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Huge international interest in Killarney Historic Rally

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3 years ago

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CLUB: Diarmuid Lynch KIllarney and District Motor Club and Rentokil Initial managing director Michael O'Mahoney with best local crew Mikey Galvin and Fergus O'Meara (fifth overall and winners of the Jimmy Devane Cup) at the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally prizegiving ceremony at The Gleneagle Killarney on Saturday night. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

By Sean Moriarty

An unprecedented number of overseas competitors entered last weekend’s Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally bringing a very welcome end-of-season boost to the town’s businesses.

FANS: A large crowd attended last weekend's Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

WORLD STARS: Rentokil Initial managing director Michael O'Mahoney with Paul Nagle and Craig Breen at the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally ceremonial start in Killarney town centre on Friday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

FAMILY: Conor Hickey (son of the late Johnny Hickey) with his grandfather Charlie Hickey and aunt Charlene Hickey at the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally ceremonial start in Killarney town centre on Friday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

The rally attracted entries from England, Wales and the United States, as well as all corners of Ireland.

Participants and fans arrived in Killarney on Thursday and stayed until Sunday morning – many of them eager to see World Rally Championship star Craig Breen and his recently retired co-driver Paul Nagle defend their 2021 title in an ex-Frank Meagher Ford Sierra RS Cosworth.

The rally began with a ceremonial start on Friday night, an event that packed the town centre with rally fans, locals and curious tourists.

The dedicated fans had already entered the famous Moll’s Gap stage in their camper vans on Thursday night.

Fans lining the seven special stages on Saturday were served up a treat. After six tests Breen’s Sierra was tied with challenger Jonny Greer’s four-wheel-drive example.

In a true mark of sportsmanship, earlier in the day, Greer loaned Breen some crucial rear axle components, without which the defending champion would have been forced out of the rally.

However, a second failure on the approach to the third and final run over Moll’s Gap ended Breen’s challenge and allowed Greer through for a popular win.

Local man Alan Ring, and his West Cork co-driver Adrian Deasy were second for the second year in a row in their Subaru Legacy RS while Fergus O’Meara and Mikie Galvin were the top all-local crew. They finished fifth in their Ford Escort.

One place ahead was the similar car of Welsh visitor Neil Williams. The defending Irish Tarmac Historic Rally champion was one of many overseas drivers to make the finish.

Eighth placed Tom Clarke (England) finished one place ahead of Welsh visitor Melvyn Evans.

Londoner Harry Hunt, more famous for his Dakar Rally exploits, completed the top 10.

“This was the most fun we ever had on a rally, the organisation, the people, everything was top class,” he said.

Alan Watkins, from England, has been coming to Killarney for years.

He finished 13th on this occasion but his comments at the finish summed up the experience enjoyed by all international participants.

“Killarney never fails to impress, it’s not just the rallying, it is the town, the charm, the people, the welcome, the surroundings, come rain or shine once you’ve been it will never be your last visit,” he said.

Atlanta-based Donegal man Seamus Burke was the top US visitor while Kyle Tilley from Indiana had a film team with him and they recorded a documentary on their experience.

In the popular modified section of the rally, Glenflesk’s Denis Hickey and Eoin O’Leary were the best of the locals, finishing eighth in the category and taking home the coveted O’Riordan Cup.

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Gleneagle Concert Band cast in major Hollywood Film

  Members of The Gleneagle Concert Band have been cast in a major Hollywood movie currently filming in West Cork. The WWII biopic is inspired by Hollywood legend James Stewart’s […]

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5 hours ago

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14 October 2025

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Members of The Gleneagle Concert Band have been cast in a major Hollywood movie currently filming in West Cork.

The WWII biopic is inspired by Hollywood legend James Stewart’s life, highlighting his time as a combat pilot after putting his entertainment career on hold to join the U.S. Army Air Corps.
It’s set to be the biggest film production filmed in Ireland this year, with a U.S. release scheduled for November 2026.

Band Musical Director Vincent Condon said the opportunity came about through a mix of curiosity and perfect timing.

“I read that a major film was being shot in West Cork and got in touch to see if they needed a band. Wartime movies often feature military bands, and they were delighted that I reached out. The film required an all-male band under 25, which is historically accurate. Filming took place at the start of October, and it was a fantastic experience for everyone involved.”

Band Manager Ciaran Lynch described the experience as unforgettable.

“The band was excellent. We did everything asked of us with no fuss, and it was amazing to see how a major movie comes together. In a year or so, we’ll be able to sit in the cinema with our families and point to the screen saying, ‘We were part of that!’”

This latest experience follows the band’s highly successful summer tour to Seville and Gibraltar, where they performed alongside the Midleton Concert Band beneath Seville’s spectacular Las Setas structure. The trip marked the band’s eighth international tour, continuing a proud tradition of representing Killarney abroad.

With opportunities ranging from international tours to movie sets, the Gleneagle Concert Band continues to give its members unique and creative musical experiences both at home and overseas.

Anyone interested in joining the band or enrolling for instrumental lessons is encouraged to get in touch on 087 222 9513.

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Local schools launch initiative to promote healthy technology use for children

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5 hours ago

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14 October 2025

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Holy Family NS Rathmore, Raheen NS, Meentogues NS and Shrone NS have teamed up with three other schools on the Cork side of the border to launch an innovative project called Agree to Agree.


This is a community wide effort to help families navigate the challenge of children and technology.


The initiative encourages parents of primary school pupils to make a voluntary pledge around healthy technology use at home.


For younger pupils, this includes keeping children smartphone-free, following age-appropriate guidelines for games and apps, and staying off social media during primary school years.


For older pupils who may already own phones / devices, the project suggests practical steps such as reducing screen time, keeping phones out of bedrooms, avoiding age-inappropriate apps, and learning about digital citizenship and online safety.


In the coming weeks, children will bring home information packs and families will have the chance to sign the voluntary agreement. Two parent webinars are already scheduled for October 26 and February 26.


This Pilot was funded by the Department of Education and Skills under the then Minister of Education and Skills – Norma Foley TD. Schools were invited to participate through Tralee Education Support Centre Director, Terry O’Sullivan.


The other participating schools are Ballydesmond NS, Kiskeam NS, and Knocknagree NS.

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