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Best of the best to take part in Historic Rally
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Best of the best to take part in Historic Rally
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At the signing of a new three-year sponsorship deal for the Killarney Historic Stages Rally with Rentokil Initial were (front) Mike Marshall, (Assistant Clerk of the Course) Martin Farrell (Clerk of the Course), Michael O’Mahoney (Rentokil Initial) and Diarmuid Cronin (Chairman of Killarney & District Motor Club). Back: Johnny Hickey (PRO), Tom O'Connor (Rentokil Initial), Rose Cunningham (Rentokil Initial), Diarmuid Lynch and Darren McCormick. Pic: Eamonn Keogh.00[/caption]
BY JOHNNY HICKEY
Killarney and District Motor Club will hold the official launch of the ‘Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally’ this Sunday, in Scotts Hotel Killarney – and all are welcome to attend.
The rally - Ireland’s only event to cater solely for historic rally cars which brings a welcome revenue boost to Killarney town each year - will run on Saturday, December 1.
Sunday’s launch takes place at 3pm, and there will be some beautiful historic rally cars on display.
Officials, organisers, sponsors, distinguished guest speakers, WRC co-driver Paul Nagle and dignitaries of Killarney town will be on hand to support the event.
The rally will count as:
- First round of the 2019 Clonakilty Black Pudding Irish Tarmac Historic Rally Championship
- Final round of the 2018 Plasticbags.ie Southern Four Rally Championship
- Final round of the 2018 Kingdom of Kerry Rally Championship
- Final round of the 2018 HRCR West Wales Rally Spares - Stage Masters Challenge
Killarney and District Motor Club are also pleased to announce the appointment of their new clerk of the course for the Killarney Historic Rally 2018. Martin Farrell, who has vast experience under his belt competing as both a navigator and driver over the past 30 years, takes charge for his first year. Martin has also stepped up in various organiser rolls such as chief Marshal, Deputy COC and COC of our Autocross in the past.
Martin has put his own stamp on this year’s event, specifically building this year’s rally around the competitor. He has selected the best classic stages available around Killarney town, offering the competitor 120km of eight special stages followed by short road KMs.
The rally will be backed by Rentokil Initial Ireland as main title sponsor for the sixth consecutive year.
“On behalf of Rentokil Initial, I am once again delighted to be associated with this year’s Killarney Historic Rally,” managing director Michael O'Mahoney, said. “The event has grown from strength to strength and is a phenomenal success. Our desire to support the local community and businesses that have supported Rentokil Initial so loyally over the many years is the reason why we are once again involved with Ireland’s most prestigious rally.”
The rally is also supported by Cormac Casey of the Killarney Advertiser and the Gleneagle Hotel Group, who have backed the rally for many years and continue as associate sponsors.
The event, worth millions to the local economy, will once again be hosted at the Gleneagle Hotel, who are also supplying some great rally accommodation packages throughout the weekend.
There will be extensive TV coverage of this year’s event throughout the Christmas period on RTÉ, TG4, Setanta Sports, Motors TV and Sky Sports, by Mick Bracken from ‘On the Limit Sport’.
This will be a real Race of Champions and among the main attractions will be World Rally driver Craig Breen, who will be debuting his newly acquired MG Metro 6R4 in Killarney. He’ll also be teaming up once again with Paul Nagle on the notes.
It promises to be a spectacular event.
Local photographer shortlisted in national astrophotography competition
Killarney-based photographer Goran Loncar has been shortlisted in the 2026 Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition, and the public is being urged to cast their votes to support his entries.
The national competition is organised by the School of Cosmic Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) in partnership with The Irish Times. It celebrates the best of night sky photography captured across Ireland over the past year.
Loncar secured two spots on the final shortlist with distinct night sky images. His first entry, titled Gap of Dunloe, captures a small local house positioned under the Orion constellation. His second shortlisted photograph, Earth-lit Crescent Moon, focuses on a crescent Moon, showing subtle, detailed features across its shadowed surface.
Members of the public can now vote for Loncar’s work in the Public Choice Award category. The full exhibition of shortlisted images is available to view online at www.reachforthestars.ie/exhibition, where people can browse the gallery before casting their ballot. Voting remains open until 5pm on July 13, with a strict limit of one vote per person.
Dr Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, noted that the creative and technical standards of this year’s submissions have raised the benchmark for the competition once again.
Aside from the public vote, an expert judging panel including representatives from astronomy, science communication, and media will select overall winners in separate categories, with prizes including photographic equipment vouchers and publication. The winner of the Public Choice category will receive a €250 voucher for photographic equipment alongside passes to the three main sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland.
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