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TG4 poll puts Michael Healy-Rae in pole position

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Michael Healy-Rae is on course to get the highest vote in the country in the general election as he exceeds the quota by 10 percent in TG4 Kerry constituency poll, ensuring a seat for Danny Healy-Rae too.

As the county prepares to cast their votes on Friday, a polls commissioned by TG4 to Ipsos TG4 shows Michael Healy-Rae as a certainty to retain his seat.

The three other seats will go to each of the three main parties, one each for Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin.

The results of a TG4 / Ipsos B&A constituency poll for Kerry revealed Nuacht TG4 this week show that Michael Healy Rae received a whopping 27% of the vote putting him far ahead of any other candidate and will be amongst the highest vote getters in the whole country on Friday.

His brother Danny Healy-Rae comes in fifth on 10 per cent. Michael’s surplus of almost 40 per cent according to this poll will transfer to Danny guaranteeing both Healy-Raes a return to the Dáil.

FIVE SEATST

The Kerry constituency is a five-seater, with a quota of 17 percent.
Outgoing Minister for Education Norma Foley polls second on 14 per cent, and with transfers from the other Fianna Fáil candidates, Michael Cahill (on 7 per cent) and Linda Gordon Kelleher (on 3 per cent) will retain her seat in Kerry. The combined Fianna Fáil vote is ahead of its 2020 tally, which is a good performance given that John Brassil has retired.

Michael HEALY-RAE Non-Party27%
Norma FOLEY Fianna Fáil14%
Billy O’SHEA Fine Gael14%
Pa DALY Sinn Féin12%
Danny HEALY-RAE Non-Party10%
Michael CAHILL Fianna Fáil7%
Stephanie O’SHEA Sinn Féin3%
Cleo MURPHY Green Party3%
Linda GORDON KELLEHER Fianna Fáil3%
Mike KENNEDY Labour2%
Catherina O’SULLIVAN Aontú1%
Thomas Mc ELLISTRIM Independent Ireland1%
Cian PRENDIVILLE People Before Profit1%
Brandon BEGLEY Irish Freedom Party1%
Michelle KEANE Non-Party1%
Mary FITZGIBBON Non-Party1%
John O’LEARY Non-Partyless than 1%

Brendan Griffin Fine Gael is not running in this election and is replaced on the Fine Gael ticket by Billy O’Shea. Newcomer Billy O’Shea is polling well on 14 per cent, although the Fine Gael vote appears to be down marginally in Kerry. The two main government parties are transferring well to each other even across geographical lines.

Sinn Féin’s Pa Daly is on 12 per cent and running mate Stephanie O’Shea (on 3 per cent) giving Sinn Féin a combined 15 per cent in Kerry, and not quite a quota. Similar to Fine Gael, the party vote appears to be slightly lower this time but are holding their own in Kerry.

The Labour Party which held a seat in Kerry for decades are performing poorly at 2% of the poll.

METHODOLOGY

This TG4/Ipsos B&A poll was conducted on Friday and Saturday of last week (November 22 and 23 ), one week before election day.

A sample of 521 attaches a margin of error of about plus or minus four percentage points.

A sample of 521 attaches a margin of error of about plus or minus four percentage points.

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Kerry Airport CEO addresses chamber luncheon

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Kerry Airport chief executive Adrian Neilan addressed local business leaders at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce luncheon at the Killarney Heights Hotel.

Mr Neilan outlined the airport’s strategy, focusing on regional connectivity, customer experience, safety, and financial strength.

He noted that regional road, rail, and air links remain vital for residents, local businesses, and the tourism sector.


Addressing route development, Mr Neilan explained that airlines look closely at load factor alongside overall passenger volume.

In July, select Kerry routes achieved load factors of up to 99 per cent.

The airport currently has six confirmed meetings scheduled with prospective carriers to discuss further expansion.


Kerry Airport recorded its busiest year on record in 2025, handling 440,000 passengers.

Mr Neilan highlighted the importance of domestic and European connectivity for business, education, healthcare, and family travel, noting that attracting new services requires a collective effort between local hoteliers, transport operators, and regional businesses.


The luncheon also featured an address by Cllr Niall Kelleher, chairperson of Christmas in Killarney, who introduced the launch and updated branding for this year’s festival, urging the local community and trade sector to rally behind the event.
Photos: Eamonn Keogh

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The Brehon raises €2,850 for Jack and Jill Foundation

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The Brehon Hotel and Spa raised €2,850 for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation after hosting a closest-to-the-pin golf simulator challenge as part of a national charity drive.


The fundraising total will fund up to 143 hours of specialized nursing care and respite support for Jack and Jill families in Kerry and across Ireland.


Held at PAR 72, the hotel’s TrackMan golf simulator suite, the charity drive formed part of the Today FM Power Hour fundraiser with presenter Ian Dempsey.

Participant entries raised €1,425 on the morning, a sum subsequently matched by hotel directors Eamon and John O’Donoghue to double the final total.


Kerry GAA stars past and present turned out to support the event, including Paudie Clifford, Gavin White, and Eoin Brosnan, joining local golfers, supporters, and members of Dr Crokes GAA Club.


Competitors were given five attempts to land closest to the pin on a virtual simulation of the 16th hole at Adare Manor, the par-three hole playing across the River Maigue ahead of the resort hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027. Local golfer John Morley claimed top spot on the leaderboard, winning an overnight stay and dinner at the Killarney venue.


General Manager Neil Grant praised the local response to the event: “Jack and Jill does vital work for families across Ireland, and we were delighted to play our part in Power Hour. Thank you to everyone who came along and gave so generously. PAR 72 has been such a great addition to the hotel, and it was brilliant to see it being put to use for such a worthwhile cause.”

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