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Killarney cyclists in dramatic photo finish

By Sean Moriarty
Two Killarney cyclists were involved in a dramatic photo finish at Greenmount Races on Sunday last.
The event at Limerick Racecourse was organised by Greenmount Cycling Academy and attracted some of the best Munster-based riders across all classes.
The combined adult A1, A2, A3 and Junior race resulted in a race to the finish line between Killarney Cycling Club’s Stefan Caufield-Dreier and Cork-based Killarney racer Richard Maes who rides for VeloRevolution.
Caufield-Dreier is a former Under-16 National Time Trial champion and won the last year’s Junior Munster Time Trial title.
Maes is a former National A3 Road Racing champion and has been one of the most talented race cyclists to represent Killarney at national and international level.
However, it was the younger Caufield-Dreier who got the better of the more-experienced Maes at the finish line on Sunday.
“Killarney’s dominance ensures that the post-pandemic blues are well behind us with the spread of results being achieved in almost every category,” Killarney Cycling Club’s chairman Mark Murphy said.
“In what were humid conditions, the feature event of the day was the combined Senior and Junior race with Stefan Caulfied-Dreier taking the most narrow of victories to take the line, and in a very close third again was another Killarney man Lorcan Daly. Taking into account both are junior riders it bodes well for the future of road racing at the top table.”
Overall, it was a very successful weekend for Killarney Cycling Club with members taking no fewer than seven podiums. As well as Caufield-Dreier’s win, Lorcan Daly took third in the A1, A2, A3 and Junior race. Sam Bolger took third in the A4 race while there was underage success too.
Aaron O’Connor won the Under-12 race, Donagh O’Connor came out on top in the Under-15 race and Luke Costelloe won the Under-16 boys race. Shayna Daly took first place in the Girls Under-16 race.
News
Strong connections made at tourism tradeshow
Many significant business deals were signed at this year’s Meitheal – Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry. Held in the INEC, 450 Irish businesses pitched to over 230 international […]

Many significant business deals were signed at this year’s Meitheal – Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry.
Held in the INEC, 450 Irish businesses pitched to over 230 international buyers from 17 countries at Fáilte Ireland’s flagship trade event.
Running since 1975, Meitheal is organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland to provide Irish tourism businesses with the opportunity to sell directly to top international buyers and tour operators.
The best of what is on offer across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way and Dublin, were showcased with the aim of being scheduled on the itineraries of the global tour operators.
Key themes and trends emerging this year are sustainable travel options, immersive outdoor experiences and festivals.
Speaking about the importance of developing a future pipeline of tourism business, Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said that “creating a strong pipeline of future business is key for the recovery of tourism”.
“Seeing the demand for the Irish tourism product with international buyers at Meitheal is fantastic. Each international buyer represents tens of thousands of possible visitors to Ireland, and their business will be hugely important for tourism and hospitality businesses, communities, and destination Ireland as we continue to work towards recovery,” he said.
News
Outdoor dining area officially opens in town
A new outdoor dining space at Kenmare Place was officially opened today (Wednesday). The project, which was supported with €605,000 in funding from Fáilte Ireland under the Local Authority Weatherproofing and […]

A new outdoor dining space at Kenmare Place was officially opened today (Wednesday).
The project, which was supported with €605,000 in funding from Fáilte Ireland under the Local Authority Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Infrastructure Scheme, provides an attractive outdoor dining option for locals and visitors to Killarney.
“This is a really wonderful addition to Killarney’s tourism infrastructure and will prove a great asset throughout the year and particularly during the forthcoming tourist season,” said Cllr Kelleher, Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District, who did the honours.
“One of the effects of the recent pandemic was the need to utilise and maximise outdoor dining options and this infrastructure shows what can be achieved in an imaginative way. It will greatly enhance Killarney’s reputation as a destination for top quality tourism experiences.”
The project has been operational since last October but the official opening was timed to coincide with the Meitheal 2023 tourism industry showcase that was organised by Fáilte Ireland at the INEC this week.
“It is fantastic to see Killarney’s outdoor dining infrastructure being so well received by trade and visitors alike,” Miriam Kennedy, Head of Wild Atlantic Way at Fáilte Ireland, said.
Councillors in the Killarney Municipal District approved planning permission for the infrastructure which was completed by Daniel Canty Construction.