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Fears grow over proposed VAT hike

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Fears are growing in Killarney over the government’s proposed VAT hike for the hospitality sector with many hoteliers warning that any increase could have major ramifications for the local economy.

Niamh O’Shea, who is the Chairperson of Kerry IHF and GM of Killarney Park Hotel, says any VAT increase would hit Kerry hard.

“Hiking the VAT rate would be wrong for Ireland’s largest indigenous industry and without question would have a disproportionately negative impact here in Kerry,” she said. “Tourism is a vital economic driver for our county and the largest employer. We continue to have a major challenge with seasonality and Brexit is just around the corner. We need to be able to remain competitive to survive.”

Ettienne van Vrede, CEO of the Hayfield Family Collection (which includes the Great Southern Killarney, The Killarney Royal and Hayfield Manor), echoed Niamh’s sentiments.

“Tourism makes a vital contribution to Kerry, supporting 15,700 jobs and generating €533m in revenue each year for our local economy,” he said. “Tourism itself in Kerry remains very seasonal. While we have achieved growth in recent years, it has been very uneven and follows a severe loss of ground during the downturn.”

It remains to be seen when or how the proposed hike will be implemented but there may be trying times ahead for some of Killarney’s best-loved hotels.

 

 

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Community College TY students become qualified baristas

School Dayz Transition Year students at Killarney Community College spent last Tuesday learning the skills to become baristas. They completed a full-day training course and are now qualified to make […]

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Transition Year students at Killarney Community College spent last Tuesday learning the skills to become baristas.

They completed a full-day training course and are now qualified to make coffee, which could make them very employable in local cafes and restaurants this summer.
Their teachers, who are described as the school’s “resident coffee experts,” were impressed with the students’ hard work and enjoyed the lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos the students made throughout the day.
In addition to their barista training, the TY students also took a trip to Mallow. There, they learned about the rules of the road, practiced the driver theory test, and many got behind the wheel of a car for the first time. They also learned about the dangers of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

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Rising stars Amano and Lillie Foley to share stage in ANAM

Two of Killarney’s rising musical talents, Amano and Lillie Foley, are set to perform their first ever joint headline concert at the ANAM Cultural Centre. Singer-songwriter and sean nós singer […]

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Two of Killarney’s rising musical talents, Amano and Lillie Foley, are set to perform their first ever joint headline concert at the ANAM Cultural Centre.

Singer-songwriter and sean nós singer Amano will bring her ‘Mythilligocial Meitheal Tour’ home for a special live performance of both her contemporary and traditional music.

Joining her on the night is local rising star Lillie Foley, making it a special event to celebrate two young Killarney songwriters making their mark on the Irish music scene. The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office.

Amano, described by Hot Press in 2024 as an “idiosyncratic talent” is comfortable performing in both English and Irish, draws influences from alt-folk, R&B, and traditional sean-nós singing.

Her project THREAD was nominated for Irish language Album and Song of the year at the Gradaim Nós in 2024.

Her recent singles, ‘Burn’ and ‘The Birthing House’, have received airplay on RTÉ Radio 1, Radio Kerry, and Raidió na Life.

Lillie Foley, a 22-year-old singer who recently graduated from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance with a BA in Voice, has released two debut singles in 2025, ‘Someday’ and ‘That’s Life’, which blend pop, soul, and folk genres.

The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office.

The concert will take place on May 23, at the ANAM Cultural Centre in Killarney, starting at 7:00pm. Tickets are available from €15 plus a booking fee on Ticketpass.org.

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