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Continuing our review of the year, here’s some of the news we brought you in September…
• In a story on September 1, it was revealed Kerry was the county with the lowest uptake for the COVID vaccine in Munster, according to the Irish Independent.
Data showed 91.4% of adults over 18 had received a first dose of the vaccine as of Sunday, August 22.
Waterford had the highest uptake in Munster — and indeed the country — at 98.5%. Tipperary has an uptake of 96.2%, Limerick is at 94.5%, Cork 94.1% and Clare 93.7%.
Ken Tobin
• Tralee Chamber Alliance announced that Chief Executive Ken Tobin would be stepping down in September from his role.
The Board of Directors thanked Ken for his support and significant contribution since taking on the role for a three-year term in February 2018.
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• The Minster for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, was in Tralee to officially open a new estate in Tralee in early September.
He was joined by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD to perform the official opening of An Carrigín, in Balloonagh, a 28-unit social housing development near Connolly Park, which involved an investment of €5m.
• September was a milestone month for students of all ages in Tralee. It saw junior infants begin their education journey in schools around town, while delayed communions and confirmation ceremonies were also held in the town’s churches.
Meanwhile, Leaving Cert students received their results on September 3 and were offered college places.
• It was revealed the new Tralee Skatepark was experiencing delays due to COVID travel restrictions.
Council management said Tralee Skatepark is fully funded and shovel-ready. However, work had not commenced on site due to restrictions.
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• Kerry GAA selected Stephen Molumphy as the new Kerry Senior Hurling Manager for a two year period (2022/2023).
Stephen Molumphy was captain of the Waterford senior hurling team for 3 years, won 2 Munster championship titles and 1 National League title. He was also awarded an All-Star during his playing career.
• The Tralee Park Run returned to the Town Park on Saturday, September 11 with eager participants meeting old friends after an 18 month break from the weekly event.
“It’s fantastic to see them back. Many people had been asking me about when the Park Run was coming back. It’s so good for mental health as well as physical health, just having a run and meeting friends again” said Siobhan Kearney, one of the organisers.
• Tralee-based company Wazp announced it is to move into the former Borg Warner building in Monavalley and create 20 new jobs.
It’s a €2m investment by the company which will involve the creation of a new 3D printing facility. The 20 new jobs will be created over the next few years in product design, engineering, supply chain, and operations.
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• Around 170 women gathered at Derrymore beach on September 19 for ‘Dip in The Nip Kerry’ in aid of Recovery Haven Cancer Support facility.
The event saw the ladies bare all for a swim in the sea. The event was only open to women – including those who have experienced cancer themselves, those who are supporting a friend or family member on their cancer journey or those who wanted to remember and honour a loved one who they have lost to the disease.
• The Minister for Education Norma Foley T.D. officially announced that a multi-million euro extension haD been approved for St Ita’s and St Joseph’s special school in Tralee.
The extension provides for four new special educational needs classrooms for the school as well as a social skills room.
• Back, after an absence of two years, Ladies Day at Listowel Racecourse saw women from all over the country don some amazing fashions to impress the judges.
Maritess McCarthy from Cork was deemed the best dressed lady on Friday, September 24.
