Minister Finneran Opens Community Allotments on Dean's Lane         

The Minister for Housing and Local Services, Mr. Michael Finneran,TD. accompanied by the Mayor of Tralee Cllr. Arthur J Spring, has officially opened the new community allotments on Dean's Lane and turned the first sod on the the redevelopment of the former Moyderwell Convent site. It is part of the multi-million euro regeneration of the Mitchel's-Boherbee area which is a flagship project by Tralee Town Council and the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government. The Minister praised the work of the local community, the Council and all those involved in the project

The Department has allocated some €10m to the regeneration to the project since 2007 and is committed to its completion over the coming years. Speaking at the opening the Minister said. "These allotments will become a focal point for the committee here in the Mitchel's rea and indeed for the surrounding communities. They are an appropriate symbol of the growth and renewal that is taking place across this whole area."

The Minister was welcomed to Tralee by Mayor AJ Spring, Town Manager Michael McMahon and Town Clerk Michael Scannell. The Mayor thanked the Minister and his department for their on-going support for the project and the community for embracing it so wholeheartedly. Town Clerk Mike Scannell thanked the DOE officials who had worked closely with the Council and local community to deliver the project and also welcomed Fr. Sean Hanafin, Dean of Kerry, whose predecessor Dean McEnnery had donated the original site to the community in the 19th century for the housing of widows and which still retains the name Dean's Lane.

Mayor Spring said that he was one of 20 individuals, family and community groups to be fortunate enough to have a plot in the new community garden. His name, with 19 others, was selected from an open draw of 75 people who had expressed interest in maintaining a plot at Dean's Lane. Later he presented a basket containing selection of vegetables from the various plots including radishes which he had grown himself. The new allotments were designed by NBA and Joe Carey and John Sheehan of the Tralee Town Council's engineering department.

The allotments were blessed by Dean Hanafin and Rev. Joe Hardy. The opening was attended by community leaders, representatives of local state and voluntary groups and members of Tralee Town Council.

Later Minister Finneran turned the first sod adjoining  the former Moyderwell Mercy Convent which with the support of the HSE and Tralee Credit Union support will house a community service facility for the residents of the nearby Tobar Naofa.