Latest news with #KerryCountyMuseum
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
One of Kerry's earliest post-independence structures set for revamp
The Ashe Memorial Hall, located at the foot of Denny Street, is an iconic structure and visually impressive building dating to the 1920s. The building was one of the earliest post-independence projects to take place in Tralee and was named after Irish patriot Thomas Ashe. Building works commenced in 1924 and were completed in 1928. The proposed works were agreed on by Tralee Municipal District councillors at a meeting in July following a period of public consultation that expired in May. Among the improvements will be provision for a roof garden with glazed circulation area including lift and stairs access and solar PV panels. The adaptation of existing mansard roof attic space into a new museum space with central rooflight overhead is also being considered. Restoration of the existing original windows throughout the building will take place, including consolidation and repointing of stonework, roof restoration and conservation of existing railings. Improvement of accessibility to the building with the addition of universally accessible toilets and 'changing places' toilet will feature, as will the addition of an external accessible ramp at the front of the building. The Ashe Hall, which is a protected structure, currently accommodates the Kerry County Museum, some Kerry County Council offices, the Rose of Tralee offices and a seasonal Tourist Information Office. Kerry County Council secured funding for the works through the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme co-funded through the Government and the European Union. Among the proposals arising from the public consultation are the addition of a sensory room, a space to enhance bicycle parking in the town centre, and the incorporation of the New European Bauhaus principles as part of the Ashe Memorial Hall works.
Irish Independent
12-06-2025
- Science
- Irish Independent
Kerry exhibition to show how old maps could help to restore Ireland's boglands
The temporary exhibition is part of the RePEAT (Rediscovering Ireland's Peatlands in Precarious Times) project, which seeks to identify ways to reduce the management intensity of peatlands. It has been running since Monday, June 10 and will be officially launched on Thursday, June 12 at 7pm. The launch will feature presentations from researchers and a Q&A session. The display demonstrates RePEAT's use and interpretation of the maps and reports of the early 19th century Bogs Commission and contemporary satellite and land use data. The Bogs Commission maps were created to enable the drainage of Ireland's peatlands to expand farming or industry. However, RePEAT scholars have used the maps to model the extent of peatlands in Ireland before drainage was carried out. The digitisation of the Bogs Commission maps, said to be 'astonishingly accurate', have been used alongside land-use data to help identify present-day agricultural areas located on peat soils. This will allow discussion to take place on possible avenues for restoration of the peatlands. Kerry-based artist Karen Hendy's work exploring changes within the natural environment is also on show at the exhibition. The RePEAT exhibition will run at Kerry County Museum until June 29. Those interested in finding out more can contact education@
Extra.ie
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Hollywood A-lister secretly jets to Ireland - and is spotted in Kerry
A Hollywood A-lister has jetted into Ireland for a break away with their family as they take in the sights of the Wild Atlantic Way. The star, 70, has starred in hits such as Happy Gilmore, Grease and American Pie – and will reprise his role later this year in the highly-anticipated Happy Gilmore 2. Christopher McDonald was spotted in Kerry as part of his trip to Ireland, and popped into the Kerry County Museum, where he posed for a selfie with fans. Christopher posing for a selfie with staff at the museum. Pic: Kerry County Museum Sandra Leahy and Hazel Ramsay, who work at the museum, clocked the actor who tried to keep a low profile, and asked him for a picture. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Hazel explained: 'He and his family, they're visiting Ireland at the moment and I think they're just travelling all along the Wild Atlantic Way He just came in the door here and we were like 'we know his face' and we asked him for a photo. 'He was really, really lovely, a very polite man. He was a real gent.' Christopher McDonald will reprise his role this year for Happy Gilmore 2. Pic: Scott Yamano/Netflix Despite Christopher having an active social media presence, he has not publicly posted about his trip to the Emerald Isle. The Kerry County Museum posted on their official Facebook: 'Not every day you get to meet a Hollywood actor like Christopher McDonald! 'Such a genuinely lovely man—hope he enjoys the rest of his holiday exploring our beautiful county!'
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Happy Gilmore actor Christopher McDonald pays visit to Kerry County Museum
The actor, best known for his role as the villainous professional golfer Shooter McGavin in the 1996 smash hit film Happy Gilmore (he is set to reprise this role in Happy Gilmore 2 later this year) visited the museum on Wednesday whereupon the two eagle-eyed workers there, Sandra Leahy and Hazel Ramsay, knew immediately they knew him from somewhere. "He and his family, they're visiting Ireland at the moment and I think they're just travelling all along the Wild Atlantic Way He just came in the door here and we were like 'we know his face' and we asked him for a photo. He was really, really lovely, a very polite man. He was a real gent,' Hazel told The Kerryman. 'He thought the whole museum here and all the exhibits were fascinating. He really like the medieval exhibition that we have here down in the hall. He thought it was very impressive,' Hazel continued. The ladies posted their photo on the Kerry County Museum Facebook page afterwards with the caption, 'Not every day you get to meet a Hollywood actor like Christopher McDonald! Such a genuinely lovely man—hope he enjoys the rest of his holiday exploring our beautiful county!'
