Dingle artist reveals life on the ocean waves

Mairneálaigh, an exciting new exhibition by Dingle artist Deirdre McKenna (pictured above) will be unveiled this Saturday at the Dingle Marina Centre at 8pm. This exhibit is an exclusive preview of a selection of oil paintings that will be on show later this summer in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall from one of Kerry’s most exciting young artists who has exhibited across Ireland, Europe and the USA. The Belfast exhibition is set to coincide with the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge and it is considered a major honour for any artist to be selected to show at this international event. According to Deirdre, these paintings look at a tradition of maritime activities, drawing on personal experiences at sea. The often life-size oil paintings represent contemporary scenes of centuries’ old sea-faring traditions, borne from Deirdre’s own personal relationship and fascination with all things maritime. “Growing up in Dingle, the sea has always been an inspiration to me” she said, “In 2007 I was one of the thirty pilgrims to sail from Dingle to Santiago De Compestela in Spain on the Jeanie Johnston, the trip remains a constant source of inspiration." This exhibition combines Deirdre’s love of the sea and her career as an artist . Mairnéalaigh will be launched this Saturday, May 30th, at 8pm. The exhibition will run from May 30th – June 1st at the Dingle Marina Centre from 11am-5pm and all are welcome to attend. More information on Deirdre McKenna is available at http://www.waterfront.co.uk/ or http://www.deirdremckenna.com/. Locals may known Deirdre as the daughter of Pádraig and Siobhán McKenna, Cuilín.

Dingle Way Challenge to kick off this Satuday at 5am

The Dingle Way Challenge, which takes place tomorrow, Saturday May 30th, will see walkers from all over Ireland and beyond converge on Corca Dhuibhne to walk amid the stunning scenery of West Kerry in aid of The Stuart Mangan Appeal. Stuart Mangan (25) from Cork (pictured right and far right) suffered a devastating spinal injury in 2008, while playing rugby with his club Hammersmith and Fulham RFC in London. He had just completed five years of university studies, graduating with a Law Degree from UCC and a Masters in European Business from ESC Paris, before he was hired on the trading floor of BNP Paribas in London. Sadly this sporting accident has left Stuart totally paralyzed from the neck down and will require 24-hour care for the rest of his life. The Dingle Way Challenge event promises to be an exceptional day in the mountains taking in the surroundings and the history of West Kerry. This trek is 55 km in length and is broken into 4 stages: Tralee to Camp, Camp to Annascaul, Annascaul to Lispole, Lispole to Dingle. All participants are asked to register at 4am in Blennerville Windmill Car Park on the morning of Saturday 30th May 2009. More information on The Dingle Way Challenge and the Stuart Managn Appeal can be accessed at http://www.stuartmangan.org/.

Major summer concert at Ionad an Bhlascaoid, Dún Chaoin

Ionad an Bhlascaoid in Dún Chaoin will play host to two of the most accomplished singers in the Gaelic tradition, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh from Dún Chaoin in West Kerry and Julie Fowlis from North Uist in the Scottish Hebrides, in a special concert at the centre on June 6th. It will be the final concert of their nationwide promotion tour of their new collaboration 'Dual', an album on which the two singers work alongside Éamon Doorley and Ross Martin. The album is a collection of songs and music from Ireland and Scotland which have been given an interesting twist. For example, on one of the tracks Muireann sings some verses of the famous Irish song 'An Chóisir' while Julie mixes in verses of the Scottish song 'Chuirinn mo ghiollan a dh'iomann nan caorach' Also included on the album are beautiful renditions of songs like 'Beauty Deas an Oileáin' and 'Alasdair Mhic Giolla Ghasda'. The collaboration has earned good reviews around the globe. Robin Deneslow from The Guardian says 'Fowlis is Scottish, while Nic Amhlaoibh is Irish, and this delicate, finely performed set explores the musical links and traditions of the two Gaelic communities... one of the most intriguing folk albums of the year', and Amanda Darling of The Stornoway Gazette calls it 'A marriage of two like minded souls, this album 'Dual', meaning to 'interlace, twine or braid' or 'one's inheritance', truly showcases the girls prodigious talents.' The two have won numerous awards recently. Muireann toured and performed with various musicians and groups before joining the group Danú in 2003. In 2004 they won the BBC 2 Folk Award for "Best Group". At the same awards, the song "The County Down" by Tommy Sands that Danú had recently recorded, won "Best Song". Muireann herself won "Best Singer" at the liveireland.com Awards in 2005. Now a regular contributor to television and radio programmes at home and abroad, she featured prominently in the recent "Highland Sessions" BBC television series, celebrating the best of Irish and Scottish traditional music and song. Julie was awarded Folk Singer Of The Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Music Awards 2008, and she won Album Of The Year and Gaelic Singer Of The Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2008. This concert is being held with the assistance of Ealaín na Gaeltachta. Tickets are available at €15 from The Blasket Centre. Further Information: Dáithí de Mórdha, Ionad an Bhlascaoid: (066) 9156444 or 0879778871. Visit http://www.muireann.ie/ and http://www.juliefowlis.com/ for more info.

Tag Rugby Tournament to take place in Muiríoch this June

The second Rugbaí Corca Dhuibhne Beach Tag Rugby Festival will take place on Saturday June 27th at Muríoch Beach this summer. Rugby in West Kerry is undergoing massive growth at the minute with local teams excelling at many levels. A spin off from this has been the success of Beach Tag Rugby and Rugbaí Corca Dhuibhne, Europe’s most westerly club, are delighted to host the tag rugby festival in Kerry this year. The event will see teams arrive from all over Ireland along with supporters where a warm welcome awaits them. Mick Galwey’s Legends teams will compete again this year as well as a special team headed by All-Ireland winning Kerry GAA star and Sunday Game pundit, Dara Ó Cinnéide. One of the GAA’s main breeding grounds for Gaelic football stars, “An Gaeltacht” at Gallarus (located right beside the beach) have made their facilities available for the event to ensure that the festival runs successfully. With the help of the various accommodation centres, restaurants and pubs the organising committee hope that all teams and spectators have an enjoyable weekend. For further information contact Adrian on 087-2976569 or Damien on 086-8187810 or visit www.irishrugby.ie/tag to register your team for this event.

Six Nations Trophy, Triple Crown & Magners League Cup in Dingle

Excitement gripped Dingle last Thursday as members of Munster RC brought the SIX NATIONS TROPHY, the TRIPLE CROWN and the MAGNERS LEAGUE CUP to the CBS Hall on John Street to an event hosted by Cumann Rugbaí Corca Dhuibhne. Hundreds of people turned out to photograph and touch European Rugby's top accolades. Medal presentations were also made on the night to the Rugbaí Corca Dhuibhne U-16s, (pictured above) winners of the West Munster Plate and the U-18 Corca Dhuibhne Ladies' team, winners of Division II of the Munster Provincial League this year. The Rugbaí Corca Dhuibhne Team Social will take place this Friday night in Dannos, where the seniors will be presented with the Galwey-Foley County Championship Cup. Several awards will also be made to the Seniors and the Corca Dhuibhne Over-35s. All are welcome to attend.

Father and son team cycle 10,000 miles from Dingle to Tokyo!

Mark and Sam make it to Japan!

After leaving Dingle on July 26th 2008, father and son team Mark and Sam Swain completed the adventure of a lifetime this week as they reached Tokyo last Thursday having cycled 15,685 km (aprox 10,000 miles) across Europe and Asia from Dingle to Tokyo. Mark (50) and his son Sam (18) set out last summer from Commenoule with the intention of cycling from Dingle to Tokyo last July; from cycling through Kerry, Cork and Waterford on to the Ferry in Rosslare, traversing the UK, gaining access to France and Mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel. Then it was on through France, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and China before reaching their destination in Japan. Mark and Sam are originally from Canterbury in England however have been dividing their time between the UK and Dingle for the past 20 years, where they have a home. According to Mark, this trip has been in the pipeline for almost eight years as when his son Sam was ten years old he asked how long would it take to cycle to Japan. As 2008 saw San turn 18 and Mark reach the milestone age of 50, they decided it was the perfect time to undertake this challenge. The pair are expected to visit Dingle later this summer where they will, no doubt, receive a heroes welcome. Mark has documented the trip on a travel blog and intends to write a book about the experience. Pictured above left and right, Sam and Mark in Dingle, July 2008 and afterwards, in Japan May 2009. Read up on Mark and Sam's adventures at www.bugbitten.com/father_son_cycle.

Mick Flannery dates announced for Dingle this July

Fans of real music will be delighted to hear that Mick Flannery is set to play two gigs in MacCarthy's this July 23rd and 24th. His gigs at the same venue earlier this year were an amazing success and complete sell-outs, so fans are advised to get their dibs in early-on as this is an amazing opportunity to see one of Ireland's most exciting new artists in the intimate setting of MacCarthy's Pub on Upper Main Street/Goat's Street in Dingle. Contact MacCarthy's Pub at 066-9151206 for more infomation.
"Mick Flannery is a 25 year old stone mason who was brought up on a farm outside Blarney, Co. Cork, Ireland. After a stint in a music college in Cork, he travelled to the US where he entered the U.S. Songwriting Competition in Nashville, Tennessee and, to his surprise, won two top awards for his compositions.If asked, Mick adamantly refuses to talk about himself. The best you’ll get from him on any given day is, maybe, an admission that he’s a bit “grumpy”, he enjoys a good game of poker, and he’d love to own a Gibson® ES-335.So. Mick writes all of his songs (words and music) and plays both piano and guitar." (source: www.mickflannery.com)
White Lies - Mick Flannery - Released 2008 (EMI Music Ireland) - Tracks - Safety Rope, California, Tomorrow’s Paper, Wish You Well, Goodbye, Near or Far, Wait Here, What Do You See, Smiling Girl, Arise Now, Do Me Right.
Mick’s band: Mick Flannery - lead vocals, piano, guitar, Karen O’Doherty - violin, vocals, Yvonne Daly - vocals, Hugh Dillon - electric guitar, Brian Hassett - bass, Christian Best - drums.

Classic 'Duo' to perform in Dingle

DUO CHAGALL
Lab na Mainstreach – Sráid Eoin - Dingle – Friday, May 22nd
Music lovers are in for a real treat on Friday May 22nd as Music-Network and AnnÓg present classic pairing, Duo Chagall at Lab na Mainstreach in Dingle. With Gillian Williams on Violin and Arun Rao on Cello, this husband and wife duo will perform works by Mozart, Raymond Deane, Mihaud, Paganini, Benjamin Britten and Handel. Over the years the duo have given world premieres of works by Raymond Deane and Rhona Clarke and are one of Ireland's most highly regarded chamber ensembles. As a recent addition to the Music Network Artist Roster the duo take their place amongst many of the country’s finest classical soloists and ensembles. Gillian Williams is one of Ireland's most accomplished violinists, as a student, she won all major competitions in Ireland, as well as the Louis Pesckai Memorial Prize at Guildhall for virtuoso playing. Commanding a wide-ranging repertoire, her characteristic warmth, intensity and clarity of tone have won her widespread praise. She has performed extensively throughout Ireland, Britain, America and Italy, including numerous solo performances at prestigious venues such as the National Concert Hall, Dublin, and St James' Piccadilly, and concerti by Mozart, Vivaldi, Bruch and Tchaikovsky with conductors Colman Pearce, Gerhardt Markson and David Seaman. Established French cellist Arun Rao is a much sought-after in orchestral, solo and teaching fields. His recitals of unaccompanied cello works by JS Bach, Reger, Piatti, Kodaly, Britten and other twentieth century composers have earned him considerable public and critical acclaim. Tickets are €10 and are available on 087 8546572. This concert is promoted by Music Network and AnnÓg.

Féile Scéalaíochta agus Amhránaíochta

Féile Scéalaíochta agus Amhránaíochta Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne
22ú Bealtaine, 2009.
Beidh Comórtaisí Amhránaíochta agus Scéalaíochta don aosóg á n-eagrú ag Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne an Aoine seo, 22ú Bealtaine 2009.
Beidh Comórtas Amhránaíochta Fé 12 agus fé 15 ar siúl sa Mháimín i mBaile an Fheirteáraigh (sa phictiúr) ag 7.30 agus Comórtaisí Scéalaíochta fé 12 agus fé 15 ar siúl sa Mhúsaem ar an Aoine chomh maith ag 7.00. Bronnfar buanchorn agus bonn óir don gcéad áit sa dá chomórtas fé 12 agus bonn óir agus bonn airgid ins na comórtaisí fé 15. Fáilte mhór roimis mhuintir na háite teacht agus éisteacht leis na hamhránaithe agus na scéalaithe óga seo. Beidh an ócáid á eagrú le tacaíocht Ealaíon na Gaeltachta. Gach eolas Áine Uí Laoithe/Máire Uí Shíthigh 066-9156100.

Cast your vote in the Dingle News Poll

The Dingle Local Area Council Elections take place on June 5th and, with an extremely crowded marketplace this time around with no less than nine candidates contesting three seats, predicting an outcome is proving to be nigh-on impossible. Sitting councillors Micheal O'Shea (FF, Milltown) and Seamus Cosaí Fitzgerald (FG, Dingle) are seeking re-election with Brendan Griffin (Keel, FG) and Bridget O'Connor (Camp, Ind.) trying their luck for the second-time round. Several new candidates have entered the fray including Breandán Fitzgerald (FF, Dingle), Patrick Hanafin (Lab., Dingle), Theresa Raftery (SF, Lispole), Darach Ó Murchú (Greens) and Breannainn Ó Beaglaoi (Ind.). With so many candidates concentrated in the Dingle area and an increase in the register eligible to vote in the Milltown/Castlemaine area (following last years boundary revisions) this is a council election like no other. Will the additional votes in the Eastern part of the constituency, coupled with a high concentration of candidates in the Dingle area, upset the apple-cart? It could create a scenario where West loses out to East as the many candidates in Dingle could substantially diminish each others core support, while candidates due-east pick up the additional support with the extended boundary in their own area. Only time will tell but this election, especially with the current economic climate on the Dingle Peninsula, is one which may shake things up substantially. By taking part in The Dingle News Poll (on the left side of this web-page) we can all gain an insight into how the candidates currently stand and what the outcome is likely to be.PLEASE NOTE: This poll is facilitated and regulated by polldaddy.com. The Dingle News has no ability to alter or interfere with results and can only view the progress of the poll like other visitors to this page. Reproduction of the results of this poll is prohibited.

On-Stage summer camps set for Dingle Childcare Centre

All the world's a stage...in Dingle!

With all the talks of recession you'd be forgiven for thinking that all the life had been sucked out of the county. Not in Dingle however as the local Globe Academy Stage School have launched an exciting series of on-stage summer camps in an effort to dispel the doom and gloom, focusing on drama, singing and dancing for six to 12 year-olds. Hosted by Dingle native Jennifer Riordan, a member of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art Teacher's Association, the Globe Academy On-Stage Summer Camps will take place this year from July 17th-31st and August 10th-14th at Dingle Childcare Centre Áiseanna na hÓige. "We're delighted to bring these On-Stage Summer Camps to Dingle this year" said Jennifer, "with drama, singing and dancing, its a great way for children to build confidence and make new friends." Since its establishment in Dingle in 2008, the Globe Academy Stage School has been a real hit, hosting classes all around the Peninsula, enjoying major success with local productions of Mamma Mia!, Pinocchio and High School Musical to name a few. With a variety of classes, youth clubs and after school clubs the Globe Academy has gone from strength to strength as parents are delighted that their children now have access to a locally-run stage school, which is accredited by a major London institution. "On Sunday May 17th we will be holding our annual London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts exams with over 70 local children will taking Acting, Verse and Prose exams from this acclaimed institution" Jennifer explained, "and on June 5th we will host a certificate presentation night for the students in the Dingle Skellig Hotel." For more information click to enlarge the poster on the left. Contact Jennifer at 087-6476656 or visit www.globeacademy.ie.

Euro-candidate to raise Dingle name issue with Minister

Speaking on Radio Kerry on May 12th, Ireland-South European electoral candidate, Senator Dan Boyle, has confirmed that he will raise the Dingle name issue with his party leader, Minister for the Environment, John Gormley. Green Party Senator Boyle recently met with representatives from the Dingle Business Chamber who raised concerns about the impact the change was having on the local economy.The official name An Daingean was introduced almost four years ago under the Place-names Order of the Official Languages Act, 2003, by Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv. In 2006, 93% of residents of the West Kerry town voted overwhelmingly in favour of changing the name of the town from An Daingean back to the bilingual names of Dingle and Daingean Uí Chúis.The legislation needed for the change has yet to be brought in as signs, including all new signage being produced by Kerry County Council, continue to indicate only An Daingean. Sourced from www.radiokerry.ie/news

Pussycat Dolls to play Fitzgerald Stadium this summer

While admittedly The Dingle News is a news portal dedicated to the Dingle Peninsula, just 40 odd miles down
the road, Killarney's GAA pitch, Fitzgerald Stadium has been named as the location where The Pussycat Dolls will perform this summer. The Gleneagle's Patrick O'Donoghue made the announcement this week, confirming that The Pussycat Dolls will headline this summer's Kilalrney Summerfest. The group will play Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday July 18th.Killarney Summerfest 2009 takes place between the 3rd - 18th of July with a range of events and activities plus more concerts which will be announced in due course. With Killarney being no-doubt packed for this event, festival goers would be advised to look towards the Dingle Peninsula for affordable accommodation with Killarney less than an hour's drive from Dingle itself, as availability coming close to the date may be limited. Check dodingle.com for deals.

Corca Dhuibhne ag Caint - Crannchur

CRANNCHUR - CORCA DHUIBHNE AG CAINT

Dé Máirt, 12u Bealtaine: 2.00 Centra, 2.30 Siopa Uí Mhóráin, 3.00 Siopa Spar.Dé hAoine an 15ú Bealtaine: 2.00 Siopa Londis Uí Fhlaithearta, 2.30 Siopa Uí Ghairbhí, 3.00 Páidí Ó Muircheartaigh. Dé Cheadaoin an 20ú: 2.30 Óstán Benners, Gáirdíní an Daingin agus An Caife Liteartha (i Benners), 3.30 Tigh Tabhairne John Benny, Brian/Máiréad de Staic agus an Oifig Turasóireachta (san Oifig Turasóireachta). Beidh T-Léinte amhain le buachaint ar gach deich ainm (má tá 100 ainm ar na cártaí beidh deich T-Leinte le buachtaint ag custaiméirí an ghnó sin). Beidh griangrafadóir i láthair ag an ócáid agus gan amhras, b’iontach é go mbeadh na badges á gcaitheamh agaibh.

Dingle GAA host special exhibit documenting club's history

Bringing the past to life

A very special photographic exhibition will be unveiled on Thursday, May 7th at the Dingle Library documenting the history of the Dingle GAA club. This special exhibition is being hosted by Dingle GAA in celebrating Lá na gClub as part of the GAA's national 125th anniversary celebrations. The exhibit is a great source of local pride as Dingle GAA has a long and proud history. In addition, all the photographs in the exhibit have been donated by local people. "The GAA has also been ever- present in Dingle life and the origins of the Club stretch back to the conception of the GAA itself" Dingle GAA stalwart Derry Murphy explained. "It is understood that the club started out as the Dingle Gascoignes in the late 1800s/early 20th century before evolving into two separate GAA clubs in the town itself, Na Piarsaigh (The Pearces) and Sráid Eoin (John Street). These teams enjoyed great success during the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1960s Bórd na nÓg began to develop in the town. This culminated in the joining of the two clubs to form the Dingle GAA club and the strong underage structure we enjoy today" he said.

This exhibition is very important as it recognises the the unsung heroes; the local people behind the scenes who dedicated their lives to promoting the GAA at community level and developing the local pitch, Páirc an Ághasaigh, providing young people with a social and sporting outlet which provided a lifeline in times of hardship.The exhibition will be opened by the Dingle Club Chairman Maurice O'Connor at 8pm, Thursday May 7th and all are welcome to attend. On Saturday night a special leácht will also take place in Benner's Hotel at 9pm. The exhibit will run until the May the 16th at the Dingle Library on Green Street. Admission is free. Pictured,l-r, Vincent Flannery, Maurice O'Connor, Mícheál Ó Conchúir, Paddy Browne and Derry Murphy of Dingle GAA at the Dingle Library on Green Street which will run from May 7th-16th.

Minister indicates Dingle Ice Plant to remain open

Minister indicates Dingle Ice Plant to remain open

Local councillors and candidates still seeking written guarantees as to employees' future

The Bórd Iascaigh Mara Ice-Plant in Dingle is to remain open according to a Fianna Fáil candidate in the Dingle Local Area Elections. Dingle's Breandán Fitzgerald (pictured above right) told Dingle News this week that, following discussions with the Minister for the Marine Tony Kileen TD and Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue, the plant is to remain open and that the two employees working there are to have their contracts renewed. “When I heard reports stating that the contracts of the two men working there were to end, I made representations to Minister for the Marine Tony Killeen and Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue to make the case to the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, for the employee’s contracts to be renewed" said Mr. Fitzgerald. "I was delighted to receive the calls from the Minister and Ceann Comhairle saying that the men’s contracts were to be renewed and Dingle Ice plant would remain open.The ice plant is an integral part of the fishing industry of the area and keeping the plant open is very important for the men working there, fishermen and local businesses in Dingle."According to Mr. Fitzgerald (35), who is seeking election to the council for the first time, local representation is the key to communities in West Kerry getting through these difficult times. The move will signal a collective sigh of relief from local fishermen who felt that their livelihoods would effectively come to an end, were the plant to close. As late as last Wednesday, with the contracts expiring on Thursday close of business, no clear indication about the future of the plant had been made as both BIM and the Department of the Marine had both refused to comment publicly on the situation. Sitting Councillor Seamus Cosaí Fitzgerald (pictured at the Ice Plant above, far right) made several representations to the Department of Finance BIM CEO, Jason Hooley while Labour Candidate Pat Hanafin facilitated a meeting with Labour Leader Eamonn Gilmore and local Dingle fishermen last Friday at the Pier. "I welcome the announcement however I am curious as to how this situation to arose" said Cllr. Cosaí Fitzgerald. "As late as last Wednesday and Thursday no clear indication had been made by the Minister as to how this was going to play out; personally I won't be happy until we see this declaration in writing.""With an election on the horizon, it's a question of funding we need definitive clarification, in writing from the Departments of Finance and BIM, as to the contracts of the employees and the future of the plant." Labour candidate Pat Hanafin echoed these concerns. "Labour leader Eamonn Gilmore met with a group of up to 60 fishermen in Dingle on Friday, who voiced their concerns; expressing the hardship endured and their sense of abandonment in light of this situation" said Mr. Hanafin, "if the survival of the fishing industry in West Kerry is crucial, why then did the Government allow this drama to ensue? We need concrete guarantees not false promises."

Dingle shop seeks budding authors

Write up my street!

Corca Dhuibhne's young creative talents are being summoned in West Kerry this week as Baile an Mhuilinn's Siopa Londis Ui Fhlaithearta (O'Flaherty's-Londis Dingle) invites students aged five to 18, to write a short story about their community. Thirty of these will then be selected to appear in a special book to be published in September. Along with the honour of being published, the winning student's schools will also receive 5,000 euro for books. The competition is part of a national drive by Londis to find 30 short stories for this book, with all proceeds going towards the Barnardos Children’s Charity. Students between the ages of five and 18 are asked to submit a short story drawing on the theme of community, no longer than 1,000 words. A semi-finalist will then be selected from each county and from those, acclaimed children’s author Sarah Webb will select the top 30. "We know that there is a lot of talent when it comes to writing in West Kerry and hope that as many students as possible take part" said PJ Fitzgerald of Londis-Dingle. Entry forms, downloads, plus supports for teachers, sample stories, plus writing-tips from Maeve Binchy are available online at www.londis.ie. Completed stories may be posted or dropped into O'Flaherty's Londis on the Ventry Road, Dingle before the closing date of May 29th.

Telephone 066-9150628 for more information. Pictured, PJ Fitzgerald of O'Flaherty's Londis-Dingle launching the Write Up Your Street initiative which is inviting young authors to submit a short story with the top thirty being published in a special book this September. Visit www.londiswriteupmystreet.com for more info.

Council seek suggestions to name new Dingle road

Name sought for new Dingle Road
The new relief road, between Dingle's Mail Road (Tralee Road) and John Street opened last Friday, marking a major development in the town's infrastructure. The road runs alongside the new Dingle Hospital and Páirc an Aghasaigh through land which was kindly donated by the Shane Connor and his family. Now, the search is on for this new road and the adjacent roundabout; Kerry County Council and the Dingle Business Chamber say that they will invite submissions in naming the road. There have been quite a few popular suggestions so far; the Fr. Rory O'Connor Road, O'Connor Road, Dr. Finbarr O'Shea Road are two of the first to have been mentioned locally. Contact John B Sheehy of the Dingle Business Chamber for more information or send your ideas to press.officer@kerrycoco.ie or Roads Department, County Buildings, Rathass, Tralee. With no UDC or town council, many decisions seem to be made on Dingle's behalf in Tralee and local people often feel that things to do with their own town are often out of their hands. This is one area where local people should have a real say, in naming this new road something which means something to the people of the town and surrounding area.

Corca Dhuibhne's Cúpla Focal

A new Udarás na Gaeltachta initative, Corca Dhuibhne ag Caint was launched in Dingle last week in an effort to encourage the use of the Irish language in business. According to Udarás na Gaeltachta the objective of this initiative is to promote and encourage the use of Irish in the Corca Dhuibhne area especially within the commercial sector. Twelve local companies and businesses have agreed to participate in the scheme which will see staff have the option of wearing specially designed badges indicating their level of spoken Irish. Currently there are three types of badges with three designations which employees can wear; Ag Foghlaim for learning those learning Irish, Cúpla Focal, for those competent in Irish and Seo Leat indicating fluency. Those advocating the scheme saythat this scheme is intended to make it easier for the customer to choose whether to do business in English or in Irish. "Up to now, there was no method of knowing which language to use in shops and businesses unless you knew members of staff personally" said Rachel Ní Riada of Udarás. "Participation is optional and the project will be presented in a fun way, making it easier for those who want to increase their use of Irish to do so."
The twelve Dingle businesses currently participating in the scheme are: Siopa Londis Uí Fhlaithearta, Garvey's SuperValu, Sheehy's Spar, Fitzgerald's Centra, Brian De Staic, Benners Hotel, the Caife Liteartha, Gáirdíní an Daingin and Slí na Sláinte, John Benny’s Moriarty’s Butchers, Morans and the Dingle Tourist Office.
Watch an online video of the launch at http://corcadhuibhneagcaint.wordpress.com/.

Gaeltacht funding cut fears

An bhfuil ‘Ciorrú’ géarr ag teacht?
MFG Comhar Dhuibhne powers to be transferred to Údarás
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív T.D. has announced that the powers of Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltacht (MFG) are to be transferred to Údarás na Gaeltachta. The West Kerry Gaeltacht’s MFG Comhar Dhuibhne, who have an office in Dingle and is run by regional manager Máire UÍ Léime, is one of those to be effected. Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta is a voluntary organisation which was founded in 1991 to implement the LEADER programme in Gaeltacht regions. MFG Comhar Dhuibhne had been receiving ongoing funding for various community projects in the region, including €100,000 from dormant accounts fund, to develop a youth café providing an alcohol free environment for young people. The future of many of these projects is now unclear. In relation to the transfer of powers from MFG to Udarás, Minister Ó Cuiv stated that he was of the opinion that the Gaeltacht needs a single strong statutory authority that would run a wide range of projects and that the remit of the voluntary organisation would be reduced. Local reaction to this has been mixed as it feared that this is only the tip-of-the-iceberg when it comes to the ‘ciorrú’ of Gaeltacht funding and community initatives.

Ballyferriter's Little Black Beauty

Kerry's first friesian foal, bred from an approved stallion, has been born in Ballyferriter. Little black beauty Reinier was born on the farm of Cristina Belmonte-Scanlon in West Kerry on the 26th of April and his birth has caused quite the stir in Kerry's equine and equestrian circles. Reinier's sire is Tsjerk, one of the five Stallions in the world that have been approved and graded as preferent, the highest standard that can be obtained by this breed."Reinier was bred in Ballyferriter; his mother came to Ireland from Holland two years ago" breeder Cristina Belmonte-Scanlon explained. "Since then we have travelled and visited many stud farm speaking to breeders and trainers to enable us to choose the best stallion for our mare Jante fan Rewert and breed the best quality possible.We imported the semen from Holland and she did the rest!"Cristina and her husband T.J. are exicted about little's Reinier's future. "There is a bright future for this little foal as breeding stallion and as a sport horse" she added. Friesian horses are a rare breed from Friesland in Holland; the typical traits of these beautiful animals are their majestic manes, the feathering on the lower legs, their jet black colour and their powerful, elevated gaits. The build and the noble head of this creature, set on a lightly arched neck, complete the aristocratic and fiery appearance of this breed. The Friesian horse has increasingly developed itself as a sports horse over the past decades and now competes with other breeds at the highest levels of equestrian sports. Please forward all enquires to the: thebaroquehorse@gmail.com or contact Cristina Belmonte-Scanlon at The Baroque Horse, Lathieve Meanagh, Ballyferriter. Tel: 087-2950870. http://www.thebaroquehorse.com

Dingle dole numbers continue to rise (despite decreases elsewhere)

The news isn't good at the moment on the jobs front in Dingle with 758 signing on during the month of April, approximately double the numbers recorded during the same period in 2008. To add insult to injury, the increase in figures comes along with the news that live register figures have actually DROPPED by 1% elsewhere in the county, the first decrease in numbers in eight months. 15,401 individuals signed on across the county last month representing a 1% decrease, however bear in mind that the figure is DOUBLE what it was this time last year. There was a drop of 5.9% in people signing on in Listowel, a drop of 2% in Killarney along with smaller drops in Killorglin, Kenmare and Cahersiveen. Only in Dingle and Tralee are the numbers continuing to rise (in Tralee the number of those signing on in April rose by 1.4%, which means 6,265 are on the dole there).