News
Almost 1,000 become Irish citizens in Killarney
By Michelle Crean
A total of 950 people were conferred with Irish citizenship at two separate ceremonies yesterday (Monday) in what was the first in-person ceremony since March 2020.
Adejuwon and Ayobami Drogheda photographed at the citizen awards ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Daniela Alas Delgado and Michael Byrne Dublin photographed at the citizen awards ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Siphathisiwe Moyo from Galway at the citizenship awards ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Dexter Drake and Airene Ramos from Dublin at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Lord David Puttnam CBE British film producer environmentalist and former member of the House of Lords pictured after receiving his Irish Citizenship with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Walid Ahmed from Egypt proudly holding the Irish flag with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee at the Irish Citizenship ceremony in the INEC on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle
A total of 950 people were conferred with Irish citizenship at two separate ceremonies at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday presided over by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee retired High Court Judge Bryan MacMahon and retired District Court Judge Paddy McMahon. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Pictured at the Irish citizenship ceremonies in the Gleneagle INEC Arena were: Veronica Manu from Ghana who received her Irish Citizenship with her partner Tommy O Sé from Dingle. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Krishna Rajeesh Dublin at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Buki Precious Ojo Mary Oseh Kadija Ojumide and Mercy Igatto at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Anita and Gloria Brown Dublin photographed at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Hector Belmonte from Mexico wearing a traditional 'succulent crown' after becoming an Irish citizen in the INEC on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Adejuwon and Ayobami Drogheda photographed at the citizen awards ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Daniela Alas Delgado and Michael Byrne Dublin photographed at the citizen awards ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Siphathisiwe Moyo from Galway at the citizenship awards ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Dexter Drake and Airene Ramos from Dublin at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Lord David Puttnam CBE British film producer environmentalist and former member of the House of Lords pictured after receiving his Irish Citizenship with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Walid Ahmed from Egypt proudly holding the Irish flag with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee at the Irish Citizenship ceremony in the INEC on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle
A total of 950 people were conferred with Irish citizenship at two separate ceremonies at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday presided over by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee retired High Court Judge Bryan MacMahon and retired District Court Judge Paddy McMahon. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Pictured at the Irish citizenship ceremonies in the Gleneagle INEC Arena were: Veronica Manu from Ghana who received her Irish Citizenship with her partner Tommy O Sé from Dingle. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Krishna Rajeesh Dublin at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Buki Precious Ojo Mary Oseh Kadija Ojumide and Mercy Igatto at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Anita and Gloria Brown Dublin photographed at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle
Hector Belmonte from Mexico wearing a traditional 'succulent crown' after becoming an Irish citizen in the INEC on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Held at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney, both were presided over by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, retired High Court Judge Bryan MacMahon and retired District Court Judge Paddy McMahon.
Among them was British film producer, environmentalist and former member of the House of Lords, Lord David Puttnam, CBE as well as many more from around the country.
At the ceremony candidates took an oath of fidelity to the nation and received their certificate of naturalisation to officially become Irish citizens.
Approximately 148,000 people have received Irish citizenship since 2011 with a total of 154 citizenship ceremonies including people from over 180 countries receiving their certificates of naturalisation.
A Virtual Citizenship Ceremony took place on July 10, 2020 when 21 candidates became Irish citizens hosted by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD.
Previous to this, before the pandemic, 5,000 candidates became Irish citizens at the Killarney Convention Centre on March 2 and 3.
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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