Centres across the county are set to have fun in the sun this Thursday with the delivery of various games as part of National Play Day.

It's all part of an annual initiative by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whereby local authorities are supported to deliver a programme of activity that promotes play and recreation opportunities for children and young people across the country. 

Kerry County Council has collaborated with Healthy Kerry, Tralee Bay Wetlands Eco & Activity Park, Kerry CYPSC, South Kerry Development Partnership, NEWKD, Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership, TIRC and KASI to organise suitable play, recreation and game equipment for families living in Kerry Direct Provision Centres under the theme of ‘Playful Communities’.

A variety of items are included in these packs such as Giant Jenga, Connect 4, Giant Parachutes, Sports Day Packs, Wooden Skittles, Hula Hoops and more. On Thursday these packs will be delivered to the centres to celebrate National Play Day.

“Kerry County Council is delighted to have been given the opportunity, through this scheme, to work collaboratively with our partners so that fun play equipment will be delivered to all of the Family Direct Provision Centres across the county on National Play Day,"  Healthy Kerry Coordinator, Dr Deirdre Hegarty, said.

Manager of Tralee Bay Wetlands Eco & Activity Park, Mary O’Connor, added: “We are delighted to be involved in this initiative and look forward to providing play and recreational opportunities in the natural environment of our centre to all families in the County Family Direct Provision Centres at Tralee Bay Wetlands Eco & Activity Park in the future.”

The National Play Day is one component of the wider Summer of Play campaign; a Government-led initiative designed to remind everyone - young and old - of the fundamental importance of play. Further details of this wider initiative is available at Let's Play Ireland.