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Continuing our review of stories we brought you in 2019, here’s the news from September…
• IT took two attempts but Dublin achieved their five in a row of All-Ireland titles in September by beating Kerry.
The first encounter was thrilling with Kerry coming back late to almost pip the Dubs. But a draw it was and the replay was a different game with Dublin’s guile and clinical finishing put paid to our hopes. We’ll be back!
• THE Council is to look into extending the walkway from Cockleshell beach to the Spa.
A tarmacadamed walkway was recently constructed linking the car park at the Lock Gates to Cockleshell and it had been a huge success over the summer.
At the Tralee Municipal District meeting, Cllr Terry O’Brien had a motion that the Council would immediately look to continuing the walk from Cockleshell over to the Spa. The Council said it is supportive of this proposal, but a requirement to negotiate with landowners to facilitate the development funding would be needed.
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• A TRALEE swimmer became the first Kerry woman to swim the English channel on September 10.
Elaine Burrows Dillane completed her incredible feat just after 8pm that evening, She set off from Kent in England in the morning, accompanied by ‘The Optimist’ boat with her supporters, with the aim of reaching France. Just before 8pm a post on the event’s facebook page simply read; “She has landed!”
• TRALEE was celebrating being awarded the Purple Flag for the third time in September.
Tralee is one of over 70 large towns and cities across the UK and Ireland who have been awarded with Purple Flag status for their achievements in helping people to have a great night out.
The Purple Flag is similar to the Blue Flag for Beaches and the Green Flag for parks and green spaces, in that the Purple Flag quickly allows members of the public and visitors to quickly identify town and city centres that offer an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable night out.
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• THERE was tragic news on Sunday, September 15 when a fatal road traffic collision occurred at Aughacasla, Castlegregory.
A male pedestrian, aged in his 50s, was fatally injured when he was struck by a car. The driver of the car, a man in his mid 20s was not injured and a female passenger (mid 20s) received minor injuries and was removed to Kerry University Hospital for treatment.
• TRALEE Gardaí (aided by police dog Rex) discovered drugs, cash and an imitation firearm during two searches in Tralee on September 17.
Around 4 kg Cannabis Herb valued at approx €80,000, 250g Cannabis Resin valued at approx €2,000, €1,400 cash, an Imitation Firearm and Drugs Paraphernalia were seized at residences in the Mitchels Square area. A male in his 40’s has been arrested and later charged.
• ANOTHER Kerry GAA great was inducted into the GAA Museum Hall of Fame in Croke Park in September.
Ogie Moran, winner of eight senior All-Ireland medals with Kerry, was joined by five other players receiving the honour for the period covering 1985 to 1989.
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• PROTESTS took place all over the world on September 20 to highlight the issue of climate change and to call on Governments to act now.
In Tralee, students gathered at Kerry County Council buildings in Rathass, while later there was a protest in The Square organised by the Kerry Climate Action Network (KCAN).
This is made up environmental organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals from all over Kerry, including the Green Party and People Before Profit members, Transition Kerry and others.
• TRALEE ladies met pop superstar Ariana Grande in a Dublin restaurant and she couldn’t have been nicer.
Tim Lynch from Tralee was with his two daughters Sinead and Dearbhla and their friend Jenny O’Donnell, in Marco Pierre White’s Courtyard restaurant in Donnybrook and the eagle-eyed Chairman of Na Gaeil GAA club spotted the pop star having dinner.
Sinead and Jenny went over to her table and the pop star happily posed for a photo and chatted to the girls. She then told the ladies that she would put them on the guest list for her Sunday show in the 3Arena and sent a cake over to their table at the restaurant.
• TRALEE once again retained its Tidy Towns Gold Medal for the eighth year in a row. It received 331 points, up eight on last year’s total.
It was a testament to the great work being carried out by the local Tidy Towns group in Tralee, Team Bramble, Kerry County Council and local community groups.
Joe Moynihan of Tidy Tralee Together wished to thank everyone involved in the Tidy Towns effort, all the voluntary groups and especially Kerry County Council for their co-operation over the past year.
