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Legion and Chamber lead tributes to Johnny Culloty

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1 year ago

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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and Legion GAA Club have led the tributes to Johnny Culloty, the Kerry football great who was laid to rest on Thursday.

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce expressed its condolences to the family, friends, and clubmates of the late Johnny Culloty, a GAA legend and one of the town's greatest sportsmen.

Culloty was proud of Killarney and contributed to the development of young players. The Chamber noted the Culloty family's presence in Killarney's commercial life, with sons Donal and Seanie running businesses.

"Everybody of a certain vintage will know all about Johnny Culloty’s prowess as a footballer, a hurler, a basketball player, a rower in regattas and as a golfer. No doubt, those that are still too young, will read all about him in the sporting annals in the years to come," the Chamber said.

"He was undoubtedly one of the greatest sportspeople this town has ever produced and we don’t see his likes too often. Many tributes have been paid to Johnny since his passing and it is clear that he will be remembered as a true genius on the field and a pure gentleman off it."

Legion GAA Club, where Culloty was a Vice President, also paid tribute.
PRO Enda Walshe said:

"Killarney Legion GAA are saddened to hear of the passing of Johnny Culloty. And while that honour [of Vice President ] fell to Johnny in later years it was his lifelong achievements that made him stand out as arguably the town's greatest achiever in the colours of Kerry."

Culloty won five All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals and captained Kerry to victory in 1969and became the first Killarney Legion man to bring the Sam Maguire Cup to Killarney.. He won numerous Munster titles. Initially a forward, he transitioned to goalkeeper after a knee injury. He also won National Hurling League titles and an All-Ireland Junior medal.

After his playing career, Culloty managed Kerry to three National League titles and a Munster Championship. He later served as a selector. He also played basketball for the Busby Babes.

"While all his achievements at National level are well documented it would be incalculable to even attempt to measure his influence within Killarney Legion," Walshe said. "I remember a period when the club Under 14 boys team won seven East Kerry titles in a row in the 1980s, all coached by Johnny.

“At the time the juvenile players may not have been aware of the enormity of their coaches reputation throughout the country and Johnny certainly didn't broadcast it either, given his modest and unassuming manner. But what he did pass on was his huge understanding of the game and his astuteness always stood out."

Both organisations expressed sympathies to his wife, Joan, sons Donal and Seanie, daughters Brid and Orla, his in-laws, grandchildren, relatives, and friends.

Requiem Mass was held at St Mary's Cathedral on Thursday morning, followed by burial in Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.

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There is a reason Killarney is so tidy

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2 hours ago

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12 June 2026

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There is a reason Killarney is so tidy


By Eamonn Fitzgerald

Killarney won the overall national award as Ireland’s Tidiest town in 2011 and, since then, has consistently won gold medals and several category titles. In 2023, Killarney was Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town.


The 2024 overall winner was Ballincollig on 386 marks, followed by Killarney on 384. We need a two-pointer, so let’s all pull together for that orange flag, as the judges are on the circuit for the 2026 awards.
Winning an All-Ireland title takes a lot of planning, commitment, dedication, and continuous work. That was needed to win the Sam Maguire in 2025. Now the race is on for Sam’s return. Killarney would also cherish winning the overall Tidiest Town in Ireland.
It is a huge challenge for Killarney with so many visitors swelling the resident population of 14,351. Recently, there was Bike Fest, two big games at Fitzgerald Stadium- the Munster football final, with an attendance of close to 33,000, and the Donegal game, which attracted over 22,000. If even 50 % of the people dropped one piece of litter, a wrapping, paper coffee cup, or plastic water bottle, the accumulated litter would be enormous. It is my custom to walk around Killarney, especially on the morning after a big event, but by 10.00 am on Monday mornings, the town is spic and span. All litter disappeared overnight. Magic?
No. Noel O’Leary had his Killarney Town Council staff working from dawn, complemented by Mick Gleeson’s volunteers from Killarney Looking Good. Such cooperation between the statutory body and volunteers is very rare indeed. We should not take it for granted but appreciate this cooperative effort to maintain Killarney as the Town we love so well, just like Phil Coulter appreciates his native Derry. Let us all row in, bring home your own litter or use the bins provided, and if you see a stray piece of litter, put it in the nearest bin. Teams win All-Irelands, not individuals. Let’s all do our bit: it will make a difference. Ní neart go cur le chéile.

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HIQA registration delays opening of new hospital

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9 hours ago

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12 June 2026

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HIQA registration delays opening of new hospital


Confusion surrounds the opening date of the new 130-bed Killarney Community Nursing Unit, with a Dáil debate revealing that a previous end-of-June opening target is now dependent on resolving outstanding registration issues with the health watchdog, HIQA.


Speaking in the Dáil this week, Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae criticised the ongoing delays, stating that Kerry TDs were assured by local HSE management on May 29 that the facility would open before the end of June. However, county councillors at a HSE SouthWest Forum were informed a week later that this target would not be met.
“Who is calling the shots? Is it the HSE at national level? Is it the Minister?” Deputy Healy-Rae asked. “The lights have been on in the building since before Christmas and it was cleared to go. We are begging for this on our knees.”
He highlighted that the delay impacts 30 planned dementia-specific beds, as well as broader plans for a minor injuries unit and a primary care centre at the St Columbanus’s site.
Responding on behalf of the government, Deputy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor maintained that the HSE still expects the unit to open before the end of June, but confirmed the timeline depends entirely on HIQA registration.
“The HSE is engaging with HIQA regarding a small number of outstanding issues,” she said. “Once HIQA registration is granted, the HSE will set a date and move forward with the transfer of residents.”
Deputy Healy-Rae countered that the response was identical to information provided by the government a month ago. He questioned why staffing agreements and HIQA certifications were not finalised sooner, given the building was structurally completed last December.

INMO serves notice of industrial action


The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has served notice of industrial action on HSE South West over proposed staffing levels at the new facility.
The union stated that its members are deeply dissatisfied with the proposed rosters, which they claim fall short of the staffing required to deliver safe care on day and night duties.
INMO Industrial Relations Executive Kathryn Courtney said there is a significant staffing gap compared to similar facilities, leaving members with no choice but to take action.

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