Signs are that ‘Dingle’ will soon be back on the map

THE day when road signs again point the way Dingle/ Daingean Uí Chúis is fast approaching as the National Roads Authority (NRA) confirmed this week it will pay for the long-awaited signage.

Kerry South Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin told The Kerryman this week that Transport Minister Leo Varadkar and NRA boss Fred Barry confirmed to him that the NRA is providing the funding.

“The name change saga has been dragging on for six years now and it was a major step when the necessary legislation was passed last summer to ensure the restoration of the bilingual name of Dingle/daingean Uí Chúis,” said Deputy Griffin.

“However, the name change is still not reflected on Kerry County Council and NRA signage but this announcement will take care of the NRA'S responsibilities as the funding has been allocated to do so.”

NRA jurisdiction covers signage in and around Tralee and Killarney and on the N-86 road from Tralee to Dingle via Annascaul.

Kerry County Council is responsible for signs on the Conor Pass road.

According to Cllr Seamus Cosai Fitzgerald, the process by Kerry County Council of changing the road signs should begin “fairly shortly”.

A number of new signs were put up by Kerry County Council west of Dingle recently, with the wording of ‘An Daingean’, despite the fact that all of the signage referring to the town must now be changed to Dingle-daingean Ui Chuis. Cllr. Seamus Cosai Fitzgerald said that these signs were ordered prior to the legislation which was passed last year providing for the new bilingual arrangement.

He also estimates the cost to Kerry County Council for changing the signs will cost in the region of €9,000.