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Cancellation of adventure races a huge blow to local economy

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5 years ago

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Cancellation of adventure races a huge blow to local economy

Killarney-based Elite Event Management has cancelled its Quest Killarney and Run Killarney events due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

The Quest Adventure race was scheduled for October 10 and Run Killarney – billed as Ireland’s most-scenic half-marathon was set for November 14 after previously being postponed from July 18.

Together they attract over 5,500 participants and 3000 spectators giving the town of Killarney a much-welcomed out of season tourism boost.

The organisers say the events contribute an estimated €4m to the local economy and support many jobs directly at Elite Event Management and indirectly through tourism related roles.

"We reluctantly took the decision to cancel both Quest Killarney and Run Killarney 2020. Considering the ongoing restrictions and increased infection rates of the virus we felt it was the best decision to protect our participants, staff and the wider community,” Director Oliver Kirwan told the Killarney Advertiser.

“It is very disappointing for everyone involved and the local hospitality industry, but we will be working hard to give everyone an even better experience in 2021. I would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement and we look forward to welcoming back participants to Killarney next year.”

Run Killarney is planned for July 17 next year with Quest Killarney expected to take place on October 2, 2021.

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Shovels on the ground at last for N22 Farranfore–Killarney bypass

There was a major development this week in the long-awaited N22 Farranfore to Killarney Bypass Project, as topographical surveys began along the preferred route — marking the first visible step […]

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4 minutes ago

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24 October 2025

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There was a major development this week in the long-awaited N22 Farranfore to Killarney Bypass Project, as topographical surveys began along the preferred route — marking the first visible step towards delivering the long-discussed road scheme.

The works are being carried out by Murphy Geospatial Ltd, who have been appointed by Kerry County Council to complete the surveys. The work began in Farranfore earlier this week and will move gradually toward Killarney over the coming weeks.
According to the Council, the surveys will cover both greenfield areas along the preferred corridor and sections of the existing N22 and adjoining local roads. These topographical studies will map the area in detail and are expected to take around three weeks to complete.
While the activity has been long anticipated, Kerry County Council officials have assured the public that there will be minimal traffic disruption while the survey work is taking place.
Director of Services Frank Hartnett told councillors that this is only the beginning of several key stages due to take place before the end of the year. He confirmed that ground investigation works — the next major phase of the project — will begin on November 3rd, under a six-month contract.
The progress update was given during Monday’s full meeting of Kerry County Council, following a motion tabled by Killarney-based councillor John O’Donoghue (Kerry Independent Alliance).
Cllr O’Donoghue sought a clear timeline for the long-awaited bypass, asking if construction could begin in 2026, and highlighting the ongoing strain caused by traffic congestion in Killarney.
“This issue has appeared on the agenda at nearly every council meeting I’ve attended,” said Cllr O’Donoghue. “The traffic congestion in Killarney is now an almost year-round issue and needs to be addressed urgently.”
He said that while the new road won’t solve every transport problem, it will significantly reduce pressure on the town centre.
“The bypass is not a silver bullet that will solve everything. Killarney will always be a desirable place to live, work, and visit but it will have a colossal impact on reducing traffic and improving the quality of life for everyone in the town,” he added.
He also paid tribute to council engineers and the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) team for bringing the project to this stage and called for continued urgency to keep progress on track.
The Council confirmed that Phase 3 design and environmental evaluation work is underway and will continue into 2026. The statutory planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála is expected to be submitted in 2027. Engagement with local landowners along the proposed route is also taking place.
Meanwhile, both Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae TD and Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae welcomed confirmation that the project is fully funded for its current stages, with a total allocation of €3 million for 2025.
The funding arrangement was outlined at Monday’s meeting, where Mr Hartnett confirmed that €1 million will come directly from the Department of Transport, while an additional €2 million will be advanced by Kerry County Council and later reimbursed by TII in 2026.
“This bypass is a key part of the Kerry–Cork Economic Corridor. The work underway, including topographical surveys and ground investigation works starting on November 3rd, is absolutely essential to move into the planning and design phase. You can’t pour concrete before the groundworks, surveys and planning are done. This funding is real, it’s happening, and it’s how we get to the next stage and secure the major investment that will follow.”said Minister Healy-Rae.
Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae added that the allocation ensures the project stays on schedule through 2025. “This is practical, joined-up work behind the scenes to keep the bypass moving forward,” he said.
The bypass forms part of the wider Kerry–Cork Economic Corridor, which aims to improve connectivity between the counties and relieve traffic bottlenecks through Killarney and Farranfore.
When completed, the N22 Farranfore–Killarney Bypass will not only shorten journey times between Cork and Tralee but also enhance safety and support regional economic growth by providing a more efficient route for residents, tourists, and businesses.
For now, though, the sight of engineers and survey crews along the route marks a long-awaited milestone.

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Bishop Murphy’s memories on Radio Kerry’s Saturday Supplement

Every day since he returned to Killarney as a priest in 1979, Bishop Bill Murphy has marvelled at the view over Lough Leane, praying the same office that the monks […]

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9 hours ago

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24 October 2025

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Every day since he returned to Killarney as a priest in 1979, Bishop Bill Murphy has marvelled at the view over Lough Leane, praying the same office that the monks of Innisfallen Island prayed more than a thousand years ago.

This is one of eight special places Bishop Bill will share with Frank Lewis on Radio Kerry’s Saturday Supplement on Saturday, October 25, from 9 to 11am.
Bishop Bill recalls his early days in Killarney — when Johnny Healy and the boys from New Street gathered scraps of lead from the ruins of the old redbrick mansion to sell and buy a football.
As a young boy, Bishop Bill remembers fishing with his father and brother on the Ownagree River in Glenflesk, catching 33 trout in one day, each about a pound in weight. Mike Joe O’Keeffe, founder of the Ownagree Angling Club, remembers a salmon that jumped into low branches — and couldn’t be retrieved.
Paddy O’Donovan delivered 38 pounds — 608 sausages — every Tuesday and Thursday to St Brendan’s College, where Bishop Bill remembers football training once stopping as a man carrying a newborn baby climbed through the fence from the District Hospital.
Winner of four All-Ireland medals and two All-Stars, Donie Sullivan, then aged 13, and Bishop Bill, aged 15, both recall the awe they felt seeing Christy Ring play for Cork against Tipperary in the 1950 Munster Hurling Final at Fitzgerald Stadium — 75 years ago this year.
Michael Gleeson reflects on the unimaginable suffering of the children who died in Killarney Cathedral during the Famine. Bishop Bill recalls that when the cathedral spire was built between 1908 and 1912, the scaffolding stretched halfway back the Monastery Field.
Richie Clancy, then aged 15, cycled back to the post office with the race results after every race during the three-day Killarney Races. Bishop Bill names the Tomies–Purple–Shehy ridge as his favourite mountain walk in Killarney.
He also recalls that working on the building of the Church of the Resurrection was easier because “a committee was in charge,” remembering those days with David Fleming, one of the committee members.
In his 64 years as sacristan in St Mary’s Cathedral, Tadgie Fleming witnessed big changes in funerals and baptisms. As part of Bishop Bill’s ordination as Bishop of Kerry, Fr Pat Ahern and members of the National Folk Theatre performed a stylised dance in which stones from all parts of the diocese were brought to the altar.
Bishop Bill Murphy will bring Frank Lewis to eight of his favourite places in Killarney on Saturday Supplement, October 25, from 9 to 11am.

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