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Killarney priest pens book on handballing legend

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By Con Dennehy

One of Kerry’s best-known priests, Canon Tom Looney, will launch his new book Unbeatable this Sunday at 6pm in the Glenbeigh Handball Complex.

The book tells the remarkable story of Fr Tom Jones, a Tralee-born priest who was also one of Ireland’s greatest early handball players. Born in 1868 on Rock Street, Jones was crowned All-Ireland Handball Champion in 1888 after defeating John Delaney of Athy — a title he retained the following year. Alongside fellow Tralee player James Fitzgerald, Jones also claimed the Munster double-handed championship in 1889. The pair’s legacy was later honoured when a handball alley in Tralee was named after them in 1949.
After a short but glittering sporting career, Fr Jones entered St Brendan’s College, Killarney, in 1889 to study for the priesthood, later attending Maynooth College, where a court named Jones Alley still stands in his memory. He served in several Kerry parishes, including Glenbeigh, Ballyferriter, Killorglin, Dingle and Caherciveen, and founded the Glenbeigh Handball Club in 1946.
Canon Looney, a native of Killarney, has served more than 50 years in the priesthood and is a respected historian and author. His previous works include a biography of Dick Fitzgerald, King in a Kingdom of Kings.

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€1m EuroMillions win still unclaimed at Centra The Reeks

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€1m EuroMillions win at Centra The Reeks

Anthony O’Connor, Ciaran Culloty, Conor Healy, Elizabeth Nagle, and representatives from the National Lottery


Celebrations are underway in Killarney after Centra at The Reeks Gateway on Tralee Road sold a EuroMillions ticket worth €1,005,000 in the Friday, August 21 draw.


The lucky winner secured the life-changing sum through the special Ireland Only Raffle event after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw.
Store owner John Bowler, who has operated the shop for over 20 years, expressed his delight after receiving the news from the National Lottery.
“There’s a great buzz around the store and we’re absolutely delighted,” Bowler said. “We have a mix of local customers and visitors coming through our doors every day, so the winner could be anyone. While we’ve sold fantastic prizes over the years, this is by far the biggest. It’s wonderful news for Killarney.”
National Lottery spokesperson Emma Monaghan urged anyone who bought a ticket at the store on Friday to check their numbers carefully. The ticket holder is advised to sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe, and contact the National Lottery prize claims team to arrange collection.
All photos: Eamonn Keogh

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Pig’s Lane crowned Bar of the Year

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Pig’s Lane crowned Bar of the Year


Killarney’s subterranean venue Pig’s Lane emerged as a triple winner at the Bar of the Year 2026 Awards in Dublin on Monday night.


The College Street venue was named overall Bar of the Year, alongside taking Gold for both Cocktail Bar of the Year and Best Designed Bar / Inside Space. The announcements were made at a gala ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road.
Operating under the family-run O’Donoghue Ring Collection, the underground cocktail bar and whiskey parlour opened in 2023. The venue previously secured Innovative Bar of the Year in 2024 and Best Designed Bar in 2025 before taking the top national prize this year.
Judges praised the venue for its “unmatched excellence across the board”. The broader O’Donoghue Ring Collection earned eight finalist nominations across three properties, including Café du Parc and The Kenmare Rooms.
“We are so proud to be crowned Ireland’s Bar of the Year 2026,” said founder Gemma Ring. “A huge amount of work, creativity, and passion goes into everything we do”.
Pig’s Lane derives its name from the historic 1800s designation for the thoroughfare connecting College Street to Railway Road. On September 11, the bar will host a collaborative evening featuring Michelin Bib Gourmand tapas from Dingle’s Solas paired with bespoke cocktails.

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