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David’s joy as over €15k raised for Kerry Hospice

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By Michelle Crean

The original fundraising target was €2,000 - but local man David Looney smashed that by raising over a whopping €15,000!

PROCEEDS: David Looney pictured handing over the funds from his charity run to Cathal Walshe PRO of Kerry Hospice in the Tatler Jack.

David set up a GoFundMe page '170 Miles in November in memory of Geraldine' as a thank you to Kerry Hospice for the care his sister-in-law Geraldine O'Connor (49) received during her illness. She sadly passed away in November 2021.

He timed the run to conclude on the anniversary of Geraldine's death, and went out in all kinds of weather.

For his efforts he managed to raise €15,445. David, who is manager of the popular pub Tatler Jack invited all the O'Connor clan to the presentation function at the pub before Christmas.

There, Cathal Walshe, PRO of Kerry Hospice, thanked David and everyone who contributed to the venture.

"It means a lot to the Foundation and as the late Ted Moynihan said "you hope you will never need the Hospice, but the Hospice will always need you"," Cathal said.

"I am absolutely delighted and overwhelmed with the amount raised," David told the Killarney Advertiser.

"We had donors from nearly every corner of the world, from Australia to China to America and Canada. I would like to sincerely thank every single donor. Their generosity helped us give a huge thank you to Kerry Hospice and the wonderful staff in the Palliative Care Unit UHK for the amazing care Geraldine received. I would also like to thank local media including Killarney Advertiser and my workplace Tatler Jack (social media) for the support in publicising the fundraiser.

"Also a huge thank you to Chris Davies from Reboot Recovery for the use of his facilities during the month - I don’t think I would have made it without that place!"

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Kerry coaches firm honoured with All-Ireland title

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Kerry Coaches named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025

Killarney-based Kerry Coaches has been named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition also marks Kerry Coaches’ second Business All-Star Accreditation, having received its first accolade in 2024.

Founded in 1957, Kerry Coaches has established itself as a leader in the Irish transport industry, known for its exceptional service and commitment to quality.  With a fleet of over 100 modern chauffeur vehicles, mini-buses and coaches the company provides a wide range of transport services, including corporate travel, executive golf transportation and bespoke tours throughout Ireland and Scotland.

 Speaking on the achievement, Mike Buckley, Director of Kerry Coaches, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. It’s a true reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every member of our team. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional travel experiences, and this award reaffirms our position as a leader in the industry.”

Announcing the news of Kerry Coaches’ achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: “It is my pleasure to commend Kerry Coaches for its outstanding performance in achieving the Business All-Star accreditation. After a thorough review, the firm has been honoured with All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company Of The Year 2025. Kerry Coaches is distinguished not only for its superior fleet but also for its exceptional team, some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. This seasoned team brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every client experience is exceptional.”         

Managing   Director   of   the   All-Ireland   Business   Foundation, Kapil   Khanna, said:  “The accreditation, which is now held by over 700 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.”

He   added: “We   evaluate   a   company’s   background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

About The All-Ireland Business Foundation

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class Irish businesses.

As the accreditation body for the Business All-Star mark, the AIBF recognises Best-In-Class Irish 

businesses.   Companies   that   merit   recognition   based   on   an   independent   audit   of   their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

Business All-Star Accreditation Is The Nation’s Symbol Of Trust. Currently, there are over 700 

companies that are accredited by AIBF. Since 2014, over 5000 companies have participated in their programmes.

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Trainee Blacksmith forging a career at Muckross Traditional Farms

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Phillip Pestor-Young, a trainee blacksmith from County Kildare, is currently gaining experience under Master Blacksmith Tom Allison at Muckross Traditional Farms.

Pestor-Young is enrolled in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. This programme is a cross-border educational initiative by the King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, and the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland. 

Prior to moving to Ireland in 2019, Phillip trained as an engineer and fabricator in the UK. He is now developing his blacksmithing skills in Kerry.

For more information on the program, visit https://kings-foundation.org/study/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme/.

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