SUMMER’S over, the weather’s getting colder, Kerry are out of the championship, moan, moan and, furthermore, moan.
Enough. There’s a lot more to look forward to than you think as September begins…
1. Listowel Races…
In Listowel, Ballybunion and the surrounding villages, the summer isn’t really over until after the races.
There’s something for everyone there with Birds Amusements in town, great racing and the Friday is ladies day which sees the female population of the county decamp to the Island. The races take place from September 10-17.
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2. Culture Night…
There’s a plethora of events planned in Tralee for Culture Night on Friday, September 22 with dance, DJ, circus and live bands in the Square from 5pm onwards.
Meanwhile Kerry County Museum is host to traditional music, a medieval family fun night and an ancient pottery workshop with ceramic artist Lone Bieter O’Reilly.
Tours of their collections and exhibitions are open late into the night and to the echo of the wonderful sounds of Sliabh Mish Comhaltas.
A programme highlight in Tralee is an evening performance at Siamsa Tíre of It Takes A Village, the premiere of Catherine Young’s new dance work, with an international cast of dancers and musicians.
3. Tralee Food Festival…
Taking place from September 22-24, this has been a big success over the past couple of year and hopefully the people of the town will come out and embrace it again.
There’s a charity celebrity chef night, cookery demos, a farmers market, artisan food market, a taste trail, craft beer trail and more. Check out their Facebook page here for more
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4. The thrill of the championship…
Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys are still in with a shot in the Kerry SFC so Saturday, September 23 will see a big crowd in Austin Stack Park for a double-header where they take on West Kerry and East Kerry respectively.
Let’s not forget Na Gaeil will play their Junior Premier Championship Semi Final against Firies on September 30, so they’ll be hoping to get to the final for the second year in a row.
5. And there’s the hurling…
The passionate fans of Lixnaw, Ballyduff, St Brendan’s and Kilmoyley will cheer on their teams in the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals in a double-header in Austin Stack Park on Sunday, September 24. Expect two thrilling encounters.
6. Big-time basketball returns…
The Warriors return to action this month and that means the crowds will be back in Tralee Sports and Leisure Centre in their hundreds.
They host a pre-season tournament over Saturday, September and Sunday, September 10.
On Saturday at 6pm, St Pauls take Ballincollig followed by Garveys Tralee warriors Vs Neptune at 8pm.
On Sunday at 2pm, the runner up of 6pm game on Saturday faces runner up of 8pm game. Then at 4pm, the winner of 6pm game Saturday plays the winner of 8pm game.
The Warriors first home Superleague game is on Saturday, September 23.
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7. Indian Summer anyone?…
Ok, the summer wasn’t that bad (for an Irish summer) but we still didn’t get a proper stretch of good sunshine days. Maybe, just maybe (remember this is a glass half-full kinda story), we’ll get that late blast of heat that we’ve been missing.
It usually happens after the kids have got back to school or during exam time, so fingers crossed!
8. Do something new…
Why not start something new this autumn. There’s a whole host of night classes starting with Kerry ETB in Tralee and beyond this month. Check out the Kerry ETB website for the list of courses. For the kids, sports clubs are recruiting for new members, but if your child prefers the arts, Perform Speech and Drama is a great place for your child to gain confidence (see above advert).
