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“Don’t shut Main Street” plead town retailers

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PLEA: Members of Killarney Town Centre Retail Action Group are pleading with the Council not to pedestrianise Main St at the weekends over the summer months. Pictured are: Eoin Reen (Reen’s Pharmacy), Michael Spogler (The Continental Cafe), Denis O’Leary (O’Leary’s Electrical), Geraldine Casey (The Dungeon Bookshop), William Sheahan (Sheahan’s Pharmacy), Aileen O’Brien (Healy’s Newsagents), Sean O’Donoghue (Blackthorn Gifts), Denis Cronin (Cronin’s Butchers), Moolan O’Neill (Orchid Day Spa), and Denis O’Neill (O’Neill's Fishing Tackle). Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

Killarney town retailers - left frustrated and angry after large crowds turned the town into chaos last weekend - are pleading with the Council to keep Main St open for fear of repeat behaviour over the summer months.

Some retailers were forced to close early on Saturday, and again on Sunday, as their doorways in Punkett St and other areas of town were blocked by the groups who were drinking on the street while others sat on shop window sills drinking, singing and dancing in the streets into the early hours of the morning. In the aftermath rubbish was left strewn all over the town - which was later cleaned up by Kerry Council Council (KCC) staff.

With plans for Main Street to be pedestrianised at the weekends throughout July and August, Killarney Town Centre Retail Action Group, which has 30 members, have said that they've written to the Council to plead with them to cancel plans as they fear a continuation of the anti-social behaviour every weekend.

"Main St is the main artery of our town," William Sheahan, of Sheahan’s Pharmacy, told the Killarney Advertiser. "We want Kerry Council Council to listen and back us."

Denis O’Neill, from O’Neill's Fishing Tackle on Plunkett St, told the Killarney Advertiser that he had to let his staff go home early on Saturday and Sunday due to the crowds gathered outside the door of his shop.

"It completely inhibited my ability to trade. For my staff, it wasn't a safe environment for them as the crowd was getting too big."

William added that the only reason the town didn’t hit national headlines was because the spotlight was on similar scenes on South William Street in Dublin which occurred the same weekend.

"We fear if they [Kerry County Council] close Main St that it could become permanent, that there'll be repeat incidents similar to last summer and last weekend on Plunkett St and it'll drive more locals and certain types of businesses out of town and the town centre will only trade for the summer months. We want Killarney town to be a safe friendly place for both locals and tourists. The gardai are doing the best they can.”

They added that Killarney did an exemplary job last summer containing COVID and now there’s a fear that cases could be brought from Limerick into town. 

"We want people to leave Killarney thinking what a great job Killarney did in protecting us given the current pandemic and last weekend certainly did not reflect that."  

They also said that they didn't recognise any locals in the crowds.

"I didn't recognise anybody in the street," Denis said.

"Locals wouldn't do this," William added.

They added that "plastic glass drinking cannot become the normal for the town" and they want the pubs and rest of hospitality to reopen as soon as possible.

"We want pubs and restaurants to reopen fully, it's a controlled environment."

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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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