Daily Archives: July 14, 2022

News

Council Appeals To Public To Take Care During Hot Weather

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KERRY County Council has appealed to members of the public to take care and to act responsibly during the period of extremely warm weather which is forecast for Ireland over the coming days.

Met Éireann has issued a High Temperature Advisory with day-time temperatures expected to reach the high twenties and possibly exceed 30 degrees in some locations.

The Council is encouraging everyone to be cognisant of the dangers of high temperatures and extremely sunny conditions, to reach out to vulnerable neighbours and relatives, and to be conscious of the impact on pets of extreme heat.

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In particular, the Council is asking beachgoers to enjoy the beach environment safely and to take particular care in the water.

Director of Services, John Breen said that during extreme heat, people should enjoy themselves but should do so safely.

‘Extreme heat brings its own dangers for people of all ages. We are particularly conscious of how attractive our Blue Flag beaches during periods of fine weather, but we are just reminding everyone to be very careful in the water and to swim during periods when lifeguards are on duty.

‘We would also ask beachgoers to avoid littering, to park appropriately and to respect the beach environment,’ he said.

News

RSA Issues Advice To Road Users Ahead Of High Temperatures

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THE Road Safety Authority (RSA), is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads from Sunday to Tuesday in the wake of Met Eireann issuing a weather advisory for High Temperatures.

Kerry and indeed the rest of Ireland will experience a hot spell over the weekend and into early next week.

Day time temperatures will widely reach the high twenties, possibly exceeding 30 degrees in some locations in Kerry.

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In high temperatures the RSA is advising road users, particularly drivers, to be aware of the dangers posed by ‘sun glare’.

Sun glare can result in drivers being temporarily dazzled or blinded by the intensity and brightness of the sun.

As clear sunny conditions and high temperatures are forecast over the next number of days, the RSA is advising drivers to:

• Reduce the risk from sun glare and of being dazzled by wearing sun glasses. Be aware of the dangers of sun glare when travelling east in the mornings and west later in the day.

• Be prepared and ensure you have adequate supplies of water, any delays to journeys could result in road users being stuck in traffic for a period time in hot conditions. Children and pets are particularly at risk during these hot spells of weather.

• Ensure your windscreen is clear of grease or grime inside and out. Make sure you have plenty of window washer fluid to clear flies/insects and excess dust from the road when driving.

• Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists. Slow down and allow extra space when passing.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are advised to:

• Beware of the dangers that sun glare can cause, especially when crossing the road and at junctions.

• Follow current health messaging around the use of sun block when out walking and cycling.

The impact of high temperatures on roads.

• Road surface temperatures will rise significantly in the hot weather and surface dressed roads (“tar and chips”) will be prone to softening of the bitumen. This will lead to bitumen slicks occurring on more minor roads.  Road users are advised to slow down and exercise caution when braking in such situations.

Entertainment, News

‘Joyride’ To Have Its Premiere At Killarney Cinema

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Olivia Colman (Joy) and Charlie Reid (Mully) in Joyride which goes on general release later this month.

THE Kerry premiere of ‘Joyride’, filmed at locations around the county last summer, will take place in Killarney at the end of the month,

‘Joyride’, starring Academy Award winner Olivia Colman, recently had its world premiere at Galway Film Fleadh, but the film will have its first screening in Kerry in Killarney Cinema on July 27 ahead of its general release two days later.

This event is hosted by Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) in association with Screen Kerry with cast, crew and talent have been invited to the Killarney Cinema screening.

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Writer Ailbhe Keogan, Emmy Award winning Director Emer Reynolds and some main cast will be in attendance for a Q&A session.

Many local crew, trainees and students worked on the film and will be at the screening to see the film for the first time. Some public tickets have also gone on sale.

A number of local organisations were instrumental in bringing the production to Kerry including Screen Kerry – the Kerry ETB Film Office, Kerry College Monavalley Campus & the Broadcast Production Skills course, where a production base was set up for 10 weeks.

Also Kerry County Council, its Creative Ireland Kerry Programme and the Area Engineers facilitated filming throughout the county on the road movie. The collaboration of these organisations was a key factor in ensuring the production could film successfully in Kerry.

News

Free Mobile Self-Guided Tour Of The Maharees Heritage Trail Launched

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Members of the Maharees Conservation Association with Vinny Hyland (creator of the guided tour) and Cllrs Mike O’Shea and Breandán Fitzgerald of the Castleisland Corca Dhuibhne MD – Mike O’Shea is the cathaoirleach of Castleisland Corca Dhuibhne MD at the launch on Monday.

MAHEREES Conservation Association members have just launched a free mobile accessible self-guided tour of the Maharees Heritage Trail.

Funded through a Heritage Council community grant and developed over the last year by members of Maharees Conservation Association, historian and author Martin Lynch and multimedia artist Vincent Hyland of Wild Derrynane, the tour has audio and visual elements and helps the user to get a sense of the rich heritage of Maharees whether they’re in Maharees or thousands of miles away.

The tour comprises twenty points of interest/ stops and interprets wildlife species, geological features, built heritage, traditional place names and depicts the way of life and the activities of the people of Maharees through the ages.

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The tour also helps the user to orientate themselves while using the trail as it is linked to Google maps and can be downloaded or simply played from the following link: https://www.guidigo.com/Tour/Ireland/Ireland/The-Maharees/HHPspBy57h8

In support of this amenity, Maharees Conservation Association has also organised a series of events to celebrate the heritage of Maharees this summer.

From free wildlife talks and Maharees heritage events to beach cleans, marram planting and fun quiz events, there is something for everyone to get involved in.

The biodiversity events have been kindly supported by the Kerry County Council Community Support Fund 2022.

The summer events will culminate with a National  Heritage Week event on Saturday 20th August at 11am – a guided tour of the Maharees Heritage Trail which will be led by historian and author Martin Lynch and by wildlife biologist Ciara Dolan.

As the number of participants will be limited for some events, those interested are advised to book in advance by emailing mahareesconservation@gmail.com.

More details and a full list of events can be found on the Maharees Heritage and Conservation Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/663203517049563/photos/a.663667070336541/5364741816895686/

Martha Farrell, Chair of registered charity Maharees Conservation Association CLG said: “We are delighted with the support of The Heritage Council in making possible the addition of this fantastic self-guided tour of Maharees. It is difficult to portray just how special this area is. We have signs, we have web content but this audio and visual guide, which was so excellently produced by Vincent Hyland, really brings the story together and it helps us to share our heritage with all who visit Maharees more easily.”

We are also really grateful to Kerry County Council for the Community Support Funding provided to support our schedule of biodiversity events. Without the Community Support Fund, groups like ours would struggle to deliver visitor and community events like this.”

News

Visually-Impaired Tralee Woman Gets Chance To Drive Car

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Mairead O’Mahony in the car at Mondello Park.

By Sean Moriarty

A VISUALLY-IMPAIRED Tralee woman experienced the joy of driving a car for only the third time in her life this week.

Mairead O’Mahony, 39, has been visually-impaired all her life. In her younger years, she convinced her brother to allow her to drive a Jeep around fields on the family farm, but she has only ever driven a road car twice.

On Tuesday week she participated in a special event organised by Vision Sports Ireland at Mondello Park.

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Born out of the National Council for the Blind’s strategy, ‘Changing Perceptions 2021-2023’ Vision Sports Ireland makes the dreams and aspirations of its members a reality.

The track day, called Zero Limits, was organised in collaboration with Mayo-based Sara McFadden, Ireland’s only visually impaired rally co-driver, who is a Sports Development Officer with  Vision Sports Ireland.

Mairead O’Mahony in the car at Mondello Park.

The morning sessions allow visually impaired drivers, with the help of an instructor, to drive road cars on the County Kildare track.

This was her second time participating in Zero Limits, after entering the inaugural event in July 2021.

Instructors used cars with dual-controls, similar to those used by driving schools and were on hand to take control should things start to go wrong.

“It was amazing,” she said. “The instructor was very good. He described the road using a clock system so he was telling me things like three o’clock left and six o’clock right so I was able to get a good feel for it. I was able to push the accelerator and let it rip on the long straights.”

Mairead is a fan of technology and cannot wait for the day that autonomous cars become mainstream.

“All my life I was told I couldn’t do this or I couldn’t do that. I have a vision where something like Google Drive will let me programme the car and let me go wherever I want to go,” she added.

As an extra treat, rally drivers were invited to attend the afternoon session. They offered high-speed laps to the participants. It is their first time ever experiencing the thrill of a rally car.

Kerry Motor Club members, father and son duo Jason and Mossie Costello, were two of many rally drivers who gave their time and their rally car freely for the enjoyment of the participants.

They took turns driving their rally-prepared Ford Escort on the County Kildare track.

Although Mairead was not partnered with one of the Tarbert-based drivers she was offered a passenger seat with another rally driver instead.

“It was such an adrenaline rush,” she added, ”I was shouting go faster, go faster, go harder, it was a real feeling of liberation.”

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News

Tralee Chamber Encourages Businesses To Go Green And Gold

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Tralee Chamber Alliance wants businesses to break out the flags and bunting ahead of the All-Ireland final. File photo

TRALEE Chamber Alliance wants the town to go green and gold over the coming week to show support for the Kerry team.

With the Kerry senior footballers in the All-Ireland final and the ladies in the semi-final at the weekend, football fever is gripping the town and the county.

Tralee Chamber is encouraging businesses to break out the bunting and fly the flags with pride in the run up to the big game.

They want businesses to dress the shop windows or show their support online through social media to turn the town green and gold in support of the Kerry team, including team captain and Tralee native Joe O’Connor.

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Beauty&Fashion, Lifestyle, News

Kasey Looking Forward To Representing Kerry At Miss Ireland Contest

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Kasey McCormack from Tralee is Miss Kerry.

A YOUNG Tralee woman will represent Kerry at the at the 75th Miss Ireland, competition next month.

Kasey McCormack (18) is one of 37 finalists vying for the Miss Ireland 2022 title in Castlebar on August 20.

Kasey has recently just completed her leaving cert and hopes to pursue a career in nursing studies with a view to specialise in eating disorders.

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Kasey’s hobbies include show jumping and she is keen fitness enthusiast. Kasey is very passionate about mental health issues and advocates for individualised care requirements.

As Miss Kerry, Kasey will represent her county and attend various awards, openings and engagements in her county over the next year as well as working on her various charity projects.

The finalists of Miss Ireland (sponsored by TanOrganic) this year will be put through their paces in a challenging competitive process testing their skills in debating, public speaking, talent, sports, modelling, social media and each finalist will be tasked with raising much-needed awareness and funds for their chosen charities.

Challenges will also include beach clean ups, ethical upcycling, education pieces and a new Miss Eco-Ireland sash will be awarded.

The winner of Miss Ireland 2022 will receive a lucrative agency contract and a host of prizes including jewellery, gowns, professional photo shoots, beauty and hair products and then jet off to represent her country at the Miss World Festival which is televised in over 100 countries around the world.

The winner will also enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to the Maldives to do a photoshoot later in the autumn.

Beauty&Fashion, Lifestyle, News

PHOTOS: Kerry Rose And Friends At The Races In Killarney

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Kerry Rose Edaein O’Connell and Galway Rose Clare Ann Irwin enjoy a evening of racing at Race Week in Killarney. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD©

KERRY Rose Édaein O’Connell was joined by a number of fellow Rose of Tralee contestants and escorts for an evening at the Races yesterday.

Killarney Races is in full swing this week with the highlight for many being Ladies Day on Friday when thousands are expected on the course in the sunshine.

Édaein was joined by Galway Rose Clare Ann Irwin so there was no shortage of banter about the match, with Clare Ann even sheltering from the sun under a Kerry flag. Scroll down for photos…

Roses and escorts enjoy a evening of racing at Race Week in Killarney. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD
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Waterford Rose Helen Geary and Wexford Rose Joy Quigley enjoy a evening of racing at Race Week in Killarney. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD©
Roses and escorts enjoy a evening of racing at Race Week in Killarney Co Kerry . .
Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD©
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Wexford Rose Joy Quigley  and Escorts enjoy a evening of racing at Race Week in Killarney . Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD ©
Kilkenny Rose Molly Coogan Waterford Helen Geary from the International Festival enjoy a evening of racing at Race Week in Killarney. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD .©
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Wexford Rose Joy Quigley and Cork Jennifer Byrne and Escorts Jamie Flannery and Brendan McSorley from the International Festival enjoy a evening of racing at Race Week in Killarney. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD ©
News

Temperatures Predicted To Reach 30ºc In Tralee Area On Monday

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How temperatures will look in Kerry at 4pm on Monday afternoon according to the Met.ie website.

WITH Ireland set to see soaring temperatures over the weekend, Met.ie is forecasting temperatures in the high 20s while they may even reach 30°c in the Tralee area on Monday.

Met Éireann has issued a weather advisory for Ireland for Sunday with further heat warnings likely to follow in the coming days.

Day time temperatures will widely reach the high twenties all over Ireland, possibly exceeding 30 degrees in some locations, including Tralee and north Kerry. It will be uncomfortably warm during the nights too.

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In the meantime, today will be pleasant with temperatures reaching 20 degrees, Friday will see similar temperatures before things hot up.

Temperatures will reach the mid-20s on Saturday, the high 20s on Sunday before the possibly record highs on Monday and another sweltering Tuesday.

If you miss the rain, don’t worry, it’s coming on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning to herald a drop in temperatures to the high teens for the rest of next week.