The Killarney International Bridge Congress has officially become an annual fixture on the local event calendar following a highly successful second year.

Bridge players from England, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, and across Ireland travelled to the town to compete in the three-day tournament, which ran from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14.

The Castlerosse Park Resort hosted the, with attendance upsignificantly compared to last year’s inaugural pilot.

Between competitive sessions, players visited local hotels and guesthouses, taking advantage of the fine weather to golf, shop, and cycle through Killarney National Park.

Organisers noted that staging the international congress involves substantial costs and credited local businesses and clubs for making the event sustainable.

Key sponsors included Kerry County Council, Castlerosse Park Resort, Spillane’s Seafoods, Tricel, Dovida, Keanes Jewellers, Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, Sleep London, and Truffle Honey. Local bridge clubs also provided essential equipment support.

With the event’s long-term future now secured on the Killarney calendar, committee members have already commenced planning for next year’s congress.

Killarney to elect new Mayor on Monday morning

Killarney will have a new mayor by Monday morning as the annual general meetings for the local municipal districts and Kerry County Council take place on Monday.

The Killarney Municipal District AGM is scheduled for 10.00am in the Council Chamber, followed by the full Kerry County Council annual meeting at 12.30pm. The sole business to be conducted at these sessions is the election of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Cathaoirleach, and Leas-Cathaoirleach.
This transition marks the third year of the current council cycle since the local elections in the summer of 2024, following Councillor Maura Healy-Rae’s term in year one and Councillor Martin Grady’s recently completed term.

Grady described his year in the chair as a memorable honour. The term carried personal significance for Grady, following a family tradition in the role previously held by his grandfather John Grady in 1972, his father Donal Grady in 2010, and his uncle Seán Grady on five separate occasions.

Reflecting on the past 12 months, Grady highlighted key council decisions and district developments, including the retention of