News
Killarney pitches its efforts into Rugby World Cup challenge
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A PACKED attendance gathered to hear IRFU official Olly Hodges outline Ireland’s bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup at a briefing in Killarney last Tuesday evening.
And Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium is among Ireland’s top contenders, or would rank at present at around number seven of the twelve venues shortlisted to host matches if Ireland was selected to host the event.
The open business meeting, organised by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, saw Mr Hodges, who is the bid manager for the Rugby World Cup in 2023, detail the current status of the bid and what inclusion as a venue could mean for Killarney, including the enormous publicity and marketing opportunities it would guarantee.
Mr Hodges has been working closely on the project with the Chamber as well as Kerry County Council, the Kerry County Board and the Fitzgerald Stadium Committee.
There is no room for complacency, the gathering heard, with Ireland facing stiff competition from the other contenders, South Africa and France – both of which have previously held Rugby World Cup and other global sporting events.
There are currently 12 potential Irish venues, and if Ireland is successful, then the number of towns may be reduced to between 8 and 10, according to Mr Hodges.
Mr Hodges added that Fitzgerald Stadium would potentially rank among the top nine Irish venues which would mean up to five matches being played in Fitzgerald Stadium with a capacity crowd of 35,000 fans at each game. “The challenge for Killarney is to dispel the perception that it is too small, that a town of just 14,000 people can’t host four matches at 35,000 capacity,” he said.
Above: Tom O'Leary, Kerry GAA, Conor Hennigan, Project Co-Ordinator, Paul O'Neill, President, Killarey Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, Olly Hodges, IRFU, bid manager, and Charlie O'Sullivan, Kerry County Council. PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE
Kilcummin Parish to celebrate golden jubilee of local church
Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kilcummin will celebrate its 50th anniversary on June 20.
Parishioners and members of the wider community are invited to attend a special anniversary Mass to mark the local milestone. The parish will welcome Bishop Ray Browne to lead the golden jubilee celebrations.
The anniversary Mass is scheduled for 7.30pm, and refreshments will be served for all attendees immediately afterward.
Picture Caption: Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kilcummin, which celebrates its 50th anniversary on Saturday 20th June. Photo: Sean Kelly
Donal Cremin retires from Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra
Staff at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra in Rathmore gathered in late May to mark the retirement of long-serving teacher and former ASTI President Donal Cremin at a function held in the Brehon Hotel.
Donal had been a member of the teaching staff since the school opened in 1998, working initially as a metalwork and technical graphics teacher before transitioning into his role as a school guidance counsellor. His career in education spans several decades, including 15 years at Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Blarney. Prior to entering teaching, he worked as a senior craftsman at the Sugar Factory in Mallow.
Throughout his career, Donal was a prominent advocate for workers’ rights within the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI). He held multiple positions within the union, including school steward, Board of Management representative, and regional representative. In 2023, he became the first Kerry person to be elected as President of the ASTI.
Outside of his professional life, Donal has been a long-standing volunteer within the credit union movement, serving in various local and national capacities over several decades.
The retirement event was widely attended by past and present colleagues. Donal was joined at the celebration by his wife Maureen and their children, Aidan, Maria, and
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