Call for Nenagh Castle to go blue
Tipperary Co Council has been called on to illuminate Nenagh Castle in blue for International Day of Sign Languages.
There have been calls in recent years to bathe the town’s iconic keep in colours representing various causes, along lines similar to the green used on St Patrick’s Day.
The latest call comes in the form of a notice of motion from Councillors Pamela Quirke O'Meara, Micheál Lowry, Michael O'Meara, Shane Lee and Eddie Moran. At the council’s May meeting, they proposed that “Tipperary County Council turn blue on the Tuesday, September 23 [International Day of Sign Languages] by lighting up Nenagh Castle and the Rock of Cashel”.
In their notice of motion, the councillors called on Tipperary Co Council to erect Irish Sign Language (ISL) signage in council playgrounds across the county. They also wanted the council to recognise International Week of Deaf People, a worldwide event led by the World Federation of the Deaf, taking place this year during the last week of September.
Cllr Quirke O’Meara said ISL is a recognised language used by some 40,000 people in Ireland. Spreading awareness of ISL to playgrounds would be of great benefit for local deaf and hard-of-hearing children who use the language. The more awareness of ISL in the county, the better for everyone, Cllr Quirke O’Meara reasoned.
COUNCIL COMMITMENT
In a formal response to the motion, Tipperary Co Council stated that it has erected communication boards in each of its playgrounds across the county to support children and young adults with communication needs.
“We will commit to launching the ‘Sign of the Times’ Irish Sign Language training tool developed in partnership with HSE Gold Star and promote this initiative during the promotional week from Monday, September 22 to Sunday, September 28,” the council stated.
“The erection of any signage within a playground setting has budgetary implications and will require further consideration as part of the budgetary process.
“With regards to the lighting up of Nenagh Castle and the Rock of Cashel, it should be noted that both sites are under the jurisdiction of the OPW and permission will be required to do this. Regrettably, the council does not have the facility for the proper lighting up of Nenagh Castle in the manner that is available at some other locations.
“This is a national monument and the agreement with the OPW is that the castle would be lit up annually for St Patrick’s Day; however, that it would not be lit up on other occasions.”
LIGHTING SYSTEM
The council noted that Nenagh Municipal District has had discussions on the installation of a lighting system as part of a Rural Regeneration and Development Fund application.
“It was agreed that this would be further considered if an application is being submitted.
“In the meantime, it has not been possible to facilitate other requests received.
“With regards to the Rock of Cashel, the OPW has agreed to requests to light up the castle in the past and again agreement with the OPW would be needed in order to light up the castle in blue for International Day of Sign Languages.”
“The council has a protocol in place concerning the lighting up of council buildings, which applies to the council offices located at Clonmel, Nenagh, Thurles, Tipperary and Carrick-on-Suir, and other public realm features of Tipperary Co Council. Requests for building light-up may be made only by a registered charity, a public sector or a community or other non-profit-making organisation. Subject to the approval of the council, the lighting-up of relevant council buildings in blue can be facilitated on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.”
Cllr Quirke O’Meara said she would follow-up with the OPW on protocols for illuminating Nenagh Castle.
Director of Services Brian Beck said weekly ISL courses are facilitated by Tipperary Libraries. He said the council would do everything it could to include people using ISL within the services it provides.