News
45 companies donate €10k to Pieta
Inspirational Killarney man Ian O’Connell has unveiled the new Open for Business Wall in the Departures Hall at Kerry Airport.
Also, on behalf of the many sponsors involved in the project, he presented a cheque for €10,000 to the Kerry Branch of Pieta.
Every one of the local companies who have added their logos to the wall are encouraging people to choose Kerry as their work base for a lower cost of living, a better quality of life and ease of access to international markets.
Kerry Airport CEO John Mulhern, Fred McDonogh, Managing Director of Red Chair Recruitment, Killarney and Chris Fitzgerald, Proprietor of Slógadh Signs, Killorglin have driven the campaign since 2021 to raise awareness of the many job opportunities that exist in Kerry.
"We’ve been reminded over the past three years that resilience and a sense of community are essential for our mental well-being," CEO of Kerry Airport Ireland, John Mulhern, said.
"The Open for Business Wall in the Departures Hall at Kerry Airport began with 26 local companies making donations to Pieta. They each shared concerns for the increasing marginalisation of rural Ireland and the isolation many feel as population centres and opportunities for social interaction shift relentlessly into urban centres. We are proud to unveil the updated wall with 20 additional companies who also support Pieta and are proud to promote Kerry as a wonderful place in which to work and live.”
He added that it’s been a privilege to have Ian O’Connell as their special guest.
"Ian’s love of life, and never-give-up attitude is an inspiration to us all. He was once told that he would be on a ventilator for the rest of his life. We’re proud to have Ian as an ambassador to invite more people to this county to share the fresh Kerry air that he is so happy to breathe every day.”
Pieta’s Regional Community Funding and Advocacy Team Lead, John Dempsey, thanked the businesses for their support.
The new Kerry-based companies who have added their names to the Open for Business Wall in support of Pieta are: TLI, Maguire & Liston, Killarney Brewery, Kerry GAA Store, Skinlab, Southern Scientific, Munster Technological University, Athena Analytics, MC Group, Kerry District League, John Lane & Sons, University Hospital Kerry, Enercon, Orbitus (formerly CDS Tax & Law), HR Buddy, Corcoran’s Furniture, Corcorans Food Equipment, Skellig Six18, RDI Hub, Avalanche Designs, Egg Design and Glencar Construction.
They have joined the 26 companies who set the ball rolling on the project in 2021:
Adams of Tralee, A Fit Body, Aherns Castleisland, Astellas, Bathrooms4U, Boyles Killorglin, CSG (formerly Casey Stephenson) Accountants, Cremur Heating, FEXCO, Gallarus Industry Solutions, Gary Corcoran Car Services, Greenway Health & Hygiene, Irish Drain Services, JRI America, Keane's SuperValu Killorglin, Kerry Group, Lámha Therapies, Liebherr, Matthew Murphy Photography, Retrofit, O'Sullivan's Bakery, Portwest, and Vertex Inc (formerly Taxamo).
The wall will be renewed in January 2024 and anyone interested in promoting their business to a local, national, and global market, while supporting Pieta, is invited to contact Fred McDonogh at Red Chair Recruitment at Fred.McDonogh@redchairrecruitment.ie.
Eoin Cashman named Kerry’s sole Naughton Scholar
Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luacha student Eoin Cashman has been honoured as County Kerry’s sole recipient of the prestigious Naughton Scholarship for 2026.
Eoin received the award at an official ceremony held at Trinity College Business School on Saturday, October 17.
The Naughton Scholarships recognise outstanding students entering third-level education in STEM subjects, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Eoin was accompanied at the Dublin presentation by his parents, Marian and Pat Cashman, alongside SPSL Principal Mairéad Lucey.
The scholarship follows an exceptional Leaving Certificate performance where Eoin achieved seven H1 grades. His passion for STEM extended well beyond the classroom, having reached the SciFest 2025 National Final as overall runner-up and winning the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Award to represent Ireland in Phoenix, Arizona.
The funding will support Eoin in his current studies at University College Cork, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astrophysics.
As part of the award, Eoin will travel to Kylemore Abbey in March 2027 for a special gathering bringing together past and present Naughton Scholars from across Ireland.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD congratulated the scholars, encouraging them to maintain critical thinking and independent thought throughout their third-level journeys. Mrs Carmel Naughton also addressed the gathering, expressing immense pride in the class of 2026.
SPSL Principal Mairéad Lucey commended the Rathmore student on his achievement:
“Eoin’s academic achievements are a source of immense pride for the entire SPSL school community. His Naughton Scholarship follows an exceptional Leaving Certificate performance in 2026, when he achieved seven H1 grades as well as his strong commitment to STEM beyond the classroom, reaching the SciFest 2025 National Final and being awarded Overall Runner-Up and also winning the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Award, earning them the right to represent Ireland at the Regeneron ISEF world finals in Phoenix, Arizona.”
The school management and wider Rathmore community extended their congratulations to Eoin and his parents, Marian and Pat, as he continues his academic career in UCC.
KWD Recycling shortlisted for national environmental awards
Killarney-based KWD Recycling has been announced as a finalist in the 2026 Repak Resource Awards, securing a spot on the national shortlist for environmental achievement.
The local waste management company has been nominated in the Best Recovery Operator Innovation category, sponsored by DNV, for its state-of-the-art residual waste recovery system.
The Killarney facility utilizes optical sorting, screening, and mechanical processing to extract recyclable plastics and organic material from municipal waste. In its first year of operation, the technology recovered more than 10 per cent of plastic packaging from residual waste for recycling and diverted almost 50 per cent of organic material toward composting.
KWD Recycling will compete alongside Dublin operators Panda and Thorntons Recycling for the category title.
Repak CEO Zoe Kavanagh commended the Kerry firm for demonstrating environmental leadership and bringing local ambition to the national awards.
Category winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony at the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday, October 23, where each winner will also compete for the Overall Repak Resource Award.
Local businesses have a strong track record at the national event, with Killarney town venue The Killarney Park and The Ross previously taking home the overall title in 2023.
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