News
Lewis Road historian charts history of Killarney
By Sean Moriarty
A brand new walking loop which will trace the history of Killarney and how it got its name is in the pipeline and could become a huge tourist attraction.
Killarney historian Thomas ‘Totty’ O’Sullivan from Lewis Road is an author, illustrator, musician and storyteller. Earlier this year he devised a walk in Killorglin linking all of the town’s historical sites.
He will now turn his attention to his home town and how it got its name.
Killarney translates from Irish into the Church of the Sloe.
Thomas has hand-drawn a map that links 41 sites of historical importance. The walk starts and finishes at the Church of the Sloe or St Mary’s Church of Ireland at Kenmare Place. Linking all the sites is the base for his historical walk and he now hopes to attract funding to allow him print brochures and launch the official historical walking tour and guide to Killarney.
“This is an exploration into of the origin of the name ‘Cill Áirne’ which translates as Church of the Sloe or Killarney, and one of the most famous tourism destinations in the world,” he said.
His research took him to Adamstown, County Wexford.
The Irish name for Adamstown is Magh Áirní which is translated as ‘Plain of the Sloes’.
The town’s patron saint was St Abbán a pre-Patrician saint who travelled abroad and all over the south of Ireland in the fifth century, founding many ecclesiastical foundations and sites on his way.
St Abbán of Wexford founded Aghadoe, Killarney in the sixth Century. From here Thomas was able to trace the importance, firstly the religious sites around the town, and linked them with more modern monuments like the World Ploughing Memorial on Mission Road.
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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