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 Killarney pub celebrates 100 years in heart of community!

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First opened in 1923 by Matthew Cahill, four generations of his family have not only run the bar, but have been reared from birth on the top floor, sharing their home with the countless faces that have passed through the doors.

Celebrating 100 years of pulling pints on High Street, and serving tipples, toasties and toddies, the pub is now run by fourth generation  Cara O'Connor and her 'great staff', as she refers to them, continuing to cement the O'Connor legacy to their locals and tourists alike.

Passed on by her father, Tadhg O'Connor, who sees the customers as "more than just punters, they are the friends and family who have seen my siblings and I grow from children here on High Street, passing on the pub trade from generation to generation for over ten decades now. As my mother used said 'its only bricks and morter' but it's also a great honour to bestow to the next generation," Tadhg explained.

O'Connor's is seeped in history Cara. You can see that from the moment you walk through the door.

"My great grandfather was Matthew Cahill from Gortbee, Beaufort, who stopped off in Scotland picking potatoes on his way to Boston where he ran the Speakeasy Bar before returning some years later, setting up his hackney business with a brand new Buick imported from America.

"He married my great grandmother Molly O'Sullivan, who was a cook in Victoria House. They had one daughter, my grand mother, Kitty Cahill, who worked the hackney business for her father at 16 years, before marrying my grandfather Teddy O'Connor, Ardmoneill, Killorglin, in 1950, taking over the bar together when my Dad Tadhg was born in 1958" Cara explained.

O'Connor's is over the door, so why do locals refer to the pub more so as Teddy's?

"Oh he was a real personality was my father Teddy" Tadhg explained. "He was a prominent Kerry footballer in his day, having won an All-Ireland medal in 1946 against Roscommon and played in the Polo Grounds in New York the following year. It was here that Teddy met his sister Molly, for the first time, as she had emigrated before he was born.

"As luck would have it, Molly’s son, named Kerry, was mascot on that day in New York too.

My father soon changed the name of the pub to Teddy's and when my wife Mary and I took over the pub in 1990, it was an easy decision to make in changing the name of the pub to O'Connor's as Mary's maiden name is also O'Connor. To this day, locals will always refer to O'Connor's as Teddy's which I love".

What do you think has made O'Connor's such a successful pub for the past 100 years?

"We have a strong affiliation with the GAA with Teddy playing for Kerry and my Dad Tadhg, who played with the Kerry Minors in 1976 and captained the team in 1977 and today we have music in the bar 7 nights a week and I have also noticed many talented visitors throw their hand to the piano upstairs which is always a treat. As a family, I'm not sure if we might have succeeded without the help of cousin Tess, the glue who held the generations together for the bones of 40 years, running the pub, minding children, which included my sister Lisa and I too.

"She was well known for her work in the fish shop which Teddy ran on the premises, providing an array of fish direct from the fishmongers to many hotels in Killarney. Tess handled all the deliveries in a van she christened 'the yellow submarine'. As a publican, come fishmonger, come Nanny, she never touched a drop and she never married. Where would she find the time?" Cara laughed.

So you're fourth generation Cara. Do you carry the same traits?

"The apple didn't fall far from the tree with my Dad and Grandfather" Cara explained. Both adored the outdoors and sports, all the while running a pub. Their love for football and the lakes saw a variety of punters pass through the doors at O'Connor’s. Teddy used to run the larger boat at Ross Castle, The Pride of the Lakes and my father is first in the door here at 8:30am each morning to meet tourists and take them on the Gap Trip which he operates out of gapofdunloetours.com and visitinnisfallen.com. I usually arrive at 12 noon to open the pub daily".

"My partner Marcel and I, revamped and reopened O'Connor's on the first week of March 2020 and due to Covid we closed it on St Patrick's Day, just two weeks later. Studying retail design in Dublin, I spent many summers travelling around the U.S and New Zealand working in bars.

"Needless to say we were disappointed after all of our efforts to reopen O'Connor's as a brand new team but we adapted with the restrictions creating an outdoor atmosphere with awnings and heaters, even creating 'Teddy's Toasties' (which are still on the menu) to accommodate the governments €9 food rule at the time. It was ironic how the pandemic enhanced O'Connor’s and we built on that as restrictions eased to indoors.

"Whilst remaining traditional, we are cosmopolitan here on New Market Lane, and enjoy a great relationship with our Mexican, Italian, and Indian neighbours, together with the very popular Good Boy Coffee and Curious Cat Cafe. Dad can still be seen on busy nights as traffic warden on Old Market Lane.

"We work well as a team and we are always learning. I think it's important to adapt offering cocktails etc whilst maintaining the tradition that is O'Connor's Bar, High Street, Killarney. Marcel & I are looking forward to welcoming our customers in celebrating our 100th year in business in the coming weeks".

Before I left the premises, I heard a call "Miss, I'm looking for a blonde in a black dress", the familiar voice of Tim The Butcher, a regular for over 50 years, who is welcomed daily by the staff at O'Connors. The same welcome received by previous regulars John B Keane, Ted Jones, The Dubliners, Brendan O'Brien, the Dixies.

Tim was in safe hands and soon accompanied by his blonde wearing a curvaceous black dress, lovingly handed to him in the form of a creamy pint of Guinness from the barman.

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Kerry coaches firm honoured with All-Ireland title

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Kerry Coaches named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025

Killarney-based Kerry Coaches has been named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition also marks Kerry Coaches’ second Business All-Star Accreditation, having received its first accolade in 2024.

Founded in 1957, Kerry Coaches has established itself as a leader in the Irish transport industry, known for its exceptional service and commitment to quality.  With a fleet of over 100 modern chauffeur vehicles, mini-buses and coaches the company provides a wide range of transport services, including corporate travel, executive golf transportation and bespoke tours throughout Ireland and Scotland.

 Speaking on the achievement, Mike Buckley, Director of Kerry Coaches, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. It’s a true reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every member of our team. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional travel experiences, and this award reaffirms our position as a leader in the industry.”

Announcing the news of Kerry Coaches’ achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: “It is my pleasure to commend Kerry Coaches for its outstanding performance in achieving the Business All-Star accreditation. After a thorough review, the firm has been honoured with All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company Of The Year 2025. Kerry Coaches is distinguished not only for its superior fleet but also for its exceptional team, some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. This seasoned team brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every client experience is exceptional.”         

Managing   Director   of   the   All-Ireland   Business   Foundation, Kapil   Khanna, said:  “The accreditation, which is now held by over 700 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.”

He   added: “We   evaluate   a   company’s   background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

About The All-Ireland Business Foundation

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class Irish businesses.

As the accreditation body for the Business All-Star mark, the AIBF recognises Best-In-Class Irish 

businesses.   Companies   that   merit   recognition   based   on   an   independent   audit   of   their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

Business All-Star Accreditation Is The Nation’s Symbol Of Trust. Currently, there are over 700 

companies that are accredited by AIBF. Since 2014, over 5000 companies have participated in their programmes.

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Trainee Blacksmith forging a career at Muckross Traditional Farms

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Phillip Pestor-Young, a trainee blacksmith from County Kildare, is currently gaining experience under Master Blacksmith Tom Allison at Muckross Traditional Farms.

Pestor-Young is enrolled in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. This programme is a cross-border educational initiative by the King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, and the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland. 

Prior to moving to Ireland in 2019, Phillip trained as an engineer and fabricator in the UK. He is now developing his blacksmithing skills in Kerry.

For more information on the program, visit https://kings-foundation.org/study/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme/.

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