News
Month-long homecoming festival launched By Sean Moriarty
A month long festival, aimed at bringing Kerry people who live abroad, back home, has been launched in London.
A joint initiative between Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Global Irish Festival Series aims to encourage diaspora to return home to visit Ireland and will provide funding and support, through Local Authorities, for events that tap into international diaspora networks.
The Kerry version of the Global Irish Festival Series will be known as An Turas Mor – The Big Journey – and will run for the entire month of October this year.
Details were revealed at a special function in the Irish embassy in London on Wednesday evening.
The event was attended by new County Mayor John Francis Flynn, Moira Morell, CEO Kerry County Council and John Griffin, Kerry County Council’s Tourism Officer.
London-based Killarney people at the launch included Tara Cronin and Noel O’Sullivan.
Patrick O’Leary of the Kerry Tourism Industry Federation also attended the launch.
Events in the pipeline include clan gatherings for people who bare the surnames: O’Sullivan, McCarthy, Fitzgerald and O’Connor. They will be honoured with a series of dinner dances over the four weekends in the month of October.
“We are putting together a series of cultural, sporting and business events throughout the whole month of October to encourage Kerry people to come back to their roots,” Mr Griffin told the Killarney Advertiser.
Mayor Flynn said the month-long celebration will be like a re-union.
“So many people, families and friends were unable to travel over the last two years, this will be one of the biggest re-unions ever seen in Kerry.”
Other plans include a special function to reunite as many former winners of the Kerry London Person of the Year.
Noel O’Sullivan, from Ballaugh, the current president of the All Britain GAA Council, is a former winner.
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
Kilcummin parish celebrates milestone wedding anniversaries
Couples across the parish of Kilcummin gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a special celebration Mass honouring milestone...
Killarney Plaza wins top golf hotel award
Killarney Plaza wins top golf hotel award Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa has been named IGTOA Large Golf Hotel of...
Kilcummin Men’s Shed goes jaunting!
Kilcummin Men’s Shed goes jaunting! Three jaunting cars, a gang of Kilcummin characters, two unsuspecting Americans and a few amorous...
New Dutch flights to connect Groningen and Kerry Airport
New Dutch flights to connect Groningen and Kerry Airport Tourism across Kerry is set for a boost following the announcement...
Eoin Cashman named Kerry’s sole Naughton Scholar
Eoin Cashman named Kerry’s sole Naughton Scholar Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luacha student Eoin Cashman has been honoured as County Kerry’s...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
