News
Hopes that Killarney will celebrate Ukraine’s day of Independence

By Sean Moriarty
The Ukrainian community in Killarney hope to celebrate their country’s Independence Day on August 24 with a range of cultural events.
This year Ukraine will celebrate the 31st Anniversary of its Independence from the former USSR following a declaration of Independence on August 24 1991 and backed up by referendum in December the same year.
Killarney is home to an estimated 1,500 Ukrainians and the number is set to grow in the coming weeks.
There are over 3,000 Ukrainians in Kerry with most of them based in either the Killarney or South Kerry area.
Killarney-based Ukrainians are seeking the help of local politicians and townspeople so they can mark their Independence day later this month.
They hope to put on a range of cultural events and many locally based Ukrainians will dress in traditional costumes and (if a permit is granted) parade through the streets of Killarney.
“This year we will celebrate the 31st anniversary of the independence of our country and for the first time we will celebrate it outside it's borders. We are now under your protection and guardianship, both of the country and of the people. Every day we feel your support and we really appreciate it,” said Natalya Krasnenkova who has written to a number of local politicians seeking permission to run an event.
“That is why we want to spend the Independence Day of Ukraine together with the Killarney community and introduce you to our traditions and culture.”
They hope to run an amateur concert by Ukrainians who are currently in Killarney, show a Ukrainian film with English subtitles and a craft fair.
“Also, we would like to involve all public and official institutions like city hall, banks, post office, and bars so that for one day, on August 24, they would place Ukrainian flags in their windows and on the streets. We want to be part of your community and will be happy to introduce local people to our country.”
If you can help or want to get involved email sean@killarneyadvertiser.ie and information will be passed on to the event organisers.
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.