News
Feedback is that Killarney is ‘playing a blinder’ says Chamber
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has issued a message of thanks and appreciation to business owners, their staff, the people of the town and visitors to the area for adhering to restrictions introduced as part of Government and Health Service Executive guidelines during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Killarney has been extremely busy in recent weeks with thousands of people heeding advice to holiday at home instead of travelling overseas and, as a result, the town has enhanced its reputation as Ireland’s premier visitor destination.
With a few short weeks to go before the schools and colleges are scheduled to reopen, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has asked everybody to continue to behave in a responsible manner in terms of implementing COVID-19 restrictions and to make one final push to ensure everybody can finish the holiday season in a safe manner.
“Our thoughts are very much with the businesses and the people of Kildare, Offaly and Laois who have had to reintroduce restrictions,” Chamber President, Paul Sherry, said.
“It just goes to show other locations, like Killarney, how fortunate we are and we would like to thank everybody – people of all ages – for being so responsible and for closely following recommended public health guidelines.”
The Chamber has encouraged everybody to make one final push to ensure everybody’s safety, and Mr Sherry asked all businesses to keep the momentum going and to continue to enforce social distancing, face covering and other public health guidelines as recommended by the authorities.
“The feedback we are getting is that Killarney is playing a blinder and that visitors have been hugely impressed by the standards businesses have introduced and the measures they have taken to keep everybody safe. A few weeks from now, when the holiday season winds down, we will all be doing our best to adjust to what is being described as a new normal and, hopefully, we can continue to reflect on a job well done in ensuring everybody was kept as safe as possible when they were in our company.”
Eoin Cashman named Kerry’s sole Naughton Scholar
Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luacha student Eoin Cashman has been honoured as County Kerry’s sole recipient of the prestigious Naughton Scholarship for 2026.
Eoin received the award at an official ceremony held at Trinity College Business School on Saturday, October 17.
The Naughton Scholarships recognise outstanding students entering third-level education in STEM subjects, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Eoin was accompanied at the Dublin presentation by his parents, Marian and Pat Cashman, alongside SPSL Principal Mairéad Lucey.
The scholarship follows an exceptional Leaving Certificate performance where Eoin achieved seven H1 grades. His passion for STEM extended well beyond the classroom, having reached the SciFest 2025 National Final as overall runner-up and winning the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Award to represent Ireland in Phoenix, Arizona.
The funding will support Eoin in his current studies at University College Cork, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astrophysics.
As part of the award, Eoin will travel to Kylemore Abbey in March 2027 for a special gathering bringing together past and present Naughton Scholars from across Ireland.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD congratulated the scholars, encouraging them to maintain critical thinking and independent thought throughout their third-level journeys. Mrs Carmel Naughton also addressed the gathering, expressing immense pride in the class of 2026.
SPSL Principal Mairéad Lucey commended the Rathmore student on his achievement:
“Eoin’s academic achievements are a source of immense pride for the entire SPSL school community. His Naughton Scholarship follows an exceptional Leaving Certificate performance in 2026, when he achieved seven H1 grades as well as his strong commitment to STEM beyond the classroom, reaching the SciFest 2025 National Final and being awarded Overall Runner-Up and also winning the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Award, earning them the right to represent Ireland at the Regeneron ISEF world finals in Phoenix, Arizona.”
The school management and wider Rathmore community extended their congratulations to Eoin and his parents, Marian and Pat, as he continues his academic career in UCC.
KWD Recycling shortlisted for national environmental awards
Killarney-based KWD Recycling has been announced as a finalist in the 2026 Repak Resource Awards, securing a spot on the national shortlist for environmental achievement.
The local waste management company has been nominated in the Best Recovery Operator Innovation category, sponsored by DNV, for its state-of-the-art residual waste recovery system.
The Killarney facility utilizes optical sorting, screening, and mechanical processing to extract recyclable plastics and organic material from municipal waste. In its first year of operation, the technology recovered more than 10 per cent of plastic packaging from residual waste for recycling and diverted almost 50 per cent of organic material toward composting.
KWD Recycling will compete alongside Dublin operators Panda and Thorntons Recycling for the category title.
Repak CEO Zoe Kavanagh commended the Kerry firm for demonstrating environmental leadership and bringing local ambition to the national awards.
Category winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony at the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday, October 23, where each winner will also compete for the Overall Repak Resource Award.
Local businesses have a strong track record at the national event, with Killarney town venue The Killarney Park and The Ross previously taking home the overall title in 2023.
Eoin Cashman named Kerry’s sole Naughton Scholar
Eoin Cashman named Kerry’s sole Naughton Scholar Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luacha student Eoin Cashman has been honoured as County Kerry’s...
KWD Recycling shortlisted for national environmental awards
KWD Recycling shortlisted for national environmental awards Killarney-based KWD Recycling has been announced as a finalist in the 2026 Repak...
Drivers warned as deer rutting season begins
Drivers warned as deer rutting season begins Motorists in Killarney are being urged to exercise extreme caution as the annual...
Kerry Airport CEO addresses chamber luncheon
Kerry Airport chief executive Adrian Neilan addressed local business leaders at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce luncheon at...
The Brehon raises €2,850 for Jack and Jill Foundation
The Brehon Hotel and Spa raised €2,850 for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation after hosting a closest-to-the-pin golf simulator...
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...
