News
Killarney volunteers receive Tidy Towns Gold Medal award

K
Killarney Town, Co Kery, Tidy Towns Volunteers, Kathleen Foley and Yvonne Quill, Winners of the Tidy Towns Gold Medal Award 2018, which was presented by Cllr Mike Kennelly and Dolores Farrell, SuperValu Community and Sponsorship Brand Manager, at the Listowel Arms Hotel, County Kerry. The Competition now in its 60th year had a record 883 towns and villages entered. The Awards are hosted by the Department of Rural and Community Affairs, sponsored by SuperValu and supported by Fáilte Ireland.Photo:Valerie O’Sullivan/FREE PIC
All the months of hard work was worth it - as dedicated volunteers finally got their eight Gold Medal at the Mid-West and South West Regional Tidy Towns Awardson Thursday night last, (November 22).
Listowel was the location for the award ceremony asthe town was named as the 2018 National Tidy Towns winner in September, while Killarney retained its Gold Medal status for the eighth consecutive year.
On the night, SuperValu Tidy Towns winners, including volunteers from Killarney Tidy Towns, were presented with their awards by Councillor Mike Kennelly, Kerry County Council and Dolores Farrell, SuperValu Community and Sponsorship Brand Manager, long time sponsors of the competition.
Known as the tourism capital of Ireland, Killarney has maintained its supremely high standards since winning the overall award in 2011, with an overall mark 334 this year - six points higher than in 2017.
“There was a huge effort by locals this year,” said Yvonne Quill, Chairperson of the Killarney Looking Good Committee. “It was extremely successful and the fact that Listowel are now the fourth town in Kerry to win the overall title is amazing.”
The Tidy Towns competition is now in its 60th year and in 2018 a record 883 towns and villages entered. The awards are hosted by the Department of Rural and Community Affairs, sponsored by SuperValu and supported by Fáilte Ireland.
Killarney has been one of the competition’s high achievers over the past decade and Yvonne believes that their continued success is something to be celebrated.
“The biggest thing for Killarney is that we’ve never slipped since we started going up the ladder. We won in 2011 and our score has never dropped since then. Our marks have gone up every year. We’re very proud of that.
“I think it’s very important to the town. It’s lovely to live in a place that makes you feel proud.”
Yvonne was quick to thank all the locals who went above and beyond to make sure Killarney was looking its best during the judging periods in July and August, and she also paid tribute to Kerry County Council for their continued support.
News
Final delivery as DJ retires
By Michelle Crean There’s hardly a Killarney home he hasn’t been to – but now DJ O’Driscoll has stood down from his duties. Friday night marked delivery driver DJ’s retirement […]

By Michelle Crean
There’s hardly a Killarney home he hasn’t been to – but now DJ O’Driscoll has stood down from his duties.
Friday night marked delivery driver DJ’s retirement from the Killarney branch of Corcoran’s Furniture & Carpets, a position he has held for the last 15 years.
On Friday night, colleagues from all three Corcoran’s Furniture & Carpets stores gathered in the Killarney Height’s Hotel. DJ was also joined by his daughter and her partner for the special night.
“After almost 15 years of steadfast work with Corcoran’s, DJ has been a constant pillar of support for his colleagues and has helped the company go from strength to strength,” owner Kieran Corcoran said.
“Corcoran’s would like to wish DJ the very best of luck for the future and hoping that he enjoys his retirement. Many thanks to Killarney Height’s Hotel for hosting the staff night on Friday. A great night was had by all!”
News
Rowers pull together for Order of Malta
Members of Flesk Valley Rowing Club had a strenuous but successful morning on Sunday when they collectively rowed the distance from Malin Head to Mizen Head. And it was all […]

Members of Flesk Valley Rowing Club had a strenuous but successful morning on Sunday when they collectively rowed the distance from Malin Head to Mizen Head.
And it was all done indoors on rowing machines in support of the Killarney Order of Malta.
Just before 11am the Valley armada ‘left shore’, and approximately 40 members aged from 12 to 50ish set to their task with enthusiasm. By midday someone reckoned that Barack Obama’s Plaza had been reached but unfortunately there was no stop for tea, just a splash of holy water, a mouthful of Lucozade and a few jelly babies for the lucky ones!
As the kilometres clicked slowly by the temperature started to rise and the cry went up from the gasping veterans to open all the doors!
No such problems for the junior relay crews who had a fantastic morning rowing, laughing, and racing each other all the way to the finish.
The junior members who took on the half-marathon distance individually were amazing throughout and got stronger as the finish line came into view.
“We’re delighted with how the morning went,” Tadhg Kelly from Flesk Valley said.
“There was a great atmosphere in the venue, and we are grateful to all the parents and Flesk Valley supporters who came along to encourage our young and not-so-young rowers. It was great too to see the members of the Order of Malta in attendance to offer their support, and the club would like to thank everyone who donated on the day.”
Tadhg also expressed his thanks to the underage coaches and committee members for looking after everyone during the event. He especially wanted to mention everyone at Celtic Steps and the Killarney Racecourse for facilitating the club and Workmens Rowing Club and Glenflesk GAA for the use of their equipment.
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