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Kerry Airport to celebrate 50th anniversary

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Confirmation of seven routes for 2020, a new-look website and a charity partner to underline plans to reach out to communities more throughout the Kingdom are among Kerry Airport’s key plans as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Kerry Airport, which contributes approximately €9.5 million to the local economy each year, was officially opened on Saturday, August 30, 1969 by the then Minister for Transport and Power, Brian Lenihan TD - and 50 years on the vision of its founding fathers has been realised in the shape of a successful and respected international airport.

Half a century on from that historic occasion, modern passengers will be delighted to learn that Ryanair will continue to serve Kerry with flights to Berlin and Frankfurt Hahn in Germany, London Luton and Stansted in the UK and, to the delight of sun-seekers, Alicante and Faro in 2020.

“Over the next 12 months, as Kerry Airport celebrates its 50th anniversary, we will honour past accomplishments and ensure the airport’s continued success and contribution to the community of Kerry and the wider region,” CEO of Kerry Airport, John Mulhern, said.

Another key development moving forward, to the benefit of passengers travelling in and out of Kerry and the hospitality sector in the county, is the development of the new-look and easy to navigate airport website - www.kerryairport.ie.

Kerry Airport and Pieta House will team-up in the coming months to launch the 2020 Darkness Into Light Walks in Kerry as well as other events that will raise funds for and awareness of the great work being done by the volunteers and friends of Pieta.

Commenting on the partnership, Elaine Austin, CEO of Pieta House, said that they are very privileged to be part of Kerry Airport’s vision and next phase of growth to support people and communities in crisis – those at risk of suicide, engaging in self harm, or those bereaved by suicide to replace this with hope, self-care and acceptance.

"One in seven adults have experienced mental health issues in the last 12 months and it costs approximately €1,000 to bring one person through our services each year so community fundraising is vital to sustain the level of care needed," she said.

"Our annual ‘Darkness into Light’ events and current ‘FeelGood with Pieta’ campaign aims to raise vital funds for these services to make it easy for people to ask for and to get the help they need, to make a difference in their lives, to feel better. At its heart, Pieta is about working with people to lift levels of suicidal ideation, to help them bring hope back into their lives and to improve their levels of self-care, and support people and families that have been impacted by the loss of a loved one by suicide.”

 

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Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

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O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.

O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June


A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.


Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.

Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”



The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.

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