The Tralee Blog

After several months without any major news from Tralee I today decided to call the blog back into action, for the tourist season is about to kick in here in Kerry and some things of interest may indeed happen here over the summer months. I think I will start with some updates on the ongoing efforts to make the town more attractive both to guests as well as citizens. 

I currently watch the daily progress of two building projects, which are both rather minor in size but none the less meaningful for the appearance of our small town. The first one is a new walkway along the misleadingly named “Big River”, which will eventually connect Brewery Road (where the Greyhound Stadium is located) with North Circular Road, ending right in front of the Dunnes department store at the northern end of Ashe Street. It is not going to be a very long walkway and right now the area isn’t exactly one of the prettiest parts of Tralee, but nevertheless this second riverwalk in town will improve the perception of the natural features of the area, namely the river. I think to keep the riverbanks free from any obstructive development was one of the few very wise planning decicions of the recent past and it will pay soon. Secondly, but not less important: the efforts to make the city center more friendly for pedestrians are still continuing with the current widening of the Castle Street footpath between Edward Street und the southern end of the aforementioned Ashe Street. There will be significantly less space for parking after the completion of the works, and I actually also think this is a very good idea. To keep as many cars away fro, the heart of the town and instead encourage walking (and this includes wheelchairs and prams) will improve the quality of life for all, not least for the shopkeepers and publicans of Castle Street. I hope it will all work out as planned, but I have no doubts that it will be a successful project.