News
Preparing your car for returning to the road
Local garage owners are advising motorists of a few simple tasks they can do at home to ensure they don’t suffer any unnecessary breakdowns as the restrictions are slowly being lifted across the country.
Many cars, especially those owned by elderly motorists or people who have been cocooning for personal reasons, have been lying idle since the end of March.
The Government announcement regarding back to work procedures will have given loads of people something to look forward to but the suggested date of May 18 could prove to be very stressful if motorists don’t take some simple steps to ensure their car will start and perform in the day they are due to return to work.
“I would ask anyone who has not driven for a few weeks to take extra care on the roads when they do they go out,” Rathmore-based Peugeot dealer John Reen told the Killarney Advertiser.
"A lot of people are cocooning for eight weeks or more and it will take a bit of getting used to again.”
Fluid levels should be checked on all cars that have been lying idle; oil, coolant and water may have leaked or evaporated over the last few weeks and could be at a dangerously low level.
With cars potentially remaining dormant for weeks or months there is a risk of battery failure. Owners should start and run their cars, when safe to do so, and be mindful of where exhaust fumes are heading, for at least 30 minutes every 10 days.
Flat batteries can cause further stress apart from the obvious, for example, a drained battery could disrupt the car’s central locking and could prevent access when you need it most. Some cars need a radio code to operate the in-car entertainment system and a flat battery could result in the need to re-input a code.
“The battery is the obvious one,” he added.
"But handbrakes and clutches can seize too and people need to be mindful that a car could take a jump after it has been started for the first time. Many cars these days are fitted with electric handbrakes and they could be seized too.”
It is advisable to take the car for a short run every few days and with the current restrictions now extended to 5k, there is no reason why you can’t take a slightly longer journey on your trip to the shops while still respecting the essential journey guidelines.
Hybrid car owners should switch on ‘Ready Mode’ for approximately 30 minutes every 15 to 20 days to keep the battery topped up.
Scairt an Dúchais…Call of the wild:
Fine art photographic artist Micheál O Sullivan launched his sole landscape photographic exhibition in Killarney House this week.
On hand with Micheál at Killarney House were from left, Conor Hennigan and Paul O’Neill, Wander Wild Festival, Diana Fawsitt, Supervisor Killarney House, Rachel Kavanagh, Killarney House, Veronica O’Connor, Fáilte Ireland and Nikki Wissell, Killarney House.
In this exhibition Scairt an Dúchais, which is part of the Wander Wild Festival, Killarney, (April 17-12) Micheál presents a curated selection of his archival work alongside previously unseen photographic images.
Micheál does not merely document the landscape; he interprets it, using light, shadow, and classic composition to transform his natural environment into emotive works of art.
His Internationally recognised photographic work is driven by a deep-seated passion for the craft of photography and a lifelong connection to Killarney and beautiful Irish landscapes.
Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
News
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
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.
Scairt an Dúchais…Call of the wild:
Scairt an Dúchais…Call of the wild: Fine art photographic artist Micheál O Sullivan launched his sole landscape photographic exhibition in...
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
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