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Continuing our review of the year, here’s some of the news we brought you in November…
Tralee Chamber CEO Colette O’Connor
• TRALEE Chamber appointed a new Chief Executive.
Colette O’Connor was appointed to the role, replacing Ken Tobin whose term finished at the end of September.
The native of Listowel said; “I am honoured to be taking up the CEO position within the Tralee Chamber Alliance. Tralee I feel is a town that has it all and is already a great town to live in, work in or visit.”
• THE Tralee Flood Relief scheme is to take nine years to complete, councillors were told at the meeting of Tralee Municipal District Council in early November.
In a presentation by RPS Consultants, appointed by Kerry County Council in August 2021, councillors were given the projected timeline for the multi-million euro project.
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Keela Hughes.
• A former student in Mercy Mounthawk won a prestigious scholarship.
Keela Hughes from Tralee, who is now studying Physics and Astrophysics, University College Cork, was one of 36 students in the country to receive a Naughton Scholarship.
It was the second year in a row that a former Mercy Mounthawk student had received the scholarship after Diana Meriakri in 2020.
• Tralee Gardaí began an investigation into an alleged assault incident where a woman was pricked by a needle.
The woman became disorientated after the incident and it was believed a drug was possibly administered to the alleged victim via the needle.
• Tralee once again received the Tidy Towns Gold Medal.
While in 2020 the competition took a break, Tralee had previously received gold for eight years in a row, so in 2021 they took up where 2019 left off. Tralee received 338 points, up eight on 2019’s total.
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• There was good news on the jobs front as pet retailer Maxi Zoo opened its 22nd Irish store and its first Kerry in Tralee with the creation of a further 14 new jobs.
Its new 7,000 square foot store, located in Manor West Retail Park was officially opened to the public on Thursday, November 18.
• MetPro Ltd., announced that it is to expand operations in its facility in Clash, Tralee. The announcement will lead to the creation of approximately 15 new jobs over the next three years.
Established in 1998, MetPro Ltd. specialises in the provision of sustainable solutions based on proprietaryBioCor VCI technology for incorporation into paper and plastic packaging materials in the automotive, engineering, electronics and packaging industries.
• Ireland women’s rugby team captain Ciara Griffin retired from international rugby after the Autumn Test against Japan at the RDS.
The 27-year-old Ballymac woman, who teaches in CBS Primary in Tralee, had captained Ireland since 2018 and won 41 caps.
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• Tralee Town Park and Tralee Bay Wetlands received 2021 Green Flag Awards.
The awards were announced by An Taisce Environmental Education, acknowledging Ireland’s best public parks and gardens. Childers Park & Woodlands in Listowel also received the flag award.
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• It would be an all-Tralee Kerry SFC final after victories by town clubs.
Austin Stacks beat St Brendans in a dramatic semi-final on penalties after playing out a 2-9 to 1-12 draw. Kerins O’Rahillys came from behind to defeat a fancied Dr Crokes side by 0-15 to 0-14.
• A Tralee dentist was the winner of the overall Caring Dentist of the Year Award presented on Saturday night.
Dr Colm O’Loghlen of Bridge Street Dental Practice, Tralee, was also named Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year for Munster.
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• Manor West Retail Park officially announced a range of brand-new dining options for shoppers.
Employing 30 full-time staff, the new food offerings will include Italian food at Ciao Pizzeria, Asian Street food at TOBA, crepes, and waffles from the Crepe House and breakfast, hot meals and treats from Jam Café & Bakery.
• The Christmas lights were turned on on Saturday, November 27.
The Tralee Chamber and Kerry County Council put on a great day of entertainment in the Square and had the town looking beautiful in the run-up to Christmas.
