Transatlantic inspiration for shopping spree

IN its efforts to boost trade and encourage people to do their Christmas shopping locally, Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance has reached across the Atlantic for inspiration and is promoting a ‘Black Friday’ weekend in West Kerry from November 24 – 27.

Although it sounds like the title of a Hammar Horror film, Black Friday is simply the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States where it is regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season and is duly marked with a frenzy of sales.

December 8 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception) has traditionally marked the start of the Christmas shopping season in Ireland, but with Christmas now apparently starting before Halloween the Tourism Alliance has gone for the early start, and extended Black Friday into a weekend of ‘mega discounts’ for good measure.

The ‘ Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas Kick Off’ which is currently being promoted includes a Thanksgiving Dinner in Ned Natterjacks in Castlegregory on this Thursday, and from Friday to Sunday ‘ huge sales’ are promised across the peninsula. The annual Christmas craft fairs being held in Cloghane, Annascaul and Ventry on Sunday are also included by the Tourism Alliance under the umbrella of the Black Friday Weekend.

“It is hoped this will help all our retailers and arts and crafts sector across the peninsula to get a good start for Christmas and have everyone on the peninsula think local first,” said Caroline Boland of the Tourism Alliance.