Connect with us

News

Do we need an award for Killarney’s unsung heroes?

Published

on

R

READERS have been swift to contact us with suggestions for locals deserving of recognition after we ran a story that asked the public if they thought an award scheme should be set up for Killarney’s unsung heroes.

Opinion had been divided following the awarding of the Order of Innisfallen to former Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
The Cairde Chill Arne Order of Innisfallen awards scheme is a joint initiative between Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce and Kerry County Council. It was established in 2005 to recognise outstanding contributions of people to the economic development of the town and its tourism industry.

But there seems to be a feeling that the general public has not been represented. As one disgruntled reader said: “Do we have anybody worthy of this in the county of Kerry?”

Prior to the Oder of Innisfallen, the Knights of Innisfallen was set up as a separate tradition to acknowledge local people who contribute to Killarney.

On the night it was set up a group of locals in the back of Courtney’s pub decided that this award wasn’t in the spirit of Killarney – being far too lofty – and vowed to set up a rival award, the Serfs of O’Donoghue’s Rock – an award/honour for a local by the locals.

Is there scope for an award representing locals and those who contribute to Killarney on a daily basis, from people involved in tourism, sport and other ventures?

Why not consider the likes of broadcaster Weeshie Fogarty or Michael Leane, historian and longest-serving member of the Knights of Malta, or those like Con O’Leary of The Laurels who has been meeting and greeting tourists for decades, leading ladies of our local hotel industry or Theresa Irwin, National President of Soroptimists Ireland this year, or Eileen Switzer? Eileen has a lifetime’s involvement in sporting organisations. While she has received the national Women in Sport award, she has never been acknowledged locally.

Posthumous awards could be given to honour people like hotelier Maurice O’Donoghue, or our very own Danny Casey, who founded Killarney Advertiser. The list is endless.

What do you think?
 


 
The recent Order of Innisfallen award ceremony. Pic: Don MacMonagle

Advertisement

News

Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

Published

on

By

Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

Continue Reading

News

Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

Published

on

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport