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Kerry hoteliers concerned by drop in British visitor numbers

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KERRY hoteliers have expressed serious concern about the significant drop in British visitors during the first seven months of the year. The latest CSO figures announced today show a decrease of 6.2% in trips from our largest market compared to the same period last year.

Patrick O’Donoghue, chair of the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, said the recent recovery in tourism is now under threat as a result of Brexit, with fewer people from Britain visiting Ireland due to the significant drop in the value of Sterling and increased economic uncertainty. “Tourism in Kerry in particular relies heavily on the UK market, so any fall-off in numbers gives cause for serious concern,” said Mr O’Donoghue.

“While the drop in visitors from Britain has been offset by increases in other markets, such as North America and the rest of Europe, we are seeing a significant slowdown in tourism growth so far this year. An additional concern is a weakening in visitor numbers from Northern Ireland that is also occurring. These are worrying trends both for the national tourism industry and our local economy.”

So far this year visitors from the rest of Europe are up 4.3% while visitors from North America are up 17.4%, resulting in an overall increase in overseas visitors of 3.1% compared to 12.7% for the same period last year. “Tourism has received a welcome uplift in recent years which is being felt on the ground here in Kerry, where it is a major contributor to our economy, generating €508 million and supporting 11,900 jobs. However, we cannot afford to take this recovery for granted.”

Mr O’Donoghue says the growth has been underpinned a number of direct actions from the Government, including the 9% tourism VAT rate and the zero rate travel tax. He states that the tourism VAT rate in particular has been of vital importance to the industry. “It has brought our VAT rate into line with other European destinations with which we compete and continues to deliver enormous benefits to the exchequer by making us more attractive as a tourism destination.”

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Hugh O’Flaherty Centenary Exhibition extended at Library

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The Hugh O’Flaherty Centenary Exhibition at Killarney Library has been extended for an additional two weeks.


Originally scheduled to conclude this Saturday, (January 17), the display will now remain open to the public until Saturday, January 31.

The exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of the Monsignor’s ordination and covers four distinct periods of his life: his education in Ireland and early travels, his journey to the priesthood, the operations of the Rome Escape Line during World War II, and his post-war retirement and legacy.


Visitors can view several personal artefacts from his time in Rome, some of which are being publicly exhibited for the first time.

These items include one of his golf clubs, his personal Breviary and Roman Missal, and his Rome guidebook used for assisting pilgrims.


Organizers are particularly encouraging local schools and students to visit before the new closing date at the end of the month.

The exhibition highlights the humanitarian work of the “Vatican Pimpernel” and his colleagues, who provided refuge to Allied POWs, Anti-Fascist Resistance members, and Jewish people regardless of nationality or creed, following his motto: “God Has No Country.”


The exhibition is available to view during normal library opening hours at the Rock Road branch.

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Charity drama and music night at The Fáilte

The West End Players are set to take over The Fáilte Hotel on College Street next Thursday, (January 22), for a night of local theatre and live music in aid […]

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The West End Players are set to take over The Fáilte Hotel on College Street next Thursday, (January 22), for a night of local theatre and live music in aid of Palliative Care.

The evening kicks off at 8:00pm with a double bill of one-act plays.
Audiences will first see ‘The Flesh Game’, a piece written by Rae Shirley, followed by ‘The Fag’, written by local thespian Brian Bowler.
Once the dramas concludes, the entertainment will continue with live music from popular local duo Bugzee & Eddie starting at 9:30pm.
The event is free to attend and no advance booking is required.
The Fáilte Hotel will be providing food on the night and hosting a raffle with various prizes. While there is no cover charge, all voluntary contributions and proceeds from the raffle will go directly to support Palliative Care services.

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