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Tributes paid to talented Kilcummin set dancer

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The Kilcummin branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann has paid tribute to Margaret O’Connor, one of its longest serving members, who died this week.

By Sean Moriarty

Margaret, who was late of Kilbrean and Tournanough, was a member of the Kilcummin branch since the 1990s.
She passed away on Sunday last, August 9.

A talented set dancer, she joined the senior set dancing group where, along with her fellow dancers, enjoyed great success at County, Munster and All-Ireland competitions.

While the competitions were taken seriously it was the social aspect of it that she enjoyed most and the craic and banter that the group enjoyed on their trips.

With Margaret’s young family growing up it was only a matter of time before they took up dancing and she was always very proud of their success.

It was a familiar sight to see Margaret and the girls heading off to dance in a competition with her husband Tom providing the transport for Kilcummin Comhaltas.

Her youngest daughter Marguerite also became involved in the administration of the branch and served as secretary for a number of years.

“Margaret will be sadly missed by all who knew her and fond memories of our exploits up and down the country and the trips to Manchester for the dancing competitions will be recalled in the months ahead,” said PRO Derek O’Leary.

Kilcummin Comhaltas extend sincere sympathy to her husband Tom, daughters Karen, Tara, Marguerite and the extended O’Connor and Cronin families on their sad loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal.”

She is survived by her husband Tom, her daughters Karen, Tara and Marguerite, sons-in-law Laurence, Graham and John, her grandchildren Ethan, Matthew, Eoin, Aoife and Tommy.
She is also missed by her sisters Sheila (Murphy) and Maryann (Tarrant), and brothers Michael, Connie and Jimmy.

She was predeceased by her grandchildren Rob and Róisín, and her brothers Johnny and Peter.

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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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