COUNTY: Tipperary
PROVINCE: Munster
Nickname: The “Premier County"; this description is attributed to Thomas Davis, Editor of “The Nation” newspaper in the 1840s as a tribute to the nationalistic feeling in Tipperary and said that "where Tipperary leads, Ireland follows".
Motto: ‘the Golden Vale of the Suir’ - The centre is known as 'the Golden Vale', a rich pastoral stretch of land in the Suir basin which extends into counties Limerick and Cork.
• Tipperary is landlocked by eight other counties. It is also the largest landlocked county in Ireland.
• The Golden Vale is a stretch of rich pastoral land in the River Suir basin.
• There is no Gaeltacht in County Tipperary and consequently few Irish speakers.
• The famous song ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’ was penned by Jack Judge whose grandparents came from Co. Tipperary. It was popular with regiments of the British Army during World War I.
• Tipperary is famous for horse breeding and has the largest thoroughbred horse breeding centre in the world.
• The area around Clonmel is the economic hub of the county, due to manufacturing facilities owned by Bulmers (brewers) and Merck & Co. (pharmaceuticals) east of the town.
• Tourism plays a significant role in County Tipperary – Lough Derg, Thurles, Rock of Cashel, Ormonde Castle, Ahenny High Crosses, Cahir Castle, Bru Boru Heritage Centre and Tipperary Crystal are some of its primary tourist destinations.
PRAYER:
• Pray that, like the rich fertile land, the hearts of the people would be rich and fertile soil for the planting of the Gospel.
• Pray that there would be great spiritual growth for believers and that they would reach out to make disciples.
• “Where Tipperary leads, Ireland follows” – let us pray that any leadership the county demonstrates may be for the spiritual and moral good of all Ireland; and that the county will become a Beacon of Light for the Gospel and Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Photo - Unsplash - Daniel Zbroja