News
Smiles all round as Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms reopens
The sun and the buzz of the Bank Holiday weekend brought many visitors to the National Park where The Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms just reopened for the tourist season.
Proudly supporting Down Syndrome Kerry, they also support local, where I enjoyed a delicious Killarney coffee and homemade apple pie.
I put in a call to Catherine Doyle who I know gives her time generously to Down Syndrome Kerry and the operation of the Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms.
On a well deserved school break, Catherine put me in touch with Ann Ladden (Family Liaison Coordinator) and Norma Doherty (Tea Rooms Manager).
The ladies gave me the run down on operations before I had the pleasure of meeting employees James Doyle and Ann Marie Ladden.
What is the goal of the Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms?
"The main aim here at the Deenagh Lodge is to set up training for our young Down Syndrome adults who are 18+ years, to eventually move out into mainstream work in their communities. There are approx 30 Down Syndrome adults employed at the lodge where they are all paid, working two to four hour shifts where we are now open seven days per week from 9am to 5pm. It is a fantastic facility providing a welcoming environment where they can interact with customers and gain confidence in safe surroundings. The social aspect of dealing with people is hugely important. This year there will be a Instructional Coach on board, hands on in reaching that goal of employment for our Down Syndrome adults, whose parents travel to The Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms from as far as Listowel, Causeway, Limerick and Cork," Norma explained.
What's on the menu?
"We are fortunate to be supported hugely by the community of Killarney, tourists arriving off the horse and carts as well as tour groups in the evenings. All our produce here at the Lodge is home baked. We have hot and cold drinks, toasties, sandwiches, an array of cakes, ice cream and snacks. It's a welcome stop for dogs and their owners to rehydrate after a run or walk in the Park. Norma is a fantastic manager. She and the staff worked hard through COVID and they are the creators of the great atmosphere that is Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms. Together with Norma and her team, the OPW work hard in making it the only facility of its kind in Kerry.
Hello James Doyle...
"I am James from Beaufort and I've been working here for five years. Some days I do two hour shifts but mostly four hour shifts. My favourite thing is the wash up, meeting people, I love carrying trays and thankfully there have been no catastrophes so far! I am lucky to have great strength to carry the trays because I go to Owen Browne for personal training at his gym 'Farm Athletic' in Beaufort," James said.
What is your dream job James?
I attended MTU in Tralee and I spent four years on the Skills4Life course there. I think if I was to pick any job in the world, I would love to go back there to work in one of their offices one day. That would be the dream."
Hello Ann Marie Ladden....
"I am Ann Marie from Castlemaine and my parents bring me to work most days. I am the same as James, I work two to four hour shifts every week. My favourite thing is making new friends here in Killarney and I love to chat to the customers. I get on well with everyone here so it has given me confidence and experience that I can do it!" Anne Marie explained.
What is your dream job Ann Marie? I think you'd make a fantastic model!
"Do you think so? Maybe I would like to be a model one day, but my dream is to become a classroom assistant. I would really love that to help people every day.
The young adults at The Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms are paid directly by Down Syndrome Kerry. Like every young person, they love the independence of spending and learning the value of their own money. Their tips go directly to Down Syndrome Kerry where they are pooled for needed services. The artwork that hangs in the Lodge is the creation of Betty Rohan who sells her work donating a percentage to Down Syndrome Kerry. There is also a beautiful painting at the Lodge by popular local artist Phil O'Grady, currently being raffled where all the proceeds will go to Down Syndrome Kerry.
Kilcummin Men’s Shed goes jaunting!
Three jaunting cars, a gang of Kilcummin characters, two unsuspecting Americans and a few amorous stags. What could go wrong?
There was no shortage of horsepower, laughs or local characters when Kilcummin Men’s Shed descended on Killarney for a memorable morning out on Friday, October 16.
Swapping their usual surroundings for something more traditional, the lads climbed aboard three jaunting cars at the Ha-Ha before setting off through Killarney National Park.
Wrapped up in blankets and looking every inch the distinguished gentlemen, the group enjoyed the spectacular autumn scenery, fresh air and plenty of good-natured banter.
Of course, their timing couldn’t have been better. With the deer rutting season in full swing, Killarney’s famous red stags were busy roaring, strutting and competing for female attention.
Some of the Kilcummin lads reportedly recognised similar behaviour from their younger days, although others wisely maintained a dignified silence!
But the real entertainment began when one carriage picked up two American tourists from Utah.
The visitors had presumably expected a peaceful journey through Killarney’s beautiful countryside, perhaps with a bit of local history and some wildlife spotting.
Instead, they found themselves sharing a carriage with members of Kilcummin Men’s Shed, a group well able to provide their own unique brand of Irish entertainment!
Quite what the Americans made of their unexpected travelling companions remains unknown, but they’ll certainly have a story to bring home.
Meanwhile, the horses patiently carried their cheerful passengers through the park, while the camera captured plenty of smiles, laughter and a few poses worthy of a royal procession.
By the time the three-carriage convoy returned to the Ha-Ha, everyone was delighted with their morning’s adventure.
The group thanked the jarveys, their hardworking horses and everyone involved in organising the outing.
Beyond the laughs, the excursion highlighted the friendship, companionship, and community spirit at the heart of Kilcummin Men’s Shed, where getting together and enjoying life matter most.
As the lads proudly declare, “Growing old is compulsory, but growing up is entirely optional!”
As for the two Americans, nobody knows whether they’ve recovered from their unexpected introduction to Kilcummin humour. One thing’s certain: they got considerably more than the standard sightseeing tour!
New Dutch flights to connect Groningen and Kerry Airport
Tourism across Kerry is set for a boost following the announcement of direct charter flights from the Netherlands to Kerry Airport for the 2027 summer season.
Dutch tour operator BBI Travel will introduce weekly flights from Groningen Airport Eelde to Farranfore every Thursday from April 29 to September 6, 2027. The service will be operated by regional carrier Sky Alps using its fleet of aircraft.
The announcement comes following strong passenger growth at Kerry Airport, which handled 440,367 passengers in 2025 before recording a further 12 per cent increase during the first six months of 2026. The new European link will provide direct access for Dutch tourists visiting Killarney National Park, Muckross House, and the wider Wild Atlantic Way route.
BBI Travel, which has specialised in Irish travel packages since 1963, will offer combined flight, accommodation, and car hire packages. The service will run alongside the operator’s existing Monday flights to Ireland West Airport Knock, allowing open-jaw itineraries across the west coast.
Welcoming the new route, Kerry Airport Customer Service Manager Evelyn Crowley said:
“We are delighted that BBI Travel has chosen Kerry Airport as its new destination for 2027. BBI Travel has an excellent track record and more than 60 years’ experience in bringing visitors to Ireland, so this new partnership is a significant vote of confidence in Kerry and the wider south-west as a destination for Dutch holidaymakers.
“The great advantage for passengers is that they arrive right in the heart of Ireland’s tourism capital. Kerry Airport is just 15 minutes from Killarney and Tralee, on the doorstep of the spectacular Ring of Kerry and within 50 minutes of Dingle and the Wild Atlantic Way.
“Our new state-of-the-art Arrivals Hall, with modern baggage handling and passport control facilities and our staff will provide a warm and efficient welcome from the moment passengers land in Kerry.
“That convenience continues on the journey home, with a short and efficient trip through security into our spacious and comfortable Departures Lounge. Passengers can enjoy a local tipple in Peig Sayers Bar or a snack in the Sky Bar before boarding their direct flight back to Groningen.
“We look forward to working with BBI Travel and welcoming their passengers to Kerry in 2027.”
Packages and flights for the 2027 summer schedule are expected to go on sale through BBI Travel in the coming months.
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