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Concerns over future of Coffee Cup project

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Support for the Killarney Coffee Cup project has fallen, raising questions about how the scheme can continue without help from the Government.

Recent figures from IBAL, published this week, show that a number of businesses are no longer taking part.

Both Irish Business Against Litter and Killarney Chamber of Commerce say a national levy on disposable coffee cups is now needed.

They want a charge similar to the plastic bag levy to encourage customers to use reusable cups.

The Coffee Cup project was started in July 2023 with the aim of making Killarney the first town in Ireland to be free of single-use coffee cups.

At the launch, 25 independent coffee shops and 21 hotels agreed to stop giving drinks in throwaway containers.

Under the scheme, anyone buying a takeaway coffee must bring their own cup or pay a €2 deposit for a reusable cup.

The deposit is returned when the cup is brought back to any business in the network.

Organisers hoped to remove more than one million cups a year from local waste systems.

The project followed complaints from residents and visitors that coffee cups were being found at lakes, car parks and walking trails.

Clean-ups in the national park reported that the cups were one of the most common items collected.

A Government ‘latte levy’ of 20 cent per cup had been promised but has still not been introduced.

Chamber President Johnny McGuire said this delay has made it hard for small operators to stay involved.

Mr McGuire recently met An Taoiseach Micheál Martin to discuss the problem and to press for the levy.

He said the Taoiseach listened carefully, but no date was given for action.

The chamber has also spoken to local TDs, Finance Minister Jack Chambers and Kerry County Council CEO Fearghal Reidy, who has expressed support.

The chamber insists the project is not finished. It hopes other towns will copy the Killarney model if a levy is brought in.

IBAL spokesperson Conor Hogan said the data shows that Coffee cups remained one of the most commonly found forms of litter and was evident in one fifth of all sites surveyed.

“A real disappointment in a generally positive year has been the likely collapse of reusable coffee cup schemes in towns such as Killarney,” said Mr Horgan.

“It is apparent that such schemes will only work with statutory backing.

As our data today bears out, without Government intervention coffee cups will remain an unsightly and entirely unnecessary blot on the landscape across our towns.

The prevarication from Government on the issue is striking, a levy was promised all of four years ago ,and sends out a worrying signal.

Weaning ourselves off single-use coffee cups should not be such a big deal.”

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New, smash-hit comedy play by Killarney Theatre Company

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A new comedy play by Glengariff playwright Ray O’Sullivan will come to Killarney next month as part of a regional tour.

Robbed! will be staged at the Gleneagle Club on Saturday, February 7, at 8.30pm, presented by the Killarney Theatre Company.

The production is the group’s fifth in a popular series of homegrown plays and follows the success of The Rise and Rise of the Healy-Raes, A Papal Blessing, Weight Watching and Stones.

The play centres on a failed GAA player who finds himself caught in a series of misunderstandings involving relationships, bingo balls and a robbery that quickly spirals out of control.

As events unfold, nothing goes to plan and the situation descends into chaos.

Rehearsals have been ongoing since October and the cast includes Ray O’Sullivan himself alongside Rosie Healy and DB O’Connor. Robbed! is O’Sullivan’s fifth full-length play and is expected to attract strong audiences across the tour.

Tickets cost €15 and are available from Ray O’Sullivan on 087 2279657 or from the Gleneagle on 064 667155.


The tour begins in Scartaglen Hertiage Centre on January 17, The Ivy Leaf Theatre Castleisland, on January 29, The Glen Theatre Banteer on January 31, Foilmore Community Centre Sunday February 1, Killorglin CYMS, February 5, Abbeydorney Community Centre February 12 and Bantry Westlodge Hotel February 21.

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Kerry FC take unusual step with Killarney friendly

By Luke Managan Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised […]

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By Luke Managan

Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised to raise funds for Palliative Care.

It marked a rare appearance in the town for the county’s League of Ireland side and drew strong local interest.
Kerry started brightly and were ahead within the opening minutes, setting the tone for an open and competitive contest. Their early pressure was rewarded again in the 21st minute when Ballyduff native Sean McGrath doubled the lead. The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides creating chances and enjoying spells of possession.
Luke Doolan was central to Kerry’s play throughout the first half, linking defence and attack and providing energy in midfield. Kerry continued to threaten down both flanks, while Killarney Celtic responded with a series of corners and set pieces, delivered with pace into the penalty area.
Celtic reduced the deficit in the 25th minute with a well-taken free kick from just outside the box, bringing the score back to 2–1 and lifting the home support. Kerry responded in the 36th minute with a powerful strike to restore their two-goal advantage, but Celtic continued to press and were rewarded again shortly after. Debutant goalkeeper Harry Halwax produced an excellent save, with the ball coming back off the crossbar, but the rebound was turned in to make it 3–2.
Kerry looked unsettled for a brief spell as Celtic pushed forward, but just before half-time Doolan struck again with a composed finish to give Kerry a 4–2 lead at the break.
The second half saw Kerry take greater control of the game, keeping possession well and limiting Celtic to crosses from wide areas. While the home side increased their physical approach, the match remained free of disciplinary issues. Kerry made several changes in the 78th minute, including the introduction of Daniel Okwute, who impressed last season.
Halwax was forced off through injury and replaced by Killorglin native Darragh Foley, who settled quickly. Kerry added a fifth goal late on to seal a 5–2 win, though Killarney Celtic continued to compete until the final whistle.
After the match, both Okwute and Foley spoke positively about the season ahead, expressing confidence in the squad and belief that Kerry FC can challenge any opponent.

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