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Kilcummin road repairs finally get the go-ahead

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By Sean Moriarty

Over half a million Euro has been allocated to road improvement and associated works in the Kilcummin area as part of the county’s Road Works Programme for 2020.

The funding was confirmed at a special meeting of Killarney Municipal District elected councillors and officials last Friday.
It is a victory of sorts for the residents of the area who have been campaigning for years to have road improvements done in their area.

Until March this year the County Council was holding off on carrying out road works in the area as it was waiting on Irish Water (IW) to compete a much-awaited sewage scheme in the area and officials were concerned that any new resurfacing works would be damaged during the pipe laying works.

The issue divided opinions in the Council chamber, some councillors were calling on the road works to be carried out for safety reasons but others wanted to hold off and wait until the sewage scheme was completed to avoid any unnecessary damage and subsequent repair bill to new road surfaces as “doing a road to dig it up again is not the way to do business”.

In March this year, Irish Water dropped a bombshell and announced it had decided to delay plans for the €2.3m sewerage scheme until 2022.

IW’s announcement sparked outrage at the March Council meeting and at the time the Chamber was unanimous in its decision to now press on with the works and counter-charge the water agency for any damage it will cause to the new road network.

On Friday, that threat took a step closer to reality after the Council approved large-scale spending in the area.
Local councillor Marie Moloney was one of those who wanted to hold off on repairing the roads until the sewage scheme was completed.

“We are adamant that Irish Water will have to reinstate the roads to the standard they got them in and Kerry County Council have said they will put that stipulation in any contract,” she told the Killarney Advertiser. “The funding is welcomed. The roads are in a dangerous condition and it is not safe for walkers and people are complaining about damage to cars.”

The Coolcorcoran road will get €210,000 while Kilcummin village itself has been allocated €189,726 including €80,000 for footpaths and a pedestrian crossing in the village.

Additionally, the Lawlor’s Cross to Finnegan’s Cross stretch has been allocated €171,500 for repairs and upgrades.

This allocation of funding does not include works at Finnegan’s Cross, the scene of a number of fatal accidents including an elderly husband and wife in January this year. Funding for this junction has been applied under a separate application, however damaged fencing at this location will be repaired in the current funding.

Money has also been released for the road from Coolick to Rossanean and €3,800 for drainage works at Knockinane East.

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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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