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“They are the best neighbours ever”

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BIRTHDAY WITH A DIFFERENCE: Helen McCarthy celebrated her 70th birthday in 'social distance' style with her family, friends and neighbours in Countess Grove, Killarney on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

By Michelle Crean

Countess Grove resident Helen McCarthy is this week still elated by a birthday surprise organised by her neighbours.

The lockdown meant that she’d have no party or even a family meal to mark turning 70 – however, her neighbours had other ideas and instead surprised her on Sunday with a cake, balloon and even organised their other neighbour, photographer Eamonn Keogh, to take a photo 'social distance' style!

“They’re the best neighbours ever,” Helen told the Killarney Advertiser. “It was my COVID-19 birthday.”

She explained that the neighbours were cocooning for the last few months and every day at 12pm meet up for a natter.

“I’ve lived here for 47 years, since 1973. Philip Brady who is on the residents committee organised it and surprised me.”

Helen’s daughter Lisa, who works as a frontline nurse in the UK, had originally planned to come home for the May 3 birthday until the outbreak of the virus.

Instead she organised a Zoom call between family members, including Helen’s brother David and his family in Kilcummin, where Helen is originally from, her brother John and his family in Artigallivan, and her nephew Sean Fleming from Killarney who is now living in Australia. She also celebrated at home with her husband Dermot and sons Blaine, Andrew and Padraig.

“Friends sent cards and gifts. I thought I’d have no birthday over COVID-19 but it turned out to the best birthday ever.”

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Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

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O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.

O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June


A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.


Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.

Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”



The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.

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