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Taking a look back at the some of the news we brought you in September…
Ben Kavanagh
• A FILM produced by a Tralee native and directed by a Dingle-based filmmaker was shown on RTE in September.
‘Blow-Ins’, a feature documentary film directed by Malcolm Willis, and produced by Ben Kavanagh, was shown by the national broadcaster.
Former Mercy Mounthawk student, Ben Kavanagh, is an accomplished director of music video and commercials, and made his feature-film debut as a producer with ‘Blow-Ins’.
• The long wait for the 2,009 Leaving Cert candidates from Kerry finally ended on September 2 when results were issued by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
There were happy scenes at Tralee’s secondary schools as many decided to meet friends to share their news.
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• THE second Dip in the Nip took place on September 3 with around 200 women taking to the sea at Derrymore beach.
The event organised by John and Michaela Edwards of Wild Water Adventures was in aid of Recovery Haven Kerry and Kerry Cancer Support Group.
There was a great atmosphere and an all-female support crew of guards, lifeguards, and marshals were on hand to help the ladies.
• THE Island of Geese site in Tralee town centre opens to the public today for the first time.
The recently completed public realm space which incorporates a contemporary landscaped urban design within the 2.3-acre site has been developed by Kerry County Council.
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy hailed the opening of the public space at the Island of Geese as ‘a very special day for Tralee.’
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• AFTER a two and a half year hiatus, Oíche Chiarraí, the flagship event of the Kerry Association in Dublin, finally took place in The Green Isle Hotel in Dublin in September.
A great crowd was in attendance as well as the Sam Maguire Cup and a fantastic night was had by all.
President of the Kerry Association in Dublin, Michael O’ Regan, presented the Listowel Tidy Towns Committee with the Laochra Chiarraí award on the night while Dr. Patricia Sheahan, was presented with the Kerry Person of the Year award.
• KERRY Cancer Support Group, Kerry Hospice, Recovery Haven Kerry Cancer Support House and Comfort for Chemo Kerry between them shared €121,008, the proceeds from the Radio Kerry Radio Bingo game in the first year.
Following a hiatus of many years, Radio Kerry reintroduced the popular Radio Bingo game in May 2021 at a time when many live events and especially charity fundraisers were on hold due to the Covid19 pandemic.
• GREEN Flag Awards were announced for Tralee Town Park and Tralee Bay Wetlands by An Taisce Environmental Education, acknowledging Ireland’s best public parks and gardens.
Green Flags were also awarded to Killarney House and Gardens, Childers Park & Woodlands in Listowel and Derrynane Historic Park.
Under the Pollination Awards, Tralee Bay Wetlands, were commended also for their ongoing work on Biodiversity. Derrynane Historic Park also received Green Heritage Site Accreditation.
• THE inaugural ‘Automobili Italia Tralee’ car show was a huge success with cars and motorcycles filling the FBD Insurance/Peevers Slye Cotter car park on Dan Spring Road on Friday and Saturday.
Families and car enthusiasts took photos in front of Ferraris, a Maserati, Lamborghinis, many fancy Alfa Romeo models and vintage Lancias which further added a touch of class to the event.
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• KERRY County Councillors approved the sale of a piece of land at the Island of Geese to the Courts Services of Ireland for the purpose of constructing a new Courthouse in a project estimated to cost €22m.
The approval took place at the monthly meeting of Kerry County Council this afternoon. Each of the councillors had a chance to express their viewpoint before the vote. The result was 28 for the sale, four against, with one councillor absent.
• A SPECTACULAR fireshow at the Island of Geese was one of the highlights of Culture Night in Tralee on September 23 as people came out in their droves to enjoy free entertainment all over town.
Kerry County Council’s Arts Office, supported by the Arts Council and the Local Live Performance Scheme 4, and Creative Ireland, helped to co-ordinate over 45 free events, which were very well attended.
• THERE were a number of Tralee businesses among the winners at Radio Kerry’s ‘Best Of Kerry Awards’ announced at an event at the Dúchas Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Centre at the Kerry Sports Academy, Tralee.
Sean Ógs Bar on Bridge Street won Best Pub, while Ballygarry Estate took home two awards for Best Spa (Nadúr) and Best Hotel.
Emma Quirke Hair won Best Hairdresser, Expose Beauty Lounge & Hair Studio in Mounthawk won Best Beauty Salon, and Austin Stacks won Best Jersey. Kingdom Food & Wine Store won Best Sandwich while the Rose of Tralee was named Best Festival.
Meanwhile, Sandy Feet Farm in Camp, owned by Tralee couple Roy Bowler and Eleanor Wall, won Best Family Business and just ‘out the road’, Kate Brownes in Ardfert won Best Restaurant.
• THERE were 170 guests from across the county attending the 25th celebration of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2022.
Twenty Merit Awards, a Group Award, a Special Achievement Award, a Community Safety Award and the Overall Winner Award were presented on the night.
Twenty-one year old Patrick Clifford from Milltown was announced as the Overall Winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2022.
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