A BIT of late notice with this one, but the Spa/Fenit Branch of the Kerry Hospice Foundation are hosting a fundraising table quiz this evening (Thursday).
Starting at 8.30pm in The Oyster Tavern, Spa, people are invited to come out and test their general knowledge.
Table of four costs just €28 and there will be a raffle with loads of spot prizes. Well worth a visit and for a great cause.
First year students with the spectacular west Kerry backdrop.
COLÁISTE Íde, the all-Irish 7 day boarding school for girls situated in the Dingle Peninsula, is holding an Open Day on Saturday, March 25, from 10am to 4pm.
The college provides post-primary education to a very high standard to students. Dedicated teachers and staff along with daily supervised study ensures consistently high academic results.
Students leave Coláiste Íde confident, capable, well-educated and are well prepared to enter third level education and take their place in society.
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The open day is an ideal opportunity for prospective students and their parents/guardians to see and hear about all the school has to offer.
Further information on www.colaisteide.com or contact them on 0669151211 or info@colaisteide.com
.Launching this year’s Wander Wild Festival earlier this year were Nicole O’Brien, left, Claire Tangney and Donal O’Donoghue, and their faithful companions – Bob and Marley, on board the traditional ‘Killarney Gap of Dunloe Boats. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
WHETHER you’re an adrenaline junkie, or a rambler who treks off the beaten track, or are on the search for new mindful experiences, there’s something to suit all wanderers at the Wander Wild Festival, Ireland’s great outdoors festival, which returns to Killarney from March 24th-26th .
The unique adventure and wellness festival, set in the lakes and mountains of the 25,000-acre UNESCO Killarney National Park, has doubled in scale with a host of outdoor events for the body, mind and soul.
Over the weekend, you’ll have the chance to explore new adventures and recharge with a dip, hike, bike, kayak, swim, horse ride, ramble, or wellness activity against a backdrop of stunning scenic landscapes.
Thrill seekers can scale Carrauntoohil – Ireland’s highest mountain, test their endurance on a trail run through the Gap of Dunloe, enjoy a night trail run on the Old Kenmare Road, rise to new heights with rock climbing and abseiling, or join an outdoor classroom and learn how to move off the beaten track with a Steep Ground Masterclass.
The festival offers something for all outdoor lovers, ages, and abilities, with a myriad of unique experiences for those who seek out the rare or unusual.
Paddle back in time on a Kayak Tour to Innisfallen Island – home to a monastery dating back to 640 AD, or start the day with a sunrise dip at Dundag, float in nature with an enchanting forest bath, discover the power of breath with a Wim Hof Method Workshop, or savour a warm recovery with a Samhradh Sauna Experience.
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New additions include a natural ice-bath in the Lakes of Killarney, a 3D sensory tour of the Blue Pool Nature Reserve with a light and sound installation, the premiere of two Irish adventure films, a gourmet food trail, a photo exhibition, and an expanded children’s activity camp. You can also nourish your inner self with a range of culinary and cultural experiences unique to the area.
For those who want to explore the National Park with the benefit of local knowledge, there are guided hikes, night walks, and pony treks, urban orienteering, photo exhibitions, and self-guided loop walks for families. Wellness enthusiasts can experience Yoga & Light Therapy, Reiki, Yoga, Sunrise Vinyasa, workshops on Handstands, Yin Yoga, and a Strength and Conditioning for Hiking for over 55s.
One of the best things about the festival is that you can experience complete remoteness by day, and a town buzzing with entertainment at night! The fun won’t stop when the sun goes down as Killarney hosts the electric basecamp for the festival, harnessing the power of the Killarney UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the bustling town to offer a compelling weekend of activities and social events.
A spectacular opening Spring Equinox parade will take place through the streets to celebrate the end of winter and the rebirth of spring, and there will be a Beat Party Workout and Dance Party, and live music and entertainment in local bars over the weekend.
Pat Chawke, Chairperson of Wander Wild Festival, said; “This is a fantastic chance to explore the stunning Killarney National Park, its lakes and its mountains, in a unique way. From solo travellers to families and groups of friends, from ardent adventurers to those who just love the great outdoors, we have something for everyone, whether that’s wilderness, wellness or wanderlust! It’s about being out in nature, self-care, and the simple pleasures of going for a float, ramble, roam, stray or stroll! There are also great deals over the weekend as the festival kick starts our tourism season, so it’s a great time to explore and enjoy everything that Killarney town and the National Park has to offer.”
There’s a plentiful and diverse range of accommodation options in Killarney with something for every budget, from hostels and self-catering to four- and five-star hotels. Shuttle buses will transfer people from the town centre to all the activities making the connection from vibrant Killarney to the majestic wilderness of the surrounding natural landscape, quick and convenient!
Many events are free, and some are ticketed. Those looking to secure their preferred events or avail of early bird weekend activity packages which are now live are advised to book early to avoid disappointment wanderwildfestival.com.
For updates on new activities follow WanderWildFestival on Instagram and Facebook or email info@wanderwildfestival.com
.At the presentation of a cheque to St Vincent de Paul by the Tralee International Bridge Congress were; Claire Carmody from The Rose Hotel, Tom Hardiman, Hugh O Connell President of the Congress, Paddy Kevane SVDP President, Junior Locke SVDP, and Trish Stack.
A BRIDGE tournament held in Tralee last month has raised funds for charity.
The Tralee International Bridge Congress, which was held in The Rose Hotel from February 24-26, has raised €850 for St. Vincent de Paul.
SVDP President Paddy Kevane was on hand to collect the cheque yesterday evening from the organisers of the event, which always draws a good crowd to the town.
Paddy expressed his gratitude to Tim Hardiman, Hugh O’Connell and all at the Bridge Congress for their efforts.
.‘Morning After The Night Before’ by photographer Alison Slattery. Have you a photo of the Tralee area to submit.
IF you have some great photos taken around Tralee, then you might want to submit them for a photography competition being run by a local café.
Entitled ‘Days Like These’, the exhibition, which will be held at Madden’s Cafe on Milk Market Lane, will showcase Tralee through the lens of the people who live within it…and each photo selected for the exhibition will receive €100!
The exhibition is open to photographers of all abilities and each photo selected will be curated in Maddens as part of a month-long exhibition.
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The image must be of Tralee town or surrounding areas close to the town and all entries are to be the original work of the entrant.
Entrants must ensure that any photographs containing people’s faces, have been taken with the permission of the person(s) in the photograph. Photographs can be taken in any style or format (black and white or colour)
All entries are to be available for reproduction and/or publication by ‘Tralee My Love’, with successful images printed for the exhibition on sale. Independent judges will select the images they feel best reflect the brief.
Email your image to maddenstralee@gmail.com with your full name and telephone number – entrants can submit one or multiple images. Make sure the image resolution is suitable enough for print. Finalists will be contacted via email. Winners will be announced Easter Weekend.
KERRY projects are to receive over €100,000 in funding from the Built Heritage Investment Scheme.
A total of €101,000 being awarded to 15 projects in Kerry, including €14,000 for the ‘mitigation of damp’ at the former Magdalene Laundry at Baile Mhuire, Balloonagh and €4,500 for same at 10 High Street, Tralee.
Other buildings to receive funding include the Old Rectory, Killgobbin, Camp; Castle Lawn, Ballyheigue Castle, Ballyheigue; Callinafercy House, Milltown; Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Listowel and the Coastguard Cottage, Kells (see list below).
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Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, today announced that 556 heritage projects across the country will benefit from a total of €4.5m under this year’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS).
The BHIS is one of two built heritage funding schemes run by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in association with the 31 Local Authorities.
The scheme assists owners of heritage structures – including those on the local authorities’ Record of Protected Structures and those in Architectural Conservation Areas – to meet their obligations to care for their properties by providing match-funded grants of up to €15,000 for standard projects (not involving thatch).
THE Kerry Short Film Bursary 2023 is now open for applications! €10,000 will be awarded to the successful team to produce a short drama or documentary film in the county.
This Bursary is funded through Kerry County Council Arts Service and the Arts Council of Ireland to support & encourage filmmaking within the county.
Filmmakers will be assisted through Screen Kerry – the Kerry ETB Film Development Office, and Kerry College Monavalley Campus – a centre of excellence for film training. The deadline for receipt of applications is 5pm Friday April 14th.
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Applications should have a strong creative connection with Kerry, with at least one of the core creative team (Writer/Director/Producer) either from or living in Kerry. Proof of address will be required at shortlisting stage.
An online information session will be held on March 15th and will provide details on how to submit a competitive application.
Applicants are encouraged to attend this webinar to ensure their submission has the best chance of success. Register with siobhan@screenkerry.ie to attend. Follow @kerryscreencomm on Twitter or www.screenkerry.ie/filmbursary for information on dates & times.
Application forms & guidelines are available on www.screenkerry.ie/kerry-short-film-bursary. There is a two-stage selection process in this open competition with previous winners excluded from entering.
Stage one involves a shortlisting of applications while stage two requires an online interview with the shortlisted creative teams in May.
The Kerry Short Film Bursary has had a successful run to date with the 2021 film “Haven”, directed by Mo O’Connell, winning an award at the Chicago Irish Film Festival.
Meanwhile, lead Actress, Maria McDermottroe, won best actress at the Toronto Women’s International Film Festival. The 2020 film ‘Ship of Souls’ won the audience award at the Foyle Film Festival, putting it on the longlist for the 2022 Academy Awards.
Kerry ETB Film Development Officer, Siobhan O’Sullivan, said; “the importance of the film bursary in developing the film sector in Kerry and giving upcoming filmmakers the opportunity to develop their craft”.
Kerry County Council Arts Officer, Kate Kennelly, agreed describing the award as “a critical way to encourage filmmaking in the county, highlighting locations, facilities and skills available in Kerry”.
Mayor of Kerry, John Francis Flynn, welcomed the bursary funding as “a great opportunity to showcase Kerry as a filmmaking location while supporting emerging filmmakers.”
.The Tankard won Best Customer Service Kerry at the Irish Restaurant Awards last night. Photo: The Tankard Facebook
THE Tankard in Kilfenora was one of the winners in the Munster Regional Finals the 2023 Irish Restaurant Awards which took place in the Strand Hotel, Limerick, last night.
Hundreds people attended the regional events on Wednesday evening, where the top establishments in each county were named. The Tankard won in the Best Customer Service Kerry category (see full list of Kerry winners below).
All of those who won in Kerry at county level will now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin on May 15.
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The Kerry winners were;
• Best Restaurant — Kerry: Kingdom 1795
• Best Chef — Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Hilliard’s
• Best Newcomer — Kerry: Lagom Restaurant
• Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant — Kerry: The Peregrine, Killarney Park Hotel
• Best Restaurant Manager — Kerry: Neil Hynes of Number 35
• Best Customer Service — Kerry: The Tankard
• Best Café – Kerry: Bean and Batch
• Pub of the Year – Kerry: Helen’s Bar
• Best Wine Experience – Kerry: The Falls Restaurant at Sheen Falls Lodge
• Best Gastro Pub – Kerry: O’Carroll’s Cove
• Best World Cuisine — Kerry: Lily House
• Best “Free From” —Kerry: Thyme Out Café & Delicatessen
• Best Local Food Hero – Kerry: Louise Brosnan of Mex Wex
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine – Kerry: Solas Wine Bar Dingle
• Best Casual Dining – Kerry: CAMOS
• Best Sustainable Practice — Kerry: The Tan Yard at Killarney Plaza Hotel
KERRY projects are to receive over €100,000 in funding from the Built Heritage Investment Scheme.
