The Kenmare Gangs of New York Gathering festival is a 3 to 4 day event in Kenmare Co Kerry from 30th of August to 1st September 2013 in honor of all those who emigrated shortly after the famine in the mid 1840’s. This gathering event is to mark their achievement of traveling for a new life and to bring together all the people whose ancestors traveled. It is also designed to share stories and memories in the hope of piecing together the event of history that unfolded and keep the spirit and community felt in this area alive.

Many of the Kenmare emigrants starving and destitute (drawn from the estate areas of Bonane Kenmare Tuosist Lauragh Kilgarvan and Templenoe) ended up living in the Five Points area of New York on Manhattan’s lower east side. One of the most famous people of this lineage was Congressman Big Tim Sullivan whose parents were Lansdowne tenants – he succeeded in naming a street in Manhattan, Kenmare Street in honour of his Mother

The weekend hosts many events for the people wanting to find their family tree to those who are interested in the historical story behind it all.

Guided historical walks around the main points of interest on the Lansdowne estate. A play in the Carnegie Arts Centre depicting life in the 1850’s and the story of the emigration programme instituted by WS Trench. The showing in the Carnegie Arts Centre of Sean De Morda’s ‘The Land is Gold’ documentary about Kenmare and the Lansdowne estate. A specifically designed heritage centre display telling the story of Kenmare and the Lansdowne Estate. A genealogy road show bus will be in the town for at least part of the festival providing resources for the visitors to further trace their family history. There really is something interesting to catch everybody’s attention.

To top the event off there is an unveiling of a plaque in the square telling the story of the Lansdowne estate and the five points. A similar plaque is being unveiled in Kenmare St New York next year.

This gathering inspired event will see people traveling from all over the Irish Isle, If you plan to visit the festival feel free to look at our accommodation & dining options.

For Luxury 4* Accommodation contact Brook Lane Hotel reception on 064 6642077 or visit the website: www.brooklanehotel.com
For Dinner reservations in No 35 restaurant  please contact us on 064 6641559 or visit the webiste http://www.no35kenmare.com

The post The Kenmare Gangs of New York Gathering Festival first appeared on Number35.

The Rose of Tralee International festival is celebrating 54 years of tradition this year. The Festival is one of Ireland’s largest and longest running festivals, the highlight of the festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to County Kerry, for a global celebration of Irish culture. The festival also includes street entertainment, carnival, live concerts, theatre, circus, markets, funfair, fireworks and our internationally renowned Rose Parade and much more.

The street events range from the famous JLS in concert, costing 17.50, to Spin South West’s Sunset which is a free ticketed event. Other street music gigs include some class acts like Perfect friction, The young Folk, Declan Sinnot, Fred , and the lovely Nathan Carter  to name but a few.

The festival is also host to a number or workshops through the event. Workshops and entertainment includes: Set dancing workshops, Wobbly workshop, Budding Buds, Pony rides, Petting Zoo, Street dance workshop, Noah’s Ark Pet Show and many many more.

The Rose of Tralee Festival is fun-filled with parades and firework displays and the weekend line up for sparkles in the sky looks something like this:
SATURDAY – The first Parade of Roses on Saturday night under the Festival lights offers the people of Tralee their first opportunity to meet the Roses, while the event is always the Roses’ most memorable introduction to the people of Tralee. The climax of this emotional roller-coaster of an evening comes high in the sky over Tralee with the first fireworks display of the week.

SUNDAY – Since the beginning of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, Sunday has long-been the traditional family day in Tralee when the youngsters who were in bed the previous night get their first glimpse of the Roses, the floats and marching bands in the second parade.

TUESDAY – The centre-piece of the Festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee and since the event began in 1959, tradition has been respected and cherished by the organisers. At midnight on the final night of the Festival, the Roses parade through the streets of Tralee before the newly crowned Rose of Tralee is presented to the people of Tralee and the thousands of visitors to the town. She is then serenaded against a backdrop of another fireworks display (Rocket Pyro-techniques).

Of Course with all the Festivities one would be forgiven for forgetting about the main event, crowning our lovely Rose of Tralee. This will take place on August 20^th in the Dome in Tralee. The 2013 Rose of Tralee won’t simply be crowned on Tuesday 20th August, she will be crowned on Donal’s Day – a day the people of Tralee will dedicate to the memory of the late Donal Walsh, the teenager who passed away recently from Cancer. The Rose of Tralee International Festival have teamed up with the Donal Walsh #Livelife Foundation and on Donal’s Day, Tuesday 20th August, a special street collection will raise money for the charities and causes that were special to Donal.

The post The Rose of Tralee. first appeared on Number35.

This full filled event runs for five days in the beautiful town of Sneem on the Ring of Kerry. The festival kicks off on Wednesday July 17th with a variety of events and activities for children of all ages to enjoy, from a puppet making in the festival tent (Bring a sock) to a kids fishing competition on Long Lake there’s something to catch everybody’s imagination. There is a bouncy castle for kids to play on while parents enjoy the music all topped off with a Barbeque at 6pm. The perfect start the Sneem family festival.

The festival continues to impress as the days go on with their range of activities. Events include : Wife carrying , Crab fishing , “Sneems Got Talent” , Football blitz , Laughter Yoga along with street entertainment and a funfair. OH! Did I mention the fireworks display on Sunday night? The perfect end to what promises to be a fantastic weekend.

No 35 restaurant is located in Kenmare, not far from Sneem, and is the ideal location to sample some local quality food on your way home from the festival. Children are also catered for with half portions of all dishes available along with a children’s menu. If you are looking for accommodation in Kenmare Brook Lane Hotel is located on the Sneem Road and is ideal.

For more information on the festival and events: http://www.sneemfamilyfestival.com/

For Luxury accommodation in Kenmare: http://www.brooklanehotel.com/

For dinner reservations in No 35 Kenmare: 064 6641559

The post Sneem Family Festival first appeared on Number35.