Tralee thread

Ciarrai76 · 13-06-2020 10:49pm

It was nice to see so many people in town today, felt like a bit of normality again. Going into Penneys was certainly a bit of normality! I went in last night around 8.30pm, no queue, and nice amount of people inside. Unfortunately I had to return a couple of things so I decided to chance it today and thankfully a very small queue in. I did think there were a bit too many people inside though. It felt a little bit too busy (like a normal saturday!). Not sure if they are maybe leaving too many in at a time?

Quackster · 13-06-2020 10:59pm

carchaeologist wrote: »

Agreed, bins were even rammed about 4pm, I guess the forced take away food trade that is the fashion now is adding to this problem.
Still though, there was a good crowd about the town all the same.

Strolled through in the mid-afternoon. Queues for Pennys and Sports Direct went well up Barrack Lane! :eek:

Popped into Pennys in Killarney yesterday evening. No queue in at the time but there was quite a queue for the tills. Moved along swiftly enough though.

Ciarrai76 · 13-06-2020 11:01pm

Quackster wrote: »

Strolled through in the mid-afternoon. Queues for Penny's and Sports Direct went well up Barrack Lane! :eek:

they were fast moving though. I went to Penney's around 2pm & only queued for about 2 minutes!

Ciarrai76 · 13-06-2020 11:02pm

The one coffee shop that doesn't seem to have reopened yet is Costa!? None of their stores have reopened and they haven't given a date as to when they will. I would have thought they would have been one of the first to open!

Quackster · 13-06-2020 11:15pm

Ciarrai76 wrote: »

The one coffee shop that doesn't seem to have reopened yet is Costa!? None of their stores have reopened and they haven't given a date as to when they will. I would have thought they would have been one of the first to open!

My thinking is that a lot of UK chains like TK Maxx are probably applying the English timetable across all UK/Ireland for logistical purposes so, by my logic, we'll see them open next Monday. Costa though may have just decided it's not worth their while opening for takeaway only.

Ciarrai76 · 13-06-2020 11:25pm

Quackster wrote: »

My thinking is that a lot of UK chains like TK Maxx are probably applying the English timetable across all UK/Ireland for logistical purposes so, by my logic, we'll see them open next Monday. Costa though may have just decided it's not worth their while opening for takeaway only.

that makes sense!

kn · 13-06-2020 11:33pm

Ciarrai76 wrote: »

that makes sense!

Seems to be a trend. I want to head to the UK next month and the likes of Travelodge/Premier Inn have all their hotels programmed to go on the England indicative opening date of July 4th even though its July 15th in Scotland and there isn't even a date for Wales to reopen (in fact they are still on a 5 mile lockdown)!!

phormium · 14-06-2020 7:38am

I went to Dingle yesterday, something I would never normally do in mid June as it would be packed, it was lovely there, good few people walking around but nothing like a normal June weekend.

I know it's awful that the locals are losing out on tourist income but it's like the local Kerry people had reclaimed it a bit. Met several people I knew from Tralee in the queue for fish and chips alone which was doing a great trade at least.

Rows Grower · 14-06-2020 8:16am

phormium wrote: »

I went to Dingle yesterday, something I would never normally do in mid June as it would be packed, it was lovely there, good few people walking around but nothing like a normal June weekend.

I know it's awful that the locals are losing out on tourist income but it's like the local Kerry people had reclaimed it a bit. Met several people I knew from Tralee in the queue for fish and chips alone which was doing a great trade at least.

A friend of mine who runs an ice cream shop told me that the Monday people were allowed anywhere within their own county he was very busy with first time visitors from all over Kerry.

We'll be seeing a lot more of that I'd say when people start to appreciate what's on their own doorstep.

Ciarrai76 · 14-06-2020 8:22am

Rows Grower wrote: »

A friend of mine who runs an ice cream shop told me that the Monday people were allowed anywhere within their own county he was very busy with first time visitors from all over Kerry.

We'll be seeing a lot more of that I'd say when people start to appreciate what's on their own doorstep.

I am looking forward to a trip to Dingle. I haven’t been in over a year!

newman10 · 14-06-2020 9:34am

Ciarrai76 wrote: »

The one coffee shop that doesn't seem to have reopened yet is Costa!? None of their stores have reopened and they haven't given a date as to when they will. I would have thought they would have been one of the first to open!

Costa may not reopen until July, according to staff

bobdcow · 14-06-2020 10:01am

To follow up on the rubbish in the Mall and Square - credit where it is due, the Love Tralee page on Facebook said that staff of Hillbillies were walking around the square picking up rubbish that came from their takeaway. It's nice to see/hear of businesses taking responsibility for their rubbish when they can.

Spotted this morning, there are garda cones alongside the kerb (on the road) beside McDonalds - I assume to prevent cars from blocking the road while trying to get in.

If your coming to town from the Manor side, the Boherbee road is closed to traffic, the diversion is by the Grotto. I don't know what they are doing in town. There has been a lot of road works the past few weeks. The road by the South Campus and the further education building in Clash is fantastic now, very smooth.

Stephen A Smith · 14-06-2020 10:39am

Anyone else notice the traffic lights coming up along Pembroke Street to Rock street st at the corner of dairy master are a disaster?

3 times in the past 7 days I’ve drove up there and been stopped on red for close to 10mins and each time there was cars in front of me and we all had to break the red light when safe to turn.

What is going on with it?

Ciarrai76 · 14-06-2020 11:02am

bobdcow wrote: »

To follow up on the rubbish in the Mall and Square - credit where it is due, the Love Tralee page on Facebook said that staff of Hillbillies were walking around the square picking up rubbish that came from their takeaway. It's nice to see/hear of businesses taking responsibility for their rubbish when they can.

Spotted this morning, there are garda cones alongside the kerb (on the road) beside McDonalds - I assume to prevent cars from blocking the road while trying to get in.

If your coming to town from the Manor side, the Boherbee road is closed to traffic, the diversion is by the Grotto. I don't know what they are doing in town. There has been a lot of road works the past few weeks. The road by the South Campus and the further education building in Clash is fantastic now, very smooth.

Apparently resurfacing the road in Boherbee/Castle street. But I don't know if anyone in Boherbee/Castle street notified of these road works?

Edited to add that they resurfaced the road from Applgreen down towards the train station last week. The woman who owns Kingdom food & wine was furious as she got a letter the afternoon before to notify her of it! Her entrance was blocked off to cars & she was very annoyed. Rightly so!
I thought that part of the road was only done a year or so ago?

Ciarrai76 · 14-06-2020 11:03am

Stephen A Smith wrote: »

Anyone else notice the traffic lights coming up along Pembroke Street to Rock street st at the corner of dairy master are a disaster?

3 times in the past 7 days I’ve drove up there and been stopped on red for close to 10mins and each time there was cars in front of me and we all had to break the red light when safe to turn.

What is going on with it?

Sequence must be all out of sync. You can report these things on www.fixyourstreet.ie. Quite a hand site for things like potholes, traffic lights out etc. They get sent to the council to deal with.

bobdcow · 14-06-2020 12:17pm

To keep the little one asleep in the car we drove up the bypass - Ballygarry to Listowel roundabout - someone has written in large bold black lettering "WHITE LIVES MATTER MORE" (in capitals) on one of the bridge pillars, (closer to the listowel roundabout).

P.S I'm only saying what I saw - not a personal opinion.

Sardonicat · 14-06-2020 12:20pm

bobdcow wrote: »

To keep the little one asleep in the car we drove up the bypass - Ballygarry to Listowel roundabout - someone has written in large bold black lettering "WHITE LIVES MATTER MORE" (in capitals) on one of the bridge pillars, (closer to the listowel roundabout).

P.S I'm only saying what I saw - not a persona opinion.

I'm guessing the culprit is a prankster with a misjudged sense of irony. At least, I'm hoping it is!

Quackster · 14-06-2020 12:27pm

Stephen A Smith wrote: »

Anyone else notice the traffic lights coming up along Pembroke Street to Rock street st at the corner of dairy master are a disaster?

3 times in the past 7 days I’ve drove up there and been stopped on red for close to 10mins and each time there was cars in front of me and we all had to break the red light when safe to turn.

What is going on with it?

More often than not, this is due to some idiot not stopping at the correct location - either overshooting the stop line or stopping too far back - so the induction loop doesn't pick up the fact that there is waiting traffic and therefore the controller unit doesn't activate a green signal for that road.

Of course a technical fault could also be to blame.

Panda Killa · 14-06-2020 1:36pm

Ciarrai76 wrote: »

Apparently resurfacing the road in Boherbee/Castle street. But I don't know if anyone in Boherbee/Castle street notified of these road works?

Edited to add that they resurfaced the road from Applgreen down towards the train station last week. The woman who owns Kingdom food & wine was furious as she got a letter the afternoon before to notify her of it! Her entrance was blocked off to cars & she was very annoyed. Rightly so!
I thought that part of the road was only done a year or so ago?

Yeah... Maeve was pretty peeved alright ..add to that .. council burst the water main outside her door.. leaving her with no water...and a day later.they left a truck parked outside so no customers could drive in.
Not the greatest advert for business/council relations at the moment I must admit.

Ciarrai76 · 14-06-2020 1:52pm

Panda Killa wrote: »

Yeah... Maeve was pretty peeved alright ..add to that .. council burst the water main outside her door.. leaving her with no water...and a day later.they left a truck parked outside so no customers could drive in.
Not the greatest advert for business/council relations at the moment I must admit.

Wow that's crazy! I don't blame her for the angry posts on her social media!

Quackster · 14-06-2020 5:55pm

She would want to tell her customers not to be dangerously parking on the road outside though.

I swear, some day I'll just completely lose the rag and rip the wing-mirror off a car that's obstructing the footpath! Same goes for outside Oaklands too. The sheer ignorance of some people is absolutely breathtaking.

Rows Grower · 14-06-2020 5:59pm

Quackster wrote: »

She would want to tell her customers not to be dangerously parking on the road outside though.

I swear, some day I'll just completely lose the rag and rip the wing-mirror off a car that's obstructing the footpath! Same goes for outside Oaklands too. The sheer ignorance of some people is absolutely breathtaking.

Calm down... deep breaths.

Quackster · 14-06-2020 6:01pm

Rows Grower wrote: »

Calm down... deep breaths.

I'll pour myself a large whiskey now!

Ciarrai76 · 14-06-2020 6:14pm

Quackster wrote: »

She would want to tell her customers not to be dangerously parking on the road outside though.

I swear, some day I'll just completely lose the rag and rip the wing-mirror off a car that's obstructing the footpath! Same goes for outside Oaklands too. The sheer ignorance of some people is absolutely breathtaking.

In the days when I was out walking a lot with a pram, it used to do my head in trying to get past cars with the pram. I would barely squeeze as cars would be so fully up on the path. I asked a woman to move her car one day as she was getting out. She huffed and reluctantly got back into her car to move it. Another mother with a pram was trying to get by too, and had a wider pram and had no hope of getting through. Not a hope we were pushing them out on that busy road to get by. Its not a great place for parking. But People could go further up and park in by applegreen or even next door in the old eircom place if they are only running in. Its the usual have to park up right outside the door attitude of people!

Panda Killa · 14-06-2020 6:18pm

People don't think...I've had arguments with people parking on Castle St as they just pop to the bank...this is where the traffic wardens should patrol...
A couple of €80 fines every morning would stop that pdq!

adam88 · 14-06-2020 6:57pm

Panda Killa wrote: »

People don't think...I've had arguments with people parking on Castle St as they just pop to the bank...this is where the traffic wardens should patrol...
A couple of €80 fines every morning would stop that pdq!

There’s a blind eye thrown to that place. Ridiculous. That and outside the grand hotel. Just drop the car to run into the bank.

carchaeologist · 14-06-2020 7:04pm

Quackster wrote: »

More often than not, this is due to some idiot not stopping at the correct location - either overshooting the stop line or stopping too far back - so the induction loop doesn't pick up the fact that there is waiting traffic and therefore the controller unit doesn't activate a green signal for that road.

Of course a technical fault could also be to blame.

Absolutely spot on, it’s almost always people parked on the induction loops, usually parked outside the what was the Old Oak or Joes place. The lights think the traffic is backed up then and try to clear it.

carchaeologist · 14-06-2020 7:20pm

bobdcow wrote: »

To follow up on the rubbish in the Mall and Square - credit where it is due, the Love Tralee page on Facebook said that staff of Hillbillies were walking around the square picking up rubbish that came from their takeaway. It's nice to see/hear of businesses taking responsibility for their rubbish when they can.

You mean what should be called the Hate Tralee’ page, as it only promotes antagonism towards the council, is full of biased political propaganda, pretty much every post on it is stolen from somewhere else, and if you post anything against the grain you will get banned. Pure muck.
Ken Tobin’s post about it earlier in the week voiced the opinions of many.
What the town needs, especially in these trying days is as much positivity as possible not photos online of overflowing bins and bashing the council for it.

carchaeologist · 14-06-2020 7:21pm

Panda Killa wrote: »

People don't think...I've had arguments with people parking on Castle St as they just pop to the bank...this is where the traffic wardens should patrol...
A couple of €80 fines every morning would stop that pdq!

I saw the Gardai fining a car Friday evening that was parked right up on on the footpath across from Bailys corner.

fuerte1976 · 14-06-2020 7:30pm

carchaeologist wrote: »

I saw the Gardai fining a car Friday evening that was parked right up on on the footpath across from Bailys corner.

Proper order

Ciarrai76 · 14-06-2020 7:30pm

Apparently there are 2 suspected cases of covid in UHK today! yikes

edited to add that I saw this on Radio Kerry's facebook page...

Panda Killa · 14-06-2020 7:34pm

Ciarrai76 wrote: »

Apparently there are 2 suspected cases of covid in UHK today! yikes

Well....I saw that from one source on Facebook...and the same person has claimed that before....

bobdcow · 14-06-2020 7:43pm

I didn't see Ken Tobin's post - I wouldn't mind reading that. I do know of someone personally who was attacked on that page for going against the grain of the post.

I do think that the town is looking good these days, a lot of businesses did good jobs in painting their premises over the lockdown.

cms88 · 14-06-2020 7:56pm

carchaeologist wrote: »

You mean what should be called the Hate Tralee’ page, as it only promotes antagonism towards the council, is full of biased political propaganda, pretty much every post on it is stolen from somewhere else, and if you post anything against the grain you will get banned. Pure muck.
Ken Tobin’s post about it earlier in the week voiced the opinions of many.
What the town needs, especially in these trying days is as much positivity as possible not photos online of overflowing bins and bashing the council for it.

Agreed. However Ken isn't afraid of taking other peoples ideas etc so it's one of them two of them that way.

Forge83 · 14-06-2020 8:29pm

Quackster wrote: »

She would want to tell her customers not to be dangerously parking on the road outside though.

I swear, some day I'll just completely lose the rag and rip the wing-mirror off a car that's obstructing the footpath! Same goes for outside Oaklands too. The sheer ignorance of some people is absolutely breathtaking.

The reality is that business should never have received planning from the council day 1 as the location is not suitable for retail of any kind. Illegal parking, people reversing out onto main road etc.
Great sandwiches though 😜

ongarboy · 14-06-2020 9:26pm

Forge83 wrote: »

The reality is that business should never have received planning from the council day 1 as the location is not suitable for retail of any kind. Illegal parking, people reversing out onto main road etc.
Great sandwiches though ðŸ˜œ

Agreed. Kingdom Food Hall do great food and the staff are very friendly but the parking situation is awful. They must lose a lot of casual or impulse trade from people who are put off from attempting to park there in the tight spaces or who are, rightly so, too conscientious to illegally park on the road. It's in an unfortunate location for pedestrians to walk to unless you happen to be in that area and tourists would never be venturing by there. They should consider relocating to one of the many vacant buildings in town centre (old Val osheas, Quinlans, Old Oak or a few others spring to mind where they could offer seating as well. Actually the nearby and closed Stokers Lodge with sufficient parking would be ideal also.

Then again, maybe their business is doing just fine and they are happy out!

Forge83 · 14-06-2020 9:30pm

ongarboy wrote: »

Agreed. Kingdom Food Hall do great food and the staff are very friendly but the parking situation is awful. They must lose a lot of casual or impulse trade from people who are put off from attempting to park there in the tight spaces or who are, rightly so, too conscientious to illegally park on the road. It's in an unfortunate location for pedestrians to walk to unless you happen to be in that area and tourists would never be venturing by there. They should consider relocating to one of the many vacant buildings in town centre (old Val osheas, Quinlans, Old Oak or a few others spring to mind where they could offer seating as well. Actually the nearby and closed Stokers Lodge with sufficient parking would be ideal also.

Then again, maybe their business is doing just fine and they are happy out!

They have a great reputation. For the reasons you state above they would definitely do increased business in a better location.
Unless they own their current building of course.

Clab mor · 14-06-2020 10:04pm

carchaeologist wrote: »

You mean what should be called the Hate Tralee’ page, as it only promotes antagonism towards the council, is full of biased political propaganda, pretty much every post on it is stolen from somewhere else, and if you post anything against the grain you will get banned. Pure muck.
Ken Tobin’s post about it earlier in the week voiced the opinions of many.
What the town needs, especially in these trying days is as much positivity as possible not photos online of overflowing bins and bashing the council for it.

Would you have a link or screen shot to that ken tobin post???

Listrydude · 14-06-2020 10:50pm

got to agree with the opinions on the 'love tralee' page. Sometimes it's pretty decent posts promoting Tralee but more often than not it gets ruined by political stances and other BS. Pity

Panda Killa · 14-06-2020 10:58pm

Yerra, we can go comment on Facebook pages over there....that's where the muck raking should be kept

Serious question... With the new government being formed inside the next 48 hours...do we think Norma Foley will get a ministry?
She's done well on the oversight committee.... she's vocal and seems to be well thought of by those in charge...I think it could be something that Tralee, and Kerry needs in order to survive... would something like tourism be too much of a reach I wonder?

xxyyzz · 14-06-2020 11:09pm

ongarboy wrote: »

Agreed. Kingdom Food Hall do great food and the staff are very friendly but the parking situation is awful. They must lose a lot of casual or impulse trade from people who are put off from attempting to park there in the tight spaces or who are, rightly so, too conscientious to illegally park on the road. It's in an unfortunate location for pedestrians to walk to unless you happen to be in that area and tourists would never be venturing by there. They should consider relocating to one of the many vacant buildings in town centre (old Val osheas, Quinlans, Old Oak or a few others spring to mind where they could offer seating as well. Actually the nearby and closed Stokers Lodge with sufficient parking would be ideal also.

Then again, maybe their business is doing just fine and they are happy out!

There's a big and generally empty carpark out the back of Clounalour medical centre. That's where I usually park for kingdom foods.

Ciarrai76 · 14-06-2020 11:13pm

Panda Killa wrote: »

Yerra, we can go comment on Facebook pages over there....that's where the muck raking should be kept

Serious question... With the new government being formed inside the next 48 hours...do we think Norma Foley will get a ministry?
She's done well on the oversight committee.... she's vocal and seems to be well thought of by those in charge...I think it could be something that Tralee, and Kerry needs in order to survive... would something like tourism be too much of a reach I wonder?

Hopefully for the county/town, she will! Just have to wait and see this week!

xxyyzz · 14-06-2020 11:13pm

carchaeologist wrote: »

You mean what should be called the Hate Tralee’ page, as it only promotes antagonism towards the council, is full of biased political propaganda, pretty much every post on it is stolen from somewhere else, and if you post anything against the grain you will get banned. Pure muck.
Ken Tobin’s post about it earlier in the week voiced the opinions of many.
What the town needs, especially in these trying days is as much positivity as possible not photos online of overflowing bins and bashing the council for it.

Not a fan of that page, I know who's behind it and the idea of it is nice but it shouldn't be used as an anonymous soapbox to take potshots at people in Tralee.

Quackster · 14-06-2020 11:25pm

Panda Killa wrote: »

Yerra, we can go comment on Facebook pages over there....that's where the muck raking should be kept

Serious question... With the new government being formed inside the next 48 hours...do we think Norma Foley will get a ministry?
She's done well on the oversight committee.... she's vocal and seems to be well thought of by those in charge...I think it could be something that Tralee, and Kerry needs in order to survive... would something like tourism be too much of a reach I wonder?

Yeah, not a hope of a senior ministry, there are two many in FF with a stronger claim to one of their six seats at cabinet.

Definitely a candidate for a junior post though. Otherwise, she should get a committee chairship.

Ciarrai76 · 14-06-2020 11:33pm

I had almost forgotten we had a general election less than 6 months ago. Coronavirus really distracted us from it! Next week will be interesting!

Adiboo · 15-06-2020 1:12am

Quackster wrote: »

She would want to tell her customers not to be dangerously parking on the road outside though.

I rang up about this a few years back and was fucked out of it on the phone with the male owner of this place. Was told it is not his problem.

Council would not/won't put bollards down. The traffic warden now patrols the area, but never around the lunch time period.

Numerous times stuck with buggy here. No consideration for disabled/wheelchair users either.

Clab mor · 15-06-2020 8:49am

Adiboo wrote: »

I rang up about this a few years back and was fucked out of it on the phone with the male owner of this place. Was told it is not his problem.

Council would not/won't put bollards down. The traffic warden now patrols the area, but never around the lunch time period.

Numerous times stuck with buggy here. No consideration for disabled/wheelchair users either.

I suppose it’s all down to a little common sense.

Yes it’s not ideal there for parking but the business does well and also employs a good few people locally.

Placing bollards along there would be unpopular as it would have a detrimental effect on the business.

Nancy Myles back in the day had a similar situation and when bollards were placed along the footpath of the army barracks it decimated their lunch time trade and prob had a lot to do with them eventually closing.

We should be doing more to protect these business rather than just saying throw up bollards and let them suffer the consequences.

I don’t have a solution to the problem but bollards or other parking deterrents will yes solve the parking problem but would create a whole other problem for that business.

There are other examples of the same thing happening around town on a daily basis.

On castle street for a quick pop into the permanent tsb or hillsers.

Boherbee is a culprit also outside the castle off-licence there’s regularly a car collecting or a van delivering.

Quackster · 15-06-2020 10:05am

Putting up bollards is simply to target the clowns who think that their lunch is more important than other people's safety. If that has the effect of decimating a business, then that simply means the business was not in the right place in the first instance.

If a business is reliant on public endangerment to keep afloat, that's not a good place to be.

Ciarrai76 · 15-06-2020 10:14am

FYI, Castle street is still closed off for road works this morning.

Clab mor · 15-06-2020 11:15am

Quackster wrote: »

Putting up bollards is simply to target the clowns who think that their lunch is more important than other people's safety. If that has the effect of decimating a business, then that simply means the business was not in the right place in the first instance.

If a business is reliant on public endangerment to keep afloat, that's not a good place to be.

Absolutely but it’s a balancing act.

Public endangerment is a bit of an extreme description for a handful of cars double parking for 10 to 15 minutes during lunch hour.

Grand to be flippant and say place bollards up but the fact of the matter is it would have a huge effect on trade for that business.

Every town in Ireland has business that are in similar situations as Kingdom Food and Wine.

If you can tell me you’ve never ditched the car for a quick 10 mins on a double yellow line while you ran for a sandwich or quick errand or while you waited in the rain outside the school to collect a child or grandchild you my friend are a saint.

Tralee thread

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