Connect with us

News

Castlemaine Fair in memory of John O’Donoghue

Published

on

0240875_C519_1.jpg

The Castlemaine Fair Day was such a success last year that the Castlemaine Events Committee has decided to make it an annual event.

Set for this Sunday (October 16), the fair will remember local man John O’Donoghue and raise funds for the Kerry Hospice and Palliative Care Unit at University Hospital Kerry.

John O’Donoghue died in January 2020 after a battle with cancer. He was well known in the area and had a lifetime love of attending fairs and being an integral part of the farming community.

John, who resided in the heart of Castlemaine Village was born on January 21, 1965 which ironically happened to coincide with a staging of the old Castlemaine Fair Day.

The Castlemaine Events Committee felt it appropriate to remember John by bringing back the old fair day in his honour.

“The fair day was an annual event in Castlemaine, but it died out in the 1990s. This event is very important as it keeps my father’s memory alive as we approach his third anniversary in January 2023,” said his daughter Cathy.

“John was known by many, particularly for his work ethic, humour, and honesty. When people mention any dealings they had with him, it is always with a smile on their face, and they will all tell you that it was always a good deal they had with him," she said.

The custom of attending the fairs was passed onto John from his father Denis.

The fair will get underway at 10am in Griffin’s car park. Last year the event raised €40,000 and the committee hope to exceed that with an animal auction on the day.

“Almost everyone has been affected by cancer in some way or another and are familiar with the Kerry Hospice in UHK. The care and support provided from the palliative care team was so amazing that it feels very right to give something back and I hope that we can raise as much money as possible on the day for such a wonderful service here in the heart of Kerry,” added Cathy.

“The support from the farming and local community is truly heart-warming and the community spirit is magnificent.”

Advertisement

News

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Published

on

O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.

O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.

Attachments

Continue Reading

News

Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

Published

on

Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June


A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.


Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.

Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”



The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport