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ROSS HOTEL GOLF SOCIETY – 40 YEARS AND DRIVING ON
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The Ross Golf Society, founded in the Ross Hotel in 1978, is Killarney's oldest golf society and is celebrating its 40 years of existence with a special 40th Anniversary Reunion Outing on Killarney's Killeen Course on June 9.
The society welcomes new members and, in particular, the return of any former members and past captains.
Golf societies abound nowadays. Many parishes, GAA clubs and bars have their own but in 1978 there was only one in Kerry: The Old Reserves in Tralee.
The first impetus came from a group of senior caddies, all skilful golfers and Killarney members. After some discussion with some fellow club members, a small group met informally in the Ross Hotel and formed a society that would be open to members of any recognised golf club. Affiliation to the GUI followed some years later.
Support from the Ross Hotel was readily forthcoming and to this day three generations of the Treacy family have generously provided assistance. Pádraig Treacy is still the president of the society.
Among the founding group were Seán Counihan, Dermot Roche, Kieran O'Connor and the late Ian O'Leary. Kieran is still a member and has given unstinting service to the society down through the years.
Ralph O'Connell joined the society in its early years and served as hard-working Hon. Secretary for close on 30 years. Described by Nick O'Brien in his 2007 Captain's report as "the heart and soul of the society", Ralph came to be a stalwart of the Ross, in his annual reports praising good golf or diligent committee work and at all times insisting on high standards.
The immediate aims of the society were to promote the game of golf and provide more competitive golf than the club's Sunday competitions afforded at that time. Generous local sponsorship and competition entry fees - an average of 45 entries for nine competitions in 1986 - ensured that attractive prizes could be provided. Junior Finnegan's Captain's prize attracted 68 entries in 1988. The relaxed informality of society golf helped promising young golfers to improve their game and reduce their handicaps.
AGM reports show that up to 50% of members won prizes during a season's eight or nine competitions. The society was welcomed enthusiastically by Killarney members. By 1988 membership had grown to 86 with a waiting list of eight and Hon. Secretary, Ralph O’Connell, had to remind members that some clubs could not provide sufficient tee-times for the society.
There were four women members, Maria O'Connor, Marguerita Mulcahy, Taal Burke and Dorothy Teskey, wife of fellow member Ron Teskey.
The Society's founding members, Seán Counihan, Kieran O'Conner, Dermot Roche and Ian O'Leary, were part of Killarney Golf Club's 1977 Pierse Purcell-winning team - no doubt helping to prompt the founding of the Ross in 1978. The Society was also well represented in Killarney's Barton Shield win in 1980.
Killarney provided three outings every year and all the Kerry clubs were visited during the last forty years as, also, were Kanturk, Lee Valley, Fota, Macroom, Mallow and Cork Golf Club. A unique outing in the very early years was a visit to The Isle of Man, the details of which are lost in the mists of time.
Another unique and highly successful outing was the visit to Ballykisteen, Co. Limerick, when stationmaster and long-time treasurer, Mike Leahy, booked us onto a rail carriage to Limerick Junction and a bus down the road to the golf course. A very enjoyable sing-song took place in the carriage on the way home.
However, the good times were destined not to last. Golf societies began to proliferate in the region and members could no longer afford membership of a club and two societies. Increased club green fees and a €15 charge on members of societies playing in their home club added to the expense.
In the meantime Killarney Club competitions had increased in number and, as many members were now of senior vintage, the increasingly popular 'Kerry Seniors Tour’ and the fortnightly Killarney Club Seniors satisfied their need for competitive golf.
However, generation succeeds generation, and the sons of previous members or captains joined the Ross and became captains: Bernard O'Shea, Mike Stack, Seán O'Sullivan, Neil and John Coffey, thus bringing with them new and younger members giving promise of a brighter future for the Ross Hotel Golf Society.
At the helm today are:
President - Pádraig Treacy
Captain - Jim Morris
Treasurer - Michael Leahy
Secretary - Gary Browne
Women’s Aid highlights rising femicide figures following Killarney death
Following the violent death of Jamey Carney in Killarney on Tuesday, national charity Women’s Aid has released a stark update regarding violence against women in Ireland.
According to the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch for the Republic of Ireland, eight women have died in violent circumstances so far this year.
This figure already exceeds the total of seven women recorded during the entirety of 2025.
Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid, said:
“Violence, abuse, and even at its extremes, death, are still a reality for many women living in Ireland. After the devastating murder of Ashling Murphy in 2022, Ireland said never again. But Ireland has not lived up to that promise.
“Since then, 40 women have died violently in Ireland. That is 40 women with lives, dreams, family, friends and communities.
“Since we started the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch in 1996, 286 women have died violently in Ireland. Every death is an outrage. An absolute tragic loss of life resulting in utter heartache and trauma for those left behind.
“We are thinking today of those who will be deeply impacted by the loss of life in Killarney. Prevention of all domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is crucial and urgent.”
“The Women’s Aid Femicide Watch shows that 87% of women (where the case has been resolved) were killed by a man known to them. We also know that in Ireland, one in three women has been subjected to domestic abuse of some kind.
“Every woman has the right to be safe in her home and in her community, and this is just not the case. We must do the work required to achieve equality and safety for all, to make Ireland a country that truly has zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”
Support is available on the Women’s Aid 24-Hour National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900, or go to womensaid.ie to use the Instant Message Service or for more information on domestic violence and abuse.”
Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off
Gardaí investigating the discovery of a woman’s body at a residence on Muckross Road in Killarney are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the direction of their inquiries.
It is understood that a full murder investigation is expected to be launched.
The deceased has been named locally as Jamey Carney, an American national in her 40s and the mother of a 13-year-old girl.
The scene at the domestic residence remains cordoned off today for a full technical examination, with a visible Garda presence continuing at the location.
An incident room has been established at Killarney Garda Station under a Senior Investigating Officer. Local businesses in the area have already begun supplying CCTV footage to assisting officers.
Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, local councillor Martin Grady expressed the deep sense of shock in the area.
“I want to offer my condolences to the family,” Cllr Grady said. “This is an awful shock to the local community. I encourage anyone to come forward with any information they may have to An Garda Síochána. Whoever committed such a crime is a cowardly person and should get the maximum penalty.”
Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Muckross Road area between the evening of Monday, July 6 and the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7 to come forward. They are particularly appealing to road users and business owners who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the area during those times.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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