News
Two Killarney men selected for Irish team
WHISTLE BLOWS: Tom O'Sullivan (International Sheep Dog Society Local Chairman Killarney) with his dogs 'Glebe Fort Sid' and ‘North Hill Tess' competing in The Brace Class of the Irish National Sheep Dog Trials. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
CHARITY: Dermot O'Toole Coachford Co Cork meeting Yvonne Pennisi from 'My Canine Companion' at the 2021 Irish National Sheep Dog Trials. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
FAMILY FUN: Fergal Daly from Tralee with his wife Colette and children Maeve and Fiadh Daly and Claire and Betty McNamara watching the Irish National Sheep Dog Trials. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
TEAM: Organisers beneficiaries and sponsors of the 2021 Irish National Sheep Dog Trials at Killalee Fossa. From left: Irene Hartigan-Patterson and her daughter Alexandra (My Canine Companion) Kathryn Roche (Business Development Manager Irish Country Meats) Martha and Tara Foley (Local Committee) Aisling O'Sullivan-D'Arcy (South Kerry Development Partnership) Cathaoirleach Killarney Municipal District Cllr. Marie Moloney Adrian Steher (Managing Director Killarney Hotels Ltd. Liebherr) Mairead O'Sullivan Tom O'Sullivan (Local Chairman of the Irish National Sheep Dog Trials) Sean Moriarty (Farm Manager Europe Hotel and Resort Haven) Anna Maria Cronin-O'Sullivan (Committee) Danny O'Shea (Munster Sheep Dog Society). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
By Sean Moriarty
Two Killarney men and their dogs have been selected for the Irish team at next month’s International Sheepdog Trials at Aberystwyth in Wales.
Kilcummin native Tom O’Sullivan and his six-year-old dog, North Hill Tess, and Glenflesk’s Mike Healy and his young dog Bill, will join the 15-strong Irish team after qualifying at the Irish National Sheepdog Trials last weekend.
This is Tom’s fourth time making the Irish Team and his second time with this particular dog, Tess, having been on the team previously in 2019.
The Irish qualifiers were held in Killalee, Fossa, by kind permission of The Hotel Europe and Resort, and Mr O’Sullivan, who is the local organising committee chairman, praised the success of the event, which ran from Thursday until Saturday, and was held in Killarney for the first time.
“We had three days of sheepdog trialling at the highest standard and that produced a 15-man Irish Team to compete in Wales next month,” he said. “The event was a great success with a great local committee, many volunteers, and great food from Kilcummin Gourmet Kitchens over the three days.”
Local hospitality nominated for Good Food Ireland awards
Several Killarney hotels and restaurants have been shortlisted for the Good Food Ireland 20th Anniversary Awards 2026.
The annual awards recognise businesses that feature Irish food and drink as part of their visitor service.
In the luxury accommodation categories, Muckross Park Hotel and The Europe Hotel and Resort have both received nominations for 5 Star Irish Hospitality Experience of the Year and Hotel Restaurant Experience of the Year.
In the town centre, The Mad Monk has been shortlisted for Best Irish Seafood Experience.
The Brehon Hotel has been named a finalist in the Wild Atlantic Way category.
And the Kerry Creamery Experience has also been nominated for the Irish Culinary Tourism Innovation Award for its work showcasing local dairy heritage.
The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the InterContinental Dublin on Monday, November 16
Holy Cross Mercy announces return of Memory Tree initiative
Holy Cross Mercy National School has announced details for its 2026 Killarney Memory Tree, the annual Christmas fundraising hosted at the New Road school.
The initiative offers local residents the opportunity to purchase lights on the tree to commemorate loved ones over the festive season.
The official switch-on ceremony takes place at the school on Wednesday, December 9 at 7pm. Fr Seán Murphy will lead prayers, accompanied by festive carols by candlelight.
A special mass for all those commemorated on the tree will be celebrated in St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday, December 17 at 1pm. The service will be open to the public and streamed online via the Killarney Parish website.
The Memory Tree will remain lit each evening until January 6, the feast of the Epiphany.
Lights can be purchased directly from the pupils, staff, or the school office at Holy Cross Mercy National School on New Road, with all proceeds going towards school development.
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