Two projects in Co Kerry and one in Co Cork are among seven nationally to benefit from funding of €350,000 being provided by the Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht.

The restoration of the ruined home of the late Blasket Island writer, Tomas Ó Criomhthain, is expected to start soon.

Slea Head, Kerry €395,000

BLASKET ISLAND VISITOR CENTRE WALK

One of the country’s premier Irish cultural festivals, which is expected to attract up to 10,000 visitors by the weekend, is under way in Killarney.

ANNE Doyle is guest host for the Lighthouse Keepers’ Global Gathering, a three-day programme of lectures, fireworks and music, which kicks off today at Hook Lighthouse in Co Wexford. The former RTÉ newsreader has been enchanted with lighthouses since childhood.

THIS year is certainly better than 2010 in that enquiries are up, says Anthony Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald & Associates, Dingle.

A 90-YEAR-OLD former Blasket islander, who has spent most of his life in the US, has announced a €1,000 bursary for Kerry Gaeltacht students.

FROM whale-watching to historical re-enactments and from nighttime bat walks to lectures in stately homes, an impressive 1,000 events will take place across the country for Heritage Week, which will see a large number of historic buildings throw open their doors to the public, many for the first time.

THE possible arrival of rats on the Great Blasket Island could have “devastating consequences” for seabird colonies there, a BirdWatch Ireland expert warned.

A SENIOR Kerry County Council engineer yesterday rejected a claim of “collusion” between the council and the promoters of a planned cafe on the Great Blasket Island.

Tommy Barker says impressive stone work is a strong feature.

REMAKES of classic Irish landscape scenes as promoted by the postcard company John Hinde could see the new face of Ireland on postcards everywhere next year.

CURRENTLY codenamed ‘The Monsignor’, Michael Smith’s nom de guerre won’t be abbreviated to ‘M’ any day soon.

A VALENTIA Island holiday or retirement home, on a Kerry island which has bridge access for all-year round and weather independent access, is up for sale.