News
Jennifer Wrynne is announced as Kellihers Toyota Ladies Day Judge at Killarney Race

Killarney Racecourse is set to host AugustFest, an exciting three-day summer horse-racing festival from August 24 to 26 inclusive. AugustFest at Killarney Races offers patrons great racing, socialising, entertainment and so much more at Ireland’s most scenic racecourse.
With lots of ticket levels and packages including food and beverage options to choose from, whether it is close to the action general admission tickets or silver service fine dining, there is something for everyone at Killarney Races. Live music, fashion, and fun for all the family complement the best of summer racing at the track this August.
Thursday and Friday are evening meetings and Saturday is an afternoon event with all race cards offering thrilling races for spectators to enjoy each day.
Thursday flat racing gets underway with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap going to post at approximately 5pm with gates open from 3pm, so come early and join in the fun. Thursday's feature race is the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Vincent O'Brien Ruby Stakes of €42,500. This race is always high on quality, which is reflective in the list of previous winners, including Lady Wannabe and I Can Fly.
It’s going to be a great evening with live music on the lawn from Resolute and post racing there will be live music in the Jim Culloty Bar from the aptly named Best of Friends, bringing back the 80’s 90’s 00’s hits. This is your sign to gather your friends and join in the festival fun!
Friday and Saturday sees the codes switch. Friday's feature race is the SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote Handicap Hurdle worth €45,000. Also worth mentioning is the Jim Ryan Memorial Flat Race, In honour of Jim Ryan, who played such a vital role in the race day operations at Killarney Racecourse for many years. The team at Killarney Racecourse is very grateful for the support we continue to receive from Jim Ryan Racecourse Services.
With music on the lawn from Tom Cats. Resident DJ Brendan Fuller, of the Killarney Grand and Radio Kerry, lights up the Jim Culloty Bar for an après racing party, which is sure to be a ‘winner alright’ !
Saturday is Kellihers Toyota Ladies Day and all about the glamour as fashionistas bring the curtain down on AugustFest in fine style. Motoring since 1936 Kellihers are the main Toyota dealer for Kerry and are proud to offer the full range of the highest quality motoring products and services to one and all across the county and beyond. The lucky ladies will compete for a €1,500 cash prize for the most stylish lady on the day, what’s not to love! Gates open from 12 noon with the first race off at approximately 2pm. This year’s Guest Judge for the Kellihers Toyota Ladies Day is the fabulous Jennifer Wrynne.
Jennifer Wrynne commented “I’m so excited to judge Kellihers Toyota Ladies Day at Killarney Races. The last time I was there, I was a finalist for the best dressed competition so it’s a huge honour to come back as a judge. My mum and I always admire the fabulous style of the Kerry ladies at race meetings all over the country. We always look out to see what they’re wearing so I’ve no doubt I will have my work cut out for me choosing one winner on the 26th of August!”
On track racing includes Killarney Park Hotel Maiden Hurdle and International Hotel Handicap Hurdle along with Kellihers Toyota Handicap Steeplechase, as the feature race of the day.
Kellihers Toyota Managing Director, Tim Kelliher commented “Kellihers Toyota are delighted to be involved as official sponsor of Ladies Day in Killarney on August 26th and with €1,500 cash prize money up for grabs, we are excited to be part of this event on the racing calendar. We look forward to showcasing our Toyota range at the stunning Killarney Racecourse over the 3-day festival. As Kellihers are the one and only Toyota dealership in the Kingdom for both sales and service, we know everything about cars, but we will leave the judging to the professionals, and we are delighted to welcome Jennifer Wyrnne as our guest judge to help us pick the winner.”
Live music on the lawn from Tom Cats and post racing music in the Jim Culloty Bar courtesy of Phil ‘n the Blanks closing out another great festival at Killarney Races.
Patrons are advised to book online and come along early to enjoy the stunning views, top class facilities, delicious food, live music on the lawn and soak up the boutique festival atmosphere for which Killarney Races is famous. Adult tickets are available from €20 and children under 14 go free ensuring a great day out for all the family.
For all ticket details and festival programme information visit killarneyraces.com.
News
One of Killarney’s great motorsport legends passes awayBy Cormac Casey
Dermot O’Sullivan, of Ardshanavooly, Killarney, sadly passed away this week. This popular Killarney businessman started in motorsport in 1968 participating in tarmac and forestry rallying and later in hot rod […]

Dermot O’Sullivan, of Ardshanavooly, Killarney, sadly passed away this week.
This popular Killarney businessman started in motorsport in 1968 participating in tarmac and forestry rallying and later in hot rod racing.
A high point in his motorsport career was competing on the 1982 Circuit of Ireland in his Datsun Sunny, at a time when competitors had no pacenotes, relying on sheer wit and skill.
In 2005, after a 23-year gap, he returned to rallying in a Talbot Sunbeam competing in the Killarney Historic Rally with his son Paul in the navigator’s seat, and competed in various events till 2009.
Whenever the glory of days of Kerry rallying are discussed in local pubs during the wee hours, it was certain that Dermot’s name would be mentioned. He had a sideways style of driving that kept every spectator entertained.
As much a flamboyant competitor behind the wheel of his Datsun, his ability to tell a good story was equally entertaining.
As a young motorsport enthusiast, I waited with anticipation each week as Dermot called to the ‘Advertiser’ office in Woodlawn to placing his weekly advert, to hear his animated description of his exploits on the rallying stages. As time went on, the stories never faded, and I always enjoyed our encounters.
Dermot establishing a successful chainsaw and lawnmower business in the 1970’s, down Pawn Office Lane, off High Street, Killarney. In true entrepreneurial spirit he saw a gap in the market, soon after establishing O’Sullivan’s Cycles as one of the first to introduce bike rental to Killarney, a business venture that is still successful today under the guidance of the current O’Sullivan generations.
A true character and an absolute gentleman. May he rest in peace.
Our sincere condolences to wife, Mary, sons Paul, Derry and David, daughters-in-law Barbara, Denise and Fiona, grandchildren Megan, Luke, Kate and Ciara and his great granddaughter Ava, his sisters Breda and Maureen and brother John, brother-in-law Bill, sister-in-law Ann, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, and many great friends.
News
Kerry’s youth celebrated at the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards
This year’s overall winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement is Ryan Griffin from Waterville who was nominated by Mairead O’Sullivan from Killorglin Family Resource Centre. Ryan Griffin […]

This year’s overall winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement is Ryan Griffin from Waterville who was nominated by Mairead O’Sullivan from Killorglin Family Resource Centre.
Ryan Griffin is a member of the Skellig Stars and was chosen to represent Kerry at the Special Olympics.
Ryan’s biggest hurdle is communication and he had to overcome this during his trip to Berlin for the big event.
Ryan has overcome his disabilities by focusing on all the great abilities he has. Ryan attends mainstream school in Coláiste na Sceilge where he is a very respected member of the School Community. He is a member of Kerry Stars and also Downs Syndrome Kerry.
Ryan has always had a keen interest in sport and even played with the local team in Waterville, but now Ryan thinks it’s too fast for him so he prefers to cheer them on from the side-lines.
Ryan has always been involved with the Community and they have never left him out. Ryan started out his athletics career with Skellig Stars and without them he would have gone to the Special Olympics and he has never forgotten when he came from.
Ryan and his family are very grateful to the local community in Waterville and the surrounding area for all the support they have given them over the years and especially now with the Special Olympics coming closer.
The whole community from Waterville to Mid-Kerry got behind Ryan, raising funds to help his family go to Berlin for 2 weeks. Ryan is now an inspiration to others to overcome difficulties and “go for gold”.
Ryan was the only representative from Kerry on this years Irish Special Olympics Team and in fact one of the Youngest Athletes on Team Ireland at only 16yrs of age, which was a great honour for him.
This in itself is a great achievement but it also shows his friends at Skellig Stars, Downs Syndrome Kerry and in the wider community that dreams do come true.
It took a lot of hard work and determination on Ryan’s behalf to make these dreams come true, not least the long journey he had to make from South Kerry to Dublin once a month since last January to train for the Special Olympics. He also trained weekly with the Skellig Stars.
At the 2023 Special Olympics in Berlin Ryan took part in the 100m run and the relay but his biggest achievement was winning the Silver Medal in the mini javelin. This showed others that overcoming difficulties can be possible and you can achieve your goals with hard work and determination, which Ryan has in abundance.
Local Merit Awards
Aliza Gul, Killarney
Joey McCarthy, Killarney
John O’Connor, Killarney
Nattagun Ryan, Killarney
Samuel Behal, Killarney
St Brendan’s Choir, Killarney