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Kerry Stars Special Olympics Sports Club honours Vincent Lacke

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The Kerry Stars Special Olympics Sports Club hosted the Vincent Lacke Memorial Soccer Tournament at the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday last.

The tournament served as a tribute to Vincent, great supporter Kerry Stars. who passed away last October and brought together men's and women's teams from across Kerry, Tipperary, and Cork for a day of competition.
Vincent’s sister, Mary Lyne, was present to award the winning teams their trophies and medals.
The Kerry Stars club expressed thanks to referees Ann-Marie Murphy and Jordan O'Rourke, as well as Suzanne Scully and Derry Fleming of the Order of Malta, for their invaluable contributions.
The club also acknowledged the support of the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre staff and the parents and friends who provided food and refreshments.
Visiting teams from Mallow, Tipperary, and Cope Leeds complimented the Kerry Stars on the welcoming atmosphere and high level of competition.
Kerry Stars Soccer Head Coaches Kathleen Fitzgerald and Patrick Fuller expressed their pride in the athletes' performances.

"Vincent would have been so proud of every single one of you," they said. "We are so proud of our wonderful athletes, and it’s clear to see the legacy of Vincent continues to inspire us all.”
Club Chairperson Claire Doherty thanked all those who made the event possible and reaffirming the club's commitment to providing opportunities for athletes with special needs.
The Kerry Stars Special Olympics Sports Club offers a range of sports programmes, including athletics, basketball, soccer, and swimming, as well as an Adult Athlete Leadership Programme. They are currently seeking new coaches. For more information on joining or

volunteering, contact kerrystars63@gmail.com or visit www.kerrystarsspecialolympicsclub.ie.
Remembering Vincent Lacke

Vincent Lacke, originally from Hickory Hills, Illinois, USA, resided in Killarney with his sister Mary, her husband Mike, and their family.
He joined the Kerry Stars in 2009 and actively participated in athletics, soccer, and the Athlete Leadership Programme.
Vincent represented the club at multiple Munster Regional Competitions and twice competed in the All-Ireland Games, bringing home silver medals in soccer in both 2016 and 2018. Beyond his athletic achievements, Lacke was a dedicated member of the Kerry Stars community, regularly participating in events such as St. Patrick's Day parades, the Killarney Rotary Wine and Art Black Tie Ball, and fundraising initiatives.

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Sinn Féin to host public meeting on cost of living at Killarney Heights Hotel

Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty will host a public meeting on the costs of living and housing crises at the Killarney Heights Hotel on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm. […]

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16 hours ago

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25 May 2026

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Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty will host a public meeting on the costs of living and housing crises at the Killarney Heights Hotel on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm.

The Donegal TD will be joined by Kerry TD Pa Daly to discuss the economic pressures facing local households and the policy changes needed to provide financial relief. The main focus of the evening will center on the barriers preventing local people from buying their own homes, alongside broader costs of living challenges.
Speaking exclusively to the Killarney Advertiser ahead of his visit, Deputy Doherty said workers and families across Kerry are being squeezed from every direction by rising weekly shops, high energy bills, increasing insurance premiums, and substantial housing costs.
“Young people are losing hope that they will ever own a home in the county where they were raised,” Deputy Doherty said. “And while all of this is happening, the government is sitting on billions in budget surpluses while telling struggling families to wait. It is simply not good enough.”
The Sinn Féin finance spokesperson highlighted specific regional factors making the crisis acute in County Kerry, particularly regarding home heating costs.
“Almost 59% of homes in Kerry rely on home heating oil, which is nearly double the state average of 34%,” he said. “That means families across the county are far more exposed to soaring fuel costs than households in many other parts of the state. Yet the government withdrew supports that were helping households keep the lights on and heat their homes.”
Deputy Doherty noted that the housing situation in Kerry has moved beyond a social issue and is now impacting the local economy and communities. He pointed to figures showing average rents in the county have reached €1,493 per month, with exceptionally low market availability.
“At the time of writing, there were only 27 properties available online to rent across the entire county. Only 19 were below €2,000 a month and just five were available for less than €1,500. A county the size of Kerry, and only five rental properties affordable to someone on an ordinary income,” he said.
He also raised concerns for first-time buyers, noting that average house prices in Kerry have climbed to €296,000, representing an increase of €33,500 in a single year.
During the meeting, the Sinn Féin representatives will outline their party’s alternative proposals. These include a state-led program of affordable home building, a ban on excessive rent increases, enhanced protections for renters, and immediate energy credits and tax relief for workers.
“The resources exist to do this,” Deputy Doherty added. “The government’s own figures show billions in surplus funds available to the state. The issue is not a lack of money. The issue is political choice.”
The meeting is open to all members of the public, and a discussion session will follow the main presentations.

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National Park hosts weekend Bioblitz for National Biodiversity Week

Killarney National Park is taking centre stage for the final weekend of National Biodiversity Week, with the public being urged to get outdoor and explore the local environment. Today, Friday, […]

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25 May 2026

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Killarney National Park is taking centre stage for the final weekend of National Biodiversity Week, with the public being urged to get outdoor and explore the local environment.

Today, Friday, May 22, marks the UN International Day for Biological Diversity, and a series of free events will run across the park until the national celebration concludes this Sunday, May 24.
The highlight of the weekend is the Killarney National Park Bioblitz. This event brings families, nature lovers, and community volunteers together to find, identify, and record as many different plant and animal species as possible across the park’s diverse habitats over the next three days.
Christopher O’Sullivan, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, encouraged locals and visitors alike to utiliSe the final days of the festival to experience the area’s unique wildlife, referencing Killarney’s native habitats as key areas the state is working to protect.
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), noted that the week is designed to remind people that native plants, woodlands, and rivers are vital systems that make life possible. OrganiSers are encouraging anyone in the locality to head out to Killarney National Park before Sunday evening to participate in the species count and support local conservation efforts.

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