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The Kelliher family at the opening of Ox Park near Tralee Sports Complex on Friday. In front; Cody Kelliher, Graham Kelliher and Archie Kelliher. Back from left; Ray Kelliher, Evelyn Kelliher, Kai Kelliher, Denis O’Regan, Mason Kelliher, Michelle Kelliher, Carmel O’Regan and Vicky Kelliher. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE new €200,000 skateboarding facility in Tralee was officially opened on Friday afternoon by the Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy.
He cut the ribbon on Ox Park near Tralee Sports Complex, which is named after the late skateboarding enthusiast and campaigner for the amenity, Bruce ‘The Ox’ Kelliher, originally from Ard na Lí in Oakpark.
Bruce’s family were present for the opening ceremony and his brother Graham spoke on their behalf, thanking all involved for the honour bestowed on Bruce in the naming of the park.
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“When we were asked a couple of weeks ago as a family if it was okay to name the park after Bruce, as Ox Park, we were thrilled to bits,” he said.
“Bruce was a gentlemen and was the best of us. He would have been thrilled with this, but it’s not something he would have welcomed as he never sought the limelight.
“He just did his thing, got on with everybody and loved skating. He would be delighted to see it [the skatepark] being used by people of all ages. We’re thrilled as a family,” he said.
Graham Kelliher speaking at the opening of the skatepark named after his brother Bruce. Photo by Dermot Crean
Graham also explained that Bruce acquired the nickname ‘Ox’ after it was discovered he had the same skateboarding style as an American skater, Pete ‘The Ox’ Colpitts.
Speaking at the opening, Mayor Mikey Sheehy acknowledged the campaign over many years by the local Skatepark Community Group for the development a safe and designated space in which skateboarders could pursue their passion.
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“This is a really special day for Tralee,” said Cllr Sheehy “and is testament to the tremendous work done by the community group as well as Kerry County Council, Kerry Education and Training Board and Tralee Sports Complex. It is a wonderful addition to the local community and recreational infrastructure.’
In late 2017, a suitable site for the amenity was identified near Tralee Sports Complex and Tralee Skatepark Community Group applied for and were granted planning permission in April 2018.
Mayor of Tralee Mikey Sheehy, with members of the Kelliher family, cutting the ribbon to open Ox Park on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Funding was provided from the Sports Capital Programme, the Leader Programme and Kerry County Council and work commenced in April 2022. The project was supported by significant local fundraising.
“Many towns and communities around the country would dearly love a fantastic facility like this. The contractors, Bendcrete, have delivered a really top-quality amenity of which they and the project promoters can be immensely proud,” said Cllr Sheehy.
The Kelliher family with Tralee MD councillor at the opening of Ox Park on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
“I would like to acknowledge all the funding partners for this project, including Kerry County Council, Tralee Skatepark Community Group, the Department of Rural and Community Development through NEWKD and the LEADER programme as well as the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media through Sports Capital Funding,” he added.
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“This wonderful amenity belongs to the people of Tralee and the wider county and that is the legacy of all those involved. I hope that the park here will bring great joy and entertainment to young people from Tralee and beyond over the coming years,” said Cllr Sheehy.
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