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Killarney to pull out all the stops for tourism forum this weekend
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BROADCASTER Miriam O’Callaghan will be in town this weekend to chair a major tourism forum on November 25 and 26. The Let’s Talk Tourism event will be sponsored by AIB, Kerry County Council and Fáilte Ireland, and will take place in association with Skål Republic of Ireland, the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation and Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce.
The forum, which will unfold in the Muckross Park Hotel, will explore and examine topics such as Brexit and its effect on tourism, the future of tourism in Ireland and is it just about quantity or quality, international tourism trends, tourism policy in Ireland and what is needed to grow tourism and jobs further, as well as rural tourism and how to spread the tourism wealth around the country.
AIB confirmed today it has approved over €300 million in loans to the hotel sector this year.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s National Tourism Forum, Owen Travers, AIB's Head of Hospitality, said: “AIB has a long history of supporting the Irish hospitality industry which is a vital sector for the Irish economy. Our customers' hard work has been one of the key driving forces behind employment growth and the Irish economic recovery. AIB continues to back all aspects of our customers' businesses from acquisition and business expansion to capital reinvestment and select new hotel development. We have been in a position to support successive generations of Irish hoteliers across the country to realise their ambitions."
The MHL Hotel Collection is among the 30 hotels backed by AIB this year. Paul Higgins, Partner with the MHL Hotel Collection, said: “AIB has supported the growth and expansion of our business over the last number of years both in Dublin and regionally across Ireland.”
Guest speakers at the forum in Killarney this weekend include Professor of Finance, TCD, Brian Lucey, Chief Executive Officer of the Dalata Hotel Group, Pat McCann and Irish Hotels Federation President, Joe Dolan. Other notable speakers include MEP Sean Kelly, Independent TD, Michael Healy Rae and Chief Executive of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, Eoghan O’Mara Walsh.
On the evening of Friday, November 25, a business networking dinner will be held at The Brehon Hotel. Special guests being interviewed on the night will be former Kerry footballers Darragh, Tomás and Marc Ó Sé, who together hold 16 All Ireland medals, 12 All Stars Awards, 28 Munster titles and 257 Championship Appearances.
On Saturday, November 26, the forum goes to Dingle for the day and forum delegates will be shown how Dingle has developed food and rural tourism on the Dingle Peninsula over the last ten years and how it is booming as a result. A Taste of Kerry lunch will be hosted in Benner’s Hotel and Bridgestone Guide Writer John McKenna will be the keynote speaker at lunch.
The social itinerary of the conference includes the gala blacktie Kerry IHF Christmas Ball at Muckross Park Hotel on Saturday night, November 26, hosted by the Kerry IHF Chairman Terence Mulcahy.
Sean O’Driscoll, Conference Chairman and Skal Republic of Ireland President, said: “Various sectors within the tourism industry have annual conferences to discuss the particular interests and issues involving their specific sector. However, there is no forum for the grassroots of all sectors within tourism to meet, to debate and discuss tourism. Our aim was to create a forum where tourism business owners and managers on the ground can discuss the future of tourism in Ireland and network and share business learnings.”
For further information or to book a place at Let’s Talk Tourism- National Tourism Forum see www.ntf.ie or email or email info@ntf.ie
At the launch of the National Tourism Forum “Let’s Talk Tourism” are standing: Kerry Hotel Federation president Terence Mulcahy, Sean Healy of AIB, SKAL Republic of Ireland President Sean O’Driscoll, Derrick Lynch of AIB, Diarmuid Leen of AIB Business Banking, Seated: Joan McCarthy Head of Tourism Development Kerry County Council, Forum MC Miriam O’Callaghan & Margaret O’Connor of AIB Business Banking.
PICTURE: MARC O'SULLIVAN
Women’s Aid highlights rising femicide figures following Killarney death
Following the violent death of Jamey Carney in Killarney on Tuesday, national charity Women’s Aid has released a stark update regarding violence against women in Ireland.
According to the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch for the Republic of Ireland, eight women have died in violent circumstances so far this year.
This figure already exceeds the total of seven women recorded during the entirety of 2025.
Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid, said:
“Violence, abuse, and even at its extremes, death, are still a reality for many women living in Ireland. After the devastating murder of Ashling Murphy in 2022, Ireland said never again. But Ireland has not lived up to that promise.
“Since then, 40 women have died violently in Ireland. That is 40 women with lives, dreams, family, friends and communities.
“Since we started the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch in 1996, 286 women have died violently in Ireland. Every death is an outrage. An absolute tragic loss of life resulting in utter heartache and trauma for those left behind.
“We are thinking today of those who will be deeply impacted by the loss of life in Killarney. Prevention of all domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is crucial and urgent.”
“The Women’s Aid Femicide Watch shows that 87% of women (where the case has been resolved) were killed by a man known to them. We also know that in Ireland, one in three women has been subjected to domestic abuse of some kind.
“Every woman has the right to be safe in her home and in her community, and this is just not the case. We must do the work required to achieve equality and safety for all, to make Ireland a country that truly has zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”
Support is available on the Women’s Aid 24-Hour National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900, or go to womensaid.ie to use the Instant Message Service or for more information on domestic violence and abuse.”
Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off
Gardaí investigating the discovery of a woman’s body at a residence on Muckross Road in Killarney are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the direction of their inquiries.
It is understood that a full murder investigation is expected to be launched.
The deceased has been named locally as Jamey Carney, an American national in her 40s and the mother of a 13-year-old girl.
The scene at the domestic residence remains cordoned off today for a full technical examination, with a visible Garda presence continuing at the location.
An incident room has been established at Killarney Garda Station under a Senior Investigating Officer. Local businesses in the area have already begun supplying CCTV footage to assisting officers.
Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, local councillor Martin Grady expressed the deep sense of shock in the area.
“I want to offer my condolences to the family,” Cllr Grady said. “This is an awful shock to the local community. I encourage anyone to come forward with any information they may have to An Garda Síochána. Whoever committed such a crime is a cowardly person and should get the maximum penalty.”
Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Muckross Road area between the evening of Monday, July 6 and the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7 to come forward. They are particularly appealing to road users and business owners who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the area during those times.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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