County gets ready for its busiest tourist weekend

THE Kerry tourist industry is preparing for its busiest weekend of the year.

After a slow start to the season, the county’s hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and pubs are gearing up for a bonanza August bank holiday.

Traffic was yesterday busy on all roads leading into the county, as gardaí warned of a crackdown on drink driving offenders. Extra checkpoints are in operation throughout Kerry for the weekend.

More than 12,000 visitors have flown in, mainly from Britain, for a professional golf tournament in Killarney.

Some of Europe’s leading young golfers are taking part in the Ireland Ryder Cup Challenge tournament, being played over the Lackabane course.

The annual Sneem Family Festival concludes this weekend, while the Danny Paddy Andy O’Sullivan Festival, dedicated to the memory of the famous Kerry matchmaker, opened last night in Lyrecrompane.

On Sunday, many former Irish language students will attend the 50th anniversary of the opening of Bru na Graige, near Dingle.

Founded by the late Fr Tadhg Ó Murchu, from Cork, Bru na Graige was used as a hostel by students of St Finbarr’s College, Farranferris, the North Monastery, St Brendan’s College in Killarney and many other colleges.

Bishop John Buckley of Cork and Ross will be among the attendance at a special anniversary mass in Bru na Graige at 3pm on Sunday. It will be followed by celebrations, including a céilí.

A traditional music festival, Feile Cnoc an Oileain, will be held in Milltown, Co Kerry this weekend.