different address at the same site Both were charged with the offences that allegedly took place on the halting site on 21 March Garda Detective Andrew Dolan said when Patrick (‘Pa’- ‘SpongeBob’) Ward was arrested charged and cautioned he replied He told the court: “At approximately 12 minutes following a violent disorder incident outside the entrance of the Midland’s Regional Hospital in Tullamore on March 21 a number of males entered the unofficial halting site in Tullamore on foot and a number of shots were fired on both property and persons resulting in two injured males being removed to hospital from gunshot injuries “He was shot in the chest with a shotgun resulting in a number of pellets being lodged directly into his chest and as a result a number remains in his chest and one pellet in his face lodged under his eye as well as sustaining a broken nose.” Dolan said: “While in the Arden View Estate in Tullamore Anthony McDonagh’s wife flagged down Sergeant Colm Coffey and Garda Tom Dunne who were responding to reports of shots fired Dolan alleged: “Anthony McDonagh informed them that Patrick Ward had shot him,” and on 8 April made the same allegation in his statement to gardaí Garda also said that the Anthony McDonagh alleged that Patrick Ward also fired shots at his 12-year old son during the course of the alleged incident The court was told that the defendant Patrick Ward is in a relationship with Anthony McDonagh’s sister Counsel for the accused David Nugent BL clarified that Mr Ward had not been involved in the incident at the hospital if his client had been involved in the alleged incident as he was available for a number of weeks to gardaí Dolan said that Mr McDonagh made a statement to gardaí following his release from hospital a week and a half later and made his official statement on 8 April Mr Nugent said the only statement of complaint “was from one man no CCTV footage and no forensics,” to which Det Dolan replied: “A shotgun was discharged and evidence of shotgun shell located at the crime scene and clearly gunshot wounds to Mr McDonagh’s chest.” “That doesn’t prove that my client pulled the trigger,” said Mr Nugent Dolan said that both parties live about 300 metres from each other and that there has been no incidents since that night Taking the stand Anthony McDonagh said on Friday 21 March about 10pm that night one of the girls came running saying that the Wards were attacking The kids were running and that’s when I got a blast into my chest “I turned and went into the caravan and sat on the side of the bed They passed by my door and then another Ward had a slash hook and was breaking the caravan.” Mr McDonagh alleged that Mr Ward was holding a shotgun at a distance of about 30 to 40ft when he was allegedly shot Asked by Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby whether Mr Ward had spoken to him at the time he said: “When I was getting into the car with my wife after I had been shot ‘SpongeBob you’re trying to kill my wife and kids.’ I ran back out and someone was shouting kill Anthony I tried to look to where my kids and my wife were I was brought to Tullamore hospital and then transferred to Saint James’s and in ICU for over a week and in hospital for 11 days I was glad the guards brought me to hospital Asked by Mr Nugent how many men he saw enter the site Asked by Judge Bernadette Owens how many people had he seen with guns that night “but I do know that somebody else was shot over the far side.” Garda Detective David Hannon said that when John Ward was arrested Hannon told the court that he too had been on duty on the night and that Michael McDonagh made a statement that he had been allegedly shot by the accused from a distance of about 30ft He said that Mr John Ward has been known to the alleged victim for the past 13 years as his sister is in a relationship with Mr Ward’s brother to obtain a statement from Mr Michael McDonagh Hannon said: “After the alleged incident he was in hospital for a prolonged period from the injuries he sustained.” He confirmed to Mr Nugent that the accused had been cooperative during the interview with gardaí and that he provided an alibi of a man that he had been with at the time of the alleged incident Mr Nugent said that there is no evidence that Mr McDonagh had been involved or linked to in any type of alleged incident that night but that of a statement from Mr Michael McDonagh Taking the stand Mr McDonagh said he recalls the night and at about 10pm he was outside his brother’s caravan He said: “One of the children shouted there’s a crowd coming I saw a bunch of lads coming in on top of us I got my two sons and pushed them into the caravan When I turned after closing the caravan door John Ward was in front of me about 20ft away When I looked down I saw all the pellets in my chest and I started to bleed My wife brought me straight over to Tullamore hospital and the next morning I was in St James’s hospital and in the ICU for the first few days.” Mr Nugent said that both his clients have the presumption of innocence and would vehemently contest he charges Judge Owens remanded both men in custody to appear again at Tullamore District Court by video link on 28 April Create an email alert based on the current article Members of Tullamore Women's Shed celebrating three years Also included are Molly Buckley and county council members One of the county's most inspiring success stories celebrated a milestone at the third anniversary of the Tullamore Women's Shed What began as a small idea sparked by personal recovery has flourished into one of the most vibrant and dynamic women-led initiatives in the region At the heart of it all is founder Olive Davis whose vision has created a lifeline for women of all ages laughter and a spirit of community that is nothing short of remarkable The idea was born from a deeply personal place Olive experienced the simple healing power of connection when she attended the Dochas Centre ''Someone handed me a cup of tea and sat down for a chat,'' she recalls why should we have to be sick to have that kind of support That's when the idea of a Women's Shed came to me.'' ''We had a brilliant committee right from the start'' she says crediting Regina Condron's outstanding PR skills and fundraising efforts for the Shed's early momentum the Tullamore Women's Shed has gone from strength to strength Its Facebook page now boasts over 3,000 followers and actively promotes local women-led businesses – from beauticians and hairdressers to yoga instructors The shed's welcoming atmosphere draws women from across Offaly including some who travel in from Birr each week but also a much needed antidote to social isolation many women lose casual contact at the school gate It can be incredibly lonely,'' Olive explains Exercise equipment such as a treadmill and an exercise bike provide another outlet for members and the group often organise trips to concerts and plays at the nearby Esker Arts Centre The sense of community is so strong that if someone misses a week READ NEXT: PICTURE SPECIAL: Former staff of leading Tullamore store get back together for big reunion ''Our rent is due in August and we don't have it yet.'' Olive admits ''We're holding a bucket collection on June 6 but they don't allow us to use them for rent.'' Olive is determined to make the Shed accessible to all women the Women's Shed movement is gaining momentum and next month Olive and her colleagues will meet with the Minister to discuss formalising a national structure ''We need a proper national forum to access broader funding – just like the Men's Sheds,'' says Olive To boost awareness and support Tullamore Women's Shed hosted an Open Day inviting councillors and the wider community to see firsthand the vital work they are doing Olive's leadership has been recognised beyond Tullamore she has been invited to join the University of Limerick's Community Advisory Board as part of the research into the impact of Women's Sheds nationwide ''There are eight of us on the board and three of us on the discussion panel At its heart the Shed is about more than craft projects or social outings I look forward to it every Friday it's my thing.'' That says it all'' For our trip down Memory Lane today we have a selection of pictures from a night out in Tullamore in 2011 including a very stylish presentation night in the Tullamore Court Hotel.  CLICK ON THE ARROWS ABOVE TO GO THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY OF PICTURES Irish whiskey maker Tullamore will pause production for three of its nine stills with a further three to be paused at a later date Major whiskey distilleries across the globe continue to make significant cutbacks with the Tullamore Distillery the latest to announce a reduced production schedule for 2025 The distillery will shut down three of its nine stills for three months with an additional three to receive the same treatment later this year had no comment to add following initial reports of a production pause The decision is reportedly unrelated to prospective tariffs and will not result in job losses called the move “a devastating blow that will result in immense stress and uncertainty for many.” However reports indicate there will be no job losses as a majority of on-site jobs are on the bottling line councillor Declan Harvey said Tullamore staff have assured him there will be no job cuts “There are a couple of machines closed down temporarily at this time of the year It’s an ongoing thing; there are no job losses Staff out there will get their increases and wages They are hoping to expand this year again,” Harvey said “Some people said to me on the street that they heard Tullamore Dew was in trouble They are doing very well; they are doing what they do every year They have seasonal workers; they bring them in and bring them out Staff there all have their jobs – I am just clarifying that.” Many whisky distillers are scaling down production as supply has outpaced demand after years of growth and investment across the category. This month, Irish Distillers suspended production until summer these distillery shutdowns are extended pauses that would otherwise be a routine part of the production schedule We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again WHISKEY production is to cease at Tullamore Distillery for up to three months this year amid challenging conditions internationally for the Tullamore D.E.W Local sources indicated this week that three of the nine stills at the distillery in Clonminch will initially pause production followed by another three for a further three months The Tullamore Tribune has been told the decision to suspend distillation was taken before US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 20% tariff on goods imports from the European Union is the second best selling Irish whiskey globally after Jameson but says it is number one in a number of markets Industry observers have been speaking about a potential glut of whiskey supply worldwide since last year along with concern about tariffs imposed by the US Irish whiskey being sold in America has been placed at a disadvantage compared to Scotch because the UK is subject to a 10% tariff is owned by Scottish spirits producer William Grant & Sons known for brands such as Glenfiddich scotch and Hendrick's gin brand in 2010 William Grant & Sons opened a new distillery in Tullamore in 2014 and has been expanding it for the last 10 years There are an estimated 55,000 casks of whiskey maturing in up to 12 warehouses on the 60-acre Tullamore site but local sources have said construction work on further warehousing has also been stopped but because many are employed in the bottling plant rather than production and distillation the impact of this year's decisions on worker numbers might be limited READ NEXT: https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/local-news/1751390/legends-of-irish-music-scene-lined-up-for-offaly-venue-in-may.html William Grant & Sons Irish Manufacturing Ltd made after-tax profits of €3.277 million for the year ending 2023 Turnover jumped from €34.465 million to €49.044 million There were 96 employees and the total wage bill was just over €5 million The financial statements for 2023 valued casks at €38.9 million but work in progress was worth €139.752 million The financial statements also refer to assets under construction worth €3.748 million Other than confirming that three of the stills at Tullamore Distillery will initially pause production William Grant & Sons had no comment to make when contacted by the Tullamore Tribune 1) 0ms,border-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;transition:background-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;color:#1976d2;padding:0px;min-width:0;}.css-1sgza6o:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;background-color:rgba(25 0.04);}@media (hover: none){.css-1sgza6o:hover{background-color:transparent;}}.css-1sgza6o.Mui-disabled{color:rgba(0 1) 0ms;color:#1976d2;padding:0px;min-width:0;}.css-w5p45x::-moz-focus-inner{border-style:none;}.css-w5p45x.Mui-disabled{pointer-events:none;cursor:default;}@media print{.css-w5p45x{-webkit-print-color-adjust:exact;color-adjust:exact;}}.css-w5p45x:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;background-color:rgba(25 0.04);}@media (hover: none){.css-w5p45x:hover{background-color:transparent;}}.css-w5p45x.Mui-disabled{color:rgba(0 0.26);}PrintShareSaveThe death has occurred of Funeral service for Thomas will take place on Friday (April 25th) at 10am in St A private cremation will take place afterwards Family flowers only please. Funeral service can be viewed on Mucklagh Parish Webcam https://www.mcn.live/camera/st-colmans,-mucklagh-tullamore Funeral Service.css-h76uj{display:inherit;margin-right:-4px;margin-left:8px;}Date Published: CondolencesDonate to CharityWould you like to mark a birthday in the excellent care of the staff of the ICU at Tullamore Regional Hospital He was predeceased by his brothers Paul and Kevin Alan will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving wife Martina and family A Memorial Mass for Alan will be celebrated on Monday morning (April 28th) at 10am in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore and may be viewed on http://mcn.live/cameras/church-of-the-assumption-tullamore. Family flowers only, please. Donations instead, if desired to the Irish Kidney Association. Special thanks to Dr. Bergin and his team and all the staff in the Scott Dialysis Unit at Tullamore Regional Hospital. Local schedule of ceremonies for Holy Week and Easter Easter ceremonies are scheduled all over the county for Holy Week See below for a guide to those taking place in Tullamore Catholic parish Church of Ireland Tullamore Union of Parishes Tullamore Methodist Church and Cornerstone Slieve Bloom Church a special ecumenical event is taking place on Good Friday at 9pm Participants are asked to bring a small lantern followed by reposition of the blessed sacrament and quiet time of prayer for vocations 12 noon: Stations of the Cross (led by young people and JPPC) 7.30pm: Tullamore (there will be an exit collection for the upkeep of the Holy Places in the Holy Land) 9pm: Churches Together Walk of Witness (Commencing at St Catherine's Church 6am: Dawn Mass (at site of old church in Axis Business Park) 1pm; Durrow 11.30am (after 10am there will be a blessing for all infants baptised during the past year) Meeting the Risen Jesus – Easter Hymns and Readings Tullamore where worshippers will be hearing from Matthew 28 READ NEXT: Panto-style 'Snow White' is big hit in Tullamore There will be no job losses at Tullamore distillery says councillor Councillor Declan Harvey has moved to assure people there will be no job losses at the Tullamore D.E.W Distillery at Clonminch.Cllr Harvey was speaking at the April Municipal District meeting The Tullamore Tribune reported this week that whiskey production is to cease at the distillery for up to three months amid challenging conditions internationally for the Tullamore D.E.W The report said that three of the nine stills at the distillery in Clonminch will initially pause production Cllr Harvey said he had been contacted by people who work in Tullamore D.E.W and had been assured there would be ''no job losses whatsoever.'' ''There are a couple of machines closed down temporarily at this time of the year Some people said it to me on the street that they heard Tullamore D.E.W.was in trouble out there As far as I am aware they are not in any trouble they are doing what they do every year they have seasonal workers READ NEXT: Appeal withdrawn over large development including supermarket in Tullamore Councillor Shane Murray who works for William Grant and Sons excused himself while Councillor Declan Harvey was speaking as it would be a conflict of interest Gardai in Tullamore looking for owner of 'sum of cash' found in the town centre Gardai in Tullamore are looking for the owner of 'sum of cash' found in the town centre In a post on social media today (Friday) gardai said that a sum of cash was found in Tullamore Town Centre Gardai added that i you believe this money belongs to you reference 25369976 and contact the Property Office at Tullamore Garda Station The email address to contact is LO.Pems.offaly@garda.ie READ NEXT: Garda in the Midlands hospitalised after being struck by car that fled scene READ NEXT: Bidding battle as three bedroom home in Offaly sells for well above guide price at auction Well known Tullamore man celebrated big birthday on night out A well known Tullamore man celebrated a big birthday on a night out recently Richard Clarke (back-centre) was pictured enjoying his birthday by our photographer Niall O'Mara.  He was celebrating his 60th birthday with friends and family in Eugene's Bar in Tullamore.  READ NEXT: MEMORY LANE: Will you recognise anyone in this gallery of team pictures from the Offaly archives READ NEXT: Luxurious Offaly home with its own office and library could be yours for €600K and fun marked the end-of-season blitz at Tullamore Rugby Club on Easter Monday and supporters gathered for a morning of rugby and celebration as the Minis teams wrapped up another exciting season took to the pitch for friendly matches and games and enthusiasm developed over months of training Highlights included a thrilling obstacle course and an old-fashioned tug-of-war that sparked smiles and competitive spirit A special moment was the heartfelt send-off for the U12 boys' and girls' teams As they graduated from the Minis section to Youth Rugby the other teams formed a tunnel of clapping hands for their final run off the Minis pitch Both U12 teams received commemorative medals and a special message from their coaches Another highlight was the presentation of an Ireland Rugby jersey as a token of appreciation for his tireless commitment and passion during his time in the role Niall's efforts have greatly impacted the club and its young players exemplifying the club’s values of inclusivity and teamwork The day also celebrated the dedication of volunteers who make Minis rugby enjoyable for everyone The club thanked all individuals who contributed to the season's success from coaches and organisers to parents and supporters The Minis teams had many highlights this year One standout event was when the U12 boys’ team was selected as flagbearers for the Leinster vs Walking onto the pitch with top players in the country the U12s saw professional rugby at its best They also met Tullamore native Cormac Izuchukwu an Ulster and Ireland player they greatly admire This encounter inspired the young athletes and will boost their passion for the sport for years to come As the Minis hang up their boots for summer excitement builds for what’s next — for the young athletes moving on and for the new players stepping up to carry on the club’s proud tradition The club is excited to announce the launch of "Give it a Try" starting Monday This initiative invites girls aged 8–14 to experience rugby please contact Susan Bagnall at 087 982 8043 SEE NEXT: John Cronin’s outstanding contribution to athletics recognised Looking ahead, Minis rugby will restart in September. The club encourages everyone to check the Tullamore Rugby Club website www.tullamorerugby.com or follow them on Instagram and Facebook for updates ON foot of calls from residents in Connolly Park in Tullamore a dead swan was removed by Offaly County Council on Monday last The National Parks and Wildlife Service will now examine the dead swan to ascertain the cause of death said members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds of any species and pet owners are advised to keep their dogs on leash when walking where sick or wild birds are or have been the incident can be reported to the local council the regional veterinary office or by calling the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine disease hotline number 01- 4928026." READ MORE: Offaly Biodiversity Conference 2025: A landmark event for nature and community whiskey have declined to comment this week on reports that production at its distillery in Clonminch will be scaled back this year The global uncertainty around the impact of President Donald Trump's on-again off-again tariff plans has extended to the spirits sector with the US a vital export market for Irish whiskey It was reported locally this week that a decision was taken to suspend production at the Tullamore distillery for a number of months this year The Offaly Independent contacted Tullamore D.E.W this week and was told that our query should be directed to a UK-based public relations firm When asked about the reported cuts to production the PR firm replied: "We have nothing further to add to this news" The spokesperson also declined to comment on whether there would be any impact on jobs at the local facility The €35 million state-of-the-art whiskey distillery in Tullamore was officially opened by distiller William Grant & Sons Ltd in September of 2014 Young musicians pictured playing in the Old Harbour Bar last Saturday Tullamore TradFest 2025 has wrapped up after a magnificent weekend of music fun and community spirit that brought the town of Tullamore to life from April 11 to 13 the high point since the inaugural festival in 2019 The festival launched last Thursday where local primary and post-primary schools came together in Coláiste Choilm to play tunes dance and hear from local music therapist Ciana McGarrigle on how her interest in traditional music has helped her forge her career to date The weekend events opened with the Friday Night Concert at the Bridge House Hotel where 320 attendees were treated to world-class performances by Mike McGoldrick supported by a host of incredible local talents including Amy Murphy Offaly Hall of Fame presentation to the legendary Paddy Buckley in recognition of his contribution to the traditional music scene in Offaly over the years Friday’s events concluded with over 250 late-night revellers enjoying the music of locals Jamie McKeogh and James Kinsella Saturday continued the momentum with a packed schedule of events Almost 200 participated in the instrument workshops with countless others attending and enjoying the free taster experiences and Inclusive Session in Tullamore Library a lecture on Offaly piper Barney Delaney in Offaly Historical Society and the free family entertainment in the Bridge Centre provided by various groups Families were also treated to performances by local trio The Dooley Sisters Birr Figure Dancers and the hugely talented McKenna Family from Tyrone in the early evening concert at the Bridge House READ NEXT: Offaly retirement group members enjoy 'bonny night on the tiles' The session trail which started Friday night also kicked into overdrive on Saturday with both planned and impromptu traditional music sessions happening concurrently in 13 venues across the town The Festival Club on Saturday night was a particular highlight drawing a crowd of over 450 for an electric night of music with Pólca 4 and Peter Street keeping the energy high until the early hours The weekend wrapped up on Sunday with a packed schedule of performances on both the Gig Rig in O’Connor Square and the Bridge Centre the Ashling Murphy Fiddle Recital featuring Sinéad McKenna a lively céilí at Ballykilmurray Community Centre where the Abbey Trio Céilí Band brought dancers to their feet and smiles to every face all while the session trail continued late into the night in Tullamore Festival organisers were extremely pleased with the strong crowds throughout the weekend with the town welcoming visitors from all over Ireland and further afield — including England the committee were very proud at how the town embraced attendees over the weekend with feedback being overwhelmingly positive with many remarking on the “huge feel-good vibes” and the genuine warmth of the welcome they received in Tullamore Festival organisers have already been inundated with messages of thanks and excitement for what’s to come in 2026 Tullamore TradFest 2025 has once again proven why it’s one of the most cherished celebrations of traditional Irish music and culture in Ireland It would not be possible without the support of the people of Tullamore especially those who volunteer their free time to help at events and it’s generous supporters and funders The organising committee would like to thank Bord na Móna Tullamore Credit Union and The Tullamore Court Hotel READ NEXT: 'Spring into Storytime' this April with Offaly Libraries Note: Tullamore TradFest is a community-based festival in Tullamore which seeks to promote not only the traditional arts in Tullamore Offaly and surrounding areas but also the town of Tullamore the county of Offaly and it’s people which we are incredibly proud of We are always open to collaborations and partnerships with other local groups Interested parties can contact us on our social media channels @tullamoretradfest or via tullamoretradfest@gmail.com Our photographer Niall O Mara was out and about in the pubs of Tullamore over the weekend See who was spotted enjoying a night on the town New centre for people with intellectual disability Work to convert a former clothing store to a day centre for people with people with intellectual disability is due to start this week Nua Healthcare Services will operate a Continuous Learning and Development Hub (CLaD) at Main Street in Tullamore Permission for change of use of the building was granted in January and a commencement notice said the work will begin on April 22 Nua says its CLaD hubs are designed to offer structured programmes and safe nurturing environments that empower participants through education In its planning application for change of use of the premises Nua said: “The CLaD Hub model is built around the philosophy of providing continuous learning opportunities in small ensuring that each participant receives tailored support Our curriculum includes a broad range of subjects such as Numeracy and advanced levels to suit varying abilities Each session is facilitated in groups of no more than eight students to promote a positive learning environment and encourage peer interaction.” READ NEXT: Energy company plans new canal bridges in Offaly but some fear one will 'look awful' The hubs are open between 9am and 5pm and Nua already has centres in Westmeath The Tullamore CLaD hub will be located in a ground floor unit on Main Street which also has a shopfront facing Millennium Square Nua says its curriculum will be designed to cater to the specific needs of the local community: “In addition to core subjects the Tullamore Hub will include unique extracurricular activities based on local interests and resources enriching the learning experience and providing participants with opportunities to develop new skills the Tullamore Hub will not only serve current clients but will also be open to individuals from external organizations fostering community engagement and providing a shared space for growth and development.” Our photographer Niall O Mara was out and about on the town in a number of venues in Tullamore over the weekend A special birthday was celebrated recently in Tullamore Stephanie McCarthy (pictured third from left above) celebrated her 40th Birthday with friends and family The celebration took place in The Goalpost Bar in Tullamore Our photographer Niall O'Mara took the picture of the group enjoying the night out Plans for new funeral parlour in Tullamore put on hold for now Plans for a new funeral parlour in the centre of Tullamore have been put on hold for now David Lambe and Edel Kenny lodged a planning application to change the use of an existing commercial unit on Main Street Tullamore into a funeral parlour but those plans are on hold as Offaly County Council has sought further information before making a decision The premises is currently empty and the plans for the funeral parlour also include a family bereavement room Offaly County Council has asked for a revised front elevation for the building and a traffic and pedestrian management plan to ensure pedestrian safety The local authority has also sought clarification on how the applicant propose to deal with parking and arrival and departure during operation.  Offaly County Council also raised concerns over how the development complies with car parking requirements One submission on the application also raised concerns over parking at the proposed funeral parlour READ NEXT: Fresh start for cafe at leading Offaly education centre READ NEXT: Thieves in Offaly steal cars from driveways 'in two minutes' Emma celebrates special birthday on big night out in Tullamore A very special birthday was celebrated on a night out in Tullamore recently.  Our photographer Niall O'Mara captured these pictures of Emma Beatty celebrating her 21st Birthday with family and friends The celebration took place in the Brewery Tap in Tullamore.  Emma is pictured above with the group and below with her father Jimmy and her mother Debbie Molloy READ NEXT: Big Picture Special: Who was spotted out and about in Tullamore this weekend? An Offaly family with a number of connections to the Easter Rising and the War of Independence will host the third annual Easter Commemoration on the steps of Tullamore Courthouse on Sunday next which gets underway at 12 noon at the Old Veteran's Memorial is being held to honour Offaly men and women who participated in the Easter Rising are behind the drive to honour the veterans and organised the first Easter Commemoration in Tullamore in over 40 years in 2023 after it had been ceased due to 'The Troubles' in the North during the 1980's The Condron family have a number of strong connections to some of the most pivotal moments in Irish history being OC of the Offaly IRA Brigade and a participant in the War of Independence Peadar Bracken was married to Sean's sister Moira and he also played a role during the 1916 Easter Rising He was reputed by many to have fired the first shots of the Easter Rising while Sean's brother Seamus 'Jimmy' Kelly from Mucklagh fought in the battle of Ashbourne under Thomas Ashe The Condrons are keen to stress that the Easter Commemoration in Tullamore is a family-based event with no political affiliations and they have issued an invitation to everyone to attend on Sunday morning next particularly the relatives and friends of Offaly Volunteers The Easter Commemoration in Tullamore has been growing in popularit over the past three years and a new feature of the event is the decision of the Condron family to remember people from Offaly who were involved in the historical events which have shaped modern Ireland but whose names were never acknowledged in any previous commemorations the 2025 Easter Commemoration in Tullamore will honour Ted Berry and Matt Brien from Killeigh The Easter Commemoration on Sunday next will consist of local historians pipers,drummers and relatives of those who played any part in the fight for Irish Independence Members of the Tullamore branch of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) will also be participating in the Colour party Students from a number of Offaly secondary schools attended the DEBSireland.com hosted Midlands TY Ball 2025 in The Palace Bringing Transition Year students together for an night of fun and lasting memories students savoured an occasion which included a red carpet entrance with fire breather and bongo player TY royalty with crown and tiaras and an all you can eat festival food selection Students were able to capture their Midlands TY Ball experience in a photo booth with 360 degree experience a karaoke competition also being a highlight of the event The night concluded with the 'Best Dressed' competition and a pyrotechnic display Tickets for the Midlands TY Ball 2026 are now on sale For more information and to purchase tickets More about Clubs & Facilities More about Coaches & Officials More about Get Involved More about High Performance closeMenu() { this.menuOpen = false; this.searchOpen = false; this.enableBodyScroll(); } this.menuOpen; this.searchOpen = false; this.menuOpen this.disableBodyScroll() : this.enableBodyScroll(); } this.searchOpen; this.menuOpen = false; this.searchOpen disableBodyScroll() { document.body.classList.add(...this.menuOpenClasses); } enableBodyScroll() { document.body.classList.remove(...this.menuOpenClasses); } The combination of working in healthcare in hospitals and competing in sport is a difficult one Few manage the feat of putting others first in their jobs while also striving for the peak of performance The European-wide decline in young people applying for nursing and the shortage of radiographers is well reported but the Donegan family is making a significant contribution themselves there is some expectation of siblings being highly competitive but the relationship between sisters Danielle and Nadine Donegan is entirely supportive it didn’t matter as much because we were different age groups so we didn’t see each other as competitive,” Nadine explained when they are competing in the same events and competitions “I think we just like to see each other do really well… we both know how hard we train outside of work and balancing that work life with running,” she added It’s not just athletics that the Donegan sisters are passionate about; Nadine and Danielle both work in healthcare especially when trying to use annual leave to get the performance benefits of altitude training “I’m working the last year and a half in St Vincent’s Hospital… I’m a radiographer there working full time and then just using annual leave to come on these trips,” explains Danielle The Donegan sisters are currently spending their holidays from their jobs as a nurse and radiographer at 1800m where they are hoping to maximise the benefits of less work and oxygen to boost their performances in the summer and beyond There are many challenges that come with working in hospitals and trying to run at a high level picking up sickness more regularly has been a challenge because you’re working in healthcare “I’ve just been so unlucky the last two seasons The week before Euro cross (European Cross Country Championships) it’s just a bad flu and then the same before the week of Dunboyne (National 10k Championships) three weeks ago there’s nothing you can do to avoid it.” Nadine’s role is physically and emotionally challenging involving shift work on her feet for long periods which can mean motivation is low after a long day I’m working in a psychiatric hospital “It can be quite draining mentally and physically “It’s so hard to get the motivation and go training or do a session after work when you’re home.” The group of Irish athletes in Font Romeu Of the large group of Irish athletes in France which unsurprisingly is something the Donegan sisters don’t have the luxury of “It’s hard not being able to work out here la good few people work a couple of hours a day because they can obviously get away a lot more then they don’t need to use their annual leave but we just picked the wrong jobs,” laughs Nadine Danielle is a regular to the hills for altitude the stint in France will be her second of the year South Africa in January with another group from Athletics Ireland and she is enjoying the exposure to the environment that has been the chosen training venue of some of the world’s most elite distance runners which will help her reap the rewards on the track It was also the venue for Athletics Ireland’s pre-European Championship camp before Rome last year “I’m really grateful that I could come on this trip as well and just get a solid few weeks training in so I’m taking advice from Danielle and the group good nutritional stuff and training things that I should be doing that I don’t do it’s really nice to be with a group of people and hear their sides of things,” explains Nadine It’s also an opportunity for the Tullamore Harriers sisters to go back to where it all started “We’ve trained together every week since we were six and eight until the last two years so it’s been weird being so far apart,” explains Nadine The pair have followed each other into athletics and health-related jobs but are now living in different countries Danielle working as a radiographer in Dublin and Nadine in London pursuing a busy career as a psychiatric nurse; they are both still coached by Emmett Dunleavy We were with Damian Lalor for all our juveniles we used to run every evening after school together because I don’t think either of us would have gone otherwise,” adds Nadine The draw back to the family home in Tullamore is strong with both daughters returning as often as they can I do try to come home once a month and when I say that people are like it’s so weird then living on your own and not being with them when you’ve grown up together.” Their athletics journeys both started at local athletics club with their father John leading the way for his six children to all at least dip their toes into the sport Danielle has represented Ireland multiple times claiming her second senior Irish vest by finishing third at the National Cross Country Championships in 2024 not far off making the senior team and making a bit of history she’s really good at cross and I prefer track so we have very different interests that way “We both would love to be on the same team together Sign-up for the Athletics Ireland E-Zine with exclusive interviews This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site We also use third-party cookies that help us analyse how you use this website and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors There was a fantastic night of celebration last weekend as the new Offaly Rose was crowned at a Gala Evening at the Tullamore Court Hotel At the end of a fantastic night, Killeigh's Nicole Heffernan was chose as the 2025 Offaly Rose of Tralee. Nicole is a teacher who is continuing on with a Masters in the University of Limerick this coming September Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.