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Purple reign in Killarney

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At Killarney Garda Station for the unveiling of the Purple Flag were from left, Paul O'Neill, Chairperson of Purple Flag Killarney Working Group, John Anthony O'Sullivan, Sergeant Ken O'Sullivan, Eileen O'Connor, Tim O'Donoghue, Assumpta Sweeney, David Fitzgerald and Sergeant Dermot O'Connell. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

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KILLARNEY GARDA STATION has become the first station in Ireland to fly the coveted Purple Flag.
The flag is international recognition of towns and cities that are safe and appealing to visitors after dark.
The flag was hoisted at the garda station during the week and it is hoped the town will retain the prestigious award this year.
The Purple Flag is the international gold standard for night-time management of the economy and a safe and friendly environment from 5pm to 5am.
“Like the Blue Flag for beaches, places that meet the standard can fly the flag,” said Paul O’Neill, chairperson of Killarney’s Purple Flag Committee.
“It recognises excellence in the management of the evening and night-time economy and a safe and friendly environment in which to live, socialise and work.”
Supt Flor Murphy said the award was a recognition of the commitment there was to safety and the sense of security in one of the country’s busiest tourist destinations.
Killarney achieved the award in 2014 and is now going for three in a row. “In 2016, Purple Flag assessors will again visit Killarney to conduct a full renewal assessment,” said Paul.
Killarney’s Purple Flag working group is led by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce which will be working with the Killarney Municipal District as well as the Gardaí and local businesses, groups and schools to ensure the accolade is retrained in Killarney. “It is vitally important that Killarney retains its Purple Flag because the symbol is becoming widely known in the tourism industry as a major international brand,” said Paul.
The award is presented by a team of international assessors. A record number of 10 cities and towns in the Republic of Ireland received the award last year.

 


 

Paul O'Neill, chairperson of Purple Flag Killarney Working Group, John Anthony O'Sullivan, Sergeant Ken O'Sullivan, Eileen O'Connor, Tim O'Donoghue, Assumpta Sweeney, David Fitzgerald and Sergeant Dermot O'Connell. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH

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Céilí Mór will send ‘em home sweatin’

It will be a case of all around the house but mind the dresser at a traditional Céilí Mór which will be one of the real entertainment highlights of this […]

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It will be a case of all around the house but mind the dresser at a traditional Céilí Mór which will be one of the real entertainment highlights of this year’s St Patrick’s Festival in Killarney.

It will take place on the eve of the big feast day in the Killarney Great Southern and there will be a wonderful party atmosphere guaranteed on the night.
Providing the tunes will be the very highly regarded Uí Bhriaín Céilí Band and they promise to send everybody home sweating after what will be a memorable night for locals and visitors.
The March 16 céilí will commence at 9.00pm and continue right through until midnight and the admission for a wonderful night of pure Irish trad is just €10.00.
Bookings can be made on the festival website or patrons can pay at the door on the night.

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St Brendan’s student Aodhagan O’Sullivan crowned CPR champion

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Aodhagan O’Sullivan, a student at St Brendan’s College, Killarney, has been named the 2026 School CPR Challenge Champion.

The prestigious award was presented on Thursday, 26 February, during a large-scale event at the Gleneagle Hotel, where approximately 300 students from post-primary schools across the county gathered to compete for the title of “who can compress the best.”


Now in its fourth year, the event is organised by the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) Community First Responders.

The KCRU is a volunteer-led group that provides vital emergency response services to Killarney, Beaufort, Killorglin, Firies, Rathmore, and Kenmare.

The challenge focused on “Quality CPR” (QCPR), combining a high-stakes competition with practical life-saving training and the chance for students to engage directly with local emergency and community services.


The competition utilised advanced QCPR technology to measure the depth and rate of compressions, ensuring that students aren’t just learning the motions, but are performing life-saving techniques to a clinical standard.

Beyond the competitive element, the day served as an educational hub, highlighting the “chain of survival” and the importance of immediate bystander intervention in the event of a cardiac arrest.


The 2026 challenge was made possible through the support of the Vodafone Foundation, The Gleneagle Hotel, and First Aid Systems Ltd, alongside a variety of local sponsors. Organisers praised the enthusiasm of the 300 participants, noting that such events are essential for building a “heart-safe” community and equipping the next generation with the skills to save a life.

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