The weather isn’t going to have us rushing to the beaches this weekend, but there’s other stuff on to help you pass the time…

Friday

1. A celebration of community…

If you’re in the Ballymullen area this evening at around 7pm, you might notice a gathering in Christ The King Park.

It’s all to do with a celebration of the area organised by the Castlemorris, Ballymullen, Murphy’s Terrace and Stephen’s Terrace residents. There’ll be a short blessing followed by light refreshments and in the area are invited to come along.

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2. Championship action…

Austin Stack Park is the venue for Garveys Supervalu Kerry SHC Round 2B action as Crotta O’Neill’s take on Causeway at 7pm.

It’s the first of two games this weekend as  Kilmoyley play St Brendan’s in Round 2A of the competition at 7pm on Saturday night, so it’s a must for hurling fans.

3.  Music of the night…

A wonderful mid-summer gala concert is coming up in St. John’s Church of Ireland, Ashe Street tonight at 8pm. The Light Opera Society of Tralee is putting on this feast of entertainment featuring musical theatre favourites. Admission is €15/€10 at the door or €10 direct from LOST members.

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Saturday

4. Cheer on the Ultras…

The 40 mile Ultra-marathon hosted by the Born to Run Tralee Marathon Club takes off from 7am from the back of  FBD house at Dan Spring Road along the river walk.

It consists of a 4 mile loop, which participants must complete 10 times. It’s a tough endurance race and people are invited to come down and give their support.

5. Goodbye to Fabrik…

With the leaseholders deciding not to renew their interest, Fabrik will close its doors after a final bash on Saturday night.

It’s 80s, 90s and 00s anthems upstairs in the Over 21s room, while downstairs, DJs will be mixing it up for punters on a night where all drinks are discounted. Who knows when the venue will be open again, so it’s your chance to say goodbye with a bang.

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Sunday

6. Family fun times in Abbeydorney…

If you’re not Dublin-bound for the big Kerry match, then this might be something to do.

Abbeydorney GAA are hosting a free Family Fun Day which will take place in Tom Healy Memorial Park from 2pm.

Activities will include Novelty Races, Fun Hurling and Football Games, Penalty Shoot-Out, Bake Sale, BBQ and much more. There’s a table quiz in the clubhouse bar from 5pm where, of course, you can watch all the GAA action on TV.

7. Sunday lunch with the game on…

If you’re not too nervous to eat while watching Kerry, then why not head out for Sunday lunch in one of the town’s great pubs, like Kirby’s Brogue Inn who have a great menu with loads of TVs to catch the action.

It’s pretty quiet around town this weekend, but there’s still a few things to do out and about…

Saturday

1. A birthday party…

Garvey’s Supervalu is celebrating 25 years in Rock Street this weekend and Saturday is family fun day.

Expect to see Kerry footballers, cartoon characters for the kids, a food fair, face-painting, voucher giveaways and much more during the afternoon.

2. Fairy festival…

The Kilflynn Enchanted Fairy Festival kicks off on Saturday evening with a parade in the village and the fun continues on Sunday. For more information, check out their Facebook page here

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3. A night for Tina…

The Half Way Inn in Ballymac is the location for a charity night in aid of teenager Tina McElligott from Kilflynn, who suffers from Alpers disease and has been receiving treatment in Spain.

There will be a barbecue, sheep shearing, shave or dye waxing, and loads more including spot prizes.

Sunday

4. Go for a run/walk…

The 2017 annual Tidy Towns Kilmoyley 5/10K Fun Run will take place at 11am. It’s always a great fun occasion and all are invited.

Registration fee is €15 for the 10K and €10 for the 5K. Registration for Juvenile athletes will be €5.

Refreshments afterwards at The Community Centre, where shower and changing facilities are available.

5. Getting crafty in Fenit…

The Spa/Fenit Hospice Committee is hosting a Midsummer Arts/Crafts Fair at Tralee Bay Sailing Club.

It takes place from 12noon to 6pm and there will be arts, crafts, pottery, baking, cottage flowers, jewellery and photography. Donations are welcome to palliative care.

Another weekend brings much to see and do around town and beyond. Here’s a few suggestions for getting out and about…

Saturday

1. Open days at colleges…

If you’re a parent of a child about to leave primary school, then there are open days going on in two schools this weekend.

Coláiste Gleann Lí are inviting parents to call to their Clash school from 10am to 1pm on Saturday to see and hear about their facilities.

Meanwhile out west, Coláiste Íde near Dingle are similarly looking to show what they can offer students beginning secondary school in 2017 or future years. They have open days on Saturday and Sunday between 12noon and 4pm.

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2. Manor Wellness

Manor West Shopping Centre and Retail Park will host a information exhibition on Saturday, October 15th from 12 to 5pm.

The exhibition aims to inform the local community and visitors to the centre of the organisations, services, sports clubs and the likes that are available right on their doorstep.

An array of information stands will be available in the main shopping centre,giving shoppers the opportunity to gather information and chat to representatives on topics such as wellness, health, fitness as well as education.

The event, which is free of charge, will also shed some light on the support services that are currently available locally to help people stay healthy in body and mind.

3. Have a laugh…

Comedy fans should go see the star of the ‘Republic of Telly’ and ‘Bridget and Eamonn’, Edwin Sammon at his stand up show to Il Forno Restaurant on Courthouse Lane at 8pm.

Edwin Sammon plays Father Gabriel in the Republic of Telly spin-off, Bridget and Eamonn, which has recently shot a second series on RTE. For tickets to the event, call Il Forno on (066) 719 5402.

4. A battle in the Brandon…

Twelve contestants will compete in the Lip Sync Battle in aid of Ballyduff GAA Club in the Brandon Hotel.

Expect a massive north Kerry crowd in the venue for a night of great craic and entertainment with comedian Alan Shortt on MC duties. Tickets at €20 are still available on the doors which open at 7pm with the show starting at 8pm.

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Sunday

5. Na Gaeil’s bid for glory…

Half of Oakpark will be heading over the road to Killarney this weekend to see Na Gaeil contest the Junior Final.

They play Glenbeigh/Glencar in the decider which is the curtain raiser to the senior final where Dr Crokes meet Kenmare District.

We’re sure the Tralee people travelling to watch the games will be behind the boys in green. Best of luck lads.

6. Brendan Grace in The Rose…

Legend of Irish comedy, Brendan Grace, is performing in The Rose Hotel on Sunday.

His new show, ‘It’s A Funny Old World’ sees Brendan espouse the trademark humour which has endeared him to audiences for over 40 years.

It’s sure to be a great evening’s entertainment. Tickets (at €30) are sure to sell quickly, so call The Rose Hotel, on 066-7199100 or get them from ticketmaster.ie by clicking here

It’s a busy weekend for sport, family fun and entertaining fundraisers this weekend. Here’s a few things to get up to…

Friday

1. A minor celebration…

Na Gaeil GAA’s clubhouse in Killeen is the place to be tonight as their Kerry minors bring the cup to the club.

It will be there from 7.30pm onwards. Light refreshments will be served at 9pm and the club’s three Kerry Minors Diarmuid O’Connor, Stefan Okunbor and Ryan O’Neill will be present on the night.

It’s exciting times for Na Gaeil with a Junior Championship final to look forward to so the club should be in celebratory mood.

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Saturday

2.  Big day for the Blues…

Sticking on a GAA theme, Austin Stack Park will welcome a mouth-watering double header of championship action.

Kerins O’Rahillys fans will be hoping their side will have enough to get past favourites Dr Crokes in the opener at 1.30pm, with champions South Kerry and Dingle doing battle at 3.15pm.

3. Lip service at the Earl…

A lucky thirteen contestants will sync their hearts out for a great cause in the Earl of Desmond Hotel from 8.30pm.

Similar to the hugely popular Lip Sync Battle TV show, the participants will battle it out to become the Lip Sing Champion 2016 in aid of Enable Ireland Kerry Services.

The contestants are; Tim Landers, Amy Quirke, Linda Flanagan, Fr Padraig Walsh, Liz Gaynor, Kerry Fleming, James Brennan, Mary T Moynihan, Bridie Courtney, Ger McElligott, Paul O’Sullivan, Ann Eager and Mary Relihan. Tickets at €10 will be available at the door and there’s loads of fantastic spot prizes. Doors open at 8pm.

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4. Home game for Warriors…

Big night basketball returns to Tralee on Saturday night when the Irish TV Tralee Warriors make their home debut against Belfast Star in the Superleague.

They may have lost against champions UCC Demons last week, but expect them to bounce back with a fervent home crowd getting behind them. It has an 8pm start.

Sunday

5. Family fun in Blennerville…

The annual Blennerville Windmill Threshing Festival, which is one of the oldest threshing and vintage cars shows in Kerry takes place on Sunday.

The emphasis is on family fun with Thomas the Tank Engine visiting in partnership with Chernobyl Children International. There’ll be a Thomas the Tank Engine show on their supervised cinema, bouncy castle, flour making in the windmill, dog show and much more.

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6. Rockies on tour…

The Strand Road side of town aren’t the only ones looking forward to championship action this weekend.

Austin Stacks travel to Killarney to take on Kenmare District in the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SFC quarter-final and the black and amber army are expected to decamp en masse to Fitzgerald Stadium.

Hopefully both teams get through and who knows, we might have a local derby to remember by the end of the month!

It’s the weekend and what a weekend! There’s loads to do over the next two days. Here’s a few suggestions…

Saturday

1. On yer bike…

For the energetic among you, Na Gaeil GAA club is holding their annual fundraising cycle. It’s always a fun day out with an 80km route via Castleisland, Abbeyfeale and Listowel and a 40km route via Castleisland.

Registration fee is €20 for adults and €10 for under 18’s. Registration is from 7.30am onwards at the clubhouse in Killeen. Starting time for the cycle is 9.30am.

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2. A bit of culture…

The Kerry Islamic Outreach Society is inviting people to their ‘Fourth Annual Islamic Cultural Exhibition’ in the Brandon Hotel from 11am until 5pm.

There’s a host of host of entertainment and information on the day and topics such as ‘women’s rights in Islam’, ‘Islam and extremism in the context of current political affairs’ and the prophet Muhammad and his message will be explored.

There’s also free gift bags, free henna painting, face painting, having your name written in Arabic calligraphy along information on benefits of fasting and many more.

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3. A family day at Churchill…

A fantastic time for all the family will be had at the ‘Open Day At The Old Forge’ in Churchill with a showcase of many arts and crafts skills from a bygone age.

A farrier  will demonstrate the ancient craft of shoeing horses in one of the few working forges in the country, while other skills on display will include bee-keeping, wildflower display, sugan chair assembly, spinning wheel, firelog making, pottery making and a knot making demonstration.

A vintage car and tractor run, traditional music, song, dance and storytelling, a dog show, a tug of war competition and much more ensures a great day out.

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4. Stacks of fun…

There’ll be dancing and great craic in the Dome when the 12 couples in the Austin Stacks Strictly Come Dancing 2016 take to the floor on Saturday night.

It’s always a brilliant occasion and tickets for the night are available from Garveys Supervalu and Kevin Barry’s Newsagents, Rock Street. Ticket price of €20 includes entry to the Locals Night at The Dome which takes place after the event.

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Sunday

5. Gwan the Kingdom!!!!…

There’s only one thing really happening today and that’s the football.

If you’re not going to Dublin, then why not head out and enjoy Sunday lunch (if you can eat with the nerves!) in one of the great hotels and restaurants around town and (try to) relax while watching the Kerry games in the pub afterwards, where there’s sure to be a great atmosphere when we win…hopefully!

It’s the weekend and there’s a pile of great stuff to get up to over the next two days. From rock concerts to reunions, barbecues to a local GAA derby…

Some enchanted evening…

All roads lead to Kilflynn on Saturday as an open air concert will be held in aid of the local GAA pitch.

Featuring Ryan Sheridan, Q14 and Chapter 2, it looks like the weather will hold to see DJ Brandon Conway get the crowd warmed up from when the gates open at 4.30pm to 6.15pm.

Full Bar Facilities on-site and BBQ all day. Tickets €20 are still available online at the B-Mobile shop in Dominick Street, Tralee and tickets can be bought on the day at the Festival Office in Kilflynn village.

James Ryall Bus Hire are bringing buses out from Tralee and North Kerry.

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Derby day…

If you can drag yourself away from Donegal v Dublin on TV, Saturday evening offers a local cracker in Connolly Park.

Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys do battle in the County League Division 1 tie and both teams need a victory to keep on track for a final place later this year.

It’s bound to be a great game (throw-in 7pm).

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Food and fun in Fenit…

Fenit Lifeboat Station are inviting everyone to their Summer Barbecue fundraiser in the Tralee Bay Sailing Club from 6pm.

Visitors can meet the crew, enjoy the delicious BBQ and  with a bouncy castle for the kids, the grown ups can enjoy live music followed by DJ Manus Leane.

Old Oakpark friends to meet again…

Did you grow up in Oakpark in the 1950s, 60s or 70s? Then head on over to the Meadowlands Hotel on Saturday night for a special reunion of old friends.

The event begins at 7pm but if you want to feast on the barbecue it’s recommended to call the hotel ahead of arrival on 066-7180444.

A vintage time in Abbeydorney…

The village of Abbeydorney is preparing for a great weekend of family fun and vintage cars and tractors.

The annual Vintage Weekend has something for all with events kicking off on Saturday with a vintage car and tractor run at 5.30pm while a barbecue takes place in the vintage field afterwards.

Sunday provides a feast of family fun from 12 noon, with car, tractor and steam engine displays, a dog show at 3pm, fire engine rides throughout the day and a tractor pull at 4pm.

Three charities – Abbeydorney Playground Committee, Kerry Parents and Friends Association and Cystic Fibrosis charity – will also benefit from the events over the two days.

IT’S set to be a fairly dry bank holiday weekend around Tralee, so that gives you no excuse for staying indoors binge-watching series on Netflix. Here’s a few things you can get up to around the place…

1. Go support the Tri-Kingdom Comers

This Saturday sees hardy souls take on the Tri-Kingdom Come Challenge out in Fenit. Why not head out there and watch them swim, cycle and run the route.

There is a Sprint and a Try-a-Try Triathlon.  The Sprint comprises of a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run, all taking place along the stunning Wild Atlantic Way.

The Try a Tri distance will be a 250m swim, 8km cycle and a 2.5km run. Start time is estimated to be 10:30am. Mind you, if you’re thinking of heading to Fenit, road closure will be in place from Clogherbrien Cross to Fenit from 10.15am to 1pm.

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2. Trainspotting in Blennerville

A Model Railway Festival is taking place this Sunday and Monday in Blennerville Windmill Centre. There will be trains and models of all types on display with experts and enthusiasts on hand to fill you in on all things to do with trains. It’ll be great for young and old and there’s also a door prize for one lucky person.

3. Watch lads compete for the ‘Turner Prize’

There should be great craic above in the ITT on Sunday when teams from supermarkets, companies, the gardaí and more compete for the Turner Invititational Cup.

Twelve teams – including Garveys Supervalu, Aldi, the two Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Borg Warner, McDonalds, UHK, Gardaí, Bons, the Ashe Hotel and the ‘Golden Oldies’ – will take part in the tournament  at the ITT North Campus sports grounds in aid of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.

The seven-a-side games will be just eight minutes a side, with teams separated into three groups of four. It’s free entry to see the games (which begin at 10.30am and continue until about 4.30pm) but buckets will be passed around during the day and all contributions are appreciated by the organisers.

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4. Go for a run

The Banna 10k and 5k Road Race and Fun Run takes place on Sunday starting at 9.30am (although the walkers for the 10k will set off at 9am). Online registration at €20 for the 10k and €10 for the 5k can be done by clicking here.

For full details of parking etc. click here 

5. Go out and enjoy yourselves

It’s the weekend dammit! The new Dining In Tralee brochure details all the places in town where you can go for a delicious bite to eat and why not enjoy a tipple or two in our great bars afterwards.

Or why not head out for Sunday lunch in a pub or hotel bar and watch Kerry take on Clare on the box. Make the most of the weekend and support local!

The weekend is almost upon us and if you’re looking to get out and about then there’s a few things on over Saturday and Sunday…

SATURDAY

1. Take a long, long walk…

The annual Jamie Wrenn Walk takes place on Saturday morning from the Aqua Dome. Held in aid of Recovery Haven, the walk to Castlegregory begins at 10am, but there’ll be a few pitstops along the way. It should be great fun and a healthy way to spend the day.

2. Fun times in Tesco…

The staff at Tesco Tralee are hosting a Fancy Dress fun day in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

Staff will be kitted out in a variety of costumes while they host parties at the front of the store with cake sales, face-painting, badge creation stations, balloons and much more.

Tesco and Temple Street are encouraging all customers to bring their kids down to their local Tesco store between 11am – 6pm for what promises to be a great fun-filled day.

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3. Dance on the beach…

The Féile Fáilte free, outdoor, day-long celebration of the dancing body takes place on Banna Beach, made famous by Roger Casement’s ill-fated 1916 landing.

Locals, visitors, young and old are invited to come along to dance performances, an evening ceilí, a sun-down beach disco, musical guests and a midnight spectacle of light to “welcome the stranger”, re-imagining the Ireland that greeted Casement’s coming ashore there as a welcoming body of dynamic inclusivity.

It all begins at 3pm and continues until midnight.  There’s free buses from Tralee too so for more details of the programme, parking and the times of the buses click here

SUNDAY

4. Family fun out in Blennerville…

The annual Kerry Pony Society are hosting the Blennerville Gymkhana the Sunday in a field near the Windmill from 10am to 6pm. Hopefully they’ll get some dry weather for the competitive events, while there’ll be plenty for the young ones to enjoy with bouncy castle and more children’s entertainment. It’s going on all day so look out for the signposts  to get there when you cross the bridge.

5. Derby day…

It’s been a long time since John Mitchels met Austin Stacks in the County League so there should be a good atmosphere on Sunday when they clash at Ballyseedy in the local derby. Throw-in is at 2pm.

6. Go watch the hurling…

There’ll be fierce competition in Austin Stack Park also, with semi-final places at stake when Causeway take on Ballyduff (1.45pm) and Kilmoyley play Lixnaw (3.30pm) in the Garveys Supervalu Kerry SHC quarter-finals. Definitely a day for GAA fans.