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Aqua Dome to remain closed until next year

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The Aqua Dome Tralee has decided to remain closed until Easter next year.

Today (Wednesday), the Directors of the popular facility announced that due to the continuing Government ban on indoor activities they will not now reopen in 2021 - and a new target date of Easter 2022 has been set.

Having previously announced that it would reopen on July 9, it subsequently became clear that this decision had to be overturned as the restrictions preventing indoor attractions, such as the Aqua Dome, from opening remain in force.

The Directors have been informed that this is as a result of the concern surrounding the spread of the Delta variant in the younger generation.

“The Aqua Dome makes a profit in the months of July and August and this subsidises the losses generated in the other 10 months of the year," Aqua Dome Chairman, Denis Reen, said.

"As we now will miss these months for the second year in a row, due to the Government restrictions, we have no alternative but to remain closed until Easter 2022. We sincerely hope that some semblance of normality will have returned by then.”

The Aqua Dome is one of Kerry’s most popular tourist attractions and a fantastic all-weather facility for Tralee, attracting around 130,000 visitors each year. The majority of those visitors come during the summer months when up to 40 people would be employed.

It first opened on May 14 1994 and has operated subsidy-free for over 25 years during which time it has been a vital contributor to the local economy in Kerry.

CEO of the Aqua Dome Tralee, Kieran Ruttledge, added that they “understand the disappointment that this decision may cause".

"We apologise to our many loyal members and supporters. However, the future of the Aqua Dome is of paramount importance and the economics would indicate that this is the best course of action to ensure its long-term viability.”

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Ballymac Vintage Club raises over €7k for local charities

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Ballymac Vintage Club raises over €7k for local charities


The Ballymac Vintage Club raised over €7,000 for two worthy causes following the 16th running of its annual Classic Car and Honda 50 Run over the bank holiday weekend.


Despite a wet start to Sunday morning, more than 100 registered vehicles turned out at Ó Riada’s Bar and Restaurant. Entrants brought a diverse selection of classic cars, vans, and campers, including several vehicles making their first appearance at a Kerry vintage event.
The day began with a Cars and Coffee gathering, allowing participants and spectators to catch up, inspect the vehicles, and enjoy light refreshments.
Proceeds from the event and Saturday’s street collection in Castleisland will support two local causes: St John of God Oileán Beo Castleisland, which provides services for adults with intellectual disabilities, and the Kerry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, which supports sick and infirm pilgrims alongside volunteers and medical staff.
A range of spot prizes were awarded throughout the morning, with organisers extending sincere thanks to local donors and main sponsors BG Motors Killarney, Brownes Agri Steel Castleisland, and Ó Riada’s Bar and Restaurant.
The run departed Ballymacelligott shortly after 11am, travelling back roads through Castleisland before making a short stop in Brosna. Drivers then completed the final leg to Knocknagoshel, where refreshments were served by the Knocknagoshel Meals on Wheels team.

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Dromhall team takes top spot at Crokes Golf Classic

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The annual Dr Crokes GAA Club Golf Classic proved to be another major success last weekend, drawing 64 teams to Killarney’s Mahony’s Point course over two days of competition.


The Dromhall Hotel team of John Brosnan, Mike Dwyer, Shane Kelly, and Ger O’Meara took first place. Second place went to the O’Carroll Engineering team of Anthony O’Mahony, John O’Driscoll, Derek McAllister, and Michael O’Sullivan.
Third place went to the Quills team (Vincent Casey, Colm O’Brien, Evy O’Brien, and Donie Buckley), while Diarmuid O’Carroll Electrical (Mark O’Carroll, Brian McCarthy, Ben Kelliher, and Luke O’Shea) finished fourth.
Rounding out the top positions were Fexco in fifth (Andrew McCarthy, Ivo O’Sullivan, Ross Brosnan, and Niall O’Shea), Money Maximising Advisors in sixth (John Lenihan, Michael Lenihan, Des McCarthy, and Peter Bellew), and The Gleneagle Hotel in seventh (Patrick O’Donoghue, Mike McAuliffe, Margaret Gill, and T Buckley).
Raffle prize winners on the night were David Cotter (1st), Eugene Browne (2nd), Donal Brosnan (3rd), and Colm Murphy (4th).
The prize presentation took place at Charlie Foley’s Bar on Friday night, with sponsor Colm Foley handing over the honours. Dr Crokes expressed thanks to all who entered teams, sponsored tee boxes, and donated prizes, as well as Colin Finlay and the team at Killarney Golf Club for the superb condition of the course.

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