- McDonald’s opened a new €5.6m restaurant in Thurles on 19 August 2026.
- The restaurant created over 90 jobs for the local community.
- Tipperary hurler John McGrath officiated the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
- The launch marks McDonald’s 133rdh location in the Ireland.
- Hired staff received fully paid training at existing nearby locations.
McDonald’s has opened its newest €5.6m restaurant in Thurles, County Tipperary, on the Slievenamon Road, creating more than 90 jobs for the local area. The official opening took place on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, with Tipperary hurler John McGrath cutting the ribbon alongside franchise owner John Quirke. The launch marks McDonald’s 133rd location in Ireland and 98th in the 26 counties and drew more than 400 applications during its recruitment drive.
The project originally aimed to create 90 jobs but scaled up to employ over 100 people upon opening, with roles spanning flexible crew member positions, mid-level supervisors, and senior management tracks. Positions cater to the local community with both full-time and part-time shift options available. Prior to the grand opening, hired staff received fully paid training at existing nearby McDonald’s locations.
The highly anticipated launch marks a major economic boost for the community, with franchisee John Quirke adding the Thurles venue to his portfolio after successfully launching the Nenagh branch in 2023. The €5.6m investment underscores McDonald’s commitment to growth in the Irish market. The new restaurant is expected to serve the local community and visitors to the area.
