News
It all started with a love of hospitality!
By Michelle Crean
As the saying goes, "marry your best friend" - and that's just what one local couple plan to do as they got engaged this week.
Well known restaurateur Denis Murphy surprised The Brehon Hotel's General Manager Sinead McCarthy with a ring when he got down on one knee - leaving her completely speechless.
Denis, who runs Murphy Brownes on High Street with friend and business partner Deirdre Browne, was on a staycation with Sinead when he made the surprise proposal.
But it's been a long time coming for the best friends who have known each other since their college days.
Both met studying hospitality in CIT in 2002 as they were on the same course.
Then Denis took a summer position in the then newly opened Brehon Hotel while Sinead worked in The Plaza, and while here they shared a house in Woodlawn Road as friends.
Then it was back to college for another while and the friends parted ways, Sinead working in various hotels around the country over the next few years, and Denis on cruise ships.
"When I'd come back home on holidays we'd always make a point of catching up," Denis told the Killarney Advertiser.
Then it came full circle as seven years ago Sinead moved back to Killarney as Bar Manager in The Brehon and a year later Denis took up the role of Manager in The Grand.
Once again the friends shared a house, this time in Bridgefield where they still live today, but after two years they realised they were more than just friends.
"I proposed in Druid's Glen, I even had the bottle of champagne hiding in Sinead's car! And while people often say we finish each other's sentences I can proudly say the proposal, which included the help of the hotel staff, completely caught Sinead off guard!"
He added that many customers only this week realised that himself and Deirdre are just good friends, and that she is still on the market!
Funding sought for Bohereen na Goun link road
The compulsory land acquisition process for the proposed Bohereen na Goun link road has advanced, but construction remains dependent on securing capital funding.
At Wednesday’s meeting of the Killarney Municipal District, Councillor Niall Kelleher raised the timeframe for the project, asking: “What is the update on Bohereen na Goun? When will this link road be open?”
In a formal response, Kerry County Council confirmed that statutory land acquisition procedures are moving forward alongside initial site preparation.
Local authority officials stated: “The compulsory acquisition/land-access process has formally progressed via Notice to Treat, and Kerry County Council is now co-ordinating with affected property owners while preparing the initial works. Progression to the construction phase of the project is subject to securing an appropriate funding stream. Kerry County Council is actively pursuing all available funding opportunities to enable the project to proceed.”
Funding sought for Glebe Craft Quarter
Plans to redevelop Killarney’s town centre laneways remain on hold as local authority officials seek capital funding to progress the scheme.
At Wednesday’s meeting of the Killarney Municipal District, Councillor Niall Kelleher raised the future of the urban regeneration project, asking the council: “That Kerry County Council provide a detailed update on the proposed development of the Glebe Craft Quarter in Killarney, including the Glebe, Bohereencael, Milk Market Lane and Old Market Lane areas, outlining the work completed to date, estimated project cost, funding secured or being sought and the anticipated timeframe for implementation.”
In a written reply, Kerry County Council revealed that no dedicated capital has yet been assigned to deliver this phase of the public realm plan.
An official response stated: “At present, there is no identified funding stream for this phase of the proposed public realm works. The project will be considered as part of future funding applications, and Kerry County Council will continue to explore all available funding opportunities to support its delivery.”
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