News
Frustrated business owners take to the streets in protest

By Sean Moriarty
Over 50 town centre businesses - angered at the Government's indecision and continued delays over the reopening of indoor dining - staged a protest outside the Town Hall yesterday morning (Thursday).
Many feel their livelihoods and businesses are at risk as a result of the constant changing of dates - which has been pushed back until at least July 19.
It was initially hoped that restaurants and bars would be allowed reopen this coming Monday - but that could even be further delayed until after the August Bank Holiday weekend.
They were angered that hotels can serve meals indoors to residents, that their businesses and livelihoods are at risk and that Ireland is one of only two European countries that does not allow indoor dining.
The protest, which was a show of strength, was organised by Denis Murphy of Murphy-Brownes on High St. He said that it is Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan who is running the country and not the Government.
“The goalposts being constantly changed by "Taoiseach Tony" cannot be tolerated. We are out here today fighting for our livelihoods. I don’t begrudge any sector or business which has been allowed to open. We simply want a level playing field. It just feels like a long time ago since I’ve heard "we’re in this together", it’s just so frustrating,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.
His business partner Deirdre Browne added “It is unbelievable that hotels are open for a month".
"We waited patiently only to be told, just a few days ago, that we can’t open. There is a lack of planning by the Government; we are losing stock, we are losing staff.”
The protest was also attended by allied trades, like food and beverage wholesalers and suppliers to the industry.
“Hotels can operate but we can’t, this does not make sense,” said Seamus O’Connell of Malarkey Restaurant on New St. “Civil Servants come and inspect my premises every year so there is no reason why they can't do the same in these times.”
PUBLICANS
Publicans are also angered by the decision as it was anticipated that indoor drinking would be allowed from Monday.
Jerome Corkery, who owns, but currently leases, Corkery’s Sports Bar on High St said that the current situation is leading to increased anti-social behaviour on the streets.
“You would have far less problems with street drinking. It would solve a lot of the Gardai’s problems, the majority of the trouble is because of off-licence drinking,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.
Mark Treyvaud of Treyvaud’s Restaurant is also tired of the Government.
“The Government is spineless, they don’t stand up for the ordinary people,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “I have a family to provide for – it is as simple as that.”
Killarney Chamber issued a statement following the protest and plan to lobby Government officials in an effort to secure business supports into 2022.
“Killarney Chamber fully endorses the call for all businesses in the town to pull together and show support for those that have been left behind following the implementation of the latest public health policies,” said the statement.
“We fully appreciate and understand the enormous sense of disappointment experienced by those involved in the hospitality industry following the decision to defer the planned reopening of restaurants and public houses for indoor dining.
“It is having a devastating impact on their businesses, on their staff and on their families and the consequences for the economy and for those seeking meaningful employment opportunities are of great concern.”
Several politicians attended including TD Danny Healy-Rae, Cllrs Maura Healy-Rae, Niall Kelleher, Donal Grady and Mayor Marie Moloney.
“Many of these businesses have being paying rent throughout the pandemic and they can’t sustain it,” said Mayor Moloney. “This will break a lot of businesses.”


News
Killarney and District Motor Club members honoured by Motorsport Ireland
By Cormac Casey Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday. The highlight of the event is the […]

By Cormac Casey
Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday.
The highlight of the event is the announcement of the sport’s top awards.
Kilkenny’s Jack Brennan (19) was named Young Rally Driver of the Year, while Wexford native Jack Byrne was named Young Racing Driver of the Year and the International Driver of the Year award went to recently crowned FIA Junior World Rally Champion, William Creighton.
Muckross-based co-driver Noel O’Sullivan was presented with his Irish Tarmac Rally Championship winning trophy.
This year saw the introduction of the Motorsport Ireland President’s Awards which celebrate the achievements of clubs and organisations.
Killarney and District Motor Club won in the innovation category for their work with their KDMC 2 initiative thanks to the efforts of the club’s vice chairman Mike O’Shea.
Rally Rescue teams were also recognised and the club’s Mike Cleary picked up an award for his role he played in what was a difficult year for rescue crew operators.
Tom O’Riordan, who looks after ambulance procurement on the club’s events, was presented with an FIA Volunteer Pin by Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper.
Killarney Advertiser Journalist Sean Moriarty was presented with an award for best use of of PR and media in 2023.
News
Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest ‘thank you’ event at Brehon
Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar […]

Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar events again in 2024.
Feedback from more than 100 people who attended this year’s Fest events from 7th to 14th October was positive with 91% stating they were satisfied.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest is held annually over the course of a week to highlight World Mental Health Day on October 10.
It aims to raise awareness of the available supports and services in Kerry as well as empower people to engage with the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ through offering a dynamic and interactive programme of events.
99% percent of respondents, most of whom identified as female, said they would recommend the Fest to friends next year. Some key notes for improvement included a request for more events with wider variety throughout the county.
The Chair of the Interagency Steering Group, John Drummey from Kerry Mental Health Association, said: “We wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to event organisers, community groups, businesses, funders and partners that facilitated the Fest’s dynamic and interactive programme of events in 2023. We are encouraged to see such growth in numbers attending the Fest events with a 50% increase from 2022. We are already making plans for the Fest from 5 to 12t October 2024 and we are looking forward to building on this year’s successes. That said, there is always room for improvement and we would welcome suggestions for new events and activities.”
Many of the event organisers attended a ‘thank-you’ event at the Brehon Hotel, Killarney, courtesy of the Kerry Volunteer Centre to coincide with the annual International Volunteer Day, December 5.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest was organised by an interagency steering group made up of local agencies that support wellbeing in our community.
The organising committee is a collaboration between Connecting for Life Kerry, Healthy Kerry, Kerry County Council, Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership, the HSE, NEWKD, SKDP, Kerry Mental Health Association, Jigsaw Kerry, Munster Technological University/Kerry, KDYS, Kerry Volunteer Centre and Family Resource Centres throughout the county.