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A unique gym experience at Activate

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“It’s a facility where members can find something totally different that’s not available in any other gym in Killarney,” says Activate co-founder Brian Foley. “It’s fairly unique in Kerry in general as well, in terms of the space we have and the type of work we do here. We’re trying to bring a professional level of strength and conditioning coaching to the general population.

Established by Brian and his wife Róisín in 2017, Activate has quickly earned a reputation for high standards, which is no surprise considering the couple’s impressive level of experience in the field. The pair lived in Australia and New Zealand for six years where they worked in Strength & Conditioning and CrossFit and Brian, a Farranfore native, also in rugby union and Aussie rules during his time abroad.

“We’ve set up Activate the way you would any world class facility,” Brian explains. “We’ve got the gym floor and all the equipment that would come with it such as free weights and conditioning equipment. We treat recovery as important as training, we’ve got the recovery suite with a cryotherapy bath and a hot tub for contrast bathing, which is ideal if you’ve just played a football match, been on a long run or competed in a marathon. The goal is to get your body back to normal as soon as possible.”

At Activate you can also avail of the innovative NormaTec recovery boots, which are used by Premier League footballers, Aussie rules players and NFL players to aid their recovery.

“We’re trying to approach things from both sides,” Brian says. “We want to make sure that we’re making people fitter, faster and stronger but ensuring it’s done in the right way whilst also looking after their recovery needs. We offer stretching classes twice a week for flexibility work and, like everything else at Activate, they’re totally guided from start to finish.

“The minute someone walks in the door, they are more or less taken by the hand through all of their exercises. You’re never left wondering what to do, and will always be shown the correct and safe techniques on how to get fitter for the long term. We make sure the technique is spot on. It’s totally different to the traditional gym where you might come in and work away for half an hour on the treadmill and then scratch your head trying to figure out what to do next. We’ve got everything programmed for you. We are about long term health and fitness, we’ve worked with professional athletes and senior citizens alike and one thing always runs true: A healthy body is vitally important all through life, so we don’t believe in quick fixes or fads, we treat our profession very seriously.”

Brian and Róisín are hosting an open day this Saturday at 11am, which they hope will serve as a great opportunity for newcomers to check out their state of the art facility in Ballycasheen and see what Activate is all about. Special Olympics Ireland athletes will be in attendance to cut the ribbon and officially open the gym. There will be plenty of fun and games on the day as well as a few great prizes thrown in for good measure.

For more information, call 087 4030894 or visit www.activatefitness.ie

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Kerry artist explores identity at ANAM

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Kerry artist explores identity at ANAM


Kerry artist Felix Power is inviting the Killarney community to explore personal ideas of identity, belonging, and Irishness at a free interactive afternoon event this weekend.


Titled Where’s the I in Ireland?, the project takes place on Saturday, October 10, at the ANAM Centre on East Avenue Road, starting at 2.30pm.
The initiative centres around 21 questions regarding personal identity and participants’ complex relationships with Ireland. Over 2025 and 2026, groups across Dublin, Cork, and Kerry participated in sessions structured as part research project, part table quiz, and part bingo night, offering lighthearted moments alongside genuine personal reflection.
During the session, Felix Power and guest facilitators will guide attendees through thoughts on their own personal journeys, sharing notable responses gathered from previous events across the country. Attendees complete anonymous survey cards answering the core questions, with no expectation to speak publicly or share stories out loud. Those who wish to can hand in their cards at the end for inclusion in upcoming public installations.
A pop-up exhibition featuring previous written responses from past participants will also be on display inside the venue, showing the varied ways people move towards or away from traditional ideas of Irishness.
“What emerges is far from a unified voice or consensus,” stated Felix Power. “I see it as a beautiful cacophony, a hectic dawn chorus of differing voices, diverse journeys and unique understandings.”
Power, a graduate of MTU Cork’s MA in Arts and Engagement, has a background spanning visual art, sculpture, live performance, and film. His work focusses heavily on creating participatory spaces that combine playfulness with authentic dialogue about local culture and place.
The event is open to everyone regardless of background or nationality. Supported by Creative Ireland and the Kerry County Council Arts Office, admission is entirely free. While a limited number of entry passes will be available at the door on the day, advance online booking is encouraged to assist organisers with capacity monitoring.

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Town encouraged to wear bright colours for Kevin

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Town encouraged to wear bright colours for Kevin

The town of Killarney was encouraged to wear its brightest colours this week to honour the memory of one of its most beloved sons following the sudden and unexpected passing of Kevin Looney on Tuesday.


A familiar sight walking the streets of Killarney and his adopted home of Tralee alongside his wife Katie, Kevin was widely known for his bright personality, athletic talent, and involvement with local sports organisations.
A gifted athlete and dedicated leader, Kevin served for many years as captain of the Kerry Stars Special Olympics basketball team, leading the side to back-to-back tournament victories in Little Island, Cork, in 2023. Beyond his success on the court, he was a talented runner with an 18-minute 5k record, a keen soccer player with ambitions for Kerry FC, and a head designer who created custom sports gear for his clubs.
Tributes have poured in for the young man, whose kindness, dedication, and enthusiasm left a lasting mark on teammates, coaches, and the wider community.
Kevin is survived by his wife Katie, his mother Carmel, his sisters Selina, Carmel-Ann, and Frankie, his brothers Darren and Tommy-Dan, his granddad Dan McCarthy, and his nephews Sean, Noah, and Theo, along with his extended family, neighbours, and friends.
His removal took place on Thursday evening at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney. Funeral mass takes place this morning, Friday, at 10am at St Mary’s Cathedral, with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.
Mourners attending the service have been asked to wear bright colours in Kevin’s memory. Family flowers only, with donations in lieu, if desired, to Epilepsy Ireland.

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