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John Griffin (centre) with Rev Jim Stephens, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council Cllr Jim Finucane, John’s son Sean Griffin, his wife Therese, Mayor of Tralee Cllr Johnnie Wall and Fr Tadhg Fitzgerald at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening for his retirement function. Photo by Dermot Crean
TAKE a look around Tralee and you’ll see John Griffin’s imprint everywhere.
The Tourism Officer with Kerry County Council has been associated with the main tourism projects in the town and indeed the county over the past 40 years and it’s now coming to an end with his retirement which was marked with a function at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening.
It was no surprise to see the large gathering of people from all walks of Kerry life gathersed there to mark his departure from the role where he excelled and promoted Kerry so diligently over the decades.
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Tributes were paid from Minister Norma Foley, Moira Murrell, Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Mayor of Tralee, Cllr. Johnnie Wall, Mayor of Tralee, Declan Murphy, Manager, Failte Ireland, and John’s close friend the current of Mayor, Cllr. Jim Finunace.
Mike Scannell, former Tralee Town Clerk, acted as MC for the occasion as his public service career, spanning 40 years with Tralee Town Council and Kerry County Council, was recalled.
John Griffin with his wife Therese and son Sean at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
John has been associated with the development of some of the county’s most iconic visitor attractions including Blennerville Windmill and Steam Railway, Restoration of Ardfert Cathedral, Kerry County Museum and Geraldine Experience, the Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship Project, Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, Tralee Rose Memorial and Rose Wall, Kerry GAA Memorial and most recently the Valentia Transatlantic Cable Project. He was director of The Gathering in Kerry and the roll-out of the Wild Atlantic Way.
The role he played in bringing Neil Armstrong and Sir Edmund Hillary to Tralee was also recalled by speakers.
John expressed his sincere thanks to his council colleagues, public representatives, members of the Tralee and wider Kerry Tourism industry and friends for their kind words and support and patience with him over the years.
He was joined by his wife Therese, whom he described as his “rock”, and his son Sean who is based in London.
There were also warm words for his 101 year old mother Nell who lives in Moyderwell and son Michael who resides in Melbourne.
The town and county owes John a debt for his service over the years and he will be sorely missed. Scroll down for photos…
John Griffin with guests at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening for his retirement function. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Helen O’Connor Barry and Jean Foley at the Lakeside Cafe at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Nora Teahon and Paul Dolan at the Lakeside Cafe at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Mary Morrissey and Martina Kerins at the Lakeside Cafe at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Martina Canty, Declan Murphy and Caroline Boland at the Lakeside Cafe at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Sharon O’Keeffe, Mary Kennelly and Sandra Leahy at the Lakeside Cafe at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Noreen O’Mahony and Patricia Greaney at the Lakeside Cafe at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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John Commane, Pat Hussey and Michael Scannell at the Lakeside Cafe at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Don Nolan, Kathleen Browne and Patricia Nolan at the Lakeside Cafe at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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