Kerry council order on sign like ‘Fr Ted’

A publican yesterday described as “ridiculous” a request from a local authority for him to apply for planning permission to retain a sign outside his premises.

Tim Galvin, of Gally’s Bar and Restaurant, Tralee, Co Kerry, said he was shocked to get a letter from Kerry County Council after he had changed the sign’s wording.

The sign had originally read ‘Gally’s Bar and Restaurant’, and he changed it to ‘Gally’s Food All Day’.

The original sign outside Gally’s Bar. Picture: Domnick Walsh

The size and location of the sign at the Castlemaine Rd premises remain the same.

“I was really surprised to get the letter from the council and I just don’t know what led to it,” he said, adding he was not aware of any complaints from the public about the sign.

“I think the whole thing is ridiculous. It’s like something out of Fr Ted and Craggy Island. To me, it makes no sense for the council to be following up on small matters like this.’’

He also said that when he got planning permission for the premises 11 years ago, he paid almost €100,000 in development levies, which included signage.

“I’m not going to apply for planning permission for now and I’m requesting a meeting with the council on the issue,” said Mr Galvin.

Kerry County Council has not commented on the issue.