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Duggan takes positives from gruelling Rally Italia

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KILLARNEY’S Rob Duggan claimed sixth place among the Junior World Rally Championship runners on last weekend’s Rally Italia Sardinia. His finishing position however, doesn’t quite reflect how successful an event this was for the former Motorsport Ireland Young Rally Driver of the Year.

In his first event with new navigator Tom Woodburn, Duggan set a string of fastest times and ended the event on a high by being the quickest JWRC driver over the final day of the rally. Duggan’s speed however, was curbed by an impact with a rock on Friday while battling for the lead and his attempt to charge back up the leaderboard on Saturday was thwarted by a broken driveshaft.

Duggan remains philosophical however and he’s already looking ahead to Rally Poland in just a fortnight’s time. “It was an incredibly tough event. The heat and the terrain were like nothing I’ve ever experienced but we were encouraged by our pace. Obviously it was really disappointing to have to retire on Saturday while in contention for the lead and the time penalty we received for restarting meant we really couldn’t finish much higher than sixth unless people retired but we were delighted to pick up four bonus points for our fastest times over the weekend.

“Tom did a great job on his first rally with me and at least I know now that I have the pace to compete at this level, I just need to work on my consistency. Poland isn’t far away and by all accounts it’s a real high-speed event which should suit my driving style. Keeping out of trouble will be vital as it’s really cost me on the previous rounds. Nil Solans has a healthy lead in the points now but, if anything, that means there’s more pressure on him. There are four rounds left and I aim to be in the hunt for all of them.”

After the event, Rob finds himself sixth in the drivers’ standings on 20 points with leader Solans on an impressive 62 points. With a maximum score of 48 points on offer in Poland however, the JWRC title race is far from decided and Rob cites the case of fellow Irish driver Craig Breen when he found himself in similar circumstances during his WRC Academy winning year in 2011. “After two rounds, Craig was 45 points adrift of the series leader. He battled back to clinch the title on the last stage of the last rally, so we aren’t going to throw in the towel,” he said.

To keep up to date with Rob's exploits make sure and visit www.robduggan.com and follow Rob on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Rob is supported by Rentokil Initial, CB Toolhire, DMACK Tyres, M-Sport and the Team Ireland Foundation.

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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