The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
First we take Manhattan... then Berlin
TOURISM operators in West Kerry are looking at how they can make the most of the influx of German visitors expected in the county following the opening of Ryanair’s new route between Kerry Airport and Berlin.
The new flights, operating on Thursdays and Sundays from November to March, will potentially bring 300 German tourists a week to Kerry, and tourism operators here are putting a ‘willkommen’ on the mat to encourage them to head west after they get off the plane in Farranfore.
Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance Marketing Consultant Caroline Boland is among a Kerry delegation visiting Berlin this week to promote what the county has to offer and last week Kerry Airport held a meeting in the Skellig Hotel where they outlined to local tourism interests the opportunities that are being created, and what German visitors are likely to be looking for on a short visit to Kerry.
According to Tourism Alliance President Gary Curran, the off-season timing of the flights is ideal for West Kerry and it’s now up to local businesses to seize the initiative.
He said German tourists like the sea, the countryside, Irish music, a few pints and good food. Scenery and pints are available in abundance in West Kerry and being on the Wild Atlantic Way is an added advantage, but it’s important that there’s music in the pubs and that more restaurants stay through the winter to cater for the new influx of tourists.
“The ball is in the tourism providers’ court to make it work. It’s up to us to ensure the Germans go home saying Kerry is a great place to visit and good value for money,” he said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for tourism: If we can make the winter a success then we can definitely make it work during the summer season and that would be a big incentive for Ryanair to continue the flights.” DANCE is for everyone was the message sounding loud and clear from the fesitval ‘Aonarach le Chéile (Going Solo Together)’ that took place in Dingle over the weekend..
Organised by An Lab, the Irish language theatre and Arts organisation, the festival focussed on solo practice and gathered dancers from around the country and overseas to share their knowledge over the weekend in An Díseart.
An Lab’s Dancer in Residence Maria Svensson directed the festival with Nick Bryson of Legitimate Dance Bodies Company. The weekend stems from similar festivals that Maria has organised in Sweden as well as contemporary dance classes organised by An Lab over the last 20 years.
West Kerry had a strong presence at the fesitval through participation in workshops and dance performances by David Geaney, Roisín Ní Shíthigh, Siobhan de Paor and Ilaria Delcane.
Speaking with The Kerryman, Maria described the role of dance. “Dance is