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Colin O’Donoghue makes rallying history in Belgium

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4 years ago

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BELGIAN WINNERS: Colin and Kieran O'Donoghue celebrate winning the Escort Rally Special in Belgium on Sunday.

Colin O’Donoghue drove himself into the record books at the weekend as he became the first son of a winning rally driver and Killarney and District Motor Club (KDMC) member to win an event.

Colin scored the biggest win of his career after he and his co-driver Kieran O’Donoghue won the Escort Rally Special in Belgium on Sunday.

It was the first overseas event, as a driver, for the former winner of the modified section of the Killarney Historic Rally.

His father Kevin won the Kerry Winter Rally in 2006 making the O’Donoghues the first father and son from KDMC to win events outright.

Colin and several other Irish drivers decided to enter the rally, based at the famous Chimay motor-racing circuit near the French border, due to uncertainty on the resumption of the sport in Ireland.

“It was a class experience,” said Colin. “I will have to go back and defend the title. It was a lot more-bumpier than I expected, the roads were very like roads on the Galway Summer Rally.”

His run was not without problems, a broken gear selector, a readout board fell off and landed near the peddles, and a broken right rear shock absorber were just some of his tribulations.

Field results were confusing too and with two stages left to run he wasn’t sure if it was himself or Belgian rival Pieter-Jan Maeyaert who was leading the event.

“One website said he was leading, another said we had 22 seconds advantage with just one stage to run, the results were slow uploading,” added Colin. “We went into the last two stages, and went as hard as we could, even with the broken shock and came out 28 seconds up.”

He was co-driven by Kieran O’Donoghue, the Glenflesk man is no relation, but is well-known for his skills behind the wheel of a Honda Civic on local Junior rallies.

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Biddy’s Day festival returns to Mid-Kerry

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2 hours ago

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23 January 2026

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The Mid-Kerry Biddy’s Day Festival began yesterday and is running until February 2.

The festival is taking place across Killorglin, Cromane and the wider Mid-Kerry region, bringing together craft, music, language, ritual and community in the lead-up to St Brigid’s Day.

At the heart of the festival is the ancient Biddy tradition, rooted in Imbolc and the honouring of St Brigid, a time associated with light, renewal, creativity and protection.

Over twelve days, the festival offers a wide mix of family-friendly, traditional and contemporary events, culminating in its most anticipated moment of the year: The Biddy’s Parade.

The parade, taking place on Saturday January 31,is the centrepiece and defining event of the festival.

On parade night, Killorglin town is transformed as Biddy groups from across Mid-Kerry gather in straw hats and traditional costume, carrying Brídeógs through the streets in a powerful procession of fire, music, movement and celebration.

The parade is free, open to all to join in or support, and remains one of the most atmospheric and visually striking expressions of living Irish folklore in the country.

Fire performers, live music and street celebrations follow, before the night continues into the town’s venues.

Founded in 2017, the Mid-Kerry Biddy’s Day Festival has been instrumental in reviving a tradition that had been in serious decline.

From just two active Biddy groups less than a decade ago, the region now supports a growing network of groups, with children, families and new communities actively involved.

The 2026 festival continues this work, blending heritage with creativity and ensuring the tradition remains relevant, inclusive and alive.

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Spa and Glenflesk GAA clubs in Scór na nÓg All-Ireland Finals

Killarney will be the focus of the national Scór stage this Saturday, as the Gleneagle INEC Arena hosts the Scór na nÓg All-Ireland Finals. Two local clubs, Spa and Glenflesk, […]

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4 hours ago

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23 January 2026

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Killarney will be the focus of the national Scór stage this Saturday, as the Gleneagle INEC Arena hosts the Scór na nÓg All-Ireland Finals.

Two local clubs, Spa and Glenflesk, will carry the hopes of the county as they compete for national titles.
Representing Spa GAA is the Rince Seit (Set Dancing) team, who secured their place in the final after being crowned Munster champions in November.
Joining them in the finals are the Glenflesk GAA Ballad Group.

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