Dingle by Chris Grayson
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From an 1899 Newspaper
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The School around the Corner
My granddaughters attend Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin in Ballincollig
Although it is a brand new school it is at capacity already.
My little girlies are lucky in that they live within walking distance of the school.
Other little pupils cycle.
There is a scheme whereby when a new school is built the contractor has to set aside a “percentage for art”. Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin used this money very inventively. They commissioned senior pupils to draw scenes associated with Ballincollig. The children’s pictures, which featured the old gunpowder mills, the river, the castle (a deCogan stronghold), the school which started life in an old supermarket, the GAA and, of course Sean ÓRiordáin after whom the school is named. The artwork was transferred to tiles and these in the form of a river flow along the wall by the entrance. Below are just a few of these tiles.
Children leaving behind the old building for their new school building.
Tho old army barracks with cannon.
The road race at Carrigrohane
The castle, games and the countryside.
I could spend hours looking at this work of art and every time something new stands out for me.
The school has a vegetable flower and herb garden, which is looked after by the pupils.
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Old Friends
Old pals, Murt McAulliffe and Jimmy Hannon meet for a coffee at The Flying Saucer.
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Style from Ladies Day, Sept. 15 2017
This Galway couple bagged the Best Dressed Couple prize
While the best dressed finalists were assembling in the parade ring the business of racing was continuing around them.
I noticed that the young men were all beautifully turned out. This man was at work but still managed to look dapper.
Anne and Patrick Brosnan met up with some Brosnan and O’Connor relations
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100 Years of Irish Kenya Relations
I am lucky to know the chairperson of the Irish Kenya Society. He is Jack O’Regan formerly of Ballyheigue and now living, working and raising a family in Kenya.
On September 22 2017, Culture Night, Go Kerry and Jack organised a night of celebration of a very different part of our unique culture…. our reaching out to other nations and the influence Irish people have had in far flung corners of the world.
The M.C. for the evening was Michael O’Donnell
The event was attended by the Kenyan ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Richard Opembe.
In her role as Mayor of Tralee, Norma Foley welcomed the ambassador and reminded us all of some of the outstanding contributions of Irish people to Kenya. Many of Kenya’s leaders were educated by Irish nuns and the Medical Missionaries of Mary (The Flying Nuns) contributed greatly to improving healthcare in this African country.
The ambassador was presented with the Freedom of Tralee. Norma told him that he now had the right to graze his sheep in the town park whenever he likes. In his speech the ambassador told Norma that he actually is the proud owner of 4 sheep.
Jack told us a bit about the work of the Irish Kenya Society. He brought 20 Kenyan people with him to Kerry for this event and to celebrate his birthday. They had spent the previous week as tourists visiting Dublin, Blarney, Killarney and other places.
The story of the Irish contribution to Kenya was told on banners, which are now on display in The Ashe Memorial Hall, Tralee. I was interested in the story of Edel Quinn. She was born in Kanturk, lived for a short while in Tralee and worked and died in Kenya.
I apologise for the very poor quality of this photo. It’s a picture of some of the Kenyan visitors.
Gilian Wharton Slattery, Norma Foley, Richard Opembe, Grace O’Donnell, Joan O’Regan and Jack O’Regan
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A 10th Gold Medal for Lovely Listowel
Listowel Tidy Towns posted this photo of the hard working volunteers and their supporters who went to Dublin yesterday, Sept. 25 2017 hoping for good news.
They got it in the form of another 10th gold medal and an improvement of 4 marks over last year. A huge congratulations is due to Julie and all the gang. You did Listowel proud, as always.
Well done too to our neighbours who all did very well too. Killarney and Tralee retained their gold medals and Ballybunion, after a massive effort this year improved their standing.
Claire Keane
