The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Spare a thought for tourists looking for a place to park
DINGLE is set to be packed out for the August Bank Holiday and with parking spaces already at a premium tourism chiefs are appealing to local workers to help make space available for visitors.
Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance Chairman Gary Curran said all the bank holiday accommodation in Dingle has been booked for the past two months and he has been advising callers to try anywhere from Annascaul to Dún Chaoin, which are less busy but within easy reach of town.
When those extra visitors arrive in Dingle this weekend they will add to an already congested traffic situation and a severe lack of parking spaces in the town centre. To help drivers find parking spaces, the council has place a big, bright sign near the sportsfield, pointing the way towards the mart car park; but more needs to be done.
“Parking is dire at the moment and it isn’t helped by the weather which has people stuck to the town… So we’re trying to encourage people working in town to park outside the centre to help ease the problem,” Gary said.
For those coming to West Kerry for the weekend there will be plenty to see and do with festivals being held in Lispole and Cloghane. FÉILE LIOSPÓIL
Running flat out up the side of a desparately steep mountain, is just one of the ways that locals will celebrate community life at Feile Liospóil next weekend. The week-long community festival will start on Friday whenPaidí Mac Gearailt will perform a double opening of the festival and an exhibition on his Rás Tailteann victory in 1956. The exhibition in Halla Lios Póil will be open on Friday evening and again on Sunday. Tá Aisteoirí Bhréanainn, ag cur Drámaí na Cinn Airde ar siul Dé hAoine ar 8.30 mar chuid den Fhéile.
On Saturday registration for the arduous Rás an Stricín takes place at 10.30am. The race which pits athletes, local farmers and youngsters alike against the steep hill will start at 11am.
“Beidh an fhéile lán le himeachtaí do gach aois ghrúpa mar shampla, an tóir chiste ar an Satharn, lá an Pharóiste ar an nDomhnach leis Oilimpeacha Lios Póil,” a dúirt Risteard Mac Eoin, baill de Choiste Fhéile Liospóil.
It promises to be another great week in Lispole and as Risteard says “everyone is welcome”. Further information from 087-1738948. FEILE LÚGHNASA
IN Cloghane/Brandon Feile Lughnasa will provide a packed programme of events including music, children’s activities, stage dramas as well as many local traditions, including sheep shearing, a blessing of the boats at Brandon Pier, and a pilgrimage to the summit of Mount Brandon. The festival will run from July 29 to August 1. For further information contact 066-7138137.