Volunteers needed for Inch Beach Clean-Up

6th Annual Inch Beach Clean-Up
Saturday, February 28th , 12pm-3pm
The annual Inch Beach Clean Up will take place this Saturday,February 28th, beginning at 12 noon and finishing at 3pm. (Weather-permitting) Over the years, the annual clean up has proven an enormous success,with huge heaps of rubbish being collected by volunteers. This year, as always, Kerry County Council will remove the rubbish heap as soon as it is collected. Local support would be very much appreciated and volunteers are urgently needed to get Inch ship-shape and protect its birds, wildlife and natural beauty. Contact organiser Brendan Griffin (pictured above right) on 087-652 8841 for more information. Gloves and bags will be provided at the entrance to the beach on the day.

Sudden passing of beloved local GP

Farewell Dr. Finbarr...
A sense of shock emanated through Dingle and West Kerry on Wednesday, February 18th as it emerged that prominent local figure and beloved General Practitioner, Dr. Finbarr O'Shea of Upper Main Street, Dingle had passed away.
Dr. O'Shea had been a GP in Dingle for over 30 years, caring for patients at his own surgery in Upper Main Street and then in more recent times with his colleagues at Dingle's Medical Centre on the Mall. Dr. O'Shea worked in close concert with his devoted wife Dr. Margo O'Shea who is also a GP.
Dr. O'Shea made a profound impact on the lives of many during his lifetime; the kindness and effort he exerted on his patients' behalf was always exemplary.
His efforts no doubt saved the lives of many, both in his practice and in his work on call with the Dingle's emergency services. Dr. O'Shea was an active and prominent figure in the local community; as one of the founding members of the Dingle Sailing Club he helped establish one of the best sailing clubs in the country which now boasts one of Ireland's most beautiful Marinas.
He was an active member with the Dingle Historical Society who strived to both promote and preserve Corca Dhuibhne's unique history, culture and heritage.
Dr. O'Shea was also closely involved with the development of West Kerry's first Rugby team, Cumann Rugbai Corca Dhuibhne and over the years lent his time and effort to many local initiatives. He was also recognised as an important figure in local politics as a loyal member of the Fianna Fáil party.
Above all, Dr. O'Shea, or Finbarr as he was also known, was loved and respected for his kindness, joviality and generosity of spirit. His keen intellect, wit and engaging personality endeared him to many and his loss has caused a great deal of heartache and grief for those who knew and loved him.
Dr. Finbarr O'Shea will always be remembered, not only as a talented physician, but as one of Dingle's most beloved and respected characters. He was always regarded as part of the lifeblood of Corca Dhuibhne and the sense of grief and sadness currently emanating through the local area is immeasurable.
There is no doubt that Dr. Finbarr's legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who had the privilege of knowing him, Dr. Finbarr O'Shea is survived by his devoted wife Dr. Margo O'Shea, his sons Tomas, Steven and Colm, his family and friends in Corca Dhuibhne and beyond.

Dr. O'Shea was interned at St. Brendan's Cemetery, Milltown-Dingle on Saturday morning, February 21st, following Requiem Mass at St,. Mary's Church, Dingle.

Ní bheidh a leitheidí ann arís.

Nuclear incidents in Atlantic

• Russian War-Ships leaking oil 50 miles off coast
• British and French Nuclear Submarines collide in Atlantic

Living on the Dingle Peninsula, the Atlantic Ocean is an all encompassing force in our lives and is, quite literally, all around us. No matter where you are in Corca Dhuibhne, the sea is never too far away. However lately it seems that the South-West Coast has become something of a war zone. Do any of us look out to sea and expect a Russian warship to be lurking nearby? Or perhaps a British nuclear sub with 40 nuclear weapons on board? Or indeed a French submarine colliding underwater with an "object" their defense ministry refuses to identify? This isn't the plot of some Tom Clancy novel, no, this is what is happening on our doorstep as we speak.Up to 300 tonnes of oil was spilled into the Atlantic 50 miles off the South West coast on Saturday as two Russian War-Ships were refuelling. The Irish Coast Guard are in contact with the Russian authorities and are monitoring the spill after being alerted to the incident through a satellite surveillance program run by the European Maritime Safety Agency.How about that. Now, how about this...It has also been confirmed that British and French nuclear submarines collided in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month. Britain's HMS Vanguard and France's Le Triomphant (pictured above left) were both damaged in the crash in the early hours of February 4th, but there were no reports of damage to the nuclear parts.
France's defence ministry said that on the 6th of February Le Triomphant, a ballistic nuclear submarine, was damaged when it hit an object under water. It did not identify the object.
The British sub has now been towed to the Faslane base in western Scotland for repair.The two submarines are equipped with sonar to detect other vessels. Both vessels, between them carrying about 250 sailors, were reportedly submerged and on separate missions when they crashed.
Britain's ministry of defence refuses to comment on submarine operations but a spokesman said: 'The UK's deterrent capability has remained unaffected at all times and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety.'
Le Triomphant, one of France's four nuclear-armed submarines, hit the object, said at the time to be probably a container, while submerging, and immediately returned to base at Ile-Longue, near Brest in northwest France.
Each vessel is 150 metres long and 13 metres in diameter, and can carry up to 48 nuclear warheads on a maximum of 16 missiles.France and Britain are two of the world's five declared nuclear powers, along with the US, China and Russia.

Hillgrove launch new late night bar

Dingle has always been among the top destinations in the country when it comes to pubbing and clubbing and now the Hillgrove, Dingle's only nightclub which has been often cited as one of the top clubs in the county is preparing to launch its new late night bar.

What does this mean? Well for one it means on Friday and Saturday nights the cover charge will be scrapped for those hoping to head over for a few drinks. An indoor smoking area, a pool table along with music and a DJ are some of the things revellers can expect to find as well as a courtesy bus running from the Mall Bridge to the club.

With the recession and late opening hours until 2am in in operation by An Droichead Beag, the Hillgrove will now be able to offer punters a real choice when it comes to late night drinking and clubbing. The Hillgrove Nightclub has been providing West Kerry's only clubbing experience for three decades. Split over two floors and having recently undergone a one million euro refurbishment, it now features state of the art lighting and sound systems, three bars and the largest dance floor in Kerry.

"A lot of people have been staying late in the Droichead recently, however the Hillgrove is an important aspect to Dingle, without a nightclub the town would suffer greatly" one reveller recently commented to The Dingle News."We're all really looking forward to this!"

More information is available at www.hillgrovedingle.com.

West Kerry family publish book in honour of her late son

Celebrating the life of the late Páidí Gruiméal (16) and his triumph over Cystic Fibrosis
'Lig dom a Mham' (let me go Mom), were the last words whispered by 16-year old Páidí Gruiméal to his devoted mother Geraldine (pictured left) as he slipped away into unconsciousness for the last time on February 7th 2007 after waging a courageous battle with Cystic Fibrosis. The loss of this vivacious young character from Carraig in Ballydavid was devastating for his mother Geraldine, father Pádraig, sisters Rachel and Ciara and his many friends. However within the dark confines of their immeasurable grief they have rallied together to release a book celebrating Páidí's life and the profound impact he made on those around him in the short, but meaningful time he spent on this Earth. The book, entitled Lig Dom, is the result of the combined efforts of his mother Geraldine and her cousin Peig Baker, who have penned the bilingual book in an effort to raise funds for Kerry General Hospital, Crumlin Hospital and Tallaght Hospital where Páidí was treated for the illness which eventually robbed him of his life. "He made the best of every minute of his life" explained Páidí mother Geraldine, "he went everywhere and did everything, even though, at times, he was very ill."
"We loved him so much and life is so different without him but we decided to come together and celebrate his life with this book, which will also help others battling cystic fibrosis."

Written in Páidí's native Irish and also in English, Lig dom offers an insight into the life of a desperately ill young man and his subsequent triumph over a life-threatening illness by living life to the full and making every second count.

THE BOOK LIG DOM IS NOW ON SALE IN O'FLAHERTY'S LONDIS IN BAILE AN MHUILINN, DINGLE (+353 (0) 66 9150628) AND IN OTHER LOCAL OUTLETS. IT COSTS 15 EURO AND ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO CYSTIC FIBROSIS CARE IN KERRY GENERAL, CRUMLIN AND TALLAGHT HOSPITAL. ANYONE WHO WISHES TO ORDER THE BOOK MAY DO SO BY CONTACTING RACHEL GROMMEL AT rachelgrommel@hotmail.com.

Dingle's first Live Mike at Blue Zone on Green Street

Think your stand-up is hilarious? Think your acting and stage performance abilities are second to none? Are you a budding poet bursting with material that you feel deserves an audience? Want to dazzle the world with your vocal abilities? Well now's your chance as the Blue Zone (above the Dingle Record Shop) on Green Street is now hosting an Live Mike every Thursday night with Mike Smurfwaite as resident MC. All are invited to participate!

Súil Aitiúl le Rachel Ní Fhionnáin

LITRÍOCHT!

Anuraidh, bhuaidh Oisín Ó hEartáin (sa phictiúir ar dheis) duais liteartha an Oireachtais dá saothair dar teideal Ionsaí, a chríochnaigh sé i dteannta a sheanathair le dearcadh difriúil suimiúil ag an ndá ghlúin. Dé Céadaoin, an 18 Feabhra, ar an mBuiltín, beidh Ó hÉartáin atá trí bliana déag, chun a leabhar a sheoladh. Is é Dónal Bric a bhí i mbun na léaráidí agus is é Coiscéim a thapaidh an deis chun an leabhar a chur i gcló.

DRÁMA!

Cuirfear dráma ar stáitse ar son na carthanachta ‘MS’, i sáipéal Naomh Séamus sa Daingean ar an Aoine bheag seo. Glaonn an grúpa na ITT Players orthu féin, léachtóirí iltréitheacha ón Institúid i dTrá Lí atá ar chamchuairt timpeall Chiarraí i láthair na huaire.Is drama domhain é ‘Doll’s House’ le Ibsen bunaithe ar bheirt shaibhir; Torvald agus Nóra atá pósta ach an bhfuil siad ar a shuaimhneas? An bhfuil an saol chomh álainn ‘is a fhéachann sé do na lánúin óga álaine? De réir a chéile faigheann an lucht féachanna léargas níos soiléire faoina saol. Is annamh a bhíonn an saghas dráma seo sa Daingean mar sin beidh sé suimiúil an dráma a fheiscint sa sáipéal, an amharclann ildánach a sholáthraíonn gach saghas cur i láthair i gcroílár an bhaile.Beidh ticéadaí ar fáil ag an ndoras agus cuirfear tús leis ar an 20 Dé hAoine ach taispeántas amháin a bheidh i gceist.

BIA!

Is dúslán é beile trí chúrsa álainn folláin a ullmhú, go háirithe do bheirt le buiséad faoi euro is fiche. D’éirigh le cailín ó Chorca Dhuibhne áit a fháil sa chraobh Náisiúnta, comórtas cócaireachta do dhéagóirí. Is ionadaí í Liadáin Nic an tSíthigh don chumann rothlach sa Daingean. Roghnaíodh í chun dul chomh fada leis an bpríomhchathair ar an 28 Feabhra nuair a bheidh ceathrar eile ina tenanta ag iarriadh na moltóirí a shásamh.

Ceol i gCorca Dhuibhne

Mo Cheol Thú!
le Rachel Ní Fhionnáin
Seo mí l’Amour le lá Fhéile Vailintín ag teannadh linn, ach roimhe sin agus ina dhiaidh cuirfear ceolchoirmeacha agus imeachtaí ar siúl sa cheantar a bheidh mar chéiliúradh don amour a bhíonn againn sa cheol, daoine ar nós John Spillane, Jim Murray, Séamus Begley, Amhránaithe óga an cheantair agus Mick Flannery. Bhuaidh John Spillane Top Solo Performer in Concert- 2009 san Irish Music Awards agus ainmníodh é do Ghradam Meteor i mbliana agus beidh deis freastal ar a cheolchoirm anseo. Muna bhfuil albam dó: The Gaelic Hit Factory, le Louis De Paor ina theannta, cloiste agat cheana, dean iarracht éisteacht leis. Ritheann focail an fhile De Paor agus ceol Spillane le chéile agus is albam iontach réchúiseach, úr é. Tá an dlúthcheirnín Irish Songs we learned at school díreach eisithe agus má’s rud é gur fhoghlaimís na hamhráin scoile ar nós Poc ar Buille, Báidín Fheilmí, Trasna na dTonnta, rithfidh smaointí scoile ar ais chugat gan mhoill. Dóibh siúd gur spéis leo an Corcaíoch a fheiscint beo, beidh an t-ádh leat ar an 6 Feabhra. Beidh Spillane ag seinmt i dtigh tábhairne Mhac Cárthaigh ar a naoi a chlog. Toisc go bhfuilimíd lotaithe ó thaobh an cheoil anseo timpeall, dhá oíche ina dhiaidh sin, beidh seoladh dlúthcheirnín nua Séamus Begley agus Jim Murray in Ard an Bhóthair i gCeann Trá , an 8 Feabhra, ar a 5.30pm. Éirí go Lá dar teideal an t-albam nua agus tá suíomh nua gur fiú féachaint air… http://www.seamusbegleyandjimmurray.ie/. Beidh Raidió Na Gaeltachta ag taifeadadh agus gealltar an-lá Dé Domhnaigh. Beidh daoine ag teacht ó chian ‘is ó chóngair, mar sin téir go dti Ceann Trá chun ceol den scoth a chlos ó cheoltóirí traidisiúnta is fearr sa tír. Beidh an ceoldráma Mamma Mia, á léiriú ag idirbhliain Chorca Dhuibhne ar stáitse sara fada i Halla na Feothanaí ar a 8pm ar an 10, 11 agus 12 Feabhra. Faoi láthair tá an cleachtadh faoi lánseoil, na daltaí ag amhrán ó mhaidin go tráthnóna le haistriúcháin na n-amhrán ABBA curtha i gcrích: Airgead Airgead Airgead, Waterloo, Bean Rí an Rince, Gimme Gimme Gimme! Deir na daltaí go mbeidh an léiriú i bhfad níos fearr ná an scannán Hollywood (faoi stiúir ag Phyllida Lloyd)… Gan amhras, beidh, mar sin, go dtí Halla na Feothanaí sibh! Bhí Mick Flannery linn sa Daingean i sáipéal Naomh Séamus in Other Voices roimis na Nollag agus tá sé ag filleadh anseo arís i dtigh tábhairne Mhac Cárthaigh ar an 27 Feabhra ar a 9pm. Bhí Flannery gnóthach i mbliana ar chamchuairt timpeall na tíre leis an amhránaí álainn Lisa Hannigan, é mar thacaíocht di le hamhráin óna albam domhain, macánta White Lies. Seineann an bheirt Christmas past le chéile, beirt cheoltóirí uamhala agus cúthaileacha lán le talann. N’fheadair an dtiocfaidh Ms Hannigan ar chuairt ach go deimhin, beidh Mick sa Daingean lena bhanna ceoil agus is fiú na ticéidí a chur in áirithint…anois! http://www.maccarthyspub.com/.

Dingle covered in Snow for the first time in years

FUNGI FUAR!

The people of Dingle were astonished to see the town covered in a blanket of snow yesterday morning. It seems even Fungi had a mouthful! The town, with its largely temperate climate, has not seen snow like this in decades and for many children and teenagers, it was their first time seeing a real snow fall in their home-town.

Late last Monday night, snow flakes began to fall, much to the amusement of locals who, irregardless of age, gazed out their windows like children in awe of the white blanket which was fast covering the town. On Tuesday, it seemed to thaw however by nightfall heavy snow began to fall once again. An army of snowmen and snow fights are believed to have broken out across the town! On a more serious note, Kerry County Council is warning motorists to continue avoiding the Connor Pass.Snow has turned to slush on the road but will freeze when temperatures drop at night.

The three day outlook issued by Met Éireann for Kerry is as follows;

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Another very cold night, with a mix of clear spells and scattered wintry showers of rain, hail, sleet and snow; mainly affecting the northern half of the country. A sharp frost will also develop, along with some icy stretches on untreated roads. However strengthening northerly winds should see ice and frost clear most places before morning. THURSDAY AND FRIDAY will bring good sunny spells, as winds become northerly. However there'll be still be some scattered wintry showers about, but plenty of prolonged dry periods too. Breezy, with fresh northerly winds, making it feel significantly colder on account of the wind chill effect.

SATURDAY will be extremely cold to start with frost lingering into the afternoon across sheltered areas. However it will be largely if not completely dry, with good sunshine, and just light northerly breezes.

Cumann Rugbaí Corca Dhuibhne Squad 2009

Cumann Rubgaí Chorca Dhuibhne who beat Dunmanaway RFC in the first round of the Mick Barry Cup J2 League in Baile Loisce in West Kerry on Sunday, January 25th. Corca Dhuibhne beat the visiting Cork team 27-12 with trys from Sean Collins, Johnny Curran, Micheal MacGearailt and Eoin Firtear along with two conversions and a penalty from Captain Johnny Curran. Pictured back row, l-r, Justin McCarthy, Kevin Moriarty, Eoin Connor, Seán Páidí Ó Gruiméal, Connor Reen, Eoin Firteár, Conall Ó Ciobháin, Gary O'Connor, Travis Slattery, Bernard Galvin, Aódh Ó Tuama, Alan Moriarty and Adam Daly.Pictured front, l-r, Mícheál MacGearailt, Colm O'Shea, Cathal Misteál, Johnny Curran (Captain), Mícheál Houlihan, Chris Ferriter, Seán Collins and Paddy Fenton. Missing from the picture are Peyo Slattery, Daragh O'Shea and Eanna Flaherty.

New collaborative effort from Dún Chaoin singer making headlines

West Kerry and Scotland's 'Dual' purpose!

One of West Kerry's brightest talents is currently making headlines on the world music scene with the release of a new album which sees West Kerry and Scotland's shared Gaelic heritages unite through music and song. Singer and musician Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (30) (pictured on the right) from Dún Chaoin, has recently released her new album Dual, a collaboration with multi-award winning Scottish folk singer Julie Fowlis (pictured far left). Far from indicating rivalry of any sort, the word 'Dual' as Gaeilge and in Scots Gaelic means to twine, braid or interlace; it can also mean, 'one's inheritance.'This is a fitting title as Muireann and Julie's album unites Scottish and Irish traditions in an engaging exploration of the musical and linguistic cultures of the two countries."There had been Scottish coastguards stationed in West Kerry because they were Gaelic speaking, and so they brought their Scottish marches with them, which Kerry people changed into polkas. All kinds of connections cropped up once we began to delve into them for Dual," Muireann explained. Muireann and Julie have a lot in common - both singers and multi-instrumentalists, they grew up in Gaelic-speaking island communities, Muireann on Inis Oirr and Dún Chaoin in West Kerry and Julie on the island of Uist in the Outer Hebrides. All the songs on the album are in Gaelic, and include An Eala Bhan, a love song from North Uist, and the stirring Pé in Eirinn Í, from Kerry, which allow Muireann and Julie to display their powerful ballad singing. The album has already been critically acclaimed, drawing rave reviews from a variety of high profile publications across the UK and Ireland. The multi-award winning singer and musician has toured the world extensively with her group Danú and as a solo artist and her last solo album Daybreak: Fáinne an Lae received great acclaim when it was released in 2006. Muireann is also a TV Presenter with TG4 and teaches part of the University of Limerick's Traditional Music Programme, where she herself completed her MA. Muireann is the daughter of Feargal Mac Amhlaoibh, a well known West Kerry Irish language activist and musician and Áine Moynihan, the director of West Kerry Irish language theatre Lab na Mainstreach. The former Meánscoil na Toirbhirte student has one younger brother named Malachai and is married to Billy Mag Fhlionn. More information is available at www.muireann.ie.

Tommy Tiernan announces Dingle gig

Controversial comic sets Dingle date

Tommy Tiernan to perform at Malawi charity ball in Dingle this March

Internationally acclaimed comedian Tommy Tiernan is Dingle bound again this Spring as he returns to West Kerry on March 7th in an effort to raise funds for a medical clinic in Malawi. Tiernan is set to entertain the guests attending the Annual Charity Fundraising Ball hosted in the Dingle Skellig Hotel in aid of the Billy Riordan Memorial Trust, which was founded by local woman Mags Riordan (pictured above far left). Mags founded the trust following the untimely death of her son Billy at the age of 25 in Cape Maclear, Malawi in 1999.His death was the third family tragedy Mags and her family endured; while she was pregnant with Billy she lost her first child, a four month old baby girl, when the family car plunged off Dingle pier. Another infant death occurred within two years when a second son, Luke, was a victim of sudden cot death.Mags had rebuilt her family life in Dingle with her two daughters Emma and Jennifer when Billy died. She travelled to Malawi to erect a memorial in Billy's honour but was struck by the desolate poverty in the area and the warmth of its people. She decided to commemorate her son's life by establishing an aid programme in his name.Through the Billy Riordan Memorial Trust, more than € 100,000 was raised to build a health clinic which opened in August 2004. Providing medical care for a local population of 14,000, "the Billy Clinic" has treated thousands.It has also provided a primary health care clinic include a feeding programme to tackle severe malnutrition among children under the age of five, an emergency feeding programme for primary school children, a vegetable growing scheme to expand the health properties of the local diet and a treatment centre for those with AIDS/HIV. Tommy Tiernan, who encountered Mags at an awards ceremony in Dublin, offered to come on board to help raise funds and performed at last years charity event in Dingle, which sold out almost immediately.

Tickets for this year's ball are now available at the Old Forge Internet Café in Dingle, contact 087-1214151 for more information.