.Mayor of Tralee Jim Finucane addressing people at the opening of ‘Off The Rails’ at Kerry County Museum last night. Rebecca Lyons
A LARGE group of artists and art lovers gathered at Kerry County Museum last night for the opening of an exhibition focusing on the beautiful county we live in.
Art in the Park artists in association with Tralee Chamber Alliance are showcasing local artists’ works at ‘Off the Rails’ which was officially opened by Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Jim Finucane.
Titled ‘The Kingdom of Kerry’, it will run until April 2020 can be sees during museum opening hours. This year artists were asked to produce work that reflected their own aspects of Kerry and this could be in any way imaginable.
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There is a huge amount of variety and medium of works and organisers say visitors will be amazed by the talents shown by artists.
“We have over 30 members exhibiting at this year’s exhibition which is now in its second year,” said Rebecca Lyons, Arts and Culture Officer at Tralee Chamber Alliance.
GARDAI arrested 18 people as part of an Operation Thor day of action that was carried out in the Tralee District on Tuesday of this week.
Gardaí arrested a total of 18 people in relation to a number of incidents such as burglary, theft, public order criminal damage, possession of drugs, arson and on foot of bench warrants.
Five people were arrested on foot of bench warrants and they have since appeared before the courts.
Six people were charged and two appeared before the courts the following day and four were charged to appear before the courts at a later date.
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Six people were released without charge and files will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. One person to proceed with by way of adult caution.
As part of the day of action, 18 speed and drink/drug driving checkpoints were carried out in the following locations; Ardfert Village, Abbeydomey Village, Blennerville, Monavalley, Caherslee Road, Bracker O’Regan Road, Killeen Road and Oakpark Road.
Three vehicles were seized and a number of fines issued for road traffic offences during the checkpoints. There were no detections for drink or drug driving.
Community Policing held a crime preventions stand in Manor West Shopping Centre where information and flyers were distributed to members of the public on the “Lock Up Light Up” campaign.
A school talk was also held where the Community Policing Unit gave a presentation on personal safety, social media use and road safety.
.Gabriel Fitzmaurice, Jerry O’Sullivan, Deirdre Walsh, Paschal Sheehy and Eoin Hand at Poetry From The Pulpit at St John’s Theatre Listowel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
WB YEATS, Percy French, Gerard Manley Hopkins and many more poets had their work read aloud at a charity event with a difference last night in Listowel.
The brainchild of Radio Kerry presenter Deirdre Walsh, ‘Poetry From The Pulpit’ saw well known Kerry people take to the stage in St John’s Theatre to read their favourite poems.
They were also interviewed about their choices by the host which made for an entertaining, thought-provoking and frequently funny night, enjoyed by the audience, who dug deep to raise funds for the Kerry Hospice Foundation and raised €1,600.
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Among those who took part were former Republic of Ireland soccer manager Eoin Hand who recited ‘The Isle Of Innisfree’, RTE’s Southern Editor Paschal Sheehy who chose ‘No worse, there is none’ by Gerard Manley Hopkins and ‘Fragments’ by Brendan Kennelly and All-Ireland winning Kerry captain Dara O Cinneide who recited ‘Ní Ceadmhach Neamhshuim’ by Seán Ó Riordáin and Gabriel Fitzmaurice’s ‘At the Ball Game’.
Andrea O’Donoghue, Breda Barry, Maura Sullivan, Bridie O’Connor and Ita Behan at Poetry From The Pulpit at St John’s Theatre Listowel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Fitzmaurice himself read one of his own poems, ‘Obsession’, Radio Kerry’s Elaine Kinsella recited ‘The Bottom Lash’ by Rita Ann Higgins and ‘On Raglan Road’ by Patrick Kavanagh, Kerry Rose Sally Anne chose ‘Ach I Dunno’ by Percy French and ‘Hope’ by Emily Dickinson and ‘Vicar’ Joe Murphy selected ‘Advent’ by Patrick Kavanagh and ‘Desiderata’ by Max Ehrmann.
Joanna Keane read her father John B’s ‘The Street’, former Kerry star Liam Hassett chose ‘Begin’ by Brendan Kennelly and ‘The St Michael’s Scholar’ by past pupil Wayne Dowling. novelist and journalist Breda Joy read ‘All Legendary Obstacles’ by John Montague and ‘The Hospital’ by Patrick Kavanagh, while Radio Kerry’s Jerry O’Sullivan chose ‘The Second Coming’ by WB Yeats and ‘Mirror in February’ by Thomas Kinsella.
Since last year, Deirdre Walsh – who presents the station’s ‘TalkAbout’ programme – has been an Ambassador for the Kerry Hospice since last year and having seen the wonderful work done at the Palliative Care centre at University Hospital Kerry, she decided to organise an event to help them in some small way.
The funds raised will be used to upgrade a bathroom in the Unit to include a jacuzzi bath, some nice lighting and surround-sound music system.
Deirdre thanked the participants, Kerry Hospice PRO Andrea O’Donoghue, Maire Logue from St John’s, Listowel for their help in planning the event and everyone who came to make the night such a success. Scroll down for photos…
Joanna Keane, Dara Ó Cinnéide, Deirdre Walsh and Elaine Kinsella at Poetry From The Pulpit at St John’s Theatre Listowel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Aisling O’Brien and Marie O’Brien at Poetry From The Pulpit at St John’s Theatre Listowel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot CreanAidan, Eleanor and Aideen Quinlan at Poetry From The Pulpit at St John’s Theatre Listowel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Dee O’Sullivan, Mary Twomey and Melanie O’Sullivan at Poetry From The Pulpit at St John’s Theatre Listowel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot CreanDeirdre Walsh with Radio Kerry colleagues Treasa Murphy and Fiona Stack at Poetry From The Pulpit at St John’s Theatre Listowel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Tommy Walsh, Maureen Walsh, Sabrina Marsh and Gavin Marsh at Poetry From The Pulpit at St John’s Theatre Listowel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
.Launching the Dementia Friendly Tralee initiative at The Imperial Hotel on Friday morning were Derek Carroll of The Imperial, Dolores McElligott, Garda Mary Gardiner, Michael Fitzgerald HSE, Eibhlís Cahalane HSE, Aidan Kelly and David Scott of Tralee Chamber Alliance. Photo by Dermot Crean
A NEW dementia information card which will move Tralee towards becoming more dementia friendly was launched today (Friday) at The Imperial Hotel.
The Tralee Dementia Friendly Community Information card is an initiative by the Tralee Dementia Friendly Community Forum, an inter-agency group which involves the HSE, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Tralee Chamber Alliance and others.
The Tralee Dementia Friendly Community Information card prompts people to remain in contact with both the person with dementia and their families/carers, it also provides some tips specific to businesses to ensure their environments are dementia friendly.
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Some of the tips and advice in the wallet-sized card include;
• Remember a visit can often give the carer a little time to themselves’
• ‘‘With your help, people with dementia can continue to take part in their local communities.
They can go to a GAA match, an ICA meeting, sing in a choir, or whatever they like doing’
Some of the business tips include:
• ‘Be aware of the environment as background noise can affect communication. A quiet space may be needed for the person to work in’
• ‘Consider having a no-hurry check out or queue’
The information card provides local contact details and directs people to useful websites, it has been edited by the National Adult Literacy Agency to ensure it meets literacy standards and hence is accessible for all.
These cards will be distributed throughout the businesses in Tralee and provided to the public in various settings in the town.
Michael Fitzgerald, HSE Assistant National Director, Older People and Palliative Care Strategy officially launched the card.
“The Tralee Dementia Friendly Community Information card is a great practical way of raising awareness of dementia and facilitating both the public and business staff to continue to assist people with dementia. It reminds us of the importance of maintaining links with carers and family members and the role that we as the friends and neighbours play in ensuring both the person with dementia and their families are helped to maintain and contribute to an active life in their community. This card, which is compliant with adult literacy guidelines, ensures it is user friendly to all and opens the conversation amongst everyone as to what we can do to support people with memory deficits and dementia to remain living independently and safely in their communities,” he said.
The Tralee Dementia Friendly Community Forum is made up of representatives from the HSE National Office for Services for Older Persons; Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Community Work department; Kerry County Council; an Garda Siochana, the local GAA; and representatives from voluntary and statutory agencies. Family members of people with dementia and local groups for Older Persons are also represented.
The group’s aim is to promote awareness of dementia and to support businesses in their interactions with people with dementia and memory deficits.
The Dementia Friendly Forum encourages everyone to share responsibility for ensuring that people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community. It demonstrates an excellent model of partnership and collaboration and indicates to locals, new residents and visitors that Tralee as a Dementia Friendly Community is welcoming place in which to connect with others and do business
David Scott from Tralee Chamber Alliance commented that they are delighted to be part of this very important initiative. The Business sector in Tralee realise the significance that dementia has for their customers and are very enthusiastic to work with other agencies to play their part in ensuring their customer service is dementia friendly.
.Minister Brendan Griffin at the turning of the sod on the Tralee-Fenit Greenway at Fenit with public representatives, Kerry County Council Staff and supporters of the project. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE sod has been turned today on two new greenway amenities in Kerry marking the commencement of construction on the multi-million-euro projects.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, today turned the sod on the new ten-kilometre Tralee to Fenit Greenway and the 10.5km greenway between Listowel and the Limerick county bounds.
Funding of €3m for the Tralee-Fenit Greenway and €3.5m for the north Kerry route was announced by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in June 2019 and construction is now commencing on both projects. Construction is expected to take between 18 months and two years.
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Minister Griffin declared it a hugely important day for Kerry and said that the new greenways will greatly enhance the visitor experience and leisure offering in the county.
“I am delighted to have turned the sod to mark the commencement of construction on these vital projects which have been supported by my Department and which have enormous potential for the county. These greenways will offer locals and visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy walking and cycling in a safe off-road environment in beautiful and picturesque surroundings,” he said.
Minister Brendan Griffin turns the sod on the Tralee-Fenit Greenway at Fenit on Sunday with, from left; Cllr Mikey Sheehy, Charlie O’Sullivan KCC, Deputy Martin Ferris, CE of KCC Moira Murrell, Cllr Pa Daly Cathaoirleach KCC Cllr Niall Kelliher, Cllr Norma Foley, Mayor of Tralee Jim Finucane and Cllr Sam Locke. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Tralee-Fenit project will see a continuation of an amenity trail on the outskirts of Tralee which was developed by Kerry County Council in 2016 and which links Casement Railway Station and Mounthawk.
The project will see the completion of the remaining rural section of this route from Ballynahoulort to Fenit by constructing a three-metre wide greenway suitable for walking and cycling. The route will predominantly follow the railway corridor and works will be completed in one phase.
The 10.5km route from Listowel will run from Ballygowloge (at the Tim Kennelly roundabout) to the boundary with County Limerick and will take in ten townlands.
The greenway will link with the award-winning Childers Park and Woodlands in Listowel town and this linkage has been facilitated by grants recently awarded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The works will be carried out in one phase and will consist of the clearance of the old railway line, the laying of a three-metre wide tarmacadam surface, provision of traffic calming measures, and the reinstatement of drainage and agricultural underpasses where necessary.
These new sections of greenway form part of the planned future 100km cycling and walking amenity route which will eventually link Limerick to Fenit via Listowel and Tralee, and which is being developed under the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport’s ‘Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways.’
.Jim Kirby, Maria Kirby, Donal O’Neill, Eileen Kirby, Celine Cusack, Cusack, Fearghal Grimes, Timothy Grimes, Fintan Grimes and Anne Grimes at the Thanksgiving Dinner in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT’S become a tradition now where families gather at The Rose Hotel to celebrate the famous American holiday.
The owners of the hotel, Dick and Eibhlín Henggeler, welcomed around 180 guests to their sumptuous Thanksgiving feast for the fourth year in a row and it was thoroughly enjoyed.
They were welcomed with traditional hot punch in the foyer and later made their way to the Lee Suite where a feast, created by executive head chef, Odran Lucey and his team, was laid on.
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The meal itself featured a starter of harvest salad of poached pear, followed by roast crown of turkey and stuffed leg, along with Frank’s Thanksgiving sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, maple glazed carrots, Swiss corn bake, creamy mash potato and turkey gravy.
Traditional Thanksgiving desserts included pumpkin pie, pecan pie with ice cream followed by tea/coffee. Scroll down for photos…
Breda and Emma Dyland at the Thanksgiving Dinner in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Margaret Hoare and Edward Hoare at the Thanksgiving Dinner in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot CreanMaeve Morrison and Joe Hanley at the Thanksgiving Dinner in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Mairead O’Sullivan, Abigail Kanthruben and Eileen Lyons at the Thanksgiving Dinner in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot CreanMargaret Canty, Jerry Buckley, Deborah Buckley, Rebecca Lomasney, Jane Lomasney and Eugene Lomasney at the Thanksgiving Dinner in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.John Canty, Jerry Canty, Peace Canty, John Hanafin, Mairead Canty, Kieran Canty and Christina Neilan at the Thanksgiving Dinner in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot CreanFiona Loughlin and Theresa Loughlin at the Thanksgiving Dinner in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Shane O’Connor, Francis Fitzgibbon and Alex Verget at the Thanksgiving Dinner in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot CreanAidan Lyons, Denis Lyons, Dinah Geiger Lyons, Denise Lyons, Alma Lyons, Joan Lyons, Vera Sugrue and Teresa Giamburro at the Thanksgiving Dinner in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Andrea Dolan, Alex Maguire, Tina Lonergan and Karen O’Connor at the Thanksgiving Dinner in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Christmas really kicks off this weekend with the parade and the lights being switched on, but there’s a few more things to do around town as well…
Friday
1. Quiz time…
Coláiste Gleann Lí is preparing to host their annual table quiz tonight at the Ballymac Bar in Boherbee to raise funds for the school, but this year they intend to donate half of the monies raised to Comfort for Chemo Kerry.
Tables of four are €40 and the quiz starts at 8pm. It should be a fun night to help out the school and a great cause.
2. Brilliant bazaar returns…
The St. John’s Parish Annual Bazaar takes place from, Friday to Sunday in the KDYS Denny Street. There’ll be the usual array of hampers, vouchers, art work, crafts and loads more amazing prizes to be won and auctioned off during the weekend which raises tens of thousands of euro for the parish.
The bargains, the banter and social atmosphere have always attracted large crowds and the organisers have issued an invitation to all to join them for a great time. Doors open on Friday at 7.30pm, Saturday at 7.00pm and Sunday at 2.30pm. All are welcome.
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Saturday
3. Santa on The Mall…
The annual CH Tralee Christmas parade takes place once again to really kick-off the festive season in Tralee.
Santa and Mrs Claus, along with many familiar characters, arrive on floats to The Mall. There’ll be balloons, music and much more from 2pm. This year’s theme is ‘Wish Upon A Star’.
The route will be along North Circular Road, down Ashe Street, and along The Mall. Some favourite children’s characters like Paw Patrol, Twilight Sparkle, The Grinch and Minnie Mouse will be there.
Buí Bolg from Wexford will have their giant polar bears and dancing Christmas trees with them. Of course Santa and Mrs Claus will arrive in their sleigh and afterwards they will be at CH Tralee where the man himself will be in residence at Santaland until Christmas Eve.
4. Tralee lights up…
The official switching on of the Christmas Lights will be performed by the Mayor of Tralee Jim Finucane and special guests on Saturday at 4.30pm in The Square.
The lights event, organised jointly by Kerry County Council and Tralee Chamber Alliance, will see several prizes for local businesses being given away, so get down early to win.
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5. Go racing…sort of…
All roads lead to Na Gaeil Clubhouse for the annual Race Night. It is always a great night out and an occasion not to be missed.
All races will be shown on the big screen and there will be tote facilities at the event. Don’t forget to come in your finery as there will be a prize for the best dressed lady and gent. Get there from around 9pm.
Sunday
6. Christmas Market…
TRALEE Art Group are holding a Christmas Market at Baile Mhuire Day Centre, Balloonagh, from 12.30-4pm. Santa Claus will be there with his very own mailbox. Music will be provided by Paulie O’Brien with a Tea Dance at 2pm. Prizes galore with a Monster Raffle.
Admission €5 (includes a raffle ticket) and kids go free. There will be an opportunity to purchase some local artworks, crafts and delicious bakes all in time for Christmas.
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7. Festive favourites…
An evening of seasonal music and song, ‘Carols For Chernobyl’, takes place from 7.30pm with all proceeds going to Chernobyl Children International Tralee.
Special guest will be Adi Roche from the charity, while music comes from the best of local talent. This includes the Oliver Hurley School of Musical Theatre, The National Folk Theatre Choir, Noelle Barrett and Lauralee Curtin.
Daryl Simpson of the Celtic Tenors and Sempres Strings will also perform. Tickets at €10 can be bought from Carmel Russell at That’s Perfect, The Mall and at the door on the night.
THE AXA Roadsafe Roadshow, in partnership with An Garda Siochana, delivered a hard-hitting road safety message to over 1,200 Transition Year students in Kerry, including many from Tralee schools, on Tuesday.
This is the fourth AXA Roadsafe Roadshow of the Autumn schedule aimed primarily at Transition Year students in secondary schools and is based on an award-winning format and depicts graphically how a night out can end in tragedy.
The show depicts what happens with driver inexperience and overconfidence with the aim to educate and highlight the various safety skills these young students need before they get behind the wheel of a car.
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Using a backdrop of contemporary music, video clips and television advertisements; the story was told by Garda Peter McCarthy, Paramedic Eugene Tangney, Fire Officer Dan Keane and A&E Consultant Martin Boyd.
The show culminated in a presentation by a local mother Ann Tydings from Lisselton, who lost her son Padraig 15 years ago in a car accident after his 22nd birthday.
Inspector Tony Sugrue, An Garda Siochana commented; “The overall trend in Kerry has shown improvement in the last 15 years in terms of enforcement, engineering and education. The continuing disturbing trend in drunk driving is the biggest source of concern, as the increased detection rates are primarily driven by those in the 20-40-year old category. An Garda Siochana in the Kerry division are actively looking at ways to engage with young people and events such as the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow play a significant part in targeting this age group.” Scroll down for photos…
GARDAI arrested 18 people as part of an Operation Thor day of action that was carried out in the Tralee District on Tuesday of this week.
TRALEE Art Group are holding a Christmas Market at Baile Mhuire Day Centre, Balloonagh, from 12.30-4pm. Santa Claus will be there with his very own mailbox. Music will be provided by Paulie O’Brien with a Tea Dance at 2pm. Prizes galore with a Monster Raffle.
