News
Feedback is that Killarney is ‘playing a blinder’ says Chamber
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has issued a message of thanks and appreciation to business owners, their staff, the people of the town and visitors to the area for adhering to restrictions introduced as part of Government and Health Service Executive guidelines during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Killarney has been extremely busy in recent weeks with thousands of people heeding advice to holiday at home instead of travelling overseas and, as a result, the town has enhanced its reputation as Ireland’s premier visitor destination.
With a few short weeks to go before the schools and colleges are scheduled to reopen, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has asked everybody to continue to behave in a responsible manner in terms of implementing COVID-19 restrictions and to make one final push to ensure everybody can finish the holiday season in a safe manner.
“Our thoughts are very much with the businesses and the people of Kildare, Offaly and Laois who have had to reintroduce restrictions,” Chamber President, Paul Sherry, said.
“It just goes to show other locations, like Killarney, how fortunate we are and we would like to thank everybody – people of all ages – for being so responsible and for closely following recommended public health guidelines.”
The Chamber has encouraged everybody to make one final push to ensure everybody’s safety, and Mr Sherry asked all businesses to keep the momentum going and to continue to enforce social distancing, face covering and other public health guidelines as recommended by the authorities.
“The feedback we are getting is that Killarney is playing a blinder and that visitors have been hugely impressed by the standards businesses have introduced and the measures they have taken to keep everybody safe. A few weeks from now, when the holiday season winds down, we will all be doing our best to adjust to what is being described as a new normal and, hopefully, we can continue to reflect on a job well done in ensuring everybody was kept as safe as possible when they were in our company.”
News
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.
O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.
Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June
A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.
Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.
Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”
The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June
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