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Killarney conference to turn spotlight on Brexit

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PLANS for a major new conference focusing on the prevailing political and economic issues and their impact on Ireland, the UK and the European Union have been revealed.

The Killarney Economic Conference will take place on January 12 and 13 next and, in its inaugural year, it will focus on Brexit, the challenges it poses for business, the legal issues that will arise, how it will shape future politics and the impact it will have on daily life.

The conference is poised to become an important annual dialogue involving economic, civic and political leaders from Britain and Ireland.

The line-up of speakers in the inaugural year includes Prof Ursula Kilkelly, Dean of Law at UCC and Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin, TD, who today launched the event along with one of the conference organisers, Dr William Sheehan.

Dr Sheehan, a military historian, author and lecturer and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Higher Education Academy, said the idea of the conference is to establish an annual forum at which senior management of civic and business organisations can meet, network and share and debate ideas and best practice. In addition, they will have the opportunity to listen to and question some of the leading political, academic and business leaders in Britain and Ireland.

“The conference is aimed at helping company directors and senior management understand how Britain and Ireland are evolving socially and economically and how to tailor the strategy of their organisations accordingly,” Dr Sheehan said.

“While our first conference is focused on Brexit, our goal is to develop an annual event that will continue to connect political, civic and business interests across Britain and Ireland in the years to come.”

The conference will open with a discussion on the legal implications of Brexit led by Dr Georges Baur, the Assistant Secretary General of the European Free Trade Association, Prof Gavin Barrett, Professor for European Constitutional and Economic Law at UCD and Prof Catherine Barnard, Professor in European Union Law and Employment Law at the University of Cambridge.

A discussion on how Brexit will shape future politics will be led by Deputy Micheál Martin, TD, and Simon Kingston, conference organiser and a member of the executive committee of the British-Irish Association.

The impact on business will be discussed by Mr Mark Kennedy, Managing Partner of Mazars Ireland, Prof Philip O’Regan, Dean of the Kemmy Business School at UL and independent financial analyst David Clarke.
Other key discussions will include the social and personal impacts of Brexit will be addressed by Prof Ursula Kilkelly, Dean of Law at UCC, Matthew O’Toole, the former Chief Press Officer at Number 10 Downing Street and Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane.

There will be a gala dinner at The Brehon on Friday, January 12, and the conference takes place on Saturday, January 13. For more information visit www.killarneyeconomicconference.com
 


 
Above: Dr William Sheehan, conference organiser; Prof Ursula Kilkelly, Dean of Law at UCC, and Micheál Martin TD, Fianna Fáil leader, at the launch of the inaugural Killarney Economic Conference. Pic: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

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Book of Condolences for Pope Francis at Cathedral

  A Book of Condolences has been opened at St Mary’s Cathedral for those wishing to pay their respects following the death of Pope Francis. The Pope, who led the […]

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A Book of Condolences has been opened at St Mary’s Cathedral for those wishing to pay their respects following the death of Pope Francis.

The Pope, who led the Catholic Church for twelve years, died on Monday at the age of 88.

He had been suffering from double pneumonia in recent weeks, but his death still came as a shock to many. Just hours before his passing, he had been seen greeting crowds in St Peter’s Square during Easter Sunday celebrations.

Locally, Bishop Ray Browne has led the tributes. He described Pope Francis as “a gentle shepherd” who brought humility and compassion to his role.

“It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of our Holy Father Pope Francis,” Bishop Browne said. “From the moment he chose the name Francis, rooted in humility, he signalled a papacy of building peace, care for the poor, and love for all of God’s creation.”

The bishop also highlighted the Pope’s focus on protecting the planet and caring for the marginalised, calling him “a voice for the voiceless” and “a witness to the Gospel in word and deed.”

A special Mass in memory of Pope Francis was held at St Mary’s Cathedral on Wednesday.

The Pope’s funeral Mass will take place on Saturday at 10.00am in St Peter’s Square. It will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and concelebrated by church leaders from around the world.

Due to the Pope’s passing, the special Mass for the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, which was due to take place this Sunday has been cancelled.

Mass will still take place at the usual time of 11.30am. A new date for the celebration will be announced in due course.

Blessed Carlo Acutis was due to be officially declared a saint in Rome on Sunda but that has been postponed.

Carlo Acutis had a deep devotion to St Francis of Assisi, and his final resting place is in Assisi, near the tombs of St Francis and St Clare.

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Con O’Leary: Killarney loses a vibrant and popular personality

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has led the tributes to the late Con O’Leary, an extremely popular and very successful businessman in the town, who passed away in the […]

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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has led the tributes to the late Con O’Leary, an extremely popular and very successful businessman in the town, who passed away in the early hours of Sunday.

Con was a vibrant and popular personality in Killarney where he operated The Laurels on Main Street, a thriving bar and restaurant, which he inherited following the passing of his father, Thado.
The business organisation said from a social perspective, The Laurels became the beating heart of the town and it was a landmark at the Market Cross in the same way as Clery’s clock was in the capital city.
Chamber said Con’s passing really marks the end of an era as he was one of a golden age of inspirational local business people who developed and built Killarney, through hard work, bravery and great commercial flair, and helped create the wonderful tourist attraction and holiday destination it is today.
“Con was very proud of Killarney and he played a very active part in progressing the town at many levels.
“He was a man that was never short of great ideas and his contribution to the business life of the town and as a director of Killarney Race Company was immense,” Chamber said.
“He was ahead of his time in many respects with the introduction by what became known as “the singing lounge” many years ago and The Laurels always led by example through its successes in the annual Killarney Looking Good competition”.
The business representative organisation noted that the O’Leary family has always been very supporting of the town and Con’s daughter, Kate, was a very dynamic Chamber President and is still a very valued member of the executive.
Chamber expressed deep sympathy to Con’s wife, Anne, children Kate, Niall, Tara and Lorna, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sisters, relatives and friends as well as the dedicated staff in The Laurels, past and present, who Con always had great time for and a great rapport with.

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