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Basketball legend Shane Battier enjoys Killarney visit

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HE MAY be an instantly recognisable sports star across America but former NBA Basketball champion Shane Battier passed through Killarney almost anonymously last week. His towering presence of 6 foot 8 inches certainly made him stand out when he visited The Porterhouse on Plunkett Street with a group of golfing friends but it is safe to assume that most of the locals there didn't have a clue who he was. Another group of Americans dining there did recognise him and alerted a staff member about the presence of a sports celebrity in the house. Despite enjoying his low-profile visit to Killarney, Shane kindly obliged to have his photo taken with Porterhouse staff members.

Shane Battier is best known for his role on the all-conquering Miami Heat team that won back-to-back NBA Championship titles in 2012 and 2013. His former teammate and friend LeBron James is a global superstar and the greatest player in the world. Other famous players on that successful Miami team included Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Ray Allen.

Battier (38) retired from a glittering NBA career after the 2014 finals. He is also well remembered for his outstanding college career at Duke University, where he led his team to the 2001 National Championship under the guidance of legendary Duke coach and USA Olympics team coach Mike Krzyzewski ("Coach K").
Unfortunately it appears that Shane had left town by the time word filtered through to many of the local basketball enthusiasts about his visit.

He is actually quite different to the average sports star and may have had some words of wisdom to offer to the news that top-flight basketball will return to Killarney later this year. Apart from his smart play on the court, Battier was once described as the most intelligent player in the NBA and even made a top ten list of the world's smartest athletes. His knowledge and skills from his playing career combine well with his current role as the Miami Heat director of basketball development and analytics.

Shane Battier definitely wasn't the first celebrity to enjoy an anonymous visit to Killarney and he certainly won't be the last. His visit is just one classic
example of Killarney's high ranking as a top global tourist destination. Hopefully the majestic scenery and wonderful hospitality that he enjoyed might inspire him to return again. He might even encourage his friend LeBron to visit!

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Rugby Club launch new home jersey at Scotts Hotel

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Rugby Club launch new home jersey at Scotts Hotel


Killarney RFC officially unveiled their new home jersey for the upcoming 2026/2027 season during a launch event held at Scotts Hotel.


Club captain Matt McAuliffe presented the new shirt at the town centre venue, marking the official launch of the kit as the squad prepares for the new campaign ahead.
The club expressed its sincere gratitude to Scotts Hotel for their ongoing partnership and support. Killarney RFC members noted how proud they are to carry the name of a valued local sponsor on their jerseys throughout the season.

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Patient transfer to new hospital to begin on Monday

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Patient transfer to new hospital to begin on Monday



Following several false starts and long delays, the phased transfer of patients and residents to the new state-of-the-art Killarney Community Nursing Unit on Lewis Road is set to begin on Monday, August 10.



A major stumbling block regarding staff transfers and safe staffing levels was resolved following negotiations under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

With an agreement reached between the HSE and representative unions, including the INMO, SIPTU, and Fórsa, at long last, staff and residents are prepared to move into the new facility.

Welcoming the breakthrough, Councillor Marie Moloney expressed cautious optimism:

“It’s good news that an agreement has been reached with the staff and that transfer of residents and patients can finally take place to the Community Nursing Unit. So many families have been waiting for so long to see their loved ones transfer to this beautiful new facility. Let’s hope there will be no further delays.”

HSE National Director and Integrated Health Area Manager for Kerry, Julie O’Neill, confirmed that the agreement enables the facility to open safely on a phased basis:

“I welcome the agreement reached at the Workplace Relations Commission, enabling us to proceed with the opening of our new Community Nursing Unit in Killarney. I would like to thank everyone involved in reaching this agreement and acknowledge the constructive engagement of all parties.”

Fianna Fáil TD for Kerry and member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health, Michael Cahill TD, also welcomed the news:

“This is very welcome news for older people and their families across Kerry. The new Killarney Community Nursing Unit has been eagerly awaited and I am delighted that agreement has now been reached to allow its phased opening from August 10. I know the delays have been a source of frustration for many families but today’s announcement provides certainty that residents will soon begin moving into this modern, purpose-built facility.”

Deputy Cahill acknowledged the efforts of all parties involved in negotiations, noting:

“I want to thank the HSE, the Workplace Relations Commission and the representative unions, the INMO, SIPTU and Fórsa for their constructive engagement in reaching this agreement. Ensuring safe staffing is essential, and I am pleased that a solution has now been found.”

He added:

“As a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health, I will continue to work to ensure Kerry receives the healthcare investment and staffing it deserves. The opening of this new unit is a major step forward for residential care in our county, and I look forward to seeing residents welcomed through its doors from August 10.”

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