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Busy season ahead for Killarney Racecourse

Ukrainian model Mariam Diasamidze and Killarney’s own Aisling O’ Sullivan joined forces with jockey Gary Noonan and the noble steed Landue, to mark the launch of the 2022 Killarney Racing Calendar in the Kingdom.
Preparations are well underway at the Kerry track for their busy racing season which is set to kick off next month.
With no less than four festivals to choose from, between May and October, there is something for everyone at Ireland’s most scenic racecourse as tickets go live today!
“The team here have never been more excited to welcome crowds to Killarney Racecourse this season," Chairman of Killarney Racecourse, Ger Coughlan, said.
"The pandemic really had an impact on our business and although racing took place, it’s just not the same here without seeing packed stands and crowds enjoying all the fun and frolics of the festival that are synonymous with racing here at Killarney Races. Many of those coming to the festivals this year will not have been with us for two years and for others it will be their first time. It’s important to note that we’ve been busy working hard behind the scenes to enhance the racegoer’s experience at Killarney Races focusing on offering an unrivalled quality boutique festival experience.”
MayFest takes place from Sunday May 15 to Tuesday 17 inclusive, offering two jump cards followed by an all-flat fixture. A popular fixture with locals, this offers a great chance to let your hair down before the tourist season really kicks off in town!
JulyFest is a real highlight on the racing and social calendar that takes place from Monday July 11 to Friday 15 inclusive with a mix of national hunt and flat meetings across the five day fixture. There is plenty of competition off the track also, as Friday the 15th will host the Dawn Milk Best Dressed Lady Competition.
AugustFest takes place from Thursday August 18 to Saturday 20 inclusive. A wonderful festival to mark the last hurrah of the busy summer season in the Kingdom. This is a great social occasion with top class racing where all the fun of a festival is guaranteed in abundance.
OctoberFest is a relatively new addition to the calendar at Killarney Races and offers patrons a more relaxed weekend festival experience on Saturday October 1 and Sunday 2.
There are lots of options available to experience the festivals at Killarney Races. From general admission tickets with ample public food and beverage offerings, free car parking and ample lawn and indoor seating options to value added group packages complete with racecards, food and beverages. Not to mention the mouth-watering four course dining and hospitality offering available in the stunning panoramic restaurant complete with a private balcony overlooking the entire racecourse and mountainous backdrop for which Killarney Races is famous. For further information or to make your festival booking today or for sponsorship and promotional enquiries visit killarneyraces.ie or call 064 6631125.
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Killarney and District Motor Club members honoured by Motorsport Ireland
By Cormac Casey Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday. The highlight of the event is the […]

By Cormac Casey
Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday.
The highlight of the event is the announcement of the sport’s top awards.
Kilkenny’s Jack Brennan (19) was named Young Rally Driver of the Year, while Wexford native Jack Byrne was named Young Racing Driver of the Year and the International Driver of the Year award went to recently crowned FIA Junior World Rally Champion, William Creighton.
Muckross-based co-driver Noel O’Sullivan was presented with his Irish Tarmac Rally Championship winning trophy.
This year saw the introduction of the Motorsport Ireland President’s Awards which celebrate the achievements of clubs and organisations.
Killarney and District Motor Club won in the innovation category for their work with their KDMC 2 initiative thanks to the efforts of the club’s vice chairman Mike O’Shea.
Rally Rescue teams were also recognised and the club’s Mike Cleary picked up an award for his role he played in what was a difficult year for rescue crew operators.
Tom O’Riordan, who looks after ambulance procurement on the club’s events, was presented with an FIA Volunteer Pin by Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper.
Killarney Advertiser Journalist Sean Moriarty was presented with an award for best use of of PR and media in 2023.
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Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest ‘thank you’ event at Brehon
Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar […]

Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar events again in 2024.
Feedback from more than 100 people who attended this year’s Fest events from 7th to 14th October was positive with 91% stating they were satisfied.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest is held annually over the course of a week to highlight World Mental Health Day on October 10.
It aims to raise awareness of the available supports and services in Kerry as well as empower people to engage with the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ through offering a dynamic and interactive programme of events.
99% percent of respondents, most of whom identified as female, said they would recommend the Fest to friends next year. Some key notes for improvement included a request for more events with wider variety throughout the county.
The Chair of the Interagency Steering Group, John Drummey from Kerry Mental Health Association, said: “We wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to event organisers, community groups, businesses, funders and partners that facilitated the Fest’s dynamic and interactive programme of events in 2023. We are encouraged to see such growth in numbers attending the Fest events with a 50% increase from 2022. We are already making plans for the Fest from 5 to 12t October 2024 and we are looking forward to building on this year’s successes. That said, there is always room for improvement and we would welcome suggestions for new events and activities.”
Many of the event organisers attended a ‘thank-you’ event at the Brehon Hotel, Killarney, courtesy of the Kerry Volunteer Centre to coincide with the annual International Volunteer Day, December 5.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest was organised by an interagency steering group made up of local agencies that support wellbeing in our community.
The organising committee is a collaboration between Connecting for Life Kerry, Healthy Kerry, Kerry County Council, Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership, the HSE, NEWKD, SKDP, Kerry Mental Health Association, Jigsaw Kerry, Munster Technological University/Kerry, KDYS, Kerry Volunteer Centre and Family Resource Centres throughout the county.