Fruit Tree Pruning and Maintenance Workshop

Learn how to care for and maintain fruit trees and shrubs to maximise fruit production and prevent disease. This practical, interactive workshop with also cover how, why, & when to prune followed by a hands-on pruning demonstration.

Fruit Tree Pruning and Maintenance Workshop Saturday 10th of February, Tralee.

There will be a bit of theory but in the main it will be a hands-on workshop where you can try your hand at some pruning.
All tools will be provided (thanks to Transition Kerry) but it would be good to wear appropriate clothing/footwear and gloves.

The trees we will be working on are right by the Connolly Street/Brendan’s Park crossing point of the Tralee-Fenit Greenway, but we can meet at Rock St section of Greenway near Werner Heinrich engineering, opposite the entrance to Dunnes at 10:30, if you are late, you will find us a little walk up the Greenway.
No better way to start the (lunar) New Year !

This workshop is free thanks to the support of Kerry County Council Community Support Fund and is facilitated by Transition Kerry.

Where it all started…

All-focus

Came across what is likely the first mention of the greenway in the media, this article is from the Kerry’s Eye inMarch 2009, 13 years ago this month !

The Spa/Fenit Community Council later secured LEADER funding to redevelop the route from the Spa to Fenit, with Kerry County Council backing the the continuation to Tralee. Clearance work commenced in 2010.

The Greenway Man pays a visit

It was great to catch up with “The Greenway Man” Garvan Cummins yesterday while he was visiting Kerry and take the opportunity to show him the progress of the Tralee-Fenit Greenway.

Garvan was a co-founder the voluntary community campaign group, the Déise Greenway who campaigned for the transformation of the old Dungarvan to Waterford Railway Line into a Greenway. The campaign was responsible for highlighting the huge potential which the Greenway would have and helped make the project a reality, in turn driving the greenway revolution in Ireland.

The Déise Greenway group was founded around the same time as this campaign, and it was interesting to discover that we had a lot of the same experiences and encountered similar challenges over the years.

Even thought the Déise Greenway campaign has been a success and the Waterford Greenway is now open, Garvan still lives and breathes the greenway, running a bike rental business from his base in Durrow Co. Waterford. In addition to offering bikes, Garvan also offers history tours taking advantage of his long involvement in greenway campaigning to provide visitors with information and insights that can not be matched by others.

If you are visiting the Waterford Greenway be sure to give him a shout, for more information visit: thegreenwayman.com

Kilfenora Greenway access

Last week Brendan Griffin (someone who is no stranger to the greenway) paid a visit to listen to the concerns of local residents and businesses regarding the lack of an access point to the greenway at Kilfenora.

While an access point in Kilfenora was expected with one even been indicated as part of the planning application for the greenway it has since transpired that access in the area was no longer part of the project, with residents been told that the closest official access point will be the pump station in Fenit, requiring a 2km trip along the busy and narrow main Fenit R558 Road.

If the greenway is to be a success it is essential that access is provided for locals and visitors alike, in line with the ‘Greenways and Cycle Routes Ancillary Infrastructure Guidelines​’ this location would make an idea minor trailhead:

In addition to providing practical resources such as parking and direction signage, these minor trailheads should ideally encourage participation from local residents and from passing impulse participants, and can also act as Route Rest Areas

Greenways and Cycle Routes Ancillary Infrastructure Guidelines

The letter below signed by over 110 residents of the area was sent to Kerry County Council:

To: Mr Tom Sheehy, Senior Engineer, Kerry County Council, Mr Sean O’Sullivan, Senior Executive Engineer, Kerry County Council
Kilfenora 14/02/2021

Dear Mr Sheehy and Mr O’Sullivan,

We the residents of Kilfenora are writing to formally request an access point to the Tralee to Fenit Greenway in Kilfenora. There has been an overwhelming desire expressed by the people in the community to utilise this wonderful facility. We were told at the pre-planning meeting, and it was indicated as part of the manager’s report for the Part VIII planning application, that Kerry County Council intended to provide an access point to the Greenway at Kilfenora. However we have now been told that our official access point at this time is by the pump station in Fenit. To reach this access point will mean walking or cycling 2km on the busy and narrow main Fenit R558 Road.  This will pose a serious safety issue for the residents of Kilfenora.  Therefore we the undersigned householders in Kilfenora wish to express a huge sense of dismay that we will have no safe access to an amenity that runs right through our community and request that this is addressed before this section of the Greenway is opened.

Yours Sincerely,

[Signed by 110 Kilfenora Residents]

Please note, anyone named in this email is over 18 and has given permission by text or by phonecall to do so.

Orchard: Large apple trees

Having planted smaller fruit and nut trees by the Connolly/Brendan’s Park entrance, some more large apple trees were planted recently (by small socially distanced pods) along the top of the bank.

Check back for some fruit in the coming years

Project supported by Kerry County Council’s Community Environment Action Fund.

Orchard Maintenance

Before
All-focus

Some before and after pics from today’s (socially distanced) clean up of the orchard carried out by the students of Tralee Youthreach & facilitated by Niamh from Transition Kerry. We will be having another planting session next month, get in touch if you want to get involved.

One apple left if anyone wants it 🙂

Open letter to Tralee Town Councillors

To: Terry, Deirdre, Mikey, Jim, Sam, Johnny and Cathal
Subject: The Tralee-Fenit Greenway is crucial for the town. Make it happen for next summer.

Dear Councillors,
Alongside many communities around the country and around the world, we are currently in a state of crisis, and how we rise to this challenge will define our town for decades. Tralee has a proud and rich history and those who came before us made certain we rode the first waves of prosperity in a free and independent republic. It is now our collective responsibility to ensure we do not flounder in the backwash left from the current crisis.
It is often said that progress is not about taking big steps in the future, but that progress comes about by taking small steps right now. One small step in the right direction for Tralee would be to speed up the works on the Tralee-Fenit Greenway and make sure it is completed for June next year. The current estimated completion time is Autumn 2021, and we urge you to expedite the project and complete it before next summer for the following reasons:

  1. Tralee urgently needs a new story to hang our hat on, a new story that will make us stand out, a new story that will generate column inches and help us compete with other markets..
  2. The greenway will have a very positive impact on the mental health of the people of Tralee. More than ever we need safe open outdoor spaces for people of all ages and abilities. The greenway will lift our spirits.
  3. The greenway will have a very positive impact on tourism, but we need to start promoting the greenway this winter if we are going to reap the benefits next summer.
  4. The greenway will deliver extra revenues and economic activity for the town and surrounding areas. Tourists will stay here longer and spend more money.
  5. Businesses that are hanging on by a thread will fight harder, knowing there is a boost coming next summer, and jobs will be saved.
  6. New enterprises will be started to service the greenway and jobs will be created.
  7. The greenway will make Tralee an increasingly attractive place to live and work, at a time when people and companies are embracing remote working.
  8. The greenway will make Tralee a more attractive place to study and boost our university town appeal.
  9. The funding for the greenway has already been allocated.
  10. The greenway will boost morale locally and that positivity will permeate all areas of our community. It is a good news story will translate well nationally and internationally.
  11. We are facing a long winter of uncertainty, but the cold dark nights will be easier on everyone if we can look forward to reaping the benefits of the greenway for the entirety of next summer. People of all ages and all abilities will benefit hugely from being able to get out into nature and adventure safely along the route. High nellies will be restored, walking boots will be dusted off and new trainers purchased. Businesses will begin to plan for the arrival of tourists. New enterprises will emerge. People will begin to dream again. Hope will replace fear.
  12. The benefits are clear and there is very sound economic and social rationale to speed up the works on the greenway. We urge you to make this happen for the sake of the town.

Signed,

Brian Stephenson – NoteCloud and Learn from Leaders

Louis Byrne – Byrne’s Spar Stores & Apache Pizza Tralee

Susan Costello – Costello Pharmacy

Michael Higgins – Ardfert Quarry Products

Eoghan Ó Cathasaigh – Helen Casey Design & Associates

Dr Jenny Crushell and Dr Mary Glancy – Fairies Cross Medical Centre

David Leonard – The Glasshouse and Ugly Mug

Heather O’Sullivan – John Ross Jewellers

Jim Cantillon – Kellihers Hardware

Dick Boyle – The Grand Hotel

Sandra Rusk – Weardrobe Boutique

Ger Carmody – Ger Carmody Auctioneers

Anluan Dunne – Mountain Biking Kerry

Adrian O’Gara – Arfert Medical Centre

Brendan Culloty – Hugh Culloty

John Tuite – TLI Group

Billy Nolan – Billy Nolan & Hilsers Jewellers

Graham Kelliher – Surf ‘n Sail

John McCarthy – John Doughs & The Tech Company

David Moriarty – David Moriarty and Associates Architects

Michelle McCarthy – Patricks The Hair Company

Derek O’Sullivan – Crua Outdoors

Michael Moran – Ryle Menswear

Jonathan Boyle – Boyles Stoves and BioHeat Ireland

Danny Giles – DNG WH Giles

James McGrath – The Oyster Tavern

Rob Durran – Xintec

Matthew Leahy – Matt The Butcher

Dermot O’Sullivan – The Mall & Benners Hotel

Paul Stephenson – Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean

Adrian Benner – Benners Hardware Store

Sean Hussey – Sean Hussey Menswear

Gary O’Donnell – Baily’s Corner

Kevin Walsh – Spa Seafoods

John Reen – Murphy & Sheehy Insurances

Ciara Brosnan – Shindig

Keith Phelan – Kerry Cycling Campaign

Brian Hennebery – Henneberys Sports

Maurice Fitzgerald – Dan Fitzgeralds

Peter Moran – Tralee Dental and Implant Clinic

Nathan McDonnell – Ballyseedy Home & Garden

Paul Hanrahan – That’s Perfect

John Walsh – Walsh Brothers Shoes

Joe Cotter – Friends of the Tralee to Fenit Greenway

Brian O’Regan – Cadogan O’Regan Solicitors

Terry O’Connell – The Daily Grind

Jeremy Walsh – Jeremy Walsh Project Management

Ger Teahon – SalesSense International

Liam O’Mahony – Great Southern Trail Ltd

Bryan O’Keefe – Westend Bar & Restaurant

Colin Boyle – The Ashe Hotel & Manor West Hotel

Cormac Foley – Foley & Associates Solicitors

Ronan Hurley – The Roast House

Siobhán Murphy – Kerryman