Borrisoleigh

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Borrisoleigh (Buiríos Ó Luigheach in Irish) is a small town located in County Tipperary, Ireland. It derives its name from the ancient territory Ui Luighdheach in which it was situated. Today it is a busy market town on the Nenagh-Thurles road. Borrisoleigh is also the home of Tipperary Spring Water. According to the 2006 census, the town has a population of 1178.

Among its attractions are some traditional shop fronts, and a 15th century Tower House. An inscribed slab inserted into the gable of one of a pair of red sandstone houses are engraved the names Richard Burke and Ellis Hurley, 1643. Walter Doolin was the architect of the church in the main street. The window and door surrounds were quarried at Drombane, 12 miles away. It is similar to the stone used in Cormacs Chapel, Cashel.

The parish priest Michael Slattery was selected to head the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly in 1833.

Slattery was succeeded by Father William Morris, who led 118 local men in signing the Cormack Petition in 1858. This document provides a vital snapshot of the town's population, including its largest families (in this order): Ryan, Bourke, Kennedy, Dwyer, Maher, Gleeson, and Harrington. It also shows the top 10 male given names were: John, James, Patrick, William, Michael, Daniel, Martin, Philip, Thomas, Edmond (tie), and Jeremiah (tie).

[edit] Sport

The best known sporting club in the area is Borris-Ileigh GAA. The club's name is distinctive and is not to be confused with the placename Borrisoleigh. Famous All-Ireland champion hurlers with the club were Liam Devaney, Paddy Kenny, Seán Kenny and Jimmy Finn whose years of glory were in the period 1949-1965. In 1987, Richard Stakelum captained Tipperary to their first Munster championship in 17 years. Also in that era, brothers Bobby and Aidan Ryan were victorious in the 1989 and 1991 All-Ireland Championships, Bobby being the victorious captain in 1989. In 2001, Philip Maher was full back on the Tipperary Team that won the All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.They were, by far, Ireland's most flukey hurlers and have not won a game since.