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Chamber welcomes commitment to enhance National Park

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Government confirmation that a number of capital projects are to be advanced to aid the recovery of Killarney National Park from the devastating wild fires has been warmly welcomed by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.

Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, TD, has confirmed in Dáil Éireann that his department will work to enhance the activity programme in the park this year and that a “significant number” of capital projects will be progressed to enhance the visitor experience.

Minister Noonan was responding to a parliamentary question from Kerry TD and Deputy Government Chief Whip, Brendan Griffin, who asked what plans were being made to help the park to recover.

Welcoming the capital projects announcement, Killarney Chamber said it was very encouraging also that Minister Noonan confirmed that many of the 60 new conservation rangers to be recruited will be deployed in the Killarney and the southern region. They will deal with a range of functions, including wildlife crime.
Minister Noonan also praised the role played by the Killarney Meitheal group which he described as “a hugely valued volunteer corps”.

Meitheal coordinator, retired park ranger Peter O’Toole, has confirmed that the group is ready and willing to resume its work on the eradication of the invasive rhododendron, in conjunction with the NPWS, once COVID-19 restrictions allow.

Minister Noonan expressed his gratitude to the NPWS and Fire Service staff whose swift response saved the vaunted ancient woodlands and other important habitats from the recent wild fires.
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce President, Niall Kelleher, said it is very reassuring that the Minister of State and his officials hold Killarney National Park in such great esteem and that it remains very high on their list of priorities for further development and enhancement.

“On behalf of everybody in Killarney, I thank Minister Noonan for his very proactive approach and I thank Deputy Brendan Griffin for ensuring the park remains well up there on the political agenda,” the Chamber President added.

​​​​​​​Minister Noonan said staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service are conducting work to assess the initial impacts of the fire and they are currently mapping the entire boundary of the blaze and using satellite data.
Conservation rangers are now undertaking internal mapping of the area that was damaged and conducting preliminary assessments of the impacts and severity of the fire on various habitats and vegetation types. NPWS officials are also preparing specifications for a comprehensive, in-depth assessment of the long-term effects of the fire and where restoration efforts can be concentrated.

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

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The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

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