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Irish Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Tralee ready to bloom this June thanks to 20th Féile na mBláth Park Festival
This year's event will be from Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15 and organisers have promised that this year's outing will be even bigger and better than before. With thanks to Kerry County Council & Tralee Municipal District, organisers have said that entry to this year's festival and its events will once again be free. "Féile na mBláth is one of the real highlights of the year here in Tralee. It's a brilliant celebration of who we are – full of music, craic, colour, and community spirit. The festival is 20 years young and still going strong! I'd encourage everyone to come along, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy all that's on offer in the heart of Tralee town centre,' said Mayor of Tralee Cllr. Mikey Sheehy. The launch of the festival will take place on Friday, June 13 at 1pm followed by the 20th Anniversary Concert. There will be an afternoon of music and food with a 'Moonlight Movie' Outdoor Cinema Night in the town park to celebrate the start of the school holidays. Some of the highlights to look out for at this year's festival include the return of Déise Medieval with over thirty warriors and reenactors with their tented village which will be manned by experienced reenactors from around Ireland. All participants will dress, live, and work in an authentic recreation of Viking life. Authentic cooking is done over the open fire and all the re-enactors are friendly (for the most part!) and very experienced in demonstrations and will present a number of Battles for Tralee during their stay in the Park. Saturday's schedule is jam-packed with a host of activities planned for all the family to get involved with including flower demonstrations by Tralee Flower & Garden Club, and workshops in the Community Gardens. Families will be able to enjoy shows from the Fanzini Brothers, drum circles, and much more. The evening with finish with set and céilí dancing until late in the sponsored Kerry Group Marquee. Sunday morning will kick off with the traditional morning Mass followed by an emergency services display in the afternoon with Kerry Fire and Rescue, Kerry Civil Defence and The Irish Coast Guard set to appear. As if all this wasn't enough, the traditional dog show will take place later on the Sunday afternoon while the centrepiece of Féile na mBláth, the Flower & Garden Club competitions will take place in the flower marquee with the prize giving for this set to take place later on Sunday evening. To check out the full eProgramme, go to or the festival's Facebook or Instagram pages.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Kerry County Council confirms that no section of the South Kerry Greenway will open this year
This will undoubtedly come as a disappointment to many, especially as it had been anticipated a significant amount of work on the project would be completed early this year. Motions were tabled by Cathaoirleach of the Kenmare MD and Fianna Fáil councillor Tommy Cahill and Fine Gael councillor Teddy O'Sullivan-Casey with both asking for Kerry County Council to provide a progress report on the project. In their reply to these motions, the Council confirmed that land acquisition is underway and that negotiations with landowners are progressing well. As well as this, the Council confirmed that construction works are 'well advanced' on a 5km section of the Greenway between Glenbeigh and the N70 road overbridge at Coolnaharragill Upper, adding that fencing, capping, drainage works and accommodation works are progressing well in this area. Works on a further section between Gortnagree and Kells PO (3.5km) are also progressing well, the Council confirmed. The Council also added that advance works contracts for retaining structures and site clearance works at Mountain Stage have been completed and that temporary fencing will commence shortly on the section from Kells Station to Cloghanelinaghan. Ecological monitoring is ongoing while further advance works and surveys are underway. Both Cllr Cahill and Cllr O'Sullivan-Casey said in the meeting that there have been concerns locally in Cahersiveen and further afield about the pace of the project, especially by businesses in the area, some of whom Cllr Cahill said, are hanging by a thread. In addition, Cllr O'Sullivan Casey inquired as to whether the project is experiencing difficulties in regards to the viaduct, near Mountain Stage and Kells. Work on the viaduct was described by Kerry County Council as 'challenging' due to that fact that it is such an old structure that needs to be 'brought up to modern standards.' While confirming that there was no issue involved, there are challenges presented in an engineering perspective. Tender documents for the section between Mountain Stage and Kells PO are currently being finalised and these, the Council said, are expected to published in the third quarter of this year, subject to the necessary approvals. ADVERTISEMENT The Council continued their update on the project by saying that consultants have been appointed to obtain the statutory consent necessary for the section from Renard to Cahersiveen (including northeast of the Valentia Estuary Viaduct). A public consultation outlining the Study Area and Route Options took place back in October 2024 in Cahersiveen and this was well attended. The preferred option for both study areas will be chosen and displayed in the third quarter of the year. The council finished by saying describing the South Kerry Greenway as 'a large infrastructure project' and while as outlined above, there are various sections at different stages of construction, the current project management approach agreed with TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) does not provide for separate phasing of the project that would allow sections to be opened in the near term.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
New EV strategy to expand electric vehicle charging points in Cork and Kerry
The local authorities in Cork county and Kerry have teamed up to plan the delivery of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the south-west. Cork and Kerry County Councils launched a joint public consultation process over the weekend seeking public input into the potential location and type of EV charging points that need to be installed in both counties over the coming years, in a bid to facilitate the move of more people to EVs. The regional strategy is required as part of a national plan for the delivery of four main EV charging categories — home/apartment charging, residential neighbourhood charging, destination charging, and motorway/en-route charging. Cork City Council adopted an EV strategy last year that focuses a lot on home/apartment and residential neighbourhood charging, given the mainly urban nature of the area within its jurisdiction. But given the largely rural nature of the counties of Cork and Kerry, people in the southwest have been asked to consider destination charging, which involves installing charging stations at popular destinations such as shopping centres, hotels, and tourist attractions, and neighbourhood charging, for the county towns, which focuses on providing charging options in residential areas. The two local authorities say public input into the strategy is vital to help shape the future of EV infrastructure in the area, but they have stressed that this is only a strategy — that the actual installation of EV chargers will come later. Mayor of the County of Cork, Joe Carroll, said the strategy will be the first step in developing a network of EV charging stations across both counties. 'This new strategy is intended to support the growing number of EVs on our roads. It is vital that all areas are adequately served and that the chargers can be used by local communities, businesses and the tourists who visit the south-west region,' he said. Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Breandán Fitzgerald, said the new charging network will support the growing number of EVs on our roads. 'The goal of the Cork and Kerry EV Infrastructure Charging Strategy is to establish the principles that will guide the rollout of this infrastructure across the region,' he said. The Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan published by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland earlier this year sets out minimum charging capacity requirements for local authorities in their own geographical area. On-route charging along national roads and travel routes is being supported separately by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The public consultation for the south-west is open until 4pm on June 30 at Read More Transport chiefs seek research firm to come up with ideas to make electric cars more attractive to public
Irish Examiner
28-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Kerry Airport board dismisses call to rename transport hub after Daniel O'Connell
The board of Kerry Airport has rejected a call by Kerry County Council to rename the county's international gateway as 'The Daniel O'Connell Airport' to coincide with the 250th birthday of the Liberator. However, Kerry's widest street could be in line for a name change. The call was made by Killarney councillor John O'Donoghue to mark O'Connell's birthday on August 6. The airport, which is strongly associated with the global company and brand name Kerry, has resisted previous attempts to have the airport called after other key Kerry men including Tom Crean. A board member said the request was considered 'very seriously', but it was decided not to rename the airport. Mr O'Donoghue said he has been contacted by a lot of people about the need to honour O'Connell and 'the suggestion that has repeatedly come up is the possibility of calling Kerry Airport after him'. He said the Kerry brand is very important in itself and naming the airport after O'Connell would not be damaging to the brand or the county's global identity among tourists. Other airports were still widely referred to by their place names, despite being named after local people. HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading 'The airport would still, most likely, be called Kerry Airport in much the same way that Liverpool Airport is rarely called John Lennon Airport. People also say they are flying into Belfast Airport as opposed to George Best Airport,' he said. Street name Meanwhile in an update to Mr O'Donoghue, the council has said only Caherciveen so far is marking the famous Kerry man's anniversary. The largest street in Ireland is called after O'Connell, and there is an O'Connell Street in Limerick and Ennis but no street in Kerry bears his name, meetings have heard. A heritage group in Castleisland is now considering renaming the widest street in Kerry - the main Street in Castleisland - after Daniel O'Connell, it has emerged. They are liaising with Mr O'Donoghue on the issue. A whole process would have to be initiated to effect the name change. Born at Carhan, outside Caherciveen in 1775, O'Connell is regarded as one of of the greatest Europeans of all time, supporting catholic emancipation as well as the abolition of slavery. A lawyer by profession he practiced in the southern circuit and the main courthouse in Tralee contains his portrait. Amid concern his anniversary in August will not be properly marked, John O'Donoghue has pursued separate three motions calling for proper recognition. In the most recent motion, the council said it was liaising with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whose headquarters are based in Killarney - on marking his anniversary. 'Plans around the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Daniel O'Connell's birth is well under way in Caherciveen,' the council said. The programme of events will include a special exhibition and funding for the annual Daniel O'Connell Summer School. This article was funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
The Journal
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
'Turning a blind eye to genocide': Pro-Palestine group protests US congressman's Killarney visit
Mairead Maguire reports from Killarney A GROUP OF around 50 pro-Palestinian protesters held a demonstration at Muckross House in Killarney this afternoon, condemning the county council's hosting of US congressman Richard Neal. Neal was among the members of the US House of Representatives who voted in favour of financially supporting Israel's siege of Gaza. He also supported a controversial antisemitism awareness bill, which critics say only serves to silence pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses. Today's protest was primarily organised by the Kerry branch of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign group, with many attendees being natives of the county. There were six gardaí visibly present at the protest. Demonstrators were some distance from the walls of Muckross House, as they congregated in the sunken garden to the west of it. However, their chants could be heard from nearly a kilometre away. These included: 'Richard Neal, you can't hide. You're supporting genocide.' A sign at the protest Saoirse, an intensive care nurse, said she was there to condemn the targeting of healthcare workers in Gaza, more than 1400 of whom have been killed by Israel's army since October 2023. She said it isn't appropriate for Kerry County Council to welcome Neal. 'Of course, we'll have céad míle fáilte … we're the best at doing that. But we can't sit silent while Kerry County Council hosts Richard Neal today. 'You can't fathom the crimes that are happening … targeting journalists, nurses, doctors. You can't deny it.' A conservative estimate of the death toll so far is above 53,000 people. Advertisement One protester held baby shoes covered in fake blood Saoirse said Ireland is also complicit in the genocide, as it continues to to trade with Israel. She called on the government to pass the long-awaited Occupied Territories Bill, which has been 'sitting on a shelf' since the general election in November. The Bill in its original form would have banned all trade with illegally occupied territories, including illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine. The revised bill is expected to cover goods but not services. Neal, the 76-year-old who represents a rural area of Massachusetts, played an key role in facilitating talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement. For this reason, one protester says his continued support of Israel amounts to 'hypocrisy'. Maria McCarthy, a retailer in Tralee who helped organise today's demonstration, said: 'Obviously the peace process is really important to Northern Ireland, which is still under occupation. 'We're put in a really horrible position by having him here, having him hosted, and having people stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel because of his position.' Neal has a connection to the county. His family on his mother's side came from Ventry, near Dingle. He is among a host of high-profile politicians and businesspeople in town for the Global Economic Summit, which is taking place from Monday 26 May to Wednesday 28 May at the five-star Europe Hotel and Resort just outside Killarney town. Attendees include Taoiseach Micheál Martin, European Commissioner Michael McGrath, and former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, as well as Irish presenters such as Miriam O'Callaghan and Ivan Yates. This year's conference will have panel discussions on issues such as trade, artificial intelligence and renewable energy. There is no mention in the programme of the crisis in Gaza. Muckross House is a Victorian-era country home on Muckross Lake within Killarney National Park. The house is now owned by the State and open to the public during the day. Neal was to be hosted at an event in the house itself, before a dinner with councillors in one of the old farm cottages on the property. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
