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Air Ambulance could be grounded today (Friday) 

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By Sean Moriarty

 

Ireland’s new charity Air Ambulance service, the Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR), could be grounded today (Friday) - unless €370,000 has been found to save the service.

 

The Air Ambulance, which is based on an airfield near Millstreet County Cork and since its foundation in July last year has flown on 250 different missions.

 

Operating entirely as a charity, the service receives no government funding and all its purchases, such as aviation fuel, is subjected to VAT.

 

Two weeks ago, ICRR Operations Manager Ruth Bruton, put out an urgent appeal for funds to keep the service in the sky. A fundraising drive at that time raised €30,000 but a shortfall of €370,000 remains. The net result is the helicopter may not be able to fly this weekend as there is no money available to pay bills, wages and operating fees.

 

“We planned for 350 missions in our first 12 months based on mission figures from the State funded Aer Corps Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) in 2018, which saw them carry out 310 missions,” she said. “In a little over five months, we have flown over 270 missions which raises our estimates to 600 possible life-saving missions per year. With our increased demand, we need support now more than ever.”

 

Mayor of Killarney Michael Gleeson is calling on Government support to keep the Air Ambulance in the sky.

 

“The Government should immediately accept long term responsibility for the cost of running this service,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “The air ambulance has a particular importance in our county with its rugged mountainous terrain and difficult to access locations. The air ambulance should be acknowledged and supported as a vital and indispensable health service.”

 

 

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Regatta Queen crowned at annual dance

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The annual Killarney Regatta Dance took place on September 25 as rowers, families and supporters came together to celebrate their successful year.

The racing was cancelled in September due to bad weather.

The Killarney Regatta is one of Ireland’s oldest rowing events, having first begun in 1788.

The dance took place at the Killarney Oaks Hotel where there was a lot of excitement and fun. Six rowing clubs, Fossa, Workman’s, St Brendan’s, Commercials, Flesk Valley, and Muckross, came together to celebrate the community and its shared history.

Amelia Counihan was crowned as the Regatta Queen.

The Queen represents the spirit pride and grace of the rowing community and has been a tradition in the club for generations.

Workman’s Rowing Club congratulated Amelia and described her as a woman who embodies everything that their tradition stands for.

The club said: “Queen is more than a title — it is a celebration of history, community, and the spirit of Killarney rowing.”

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Killarney Looking Good competition celebrates community pride

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The annual Killarney Looking Good competition took place at the Great Southern Hotel on Wednesday night where Kerry GAA captain Gavin White presented the awards to the deserving recipients.

Killarney Park Hotel came out on top with the overall prize being awarded to the newly refurbished five-star hotel.

The judges were impressed by the stylish new entrance and driveway and their spectacular display of flowers and window boxes. Killarney Park won the same award back in 1992.

The best large commercial premises award went to Killarney Racecourse, and the best small commercial premises was awarded to Sheahan’s Pharmacy.

Charlie Foley’s won the best public house; best restaurant was 40 Main and Walsh Bros Shoes was named best retail.

In the residential categories, the best private residence was Tomies View, Ross Road, best large estate went to Countess Grove, and best small estate was won by Coolgreane Park.

The winner of the 2025 Fr Michael Murphy Memorial Pride of Place Award was presented to the Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative while the Yvonne Quill Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award winner went to Margaret Curtin.

The Killarney Looking Good competition is organised by Killarney Municipal District Council and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and sponsored by MD O’Shea’s & Sons and O’Mahony Media.

The competition aims to encourage residents and business owners to keep the town looking well through the use of flowers, hanging baskets, colour schemes.

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