Inspirational Killarney man Ian O’Connell has unveiled the new Open for Business Wall in the Departures Hall at Kerry Airport.

Also, on behalf of the many sponsors involved in the project, he presented a cheque for €10,000 to the Kerry Branch of Pieta.

Every one of the local companies who have added their logos to the wall are encouraging people to choose Kerry as their work base for a lower cost of living, a better quality of life and ease of access to international markets.

Kerry Airport CEO John Mulhern, Fred McDonogh, Managing Director of Red Chair Recruitment, Killarney and Chris Fitzgerald, Proprietor of Slógadh Signs, Killorglin have driven the campaign since 2021 to raise awareness of the many job opportunities that exist in Kerry.

"We’ve been reminded over the past three years that resilience and a sense of community are essential for our mental well-being," CEO of Kerry Airport Ireland, John Mulhern, said.

"The Open for Business Wall in the Departures Hall at Kerry Airport began with 26 local companies making donations to Pieta. They each shared concerns for the increasing marginalisation of rural Ireland and the isolation many feel as population centres and opportunities for social interaction shift relentlessly into urban centres. We are proud to unveil the updated wall with 20 additional companies who also support Pieta and are proud to promote Kerry as a wonderful place in which to work and live.”

He added that it’s been a privilege to have Ian O’Connell as their special guest.

"Ian’s love of life, and never-give-up attitude is an inspiration to us all. He was once told that he would be on a ventilator for the rest of his life. We’re proud to have Ian as an ambassador to invite more people to this county to share the fresh Kerry air that he is so happy to breathe every day.”

Pieta’s Regional Community Funding and Advocacy Team Lead, John Dempsey, thanked the businesses for their support.

The new Kerry-based companies who have added their names to the Open for Business Wall in support of Pieta are: TLI, Maguire & Liston, Killarney Brewery, Kerry GAA Store, Skinlab, Southern Scientific, Munster Technological University, Athena Analytics, MC Group, Kerry District League, John Lane & Sons, University Hospital Kerry, Enercon, Orbitus (formerly CDS Tax & Law), HR Buddy, Corcoran’s Furniture, Corcorans Food Equipment, Skellig Six18, RDI Hub, Avalanche Designs, Egg Design and Glencar Construction.

They have joined the 26 companies who set the ball rolling on the project in 2021:
Adams of Tralee, A Fit Body, Aherns Castleisland, Astellas, Bathrooms4U, Boyles Killorglin, CSG (formerly Casey Stephenson) Accountants, Cremur Heating, FEXCO, Gallarus Industry Solutions, Gary Corcoran Car Services, Greenway Health & Hygiene, Irish Drain Services, JRI America, Keane's SuperValu Killorglin, Kerry Group, Lámha Therapies, Liebherr, Matthew Murphy Photography, Retrofit, O'Sullivan's Bakery, Portwest, and Vertex Inc (formerly Taxamo).

The wall will be renewed in January 2024 and anyone interested in promoting their business to a local, national, and global market, while supporting Pieta, is invited to contact Fred McDonogh at Red Chair Recruitment at Fred.McDonogh@redchairrecruitment.ie.