The Dingle News; www.dinglenews.com

The Dingle News is the Dingle Peninsula's (Ireland) dedicated online newspaper. Check out the story archive here from 2007-2009. You can search by month or enter any search terms into the search box to the left.

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BIG PAYBACK returns to Adams this Saturday

Over the years THE BIG PAYBACK has taken on many different guises (from the massive BOOTILICIOUS BIG BEAT BOOGIE in The Hillgrove to the more House influenced gig STRANGE BREW in Paul's and legendary annual FUNK BALL held in Danno's as part of Feile Na Bealtaine) but nothing compares to those original sweat filled nights of block party beats in Adam's Bar.
So when one half of The Big Payback crew, Ben had to decide what he would do to celebrate/commiserate turning 30, it was a no brainer ... WE'RE COMING BACK TO ADAM'S!
This is FREE gig open to everyone, but as we all know Adam's isn't the largest of bars so if you want to get in make sure you are there early. First tune is at 9pm. And remember the old adage... DRESS TO SWEAT! - Ben Farr, Finn McCool's Surf Co., Dingle. www.finnmccools.ie

West Kerry Agri-Show returns to Dingle this Sunday

It's Show-Time!
--44th Annual West Kerry Agricultural Show - Dingle Mart Grounds
--Sunday, July 19th from 12.30pm
The West Kerry Agricultural Show returns this Sunday (July 19th) with the show’s local committee welcoming locals and visitors alike to experience one of the best family days out in the year. A staple of West Kerry life for many decades, the show has built its success on a strong community foundation, hosting many competitions in bakery, art, crafts, photography and horticulture as well as showcasing the best in livestock. A variety of different competitive classes will be contested at the show for cattle, ponies, horse and sheep, with a prize fund of €20,000 up for grabs along with an array of prestigious trophies. Budding artists and craft enthusiasts of all ages are also invited to submit their works to the ANNUAL ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITION and submissions from all age groups are welcome. An exciting addition to the Arts Competition this years is the addition of the first WEST KERRY AGRICULTURAL SHOW AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION. Entrants of all ages are invited to submit one of their photos and the winning entries will be exhibited during the show. Submissions must have a farming or agricultural theme and can be dropped into the Dingle Mart Canteen on Saturday July 18th from 4pm - 8pm. Bakers and cake-makers of all ages can look forward to the 'hotly' contested Cookery Competition, with special prizes for the Best Pie/Tart, Best Bread and Best Cake. Regarding the arts and craft competitions, a special prize will be awarded, Best Overall School, recognising the efforts of its pupils’ participation in the West Kerry Agricultural Show and all entries should be handed into the Dingle Mart Canteen between 4pm and 8pm on Saturday July 18th. Entries for the Cookery Competition should be handed in by 12 noon on Show - Day. Another exciting addition to this year’s show in Dingle is the MILKING COWS COMPETITION. This consists of two artificial milking cows; the object of the game is to milk more from your cow than your opponent. this is sure to be a brilliant game that can be enjoyed by everyone. Other events include the ANNUAL DOG SHOW which has become one of the days most popular events, with categories for puppies, large dogs, small dogs, gun dogs and sheep dogs in work. Sheep Dog Trials will also take place . Other fun competitions include the Granny Gaelach, Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman and the Bonny Baby competition, presenting those holidaying in Dingle the chance to engage in some good wholesome family fun. The West Kerry Agricultural Show will also host an Irish Dancing Exhibition with Rinceoirí na Mara and music from Banna Fife agus Drumma Daingean Uí Chúis.
The West Kerry Agricultural Show will take place at the Mart Grounds, which may be accessed via the Spa Road or John Street, Dingle, on Sunday (July 19th) beginning at 12.30pm. All are welcome to attend!
To enquire about submitting pieces to the many competitions contact Paddy Browne at 066-9151293.
Pictured above, l-r, Local committee members Joanne Ní Shuailleabháin, Derry Murphy, Paddy Browne, Michael O'Connor and Nora Joyce preparing the for event at the Dingle Mart Grounds.

Dingle Canon to host special lecture on Dick Fitzgerald

Dingle Historical Society presents:

Dick Fitzgerald;
When The Hills Were Bleeding and The Playing Fields Golden

A lecture by An Canónach Tomás Ó Luanaigh
Venue: An Díseart, Green Street, Dingle on Friday July 17th @ 8pm

'An Seabhac' enlisted Dick Fitzgerald into the Irish Volunteers in 1913. Kerry's first Gaelic Football superstar and author turned his attention from Gaelic League activites to the national struggle spending most of 1916 in the Frongoch Prisoner of War Camp in Wales and later periods on the run inthe Black Valley. For ten years, until his young death, he served as anelected member of Killarney U.D.C. Following the Truce he switched from SinnFéin to Cumann na nGaedhal but constantly sought reconciliation in his community work. His colleague of 1913 and 1914, Pat 'Aeroplane' O'Shea,deemed him "a great captain - our champion and our guardian." All are welcome to attend this special lecture.

Daylight robbery: thieves steal up to 1k in goods in Dingle

Gardai are urging the public to be extra vigilant following a robbery in Dingle. On Friday July 10th two men, whom Gardai believe to be of Eastern European descent, stole in excess of €1,000 worth of drink and clothing from a large store in the town. Gardai are currently following a definite line of enquiry in identifying the suspects who were caught on CCTV in Dingle. Other recent incidents include the theft of a sum of money was taken from a Café on Main Street in broad daylight and a few weeks ago a house was broken into on Mail Road. There is no clear connections between the crimes however the incidence of burglaries and robberies are rapidly increasing. Gardai are urging locals to be report any suspicious activity to 066-9151522.

Settlement reached outside High Court in Dingle school language row

Parents group Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta have welcome the agreement reached outside the High Court regarding the language policy of Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne pending clarification of the details of the agreement.
“This agreement strengthens the rights of Gaeltacht parents and their children to an all-Irish education in the Gaeltacht and we welcome that. However clarification is required regarding the Droichead programme (for students with weak Irish) and the Provision of an All-Irish Education for the community school.” said Roibeard Ó hEartáin on behalf of Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta who have also requested a meeting with the school's Bord of Management. An agreement was reached after the High Court proceedings began last Tuesday (July 7th) instigated by parents group, Concerned Parents of Chorca Dhuibhne who claim that the school's all-Irish teaching policy was a barrier to those without fluency. They sought a bilingual stream to be introduced. Sources now say that both sides are pleased with the outcome however further details have yet to emerge. Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta and the school's Board of Management were opposed to bilingual teaching in the school saying that it discriminated against the rights of children who wished to undertake their studies in Irish.

New figures reveal drop in Dingle unemployment figures

According to figures released yesterday, Dingle experienced an estimated 7% drop in those signing on in June, bringing the total number of sign-ons in the area to 659.

This bucks the county-wide trend as it was revealed that unemployment levels in County Kerry continued to rise by 3.5% last month, bringing the total number of those signing on in Kerry to a startling 15,729.

The drop in figures in Dingle may be attributable to the arrival of the tourist season, with Kenmare also revealing a 7% drop.

However anyone working in the tourist industry on the Dingle Peninsula will be quick to tell you that this summer is one of the quietest, visitor-wise, in living memory.

6,744 are now signing on in Tralee, 1,278 in Killorglin, 2,887 in Listowel, 2,964 in Killarney, 650 in Cahersiveen and 547 in Kenmare.

In related news, there are over 1700 people in Kerry currently waiting to have their social welfare applications processed, 93 of those in the Dingle area alone.

Swine Flu vaccinations to be made available this autumn

A free swine flu vaccination is to be offered to the general population in the coming months, as part of a major plan to avoid the worst affects of a global pandemic.The HSE plans to acquire over 7,500,000 doses of the vaccine, at a cost of almost €90m.The jabs would be administered by GPs or through a network of over a hundred swine flu clinics and will be ready by the autumn. Twelve new cases of swine flu were confirmed in Ireland yesterday, bringing the total number in Ireland to 63. A case has yet to be confirmed in Kerry however it seems that its a question of if rather than when with numbers on the increase everyday. In a worrying development, officials in Hong Kong said yesterday that they have detected a case of swine flu which is resistant to Tamiflu, the main treatment for the virus.The World Health Organisation has declared a pandemic is underway from the new H1N1 strain of the virus. More information on how to limit the spread of the virus is available at the HSE's website, http://www.hse.ie/

Musical innovators Túcan set to rock MacCarthy's this July

“Túcan run the gamut of flamenco, jazz, hard rock and metal” – The Irish Times
Musical innovators Túcan take their Aliquot Strings Tour to MacCarthy’s, Upper Main Street, Dingle on Friday, July 10th, in what promises to be a rockin' gig. Following the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Aliquot Strings, Túcan have been touring extensively and their live set has ignited a veritable bonfire of critical acclaim with their original musical fusion. Túcan are a band designed to cross borders and their music has a universal quality to it as its blends various genres to create a distinctive sound. From classical influences to 1960’s rock, from heavy metal to trad, flamenco and jazz, Túcan seamlessly weave together an enchanting sound. As a consequence, the feedback across Europe has been excellent, with Túcan performing at locations spanning the entire continent from Scandinavia to Iberia. Highlights include gigs at Earls Court, London, two great shows in Bristol and the Freetown Christiania Gig in Copenhagen. Check out www.tucanmusic.com or www.myspace.com/tucanmusic to experience their unique musical perspective for yourself. The gig at MacCarthy’s is set to be a blast, book your tickets early to avoid disappointment as the buzz surrounding Túcan is swiftly gathering. Doors at 9pm, Friday July 10th.For booking info check the Dingle News Gig Guide.