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Join the Killarney sanctuary runners for Cork City marathon
RUN: Killarney Sanctuary Runners are looking for participants this June. Members from l-r are: Mike Riordan, Martin Mukendi Fwaba, Molly Molefe, Frances Rowland and Fistou Kinzila.
By Michelle Crean
A local running group hopes to be part of the most culturally diverse running team to ever have entered a marathon anywhere in the world - and they're looking for your help.
Killarney Sanctuary Runners are currently preparing for the upcoming Cork City Marathon and they are keen to get as many Killarney people involved as possible.
The group is one of three in Kerry, including Tralee and Kenmare, which is gearing up for the challenge.
The Sanctuary Runners, which is a non-political group, was established in Cork in February 2018 by Glenbeigh-native Graham Clifford. The aim of this nationwide group is to bring together Irish residents, refugees and asylum seekers to run, jog or walk together. They encourage people to run alongside, and in solidarity with, asylum seekers and refugees in Direct Provision thereby fostering friendship, positivity and respect while bringing greater awareness to the migration system.
This solidarity-through-sport movement has won several national and international awards for their work in building communities focused on equality.
RESTARTING
The Killarney Sanctuary Runners have been going for a number of years too but, like so many activities, were put on hold during the pandemic. With the easing of restrictions the group will be working towards restarting the Saturday morning Killarney House meeting of the group.
In the meantime the Sanctuary Runners are hoping to have 1,500 runners partake in this year’s Cork City Marathon virtually on June 6, wherever they may be – 'Apart but As One'.
Killarney Sanctuary Runners member Mike Riordan is encouraging as many people as possible to get involved.
“Killarney is such a multi-cultural, welcoming town, it’s the perfect place to build a great Sanctuary Runners group," he said. "We want as many people as possible to come out and walk, jog or run with us when we’re back this summer. Just now we’re asking people to sign up for the Cork City Marathon as a Sanctuary Runner, covering a leg of relay (8.5km) or more if they like. It will show we have great local support for what we’re doing."
To find out more about being part of the Sanctuary Runners group for Cork City Marathon you can visit www.sanctuaryrunners.ie. Registration closes on May 27. You can also follow Kerry Sanctuary runners on Facebook and Twitter.
They do not aim to be the fastest running team in the world……but definitely the friendliest!
New Dutch flights to connect Groningen and Kerry Airport
Tourism across Kerry is set for a boost following the announcement of direct charter flights from the Netherlands to Kerry Airport for the 2027 summer season.
Dutch tour operator BBI Travel will introduce weekly flights from Groningen Airport Eelde to Farranfore every Thursday from April 29 to September 6, 2027. The service will be operated by regional carrier Sky Alps using its fleet of aircraft.
The announcement comes following strong passenger growth at Kerry Airport, which handled 440,367 passengers in 2025 before recording a further 12 per cent increase during the first six months of 2026. The new European link will provide direct access for Dutch tourists visiting Killarney National Park, Muckross House, and the wider Wild Atlantic Way route.
BBI Travel, which has specialised in Irish travel packages since 1963, will offer combined flight, accommodation, and car hire packages. The service will run alongside the operator’s existing Monday flights to Ireland West Airport Knock, allowing open-jaw itineraries across the west coast.
Welcoming the new route, Kerry Airport Customer Service Manager Evelyn Crowley said:
“We are delighted that BBI Travel has chosen Kerry Airport as its new destination for 2027. BBI Travel has an excellent track record and more than 60 years’ experience in bringing visitors to Ireland, so this new partnership is a significant vote of confidence in Kerry and the wider south-west as a destination for Dutch holidaymakers.
“The great advantage for passengers is that they arrive right in the heart of Ireland’s tourism capital. Kerry Airport is just 15 minutes from Killarney and Tralee, on the doorstep of the spectacular Ring of Kerry and within 50 minutes of Dingle and the Wild Atlantic Way.
“Our new state-of-the-art Arrivals Hall, with modern baggage handling and passport control facilities and our staff will provide a warm and efficient welcome from the moment passengers land in Kerry.
“That convenience continues on the journey home, with a short and efficient trip through security into our spacious and comfortable Departures Lounge. Passengers can enjoy a local tipple in Peig Sayers Bar or a snack in the Sky Bar before boarding their direct flight back to Groningen.
“We look forward to working with BBI Travel and welcoming their passengers to Kerry in 2027.”
Packages and flights for the 2027 summer schedule are expected to go on sale through BBI Travel in the coming months.
Eoin Cashman named Kerry’s sole Naughton Scholar
Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luacha student Eoin Cashman has been honoured as County Kerry’s sole recipient of the prestigious Naughton Scholarship for 2026.
Eoin received the award at an official ceremony held at Trinity College Business School on Saturday, October 17.
The Naughton Scholarships recognise outstanding students entering third-level education in STEM subjects, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Eoin was accompanied at the Dublin presentation by his parents, Marian and Pat Cashman, alongside SPSL Principal Mairéad Lucey.
The scholarship follows an exceptional Leaving Certificate performance where Eoin achieved seven H1 grades. His passion for STEM extended well beyond the classroom, having reached the SciFest 2025 National Final as overall runner-up and winning the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Award to represent Ireland in Phoenix, Arizona.
The funding will support Eoin in his current studies at University College Cork, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astrophysics.
As part of the award, Eoin will travel to Kylemore Abbey in March 2027 for a special gathering bringing together past and present Naughton Scholars from across Ireland.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD congratulated the scholars, encouraging them to maintain critical thinking and independent thought throughout their third-level journeys. Mrs Carmel Naughton also addressed the gathering, expressing immense pride in the class of 2026.
SPSL Principal Mairéad Lucey commended the Rathmore student on his achievement:
“Eoin’s academic achievements are a source of immense pride for the entire SPSL school community. His Naughton Scholarship follows an exceptional Leaving Certificate performance in 2026, when he achieved seven H1 grades as well as his strong commitment to STEM beyond the classroom, reaching the SciFest 2025 National Final and being awarded Overall Runner-Up and also winning the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Award, earning them the right to represent Ireland at the Regeneron ISEF world finals in Phoenix, Arizona.”
The school management and wider Rathmore community extended their congratulations to Eoin and his parents, Marian and Pat, as he continues his academic career in UCC.
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