The third annual Streets of Killarney Five-Mile Road Race took place on Good Friday, firmly establishing itself as a premier event on the national athletics circuit.

Hosted by Killarney Valley Athletic Club (KVAC), the race saw 1,000 runners take to the town’s streets, with all available entry spots snapped up a full month before the starting gun.

The “fast and flat” course attracted a high-calibre field of elite athletes alongside hundreds of local amateur runners.

Oisin Murray of An Ríocht A.C. claimed the top spot in the men’s category with a time of 24:03, while Leevale A.C.’s Michelle Finn led the women’s field, crossing the finish line in 27:07.

A major highlight of the evening was the participation of official race ambassador and Canadian Paralympian Maddie Wilson-Walker.

A world-class double amputee who lives and trains in Killarney with KVAC, she completed the 5-mile course to a massive reception from the local crowd.

Following the race, she was formally honoured by the Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Martin Grady, for her resilience and her impact on the local sporting community.

Jeremiah Griffin, Chairperson of Killarney Valley AC, praised the continued growth of the event.

He noted that the proceeds are vital for the ongoing development of the club’s athletics facility, ensuring it remains a top-class resource for both young and old in the area.

The event was blessed with calm and mild running weather, a fortunate break given that a Status Yellow weather warning and a severe storm hit the region less than 24 hours later.

Photos by:Olga Derevyanko

Streets of Killarney 5-Mile Results 2026
Top Male Finishers

1. Oisin Murray (An Ríocht A.C.)24:03
2. Jake O’Regan (St. John’s A.C.)24:12
3. Juan Peña (Raheny Shamrock A.C.)24:45
Top Female Finishers

1. Michelle Finn (Leevale A.C.)27:07
2. Amy Pollman Daamen (An Ríocht A.C.)28:22
3. Lily Riordan (Star of the Laune A.C.)28:26

Killarney Outlet Centre has secured planning permission to transform six vacant retail units into an eight-lane bowling alley and entertainment hub.

The development will occupy units 43 to 48, a section of the building that has remained empty since the shopping centre first opened in 1999.

Alongside the bowling lanes, the new facility is set to include an interactive games area, significantly expanding the town’s indoor leisure options.

This approval follows a separate planning grant last year which cleared the way for a major redevelopment of another part of the centre.

Those plans involve converting units 63 to 68 into a dining area, while unit 69 is earmarked for a dedicated events space focused on Irish music, dancing, and craft fairs.

The overall project also includes the redevelopment of the main concourse to incorporate a bar and seating area.

Kerry County Council has given the green light for the latest expansion with eight conditions attached to the permission.

Once completed, the combined leisure, dining, and event spaces represent a shift in strategy for the Outlet Centre, moving towards a night-time entertainment and social destination.