Fáilte Ireland introduce new strategy for Bed & Breakfast sector

A new strategy for the Bed & Breakfast sector of the tourism industry is being introduced by Fáilte Ireland. It will include a new system of grading and classification – and a new brand.

Details of the changes will be presented by Fáilte Ireland personnel at a series of workshops around the country this month. The Kerry workshop will take place in the Brehon Hotel in Killarney on 17th of February at 7pm

Three Ireland promise 100% broadband coverage in Kerry

The Irish Examiner writes that Kerry will have 100 percent broadband coverage by the end of the year, according to Three Ireland, which is responsible for the Government’s National Broadband Scheme. The mobile operator is confident that despite objections from local communities and regulations forbidding the placement of mobile masts within 1km of residential buildings, broadband will be rolled out throughout the county. “The availability of broadband in Kerry has been poor, but the aim is to correct this and get the county ‘up to speed’ in broadband terms by the deadline of next September,” said Damien Gallagher, Three Ireland project director.

Kerry house prices drop significantly

House prices in Kerry have dropped by up to 40 per cent over the past two years. That’s according to a nationwide survey on houseprices published in today’s Sunday Times. As a result, first-time buyers are purchasing homes. More than half of the house sales now going through are to first-time buyers, while 95 per cent of the houses are being sold to those who will live in them. There is particular demand for 5-bed family homes but there has been a huge drop in the sale of apartments and holiday homes. Mark Keenan is property editor of the Sunday Times. He says Kerry, and particularly Killarney, has experienced a sharp drop in prices

via RADIO KERRY – NEWS.

Apology for delayed train passengers

Iarnród Éireann has apologised to passengers who were on the Dublin to Tralee train last night, which arrived more than four-and-a-half hours late. Iarnród Éireann Spokesman Barry Kenny said the train developed problems close to Mallow station and had to operate on reduced engine power. The train left Mallow 50 minutes late following an inspection, but got into more difficulties between Millstreet and Rathmore and stopped for two hours.

There were about 45 people on board. Mr Kenny said the driver announced that in order to get the engines going again, he would have to switch off the lights, which he did for about ten minutes. The train arrived into Killarney three hours and 50 minutes late. There were 12 people left on board, but because road conditions were so bad Iarnród Éireann was unable to bus them to Tralee. The remaining passengers arrived in Tralee by train at 3.45am, four hours and 40 minutes late. Iarnród Éireann said it was a dreadful delay, which was compounded by the fact that they could not offer alternative transport to the passengers.

via RTÉ News.

Ryanair unveils 2 new sun holiday destinations from Kerry Airport

There was good news for Kerry sun worshipers today, with the announcement that Ryanair is to begin two weekly flights out of Kerry to popular sun destinations. Starting at the end of March, the airline is to operate flights from Kerry, to Faro in Portugal and to Allicante in Spain. The new flights will bring an estimated 30,000 new passengers through Kerry Airport, according to Ryanair’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Lesley Kane. Ms Kane says the new flights come about, as result of the scaling back of the airline’s operations at Shannon. Spokesman for Kerry Airport Basil Sheeran, said Kerry holidaymakers will be delighted with the convenience of being able to fly to the sun, from their home county.

Killarney GPs may change care centre plan

In A new development there is now strong speculation that doctors in Killarney, Co Kerry, will set up a new primary care facility in an office block off the N22 on the Tralee side of the town.

The news comes after the GPs’ consortium this year pulled out of advanced plans with the HSE to set up a €40 million primary care centre on HSE-owned lands at St Finan’s nearby. This was after the town council gave permission for the centre but refused to give permission for a pharmacy. The consortium appealed this to An Bord Pleanála, and a decision is due shortly.

However, partly because of changed financial circumstances it is considered extremely unlikely the GPs will now consider the St Finan’s site regardless of the decision by An Bord Pleanála. The GPs look set to buy a number of floors with provision for consultants facilities at The Reeks Gateway multi-storey centre.

Tralee Community Hospital due to open in 2010

Tralee’s Community Hospital is due to open in the New Year. The new 50 bed community nursing unit has been completed and handed over to the HSE. It’s currently being equipped and commissioned, and this should be finished by the end of the year. Revenue funding has been provided to open Tralee Community Hospital, and despite the recruitment embargo, the HSE says it plans to open it on a phased basis in the first quarter of 2010.

via RADIO KERRY – NEWS.

Fine Gael to hold National Conference in Kerry

Fine Gael’s National Conference is to take place in Killarney next year. The Malton Hotel will host the annual event which is planned for March. Up to a thousand delegates are expected to attend the event which has previously been held in Cork and Wexford.

Plans to redevelop part of Killarney Quality Hotel appealed

Plans to redevelop part of the Quality Hotel in Killarney have been appealed to An Bord Pleanala. Hepton Developments Ltd is applying for permission to demolish part of the hotel on the Park Road, Killarney; and build offices, shops, restaurants, and four apartments.

Killarney Town Council gave it the go ahead but it’s now been appealed to An Bord Pleanala by Fidelma O’Connor, John McGuire, Bill Daly, and Mary O’Connell. An Bord Pleanala is due to make a decision on it by April 12th.

German traders arrive in Kerry in advance of German market

A group of German traders are arriving in Kerry this lunchtime, as part of the cultural partnership between Tralee and Frankfurt-Höchst.
They’re here for the German style Christmas market in Tralee, which will feature both German and Irish Christmas themed produce, from tomorrow until Tuesday.
Also over the weekend, German and Kerry choirs will perform in The Square; the famous German organist Rolf Kunz will stage a recital Monday evening in St John’s; and Kerry County Museum is hosting an exhibition of Höchst porcelain.
Tralee’s Christmas lights will be officially switched on tomorrow at 4.30 in The Square by Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Terry O’Brien.