NIGHT HIKE

Sunday 13th December is the date fixed for the "Night Hike" which is proving to be very popular.  Walkers are asked to meet in the village of Upperchurch at 7.00 pm.  Food available in Kinnanes afterwards.

Sunday walks will resume around the end of January.  Date will be confirmed later.

If you wish to walk at any other time and would like a guide please ring 0504-54443/54959 or 086-0518934 and we will be happy to organise a guide for you.

  New 1.2 Million Euro Upperchurch Childcare Centre Officially Opened

    The long awaited opening of the new Upperchurch Childcare Centre was held on Sunday November 15^th. A large crowd of locals, dignitaries and invited guests was on hand to witness the tape being cut by two local ladies and village residents, Niamh Kinnane, secretary of the Upperchurch-Drombane Development Association, and Margaret Ryan, secretary of the childcare company. The building was blessed by Fr. Loughlin Brennan, C.C. Upperchurch-Drombane.

    Following preliminary surveys in 2003 and 2004 which identified the need for such a facility to cater for a catchment area extending well outside the parish, initial funding of 850,000 euro was allocated in March, 2005 for a facility based on developing the old school in the village. As time went on, however, the childcare committee decided that the size and location of the old school were not satisfactory. Exhaustive attempts to procure an alternative site again delayed progress until the eventual site beside the community centre was acquired.

    The initial grant was subsequently increased to 1.2 million euro as costs rose nationally. After the obligatory tendering process the contract was awarded to Joe Clancy Builders, Upperchurch  and John Gallagher Architects, Dublin with Gareth McHugh Templemore Quantity Surveyor.  The standard of workmanship and finish is a credit to all concerned. The facility can cater for up to 71 children aged from six months to twelve years.

    Those attending were shown around the building prior to the official opening. Following the cutting of the tape, there were speeches from Máire Hoctor, T.D. and Michael Lowry, T.D.  Noel Coonan, T.D. was unavoidably absent as he was abroad on business. A special presentation was made to Sarah Brennan who had been the first child to enter the facility.

    All present were then treated to refreshments in the nearby community centre where they heard contributions from local committee members Michael Greene, Pat Buckley and Con Ryan, North Tipp Childcare Co-ordinator Aileen Healy and from former Minister Michael Smith, all of whom were involved in progressing the project. The gathering was also addressed by the Lord Mayor of  North Tipperary County Council Mr. Denis Ryan M.C.C.

 The long list of speakers was completed by Willie Kennedy, former M.C.C. and Billy Clancy, M.C.C. Councillors Seamus Hanafin and Micheál Lowry also attended.    Further details, including photographs, are on the website www.upperchurch.ie and a video of the days events will be available shortly which will include on the spot interviews with local residents and visitors. Enquiries from parents wishing to avail of the facility are welcome telephone 0504 54965.

Big Crowds at Upperchurch Walking Weekend

    The fourth Upperchurch Walking Weekend once again drew a large number of walkers to the picturesque hills last weekend despite torrential rain on Saturday. The less hardy walkers got their opportunity on Sunday as weather conditions improved, resulting in record numbers on all walks on the second day.

    The official opening on Friday night saw a packed Upperchurch Hall entertained and informed by talks and slideshows from Fr. Tomás O’ Connell on the Santiago de Compostella Pilgrimage Walk and by Mr. John Gerard O’ Dwyer on Walking Tourism. South East Mountain Rescue also had their brand new Rescue Vehicle on display.

     Saturday morning saw almost seventy walkers ignore the driving rain as they started the 18 km feature Knockalough – Dooree walk. While the climbs and weather conditions at this time of year are par for the course, the crossing of rapidly rising streams produced an unexpected difficulty. Quick thinking brought makeshift bridges made from bale trailers into action and a number of aquatic obstacles were overcome. Despite the continuous rain, another seventy walkers took part in shorter walks later on in the day.

    Sunday turned out bright and sunny and four further walks drew a total of over 250 walkers. Upperchurch has three National Loop walks which are the foundation of the weekend’s activities and extended versions of these are used for the longer walks. All involved on both days were treated to a hot meal afterwards in Upperchurch Hall. A noteworthy feature this year was the large number of visitors from outside Co. Tipperary. People who might be interested in providing accommodation for next year are asked to contact the organisers. Next years event will be held on November 5th, 6th and 7th.

    Donations for this year’s event are going to Sr. Eileen Dwyer, Drombane, of the Sisters of Mercy, to alleviate the hardship caused by a recent tsunami in the Tonga Islands. Contributions can be made to any member of the Walking Committee.

   The organisers would like to thank all who helped, especially the local landowners. The assistance of the Dept. of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Shannon Development and Fáilte Ireland is also appreciated.

   There will be a Night Walk in Upperchurch before Christmas. Please note that the date has not yet been finalised.

Upperchurch Walking Weekend will take place this year on 6th 7th & 8th November.  This year we have 4 walks with varying levels of difficulty ranging from 8 Km to 18 Km.

Programme of Events

Friday 6th Upperchurch Community Centre at 8.30 pm

• Reception and official opening in Community Centre
• Talk by Fr. Tomas O'Connell on the Santiago de Compostella Walk
• Talk by John Gerard O'Dwyer on Walking Tourism
• Complimentary Refreshments

Saturday 7th

• 10.00 am: Knockalough - Dooree Walk
• 12. noon: Knockalough -  Red Hugh Walk
• 12.30 pm:  Slí Eamoin an Chnoic
• Start Upperchurch Village

Sunday 8th

• 11.30 am: Clodiagh - Owenbeg River Walk
• Start Rosmult
• 12.00 noon: Knockalough - Red Hugh Walk
• 12.30 pm: Eamon an Chnoic Walk
• Start Upperchurch Village

Complimentary Refreshments after all Walks

For further information please download our 2009 brochure by clicking the icons/pictures at the top

Click here to download the application form (pdf version)

Click here to download the application form (Microsoft Word version)

Click here download the advert

Upperchurch Childcare Centre

The Centre wishes to invite applications from suitably qualified applicants for the following positions which may arise:

Childcare Manager

                   Applicants must have:

                   - FETAC Level 6 in Childcare or equivalent

- Minimum 2 years relevant experience in    management/supervisory role

          Childcare Room Leaders

                   Applicants must have:

-         FETAC Level 5 in Childcare or equivalent

-         Minimum 2 years relevant experience in childcare

Childcare Workers

                   Applicants must have:

- FETAC Level 5 in Childcare or equivalent [or be in the process of completing same]

Successful candidates may be placed on a panel to fill future positions

Full Job Description and Application Forms are available on request from 0504 ~ 54965

Application Forms can also be downloaded from www.upperchurch.ie

Completed application forms should be returned to Patrick Buckley, Chairman, Upperchurch Childcare Committee, Finnahy, Upperchurch, Thurles.

 not later than 5pm Friday 17^th July 2009.

                                 Funded by the Irish Government

under the National Development Plan 2007-2013

UPPERCHURCH WALKING WEEKEND

On a weekend when most sporting events were called off, nearly 400 intrepid walkers braved the wintry rain and saturated ground at our Walking Weekend.  While less children took part than in previous years adult participation increased and the successful completion of the full program under such adverse conditions bodes well for the future of the event.

Friday night's official opening was very well attended and the excellent and clear talk by Isabel Cambie of Tipperary Leader on the new Walks Scheme explained all of the details to landowners and walkers alike.  An award was presented by members of the South East Mountain Rescue team to the local walking committee in appreciation of their fundraising efforts, while Eamonn Butler outlined the work of the Philippine Youth Project which benefitted to the amount of €2,850 euro from the walker's contributions.

The walking got off to a good start when 60 walkers commenced  the 18km Curreeney Walk on Saturday morning.  In spite of the weather turning nasty, a total of about 100 completed the Red Hugh, Knockalough and Éamon an Chnoic loops later in the day.  Sunday saw even greater numbers on the Clodiagh River walk, the Birch Hill Trail and the Red Hugh, Knockalough and Éamon an Chnoic loops again.  All walkers were given a hot meal provided by Kinnane's of Upperchurch in the local Community Centre after each walk.

Results of Photography Competition

The photography competition which was run in conjuction with the Walking Weekend was also very successful and drew a total of about 170 entries to compete for the €500 prize fund.

Results:   Adults:     1st and 3rd Tony Hunt, Clonmel.

                              2nd Teresa Delahunt, Ballycahill.

                               Highly commended: Majella Doody, James Purcell and

                               John O'Loughlin

Primary Schools:      1st Toby Clancy, Upperchurch

                                5 runners up: Aoife Shanahan, Cát Ryan, Grainne

                                 Quinlan and A J Shanahan, all Upperchurch N S and

                                 Sarah from Kilcommon.

The organisers wish to thank all who helped in any way and especially the local landowners.

This years annual Upperchurch Hill Walking Festival Weekend commences in Upperchurch Village on November 7th and runs until Sunday, 9th November.

enquiries to: info@upperchurch.ie

For the 2008 Hill Walking brochure click this link

0504 54284 or 0504 54442 or 086 0518934.

Postal Address - Walking Weekend, Upperchurch Community Centre, Upperchurch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Email info@upperchurch.ie

Website www.upperchurch.ie

For the 2008 Hill Walking brochure click this link

UPPERCHURCH HOSTS

NORTH TIPPERARY - NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

Upperchurch Village and its scenic hills and valleys will host the first ever North Tipperary National Trails Day as part of the newly launched National Trails Day which takes place across Ireland on September 28^th 2008.

Upperchurch has three looped walks which form part of the official National Trails Network - Eamon an Cnoic walk (8km) Knockalough Walk (10km) and the Birch Hill Walk (10km). 

The theme for the Upperchurch event is Natural and Human Built Heritage and will centre on the Birchhill Nature Walk near Drombane, Thurles. The walk will be lead by locally based experts and will provide an excellent opportunity to learn about the natural and man made eco systems while enjoying the beautiful  landscape of Upperchurch townlands.  Everybody is encouraged and welcome to participate especially members of the local community, visitors,  tourists and hillwalkers. 

enquiries:

info@upperchurch.ie

UPPERCHURCH CHILDCARE CRECHE 

Work has commenced on the new Community Childcare Creche at Gortatooda.  This state of the art facility will cater for 71 children at full capacity.  Funding for this Creche is being provided by POBAL under the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013.  This community creche will serve Upperchurch and surrounding areas.

The centre will cater for:

• Babies  to 1 year,
• Junior Toddlers 1 - 2 years,
• Senior Toddlers 2 -3 years
• Montessori Classroom
• After School Care

There will also be a fully equipped outdoor play area designed to meet the needs of the different age groups.  Car parking will be provided at the rear of the Creche for staff and there will also be a designated drop of area.

A presentation was made to Upperchurch Drombane Rural Development Ltd in recognition of the numerous projects and schemes undertaken.   Picture shows a presentation of a Cavan Crystal vase being made to Kay Harrington and Ann Quinlan (representing the committee) by Ceann Comhairle Rory O’Hanlon at a function held recently in the Cavan Crystal Hotel.  The citation praised the development association for their outstanding contribution  to rural community development.

A sponsored walk in aid of South East Mountain Rescue will take place on Sunday 27th April 2008

18 km Ring Hill Walk leaving Upperchurch Village at 12.00 noon

8 km Sli Eamoin an Chnoic leaving Upperchurch at 12.30 pm

The Following article appeared in the Irish Times weekend supplement on Sat Dec 1st 2007.

With their village heading into decline, the residents of Upperchurch, Co Tipperary took matters into their own hands and staged an impressive comeback, writes John G O'Dwyer

The 2nd Upperchurch Hill Walking Festival will take place from Fri November 9th until Sun Nov 11th 2007.

For the 2007 Hill Walking brochure click this link

A heritage map has been added to Upperchurch.ie it was compiled using data from the National Sites and Monument register, As well as providing a decription of the various sites the easting and northing coordinates are also supplied.

As can be seen from the map there is a large and diverse heritage in the Upperchurch Drombane Area. To find out more click on the description in the left hand side or the individual icons on the map. We encourage users to explore and use this facility and would welcome their feedback.

The 2^nd Hill Walking festival will take place on the second weekend of November 2007 from Friday Nov 9th to Sun Nov 11th. Similar to last years event a number of walks will take place over the weekend. A new walking trail will also be used for the weekend. More information will be made available in the coming weeks.

To register your interest please email info@upperchurch.ie 

To receive Hill Walking news subscribe to the Hill Walking news feed, by clicking on the Syndication link at the top of this news section, and select the Hill Walking XML feed.

Annual General Meeting

     On Thursday June 14^th 2007 at 8.30.p.m in Upperchurch Hall