Connect with us

News

Frustrated business owners take to the streets in protest

Published

on

0204326_IMG8268A.JPG

By Sean Moriarty

Over 50 town centre businesses - angered at the Government's indecision and continued delays over the reopening of indoor dining - staged a protest outside the Town Hall yesterday morning (Thursday).

Many feel their livelihoods and businesses are at risk as a result of the constant changing of dates - which has been pushed back until at least July 19.

It was initially hoped that restaurants and bars would be allowed reopen this coming Monday - but that could even be further delayed until after the August Bank Holiday weekend.

They were angered that hotels can serve meals indoors to residents, that their businesses and livelihoods are at risk and that Ireland is one of only two European countries that does not allow indoor dining.

The protest, which was a show of strength, was organised by Denis Murphy of Murphy-Brownes on High St. He said that it is Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan who is running the country and not the Government.

“The goalposts being constantly changed by "Taoiseach Tony" cannot be tolerated. We are out here today fighting for our livelihoods. I don’t begrudge any sector or business which has been allowed to open. We simply want a level playing field. It just feels like a long time ago since I’ve heard "we’re in this together", it’s just so frustrating,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.

His business partner Deirdre Browne added “It is unbelievable that hotels are open for a month".

"We waited patiently only to be told, just a few days ago, that we can’t open. There is a lack of planning by the Government; we are losing stock, we are losing staff.”

The protest was also attended by allied trades, like food and beverage wholesalers and suppliers to the industry.

“Hotels can operate but we can’t, this does not make sense,” said Seamus O’Connell of Malarkey Restaurant on New St. “Civil Servants come and inspect my premises every year so there is no reason why they can't do the same in these times.”

PUBLICANS

Publicans are also angered by the decision as it was anticipated that indoor drinking would be allowed from Monday.

Jerome Corkery, who owns, but currently leases, Corkery’s Sports Bar on High St said that the current situation is leading to increased anti-social behaviour on the streets.

“You would have far less problems with street drinking. It would solve a lot of the Gardai’s problems, the majority of the trouble is because of off-licence drinking,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.

Mark Treyvaud of Treyvaud’s Restaurant is also tired of the Government.

“The Government is spineless, they don’t stand up for the ordinary people,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “I have a family to provide for – it is as simple as that.”

Killarney Chamber issued a statement following the protest and plan to lobby Government officials in an effort to secure business supports into 2022.

“Killarney Chamber fully endorses the call for all businesses in the town to pull together and show support for those that have been left behind following the implementation of the latest public health policies,” said the statement.

“We fully appreciate and understand the enormous sense of disappointment experienced by those involved in the hospitality industry following the decision to defer the planned reopening of restaurants and public houses for indoor dining.

“It is having a devastating impact on their businesses, on their staff and on their families and the consequences for the economy and for those seeking meaningful employment opportunities are of great concern.”

Several politicians attended including TD Danny Healy-Rae, Cllrs Maura Healy-Rae, Niall Kelleher, Donal Grady and Mayor Marie Moloney.

“Many of these businesses have being paying rent throughout the pandemic and they can’t sustain it,” said Mayor Moloney. “This will break a lot of businesses.”

0204326_26_Traders_ProtestAA.JPG
ANNOYED: Robertro Taddei Sandroo Taddei Paola Taddei Dovile Velykiene and Leah McDonnell are annoyed with the Government’s decision to postpone indoor dining. Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy

0204326_26_Traders_ProtestBA.JPG
PROTEST: Clyde McDonnell Tim Hickey Paudie Spillane and Seamus O’Connell say they are not happy with the Government’s latest decision to delay indoor dining. Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy

Continue Reading
Advertisement

News

Proinsias says farewell to Gaelscoil after 33 years

By Michelle Crean For over three decades one face has been constant at Gaelscoil Faithleann but today (Friday) it all changes as the school’s first and only Principal to date […]

Published

on

By Michelle Crean

For over three decades one face has been constant at Gaelscoil Faithleann but today (Friday) it all changes as the school’s first and only Principal to date says a fond farewell.

It’s a day full of mixed emotions for Proinsias Mac Curtain who was appointed the school’s Principal on September 1, 1989.

Today, the school’s 245 children and staff will host a number of events at the school for him which are sure to stir a few emotions.

It follows a special Mass on Innisfallen Island on Saturday morning as 150 children, staff members, parents council and Board of Management members boarded a boat for the occasion. And the location was apt as the school is called after the island, Proinsias explained to the Killarney Advertiser.

“It was lovely, it was meaningful as the school is called after Innisfallen Island. I’ve been blessed with the school community down through the years. It was a pleasure to work with school staff and parents, Boards of Management – but the most important is the children. I’m proud of them and their achievements. They are great children and I’ll miss them.”

He said the school will be in great hands as Lisa Ni Iarlaithe, who has been at the school since 1991, takes over as Principal.

He also praised the hardworking staff.

“I’ll miss it but I’m comfortable to step back as the school is in excellent hands.”

Proinsias is originally from Tournafulla Co Limerick. He began his career as a teacher in Scoil Iognáid in the centre of Galway city, the largest Gaelscoil in the country at the time.

Shortly before he died his father Jerry, who loved to holiday for a few days a year in Killarney, had heard of a new school opening here and phoned Proinsias to tell him. The rest they say is history.

He says his love of Irish language was inspired by Tournafulla Primary School Principal Liam O Loineacháin and in St Ita’s College Abbeyfeale by Jim Tierney and the late Johnny Nelligan.

And although three decades is a long time, Proinsias says it flew by and that he has seen many changes over the years. The first is seeing the children of former pupils coming to school. The second is the advancement of technology – some good and some not so good!

“The biggest change was the growth of technology, the changeover to the whiteboard and the use of devices which makes it challenging for parents. It’s wonderful you can access so much, but there are advantages and disadvantages.”

He added a huge thanks to his wife Karen who supported him down through the years when he was out late at meetings, adding that she was “very patient”.

He also thanked Sean O Luanaigh.

“He has been my chairperson since the start and has been such a tremendous support, help and guidance down through the years.”

In retirement he plans to spend more time with his family including his three children Ruadhán, Meadhbh and Cormac.

He also plans to get more involved in Beaufort Tidy Towns as well as the Annals of Innisfallen project.

“It’s always been an interest of mine. I also plan to relax for a few weeks, make more time for family, and I look forward to playing more trad music, bee keeping, gardening and travel.”

Attachments

Continue Reading

News

Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways. The recently opened […]

Published

on

0254025_Kerry_Greenways_2.jpg

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways.

The recently opened Kingdom of Kerry Greenways between Tralee and Fenit and between Listowel and Abbeyfeale are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors to Kerry.

Representatives of the tourism Industry, local public representatives, travel writers and influencers gathered in Kerry on Monday to experience the exciting new tourist attractions and welcome the arrival of the longer daylight hours as the clocks changed over to summertime.

Sarah Hanrahan, a social media influencer who posts about Irish travel and has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, described the experience.

“Ireland has some of the most amazing outdoor spaces. For a lot of my followers and other people, connecting with green spaces has become much more important to their overall sense of well-being as well as their health and fitness. It’s been really gorgeous to experience the Tralee to Fenit, and Listowel to Limerick Kingdom of Kerry Greenways; a fantastic trip sampling the warm hospitality of Kerry and a great reminder of the active holiday options that are right on our doorstep.”

The new purpose-built trails provide an accessible and inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.

Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Aoife Thornton, said that the greenways offer an exceptional recreational amenity for everyone to enjoy.

“The greenways are situated in some of Kerry’s most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular and safe off-road facilities for people of all ages to enjoy as the landscape comes into bloom. They also offer warm hospitality at the trail head towns of each route.”

Visit www.kerrygreenways.ie to find out more.

Attachments

Continue Reading

LOCAL ADS

Last News

Advertisement

Sport

Trending