Loughtagalla Times

We ask the questions you want the answers to. Or the questions you didn’t know you wanted the answers to until they were asked. Or until they were answered after they were asked. Or something.

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Our first guest is the great Jim Ryan — financial wizard, Tipperary county councillor, and the driving force behind the Liberty Music Festival, the best thing to happen in Thurles since that night we did the Hucklebuck in a cell in the Garda station. But that’s s story for another day.

Jim and myself go back a long way. In days of yore, when I wrote the K File column for the Tipperary Star, I often had a good old laugh at Jim and his council colleagues, who seemed to have a knack for making local politics hilariously entertaining. But I feel we have put all of that behind us now. I have anyway, for legal reasons.

Hopefully Jim has forgotten all about it…

Ah, Jim! There you are! You’re very welcome, and thanks for agreeing to take part in Face the Music. I was just telling the lads there, I have an awful dose of amnesia, sure you know yourself what that’s like. What? You don’t? Oh…

Anyway, I know you’re a fierce busy man, so we’ll get cracking.

But just before we get down to important matters, I feel it’s best we get something out of the way first. Is it true you once hired a hitman to take me out?

JIM: Well you’re still around today, so that kind of answers that question. 

I don’t know, Jim. Maybe he just wasn’t very good? There’s a lot of cowboy assassins out there doing shoddy work. I’ll tell you what, forget I ever asked and let’s move on, eh?

So, Jim. You live on the Mill Road, so close to Loughtagalla and yet so far away. Do you feel that life has cheated you?

I grew up in Cathedral Street before moving to the Mill Road, and I even lived in Mitchel Street for a while. I have great memories of hanging out in Loughtagalla Park when I was a child, and actually played for Loughtagalla in street league soccer many moons ago. I have always had great connection with the people of Loughtagalla and hopefully that will continue .

I am astounded to learn that you have been one of us all this time! Almost. And apart from playing soccer for the Chosen People, do you have a particularly fond childhood memory?

Going to the 1984 Munster hurling final in Thurles with my late uncle, Dick Walsh. Tipp should have won that day, and I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 10 at the time.

Who are your heroes, the people who have inspired you?

 I don’t really have any heroes, but the person who inspires me the most is my wonderful wife Ann Marie, who has put up with so much over the years with my political life. I would be lost without her. 

And speaking of your political life, what made you want to get into politics?

I was asked to run for the Urban District Council elections back in 1999 by the late Des Hanafin. I had no interest in politics at the time but was convinced to run by my late dad, and I am glad that I listened to him. He loved politics and I wanted to make him proud, and the day I was elected I was so happy for him. He was beginning to show signs of Alzheimer’s at that time, and it was hugely important to me that he was around for me to become a politician. 

There’s an old saying that politics is showbiz for ugly people. But you are clearly a devastatingly handsome man – a man who could have been a rock star or a movie heartthrob. So when you walk into council chambers, do you feel like the others are a bit starstruck?

 I feel it’s more a case of when I walk into the council chamber, that others are wondering what the hell I am going to give out about. Once I get going I don’t know when to stop. Rather than being starstruck, I think it’s more like gobsmacked. By the way, my wife fully agrees with your opinion of me being devastatingly handsome, and you’re now her new best friend.

Hello, Ann Marie! I’ll tell you something, this lad never stops talking about you. I think he’s a bit starstruck himself.  Anyway, Jim. In your time as a public servant, what has been your biggest achievement?

There have been many achievements — like the town park in Thurles, and the leisure centre. But really it’s the satisfaction in knowing that I have helped somebody with whatever issue or problem that they may have had, and how important it was to them for me to do so

On a more important matter now, who’s your favourite music artist?

I was a real rock head during my teenage years, and loved the likes of Guns ‘N’ Roses, AC / DC, Bon Jovi and Metallica. I saw them all in concert and loved them all. Nowadays I have mellowed out a bit and have a huge love of the 80s music

Yes, I can see you now with the long hair up there in the mosh pit. Best gig you’ve ever been to?

As a memory, Feile 90. But for atmosphere it has to be — would you believe — Garth Brooks in Croke Park. I even had my cowboy hat on.

Okay, moving swiftly along. Mushrooms on a full Irish breakfast or no?

I love mushrooms, so yes.

What soccer team do you support?

 I am a very proud supporter of Manchester United, and have been since 1983 when I watched the FA Cup final versus Brighton on an old TV.

As a Liverpool fan, I will refrain from any funny remarks at this point. I won’t even mention painful memories like the Grimsby match. So on a lighter note, what do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the town of Thurles?

 We need a bypass for Thurles. That is the biggest issue facing the town.

And the biggest challenge facing Ireland as a whole?

Holding on to our highly educated young people. So many are going to Australia and Canada, and unless this is addressed, the country will be in trouble. There are many other issues, like health and housing, but as a parent it must be heartbreaking watching your child emigrate to the other side of the world

In last year’s general election, you came within a whisker of being elected to the Dail. Will you run again?

I was so happy with the vote I received in last year’s General Election. Will I run again? You never know.

Thanks to the massive success of the Liberty Music Festival, you have become known as something of a rock guru. But do you play any instruments yourself?

 I was a master on the tin whistle in my school days, but that’s about it.

What’s your pet hate?

People not waving “thanks” after you let them off at a junction.

Don’t worry, Jim. When I become Supreme Leader, they’ll all be in jail. Have you ever eaten firelighters? Be honest now, there’s no shame in it.

I have used them before but never actually eaten one. I just don’t like the look or the smell of them.

You don’t know what you’re missing. Or so I’m told, anyway… Are you a religious person?

I would be fairly religious, and I go to mass every Sunday. 

 What do you do to relax?

Walking, and watching Netflix with the family.

Your ideal night out?

Restaurant and a few drinks afterwards.

 Favourite spot for a pint?

The old Horse & Hound pub. Gone but never forgotten.

It’s Sunday morning — what are you doing?

Mass, then coffee in one of the cafes in Liberty Square. 

Last book you read?

Roy Keane’s autobiography.

Sporting legend you would most like to have a drink with?

Diego Maradona.

That would be some session, in fairness. You’d have to cancel all political engagements for a fortnight. What’s your favourite movie?

Dumb and Dumber for comedy, Halloween for horror, The Lion King as family viewing, and Aliens for action.

You are the obvious choice for President of Ireland. So when can we expect an announcement that you are throwing your hat in the ring? 

My two dogs wouldn’t settle in the Aras, so I will give that role a miss.

Do you have any advice for someone who might be thinking of getting into politics?

You would want a fair thick neck, and not be easily offended. If you have no patience, forget about it.

Finally Jim, in the spirit of public service, will you come over and cut my grass? It’s like a bloody jungle out there!

You still owe for the last time I cut your grass, so the answer is no.

I have to say I’m disappointed in you. Jim. Just when I thought we’d put the past behind us.

Tickets for Liberty Music Festival 2026 are now on sale, but disappearing fast. You have been warned.

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CURRENT LISTENING: AC/DC — If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)

I’m old enough to remember the original AC/DC lineup, so here they are. And Jim, if you feel like reliving your youth and doing a bit of headbanging, we will be expecting video evidence.