Connect with us

News

Cathaoirleach cuts the tape on improved facilities for Killarney Municipal District

Published

9 years ago

on

K

KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL'S Killarney Municipal District has opened improved facilities for members of the public and a new meeting room at Killarney Town Hall. The meeting room will facilitate meetings of the Killarney Municipal District and other events and was officially opened today (Thursday) by Cathaoirleach Cllr Brendan Cronin.

Killarney Town Hall has been renovated recently to enhance the public counter area at the main foyer for the benefit of customers and those availing of services at the MD office. There are currently 33 council staff based at the offices on Kenmare Place including the new Municipal District Officer, Eileen O’Donoghue, new Municipal District Engineer, John Ahern, and the new Tourism and Economic Development Officer, Maria Ní Cheallaigh.

Meanwhile, a new crest and chain of office for the Municipal District (MD) has been unveiled. The MD had been using the chain of the former Killarney Town Council which has now been replaced by a new one bearing a crest designed to reflect the various aspects of the wider Municipal District area. The piece was designed by Catherine Conway, a Kilkenny-based designer, and incorporates elements of the natural environment, landscape, cultural, literary and built heritage, and other aspects of the district.

Cllr Brendan Cronin said he was delighted to open the new facilities at the Town Hall: “I am particularly delighted to open the new chamber for Municipal District meetings given that my late father, Cllr PJ Cronin, opened the Council Buildings in Tralee when he was chairman of Kerry County Council in April, 1989.

“There has also been an enhancement of the office facilities in the building which will be of benefit to everyone engaging with our services locally. The upgrading works are testament to Kerry County Council’s commitment to provide the people of the Killarney Municipal District with improved facilities at our Killarney offices,” he said.

 

 
Above: The Cathaoirleach, Cllr Brendan Cronin, Kerry County Council/Killarney Municipal District cuts the tape to officially open the improved facilities for members of the public and a new meeting room at Killarney Town Hall on Thursday. The meeting room will facilitate meetings of the Killarney Municipal District and other events. Also in photo are, seated from left, Cllr John Joe Culloty, Cllr Bobby O'Connell, Cllr Niall Kelleher, Eileen O'Donoghue, Charlie O'Sullivan, Director of Service, Angela McAllen, Head of Finance, Cllr John Sheahan, Cllr Donal Grady, Cllr Maura Healy-Rae and Cllr., Michael Gleeson. At back are, Mairead McCarthy, Anne Marie Cronin, Jamie O"Sullivan, Eileen O'Connor, Neilus Daly, Podge Griffin, Noreen Cronin, John Purcell, Maria Ni Cheallaigh, John Ahern, Kieran O'Halloran, Margaret Piggott, Maureen Piggott, Eileeen Fleming, Julie O'Leary and Yvonne Quill. PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE

Related Topics:
Advertisement

News

Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award programme to resume this October

Published

4 hours ago

on

6 June 2026

By

The Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award Programme is set to return this autumn following a six-year absence.

The Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society confirmed that the 12th annual award ceremony will take place in Killarney during the final weekend of October 2026.

The prestigious award programme was suspended due to resource constraints after the 2019 presentation to Ireland’s UN Peacekeepers, with its resumption further delayed by the pandemic.

“This has been made possible through the generous support of the Kerry County Council Community Support Programme, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, and other sponsors,” Society Chairperson Jerry O’Grady said.

The memorial society will shortly issue an official call for nominations for the 2026 recipient. Over the years, the accolade has honoured a wide range of humanitarian work, with previous recipients including GOAL aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki, Trócaire’s Sally O’Neill, the late Donal Walsh, and emergency rescue groups including the RNLI, Irish Coast Guard, and Kerry Mountain Rescue.

Full details on the nomination procedures and closing dates can be obtained directly from the society by emailing oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com.

Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award programme to resume this October

The Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award Programme is set to return this autumn following a six-year absence.

The Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society confirmed that the 12th annual award ceremony will take place in Killarney during the final weekend of October 2026.

The prestigious award programme was suspended due to resource constraints after the 2019 presentation to Ireland’s UN Peacekeepers, with its resumption further delayed by the pandemic.

“This has been made possible through the generous support of the Kerry County Council Community Support Programme, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, and other sponsors,” Society Chairperson Jerry O’Grady said.

IRISH UN VETERANS HONOURED IN KILLARNEY – JUNE 4th 2019 Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe pictured after accepting the Mons Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award 2019 on behalf of the Defence Forces in St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Killarney on Tuesday evening. Also in photo are Mayor of Killarney Niall Kelleher, Jim Casey, Chairman, IUNVA, Major General Kieran Brennan, Deputy Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Patrick Flynn and UN Veteran John O’Mahony, Hugh O’Flaherty, Pearl Dineen, Jerry O’Grady and invited guests. Photo: Don MacMonagle Press release: Before a large audience in the unique and beautiful St Mary’s Church of Ireland in Killarney, including foreign Ambassadors and Diplomats and UN Veterans, Killarney’s Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher presented the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award Scroll last evening to Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe and Irish UN Veterans Chairman Jim Casey. Representing the Hugh O’Flaherty Family and Memorial Society, Judge Hugh O’Flaherty and Pearl Dineen presented the International Humanitarian Medal to Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Kieran Brennan and Brigadier General Patrick Flynn. The Award Ceremony was preceded by a powerful performance by Donal Courtney of his acclaimed one-man play “God Has No Country”, receiving a standing ovation from all present. In his introduction, Memorial Society Chairman Jerry O’Grady said, “Heroes are often defined as those who give of themselves, often putting their own lives at risk for the greater good of others. By this measure, without seeking fame or fortune, the brave men and women of the Irish Defence Forces wearing the iconic blue beret, are truly heroes, deserving of our unbridled admiration and support” Addressing the gathering, Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher said, “From Lebanon to Cyprus and from El Salvador to Kosovo, Irish UN peacekeepers have always served with diligence and distinction. Irish Defence Forces in particular have always been warmly welcomed wherever they have served. That honourable service has probably come to greater public attention in recent years through the telling of the story of the Siege of Jadotville, but for decades now, Irish men and women have proudly entered some of the world’s most dangerous and volatile regions. It is important to remember at time too those 86 members of our Defence Forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice”. In his acceptance speech, Minister Paul Kehoe said, “Just like the incredible humanitarian work carried out by Monsignor O’Flaherty over 75 years ago, the Irish Defence Forces have also brought great honour to Ireland through their participation in peacekeeping operations over the last 60 years. One of the elements that I am often struck by as Minister is the deep respect and admiration for the Irish Defence Forces right around the world”. The Minister added, “Ireland’s unbroken and proud history of participation in UN missions is one of the things that helps makes us stand out as a nation. It strengthens our values; it deepens our international relations; it shows that one small country can make a huge difference on the global stage. As Minister, I am determined that we continue our great Peacekeeping tradition”. The minister paid a special tribute to one member of the audience, Scartaglin native Irish UN Veteran John O’Mahony. In 1980 while serving in the Lebanon, John was shot and seriously injured but happily he survived. Sadly, two of his colleagues, Pte Derek Smallhorne and Pte Thomas Barrett were killed. The final element of the Award Ceremony was the presentation of a generous bursary to the Veterans Association by Donal Hickey, Vice Chair of the Muckross House Trustees Board. Included in the audience were four members of the Raaijmakers family from the Netherlands. Their uncle Anton Musters (Fr Anselmus) was an Augustinian Priest in Rome and an active member of the Rome Escape Line. One month before the Liberation of Rome, he was captured by the Gestapo, interrogated and tortured, but he refused to reveal any information on the Rome organisation. He was being transported to a prison camp in Germany when he escaped during a stopover in Florence and returned to Rome on the day of Liberation. If Fr Anselmus had given up the Rome Organisation during torture, it is probable the Msgr Hugh and many others would not have survived the war. His bravery saved the lives of many of the Escape Line organisers. Earlier in the day, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Rome, two symbolic trees were planted in the Graveyard of the O’Connell Memorial Church in Cahersiveen, the burial place of Monsignor Hug O’Flaherty. Further Information: oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com

The memorial society will shortly issue an official call for nominations for the 2026 recipient. Over the years, the accolade has honoured a wide range of humanitarian work, with previous recipients including GOAL aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki, Trócaire’s Sally O’Neill, the late Donal Walsh, and emergency rescue groups including the RNLI, Irish Coast Guard, and Kerry Mountain Rescue.

Full details on the nomination procedures and closing dates can be obtained directly from the society by emailing oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com.

IRISH UN VETERANS HONOURED IN KILLARNEY – JUNE 4th 2019 Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe accepts the Mons Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award 2019 on behalf of the Defence Forces from retired Supreme Court Judge Hugh O’Flaherty, (grandson of the monsignor) in Killarney on Tuesday evening. Also in photo are from left,, Jim Casey, Chairman, IUNVA, Major General Kieran Brennan, Deputy Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Patrick Flynn and UN Veteran John O’Mahony. Photo: Don MacMonagle Press Release: Before a large audience in the unique and beautiful St Mary’s Church of Ireland in Killarney, including foreign Ambassadors and Diplomats and UN Veterans, Killarney’s Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher presented the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award Scroll last evening to Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe and Irish UN Veterans Chairman Jim Casey. Representing the Hugh O’Flaherty Family and Memorial Society, Judge Hugh O’Flaherty and Pearl Dineen presented the International Humanitarian Medal to Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Kieran Brennan and Brigadier General Patrick Flynn. The Award Ceremony was preceded by a powerful performance by Donal Courtney of his acclaimed one-man play “God Has No Country”, receiving a standing ovation from all present. In his introduction, Memorial Society Chairman Jerry O’Grady said, “Heroes are often defined as those who give of themselves, often putting their own lives at risk for the greater good of others. By this measure, without seeking fame or fortune, the brave men and women of the Irish Defence Forces wearing the iconic blue beret, are truly heroes, deserving of our unbridled admiration and support” Addressing the gathering, Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher said, “From Lebanon to Cyprus and from El Salvador to Kosovo, Irish UN peacekeepers have always served with diligence and distinction. Irish Defence Forces in particular have always been warmly welcomed wherever they have served. That honourable service has probably come to greater public attention in recent years through the telling of the story of the Siege of Jadotville, but for decades now, Irish men and women have proudly entered some of the world’s most dangerous and volatile regions. It is important to remember at time too those 86 members of our Defence Forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice”. In his acceptance speech, Minister Paul Kehoe said, “Just like the incredible humanitarian work carried out by Monsignor O’Flaherty over 75 years ago, the Irish Defence Forces have also brought great honour to Ireland through their participation in peacekeeping operations over the last 60 years. One of the elements that I am often struck by as Minister is the deep respect and admiration for the Irish Defence Forces right around the world”. The Minister added, “Ireland’s unbroken and proud history of participation in UN missions is one of the things that helps makes us stand out as a nation. It strengthens our values; it deepens our international relations; it shows that one small country can make a huge difference on the global stage. As Minister, I am determined that we continue our great Peacekeeping tradition”. The minister paid a special tribute to one member of the audience, Scartaglin native Irish UN Veteran John O’Mahony. In 1980 while serving in the Lebanon, John was shot and seriously injured but happily he survived. Sadly, two of his colleagues, Pte Derek Smallhorne and Pte Thomas Barrett were killed. The final element of the Award Ceremony was the presentation of a generous bursary to the Veterans Association by Donal Hickey, Vice Chair of the Muckross House Trustees Board. Included in the audience were four members of the Raaijmakers family from the Netherlands. Their uncle Anton Musters (Fr Anselmus) was an Augustinian Priest in Rome and an active member of the Rome Escape Line. One month before the Liberation of Rome, he was captured by the Gestapo, interrogated and tortured, but he refused to reveal any information on the Rome organisation. He was being transported to a prison camp in Germany when he escaped during a stopover in Florence and returned to Rome on the day of Liberation. If Fr Anselmus had given up the Rome Organisation during torture, it is probable the Msgr Hugh and many others would not have survived the war. His bravery saved the lives of many of the Escape Line organisers. Earlier in the day, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Rome, two symbolic trees were planted in the Graveyard of the O’Connell Memorial Church in Cahersiveen, the burial place of Monsignor Hug O’Flaherty. Further Information: oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com

Attachments

Continue Reading

News

Three generations of O’Connor family complete Killarney parkrun

Published

9 hours ago

on

6 June 2026

By

Three generations of O’Connor family complete Killarney parkrun


Three generations of the O’Connor family completed the 5km course together at Killarney House and Gardens last Saturday.


Grandfather Mike, his son Jeremiah, and grandson Brian all participated in the weekly event. Organisers noted that the family’s participation shows what parkrun is about, as the event is open to people of all ages and abilities.
The free weekly 5k community event takes place every Saturday morning at 9:30am sharp in the Killarney House gardens (V93HE3C). Members of the public are welcome to walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

News4 hours ago

Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award programme to resume this October

The Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award Programme is set to return this autumn following a six-year absence. The Hugh O’Flaherty...
News9 hours ago

Three generations of O’Connor family complete Killarney parkrun

Three generations of O’Connor family complete Killarney parkrun Three generations of the O’Connor family completed the 5km course together at...
News16 hours ago

Spa GAA leads the way with new on-site EV charging stations

Spa GAA has finalised a deal with Cork-based renewable firm ePower to install two electric vehicle (EV) charging points at its club...
News17 hours ago

Ukrainian Olympian joins parkrun for annual Chestnut Run

Ukrainian Olympian joins parkrun for annual Chestnut Run It is not every day an Olympian joins the Killarney parkrun, but...
News20 hours ago

Healy-Rae questions long-term viability of Anseo bus project

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae has said that while the TFI Anseo pilot project in Killarney has undoubtedly provided a valuable public...

Sport

News3 months ago

Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals

The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
News4 months ago

On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview

Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
News4 months ago

LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy. 

  He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
News7 months ago

Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic

Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
News7 months ago

Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan

After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...