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10,000 tourism jobs at risk this week

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By Sean Moriarty

The chairperson of the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hoteliers Federation (IHF) has described this week’s move to Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions as “catastrophic” for the tourism industry both locally and nationally.

Under new regulations hotels can remain open but under very strict rules. These include offering accommodation to people travelling for work or business or to Kerry-based staycationers.

The travelling public are also restricted from leaving their county of residence.

Bernadette Randles family run the Dromhall and Randles Hotels on the Muckross Road.

The Dromhall Hotel closed yesterday (Thursday) and she cannot predict when it might reopen again. Her brother Tom runs the adjacent Randles Hotel and that will remain open for the next three weeks.

The Randles family spent this week engaging with their one hundred staff. Some face being laid off less than four months after returning to work following the easing of restrictions from the first lockdown.

Some staff will be redeployed to Randles Hotel while others will be placed on a three-day week.

“This is horrendous, just as morale was coming back up the rug was pulled from us again,” she told the Killarney Advertiser. “This is going to be catastrophic for the tourist industry, not just in Kerry but nationally.”

Previous figures released by the Kerry Branch of the IHF estimate there are over 15,000 people directly or indirectly employed in the Kerry tourism sector.

Ms Randles said, that as of Tuesday morning this week, 10,000 jobs are at immediate risk in the county.

The growing uncertainty that the country faces a potential Level 4 of 5 shutdown is also causing hoteliers widespread concern.

“I am closing the Dromhall for three weeks, what then? I don’t know, I have to wait and see,” she added.

Ms Randles stressed that she was talking about the issues facing her own family hotels, some Killarney based premises have taken the decision to close until early in the New Year but she said the decision between remaining open, closing for three weeks or closing until next year, rests with each individual hotel and is not a IHF decision.

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Eric Jenkinson wins camera club award with Dingle landscape

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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.

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End of an era as Killarney dentist Brendan Coffey retires

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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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