Announcing details of the 'Big Hello' Healthy Kerry Community Weekend, from l-r: Niamh O'Sullivan (Head of Community Department, Kerry County Council), Cllr Niall Kelleher (Chairperson of Kerry Local Community Development Committee), Deirdre Hegarty (Health and Well-being Officer, Kerry County Council), and Bill Morrell (Kerry Public Participation Network).

Kerry County Council, in conjunction with Kerry’s Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), is inviting applications for funding from local community-led events linked to the first ever Healthy Kerry Community Weekend, which will take place on the May Bank Holiday Weekend.

With the theme of ‘Wellbeing Across the Ages’, the event is part of the nationwide ‘Big Hello’ initiative being led by the Department of Rural and Community Development. €10,000 in funding has been allocated by the department to events in Kerry.

“The funding is intended particularly for community-based events that will foster a sense of helping each other by coming together, not just on that weekend, but all year round,’ Cllr Niall Kelleher, Chairperson of the Kerry Local Community Development Committee, said.

“It’s a chance for everyone to organise an event which will help people to get know all members of their community, to reconnect with neighbours and have a celebration together that is open, inclusive and local.”

The events must take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend from May 4 to 6. Applications are welcome from community and voluntary groups, organisations and residents’ committees within County Kerry. A maximum of 10 projects will be funded.

Full details are now available on the Kerry County Council website and from the Community Department or HealthyKerryCommunityWeekend@kerrycoco.ie. The closing date for funding applications is March 25.