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Killarney pharmacy inundated with Operation Transformation test requests

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By Michelle Crean

Up to 500 Killarney locals flocked to one pharmacy this week to find out their body’s true age – following last week’s Operation Transformation programme.
Kennelly’s Haven Pharmacy at The Reeks was the only store in Killarney town, offering the free metabolic test on Thursday, in conjunction with the popular RTE programme.
What was supposed to be a one day event nationally – proved so popular in Killarney that the pharmacy has decided to run it indefinitely as there was such an interest.
According to Emma O’Connor, staff at the pharmacy were inundated with requests since they opened their doors on Thursday morning.
“We’ve had over 500 people through the doors,” she told the Killarney Advertiser this week.
“The queues were out the door. So we’re going to keep running it indefinitely.”
The metabolic test is being done this year by Operation Transformation as a way of focusing on fitness rather than weight.
On last week’s show Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (40) learned that his body’s ‘true age' is in fact 53.
And although he is renowned for his fondness for triathlons, the former Minister for Health, was left shocked and dumbfounded to find he had in fact a metabolic age of a 53 year-old.
However, it was a completely different story for RTE broadcaster Claire Byrne who took the same fitness test as the Taoiseach - as the 43 year-old’s true metabolic age was revealed as 28 - live on her programme on Tuesday night, when tested by Professor Niall Moyna from the DCU School of Health and Human Performance.
Emma said that the test is suitable for those over the age of 18 and that their oldest customer was aged 87.
“We are using the Tanita machine – it’s the scales they use on the Operation Transformation show, and it’s free. We’re giving people their results and because we’re running it indefinitely they can try to bring it down and come back in two to three months to be retested.”

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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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