Jeanie Johnston in Dingle again

SAIL AWAY: Adults and children alike got a glimpse of the workings of the Jeanie Johnston last weekend in Dingle as the tall ship docked at Dingle Pier last Saturday. Pictured, front, l-r, Liam Bambury, Mark, Dara & Brian O'Connor, Tom O'Sullivan, Cathal & Ciaran Bambury and James Harrison. Middle, l-r, Colm Bambury, Pat & Ted O'Sullivan, Treasa Murphy, Aidan O'Connor, Caoimhe Ní Choileáin, Seán Bambury and Doireann Ní Choileáin. Back, Seán Sullivan, Christine O'Connor, Edel Bambury, John Bambury and Rachel Buckley.

Great Blasket accquired by Government

National park status looms for the Great Blasket Island

The way have finally been paved for An Blascaod Mór, the Great Blasket Island which lies off the coast of West Kerry, to become a national park.

The future of the Island, was sealed this week when Irish Minister of State Noel Ahern announced that a contract for the Government's purchase of the Island had been finalised between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the main Island landowner group.

The Great Blasket Island is the most westerly point in Europe, the largest of a group of islands located three miles off the tip of the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht, thirteen kilometres west of Dingle town in Co. Kerry.

This is considered a major breakthrough as local groups, such as the Blasket Foundation, have been campaigning for the Island to be elevated to National Park status for almost two decades

The properties on the Island that the Government will acquire will comprise the majority of the core conservation area, which contains special flora and fauna and the OPW are expected to spend almost €8 million on its rejuvenation.

The area also contains significant structures and houses which will be preserved as national monuments, including the homes of writers Peig Sayers, Murisis Ó'Suilleabháin and Tomás Ó'Criothan who coined the famous phrase, "Ní bheidh ár leitheidí ann arís" (our likes will never again be seen.)

"After long and extensive discussions on the future of the Island with one of the interested parties, it is now expected that the acquisition of these holdings, and those belonging to the other landowners, will now proceed" said Minister Ahern.

An Bhlascaod Mór, as it is known in Gaelic, was home to almost 150 islanders at the turn of the 20th century. Emigration, poverty and a lack of basic facilities and amenities decimated the population, forcing the then Taoiseach, Eamonn De Valera to rehouse the Islanders on the mainland in 1953. Hopes are high that the proposed upgrade of the Great Blasket to national park status will serve to preserve and protect the immense heritage of the island.

Dingle gets its first bus shelter..and its a beauty!

Out of a boat...and into a bus!
Local contractor designs, funds and builds the town's first bus shelter, because Bus Eireann wouldn't

You wouldn't normally expect to see people sitting under a boat in a town centre, but that is exactly what you can now see in Dingle as the town recently unveiled its first bus shelter.
Conceived, designed and sponsored by local building contractor, Gerry O'Sullivan, Dingle now boasts one of the most aesthetically pleasing bus shelter even built, made from an old style canoe called a naomhóg , the type of boat that the islanders used to cross from the Blasket Islands to the mainland in days gone by.
The construction of bus shelter at the Tracks which was completed this week, is a milestone in the history of the town and marks the culmination of a ten-year battle to have a shelter installed.

Repeated calls by local councillors for a bus shelter fell on deaf ears as Bus Eireann officials declined to install one in the town.

Finally last year, they told local Cllr. Seamus Cosaí Fitzgerald that they would allow one to be built in Dingle, if someone else came up with the money.

Local builder Gerry O'Sullivan stepped up to plate, working alongside

Cllr. Fitzgerald and the Dingle Business Chamber to secure planning.

Finally the picturesque bus shelter was unveiled.

"Great credit is due to Gerry for doing this" said Cllr. Fitzgerald.

"The shelter will make a huge difference to the lives of many people, from third level students, to backpackers to senior citizens.

"Now we all have something extremely practical that we can all be proud of."

Volcanos, earthquakes, a normal day in Corca Dhuibhne....500 million years ago!

THE ROLE OF ROCK!: Bernie Goggin & Tom Fox of the Dingle Historical Society hosted a special lecture on the 'Geology of the Dingle Peninsula' on Thursday July 12th in the Dingle Library.

Dingle Rescue Team Save Dog's Life

Drama as Dingle coastguards scale cliff to save a dog's life

They say all dogs go to Heaven, but one dog was spared an early trip there last Sunday as the Dingle Coastguard rescued a Kerry Collie named Betsy, who had been stranded on a ledge on the Three Sisters cliff range in Ballyferriter for almost two days after falling overboard during a family fishing trip. The immense bravery of the local coastguards secured a happy ending for Betsy and her family as rough seas prevented access by sea and climbers had to abseil almost 600 metres down the sheer cliff face of the Three Sisters, a ridge of jagged cliffs which jut out into the sea, to lift the three year old dog to safety.

"We got the call from Valentia Lifeboat that the dog was stranded on early on Sunday" explained Tom Kennedy of Dingle Coastguard.

"Rough seas made a sea rescue impossible so we had to tackle the operation from the cliffs." "We were able to get to the dog and lift her to safety at about 4pm."

Betsy had been out at sea on fishing boat last Friday with her family and owner, young Tadhg Ó'Dubháin, a native of Co. Down whose family have West Kerry roots.

Betsy jumped overboard and her family were unable to retrieve her.

The clever dog swam for her life amid a ferocious current, making her way to the nearest ledge almost a mile away from where she fell in the water.

Poor Betsy was then stranded on the dangerous cliff ledge and despite the efforts of her family on Friday and on Saturday, they were unable to reach her. Valentia Coastguard were notified on Sunday who alerted the Dingle rescue team.

"It was a very high cliff but a sea rescue was ruled out because of the weather conditions" Tom explained.

"Two climbers scaled the cliff, down 600 metres and managed to reach the dog."

"We then put her into what we call a pog-rope bag, which is kind of like a rug-sack and we lifted her to safety."

Healy-Rae's Dingle Deal

DINGLE DEAL STRUCK?
Healy-Rae strikes deal with Taoiseach to restore Dingle name
A deal has been struck between Jackie Healy-Rae T.D and An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to restore the bilingual names of Dingle-Daingean Uí Chúis it was claimed this week. Cllr. Michael Healy-Rae has indicated in a statement that An Taoiseach has pledged to restore the bilingual names of Dingle and Daingean Uí Chúis to the West Kerry town as soon as possible, as part of his father's list of demands to join the PDs and the Greens with Fianna Fáil in Government.
"The deal is signed and set" explained Michael. "We are confident that the Government will stand by their word and deliver on the issue for the people of Dingle-Daingean Uí Chúis and indeed the people of the South Kerry Constituency."
Jackie Healy-Rae indicated after his re-election in May that the restoration of the town's bilingual names was high on his list of priorities were he to enter the fray in the formation of a Government. Now, according to his son Cllr. Michael Healy-Rae, a commitment has been made and a deal has been struck that the name An Daingean will be replaced with its bilingual historical names of Dingle-Daingean Uí Chúis.

In October of last year, 1005 qualified electors in Dingle, representing a 90% turnout, voted to in a Kerry County Council supported plebiscite to reinstate the town's bilingual names. The name An Daingean, which became the official town name under the Offical Languages Act championed by Minister Eamonn Ó'Cúiv, was rejected.
According to Michael, the delay in the restoration of the bilingual name has been extremely frustrating and upsetting for local people and now, finally, the matter is close to resolution. For more information visit http://www.dinglename.com/

Corpus Christi Parade Dingle - June 2007

The Corpus Christi Procession which took place in Dingle town (pictured on Main Street) on Sunday, June 10th, 2007.

Dingle Canon Monsignor Pádraig Ó'Fiannachta and Fr. Eugene Kiely led the celebrations.

Dermot O'Brien 1933-2007

Ní bheidh a leitheidí ann arís

Dermot O'Brien 1933-2007

A sense of great sadness descended over West Kerry as word came that renowned Louth musician and footballer, Dermot O'Brien had passed away in his home at Ardee on Tuesday May 22nd. Dermot, Louth's 1957 All-Ireland winning captain, was known well known throughout this country, Europe and the US as musician of great renown, but he also came to be regarded as an adopted West Kerry man. Dermot loved Dingle and West Kerry and spent as much time in the area as he possibly could. His death sent a shock wave throughout the Dingle Peninsula, where he came to be known and loved as one of their own.
As a young man, Dermot first came to prominence as a footballer with his native Louth. A member of the St Mary's club in Ardee, he won three Louth Senior Football championship medals in 1951, 1956 and 1960 and also played for one year with Navan O Mahony's. In 1953, he won a Leinster Senior Championship medal as part of the Louth team that defeated Wexford in the Leinster final. In 1957, he won his second Leinster Championship medal when Louth defeated Dublin in the Leinster final, and in September of that year lifted the Sam Maguire, the only Louth Captain ever to do so. A great lover of the Irish language, Dermot delivered his All-Ireland winning speech as gaeilge, a precursor for his love affair with Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht.
Dermot moved on to his other great love in life, music, in the 1960's. He was a gifted accordian player and his recording of 'The Merry Ploughboy' went to number one in the Irish Charts in 1966. Dermot also hosted several TV shows including the 'The Dermot O'Brien Show' on RTÉ television and his talents as an accordion player were respected the world over with the release of many albums.
It was music that lead Dermot to Dingle in 1974 when the Hillgrove Hotel first opened. The ballroom scene was just about over and Dermot performed a special cabaret show at the Spa Room in the hotel. The show proved to be a great success and Dermot continued to come to Dingle during the summer and the winter months, appealing to local sensibilities with his unique mix of traditional, country and old-time music. Dermot and the people of Dingle began a romance which would last a life-time. He had a special love for country music and always played a Johnny Cash and a Buck Owens tribute as part of his set. He also wrote the Connemara Rose with renowned sports commentator Jimmy Magee, one of his close friends.
Dermot's success also brought him to the USA where he became well-known in many of the Irish cities of New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia. He was also a welcome guest at the John-Boyle O'Reilly Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, a West Kerry stronghold. Even when he crossed the Atlantic, he kept a connection with West Kerry going. He also appeared on American television with both Bing Crosby and Ed Sullivan. Dermot once shared the stage with Johnny Cash and Bill Haley and the Comets.
Dermot came to West Kerry whenever he could and would often play an impromptu gig in the likes of Paidí Ó'Sé's Pub in Ventry, Scanlons in Baile an Lochaigh or in the Droichead Beag in Dingle. Lord Bakers on Main St was one of his most favourite places and the proprieator John Moriarty became one of his closet friends. Other friends in the West included Paidí Ó'Sé, Jackie MacGearailt and Dr. Jim Brosnan to name but a few.
He has a wonderful ability to get the crowd moving and on their feet and his vibrancy and joie-de-vie was celebrated in the West. His heart beat to the rhythm of the West Kerry drum and the people there celebrated him for it, those in his presence enjoyed his performance as much as he loved performing for them.
Dermot felt at home in West Kerry and he often partook in round of golf at Ceann Sibeál in Ballyferriter. The Irish language was something he always held close to his heart and in the West he had the ability to converse and socialise with naive speakers of the tongue. He loved to discuss the importance of culture and the changing face of traditional music. He would often be a guest on Raidió na Gaeltachta such was his linguistic ability and he always claimed that Seamus Begley from Baile na bPuc was the greatest sean-nós singer he ever heard.
Dingle became the location for a belated birthday celebration four years ago, as friends and family converged on Lord Bakers to celebrate Dermot's 70th birthday. Lorda Bakers was always his first port of call upon arriving in the town and that particular night, the roof was raised to the wee hours, by the man from the wee county, who filled the night with music and song.
Dermot had hoped to settle in West Kerry and had negotiated the purchase of a house in Smerwick however he took ill in recent years. Despite the seriousness of his condition, he fought his illness with every ounce of strength he had. Upon the eve of the 2006 All-Ireland, Dermot met up with some friends in his sisters pub in Drumcondra. There he wondered aloud to his close friend John Moriarty of Dingle, if he would make the 2007 All-Ireland final, as the Louth Team of 1967 would have been the team celebrated at the half-time mark, commemorating the 50th year of their All-Ireland win. As captain, Dermot would have lead his team-mates out onto the grass of Croke Park . Sadly, it was not meant to be.
Dermot was a gentleman's gentleman, who never had a bad word to say about anyone. He exuded optimism and kindness and the mark he has left on the people of Dingle and West Kerry is undeniable. Dermot was a great friend to Dingle and his passing is also a great loss to Irish music.
He was laid to rest in his home town of Ardee with his beloved wife Rose, who passed away just two years ago. His great friend, Jimmy Magee gave the graveyard oration and many people from West Kerry made the trip to Louth to pay their final respects. Dermot is survived by his daughter Roisín, who is also a talented singer in her own right.
When the show in Dingle was over, and the curtin had fallen, Dermot would sit back and have a pint before launching into the real music of the night, which would stretch into the small hours. Now the golden music of his accordion has a new audience in the great dance hall in the heavens.
As they say in West Kerry, ní bheidh a leithidí ann arís.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal dilís.

Nudist Day at Inch Beach

Nudist Day at Inch Beach

Things were free and easy in West Kerry last Sunday so to speak, as a group of naturists from Kerry, Cork and Waterford came together at Inch Strand to let it all hang out, as they celebrated World Naturism Day on one of the county's most beautiful and popular beaches.
The event, which takes place every year at various beauty spots around the country, is organised by the Irish Naturists Association who believe that nudity should be celebrated and that displaying the human body in public is a natural right.
"We had a bit of a slow start in Inch this year because of the weather" explained President of the Irish Naturists Association, Pat Gallagher.
"We always try to do something in Kerry to celebrate World Naturism Day each year, we encourage people to come together on designated beaches and enjoy the freedom nudity affords."
"We like the freedom to express ourselves and to be at one with nature" Pat explained.
Ireland is the only European country that does not have officially designated nudist beaches and public nudity can be considered a offense, even if one is seen naked on private land.

High King visits Dingle

The Last High King
of Ireland

Dingle received a very distinguished guest last Saturday as the town embraced the the King of Tory Island, Donegal native Patsy Dan Rodgers, who is considered to be the last surviving High King of Ireland. Accompanied by his wife Caitlín, King Patsy was received in West Kerry by manager of Ionad an Bhlaoscaoid, Mícheál De Mordha.

O'Flaherty's Pub in Dingle became the unlikely location for a royal visit, as local musicians Fergus Ó'Flaitheartaigh on the banjo, Maidhic Dainín Ó'Sé on the bosca ceoil, Franc Ó'Conchúir on the guitar and Eric Marini on the bodhrán performed a very special session in Patsy's honour.

Artist and musician Patsy Dan Rodgers was one of the leading campaigners against the Government's plans to resettle the residents of Tory Island on the Donegal mainland following storms in 1974 .

Patsy Dan is also one of the original members of the Tory School of Art and in recent years Patsy's artwork, mostly portraying island, has sparked a renaissance of artistic expression on the island along with with fellow artists Anton Meenan and Ruari Rodgers.

Patsy Dan's contributions to his island's culture and well being have been recognised by his fellow islanders who bestowed on him the title of King of Tory, making him Ireland's last and only remaining high king.

Maidhic Dainín Ó'Sé, author and musician, said that it was a great experience to see Mr. Rodgers in O'Flaherty's Pub in Dingle, which is considered by many as one of the country's best musical pubs.

"We enjoyed a great session with Patsy Dan" he said.
"Its not every day you get to sit down and have a pint with the King!" he enthused.