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The Dingle News archive: November - 2009

29 November 2009

Flood threat moves East as concern grows over rising river levels in Kildare

The bad weather is continuing to make headlines for all the wrong reasons as further bouts of heavy rain has led to the issuing of flood warnings in Kildare. The ESB discharged dam waters on the River Liffey today and the rising river levels has led to preventative evacuations by Kildare local authorities. So far, a nursing home in Clane and a housing development in Sallins have been evacuated as concern grew over rising river levels. Flood warnings have been issed in several Kildare towns including Ballymore Eustace, Kilcullen, Newbridge, Clane, Celbridge and Leixlip. Kildare County Council say the flooding is moderate in places but severe in others and is urging the public not to take to the roads unless absolutely necessary.

Bishop of Kerry 'shocked' at Murphy Report revelations

The Bishop of Kerry Bill Murphy has stated that he would be willing to cooperate with an investigation into the Kerry Diocese if it were commissioned. Speaking to Radio Kerry today, Bishop Bill Murphy says he is shocked at the revelations in the Murphy report adding that "a culture of secrecy existed within the church but that day has passed". Meanwhile Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, told bishops implicated in the Murphy Report on Child Abuse, that they should "look to their consciences." Gardaí are currently studying the report which found that some senior clerics - had shielded paedophile priests when they were based in Dublin.
“I’ve consistently said that anybody who is named for having negative responsibility in the report should examine themselves in the light of what was happening then and in their responsibilities today and what they are doing today,” the Archbishop told RTE News. “The first decision must be theirs - that’s the moral thing to do and the noble thing to do if anybody feels they have failed in their duty or if their position is compromised.“From now on, the Garda investigation will look in a more precise legal terms about responsibility, criminal responsibility, negligence and I believe that’s an important dimension that will develop.”Archbishop Martin was the first cleric to open secret church files on allegations of sex abuse to investigators. The Murphy Commission revealed hundreds of accusations had been covered up by senior churchmen over a 30-year period because they were obsessed with secrecy and upholding the reputation of the Church and its assets.
Earlier in his homily at the historic St Andrew’s Church in Dublin, the Archbishop said the damage done to children abused by priests can never be undone.
“To each and every survivor, whether of abuse or of the failure in the responses of Church, I express my apology, my sorrow and my shame for what happened to them. I am aware however that no words of apology will ever be sufficient" the Archbishop added.

New Year...new you?

Are you fed up with not fitting into your clothes, never sticking to an exercise plan, and never having time to yourself?
Would you like to start 2010, by turning over a new leaf and unveiling a whole new you?
A new feature aimed at transforming four lucky Kerry people, who’ve struggled with their weight and their self-esteem, is to begin on Radio Kerry in January 2010. Presenter of the ‘TalkAbout’ programme Deirdre Walsh is looking for men and women from all over Kerry, to take part. Their age and background don’t matter – but they MUST want to lose weight, develop better eating habits, and get fit. “January is the time of year when most of us try to develop a better lifestyle, and with a new decade beginning, there’s never been a better time to get your life in order and get to work on a brand new you,” Deirdre explains. “We’ve got a team of experts lined up to work with our selected candidates, and the idea is that by the beginning of March, they’ll have totally transformed their lives and will face into the new decade with renewed confidence. That’s why we’ve called the feature, New Year New You.”
The four selected candidates will work closely with the TalkAbout team of professionals - Fitness Instructor Susan Fitzgerald from Killarney; Nutritional Therapist Susie Cox from Farranfore, and Life Coach Martine Brennan from Tralee. Each of the three experts will work on a different aspect of the candidate’s lifestyle. Selected participants will be weighed at the start of the campaign and will talk to Deirdre on the ‘TalkAbout’ programme in January, about why they want to lose weight and improve their overall health and fitness. After that, the hard work begins! Susie, Susan and Martine will work individually with each candidate, setting them short-term and long-term goals, tackling any underlying bad habits, and generally setting them off on the right road. There will be regular updates on the TalkAbout programme each week to find out how out candidates are getting on, and listeners can also follow their progress on the Radio Kerry website. If you are interested in taking part, please complete an application form as soon as possible - available by emailing talkabout@radiokerry.ie . You can also write to ‘TalkAbout’ Radio Kerry, Maine Street, Tralee or phone Deirdre on (066) 7191229.

Comórtas do dhaltaí bunscoile á reáchtáil ag www.logainm.ie

Tá comórtas á reáchtáil ag an láithreán gréasáin, www.logainm.ie do dhaltaí bunscoile i láthair na huaire. Táthar ag lorg sraith pictiúr ar théama na logainmneacha le cur ar an suíomh idirlín. Is féidir aiste nó téacs eile, ealaín nó filíocht a chur leis na pictiúir chomh maith. Cuirfear luach €300 de dhuaiseanna ar fáil don rang a bhuann an comórtas agus cuirfear teastas chuig gach rang a ghlacann páirt sa chomórtas. Cuirfear na hiontrálacha is fearr suas ar www.logainm.ie. Ba cheart na pictiúir a sheoladh chuig ‘Comórtas do bhunscoileanna’, Fiontar, Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath, Glas Naíon, Baile Átha Cliath 9 nó chuig an seoladh ríomhphoist logainm@dcu.ie. Spriocdháta: 31 Nollaig 2009.

New Dingle road finally named

A name has finally been selected for the new road in Dingle, joining the Mail Road (Tralee Road) to John Street, which was officially opened to the public last May. The road runs alongside the new Dingle Hospital and Páirc an Ághasaigh through land which was kindly donated by the local man Shane Connor and his family. Following an invitation for submissions by Kerry County Council, the road is to be known as Bóthar na bPiarsach, named in honour of the Dingle Pearses Gaelic Football Team which enjoyed considerable success in the 1940s and 1950s. In addition, following numerous public requests, including a letter from Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue, the new round-about which is adjacent to Bóthar na bPiarsach will also be dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Finbarr O’Shea of Upper Main Street, Dingle who passed away last February. Bóthar na bPiarsach was suggested by Jerry Curran (formerly of Green Street), proposed by Cllr. Seamus Cosai Fitzgerald at a recent Council meeting and formerly adopted by Kerry County Council earlier this month. “The name is very appropriate due to its proximity to Páirc an Ághasaigh” said Cllr. Cosai Fitzgerald, “it will also play a big part in remembering the great Pearses team of the past; preserving their name for future generations to come.” In the spring of 1940 a Town League was inaugurated in Dingle; Canon Lyne, the Parish Priest of Dingle gave it every encouragement and donated a set of medals for the winning team. The new competition had teams from the traditional areas of the town, John Street, Greys Lane and The Quay along with other teams from Lispole and from Cill Maolceadair. John Street won that first league final. Later, Greys Lane and the Quay amalgamated to form one team known as The Pearses while John Street retained their separate identity. The Pearses won the West Kerry Football Championship in five times in a row; the rivalry and intensity these teams sparked lead to considerable success for subsequent West Kerry teams at County Level. More history is available at read on the Dingle GAA website, dingle.kerry.gaa.ie/history.html. Pictured: One of the victorious Pearses Teams of the early 1950s. Back row, pictured l-r, Jim O’Sullivan, Eoin O’Flaherty, John-Joe Murphy, Frank O’Leary, Kevin Lynch, James Lambe and Thomas Griffin. Front row, pictured l-r, Gerard Cronin, Paddy Hussey, Sonny Brosnan, Thomas Sheehy, John O’Sullivan, John-Joe Ryle, Jim O’Hanlon and Padraig Ryle. For your own copy click on the 'DOWNLOAD' button below.

West Kerry windfarm application refused by An Bord Pleanala

An Bord Pleanala has refused planning permission for an 18 turbine windfarm in West Kerry. Flemmingstown Wind Development Group is behind the application proposed for the townlands of Flemmingstown, Kilduff and Lougher. In April, Kerry County Council refused permission for the 18, 105, metre turbines, which would span the property of 14 local landowners. When appealed to An Bord Pleanala, the planning authority said that the development would be excessively obtrusive and detract from the visual amenities of the site. According to An Bord Pleanala, the impact of noise, shadow flicker - caused by the turbine's blades - and their size, would seriously affect local homes. The planning authority also said that the proposed delivery route of the turbines on the N86 could endanger public safety by causing a traffic hazard. It's also unhappy with the amount of information contained in the Environmental Impact Statement, and the impact the development could have in archaeological features in its vicinity.

Broadband finally comes to Ballyferriter

Eircom today announced it has broadband enabled the telephone exchange serving the residents of Ballyferriter in West Kerry. Eircom customers can now "Get More with eircom Broadband" and maximise the benefits of their broadband connection with a range of services to suit everyone’s interest including: Music: eircom’s music portal, music.eircom.net, features free music downloads of independent Irish artists for everyone, album reviews, music videos, gig listings and over 850,000 tracks available to purchase to the PC, digital device or as a ringtone. Sports: eircom broadband customers can now watch exclusive live games and archived footage on Setanta Sports while eircom’s dedicated soccer and gaelic games portals feature behind the scenes interviews and exclusives with the Irish soccer team and all the latest hurling and football news and more. More information is available on www.soccerrepublic.ie and www.gaelicrising.ie. Internet Security: Norton Internet Security 3 months free and then €3.99 per month thereafter, exclusive to eircom broadband customers File storage and sharing: 1GB free online storage to store, share and access your digital photos, family videos and personal documents Exclusive online only offers include Free broadband connection, 10 discount on holidays booked online, a chance to win a holiday to America as well as 2 months free DVD rentals Over 55,000 customers have switched back to eircom since September 2008 and independent research shows they switched back because of the strong service, real value and quality products which eircom offers. More information is available at www.eircom.net.

Calls for a one way system to be introduced in Castlegregory

Calls are being made for a one-way traffic system to be adopted during the summer months in Castlegregory. Thousands of visitors pass through Castlegregory Village each summer. Cllr. Micheal O'Shea says many locals have approached him about traffic congestion and has called on Kerry County Council to review road layout of Castlegregory and consider a one-way system. The Council is to refer the issue to the Road Design Office before putting it out for public consultation. Cllr. O'Shea says this new traffic management plan could be in place by next summer if there is agreement from all parties.

Are John and Edward 'jungle-bound'?

John and Edward Grimes have been offered £50,000 each to appear on ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here’. The ‘X Factor’s twins – who were voted off the ITV talent show on Sunday night – were approached through show mentor Louis Walsh to replace Katie Price after she quit the jungle reality show yesterday. A source told The Sun newspaper: "ITV are determined to get the twins. A flight can be arranged in time so they could be in camp by this weekend. It would be a ratings winning coup if Louis manages to persuade them it’s good for their career.” Despite the huge offer, 57-year-old boy band manager Louis is convinced the twins appearance is worth more money. The source added: "Louis still believes ITV haven't offered enough money. But the twins were completely unknown a couple of months ago and everyone around them is saying they should make hay while the sun shines." Yesterday, the 18-year-old singers – who are known for their quirky blonde spiked hair – were asked on a television interview if they would consider appearing in the jungle. John replied: "Can we do that? Are we celebrities?" Edward added: "Do we have that title? We're up for any challenge, we've got to think about it together and see if it's for us." ‘I’m A Celebrity…’ is not the only reality show interested in the blonde brothers.‘Dancing On Ice’ host Phillip Schofield has also admitted he would be keen for them to appear on the show when the new series starts in January.

Tickets for Other Voices 2009 on sale tomorrow morning

Snow Patrol, The Magic Numbers, Fionn Regan, Imelda May, Villagers, Richard Hawley, The XX and Temper Trap are among the acts confirmed for RTE series Other Voices 8, which will see a stellar line-up perform live in St. James' Church in Dingle from December 5th - 9th. Tickets for the gigs (which will also be recorded for the TV series which will be broadcast in 2010), go on sale for the gigs tomorrow (Monday 23rd November). Priced at 35 euro, the tickets are limited to two per person. BBC Radio One DJ Annie Mac will preside over proceedings once again this year at Other Voices. The series has featured some of music's biggest names in its eight year tenure. Amy Winehouse, Josh Ritter, Elbow, James Blunt, Rufus Wainwright, Damien Rice, Glen Hansard and James Morrsion are just a few of the major names to have graced the stage in St. James' Church, Dingle in the past. The new series of 'Other Voices' will be recorded in Dingle from Saturday, 5th December to Wednesday, 9th December inclusive. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, 23 November at 9am from www.tickets.ie. All tickets will be priced at €35 including booking fee. As is the nature of television recording, it will not be possible to announce each evening's line up until closer to the recordings. Early booking is essential, with only 60 tickets per night available. Historically, each show has been an immediate sell out.