Held by The Grand Hotel, Tralee on Sunday 26th of February 2012.

It started in 2010 as an emotional response to the plight of the victims of the Haiti earthquake which had occurred earlier in that year. Such was the response on the day, that we decided to make it an annual event.

In 2011 we decided to hold the walk for a cause closer to home, and in co operation with Recovery Haven, here in Tralee, we ran another very successful event.

This year its for the endoscopy unit – or for you and me- in aid of colon/bowel cancer treatment, in Tralee General Hospital.

We decided to do the walk for Tralee General Hospital this year because it is a vital service to everyone in the community, and it is no secret that, like everyone, they are under pressure for funding in all departments.

It is a show of support and solidarity with the front line staff working there, who are under enormous pressure to provide essential services in an environment of cut backs and redundancies.

We start with registration at 10.00 am on Sunday morning here in The Grand Hotel, Tralee.

We have a photo call then when everyone is ready , and we try to have a bit of music to get going like a piper or drummers.

The route heads out the canal to Blennerville, turns left at the playing field in Blennerville towards Clahane and turn in at Ballyard past the rugby club, and The Aquadome and back

To The Grand Hotel for tea, coffee and biscuits.

It is approximately 10km and should take two hours or less.

It is all over before lunch time and people get to enjoy the rest of the day knowing they have already got their exercise and helped in a good cause.

It’s a win, win, win scenario.

Situé à seulement 3/4 d’heures en bus de Tralee.

Il est un petit village de pêcheurs, situé dans une valeeé entre les montagnes, mais entouré par la mer aussi.

J’ai été très chanceux, car il avait une belle journee, ensoleillée et très calme.

Seulement ecouter le bruit  de la mer et les ouseaux.

Il faut souligner les champs verts sur le ciel et entendant compte du fait que chaque petit maison est d’une couleur, en fin, un site unique à partir de mon point de veu.

Aussi, le voyage pour se rendre à Dingle exécute la grande majorité de la côte, et sinon, toutes les vallées des montagnes.

Il faut souligner, comme en toute l’Irlande, la gentillese des gens.

Il y a un aquarium dans le mileu de la ville, parfait si vous voyagez avec des enfants.

L’autre attraction touristique de la ville est un dauphin, connu sous le nom “Fungi” qui habite dans la mer, et à quelques mètres de la rivage vous pouvez prendre un bateau pour voir où ils vous emmènent.

http://www.grandhoteltralee.com/about/le-gran-hotel-french

Se encuentra a escasos 3 cuartos de hora en autobus desde Tralee.

Es un pequeño pueblo de pescadores, situado en un valle, entre varias montañas, pero a la vez rodeado del mar.

Tuve mucha suerte, porque salió un dia precioso, soleado y muy tranquilo.

Solo se escucha el sonido del mar, y los pajaros.

Destacar el verdor de los campos, sobre el azul del cielo y teniendo en cuanta que cada casita es de un color, le hacen un sitio único desde mi punto de vista.

Además el viaje hasta llegar a Dingle recorre la gran mayoria de la costa, y cuando no, todos los valles de las montañas.

Destacar, como en toda Irlanda, la amabilidad de la gente.

Hay un acuario en pleno pueblo, perfecto si se viaja con niños.

Y la otra atracción turística del pueblo es un delfin, conocido como Fungi, que habita en el mar, y que a escasos metros desde la orilla se puede coger un barco donde te llevan a verlo.

Hay muchos viajes organizados para recorrerse el anillo de Kerry pasando por Dingle. Pero si no lo quereis hacer desde luego pasad solo por el pueblo, porque de verdad que merece la pena.

http://www.grandhoteltralee.com/about/el-gran-hotel-espanol

Et même si la météo n’est pas bonne, nous vivions très bien en Irlande.
Venant d’un autre pays que le vôtre est toujours effrayant, la nourriture, des nouvelles maniéres, de nouvelles routines, nouvelle langue..

Cependant, je ne sais pas ce sujet de l’Irlande que vous vous sentez á la maison.
Mon expérience dans ce pays est encoré plus gratificant.
J’ai obtenue une bourse pour un stage en une enterprise dans le sud de l’Irlande, pendant 5 mois, de Novembre à Mars.

Précédente cours d’anglais, avec 15 autres espagnoles de Castille,a Mallow, une petite ville près de Cork, la deuxiéme ville plus importante du pays après Dublin.
Aprés deux semaines de formation linguistique, j’ai été transféré à Tralee, où il mènerait mon stage.
L’entreprise, Le Grand Hôtel du Tralee, meilleure chance, impossible.
L’hôtel est en plein coeur de la ville, il y a un restaurant et un café sur les deux côtes.

Mon stage se compose de réception, l’administration et du marketing de l’hôtel.
Je suis actuellement au milieu de mon stage, j’ai encore deux mois ici, et de souligner ce que la plupart des gens n’est certainement pas le seul à l’hôtel, mais à travers le pays.
C’est incroyable, tous vous aider, ils sont très plis, respectueux, humble…

L’equipe qui est ici constituée est hautement qualifie et sera certaienement possible de le faire essayer de vous aider avec toute ce que vous avez besoin.
Les installations sont très confortables, les chambers, le restaurant, le hall d’entrèe, avec une grande chimenée avec des canapés où vous pouvez prendre refuge contre la tempête inattendue dans la rue.
Le café este le meilleur café irlandaise dans toute la ville, sans aucun doute.

Quant à mon expérience personnelle, le week-end, lors du repos, essayez de voyager autant que posible avec le reste de l’espagnol et un groupe français avec la même bourse que moi.
Paysages, nature, c’est incroyable.
Je ne savais pas beaucoup sur l’Irlande puisque la grande majorité des Espagnols qui decident de quitter le pays pour apprendre l’anglais, leur premier choix de venir en Angleterre.
Et je dois dire que j’ai été très agréablemente surprise. Parfois il est difficile, sourtout pour la langue et plus encoré avec l’accent qu’ils on ici, car il existe de nombreux comtés et dans la grande majorité d’entre eux l’accent est different, mais vraiment qui ils vous font sentir à la maison.

Je recommande à tous les espagnoles à inclure dans leurs futures voyages Irlande, car il y a très peu de tourisme espagnol dans le pays, et il y a beaucoup à decouvrir ici.

http://www.grandhoteltralee.com/about/le-gran-hotel-french

Y aunque el tiempo no acompañe, se vive muy bien en Irlanda.
Llegar a un país diferente al tuyo siempre asusta, nueva comida, nuevas costumbres, nuevas rutinas, nuevo idioma.
Sin embargo, no sé qué pasa con Irlanda que te sientes como en casa.
Mi experiencia en este país está siendo de lo más gratificante.
Me concedieron una beca para realizar prácticas en una empresa del Sur de Irlanda, durante unos 5 meses, de Noviembre a Marzo.
Previo curso de inglés junto con otros 15 españoles de Castilla y León en Mallow, una pequeña ciudad cerca de Cork, la segunda ciudad más importante del país después de Dublin.

Pasadas 2 semanas de formación en el idioma me trasladaron a Tralee, donde realizaría mis prácticas profesionales.
La empresa, El Gran Hotel de Tralee. Mayor suerte, imposible.
Es un hotel en el puro centro de la ciudad, cuenta con un restaurante y una cafetería a ambos lados.
Mis prácticas consisten en recepción, administración y marketing del hotel.
De momento estoy en el ecuador de ellas, todavía me quedan dos meses aquí, y lo que más destacaría sin duda es la gente, no solo en el hotel, sino en todo el país.
Es increíble, en todo te ayudan, son muy educados, amables, humildes…
El equipo aquí formado es muy cualificado y desde luego harán todo lo posible por intentar ayudarte en todo lo que necesites.
Las instalaciones son muy acogedoras, tanto las habitaciones, como el restaurante, el hall, con una gran chimenea con sofás donde puedes refugiarte de  una tormenta inesperada por la calle.

En la cafetería sirven el mejor café irlandés de toda la ciudad, sin lugar a duda.
En cuanto a mi experiencia personal, los fines de semana, que es cuando descanso, intento viajar todo lo posible junto con el resto de españoles y un grupo de franceses con la misma beca que yo.
Cork, Limerick, Cobh, Kinsale, Dingle, Killarney, Charles Fort…
Los paisajes, la naturaleza, es todo una pasada…
No conocía mucho sobre Irlanda, puesto que la gran mayoría de españoles que deciden salir del país para aprender inglés acuden como primera opción a Inglaterra.

Y tengo que decir que me ha sorprendido muy gratamente, a veces cuesta, sobre todo por el idioma, y más con el acento que tienen aquí, puesto que hay muchos condados y en la gran mayoría de ellos el acento es diferente, pero de verdad que te hacen sentir como en casa.

Recomiendo a todos los españoles que incluyan en sus futuros viajes Irlanda, puesto que hay muy poco turismo español en el país, y

tienen mucho que descubrir aquí.

http://www.grandhoteltralee.com/about/el-gran-hotel-espanol

We are blessed with some of the most spectacular scenery in the country here in Kerry. From the mountains, the sea, the lakes and the river, it is spectacular always – regardless of the weather.

Here in The Grand Hotel, we have several walking enthuasiasts on the staff who are delighted to discuss differant routes and make suggestions for differant excursions.

visit our walking page at

http://www.grandhoteltralee.com/kerry/walking-in-the-kingdom

We try to organise a staff day out in the hills every year.

One of our most successful days was a climb on Mount Brandan with Sam Maguire,

a most famous native of Kerry.

It was a special day out.

There is nothing like it and everyone should try it once.

In the run up to Christmas, The Grand Hotel will be hosting Christmas Parties where we will ensure our guests  nightc of fun and festivities in the town centre. To ensure this is a night you won’t forget The Grand Hotel have laid on a four course gourmet dinner for you to indulge your every delight.

Crackling open fires, rich Georgian drawing room, deep sofa and a glass of champagne …The three star Grand Hotel in Tralee is impossibly atmospheric this Christmas .

The Grand Hotel offers a magical setting for a wonderful Christmas. Festive decorations adorn the hotel, and the aromatic scent of mulled wine permeates the lobby helping to create a festive and warm atmosphere. ‘Tis the Season to be jolly! Soak up the Christmas festive spirit and relax in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Prepare to be waited on hand and foot at this magical time of year.

We hope you will join us at The Grand Hotel over the festive season, where all the staff are waiting to extend a warm welcome and to assist you in creating your own special memories this Christmas.

To see in the New Year why not let The Grand Hotel start off your 2012 in the manner in which it should continue.

www.grandhoteltralee.com/restaurants-bars/the-pikeman-bar

Comic Book Heros are the opening act on 10 & 17 Dec before the Disco with Chris Short.  Our Disco will be the highlight of your Christmas.  Our aim is to keep the dance floor full.

We provide fantastic sound system, full light show and a first class DJ – Chris Short.

About Chris Short….
* Happy to play requests
* Carry an extensive music collection
                                                        * Awesome!!!

 * Ready to make your night one to remember!

Tickets will be available on the door.

Will you do Movember???
About Movember
The pink ribbon is to breast cancer awareness what the moustache is to prostate cancer.

Moustache Season is upon us
The lucky lads and ladies of Tralee can look forward to plenty of tickly kisses as Movember, is upon us. Mo Bros (Santa and His Elves) are gearing up for an assault on their upper lip.

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in Ireland and around the world.

On November 1st, “Santa and His Elves” registered at Movember.com with a clean-shaven face and then for the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into perfect moustaches. Mo Sisters are the women who register to support the men in their lives, raising funds by seeking sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

“Santa and His Elves” effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November and through their actions and words, raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

This year, Kevin Finn and The Grand Hotel are working together to try and make this event successful. “Santa and His Elves” celebrate their gallantry at The Grand Hotel, Tralee on Wednesday 7th December 2011. There will be a professional barber (Joe O’Brien – The Barber, Ashe St.) on hand to do the shaves. Only 1 week until “Santa and His Elves” have a naked lip for the first time in weeks. The “Shave Off” concludes 2011′s Movember activities in an orgy of sharp razors, creamy face foam and maybe, just maybe, some lucky fellow getting shaved head to toe.

You can donate money to our team for Movember. Funds raised benefit The Prostate Cancer Charity, The Institute of Cancer Research and the Movember Foundation.

Men’s health partner’s
Action Prostate Cancer an initiative of Irish Cancer Society
Action Prostate Cancer and The Irish Cancer Society use the money raised by Movember to fund key programmes that are making a real difference to the lives of men and their families affected by prostate cancer. Through research, support, information and campaigning.

The Movember Foundation uses the money raised to fund two programs: an awareness and education program that significantly increases the understanding and reduces the stigmas of the health risks that men face, and Movember’s Global Action Plan that accelerates key outcomes in prostate cancer research by facilitating global research collaboration projects.

The Movember Effect: Awareness & Education, Survivorship, Research
The funds raised in Ireland support the number one male cancer, prostate cancer. The funds raised are directed to programmes run directly by Movember and men’s health partner, Action Prostate Cancer an initiative of the Irish Cancer Society. Together, the two channels work together to ensure that Movember funds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programmes in line with our strategic goals in the areas of awareness and education, survivorship and research.

Movember – a global movement
Since its humble beginnings in Melbourne Australia, Movember has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 1.1 Million Mo Bros and Mo Sisters to participate, with formal campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and Ireland. In addition, Movember is aware of Mo Bros and Mo Sisters supporting the campaign and the men’s health cause right across the globe, from Russia to Dubai, Hong Kong to Antarctica, Rio de Janeiro to Mumbai, and everywhere in between.

No matter the country or city, Movember will continue to work to change established habits and attitudes men have about their health, to educate men about the health risks they face, getting them to act on that knowledge thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment.

In 2010, over 12,700 Irish Mo Bros and Mo Sisters got on board, raising €1.6 million.

Big steps have been taken towards changing attitudes and habits relating to men’s health around the world but there is still much to be done to catch up with the women’s health movement. Via the moustache, Movember aims to fulfill its vision of having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health, by continuing to spark conversation and spread awareness of men’s health each year.

Whether you are looking for a private party, a shared Christmas party night, a Christmas  lunch or an informal get together in the bar for finger food to entertain your clients or employees, we here in The Grand Hotel have options to suit any requirements, any budgets and any style.

The Grand Hotel, Tralee has great entertainment packages, and for Christmas 2011 we have some fantastic Christmas Party ideas and events.

From our great band The Comic Book Heros, sumptuous food,  and the best entertainment we have it all covered, for your party needs for 2011.

Why not avail of some great overnight packages.  Your company has many choices including Office Share Events, and Private Options. No matter what your Christmas Party needs are, we can arrange a tailored package.

Call Eileen now on 0667121499 or email info@grandhoteltralee.com and she can assist you  and let her match your requirements regarding Entertainment and Office Shared Events …

Book early and avoid disappointment! 

CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU

2011

Smoked Salmon

Baked Irish oak smoked salmon in a puff pastry mille feuille with a coriander & cream cheese dressing

Mushroom Cap

Portabella mushroom with slivers of smoked chicken & parmesan cheese

Homemade Cream Soup of the Day

Fresh Atlantic Seafood Chowder

With a hint of pernod

* * * * *

Roast Prime Rib of Succulent Irish Beef

With a chasseur sauce accompanied with Yorkshire pudding

Baked Darne of Castletownbere Salmon

With cream cheese & asparagus tips finished with a tarragon & white wine sauce

Supreme of Irish Chicken

Filled with Parma ham coated with an oak smoked gubeen cheese sauce

Wok-fried Black Tiger Prawns

With julienne of vegetables in a sweet chilli sauce served on a bed of basmati rice

Thai Green Vegetable Curry

on a bed of basmati rice served with garlic & coriander naan bread

* * * * *

All our Desserts are Homemade

French apple torte served with ice cream and cinnamon sauce

Warm Christmas pudding served with brandy sauce

Vanilla & Strawberry vacherin (meringue) served with a mixed berry sauce

* * * * *

Freshly Brewed Tea or Coffee

€25.00

CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU

2011

Barbary Duck

Slivers of succulent Barbary duck with rocket salad, balsamic dressing & parmesan shavings

Thai Crab Cakes

Griddled chilli flavoured Castletownbere crab cakes in a golden crust finished with a sweet chilli marmalade

Chicken Terrine

With Cumberland sauce & slices of toasted homemade brioche

Homemade Cream Soup of the day

Fresh Atlantic Seafood Chowder

With a hint of pernod

* * * * *

Sirloin Steak

Pan-seared 10oz sirloin steak ‘cooked to your liking’ with a creamy thyme & peppercorn sauce, sautéed onions & mushrooms

Fresh Hake

Griddled fillet of Castletownbere hake ‘skin on’ rested on a bed of sun-dried tomato potato cake glazed with a citrus beurre blanc

Turkey & Ham

Oven roasted turkey & home-cooked ham with a herb & onion stuffing finished with a red wine jus & stewed cranberries

Supreme of Chicken

Supreme of Irish chicken with a chestnut & apricot duxelle laced with a creamy whiskey sauce

Tortellini Pasta (V)

Tortellini ricotta & spinach pasta on a creamy roasted red pepper sauce with scallions & basil topped with cubes of buffalo mozzarella

* * * * *

All our Desserts are Homemade

French apple torte served with ice cream and cinnamon sauce

Duo of chocolate mousse served with panache of sauce

Warm Christmas pudding served with brandy sauce

Pear bavarois served with a passion fruit sauce

* * * * *

Freshly Brewed Tea or Coffee

€35.00