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Mayor Tom McEllistrim.
THE Mayor of Tralee’s motion, calling for Tralee town to be designated and given city status, received support from councillors at the Tralee Municipal District meeting at Kerry County Council buildings on Monday.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Tom McEllistrim said Kilkenny is called a city and it has a similar population to Tralee.
“Based on these grounds, there’s no reason why Tralee shouldn’t become a city as well. There would have to be legislation introduced to get it done,” he said, but explained his motion was the first step in the process. He felt it would be a great boost for the town to attract industry and tourism to Tralee.
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Seconding the motion, Cllr Sam Locke (Ind) said city status would emphasise that Tralee is the capital of the county and there would be benefits attached to securing it.
Cllr Pat McCarthy (FG) asked was there a population level which had to be reached to be considered a city. Mayor McEllistrim explained there would have to be new legislation brought in in relation to the criteria governing the awarding of city status.
He intends on pursuing the issue to try to get legislation through to make it possible, should he be successful in his upcoming bid for a senate seat.
