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Cathedral to host concert of hope and healing this evening (Sunday)

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SPECIAL CONCERT: Singer Grace Foley and pianist Noel O’Sullivan from Killarney will join forces for an hour-long concert this coming Sunday.

Two of Killarney’s finest and best-known musical performers are to combine their unique talents to offer hope and healing to people living through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Classical crossover singer Grace Foley and pianist Noel O’Sullivan will join forces for an hour-long concert in the magnificent surroundings of St Mary’s Cathedral this evening (Sunday), at 7pm.

In keeping with social distancing restrictions, the concert will take place behind closed doors but it will be beamed into people’s homes via the parish webcam and parish radio.

The concert, which marks the longest day of the year, is designed to give people an opportunity to reflect on the events of the past three months and to offer encouragement to look to the future with confidence and hope.

Grace and Noel have chosen a programme of songs and music that they believe will carry a message that can offer joy and healing during what is a very difficult and troubled time for so many.

“At a time when words fail, music speaks and music has been speaking volumes during these past few months,” Grace said.

“I feel the need to reach out to people through music but I haven't been able to sing in public due to the pandemic. The cathedral is such a special place for so many people and I truly look forward to reaching the ears and, hopefully the hearts, of everyone who tunes in."

Fr Niall Howard, of the Killarney parish, said it will be an opportunity for people to look forward to a new beginning and to get away from what has been happening over the past three months.

“There is a great symbolism to the fact that the concert is being held on the longest day of the year. It will celebrate the brightest of times in the midst of all the challenges we have faced,” he said.

“No matter what we have to endure, we must believe in the goodness of people and the goodness of God to help us through."

Grace is a classical crossover singer from Killarney, who has studied singing since the age of 14 with some of Ireland's leading professionals, including the late Aine Nic Ghabhann, James Nelson of the Celtic Tenors and soprano Virginia Kerr. She performs in venues across Ireland and abroad as well as regularly featuring on television and radio.

Noel, a primary schoolteacher in Killarney, was the inspiration behind the incredible Teen Spirit initiative which saw dozens of teenagers performing in a very modern choir to packed arenas in many parts of the country. The purpose of the venture was to allow the teens to excel in an environment that enabled them to use their many talents to entertain, move and inspire the public with a shared vision of doing something really special.

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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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