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President of Tralee Chamber Alliance, John Drummey and its CEO Kieran Ruttledge are joined by fellow medieval friends in helping to launch Tralee’s 800 programme. Photo by Dermot Crean
A YEAR-LONG celebration of Tralee’s 800th anniversary was officially launched last week and there’s much to look forward to in the county capital including extended festivals and a big screen in the Square for Ireland’s opening Euro 2016 game against Belgium.
The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council and Chairman of the Tralee 800 Group, Cllr Pat McCarthy has officially launched details of how the town plans to mark this significant historic milestone.
His first duty was to unveil the Tralee 800 logo which was designed by Abbey Cummings, Tourism Unit of Kerry County Council and incorporates a visual representation of the River Lee which was, and still is today, one of the defining symbols of the town.
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The Tralee 800 logo.
Announcing the plans for Tralee 800, Cllr Pat McCarthy said: “Tralee has a long and proud history from the very foundation of the town in the 13th century to the present day. We are looking forward to sharing and celebrating the town’s history and traditions with locals and visitors alike through a number of new and existing events. The decision that the Tralee 800 events will run from March 17, 2016 to March 16, 2017 widens the scope for group and individual participation and interaction, particularly for the local population.”
This year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Tralee will be the first official Tralee 800-themed event while entry to the Medieval Experience at Kerry County Museum will be free on that day.
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An extended programme of entertainment around Féile na mBláth and Heroes Week will be combined to be called the Tralee 800 Festival from 16th to 19th June featuring a Medieval Re-enactment, live music and a Big Screen to show Ireland’s Euro 2016 match against Belgium.
The organisers of all festivals in the Tralee area will be encouraged to include the Tralee 800 logo as part of their publicity while Tralee Chamber Alliance and Kerry County Council will erect Tralee 800 Banners along The Mall in the town centre.
Kerry County Museum and Kerry County Library continue to provide the public with an extensive insight to how Tralee has changed from the 13th to the 21st centuries and Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society will host a Tralee 800 International Conference in October.
Tralee 800-themed Art competitions, sports and entertainment events featuring local talent, awards schemes recognising the role of volunteers in Tralee’s proud history and literary projects will be organised in the coming months.
Anyone who wishes to organise a Tralee 800 event or find out more about the plans for Tralee 800 should contact the Tralee Municipal District Officer, Kerry County Council on 066 7191362 or visit www.Tralee.ie or find them by clicking on their Facebook page here Facebook.com/Tralee800.
Tralee 800 is proudly supported by Kerry County Council, Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kerry Group and Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society.
