News
Town named in ‘Top 5 Best Places to Live in Ireland’
Killarney has been named as one of the five Best Places to Live in Ireland 2021 with competition judges praising its stunning location, vibrancy, and culture of friendliness.
The other places to make the Top 5 are Clonakilty, Galway City, the village of Glaslough in Co. Monaghan and Waterford City.
The Irish Times ‘Best Place to Live in Ireland’ competition, began in June when members of the public were invited to nominate their favourite place to live for the award.
Over the course of the summer, more than 2,400 members of the public nominated 470 locations in every county in Ireland for the title.
Two weeks ago the long list of Best 20 Places to Live in Ireland was published and now Killarney has made it through to the best five short list. The overall winner will be named next weekend.
Each place was judged on criteria including, natural amenities, buildings, community initiatives and spirit, presence of clubs, societies and activities, good local services, diversity, a welcome for outsiders, transport links, employment opportunities, the price of property and housing supply, cost of living, digital links for distance working, safety and security.
While the number of nominations was a factor in the selection of the top locations – Killarney received 31 - the quality of the place itself was the chief consideration.
DECISION
The panel of five judges – which includes Mayo County architect Simon Wall, Monaghan GP Dr Illona Duffy, RTE Nationwide TV presenter Zainab Boladale, and Irish Times journalist Rosita Boland – spent hours reading and debating the entries, before selecting the Top 5.
“In a stunning location, Killarney is a lively, bustling town, full of cafes, restaurants and bars. And because it is accustomed to visitors, it is part of the culture to be extra helpful to strangers. Everyone speaks to each other on the street. All the amenities, both natural and man-made, are impressive. It’s easy to see why people are proud of the area,” the judges said about Killarney.
And this is what Sandra Dunlea said about the town in her nomination.
“Killarney is a unique place to live, we have a wide range of schools, job opportunities and access to very good transport links, train, airport and great primary roads for bus and car. We live in the midst of 26,000 acres of protected national parkland, have a beautiful art school, a variety of dance and stage schools, GAA, soccer and water sports. We have a lovely town which has visitors through the year. We have a huge number of volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping our town and park clean and beautiful.”
With the average house price of the last 50 sales in Killarney €266,000, the Chair of the Judging Panel, Conor Goodman, said that while property prices are just one of several measures the judges are applying in choosing the Best Place to Live in Ireland, in the midst of a housing crisis, they are an important consideration.
Couples across the parish of Kilcummin gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a special celebration Mass honouring milestone wedding anniversaries.
The special service, celebrated by Fr Pat O’Donnell, brought together local couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 years of marriage. Each couple received a commemorative certificate in recognition of their decades of commitment and companionship.
Following the ceremony, the parish committee hosted a reception in the parish hall, where attendees enjoyed tea, home baking, and an opportunity to catch up with neighbours and family members.
Organisers extended their gratitude to Fr O’Donnell, the church committee, photographer Anne Holland, and all who helped arrange the celebratory event.
ANNIVERSARY MASS: Pictured at the Kilcummin wedding anniversary mass are (front row, left to right) Michael and Mary Dorrigan, Michael and Mary Moynihan, Marion and Timmy O’Keeffe, and Clare and Sean Moynihan; (second row) Robert and Ann Marie Keane, Paudie and Kate Cahill, Hann and Denny Donnelly, Sheila and Charlie O’Neill, and Maureen and Francis O’Doherty; (third row) Maura and Cornelius Brosnan, Joan and Jeremiah Desmond, Breda and Timmy O’Leary, Noreen and Patie Nagle, and Barry and Breda Duggan; with (back row) Willie and Breda Fleming, Mary and Noel Cronin, and Fr Pat O’Donnell. Photo: Anne Holland.
PEARL ANNIVERSARY: Clare and Sean Moynihan celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
GOLDEN JUBILEE: Marion and Timmy O’Keeffe marking 50 years of marriage during the parish anniversary celebrations in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
RUBY CELEBRATION: Timmy and Breda O’Leary celebrating 40 years of marriage in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
SAPPHIRE MILESTONE: Joan and Jeremiah Desmond celebrating 45 years of marriage at the anniversary Mass in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
CORAL ANNIVERSARY: Robert and Anne Marie Keane marking 35 years of marriage at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
Killarney Plaza wins top golf hotel award
Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa has been named IGTOA Large Golf Hotel of the Year at the 29th National Golf Tourism Conference and Gala Irish Golf Awards.
Organised by the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association, the annual conference brings together golf operators, hotels, clubs, and industry partners from across Ireland. The awards ceremony took place during a black-tie gala evening at Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, hosted by broadcaster Des Cahill.
The category winner was selected through votes cast by IGTOA tour operator members. Established in 1996, the association promotes Ireland as an international golfing destination.
Hotel management expressed gratitude to the tour operators, regional partners, and guests who supported the venue throughout the year. The hotel operates as part of the local O’Donoghue Ring Collection.
GOLF AWARD: Representing the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, part of the O’Donoghue Ring Collection, Seán Howley (Group Business Development Manager), Brian Lawlor (Group General Manager), and Tomás O’Gorman (Guest Relations Manager) at the National Golf Tourism Conference
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