News
Kerry Ambassadors, diaspora and industry guests attend Homecoming Festival
This week, the Kerry Ambassador Programme brought together its founding ambassadors, members of the Kerry diaspora, industry leaders and county representatives for a day of networking and engagement, celebrating both the successes of the programme to date and Kerry’s new unified place brand: Visit, Work, Live.
Held as a key event within the Kerry County Council’s Kerry Homecoming Festival programme, part of the Global Irish Festival Series; a joint initiative of Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs, the event commenced with a networking lunch at Lakeview House and Estate, the ancestral home of Sir Maurice O'Connell.
The O'Connell family opened the doors to their beautiful home, welcoming the group and sharing the history of the house, estate, and family. The group then toured the onsite whiskey business, makers of the award-winning Liberator & Lakeview Single Estate Whiskeys.
The afternoon business session, held at the RDI Hub, featured an update on the Kerry Ambassador Programme, engaging panel discussions and a keynote speech by world record-breaking Irish Open Water Swimmer, Nuala Moore.
Moore, a Dingle native, shared her experiences as an adventurer and author.
With its theme ‘Shaped by the landscape; Exploring The Impact Of The Kerry Character in Business from the Local to the Global’, the day celebrated the significance of place and character running through Kerry’s success stories and the innovative people who continue to drive progress, legacy and impact on a local and global stage.
“The event showcased to our Ambassadors the depth of the collaboration that exists in Kerry across all industry sectors as well as the cooperation between the public and private sectors. It highlighted the depth of innovative talent and entrepreneurship that abounds while recognising our obligation to protect our landscape and natural heritage all under the unified “Kerry Brand”, said Pat O’Leary Chair of the Kerry Tourism Industry Federation.
The Kerry Ambassador Programme, launched in October 2022, aims to drive economic growth through business events and raise Kerry's profile as a premier business hub. The programme is led by Kerry Convention Bureau, in partnership with Kerry County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, Tech Industry Alliance, and Prosper Kerry.
Gneeveguilla apprentice wins national stonemasonry title
Darragh O’Sullivan from Gneeveguilla won the overall prize in the Architectural Stonemasonry category at the WorldSkills Ireland competition held recently at the RDS in Dublin.
An apprentice stonecutter and stonemason with the Office of Public Works (OPW) based in Mallow, O’Sullivan secured gold for his technical accuracy and craftsmanship during the three-day event.
The state agency relies on traditional trade skills to manage, conserve, and restore national monuments, public buildings, and heritage sites across the country.
O’Sullivan’s success reflects the training provided by his OPW mentors and team, highlighting the importance of apprentice development in preserving traditional heritage crafts for future generations.
Picture Caption: CRAFT CHAMPION: Tom Little (Kerry ETB), Terri Sweeney Meade (OPW), category winner Darragh O’Sullivan (OPW), and Donal Keys (WorldSkills Ireland) at the RDS in Dublin.
Jessica Cronin donates hair for children’s charity
Ten-year-old Killarney resident Jessica Cronin is set to cut and donate 12 inches of her hair to support young cancer patients, alongside a fundraising campaign for LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.
The hair donation will go directly to the Little Princess Trust, a charity providing real hair wigs free of charge to children and young people who have lost their own hair through medical treatment.
Alongside her hair donation, Jessica is collecting financial contributions for LauraLynn through the Locks of Love campaign.
“I want to help somebody that doesn’t have something that I have, hair,” Jessica said.
Her family expressed their pride in her decision to support both organisations.
“We are all so proud of her,” her mother, Grace O’Shea-Cronin, said. “Any donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.”
Donations to support Jessica’s fundraiser can be made online at
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