News

Over €15,000 Raised By Tralee Branch Of Irish Cancer Society For Daffodil Day

May 3, 2024 Dermot Crean

Tralee Branch of the Irish Society members Alannah O’Connor (Volunteer), Ed O’Connor (Vice Chairperson), Chris Griffin (Chairperson), Noreen O’Mahony (Kirby’s Brogue Inn) and Kathleen Curtin (Secretary) announcing the total for this year’s Daffodil Day.

THE Tralee Branch of The Irish Cancer Society were delighted to announce the final figure for their Daffodil Day Collection 2024.

An amazing €15,280 was raised this year and the Branch would like to sincerely thank all their fantastic volunteers, without whom this collection would not be possible, and the generosity of the people of Tralee for their continued support.

Daffodil Day, which took place on March 22, is the Irish Cancer Society’s biggest fundraising event of the year. Funds raised helps provide free services and support to cancer patients and their families across Ireland.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Sport

Here’s The Kerry Team To Face Waterford On Sunday

May 3, 2024 Dermot Crean

AFTER a seven point victory over Cork in Brosnan last weekend, the Kerry ladies senior footballers are back in Munster Championship again on Sunday.

Waterford provide the opposition in Round 3 of the Champioship and a good crowd is expected in Cordal GAA for a 1pm throw-in time. Tickets for the match can be purchased by clicking here.

Here’s the Kerry team captained by Aisling O’Connell…

Continued below…

1. Ciara Butler – Castlegregory

2. Kate O’Sullivan – Daingean Ui Chúis

3. Eilís Lynch – Castleisland Desmonds

4. Aoife Dillane – Austin Stacks

5. Eilís O’Connor – Na Gaeil

6. Aishling O’Connell – Scartaglin (C)

7. Róisín Rahilly – Ballymacelligott

8. Lorraine Scanlon – Castleisland Desmonds

9. Róisín Smith – Cromane

10. Jess Gill – Southern Gaels

11. Hannah O’Donoghue – Beaufort

12. Niamh Ní Chonchúir – Corca Dhuibhne

13. Deirdre Kearney – Na Gaeil

14. Emma Dineen – Glenflesk

15. Jadyn Lucey – Na Gaeil

16. Mary Ellen Bolger – Southern Gaels

17. Kayleigh Cronin – Dr Crokes

18. Anna Galvin – Southern Gaels

19. Amy Harrington – Inbhear Scéine Gaels

20. Ciara O’Brien – Laune Rangers

21. Ciara McCarthy – Abbeydorney

22. Mary O’Connell – Na Gaeil

23. Katie Brosnan – Firies

24. Danielle O’Leary – Rathmore

25. Ciara Murphy – MKL Gaels

26. Bríd O’Connor – Na Gaeil

27. Fay O’Donoghue – Beaufort

28. Fiadhna Tangney – Beaufort

29. Amy Curtin – Castleisland Desmonds

30. Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh – Corca Dhuibhne

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

News

Tralee Rowing Club To Hold Event At Wetlands For Biodiversity Week

May 3, 2024 Dermot Crean

TRALEE Rowing Club is celebrating biodiversity in Tralee for Biodiversity Week with an event on Sunday, May 19 at the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre.

People are invited to drop in from 11am -1pm and meet community groups, agencies and enterprises involved in biodiversity conservation and learn the art of willow weaving or join them in the afternoon for activities and guided walks.

Tralee Rowing Club is currently running its Biodiversity Awareness Implementation Project funded by Community Foundation Ireland.

Continued below…

This project arose out work undertaken by Dr Noel Mulligan, Ecologist on the Tralee Ship Canal and the amenity that Kerry County Council has developed over recent years since the canal was restored in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.

Tralee Rowing Club’s Community Biodiversity Action Plan – Gateway to Biodiversity was also funded by Community Foundation Ireland.

It was clear from the research undertaken in developing the plan that there is a wealth of biodiversity that needs to be protected and needs to be promoted.

The 3km long canal and its adjacent pathway has some interesting and very accessible ecology. In addition, the canal lies within and is surrounded by important wildlife sites including five Special Areas of Conservation, three Special Protection Areas and two Nature Reserves.

All of this wildlife and perhaps one of the finest public walking, cycling and running amenities in the wider region makes the Tralee Ship Canal the gateway to biodiversity and to Kerry the wildlife kingdom.

In addition to guided walks to areas of biodiversity Interest, the Tralee Rowing Club project involves a radio programme to be recorded and aired in the autumn on the theme of Biodiversity. The centre piece of the project is the upcoming Biodiversity Showcase Event that is being run on 19th May at the Tralee Bay Wetland Centre.

The Biodiversity Showcase Event is being jointly run by Tralee Rowing Club in partnership with Kerry Co Co Biodiversity Office. It is one of the many events and activities being run in Kerry as part of the Biodiversity Week 2024 running from 17th to 26th May.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

News

Kerry People Urged To ‘Reach For The Stars’ And Enter Astrophotography Competition

May 3, 2024 Dermot Crean

Kerry’s budding astrophotographers are urged to enter the ‘Reach for the Stars’ competition.
Photographed to mark the launch of the competition at Killakee View Point, Dublin, were Stephenie Brophy Lee, Technical Officer, Astronomy and Astrophysics section at DIAS; and Jeremy Rigney, Lindsay PhD Scholar at DIAS and Armagh Observatory and Planetarium. Photo: Marc O’Sullivan

PHOTOGRAPHY and astronomy fans in Kerry have one final opportunity to submit their entries for the ‘Reach for the Stars’ astrophotography, before the deadline on Friday, May 10.

The competition, organised by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) , is seeking the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland over the period April 28, 2023 and May 10, 2024.

Commenting today on the approaching deadline, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS said: “The 2024 deadline is fast approaching, and we’re delighted to see the entries coming in. The addition of a new category this year inviting entries taken on smartphones is a great opportunity and I encourage anyone in Kerry who has an interest in astronomy and the night sky to get out there and get involved.”

Continued below…

“You don’t have to be a professional photographer to appreciate our night sky, you don’t need to own a telescope – we just ask that you follow the competition guidelines carefully to ensure your images meet the criteria. I would really encourage people in Kerry to get out with their cameras or phones over the next week, before the closing date.”

Entries to the ‘Reach for the Stars’ competition will be judged by Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astrophysics at DIAS, along with Brenda Fitzsimons, Picture Editor of The Irish Times; John Flannery, Vice-President of the Irish Astronomical Society; and Niamh Breathnach, Director at Alice Public Relations.

Entrants may submit up to two images per category to the competition. The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday, May 10. Submissions can be made across five distinct categories:

1. Night Sky in Your Hand: Images taken with only a smartphone, and without telescopes, of an astronomical scene.

2. Out of this World – Planetary: Images of the planets, sun and moon.

3. Out of this World – Deep Sky: Images of celestial objects that exist outside our solar system such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.

4. Back on Earth – Landscape: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as nature, land or water.

5. Back on Earth – Landmark: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as cityscapes, buildings, houses, historical structures or monuments.

The winning photographers across the different categories will receive various prize packages that include: passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland – Dunsink Observatory (Race to Space Escape Room), Armagh Observatory and Birr Castle Demesne; vouchers for photographic / telescopic equipment; and digital subscriptions to The Irish Times.

Further information, including the competition guidelines and entry form, is available at www.reachforthestars.ie

News

Councillor Wants Action After Reports Of Anti-Social Behaviour On Fenit Beach

May 3, 2024 Dermot Crean

A LOCAL councillor has expressed concern about recent reports of anti-social behavior on a Fenit beach.

Fianna Fáil Tralee MD Councillor Mikey Sheehy said he is deeply concerned about reports involving drag racing and reckless driving.

A local resident alerted Cllr Sheehy to an alarming incident where a group of individuals was seen drag racing and performing dangerous manoeuvres on the beach, endangering both the tombolo linking to Fenit Island and the safety of beachgoers.

Continued below…

“The tombolo, a vital natural feature, is currently under threat due to erosion, and local efforts are underway to protect and enhance it,” said Cllr Sheehy. “However, these efforts are undermined by the irresponsible actions of a few individuals who prioritise thrills over environmental preservation and community safety.”

In light of this incident, Cllr Sheehy has called for immediate action to address this issue and prevent further damage to the beach and surrounding ecosystem.

He has urged authorities to increase surveillance and enforcement measures, including the possibility of deploying a summer guard for Fenit, to deter anti-social behaviour and ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

He encouraged anyone with information about such incidents to come forward and assist in tackling the issue.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Beauty&Fashion, Lifestyle, News

PHOTOS: All The Style From The MTU Health And Leisure Students Ball

May 3, 2024 Dermot Crean

Aoife Gibbons, Shonagh Fitzpatrick, Becky Bryant, Leah Boyle and Saoirse Dorrian at the MTU Health and Leisure Ball at The Rose Hotel on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

THE academic year is coming to an end for students at Munster Technological University so last night was an opportune time for students to celebrate.

Students taking courses under the auspices of the Health and Leisure Department decided to get together in style with a Ball at The Rose Hotel.

Around 190 students and faculty members gathered for the glamorous occasion, which also marked the 30th anniversary of the Health and Leisure Department.

After a delicious meal, entertainment came from Jonno Clifford And The Subs with Big Jim taking the party into the early hours. It was a very stylish occasion as you can see from the photos below…