Radio Kerry - Tourism Programme 23rd August 2011
by Kevin Tarrant, Editor of Kerry Gems Visitor Guide Book
- Things to Do and See in Kerry

To view other programmes in this series, click below:
• June 7th
• June 14th
• June 21st
• June 28th
• July 12th
• July 19th
• July 26th
• August 2nd
• August 9th

North Kerry
On Thursday night last I was in John B. Keane's pub in Listowel. Every Tuesday and Thursday night during the tourist season they stage drama acts in the pub - with free admission.

Last Thursday night Denis Hobson and Lorcan Curtin from the Abbeyfeale Drama Group performed a 'sawn-off' version of John B. Keane's play 'The Chastitute'. Leaflets on the tables around the pub gave an insight in to the play -

"A Chastitute is a rustic celibate by force of circumstances peculiar to countrysides where the Catholic tradition of long-life sexual abstemiousness is encouraged and free range sex is absolutely taboo. This is a much abbreviated version of the great John B Keane 's 1981 play. The story remains valid: It is the story of a man's search for companionship, his fear of isolation, of social failure, of God and His strictures and of a barren old age."

The pub was packed to capacity but the atmosphere was real homely - Mary, John B's wife, making sure everyone had a seat and Billy, John B's son, pulling pints and introducing the play and the cast.

John B was really a marvelous writer with a real insight into the ordinary lives of the people in his community - the play was brilliant. At times the audience were in hysterics with laughter and at times they were really touched by the sadness of the plight of the play's main character - John Bosco McLaine. A great night's entertainment, something that locals, and especially visitors, would love to talk about for a long time afterwards. As I finished my drink and headed for home Billy was about to organise a sing-song. I regretted having to leave the warm atmosphere and the craic.

The Tuesday and Thursday night's Drama Productions will continue until Listowel Races (Sunday 11th to Saturday 17th,September 2011)


The Rose of Tralee Festival continues with the picking of the 2011 Rose of Tralee tonight, Tuesday 24th August.
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Heritage Week in North Kerry
• All this week, until Sun 28th August ; To co-inside with the Festival there is a 'Rose of Tralee: 50 years of Fashion, Fairytales & Happy Endings', Kerry County Museum (usual 5 euros charge).

Kerry Musuem: Bone Investigators - An archaeological dig for children, daily until next Fri Aug 26th. 10am - 4pm. There's also:

Pangur Bán Discovery Trail, continues until next Sat, Aug 27th, 9.30am - 5pm, Kerry Museum. Kids free, adults 5 euros.

On Thursday 25th August, Special showing of the 'Kerry Lives 1953 - 1970' exhibition, 5.30 - 6.30pm. Free.


Next Saturday, August 27th from 3-5pm: Guided Walk & Talk by Fr. Gearoid O'Donnchadha on St Brendan the Navigator at St Brendan's Monument, Fenit. No charge. Contact: 087 - 252 2902

Next Sunday, August 28th, from 3-5pm: Cultural Walk through the John F. Leslie Woodland. Meet at Tarbert Bridewell. Chance for a walk with some local history and live entertainment. Contact 086-849 8638.

Until Sat 27th - Castleisland Library will offer advice and help on Tracing Your Ancestors, 10am - 5pm - Free.

Sunday 28th August, free Guided Tours of Ardfert Cathedral, 10am - 5.15pm.

Sunday 28th August - free Guided Tours of Ardfert Friary, 3-4pm.

All week - Free Guided Tours of Listowel Castle

Sunday 28th August 11am - 6pm: Open day at Paircín Herb Garden in Kilflynn - Learn about herbal medicine etc.

www.heritageweek.ie

Sunday 25th September - Blennerville Steam Threshing Festival - includes children's amusements and music.

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Killarney
Next Thursday 25th August - Drama at Muckross Traditional Farms
An event not to be missed the presentation of two plays by London's Quantum Theatre Group at Muckross Traditional Farms .
• At 2pm the group will perform William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and
• At 6pm, the same day, the group will present Charles Dicken's classic, Great Expectations.
Admission to both performances is free.

Contact: Muckross House - 064 - 667 0165.
www.muckross-house.ie
www.quantumtheatre.co.uk

Tomorrow, Wednesday, 24th August at 1pm - Final Arts Café Summer Session takes place at the Pay as you please Café, Off high St - Newmarket Lane (Teddy O’Connor’s), Killarney and features Ceolteoiri Aiseiri Chríost". Dolores Croke-Daly plays harp, Aisling O'Dwyer plays flute and Sr. Carmel Flynn plays organ.

Fri 26th August at 8pm, Bat Walk - meet at Deenagh Lodge (opposite Cathedral) Killarney National Park..

Friday 26th August at 8pm - Moth Hunt - meet at Deenagh Lodge (opposite Cathedral) Killarney National Park - putting out traps.

Saturday morning, 27th August at 10am, Moth Hunt Finds - Killarney National Park Field Study Centre (Knockreer House) opening of moth traps.

Sat 27th , 2-4pm (for kids) - Family Woodlands Wildlife Tour in Killarney National Park. Meet at playground near Cathedral.

Saturday Aug 27, 8pm - Traditional Music Concert - St. Mary’s Church of Ireland Main St.(Indoor) - Free

Sunday 28th August only - Free Guided Tours of Ross Castle

www.heritageweek.ie

Coming Soon
Environmental Halloween Camp In Killarney National Park for 7-12 years olds, October 26 - 29, 2011. Bookings now being taken. Tel. 064-663 5960.

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Ring of Kerry
Thurs 25th - Sun 28th August - Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival, Waterville

Sat 27th August, noon - 2pm - Iveragh Birdwatch are having a guided walk and some telescopes and binoculars will be provided.

Sat 27th August at 11am - Woodlands Walk, Kenmare. Meet at Golf Club Carpark.

Sun 28th August only - Free Guided Tours of Derrynane House

Until Sunday 28th - Display of 1940's photographs at Valentia Island Heritage Centre, free on Sunday.

Coming Soon
Weekend after next: Glenbeigh Festival and Races - Sept 2-4, three days of family fun and entertainment. www.glenbeighfestival.com

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Dingle Peninsula
Thursday, 25th August, 7.30pm in Dingle Library - A lecture by Gerard Lyne - "William Steuart Trench, controversial agent of the Lansdowne Estate in Kerry, 1849-72'. Lecture venue: Dingle Library, Green Street, Dingle.

Sunday 28th, 10.30am - 1pm - Guided Heritage Walk. Meet at Museum Chorca Dhuibhne, Ballyferriter.

Sunday 28th, 10am-5pm - Saor cead isteach go dti Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne / Free entry to Dingle Peninsula Museum, Ballyferriter.

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1. Pick up a free copy of 'National Heritage Week' at your local tourist office.

2. Check out the Kerry Adventure Guide Pack. Cards available on 17 great looped walks in Kerry. Each card has a map of the walk, details on distance, time, ascent etc etc. Free of charge.

Gur raibh míle maith agaibh - slán tamall,

Kevin Tarrant, Editor.

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