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End of 15-month nightmare in sight – Vintners

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5 years ago

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12-5-2015: VFI Killarney repro free: Vintners pictured at the Vintners' Federation of Ireland annual conference in Killarney on Tuesday. Picture by Don MacMonagle REPRO FREE PHOTO FURTHER INFORMATIONL DAN O'NEILL 0871232182

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) has welcomed the announcement that pubs can reopen indoors from the first week of July but is urging the Government to bring forward the opening date by just four days to allow their members trade for an extra weekend.

In advance of opening indoors, the VFI is also calling for the removal of the 105-minute time limit from the guidelines as, by the end of June, over 70% of the population will have been offered a vaccine, which is a higher vaccination rate than Northern Ireland achieved when it opened pubs indoors.

“This announcement is hugely significant as it provides certainty to our members and the 50,000 staff employed in the trade about when they can reopen indoors. The end of our trade’s 15-month nightmare is now in sight,” VFI Chief Executive, Padraig Cribben, said.

“It’s important to remember that our members closed their businesses on March 15, 2020 and have remained mostly shut ever since. It has been a catastrophic time for the trade and I would like to pay tribute to all the publicans, their families and staff who have battled through such an unprecedented storm.

“Reopening in time for the traditional summer season is a big boost to the trade who can now plan with confidence for a busy July and August. However, there are only nine weekends in that short season so to remove one of those crucial weekends by reopening on a Monday is a blow the Government can avoid by simply moving the date forward by four days to July 1. It would be a small concession with a big impact.

“In less than two weeks, pubs will reopen outdoors followed four weeks later by a return indoors. In that time we expect the Government will revise the 105-minute time limit for indoors. As the vast majority of the population will be vaccinated by early July the rule will is longer be required.

“In many ways, the announcement of a reopening date is only the beginning of the end of the crisis for the pub trade as we face an uncertain future where rebuilding consumer confidence and working within social distancing guidelines will be tough challenges. Supports will continue to play a vital role and we look forward to the announcement of further measures for the trade next week.

“One thing is certain, this has to be the last lockdown. The pub trade can never again be shut down in such a manner. The negative consequences of the past 15-months will take years to recover from, even allowing for the resilience of the trade,” says Mr Cribben.

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Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award programme to resume this October

Published

3 hours ago

on

6 June 2026

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The Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award Programme is set to return this autumn following a six-year absence.

The Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society confirmed that the 12th annual award ceremony will take place in Killarney during the final weekend of October 2026.

The prestigious award programme was suspended due to resource constraints after the 2019 presentation to Ireland’s UN Peacekeepers, with its resumption further delayed by the pandemic.

“This has been made possible through the generous support of the Kerry County Council Community Support Programme, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, and other sponsors,” Society Chairperson Jerry O’Grady said.

The memorial society will shortly issue an official call for nominations for the 2026 recipient. Over the years, the accolade has honoured a wide range of humanitarian work, with previous recipients including GOAL aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki, Trócaire’s Sally O’Neill, the late Donal Walsh, and emergency rescue groups including the RNLI, Irish Coast Guard, and Kerry Mountain Rescue.

Full details on the nomination procedures and closing dates can be obtained directly from the society by emailing oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com.

Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award programme to resume this October

The Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award Programme is set to return this autumn following a six-year absence.

The Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society confirmed that the 12th annual award ceremony will take place in Killarney during the final weekend of October 2026.

The prestigious award programme was suspended due to resource constraints after the 2019 presentation to Ireland’s UN Peacekeepers, with its resumption further delayed by the pandemic.

“This has been made possible through the generous support of the Kerry County Council Community Support Programme, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, and other sponsors,” Society Chairperson Jerry O’Grady said.

IRISH UN VETERANS HONOURED IN KILLARNEY – JUNE 4th 2019 Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe pictured after accepting the Mons Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award 2019 on behalf of the Defence Forces in St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Killarney on Tuesday evening. Also in photo are Mayor of Killarney Niall Kelleher, Jim Casey, Chairman, IUNVA, Major General Kieran Brennan, Deputy Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Patrick Flynn and UN Veteran John O’Mahony, Hugh O’Flaherty, Pearl Dineen, Jerry O’Grady and invited guests. Photo: Don MacMonagle Press release: Before a large audience in the unique and beautiful St Mary’s Church of Ireland in Killarney, including foreign Ambassadors and Diplomats and UN Veterans, Killarney’s Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher presented the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award Scroll last evening to Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe and Irish UN Veterans Chairman Jim Casey. Representing the Hugh O’Flaherty Family and Memorial Society, Judge Hugh O’Flaherty and Pearl Dineen presented the International Humanitarian Medal to Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Kieran Brennan and Brigadier General Patrick Flynn. The Award Ceremony was preceded by a powerful performance by Donal Courtney of his acclaimed one-man play “God Has No Country”, receiving a standing ovation from all present. In his introduction, Memorial Society Chairman Jerry O’Grady said, “Heroes are often defined as those who give of themselves, often putting their own lives at risk for the greater good of others. By this measure, without seeking fame or fortune, the brave men and women of the Irish Defence Forces wearing the iconic blue beret, are truly heroes, deserving of our unbridled admiration and support” Addressing the gathering, Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher said, “From Lebanon to Cyprus and from El Salvador to Kosovo, Irish UN peacekeepers have always served with diligence and distinction. Irish Defence Forces in particular have always been warmly welcomed wherever they have served. That honourable service has probably come to greater public attention in recent years through the telling of the story of the Siege of Jadotville, but for decades now, Irish men and women have proudly entered some of the world’s most dangerous and volatile regions. It is important to remember at time too those 86 members of our Defence Forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice”. In his acceptance speech, Minister Paul Kehoe said, “Just like the incredible humanitarian work carried out by Monsignor O’Flaherty over 75 years ago, the Irish Defence Forces have also brought great honour to Ireland through their participation in peacekeeping operations over the last 60 years. One of the elements that I am often struck by as Minister is the deep respect and admiration for the Irish Defence Forces right around the world”. The Minister added, “Ireland’s unbroken and proud history of participation in UN missions is one of the things that helps makes us stand out as a nation. It strengthens our values; it deepens our international relations; it shows that one small country can make a huge difference on the global stage. As Minister, I am determined that we continue our great Peacekeeping tradition”. The minister paid a special tribute to one member of the audience, Scartaglin native Irish UN Veteran John O’Mahony. In 1980 while serving in the Lebanon, John was shot and seriously injured but happily he survived. Sadly, two of his colleagues, Pte Derek Smallhorne and Pte Thomas Barrett were killed. The final element of the Award Ceremony was the presentation of a generous bursary to the Veterans Association by Donal Hickey, Vice Chair of the Muckross House Trustees Board. Included in the audience were four members of the Raaijmakers family from the Netherlands. Their uncle Anton Musters (Fr Anselmus) was an Augustinian Priest in Rome and an active member of the Rome Escape Line. One month before the Liberation of Rome, he was captured by the Gestapo, interrogated and tortured, but he refused to reveal any information on the Rome organisation. He was being transported to a prison camp in Germany when he escaped during a stopover in Florence and returned to Rome on the day of Liberation. If Fr Anselmus had given up the Rome Organisation during torture, it is probable the Msgr Hugh and many others would not have survived the war. His bravery saved the lives of many of the Escape Line organisers. Earlier in the day, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Rome, two symbolic trees were planted in the Graveyard of the O’Connell Memorial Church in Cahersiveen, the burial place of Monsignor Hug O’Flaherty. Further Information: oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com

The memorial society will shortly issue an official call for nominations for the 2026 recipient. Over the years, the accolade has honoured a wide range of humanitarian work, with previous recipients including GOAL aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki, Trócaire’s Sally O’Neill, the late Donal Walsh, and emergency rescue groups including the RNLI, Irish Coast Guard, and Kerry Mountain Rescue.

Full details on the nomination procedures and closing dates can be obtained directly from the society by emailing oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com.

IRISH UN VETERANS HONOURED IN KILLARNEY – JUNE 4th 2019 Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe accepts the Mons Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award 2019 on behalf of the Defence Forces from retired Supreme Court Judge Hugh O’Flaherty, (grandson of the monsignor) in Killarney on Tuesday evening. Also in photo are from left,, Jim Casey, Chairman, IUNVA, Major General Kieran Brennan, Deputy Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Patrick Flynn and UN Veteran John O’Mahony. Photo: Don MacMonagle Press Release: Before a large audience in the unique and beautiful St Mary’s Church of Ireland in Killarney, including foreign Ambassadors and Diplomats and UN Veterans, Killarney’s Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher presented the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award Scroll last evening to Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe and Irish UN Veterans Chairman Jim Casey. Representing the Hugh O’Flaherty Family and Memorial Society, Judge Hugh O’Flaherty and Pearl Dineen presented the International Humanitarian Medal to Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Kieran Brennan and Brigadier General Patrick Flynn. The Award Ceremony was preceded by a powerful performance by Donal Courtney of his acclaimed one-man play “God Has No Country”, receiving a standing ovation from all present. In his introduction, Memorial Society Chairman Jerry O’Grady said, “Heroes are often defined as those who give of themselves, often putting their own lives at risk for the greater good of others. By this measure, without seeking fame or fortune, the brave men and women of the Irish Defence Forces wearing the iconic blue beret, are truly heroes, deserving of our unbridled admiration and support” Addressing the gathering, Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher said, “From Lebanon to Cyprus and from El Salvador to Kosovo, Irish UN peacekeepers have always served with diligence and distinction. Irish Defence Forces in particular have always been warmly welcomed wherever they have served. That honourable service has probably come to greater public attention in recent years through the telling of the story of the Siege of Jadotville, but for decades now, Irish men and women have proudly entered some of the world’s most dangerous and volatile regions. It is important to remember at time too those 86 members of our Defence Forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice”. In his acceptance speech, Minister Paul Kehoe said, “Just like the incredible humanitarian work carried out by Monsignor O’Flaherty over 75 years ago, the Irish Defence Forces have also brought great honour to Ireland through their participation in peacekeeping operations over the last 60 years. One of the elements that I am often struck by as Minister is the deep respect and admiration for the Irish Defence Forces right around the world”. The Minister added, “Ireland’s unbroken and proud history of participation in UN missions is one of the things that helps makes us stand out as a nation. It strengthens our values; it deepens our international relations; it shows that one small country can make a huge difference on the global stage. As Minister, I am determined that we continue our great Peacekeeping tradition”. The minister paid a special tribute to one member of the audience, Scartaglin native Irish UN Veteran John O’Mahony. In 1980 while serving in the Lebanon, John was shot and seriously injured but happily he survived. Sadly, two of his colleagues, Pte Derek Smallhorne and Pte Thomas Barrett were killed. The final element of the Award Ceremony was the presentation of a generous bursary to the Veterans Association by Donal Hickey, Vice Chair of the Muckross House Trustees Board. Included in the audience were four members of the Raaijmakers family from the Netherlands. Their uncle Anton Musters (Fr Anselmus) was an Augustinian Priest in Rome and an active member of the Rome Escape Line. One month before the Liberation of Rome, he was captured by the Gestapo, interrogated and tortured, but he refused to reveal any information on the Rome organisation. He was being transported to a prison camp in Germany when he escaped during a stopover in Florence and returned to Rome on the day of Liberation. If Fr Anselmus had given up the Rome Organisation during torture, it is probable the Msgr Hugh and many others would not have survived the war. His bravery saved the lives of many of the Escape Line organisers. Earlier in the day, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Rome, two symbolic trees were planted in the Graveyard of the O’Connell Memorial Church in Cahersiveen, the burial place of Monsignor Hug O’Flaherty. Further Information: oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com

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Three generations of O’Connor family complete Killarney parkrun

Published

7 hours ago

on

6 June 2026

By

Three generations of O’Connor family complete Killarney parkrun


Three generations of the O’Connor family completed the 5km course together at Killarney House and Gardens last Saturday.


Grandfather Mike, his son Jeremiah, and grandson Brian all participated in the weekly event. Organisers noted that the family’s participation shows what parkrun is about, as the event is open to people of all ages and abilities.
The free weekly 5k community event takes place every Saturday morning at 9:30am sharp in the Killarney House gardens (V93HE3C). Members of the public are welcome to walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate.

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