News
Tributes paid to tourism advocate Vincent Counihan
Vincent Counihan and Sean O'Keeffe (Trustees of Muckross House) with President Hillary in 1980.
By Sean Moriarty
Tributes have been paid to former Killarney travel agent Vincent Counihan who died this week.
Mr Counihan, who died on Monday, was well-known in town, aside from his business interests he was heavily involved in community organisations like the Killarney Town Twinning Association, the Killarney-London Reunion and the early years of the Tops of the Town variety shows that were common place across Ireland in the 1970s and 1980s.
In the early years of the Killarney-London Reunion Mr Counihan would have arranged travel for local members heading to the British capital.
Current Reunion Chairman Noel O’Sullivan said Mr Counihan was involved since the first reunion in 1969.
“It was with great sadness we learned of the passing of Vincent,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.
“He was involved, right from the very beginning, up until the late 1980s, and would provide the travel arrangements on the Killarney side. We pass on our sincere sympathies to his family and friends.”
Travel industry pioneer
Born into the family business, Counihan Travel Agency on High Street, Vincent continued the family tradition of making holiday memories for generations of locals, as well as making local memories for visitors to Killarney through the Counihan family jarvey business.
In the mid 1970s he led a contingent from the local Junior Chamber of Commerce to Finland and Sweden to forge relationships with business communities there. The group included well-known business people like Kay Randles, Liam Kelly, Michael Larkin, Sean Coyne and the late Ned Myers who successfully won a major convention for Killarney which resulted in hundreds of delegates travelling to the town two years later.
“Vincent was a giant of a man, both in physical stature and in personality as a well-known businessman around Killarney where he was a great proponent of tourism and Killarney generally,” hotelier Tracy Coyne who was speaking on behalf of the Kerry branch of the Irish Hotel Federation, said. “A larger than life figure around Killarney, Vincent always had a funny story or an inciteful observation to share with those whom he met during his day. The Irish Hotel Federation would like to extend their deepest sympathies at this sad time.”
Vincent, who passed away in Ashborough Lodge Nursing Home in Milltown, was predeceased by his wife, Betty (nee Coghlan, from Beaufort).
He is survived by his children of Ivan, Peter, Vincent and Sarah, grandchildren, Stephen, Charlie and Kitty, brother Denis, sister-in-law Joan, nephews and nieces, extended family and many friends.
Requiem Mass took place yesterday (Thursday) after which he was laid to rest at Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise
Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.
Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.
New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square
A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council...
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on...
Green light for Torc to Dinis walkway
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc...
LOCAL GOLD:
LOCAL GOLD: Terrie O’Shea, founder and owner of Killarney-based business Sorella Berries, celebrating her Gold award win at the Blas...
Grady demands Killarney traffic review
Killarney councillor Martin Grady has called for an urgent review of traffic management across the town following severe delays along...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
