.A plaque will be unveiled a the site of the old St Joseph’s Industrial School opposite the entrance to Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on the Caherslee Road.
THE Mayor of Tralee and the elected members of Tralee Municipal District will be unveil a plaque to mark the location of St. Joseph’s Industrial School, Tralee at a ceremony this weekend.
The plaque will be unveiled by Mayor Terry O’Brien on Saturday, May 4 at 10.30am on the boundary wall of Holy Family School on the Caherslee Road (opposite the entrance to Balloonagh Primary School).
The memorial plaque follows agreement between the elected members of Tralee MD that the site of the Industrial School be acknowledged and identified in this way.
KERRY County Council has published detailed information on its website in relation to the forthcoming elections to Kerry County Council. Elections for the six Local Electoral Areas in Kerry will be held on Friday, June 7.
Information about key dates, the Register of Electors, the nomination process for candidates and other relevant information is provided to ensure that voters and election candidates are fully informed about all aspects of the election process.
Eligible electors who are not registered to vote must do so before Monday, May 20. Those wishing to be included on the Postal Voters List or the Special Voters List must register by Saturday, 11 May.
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The Council operates a Freephone Number for any queries about the Register of Electors which can be contacted on 1800 245 380 during office hours.
The period during which candidates can submit their nomination papers is Saturday, 11 May and Saturday, 18 May. Arrangements for the receipt of nominations will be made with individual candidates and the political parties by the Kerry County Council Returning Officer, Martin O’Donoghue.
The Council webpages on the local elections also includes important information for candidates about legislation dealing with election expenditure, data protection, and election posters. For example, election posters cannot be erected before 8 May and must be removed within seven days of polling.
This site will continue to be updated with further information about the local elections in the coming weeks, including a full list of candidates in each of the six Local Electoral Areas following the close of nominations.
Members of the public can also keep up to date via the Kerry County Council social media channels on X, Instagram and Facebook.
.Launching this year’s Tralee Food Festival which takes place from May 19-21, were Festival Directors Ken Murphy and Oliver Hurley with organising committee members Ken Tobin and John McCarthy at the Island of Geese. Photo by Dermot Crean
AFTER the resounding success of the 2023 Tralee Food Festival, this year’s exciting event will take place from Friday to Sunday, May 17-19.
The organising committee comprising Ken Tobin, John Mc Carthy and Mary Mc Quinn along with festival directors Oliver Hurley and Ken Murphy is gearing up for an action-packed weekend.
The committee’s second year at the helm, the group hopes to build on the success of last year’s achievements and elevate the festival for both locals and visitors to the town of Tralee.
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The 2023 festival highlighted the Island of Geese, Domnick Street and the Square areas of the town with exciting additions of the Abbey Car Park and Garvey’s Indoor Market being added this year.
The newly named area ‘Sound Bite’, located in the Abbey Car Park will focus on food trucks and live music showcasing a variety of local music and entertainment until 10pm on the Friday and Saturday night.
Local artists and bands such as Noel McAuliffe & Shane Murphy, the renowned Killarney Pianoman Jack Patrick Healy, Aftershock the Band and Tralee Musical Society all hope to rock the Sound Bite stage over the weekend.
“We are delighted to introduce a new zone to the festival programme this year, we feel that ‘Sound Bite’ will give visitors another area to catch up with friends, grab a bite, have a dance and enjoy local talent at its finest” said Ken Tobin, Tralee Food Festival.
Garvey’s Indoor Market will showcase delicious samples of fresh local produce as well as a BBQ Demo from Award Winning Chef Mark Doe who promises to get you BBQ ready for summer!
This year’s festival itinerary incorporates a World of Food Section, Kids Zone, Workshops, Demonstrations, Food Trucks, Market Traders, Live Music, an amazing Taste Trail as well as a ‘Celebrity Cook Off’.
Tralee Food Festival Committee Member Mary Mc Quinn said; “It was crucial for us to retain what people enjoyed about the festival last year and expand on that this year. In line with our commitment to supporting local businesses and promoting sustainable practices all of our workshops and demonstrations will be offered free of charge.
“We believe it’s important that local businesses have the opportunity to tell their story, showcase their produce and ultimately gain new customers. It all feeds back into the circular economy, reducing our carbon footprint while looking after our local businesses. At this point we would also like to say a huge thank you to our sponsors, without them this festival would not be possible.”
Sponsors include: Cara Credit Union, Calor, John Lane & Sons, Kerry County Council, Lee Strand, Garvey’s Super Valu, Yummy Cafe, John Doughs, Rural Food Skillnet, O’Shea Insurance Brokers, Higgins Waste & Recycling Services, The Ashe Hotel, ef Signs, Total Cleaning Supplies, Clifford’s Cash & Carry, Convivium, McCaffrey’s, The Brand Geeks, The Rose Hotel & Mike Williams IT Support.
For a full programme of events and more information on this year’s Tralee Food Festival visit www.traleefoodfestival.com and follow on Instagram, Facebook & X.
THE draw has been made for the group stages of the All-Ireland series.
Should Kerry win the Munster final against Clare this weekend, they will face Monaghan, Meath and the runners-up of the Leinster Final, Dublin or Louth.
Should Kerry lose to Clare, they will be in a group with Tyrone, Cork and the winners of the Ulster final, Donegal or Armagh.
GAA president Jarlath Burns and director of games administration Feargal McGill made the draw which was broadcast live on GAA.ie and their social channels this afternoon.
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The 16 participating counties for the All-Ireland series were drawn into four separate groups. Teams were seeded based on Championship and League performance and each group features four teams.
Round 1 games involving the Munster finalists Kerry and Clare will be played on the weekend of May 18/19. Round 2 games will be played on the June Bank Holiday weekend and Round 3 on weekend of June 15/16.
Full fixture details will be confirmed by the C.C.C.C in due course, but Kerry’s first game will be a home one.
.The team at Ballygarry Estate And Spa celebrate their Top 10 ranking.
BALLYGARRY Estate Hotel and Spa has been ranked in the Top 10 hotels in Ireland 2024 on the most recent TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Awards.
The famous hotel and spa was ranked at number 9, joining fellow Kerry hoteliers Muckross Park Hotel and The Killarney Park Hotel on the prestigious Top 10 listing.
The annual Travellers’ Choice Awards are eagerly awaited each year by the hospitality industry owing to the fact that they are determined based on millions of reviews and opinions collected globally on TripAdvisor over the past year.
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“We are truly honoured to be ranked within the Top 10 Travellers’ Choice Awards and recognised on a national level,” said Padraig McGillicuddy, Proprietor Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa.
“It is a great credit to our dedicated team who specialise in delivering a seamless and unforgettable experiences to each of our guests,” he added.
The Top 10 Hotels in Ireland are;
1. The Merrion Hotel
2. The Killarney Park Hotel
3. Harvey’s Point
4. Adare Manor
5. The Mont, Dublin
6. Dromoland Castle
7. Hayfield Manor
8. Muckross Park Hotel
9. Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa
10. Hyatt Centric the Liberties Dublin
.At the launch of the charity walk were, from left; David McCarty of AADI, Kieran Corcoran of Corcoran’s Furniture and Carpets; James O’Donoghue, Shane O’Callaghan and Mikayla Corcoran. Photo: Drew Dineen
FORMER Kerry footballer James O’ Donoghue has formally launched Corcoran’s Furniture and Carpets charity walk in aid of Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI).
The event will take place on Saturday, June 8 through the iconic Gap of Dunloe. Killarney AADI family, Darragh Cattigan, his mum, Áine, and star of the show, Darragh’s super-hero dog, Buzz, also attended the launch in support of the walk.
A key feature of the launch included a talk from the Head of AADI Fundraising, David McCarthy, and he discussed the positive impact that corporate fundraising has on the charity.
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Speaking at the launch, Kerry All Ireland medallist, James O’ Donoghue said: ‘I am thrilled to be supporting the Corcoran’s charity walk in aid of AADI, and I am looking forward to taking part on the day. AADI is a wonderful charity that makes a genuine difference to children with Autism and their families.”
Áine Cattigan spoke about the importance of their AADI dog Buzz, and the difference that Buzz has made to their family
“We as a family feel beyond grateful that Buzz has come into our lives,” she said. “It is hard to put into words the difference that our phenomenal Autism assistance dog has made to us. When we go out in public, we are now safe in the knowledge that Buzz will help to keep Darragh away from harm.
“As they are joined by a lead tied around Darragh’s waist, Buzz prevents him from potentially bolting into ongoing traffic, or from running off. Buzz also helps to keep Darragh calm, and they have a genuine bond that is a joy to behold.
“As Darragh’s mother, I am now able to go on outings with just the two of us without worrying, this allows my husband and my other sons to enjoy valuable family time together also. Buzz has changed our entire world; we are forever grateful for him, and we are delighted to support Corcoran’s charity walk for AADI in any way that we can.”
The aim of Corcoran’s Gap of Dunloe walk is to raise as much funds as possible for AADI, hence, the walk is open to the public, with a minimum fundraising target of €100 per person (this includes the cost of the boat trip and lunch).
The event is pre-booking only, and Corcoran’s would love people of all ages to sign up and join this exciting day out for a truly worthy cause.
Registration on the day of the walk, for those who have pre-booked, will commence at 9.30am on Saturday, 8 June at Ross Castle, Killarney.
The boats will depart at 10.30am, taking all participants on an hour-long journey through the stunning lakes of Killarney. This will be followed by an 11K walk (approximately 2.5 – 3 hours) from Lord Brandon’s Cottage to Kate Kearny’s cottage, where lunch will be served upon completion of the walk.
Corcoran’s Furniture will provide a complimentary bus service back to Ross Castle for all those participating in the fundraising event. All funds raised will go directly towards the training of an assistance dog, which will change a child’s life as well as the lives of their loved ones.
MTU welcomed over 120 stakeholders to the Kerry North Campus last Friday for the ‘Connect with MTU’ event.
This event was an opportunity for anyone to connect with the university. Companies, start-ups, businesses, entrepreneurs, community groups and the general public were invited to visit the campus from 8.30am to 11.00am.
According to Anne Looney, External Services Manager, Kerry the event was a great success. “This is the first year we held this event, and we were delighted with the reaction. We host many Open Days throughout the year which are very much focused on CAO applicants. This event provided an opportunity for us to engage with our wider stakeholder groups”.
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“Companies looking for research support to bring innovation into their business could meet our Research Centres, Clusters and Technology Gateways. Our lifelong department was there to guide potential applicants through the courses on offer or talk to companies about upskilling their staff. Kerry Sports Academy provided tours of the facilities and offered fitness testing on the day. The morning provided a great occasion to network and meet our partners such Kerry County Council, SkillNet and Tech Industry Alliance”.
For anyone who missed the day and would like to connect with the university please contact Anne Looney at anne.looney@mtu.ie. Scroll down for photos…
STUDENTS from three schools in Tralee have been shortlisted for the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards, due to take place on May 9 in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
The students will join finalists from three other Kerry schools and 15 other counties who have reached the final of the prestigious awards for their social innovation projects across categories including, ‘Planet Protectors’, ‘Push Back on Poverty’ and ‘Make our World a Safer Place’.
The Kerry schools travelling to the Aviva Stadium from Kerry include Castleisland Community College, Presentation Secondary School, Tralee, St. Brendan’s College, Killarney, C.B.S. Secondary School, Tralee, Killorglin Community College and Mercy Secondary School, Tralee.
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The CBS The Green project is ‘Cost of Living Crisis’, shortlisted in the Push Back on Poverty Award category. Mercy Mounthawk students have two projects — ‘Sunny Souls’ in the Open and Equal Communities Award category and ‘Measure Your Pressure’, shortlisted in the Virgin Media Digital Innovators Award category.
Presentation Secondary School Tralee students have Mental Health Awareness, shortlisted in the Healthy Connections Award category.
The YSI awards, now in their twenty-third year, celebrate excellence in youth-led social innovation nationwide and over forty teams successfully pitched to a panel of expert judges to earn a place on the 2024 shortlist.
PEIL FAOI 7/8/9: Our Under 7/8/9 outdoor academy was a great success last Sunday i gCathair Sailí! The 3rd outdoor session of ‘24 will take place Caherslee at 11am on Sunday next (5th May). Come along, boys, and enjoy another great Sunday morning football session. Fáilte roimh chách!
PEIL FAOI 11: (i) Brilliant U11 GoGames football was played on Thursday last v Ballymac. Well done, all! We look forward to another interesting outing on Thursday next at 6.30pm. Expect text! (ii) We’re all eagerly looking forward to our annual trip to Kilmacud, Dublin, on the 12thMay. (iii) And Football-For-Fun will continue at 10.50am on Sunday next (5ú Bealtaine) in Caherslee. Last Sunday’s session was very much enjoyed by all.
FAOI 13: Our boys are enjoying their County League matches. All are looking forward to our next game. Expect text. Training will take place on Tuesday night at the MTU.
IOMÁNAÍOCHT FAOI 15: ‘Well done’ to two U15 Rock boys, Ben Litchfield and Haulie Cotter, who hurled v Ballyheigue and won the Division 1 U15 Féile final. They’ve booked their place in the National Féile finals in Wexford. Go n-éirí go geal leo!
PEIL FAOI 15: (i) County League Division 9B…AdeS B: 5-8; Ardfert B: 2-4. Congratulations to our U15B team on qualifying for a County League semi-final after another fine victory. The game was played in Ardfert on Sunday last (28th). The match had many of the hallmarks of the last outing (sa Ghaeltacht), a game in which our boys had control throughout and moved up the gears in the second half as required and were comfortable in their play and were deserving winners.
Thanks to Ardfert for arranging the match at short notice and thanks to the referee for his handling of the game. ‘Well done’ to our match captain, Seán, and to all the boys who gave of their ‘almighty best.’ That was another excellent team performance. Bhí spiorad agus anam sna himreoirí. ‘Well done’ to the returning Alex O’Flaherty who is a great addition to the squad. The Rock Player of the Match: Diarmuid Hennessy who was a colossus in defence.
(ii) The final group game was played on Monday last (29th) in Connolly Park v Ballymac. Well done, boys! The U15Bs: Alex O’Flaherty, Conor Hanafin, Conor Murphy, David Ahern (1-3), Dean Courtney, Diarmuid Hennessy, Ediart Topali, Eliot Calleja (0-1), Ewan Canty, Fionn Cotter, Jaden Kareem, Jayden O’Dowd, Joe Barry (2-3), Kyle Yoxhall (2-1), Liam Swords, Mark Foley, Nathan O’Connor, Oisín Cotter, Seán McCannon, Tadhg Somers, Tom Dawson. We are now unbeaten after 4 rounds of the County League Division 9B. An Charraig Abú! (Ger Hobbert)
GAELTACHT SCHOLARSHIP: Like to improve your Irish in the West Kerry Gaeltacht? Please contact the secretary of Bord Thrá Lí (GAA) to apply for a Gaeltacht Scholarship.
AN GAELCHOLÁISTE: Comhghairdeachas ó chroí le peileadóirí ban GCC. D’éirigh leis an bhfoireann shinsearach peile, le Stacaigh Ellen Ní Luasaigh agus Emer Ní Dhuilleáin ar bord, buachaint ar An Port Nua/Tulach Sheasta/Newport, Contae Thiobraid Árann, i gcluiche leathcheannais na Mumhan. Bhuaigh siad le farasbarr de 6-0 (9-6 go 3-6). Éacht agus mórghaisce gan aon agó…ar aghaidh leo anois go cluiche ceannais na Mumhan (dáta le deimhniú)! (Dáithí Ó Loinsigh)
PEIL FAOI 17: Our minors have two games played in the Central League. Our 1st outing was against Churchill at home in Connolly Park with a very young team. Though unsuccessful on the scoreboard, they put up a great show against older players and one couldn’t fault their brave efforts.
Our 2nd minor game was against a strong Ballymac team and, again, we were on the wrong side of the result. However, lining out with 11 minors in their first year is a daunting task but it is a great learning experience for them. Taithí a dhéanann máistreacht.
We played our 3rd match on Monday last v Laune Ranger ar an bPoc (i gCill Orglan). Painéal na Carraige: Leon Sweeney; Gabriel Maszorek, Max Maszorek, Rian Walsh; Ben Litchfield, Fionnán Ryan, Adam Johnston; Alex Touhy, Liam O’Connell; Harry Murphy, Cormac Bastible, Jack Diggin; Tomás O’Connell, Ben Murphy, Rory Lynch; Jack Shanahan, Tadhg Falvey, Darragh Lyons. An bhainistíocht: Theo Ó Duigín, David Courtney, Ronan Kavanagh, Liam Lynch, Frankie Murphy. (Theo Ó Duigín)
CLUB MERCHANDISE: Club merchandise from O’Neills. Log into www.austinstacks.ie
THANKS: Thanks to all club lotto supporters and especially to: (i) PC Books, Sráid na Carraige; (ii) O’Flynn Interiors, Sráid na Carraige; (iii) Hussey’s Deli and Newsagency, Cé an Phrionsa; (iv) The Burger Shack, Móin an Bhealaigh; (v) The Brogue, Sráid na Carraige, (vi) Siopa Chaoimhín de Barra, Ollmhargadh Grósaera na Carraige.
IMREOIRÍ SINSEARACHA CHIARRAÍ: Good wishes to Joe, Dylan, Armin, (Joey) and Kerry in Cusack Park v Clare, ‘well done’ to Aoife Ní Dhuilleáin agus Mná na Ríochta v Corcaigh and ‘well done’ to the senior hurlers v Down in the Joe McDonagh Cup competition.
CIARRAÍ FAOI 20: ‘Well done’ to Michael Tansley (cúl báire), Daniel Kirby (12), Paddy Lane and their Kerry colleagues v Cork in the Munster Final on Wednesday (Lá Bealtaine).
CIARRAÍ FAOI 17: ‘Well done’ to Wayne and his Kerry minors v Cork on Tuesday last. The Rock boys on the panel: Ben Ó Murchú (8)(captain), Fionnán Ó Riain (2), Rónán Ó Cearúill (14), Gavin Ó Cathasaigh (19), (Ryan Ó Drisceoil).
.The Kerry Camino committee who gathered at The Meadowlands Hotel last night making final preparations for this weekend’s event. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
IT’S all systems go as the annual Kerry Camino is set to take place this May Bank Holiday Weekend.
Walking in the footsteps of St. Brendan along the Dingle Way – Kerry Camino is not just a great idea to encourage walking tourism, but is reviving Kerry’s links with pilgrims of the past.
The guided walk is held annually over three days of the May Bank Holiday Weekend. Friday sees walkers going from Tralee to Camp, on Saturday it’s Camp to Annascaul and Sunday sees walkers travel from Annascaul to Dingle.
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Registration and gathering of walkers will be at 8.30am on Friday morning at St. John’s carpark, Castle Street, Tralee with a welcome and blessing of participants by St. Johns Church Parish Priest, Fr. Tadhg Fitzgerald (or his representative.) The walk will depart at 9 a.m.
Over the days, walkers pass through rugged mountainous and coastal scenery, through towns and villages, with stations along the way where logbooks can be stamped until reaching the final destination at the Spanish built Church of St. James in Dingle and receive the Kerry Camino Certificate of Completion.
In times past, Kerry pilgrims set off for La Coruna in Northern Spain from St. James Church in Dingle, others from St. James Gate in Dublin and other locations.
The Kerry Camino first took place in June 2012. Numbers have been increasing steadily since then, to present day numbers of 250 and more.
A certain level of fitness is required for this 3-day event, with appropriate footwear, clothing, snacks and drinks. Each day’s walking is approx. 6-7 hours. Transport and luggage transfer is provided if required by participants.
There will be refreshments and entertainment for the group at the end of each day’s walking at the Railway Tavern in Camp; Hanafin’s in Annascaul and Paul Geaney’s in Dingle.
Additional information about Kerry Camino can be found by contacting them via email or on our website/facebook pages: Email: info@kerrycamino.com Website: www.kerrycamino.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/KerryCamino
.Sinn Féin candidates in the upcoming Local Elections in Kerry with Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly and Director of Elections Martin Ferris at the Rose Hotel last night.
SINN Féin officially launched its local election campaign in Kerry last night at an event held in the Rose Hotel in Tralee.
Sinn Féín is running 13 candidates across the six local electoral areas in the county. They are running four candidates in the Tralee Electoral Area — Paddy Kevane, Deirdre Ferris, Cathal Foley and Paul Daly.
Launching their campaign Kerry TD Pa Daly told the audience: “If you want change, you have to vote for it in the council elections, in the EU election and in the General Election when it comes.”
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“The number of candidates that Sinn Féin are running in the local elections here in Kerry is testament to our ambition to deliver positive change in every area.”
“We want councils to deliver for communities on housing, on planning and on delivering better local services.
“We are determined to elect the strongest possible team of Sinn Féin councillors to hopefully work with a Sinn Féin led government after the next general election delivering the largest social and affordable home building programme in the history of the state.”
THE 2024 Kerry Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) Student Awards Ceremony was held in Killarney recently, giving recognition for exceptional student accomplishments and displaying the dedication and talent of Kerry ETB’s young students and learners from across their schools and Youthreach centres.
In a night filled with applause and pride, Kerry ETB presented awards to 64 students and learners, spanning 13 distinct categories.
Among these were recognition for outstanding academic excellence, exceptional character, participation in school life, and remarkable sporting achievement.
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The ceremony, held to honour achievements during the last academic year, illuminated the hard work and commitment of the students and leaners.
Aliza Gul, recipient of one of the Transition Year Achievement Award winners, expressed her thoughts on the achievement. “Receiving this award is not just about recognition, it’s a testament to the power of dedication and the belief that every effort, no matter the size, contributes to something greater,” she remarked.
Gratitude towards the dedicated staff comprising over 1300 individuals across the county was highlighted by the management.
From directors to teachers, their unwavering commitment to the students’ success was acknowledged with heartfelt appreciation.
The support network extending beyond the school gates was also recognised. Boards of Management, Student and Parents’ Councils, and the Kerry ETB Board were lauded for their tireless efforts in ensuring the delivery of high-quality educational opportunities tailored to meet the diverse needs of Kerry ETB’s students and learners.
Sporting Excellence Award recipient Joseph Lovett who was one of four in this category shared his thoughts about what sport has done or him.
“Sports taught me more than just winning, it has taught me the value of teamwork and perseverance. This award motivates me to continue pushing and striving for greatness.”
Receiving one of the Gold Medal Award for the best overall academic results Lauren O’Sullivan said; “this award is not just a recognition of my academic achievements, but also a reflection of the passion and dedication I have for learning. From an early age, I have been fascinated by math, science, and engineering, and to see my efforts being acknowledged is incredibly rewarding.”
The Kerry ETB Student Awards Ceremony stood as a testament to the remarkable talent and potential nurtured within the ETB’s schools, centres and campuses promising a brighter future for all students and learners.
KERRY County Council has published detailed information on its website in relation to the forthcoming elections to Kerry County Council. Elections for the six Local Electoral Areas in Kerry will be held on Friday, June 7.
THE draw has been made for the group stages of the All-Ireland series.
STUDENTS from three schools in Tralee have been shortlisted for the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards, due to take place on May 9 in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
