Connect with us

News

Double celebration as Black Sheep Hostel marks 10 years in business

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

News

Killarney Coffee Shop ranked among Europe’s best

Published

on

Killarney Coffee Shop ranked among Europe’s best


Boardwalk Coffee Killarney secures 48th place in prestigious European awards


There is great excitement in Killarney this week as Boardwalk Coffee Killarney has officially been ranked 48th Best Coffee Shop in Europe for 2026, following the prestigious Europe’s 100 Best Coffee Shops Gala held in Brussels.
In a competition where over 5,300 coffee shops across Europe were evaluated, the Killarney outlet secured an outstanding place among the continent’s elite, putting both Killarney and Kerry firmly on the international coffee map.
The achievement is made even more remarkable by the fact that Boardwalk Coffee Killarney is the only coffee shop in Munster to make the Top 100 list and is one of only nine coffee shops in Ireland to be recognised.
Adding to the success story, the Killarney branch only opened its doors in April 2025, making this international recognition all the more extraordinary in such a short space of time.
At the centre of the achievement is Jason Murphy, manager of the Killarney branch, who was recently named among the Top 12 Baristas in Ireland — recognition of his skill, dedication and passion for the craft.
Jason’s leadership, together with the strength of the wider Boardwalk Coffee team, has played a major role in securing the prestigious European ranking.
Located in the heart of Killarney, one of Ireland’s leading tourist destinations, Boardwalk Coffee has quickly built a strong reputation for premium coffee, excellent service and a warm welcome for both locals and visitors alike.
Speaking after the announcement in Brussels, Boardwalk Coffee founder Ger Flanagan praised the Killarney team for their commitment and professionalism.
He paid special tribute to Jason Murphy and Vadym Zvarch, Head Roaster at Boardwalk Coffee, for helping build the brand’s growing reputation for quality.
The achievement has also been warmly welcomed by civic leaders, with Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, describing it as a major Irish success story and congratulating the entire team.
To be ranked 48th in Europe, and to be the only Munster coffee shop to achieve the honour, is a major milestone not only for Boardwalk Coffee, but for Killarney, Kerry and Irish hospitality.
It is another strong example of how Irish independent coffee culture continues to gain recognition on the world stage.

Attachments

Continue Reading

News

Ardshanavooley residents attend Community Text Alerts information evening

Published

on

By

Residents of Ardshanavooley and members of An Garda Síochána gathered at the Killarney Pastoral Centre on Rock Road recently for a community information evening to launch a new Community Text Alerts initiative.

The event focused on encouraging local people to get involved in making their area a safer place to live, work and visit.

The programme aims to strengthen links between residents and Gardaí by sharing important safety information and alerts quickly within the community.

During the evening, attendees heard practical advice on crime prevention, including home security, protecting vehicles and property, and raising awareness around scams and fraud.

Information was also provided on how the programme works, the benefits for residents, and the importance of neighbours working together.

Attendees were given the opportunity to register their interest, sign up to the system and volunteer for future community safety initiatives.

Cllr Martin Grady welcomed the new programme and said he was delighted to see it being rolled out, with hopes that it will now expand to other areas.


“The initiative would be particularly beneficial for those who are not active on social media, ensuring that nobody is left out when important community information is being shared,” Cllr Grady said.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport