The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Celebrations as Tralee raises purple flag
THERE’S a striking new banner flying over the County Council’s offices on Princes Street in Tralee.
On Thursday Mayor of Tralee Norma Foley and President of Tralee Chamber Alliance Aidan Kelly were joined by members of the local business community and representatives of various community groups as they raised a Purple Flag outside the Tralee Municipal District Offices.
Last November months of hard work paid off when, after an all out effort, Tralee picked up one of the coveted flags at a ceremony in November.
The concerted effort was led by the specially created Tralee Purple Flag team headed up by David Scott.
The purple flag programme is a scheme – similar to the blue flags for beaches – which recognises towns and cities which offer visitors a quality, safe night out.
Last September, to much delight in and around town, the Tralee bid team learned their bid had been successful and in November a delegation from the county capital travelled to Norwich to pick up the flag.
On Thursday morning Mayor Foley and President Kelly, to cheers from the assembled onlookers, finally raised the flag over the town.
Mayor Foley said it was a proud moment for the entire town.
“I was delighted to hoist the flag in Tralee coming as it did on top of Tralee’s gold medal in the Tidy Towns last year and Tralee being named as Ireland’s Most Enterprising Town for 2017. This is another vote of confidence in the town. It will help to further enhance Tralee’s reputation as a vibrant wonderful place to live,” said Mayor Foley.
Tralee Chamber Alliance President Aidan Kelly praised the team behind the successful bid.
“David Scott and his team deserve much credit for their tireless efforts. Their hard work has paid off and now the onus is on everyone to ensure that we retain the flag into the future,” he said.