News
Killarney ice cream maker wins Blás award
AWARD: John Fleming from Muckross Creamery, pictured with Hugh Gleeson (South Kerry Manager with Bank of Ireland), has received the bronze Blás na hÉireann award. Photo: Michelle Crean
By Michelle Crean
His new product is not yet a year old and what a tumultuous year it has been - but that didn't stop local ice cream maker receiving a bronze award this week.
Fifth-generation dairy farmer John Fleming of Muckross Creamery, launched his multi flavoured ice creams in June 2019.
And on Monday morning, John picked up his bronze Blás na hÉireann award in Bank of Ireland on New Street in Killarney. He was one of 11 producers from Kerry who received an award from at Blas na hÉireann 2020.
"It's our first award from Blás na hÉireann and we're delighted to receive it," John, who also completed the SuperValu Food Academy, told the Killarney Advertiser.
"We also won an award at the Listowel Food Fair last year."
John diversified his business last year selling ice cream from a cart at the old Leane's on Muckross Road.
"Things had been going well, we had a good reaction and Barry Spellman from Killarney Brewery and Denise O'Sullivan from Dinis Cottages asked us to supply them. It was going nicely and then March came and it was a disaster."
August and September proved busy as lockdown eased and visitors and locals came to Killarney for holidays and day trips.
John is delighted to have his flavoured products in Celtic Whiskey on New Street including 'Whiskey Ice Cream', and also 'Casey's Extra Stout and Chocolate Ice Cream' in Killarney Brewery.
The Blás na hÉireann awards were announced virtually last weekend as the annual pilgrimage to Dingle was stalled due to COVID restrictions.
Now in their 13th year, the Blás na hÉireann awards are the all-island food awards that recognise the very best Irish food and drink products, and the passionate people behind them.
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HAPPY: Happy to receive their awards were Ildiko Bajkat from Listowel Wellness Bakery) and Jerry Jennedy from Kennedy's Butchers, Dingle, pictured with Hugh Gleeson (South Kerry Manager with Bank of Ireland). Photo: Michelle Crean[/caption]
The bronze, silver and gold winners from Kerry across a range of different categories also include Kennedy’s Butchers, Kerry Kefir, Knockatee Natural Dairy, Quinlan’s Kerry Fish, Wellness Baking Listowel Ltd., Dingle Distillery, Dingle Goats Cheese, Kerry Cow Farm Ltd. (Kells Bay Cheese), Micilín Muc and O’Sullivan’s Bakery with Kennedy’s Butchers winning best in county.
Eric Jenkinson wins camera club award with Dingle landscape
The stunning landscapes of Kerry continue to inspire members of the Killarney Camera Club, with this month’s themed competition, titled “Kerry Landscape,” producing a high standard of entries.
Following last week’s feature on the unrestricted category winner, Noel O’Neill, this week showcases the winning photograph in the Novice Category by Eric Jenkinson.
His striking photograph, titled “Wild Atlantic Way,” impressed the judges with its colour, composition, and sense of place. The image captures the rugged beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, featuring Clogher Beach in the foreground and the iconic Three Sisters landmarks in the background.
Eric’s success highlights his photographic talent and his appreciation of the county’s natural scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way coastline.
End of an era as Killarney dentist Brendan Coffey retires
It marks the end of an era for local dentistry as Brendan Coffey prepares to retire after a 38-year career in Killarney.
Brendan returned from England in 1988, buying a house on New Street from Paddy Doyle and converting it into the Killarney Dental Clinic. The practice officially opened its doors on Friday May 13, 1988.
“As I had started the surgery from scratch, I had no idea when or if my first patient would come,” Brendan said. “I didn’t have to wait long, my neighbour Johnny Healy from Healy’s shop in New Street arrived first thing and gave me my start.”
In a fitting completion of the circle, Johnny is booked in as Brendan’s final patient on Wednesday of this week.
Brendan thanked the community and his former colleagues. “The people of Killarney and all around have been the most wonderful, loyal, and friendly people to have met and have the privilege to treat for the last 38 years,” he said. “I would like to give special mention to my wife Brenda, who acted as a hugely popular practice manager for many years.”
In October 2022, Brendan’s son Jack and his wife Emma took over the practice before expanding the business to a state-of-the-art facility at the Reeks Gateway.
“I feel a huge sense of satisfaction and pride in what the practice has become,” Brendan added. “So, I will sign off by saying: easy on the sweets, give up the fags, and don’t eat for two hours.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for a full story on Brendan’s career.
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