News
Europe Hotel celebrates six decades of hospitality
This week the Europe Hotel & Resort had an extra special reason to celebrate reopening its doors as it also proudly celebrated its 60 year anniversary.
And over the next six days, to mark six decades of hospitality, the hotel will be showcasing various initiatives and innovations that it has introduced to ensure that it continues as one of Ireland’s leading hotels.
“We are very proud to be celebrating 60 years as a hotel this year," Michael Brennan, Managing Director of Killarney Hotels Ltd said.
"We are forever grateful for the ongoing support shown by guests that return each year and to those who visit us for the first time. The Europe Hotel & Resort has been established as a leader in Irish and international hospitality and our reputation is a true testament to the hard work and excellence of every employee over the past 60 years."
The hotel has 187 bedrooms and suites, most with private balconies, and award winning 50,000 sq. ft. spa, state-of-the-art conferencing and event facilities with nine meeting rooms, five dining outlets, two Bars and its own 400 acre farm producing beef and lamb for menus.
Where it began
In the 1950s, the Liebherr family’s love of Killarney was ignited. Industrial Engineer, Dr. Hans Liebherr wanted to expand the company’s already flourishing domestic crane productivity into the US and Commonwealth markets. Ireland was considered an optimal location for the expansion of the business, and his original sights were focused on a plot of land in Cork, until a local businessman from Killarney, Mr. Michael D. (Mackey) O'Shea, brought him to the small town for dinner and showed him the wonderful scenery of the Killarney Lakes. This was in 1958, and what happened next was the creation of a new business area – Liebherr Hotels. He proceeded to open the Liebherr Crane factory in Fossa, which today employs in excess of 800 people.
Within the next few years, Dr Liebherr then opened sister hotels, Hotel Ard na Sidhe in 1961 and Hotel Dunloe Castle in 1965.
€1m EuroMillions win at Centra The Reeks
Anthony O’Connor, Ciaran Culloty, Conor Healy, Elizabeth Nagle, and representatives from the National Lottery
Celebrations are underway in Killarney after Centra at The Reeks Gateway on Tralee Road sold a EuroMillions ticket worth €1,005,000 in the Friday, August 21 draw.
The lucky winner secured the life-changing sum through the special Ireland Only Raffle event after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw.
Store owner John Bowler, who has operated the shop for over 20 years, expressed his delight after receiving the news from the National Lottery.
“There’s a great buzz around the store and we’re absolutely delighted,” Bowler said. “We have a mix of local customers and visitors coming through our doors every day, so the winner could be anyone. While we’ve sold fantastic prizes over the years, this is by far the biggest. It’s wonderful news for Killarney.”
National Lottery spokesperson Emma Monaghan urged anyone who bought a ticket at the store on Friday to check their numbers carefully. The ticket holder is advised to sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe, and contact the National Lottery prize claims team to arrange collection.
All photos: Eamonn Keogh
Pig’s Lane crowned Bar of the Year
Killarney’s subterranean venue Pig’s Lane emerged as a triple winner at the Bar of the Year 2026 Awards in Dublin on Monday night.
The College Street venue was named overall Bar of the Year, alongside taking Gold for both Cocktail Bar of the Year and Best Designed Bar / Inside Space. The announcements were made at a gala ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road.
Operating under the family-run O’Donoghue Ring Collection, the underground cocktail bar and whiskey parlour opened in 2023. The venue previously secured Innovative Bar of the Year in 2024 and Best Designed Bar in 2025 before taking the top national prize this year.
Judges praised the venue for its “unmatched excellence across the board”. The broader O’Donoghue Ring Collection earned eight finalist nominations across three properties, including Café du Parc and The Kenmare Rooms.
“We are so proud to be crowned Ireland’s Bar of the Year 2026,” said founder Gemma Ring. “A huge amount of work, creativity, and passion goes into everything we do”.
Pig’s Lane derives its name from the historic 1800s designation for the thoroughfare connecting College Street to Railway Road. On September 11, the bar will host a collaborative evening featuring Michelin Bib Gourmand tapas from Dingle’s Solas paired with bespoke cocktails.
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