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Faha man’s vehicle the star of classic car run

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CLASSIC CARS: Brian Glover of BG Motors Killarney event sponsor of the Ballymac Classic Car Run with members of the Kingdom Veteran Vintage and Classic Car Club Johnny Cahillane Cian O'Connor George Glover and Tony Hehir. Photo: Joe Hanley

Tony Darmody of Faha had the honour of driving of the oldest car in the 11th annual Ballymac Classic Car Run on Sunday last.

Over one hundred cars took part in the event to raise funds for ‘Help Rose Bloom’ a local charity set up to help Rose O’Flaherty who suffers from Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA1) a severe genetic condition that weakens muscles and causes problems with movement.

The oldest car in the fleet was a 1953 Austin A40 Somerset owned by Tony Darmody who is better known for his role as Chairman of Listry Community Council.

Tony has owned the car since 2015. He bought the 67-year-old car at the request of his daughter Aisling who decided this was the one she wanted to be driven to Fossa Church on the day of her wedding in August 2017.

Tony completed a full restoration of the vehicle ahead of his daughter’s big day.

He has the full history of the car kept in a neat folder in the glove box. He is ready to answer any question that enthusiasts might throw at him at events like the one held on Sunday.

“It was manufactured on December 18, 1953,” Tony said.

“Aisling picked out this car, including the colour. It was in a sorry state when I got it, but it was fully restored in time for her wedding to Daniel O’Sullivan. It was a ground-up restoration.”

After a ‘Cars n' Coffee’ event at O’Riada’s Bar on Sunday, the 107 cars and 16 Honda 50s set off for a tour of West Kerry.

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Randles Bros named Nissan Aftersales Dealer of the Year

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Randles Bros named Nissan Aftersales Dealer of the Year


Randles Bros Tralee has been named as the Nissan Aftersales Dealer of the Year, securing top national recognition from Nissan Ireland.


The dealership, part of the well-known Kerry business family established in 1921, earned the award for its high standards of customer service and aftersales care.
Praising the dealership’s performance, Seamus Morgan, Managing Director of Nissan Ireland, said the team in Tralee had set an exceptionally high standard.
“The entire team at Randles Bros Tralee has set an exceptionally high standard for customer care and the service that it provides to customers after helping them to find the Nissan that makes everyday driving better,” he said. “They excelled across all disciplines and scored heavily for their commitment to developing a customer-centric culture across all aspects of the dealership, and for its consistent approach to putting customers first.”
David Randles, Dealer Principal at Randles Bros Tralee, expressed his pride in the aftersales team led by Padraig McCarthy following the award win.
“We are thrilled to be named as the Nissan Aftersales Dealer of the Year,” he said. “I want to say a big thank you to our aftersales team here at Randles Bros led by Padraig McCarthy for the excellent work in achieving this award, and we are very proud to accept it on behalf of all of them and for all our team here at Randles Bros.”
“We are especially proud to be part of the local community in Tralee and across County Kerry. Our success would not be possible without the customers who put their trust in us. Many customers have been coming to us for decades, and we work hard to build lasting relationships that work for everyone

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Two Rally Legends added to Rally Masters line-up

Killarney Rally Masters has confirmed two more high-profile additions for its event at Killarney Racecourse on Saturday, September 27. Irish rally icon Andrew Nesbitt and Swedish star Kalle Grundel have […]

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Killarney Rally Masters has confirmed two more high-profile additions for its event at Killarney Racecourse on Saturday, September 27.

Irish rally icon Andrew Nesbitt and Swedish star Kalle Grundel have been added to the list of competitors.
Nesbitt will drive his famous Mitsubishi Lancer WRC, the car he used to win the 2006 Donegal International Rally. The Killarney event will be the last chance for Irish fans to see the car before it heads to San Marino for Rally Legend the following weekend. Nesbitt is a two-time winner of the Rally of the Lakes.
In a remarkable story, Grundel will be reunited with a man involved in a frightening incident from the 1986 Circuit of Ireland Rally. Nearly 40 years ago, Grundel’s Ford RS200 struck a young spectator who ran onto the road. The man, now grown, will meet Grundel for the first time at the Killarney event. An RS200 will also be part of the reunion.
The one-day showcase will feature 50 cars from the Group B, Group A, and early WRC eras. Other confirmed drivers include Billy Coleman and Patrick Snijers in BMW M3s, and World Rally Championship driver Josh McErlean in a Ford Focus WRC.
Organised by Killarney and District Motor Club, with support from Motorsport Ireland and Kingfisher Insurance the event will raise funds for the Jack and Jill Foundation and Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice.
Tickets are already selling fast and organisers expect a sell-out well in advance of rally day.

Rally Masters Ireland
Date: Saturday, 27 September 2025
Venue: Killarney Racecourse
Gates Open: 10.00am
Tickets: Adult €25, Family (2 adults + 2 children) €60, Under 18s €10, Under 10s free (with adult, must be pre-booked)
Tickets available now via Eventbrite: – subject to a booking fee
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/rally-masters-killarney-tickets-1561967971249

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