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800 million Chinese people to see Killarney online

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The beauty of Killarney is set to reach a staggeringly massive audience in the Far East thanks to a new tourism campaign involving a top Chinese TV star.

Ren Zhong visited the town this past week as part of a new Tourism Ireland campaign in partnership with vivo (one of the biggest mobile phone brands in China) and National Geographic magazine.

Timed to coincide with the launch of a new vivo mobile phone, Ren Zhong and his crew captured footage of Killarney, Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way – using the new device - to create a video all about Ireland. The resulting film, called ‘Be Wild’, will go live in early November and will reach at least 30 million Chinese people on social media and on one of China’s most influential video platforms, Youku (similar to YouTube).

Mr Zhong’s itinerary included a boat trip to see Fungie, a visit to Murphy’s Ice Cream in Dingle and a stop at the Star Wars filming site on Ceann Sibéal. He then moved on to Killarney where he stayed overnight in the Muckross Park Hotel.

The visit was part of the fifth annual Images in Cities campaign, run by vivo and National Geographic, which involves bringing 16 photographers and videographers to a different destination each year. A separate group of Chinese journalists and National Geographic photographers will be visiting other locations around Ireland, including the Killarney National Park, in the near future.

They will also be using the new vivo phone to capture images and videos here and will share their content with over 800 million followers on social media.

“Last year, we welcomed an estimated 90,000 Chinese visitors to the island of Ireland in 2017,” said James Kenny, Tourism Ireland China. “Tourism Ireland aims to grow Chinese visitor numbers to 175,000 per year by 2025. There are now two direct flights to Dublin – from Beijing with Hainan Airlines and from Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. Given that there’s a proven direct correlation between access and growth in visitor numbers, we believe these new flights will be a major game-changer in growing visitor numbers from China.”

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Anseo bus extends operating hours

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TFI’s Anseo bus in Killarney has extended its operating hours this week and now runs from 06.30 – 23.00, Monday to Sunday.


The aim of the service is to alleviate traffic and improve access to local services.


Passengers can book on demand rides easily via the mobile app, offering flexibility to choose preferred pick-up and drop-off locations.


Now in its eighth week of operation, Anseo was launched in mid-August as part of a one-year pilot programme operated by TFI Local Link Kerry.


According to TFI Local Link Kerry, the extended hours are a response to “the fantastic level of demand that has been shown.”


Cash fares are capped at a maximum of €3, children under 9 go free and free travel passes are also accepted.


The Anseo bus initiative is designed to make local travel more convenient and accessible.

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Final events for Hugh O’Flaherty’s centenary announced

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The Irish History podcast, hosted by Fin Dwyer, will record a special episode on Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty’s story on Wednesday, October 15.

Fin Dwyer releases episodes weekly about Ireland’s past and over the last 15 years the show has become one of Ireland’s longest running shows with a massive global audience.

When completed, the podcast will include contributions from a well-known author on the Monsignor, a member of the Monsignor’s family and from the Memorial Society.

Admission is free but it is a ticketed event with limited capacity.

Those interested in attending are advised to email oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com.

This will be one of the final events of the 1925 – 2025 Hugh O’Flaherty Centenary Commemorations.

An Post are set to release a commemorative stamp that will be issued on October 23 for worldwide mailing.

The stamp will be available in selected post offices for at least three months.

The third event will occur at the end of the year when The O’Flaherty Memorial Society and Killarney Library host a month-long exhibition on the life story of Hugh O’Flaherty, running from December 15 to January 17, 2026.

More details will be released closer to the date. Wreaths will be laid at the memorial on mission road to mark the anniversary of his death on October 30 and the centenary of his ordination on December 20.

Earlier commemorative events included successful group tour to Rome in March and an O’Flaherty’s Town Trail Walk in August.

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