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Double celebration as Black Sheep Hostel marks 10 years in business

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A popular Killarney hostel is celebrating a double milestone this week as it marks a decade in business alongside the sixth anniversary of its adjoining coffee shop.

Kevin Leahy, proprietor of the Black Sheep Hostel on New Street, opened the doors of the 19th-century townhouse on May 16, 2016.

Since then, the eco-friendly business has become a staple of the local tourism offering, winning several awards for its commitment to sustainability.

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary, and the 6th birthday of the Coffee Shack, Kevin is bringing back his famous cinnamon buns for a limited time this Saturday.

The buns will be available at the Coffee Shack from 8 am on Saturday morning until they are sold out.

Given their reputation, customers are advised to arrive early to ensure they don't miss out.

Beyond his work as a business owner, Kevin Leahy is a well-known community activist and accomplished ultra-marathon athlete.

He was a founding member of the initiative to make Killarney an officially recognised autism-friendly town and is also one of the organisers behind the Re-Wild Festival, which focuses on music and sustainability.

His athletic achievements are equally notable too.

Kevin secured a historic victory in the inaugural 472km Montane Arctic Spine Race in Sweden in 2023.

He also made headlines in 2020 by winning the 100-mile Montane Yukon Ultra and finishing second in the 500km Lapland Arctic Ultra in 2022,

The adventure races resulted in the documentary ‘1000kms of chaos’.

Filmed over two years by local videographer Adrian McCarthy, the movie has been featured at the Kerry International Film Festival.

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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