Connect with us

News

Council takes a bow as Kerry tourism strategy selected as best in Ireland

Published

on

K

KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL has clinched a coveted national award this week, having been selected as outright winner of the Irish Public Sector Service to Tourism Award 2016 for its newly published tourism strategy.

The ‘Excellence in Business’ Awards to Local Government, sponsored by the Irish Public Sector Magazine, are awarded annually to companies and authorities who can demonstrate outstanding service, continuity, track record and general excellence in business to the public sector, Irish companies, and to the people of Ireland. Last year, the council won the ITIC Best Tourism Innovation Award at the inaugural National Tourism Awards.

The new Kerry Tourism Strategy and Action Plan 2016-2022 is the culmination of two years’ work by the council and the Destination Kerry Tourism Forum and follows extensive local, national and international consultation with the public, visitors, agencies and trade and is the most in-depth analysis of tourism ever undertaken in the county.

The new report sets out 272 specific actions to be implemented across seven key areas over the short, medium or long term, including community tourism, events and festivals, education, enterprise and innovation, environment, natural and cultural heritage, infrastructure, adventure, and branding and marketing.

The prioritisation of the extensive number of projects which were agreed following full public consultation was based on the need to
extend the tourism activity into the shoulder season. A focus is also placed on the promotion of Kerry's green and clean image, further development of the Wild Atlantic Way, and development of projects with significant visitor appeal.

The vision set out in the strategy is “to maximise, in a sustainable manner, tourism’s contribution to the quality of life, economy, employment and local community development, paying particular attention to nurturing and protecting the natural, built, cultural and linguistic heritage of the county.”

Kerry is Ireland’s premier regional holiday destination. It has been welcoming visitors for generations and today attracts 1.7m overseas and domestic holidaymakers which generate over €420m in tourist-related income for the county. The county currently attracts 13% of all overseas visitors to Ireland and one in three American visitors includes Kerry on their itineraries. It has the greatest concentration of tourist accommodation outside of Dublin - up to 50,000 beds in the approved and unapproved sectors.

Kerry is also more dependent on tourism than any other county with over 20% of its workforce employed in tourism-related enterprises and has over 9,000 people directly employed in the accommodation and hospitality sectors.

Moira Murrell, Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, welcomed the award saying: “The Tourism Strategy which forms an integral part of Kerry County Council’s Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2022, is a living document that will respond to new challenges, changing market trends and consumer behaviour and will be reviewed and updated annually.”
 


 
Welcoming the award for the Kerry County Tourism Strategy at County Buildings this week, Cllr Robert Beasley (chairman, Tourism Strategic Policy Committee), Cllr Michael O’Shea (mayor), Moira Murrell (chief executive), Joan McCarthy (head of tourism development), John Griffin (tourism officer).

Advertisement

News

New, smash-hit comedy play by Killarney Theatre Company

Published

on

By

A new comedy play by Glengariff playwright Ray O’Sullivan will come to Killarney next month as part of a regional tour.

Robbed! will be staged at the Gleneagle Club on Saturday, February 7, at 8.30pm, presented by the Killarney Theatre Company.

The production is the group’s fifth in a popular series of homegrown plays and follows the success of The Rise and Rise of the Healy-Raes, A Papal Blessing, Weight Watching and Stones.

The play centres on a failed GAA player who finds himself caught in a series of misunderstandings involving relationships, bingo balls and a robbery that quickly spirals out of control.

As events unfold, nothing goes to plan and the situation descends into chaos.

Rehearsals have been ongoing since October and the cast includes Ray O’Sullivan himself alongside Rosie Healy and DB O’Connor. Robbed! is O’Sullivan’s fifth full-length play and is expected to attract strong audiences across the tour.

Tickets cost €15 and are available from Ray O’Sullivan on 087 2279657 or from the Gleneagle on 064 667155.


The tour begins in Scartaglen Hertiage Centre on January 17, The Ivy Leaf Theatre Castleisland, on January 29, The Glen Theatre Banteer on January 31, Foilmore Community Centre Sunday February 1, Killorglin CYMS, February 5, Abbeydorney Community Centre February 12 and Bantry Westlodge Hotel February 21.

Continue Reading

News

Kerry FC take unusual step with Killarney friendly

By Luke Managan Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised […]

Published

on

By Luke Managan

Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised to raise funds for Palliative Care.

It marked a rare appearance in the town for the county’s League of Ireland side and drew strong local interest.
Kerry started brightly and were ahead within the opening minutes, setting the tone for an open and competitive contest. Their early pressure was rewarded again in the 21st minute when Ballyduff native Sean McGrath doubled the lead. The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides creating chances and enjoying spells of possession.
Luke Doolan was central to Kerry’s play throughout the first half, linking defence and attack and providing energy in midfield. Kerry continued to threaten down both flanks, while Killarney Celtic responded with a series of corners and set pieces, delivered with pace into the penalty area.
Celtic reduced the deficit in the 25th minute with a well-taken free kick from just outside the box, bringing the score back to 2–1 and lifting the home support. Kerry responded in the 36th minute with a powerful strike to restore their two-goal advantage, but Celtic continued to press and were rewarded again shortly after. Debutant goalkeeper Harry Halwax produced an excellent save, with the ball coming back off the crossbar, but the rebound was turned in to make it 3–2.
Kerry looked unsettled for a brief spell as Celtic pushed forward, but just before half-time Doolan struck again with a composed finish to give Kerry a 4–2 lead at the break.
The second half saw Kerry take greater control of the game, keeping possession well and limiting Celtic to crosses from wide areas. While the home side increased their physical approach, the match remained free of disciplinary issues. Kerry made several changes in the 78th minute, including the introduction of Daniel Okwute, who impressed last season.
Halwax was forced off through injury and replaced by Killorglin native Darragh Foley, who settled quickly. Kerry added a fifth goal late on to seal a 5–2 win, though Killarney Celtic continued to compete until the final whistle.
After the match, both Okwute and Foley spoke positively about the season ahead, expressing confidence in the squad and belief that Kerry FC can challenge any opponent.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport