More info sought on South Kerry Greenway
Calls to tackle dereliction
NOW into its third year since being successfully restored and revamped, the organisers of the Biddys Day festival in Killorglin are confident that they have successfully saved the traditions held so dearly by past generations.
Starting at 11am this Saturday, February 2, and featuring talks, workshops, music, film screenings and comedy clubs, this one-day festival has plenty colourful customs and weird and wonderful fun to offer.
Sometimes compared to the Wren Boys or the Straw Boys, Biddy’s Day has its roots deep in both the old Celtic tradition of Imbolc and Christianity’s St Bridgid’s Day.
The Biddy is honoured each year in the region when Biddy groups visit rural houses and pubs in the area, carrying a Brídeóg with them as they go, ensuring that all evil spirits are kept away from humans and animals alike for the coming years.
Traditionally, a visit from the Biddy guaranteed good luck, fertility, and prosperity, while receiving no visit was thought to be a very ominous sign indeed.
Speaking ahead of this year’s festival, organiser Conor Browne says he is excited for others to continue to experience and enjoy these traditions all over again this year.
“We’ve succeeded in rejuvenating the tradition – these traditions that dated back hundreds of years. I believe that we managed to save it just as it was starting to die out,” Conor told
“The festival has definitely grown so much. Before we started it up again three years ago, the tradition was still alive, but some years there might only have been one Biddy group taking part, and that was usually Kilgobnet.”
“Now, we’re up to 10 or 11 groups taking part. We are back to when the Biddys was at its height back in the ‘50s and ‘60s.”
This year’s line up of events is very like that of the two previous years, with the main event, as always, being the night-time torchlight parade through Killorglin at 7pm.
“We will have expert Pat Broderick coming down, and there will also be a willow lantern-making workshop taking place as well,” Conor added.
One of the best parts of the festival, of course, is the election of the new King of the Biddys – with last year’s King John Callahan ready to hand over his crown.
Anyone looking for further updates on the festival should check out the Biddys Day Facebook page. AN Bord Pleanála has sought more information from Kerry County Council in relation to the application for the South Kerry Greenway.
The planning application was lodged last September by Kerry County Council for the multi-million euro project.
A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire the necessary lands was lodged alongside the planning application. More than 200 submissions were made before the closing date of October 19 for public submissions.
Kerry County Council said this week, in a report to the South and West Municipal District meeting, that An Bord Pleanála has requested further information on the application. The local authority has until A KERRY Councillor has called for an ‘incentive grants scheme’ that he feels could encourage property owners to renovate derelict buildings.
Cllr Michael Cahill said such a scheme could breath new life into towns and villages across Kerry.
“There are many streets throughout County Kerry that February 8 to lodge this information. An Bord Pleanála has the final authority on whether or not to grant planning to the project. It is expected that an oral hearing will be held before planning is granted. Kerry County Council said this week that no date has yet been fixed for an oral hearing.
The project has been mired in controversy, with some landowners in the area against the use of CPOs to acquire the land.
However, many of the local businesses in the area and local councillors believe that the project is vital for the regeneration of the south Kerry area.
The proposed South Kerry Greenway is to run between Glenbeigh and Reenard Point.
The scheme impacts on 222 landholdings and 197 landowners, according to the council. are riddled with dereliction and I believe that this is a golden opportunity for the Council,” Cllr Cahill said.
“I believe Kerry County Council should look at Development Levies and Rates when formulating such a Grants Scheme. We have an opportunity to do something great for our county, and it is in our own hands.”