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Kevin conquers the world’s coldest and toughest race!

By Sean Moriarty
Killarney man Kevin Leahy - who took on the ultimate challenge - has today (Wednesday) reached the finish line of the world’s coldest and toughest race.
Kevin crossed the line at the Yukon Arctic Ultra Marathon in Canada - where temperatures can dip as low as -50°C - in first place in his class and second place overall.
Kevin completed the course at lunchtime today – around 6am Canadian time, in a time of five days, 19 hours and 15 minutes.
Rival Jessie Gladish finished almost six hours ahead but the Canadian was on a bicycle. Kevin was on foot meaning he was the first athlete to complete the gruelling race under his own steam.
Third placed is a race between Stephan Huss of Germany and Daniel Benhammou who were over 180 miles away from the finish by the time Kevin crossed the line.
A second Kerry man, Aodh O Currain from the Dingle Peninsula, is currently in fifth place.
Throughout the 500km race Kevin had to be fully self-sufficient and dragged a sled weighing between 25kg and 30kg with all his cooking essentials, tent and spare clothes on board.
Some of the final section of the 500kms had to bypassed as there was too much ice on the bank of the River Yukon. Competitors were originally expected to walk or run on the frozen river but the excess ice on its banks meant there was no available escape route should they hit trouble.
Kevin’s progress was followed by local digital production company Grandview Media.
The Pawn Office Lane-based company is run by director and producer Adrian McCarthy and he is making a documentary on Kevin’s adventure.
“Kevin hasn't slept for around 27 hours and he isn’t talking too much to be honest,” Adrian told the Killarney Advertiser from the Whitehorse finish.
“Still, it's class that an Irish man is the first foot racer over the line.”
Kevin has no intention of resting on his laurels. In just a few weeks he is off to Swedish Lapland where he will tackle a second 500km race.
The Lapland Arctic Ultra, billed as a race “through Europe’s last wilderness”, takes place between March 6-16 in Överkalix, Sweden. The Swedish town is about 160km west of the Finnish town of Rovaniemi, the official home of Santa Claus in Lapland.
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Strong connections made at tourism tradeshow
Many significant business deals were signed at this year’s Meitheal – Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry. Held in the INEC, 450 Irish businesses pitched to over 230 international […]

Many significant business deals were signed at this year’s Meitheal – Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry.
Held in the INEC, 450 Irish businesses pitched to over 230 international buyers from 17 countries at Fáilte Ireland’s flagship trade event.
Running since 1975, Meitheal is organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland to provide Irish tourism businesses with the opportunity to sell directly to top international buyers and tour operators.
The best of what is on offer across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way and Dublin, were showcased with the aim of being scheduled on the itineraries of the global tour operators.
Key themes and trends emerging this year are sustainable travel options, immersive outdoor experiences and festivals.
Speaking about the importance of developing a future pipeline of tourism business, Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said that “creating a strong pipeline of future business is key for the recovery of tourism”.
“Seeing the demand for the Irish tourism product with international buyers at Meitheal is fantastic. Each international buyer represents tens of thousands of possible visitors to Ireland, and their business will be hugely important for tourism and hospitality businesses, communities, and destination Ireland as we continue to work towards recovery,” he said.
News
Outdoor dining area officially opens in town
A new outdoor dining space at Kenmare Place was officially opened today (Wednesday). The project, which was supported with €605,000 in funding from Fáilte Ireland under the Local Authority Weatherproofing and […]

A new outdoor dining space at Kenmare Place was officially opened today (Wednesday).
The project, which was supported with €605,000 in funding from Fáilte Ireland under the Local Authority Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Infrastructure Scheme, provides an attractive outdoor dining option for locals and visitors to Killarney.
“This is a really wonderful addition to Killarney’s tourism infrastructure and will prove a great asset throughout the year and particularly during the forthcoming tourist season,” said Cllr Kelleher, Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District, who did the honours.
“One of the effects of the recent pandemic was the need to utilise and maximise outdoor dining options and this infrastructure shows what can be achieved in an imaginative way. It will greatly enhance Killarney’s reputation as a destination for top quality tourism experiences.”
The project has been operational since last October but the official opening was timed to coincide with the Meitheal 2023 tourism industry showcase that was organised by Fáilte Ireland at the INEC this week.
“It is fantastic to see Killarney’s outdoor dining infrastructure being so well received by trade and visitors alike,” Miriam Kennedy, Head of Wild Atlantic Way at Fáilte Ireland, said.
Councillors in the Killarney Municipal District approved planning permission for the infrastructure which was completed by Daniel Canty Construction.