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2,000 cyclists expected for Tour de France-inspired festival

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Killarney is set to host a cycling extravaganza this weekend as it welcomes nearly 2,000 cyclists from around the world for L'Etape, a sportive race inspired by the Tour de France.

The event, which starts and finishes in the town centre, features two iconic routes of 135km and 98km

Elite Event Management, in partnership with the Tour de France, chose Killarney for its breathtaking scenery and challenging terrain. This is the first time L'Etape has been held in Ireland, and it promises to be a thrilling experience for cyclists of all levels.

"We are excited to bring the Tour de France experience to Ireland and offer cyclists a chance to feel like a professional rider," said Event Director Oliver Kirwin. "Killarney's natural beauty and challenging routes make it the perfect location for this event."
The race will conclude with an exciting Event Village on Cathedral Green, where spectators can enjoy a festive atmosphere and cheer on the riders.

To accommodate the event, road closures will be in place on Saturday, September 7. These closures will affect several major routes, including:
Muckross House to Kenmare Brooklane Junction (7am-9:30am)
Ballaghbeama Pass (8:30am-12pm)
Climbers Inn to Glounaguillagh (9am-2pm)
Ballydowney Roundabout to Cathedral Cross (3am-6pm)
While the road closures are necessary to ensure the safety of participants and spectators, they have raised concerns among some local residents due to existing traffic congestion in town.
Councillors have criticised the lack of consultation with the community regarding the closures.

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Paint recycling scheme launches at Coolcaslagh

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Paint recycling scheme launches at Coolcaslagh


A new circular economy initiative designed to recycle leftover paint has launched at the Coolcaslagh Civic Amenity Site in Killarney

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The ‘ReLove Paint’ scheme allows householders to drop off leftover water-based interior paint at the site for a nominal fee. The collected paint will be filtered, re-coloured, and re-mixed into new shades by a social enterprise branch of the South Kerry Development Partnership (SKDP).

The project operates as a joint collaboration between Kerry County Council, the EPA, the Rediscovery Centre, the Paint Reuse Network, and the SKDP. The initiative aims to divert waste from landfills while supplying affordable, remanufactured paint to local households and community groups.

Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District, Cllr John O’Donoghue, welcomed the launch.

“Many households have old, half-empty paint cans lying around in attics and sheds and this is a really simple way to get rid of them while benefitting the environment,” Cllr O’Donoghue said.

SKDP Chief Executive Noel Spillane said the project will deliver significant environmental benefits by diverting unused paint from landfill and giving it a new lease of life.

“It will also provide community groups with access to affordable paint, while creating valuable employment opportunities within the local community. We look forward to collecting unused paint from Coolcaslagh and preparing it for reuse, with the first paint expected to be available from October 2026,” Spillane said.

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Sem prepares for major Halloween event next month

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Sem prepares for major Halloween event next month

Sem prepares for major Halloween event next month

St Brendan’s College asking people to mark their diaries as the school prepares to host a major interactive ‘Halloween at the Sem’ event from October 21 to 23.

The three-night spectacle will run from 6.00pm to 9.00pm each evening on the grounds of the school.
Organisers have also confirmed a dedicated autism-friendly session on Thursday, October 22, starting at 5.15pm. The sensory-sensitive slot will feature reduced sound levels and a relaxed atmosphere with no sudden jump scares to ensure the event is accessible to all members of the community.
Full details on ticket sales, show features, and behind-the-scenes preparations are expected to be released over the coming weeks ahead of the October event.

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