Connect with us

News

Key speakers lined up for tourism conference

Published

on

IT IS GOOD TO TALK: Pictured at the launch of the 'Let's Talk Tourism' conference, which is taking place next Friday (November 8) in The Great Southern Killarney are: Mags O'Connor (AIB, sponsor), Moira Murrell (Kerry County Manager), Paul Kelly (Chief Executive Fáilte Ireland), Niamh O'Shea (IHF Kerry), Paul Sherry (President Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce). Photo: Don MacMonagle

 

A young, third generation Killarney hotelier will share the stage with a renowned climate change specialist, civic leaders and tourism industry heads at a high-profile conference in Killarney next Friday.

Marcus Treacy, who is Operations Director in the Killarney Park and Ross Hotels, will speak on the sustainable agenda at the annual ‘Let’s Talk Tourism: The National Tourism Forum’ in the Great Southern Killarney.

Moderator for the day-long event which is themed ‘Sustainability: The foundation for our future’ will be broadcaster Olivia O’Leary, with the opening address by Minister of State for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin.

 

Kerry County Council Chief Executive, Moira Murrell, will participate in a panel discussion along with John McGrillen, Tourism Northern Ireland; Jenny De Saulles, Fáilte Ireland; Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland and travel industry commentator Eoghan Corry.

Climate scientist, Prof John Sweeney, who is Emeritus Professor in Maynooth University and has worked on climate change issues for almost 40 years, will deliver one of the keynote addresses.

He will give his views on the impact of teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg, Extinction Rebellion campaigners and whether there is any evidence of success from protests favoured by green campaigners.

 

Panel discussions will focus on the sustainable agenda and experts will offer practical, real-life examples of sustainable practices and their ensuing impact.

 

Advertisement

News

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Published

on

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.

Attachments

Continue Reading

News

Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

Published

on

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.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport