Connect with us

News

Gleneagle begins first steps to reopening

Published

on

PLANS: Gleneagle Group CEO Patrick O’Donoghue outlined the roadmap for the phased reopening of the conference and events complex. Photo: Michelle Crean

 

A series of outdoor drive-in concerts and movies set to take place across the summer are the first steps in a detailed plan for the reopening of the Gleneagle INEC Arena.

 

At a special webinar hosted by Killarney Chamber of Commerce, Gleneagle Group CEO Patrick O’Donoghue outlined the roadmap for the phased reopening of the conference and events complex. Drive-in movies will commence later this month while drive-in concerts are also on the cards with tickets already on sale for Gavin James, due to perform on Saturday, August 8.

In all, 50 shows were affected by COVID-19 however 47 of these have been rescheduled to dates later in the year and beyond. These rescheduled events include sell-out performances by Dermot Kennedy and Daniel O’Donnell.

Aside from concerts, other key events scheduled for late 2020 and 2021 include the TUI and Fórsa national conferences, Scór na nÓg, Scór Sinsir, the CLRG all-Ireland dancing championships, An Chomhdháil world Irish dance championships and Oireachtas na Samhna 2021.

“Everything we are doing is and will continue to be dictated by Government guidelines," Patrick O’Donoghue said. "It will take time to return to the levels of business that we are accustomed to operating at, but we are determined to do so. We are working to secure artists and shows that will work while adhering to the guidelines and we are optimistically programming for the latter part of 2020 and beyond.”

The key findings of a report, produced by Dublin based consultancy firm CHL, detailing both the Gleneagle INEC Arena and also Killarney Convention Centre’s economic contribution to the locality were also outlined at the webinar.

According to the CHL report, in 2018 alone over 230,000 people attended one of the 194 shows and conferences that took place at the Killarney complex over the course of the 12 months. These 194 events generated in excess of 280,000 bed nights for the county (83,226 at Gleneagle Group properties and 196,921 across Kerry) with attendees contributing €34.6 million to the economy.

According to CHL, “The INEC/KCC is clearly good for the wider Killarney tourism and hospitality economy, though as a private commercial trading entity the Gleneagle Group might not consider that it is its role to generate such wider economic gains. However, the fact remains that it does so, and it has been doing so for the past 20 years. If the INEC/KCC did not exist, these gains would not arise, and Killarney would be the poorer for it.”

Advertisement

News

New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

Published

on

By

A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

Continue Reading

News

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Published

on

By

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 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.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport