News
Late Beaufort Garda fondly remembered by colleagues
By Sean Moriarty
A popular member of An Garda Síochána, who passed away suddenly last year, was posthumously remembered by colleagues at the West Cork Garda Youth Awards.
Garda Aidan Cremin from Beaufort had attended St Brendan’s College in Killarney and worked in Moriarty's Photographic Store for many years before he became a Garda.
He was stationed in Castletownbere Haven in West Cork, where he served as the community Garda for the Adrigole area.
He had been living in West Cork for 13 years where he was a popular member of the tight-knit community, especially in GAA circles, where he was an active member of the local Adrigole Club.
He passed away in January 2021, aged just 47.
The West Cork Garda Youth Awards celebrate outstanding young people between the ages of 13 and 21 years, a project Aidan was immersed in through both his roles as a Community Garda and within Adrigole Club.
He was affectionately known as ‘The Sherriff’ to friends and colleagues, while in GAA circles he was known as ‘The Kingdom-Rebel’.
“His death has left a void and is still very raw in his adopted home. Aidan’s advice kept many the young person on the straight and narrow avoiding negative engagement with the Gardaí," Chief Superintendent Con Cadogan, Divisional Officer for Cork West Division, said.
"A testament to Aidan’s popularity in his adopted county was the huge crowds who on a miserable January night lined the Beara roads in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic to pay their respects to Aidan Cremin a man whose legacy will never be forgotten."
The Posthumous Award was accepted by Aidan’s brother Mike, on behalf of the Cremin family.
Killarney hotels achieve top global rankings in Readers’ Choice Awards
Two leading Killarney hotels are celebrating major international accolades following the publication of the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Killarney Royal Townhouse was named the No. 2 Hotel in Ireland in the US edition of the global awards, securing top placement among the country’s finest properties based entirely on votes cast by international travellers.
Pat McGrath, General Manager of Killarney Royal Townhouse, expressed his pride in the achievement:
“We are absolutely delighted to be recognised as the No. 2 Hotel in Ireland in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. To receive this recognition directly from travellers makes it particularly special, and we are immensely proud of our team, whose genuine care, warm welcome and attention to detail shape the guest experience every day.”
Meanwhile, sister property The Killarney Park achieved a double success in this year’s voting, earning inclusion across both Atlantic editions of the prestigious travel guide. The family-owned venue was ranked No. 8 in the US Readers’ Choice Awards and No. 5 in the UK Readers’ Choice Awards.
The annual awards represent one of the travel industry’s longest-running honors, with almost 800,000 readers submitting votes to rate their favorite global travel experiences.
Marcus Treacy, Managing Director of The Killarney Park, welcomed the dual honors:
“Recognition such as this means a great deal to us because it comes directly from the people who have spent their time with us. As a family-owned hotel, knowing that what we have created here in Killarney continues to resonate with guests travelling from around the world is something we are enormously proud of.”
The strong showing by both local venues underlines Killarney’s standing as a world-class hospitality hub for international visitors.
Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s
World renowned Paralympian and world record holder Jason Smyth paid a visit to St Brendan’s College on Wednesday afternoon as part of a high profile visit to Killarney.
The six time Paralympic gold medallist spoke to second year students from St Brendan’s College, alongside students from neighbouring schools St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School and Killarney Community College.
The interactive talk and interview took place ahead of World Sight Day, with the legendary sprinter sharing his personal journey with Stargardt disease, a genetic eye condition that left him legally blind at eight years old.
The Derry native, who holds the world record as the fastest Paralympian on earth over 100 metres, offered inspiring insights into overcoming physical adversity and achieving success at the highest level of world sport.
The school visit formed the opening leg of his Killarney schedule before he took centre stage later on Wednesday evening at The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa.
Smyth headlined An Evening with Paralympian Jason Smyth, an event organised by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce as part of its winter schedule, sponsored by AIB.
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