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17 July 2012

Excitement building in advance of Dingle Races 2012

Dingle is already beginning to come alive as the excitement level gears up in advance of the Dingle Races which kick on Friday August 10 at Ballintaggart Racecourse at the edge of Dingle town. The Dingle Races, which will run over Friday, Saturday and Sunday August 10-12 is the biggest racing event on Ireland's horse and pony circuit and one of the best weekends in Dingle in the entire year. With over 200 entrants and 29 races over three days, 2012 is shaping up to be one of the best meet’s to date with a prize fund of €40,000 and packed card which will draw interests from racing circles all over the world. Ireland’s best flappers will compete representing the best form emerging from country’s four associations, with circuit winners from the Southern, Northern and Midlands circuits taking part. Dingle has its own dedicated circuit and each year local competitors, push the big-boys to the limit in the main races. Entrants are also expected from the England, Wales and Scotland this year and perhaps even further afield. Veteran commentator Thomas Callaghan will also be on hand with his witticisms and insights setting the tone for the weekend’s racing at Ballintaggart Racecourse whose use has been donated by the Moran family. The stands offers race-goers an amazing view of all the racing action, spectacular views over Dingle as well as the chance to enjoy a few drinks. The Dingle Races is also a big family day out. So come along to West Kerry for the Dingle Races! A full race-card is available to view at www.dingleraces.ie

13 July 2012

Family fun in Dingle with return of 47th annual West Kerry Agricultural Show

The West Kerry Agricultural Show takes place at the Dingle Mart Grounds (Spa Road) this Sunday July 15th and even in its 47th year, the event shows no signs of slowing down with a packed schedule of events for all the family. A staple of West Kerry life for many decades, the show has built its success on a strong community foundation, hosting many competitions in bakery, art, crafts, photography and horticulture as well as showcasing the best in livestock. The show's committee is eager to welcome local families and visitors alike to come along and experience one of Kerry's best family days out in the year. A variety of different competitive classes will be contested at the show for cattle, ponies, horse and sheep, with a prize fund of €20,000 up for grabs along with an array of prestigious trophies. With fun activities such as the Dog Show and Sheep Dog Trials, Horse Show, an array of arts and crafts, Irish Dancing and much more, the West Kerry Agricultural Show provides an afternoon packed with fun and frolics. Events which will be held on the day include the Annual Dog Show with categories for puppies, large dogs, small dogs, gun dogs and sheep dogs in work. People can bring along their dogs on the day and there will be a number of prizes as the judges put them through their paces! One of the most popular events to emerge in recent times has been the addition of Sheep Dog Trials to the West Kerry Agricultural Show's portfolio. The judges will put the talented four-legged pooches through their paces. The event draws huge interest with entries from all over Munster showcasing their capabilities and intellect of Sheep Dogs. All are welcome to come along and enter their dogs or to simply come along and see the amazing things these animals can do!  An additional category this year is the Agility Sports which will see dogs perform tricks such as jumping through hoops in conjunction with the Pet Dog Show. The West Kerry Agricultural Show will  also host an Irish Dancing Exhibition with Rinceoirí Chorca Dhuibhne  along with music from Banna Fife agus Drumma Daingean Ui Chuis.   The Bonny Baby Competition is one of the most popular events with little cutie-pies beaming sweet smiles out from their prams to impress the judges! Style scouts will also be out and about on the day as they keep their eyes peeled for the Best Dressed Lady, which will see Corca Dhuibhne's most glamorous lady awarded for her style savvy! The Granny Gaelach will see the selection of West Kerry's most glamorous grandmother.  A bouncy castle will also be supplied for the children to enjoy. Budding artists and craft enthusiasts of all ages are also invited to submit their works to the annual Arts & Crafts Exhibition and submissions from all age groups are welcome. An exciting addition to the Arts Competition section is the West Kerry Agricultural Show Amateur Photographic Competition. Entrants of all ages are invited to submit one of their photos (printed) and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed entries will be exhibited during the show. Children and adults are also welcome to submit their original works in the Art Competition. There will also be a special prizes for the overall winner in the adults and children’s cookery competition. Those with green fingers are also invited to enter their best home-grown fruits and vegetables in the the Horticultural competitions which have emerged as a popular event; all entries are welcome and should be handed in no later than 12noon on Show-Day in the Dingle Mart Canteen. The traditional part of the show invited entries in the various animal classes, including cattle, sheep, ponies and horses. The prize fund totals €20,000; animals must entered by 12.30pm on show-day. There is no entry fee. The West Kerry Agricultural Show will takes place at the Dingle Mart Grounds (which may be accessed via the Spa Road or John Street, Dingle) on Sunday July 15th with entries for animals taken 12.30pm and the show opening its gates to the public at 1.30pm sharp. Pictured: Members of Coiste Taispeantais Talamhaíochta Chiarraí Thair.

28 May 2012

Final countdown underway as Dingle's Walking on Cars aim for Red Bull Festival Chart Top 3

With only hours left to go, Dingle's Walking on Cars are hoping to make it into the Top 3 of the Red Bull Festival Buzz Chart tomorrow. Qualification would see them play at Irish festivals this summer and also put them in the running to win the competition outright and record at the Red Bull Studios. 2012 is shaping up to be a big year for a Dingle-based band whose edgy acoustic rock, classical piano and polished posound have earned them major kudos on the national music scene. Walking on Cars, who are tipped for big things by those in the know, had a very successful year in 2011, selling out a string of live gigs, not to mention their live performances alongside the likes of The Coronas, O Emperor and rock legends Whipping Boy. The West Kerry five-piece comprises of Patrick Sheehy on vocals and rhythm guitar, Sorcha Durham on piano, Paul Flannery on bass guitar, Evan Hadnett on drums and Dan Devane on lead guitar and backing vocals. The band got together in the Summer of 2010 when they began writing their songs together in a friend’s caravan. They are currently signed to Coal Records and their debut EP is due out in mid-2012. Their latest offering Don't Mind Me has almost 30,000  views on YouTube; Speeding Cars was equally well received. According to the band's management, music for the new EP is currently being reviewed for inclusion by a number of high profile producers based in Ireland, Finland and Sweden.
“We started out by recording a demo in a caravan in Ventry,” explained lead guitarist Tom Kavanagh who also used to play tin-whistle with the Quay Wren. “We had some great gigs last year, including one in France which was great. We had a house back west and over the past three months we have been writing and recording.”
“Our sound is modern pop/rock with very distinctive lead vocals - it's a big sound with great emphasis on melodies and harmonies . We think our sound is going to be the soundtrack to 2012 so be prepared!”
Walking on Cars also featured in a recent TG4 documentary and the buzz surrounding these young musicians is palpable.
They are currently riding high in the Red Bull Buzz Chart and need your votes (vote HERE).

26 April 2012

Dingle Cycling Club launch Dingle Peninsula 110km Challenge 2012

A call was issued to cyclists around the county this week as the 110km Dingle Peninsula Challenge Cycle, which is set to take place on Saturday May 5 this year, was officially launched by Cumann Rothaíochta Chorca Dhuibhne (Dingle Cycling Club) on Thursday evening.
Speaking to DingleNews.com at the launch, Seanachán MacGearailt of Dingle Cycling Club explained how the event managed to attract 150 cyclists last year, a figure they hope to increase this year.
The Dingle Peninsula Challenge shall embark upon a 110km ‘figure-of-eight’ route around the Dingle Peninsula. Beginning at the Dingle Marina at 9am, cyclists will head towards Lispole, Annascaul and Camp before making the turn for Castlegregory, Cloghane and back over Conor Pass to Dingle.
There cyclists will enjoy tea and refreshments back at the Marina; as the cycle is being conducted in two parts, cyclists may wrap up their day at this point or indeed continue on to the second part of the cycle which will see them head for Ventry, Slea Head before making it back into town through Ballyferriter and Baile na nGall.
“MEP Seán Kelly and President of the Dingle Cycling Club Paudie Fitzgerald will give the starters orders in the morning; people can undertake the cycle at their own pace, there is no pressure and they may complete either one of the rounds or the entire figure of eight, it is up to them,” Seanachán explained.
The Dingle Peninsula Challenge is also being hosted as one of the events making up the Dingle Peninsula Arts Festival Féile na Bealtaine and with a host of art, music, dance, literary and children’s events, the place is sure to be buzzing.
“The registration fee is €30; €10 goes towards insurance, €10 goes towards operating costs and other €10 will be donated to the Camphill Community in Dún Síon,” Seanachán added.
“The level of participation was high last year and it was a wonderful event; we hope to welcome more cyclists along this year to enjoy the wonderful scenery Corca Dhuibhne has to offer.”
The 110km Dingle Peninsula Challenge Cycle takes place on Saturday May 5 as part of the Féile na Bealtaine programme of events. Registration takes place at 8.30am at the Marina in Dingle. For more information contact 086-8229652 or check out the Facebook page, Facebook.com/DingleCyclingClub.

24 April 2012

Aurora Borealis over Brandon Bay captured by West Kerry photographer

The Northern Lights made a rare appearance in West Kerry last night as the Aurora Borealis was visible over Brandon Bay

15 April 2012

Féile na Bealtaine launch 2012 programme of events

Féile na Bealtaine takes place this year from May 3 – 7 in a range of venues around the Dingle Peninsula and a packed schedule of events, encompassing all aspects of the arts, will no doubt draw large crowds to Corca Dhuibhne for its duration

14 April 2012

Cloghane - Brandon community launches new April walking festival

West Kerry is a hive of activity at the moment as the local community prepares to welcome hill-walkers to the inaugural Cloghane – Brandon Walking Festival

13 April 2012

Hope Guatemala Charity Walk & Run returns on April 22nd

Hope Guatemala's Charity Walk & Run Children returns to Dingle on Sunday April 22nd

11 April 2012

Easter art explosion in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh

BAILE an Fheirtéaraigh enjoyed an explosion of artistic colour and endeavour last Sunday

10 April 2012

Easter fires burn brightly at dawn in Baile Riabhach

Easter dawned early last Sunday in Corca Dhuibhne as a crowd of almost 200 parishioners from Dingle and West Kerry made their way to Teampall Geall, Baile Riabhach to celebrate the annual Easter Sunday Dawn Mass at 6am

09 April 2012

Miriam meets and greets in Ventry

A LARGE group turned out to catch a glimpse of RTÉ'S Miriam O'Callaghan last Saturday as she visited Cahertrant in Ventry

08 April 2012

Seoladh Conair Dealbhadóireachta Iarthar Dhuibhneach ag Féile na Cásca

Beidh dhá chúram ar Chlíodna Cussen nuair a osclóidh sí Féile na Cásca 2012 ar an Máimín, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh inniu

07 April 2012

Ealaín na Gaeltachta announces bursaries to Gaeltacht-based artists

Ealaín na Gaeltachta Teo, a joint venture between Údarás na Gaeltachta and The Arts Council, which promotes development of the contemporary and traditional arts in the Gaeltacht areas has announced the recipients of its latest bursary scheme

07 April 2012

Féile na Cásca to show-case the work of over 60 local artists this Easter

Art works from over 60 Dingle Peninsula based artists will bring Ballyferriter village to life this Easter Sunday at Féile na Cásca, the annual Easter Art Exhibition.

01 April 2012

Book written in West Kerry stirs up memories of Madeline McCann disappearance

A Scottish journalist who spends much of her time in the West Kerry Gaeltacht has released a new crime thriller whose plot may remind some of the disappearance of Madeline McCann

29 March 2012

Michael Begley

"An active and often outspoken character who set the scene for robust debates and discussions"

20 March 2012

Wings for Dingle's Walking on Cars as Red Bull team come to town

The Red Bull team descended on Dingle last Wednesday to film a promo for West Kerry band Walking on Cars

17 March 2012

St. Patrick's Day 2012; colour and spectacle rules the day in Dingle

St Patrick’s Day 2012 was certainly one to remember in Dingle

08 March 2012

Dingle Film Festival to feature special screening of Amy Winehouse documentary

A special screening of ‘Amy Winehouse: The Day She Came to Dingle’, the documentary which captures the late singer’s visit and performance in Dingle during Other Voices 2006, will take place during the 2012 Dingle International Film Festival.

07 March 2012

Other Voices returns to RTE2 tonight

The first installment of Other Voices X, which was recorded in Dingle last December, will be screened on RTE2 tonight

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