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Danny Healy-Rae calls it “Puss Book”. Why? Because, apart from everyone’s face, everyone’s paw marks are all over it.

Well, guilty as charged. I have given up Facebook for Lent (apart from the odd peek). Removed the app from the iPad, so every time I am tempted to take a break and see what’s happening on FB, and maybe release a bit of stress by giving out about something, or get a buzz by gazing at a painting on the arts sites I follow, or see the news from “friends”, I have to think of something else to do.

But it is easier to give up the fags than Facebook. Granted, I can still sneak the occasional FB fix and sure who will know? No smoke will rise if I go the long way round via password and email and access a peek (a bit like smoking outside) - though there is the risk of letting off steam and hot air.

Even if I remain inside for my fix, no physical toxins will attach from my screen. So, what of it then?

The problem is everyone will know, actually. Facebook is watching me and everyone else and each time I log on they not only know what I am up to, they know where it is I am up to it!

Facebook began for me as a journalistic tool, but has become a daily attraction, sometimes a several times a day habit, a nightly engagement, and a bit of fun. But I am getting less enamoured with it. I am also becoming increasingly self-conscious not just in what I say and what I reveal indirectly about myself in “likes”. And sure isn’t it all likes and isn’t everything happy-clappy on FB where it is the best of all places in the best of all possible worlds. Isn’t it now? (Unless you make an awkward remark and disturb the ever narcissistic glass pool.)

Only that the New York Times tells us in a piece by an FB insider that “when Russians decided to target Americans during the 2016 election, they didn’t buy TV or newspaper ads, or hire a skywriter. They turned to Facebook, where their content reached at least 126 million Americans.”

Facebook prioritized data collection, handing over information about their users instead of protecting them. In other words, it doesn’t give a fig leaf for any of us.

Worse, the spied upon have a hand in it themselves in opening the door and revealing their own worlds. In all innocence. Figs? We are back to the garden, Adam and Eve, too, bit the apple, probably not realising the consequences fully.

Anyway for now, I am trying to resist the bite.

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Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s

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Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s


World renowned Paralympian and world record holder Jason Smyth paid a visit to St Brendan’s College on Wednesday afternoon as part of a high profile visit to Killarney.


The six time Paralympic gold medallist spoke to second year students from St Brendan’s College, alongside students from neighbouring schools St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School and Killarney Community College.
The interactive talk and interview took place ahead of World Sight Day, with the legendary sprinter sharing his personal journey with Stargardt disease, a genetic eye condition that left him legally blind at eight years old.
The Derry native, who holds the world record as the fastest Paralympian on earth over 100 metres, offered inspiring insights into overcoming physical adversity and achieving success at the highest level of world sport.
The school visit formed the opening leg of his Killarney schedule before he took centre stage later on Wednesday evening at The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa.
Smyth headlined An Evening with Paralympian Jason Smyth, an event organised by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce as part of its winter schedule, sponsored by AIB.

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Deerpark Retail Park placed on market for fifteen million euro

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Deerpark Retail Park in Killarney has officially been placed on the market with a guide price in excess of 15.4 million euro, excluding VAT.

International real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed as the sole sales agent to handle the high-profile commercial property sale on behalf of its current owner, Investcorp.

Investcorp, a global investment management firm headquartered in Bahrain, had previously acquired the prominent shopping complex.


The sale represents one of the largest commercial property offerings to launch in County Kerry this year.

Located roughly 1.3 kilometres west of Killarney town centre, the scheme enjoys strong regional connectivity and sits adjacent to independently owned operations including a Tesco Extra store, a Tesco petrol filling station, JYSK, and Aldi.


Constructed in 2006, the development extends across approximately 10,482 square metres, or 112,835 square feet.

The scheme comprises a mix of modern retail warehouse units and a complementary neighbourhood centre, offering 13 individual units in total with Part Open and Part Bulky Use planning permission.

The units range in size from 94.6 square metres up to 1,994.9 square metres. Visitors have access to approximately 248 customer parking spaces across the commercial grounds.

The park is currently 100 per cent occupied by a strong line-up of established national and international brands.

Key retail tenants include Marks & Spencer, Boots, DID Electrical, Maxi Zoo, and Mountain Warehouse.

The neighbourhood centre element accommodates service and convenience operators such as Costa Coffee, Card Factory, and Salon B.

The first-floor accommodation is fully let to Peak Performance Academy, which provides additional rental diversification.

Additionally, the scheme benefits from an agreement with Tesla to operate eight electric vehicle charging bays within the customer car park.


Commercial figures show that the property generates a total current rental income of 1,326,458 euro per annum, with a weighted average unexpired lease term of 4.45 years to break options and 6.46 years to lease expiry.

Cushman & Wakefield noted that the quoted guide price of 15.4 million euro reflects a net initial yield of 7.83 per cent, assuming standard purchaser costs of 9.96 per cent.

The selling agents highlighted that the fully occupied asset offers investors an attractive income profile alongside scope for additional income generation through parking commercialisation.

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