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Breen and Nagle to defend Historic Rally title in special car

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4 years ago

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Rentokil Initial managing director Michael O'Mahoney and Anthony O'Connor (Clerk of the Course) with Inspector Gary Carroll Dan Keane (Chairman Killarney and District Motor Club) Mayor of Killarney Niall Kelleher Deputy Danny Healy Rae TD Garda Danny O'Mahony and members of Killarney and District Motor Club at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally at The Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Craig Breen has coaxed Paul Nagle out of retirement for next month’s Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally.

Rentokil Initial managing director Michael O'Mahoney with Kerry MaryJo Aaron and Michelle O'Mahoney at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally at The Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Garda Danny O'Mahony Liam Cronin (Deputy Clerk of the Course) Rentokil Initial managing director Michael O'Mahoney Diarmuid Lynch Inspector Gary Carroll Anthony O'Connor (Clerk of the Course) Paul Nagle and Dan Keane (Chairman Killarney and District Motor Club) at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally at The Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Dermot Healy Rentokil Initial managing director Michael O'Mahoney Patrick O'Donoghue (Gleneagle Group MD) and Diarmuid Lynch at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally at The Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Rentokil Initial managing director Michael O'Mahoney centre with brothers Charlie and John Hickey at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally at The Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Sunday. Killarney and District Motor Club will host the event on Friday December 2 and Saturday December 3. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Conlaoch Kelleher at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally at The Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Bob Moran Denis Cronin Noel O'Sullivan Junior and Noel O'Sullivan Senior at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally at The Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Popular rally drivers Charlie Hickey Killarney and Tommy Randles Kilgarvan at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally at The Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Tommy Randles Kevin O'Donoghue Deputy Danny Healy Rae TD and Charlie Hickey at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally at The Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

entokil Initial managing director Michael O'Mahoney and Anthony O'Connor (Clerk of the Course) with Inspector Gary Carroll Dan Keane (Chairman Killarney and District Motor Club) Mayor of Killarney Niall Kelleher Deputy Danny Healy Rae TD Garda Danny O'Mahony and members of Killarney and District Motor Club at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally at The Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Sunday. Killarney and District Motor Club will host the event on Friday December 2 and Saturday December 3. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

John Murphy Pat Walsh Rentokil Initial managing director Michael O'Mahoney Ted O'Gorman and Aodh Lynch at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

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Cyril Wharton Ted O'Gorman and Diarmuid Cronin at the launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally at The Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Sunday. Photo:Eamonn Keogh

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The Aghadoe man made the announcement at the rally’s official launch at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney on Sunday.

In October Nagle announced his retirement from the World Rally Championship.

He was in Japan this week to complete the handover to Breen’s new co-driver James Fulton and returned to Ireland on Sunday just in time for the launch.

The 2021 event winners will drive the Ford Sierra Cosworth that Frank Meagher drove to victory in the 1992 Circuit of Ireland Rally.

The late Tipperary driver was Breen’s childhood rally hero and he recently completed a full restoration of the Sierra.

The Killarney rally will be the car’s first appearance since the restoration.

“We are looking forward to going out for a big battle with some local drivers," Nagle said.

Killarney and District Motor Club confirmed at the launch that it had received 230 entries for the 150 available spaces.

Sunday’s launch was attended by several dignitaries including TD Danny Healy Rae and Niall Kelleher who is the Mayor of the Killarney Municipal District and president of the Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.

“This event is a great advertisement for Killarney; the exposure it gives and the much-needed business at a quieter time of the year," Mr Kelleher said.

"To those visiting our town please do enjoy yourselves."

Echoing those words Healy-Rae said: “This is a great event for the town of Killarney, coming at the dead end of the year, and it gives great exposure for the County of Kerry.”

Club chair Dan Keane welcomed the politicians’ support for the rally.

“It is hugely important that elected officials recognise the importance of motorsport in Ireland,” he said.

Garda Gary Carroll of the Kerry Roads Policing Division was there to bring a road safety message to the large group of rally fans who attended the event.

“Keep the race in the place,” he said. “This is a wonderful event and adds to the town of Killarney and County Kerry.”

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New Dutch flights to connect Groningen and Kerry Airport

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4 hours ago

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21 October 2026

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New Dutch flights to connect Groningen and Kerry Airport

REPRO-FREE 21.10.2026 PRESS RELEASE – EMBARGO 9am Wednesday 21st October 2026 Dutch Holidaymakers To Fly Direct To Kerry As BBI Travel Announces Charter For Summer 2027 New Groningen to Kerry service to operate weekly from April to September 2027 KERRY Airport has announced that it will welcome a new direct international charter service from the Netherlands next summer following confirmation that Dutch tour operator BBI Travel will fly weekly from Groningen Airport Eelde to Kerry. The new service will operate every Thursday from 29th April to 9th September 2027, bringing Dutch holidaymakers directly into the heart of one of Ireland’s most popular tourism destinations. The flights to Kerry Airport, operated by Sky Alps, form part of BBI Travel’s expanded Ireland programme for 2027. BBI Travel, which has specialised in holidays to Ireland since 1963, will offer complete holiday packages incorporating flights, accommodation and local transport, with rental cars, activities and travel insurance also available. Visitors travelling into Ireland via Kerry will be excited by the wonderful array of riches that the Kingdom has to offer, in fact, one holiday might not give enough time to take in all that the county has to offer. Chief among the attractions are the lakes and mountains of Killarney, stunning links golf courses in Tralee, Waterville and Ballybunion to name a few, breathtaking views of Skellig Michael rising majestically from the Atlantic off the Iveragh coast, and the fabulous locally produced food and crafted beers. Arriving in Kerry will make it particularly convenient to explore the Wild Atlantic Way and experience a greater part of the west coast during their stay. Evelyn Crowley, Customer Service Manager at Kerry Airport, in welcoming the announcement, has guaranteed a céad míle fáilte (one hundred thousand welcomes) to BBI Travel clients when they land in the Kingdom of Kerry: “We are delighted that BBI Travel has chosen Kerry Airport


Tourism across Kerry is set for a boost following the announcement of direct charter flights from the Netherlands to Kerry Airport for the 2027 summer season.
Dutch tour operator BBI Travel will introduce weekly flights from Groningen Airport Eelde to Farranfore every Thursday from April 29 to September 6, 2027. The service will be operated by regional carrier Sky Alps using its fleet of aircraft.

The announcement comes following strong passenger growth at Kerry Airport, which handled 440,367 passengers in 2025 before recording a further 12 per cent increase during the first six months of 2026. The new European link will provide direct access for Dutch tourists visiting Killarney National Park, Muckross House, and the wider Wild Atlantic Way route.

BBI Travel, which has specialised in Irish travel packages since 1963, will offer combined flight, accommodation, and car hire packages. The service will run alongside the operator’s existing Monday flights to Ireland West Airport Knock, allowing open-jaw itineraries across the west coast.

Welcoming the new route, Kerry Airport Customer Service Manager Evelyn Crowley said:

“We are delighted that BBI Travel has chosen Kerry Airport as its new destination for 2027. BBI Travel has an excellent track record and more than 60 years’ experience in bringing visitors to Ireland, so this new partnership is a significant vote of confidence in Kerry and the wider south-west as a destination for Dutch holidaymakers.

“The great advantage for passengers is that they arrive right in the heart of Ireland’s tourism capital. Kerry Airport is just 15 minutes from Killarney and Tralee, on the doorstep of the spectacular Ring of Kerry and within 50 minutes of Dingle and the Wild Atlantic Way.

“Our new state-of-the-art Arrivals Hall, with modern baggage handling and passport control facilities and our staff will provide a warm and efficient welcome from the moment passengers land in Kerry.

“That convenience continues on the journey home, with a short and efficient trip through security into our spacious and comfortable Departures Lounge. Passengers can enjoy a local tipple in Peig Sayers Bar or a snack in the Sky Bar before boarding their direct flight back to Groningen.

“We look forward to working with BBI Travel and welcoming their passengers to Kerry in 2027.”

Packages and flights for the 2027 summer schedule are expected to go on sale through BBI Travel in the coming months.

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Eoin Cashman named Kerry’s sole Naughton Scholar

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1 day ago

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20 October 2026

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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.

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