News
Muckross man to succeed Cllr Michael Gleeson

By Michelle Crean
A Muckross man has this week said that he has "colossal boots to fill" when he takes over the political seat recently vacated by his uncle.
For almost 40 years Michael Gleeson has been a voice of the people of Killarney and passionately fought issues such as the local environment. The veteran councillor recently made the shock announcement that he was quitting politics almost immediately.
This week it became known that his nephew, primary school teacher John O’Donoghue will be co-opted to Kerry County Council to take his uncle's seat on June 21 at the next Council meeting.
John (37) from Gortdromakerrie and a teacher at Loughquittane National School which is only a mile over the road from his homeplace, was selected by Kerry Independent Alliance to go forward. He told the Killarney Advertiser that although he's looking forward to the challenge, it'll be daunting to fill his uncle's boots.
John was born in 1983 the same year Michael entered politics.
He is a coach and former player with Spa GAA Club and currently works on their admin team. He is also delegate to the County Board. He was chairman of Kerry Independent Alliance for many years and also canvassed on his uncle Michael's behalf which has given him a good political grounding.
"I've got a good, if not daunting start," John told the Killarney Advertiser.
"I've colossal boots to fill. I've always had an interest in politics and I've a good idea of what's involved, and it's been great to be able to pick his brain."
He added that he hopes to hit the ground running and has many ideas, some similar to Michael's.
"I don't want to go in as a de facto puppet but I would share a lot of his beliefs such as the environment."
Top of John's agenda will be to continue Michael's work on the Ballycasheen and Coolcaslagh junctions, pursuing an off road walking trail between Torc Waterfall and Dinis, parking at Blue Pool and also pushing for the GAA museum for Killarney.
News
One of Killarney’s great motorsport legends passes awayBy Cormac Casey
Dermot O’Sullivan, of Ardshanavooly, Killarney, sadly passed away this week. This popular Killarney businessman started in motorsport in 1968 participating in tarmac and forestry rallying and later in hot rod […]

Dermot O’Sullivan, of Ardshanavooly, Killarney, sadly passed away this week.
This popular Killarney businessman started in motorsport in 1968 participating in tarmac and forestry rallying and later in hot rod racing.
A high point in his motorsport career was competing on the 1982 Circuit of Ireland in his Datsun Sunny, at a time when competitors had no pacenotes, relying on sheer wit and skill.
In 2005, after a 23-year gap, he returned to rallying in a Talbot Sunbeam competing in the Killarney Historic Rally with his son Paul in the navigator’s seat, and competed in various events till 2009.
Whenever the glory of days of Kerry rallying are discussed in local pubs during the wee hours, it was certain that Dermot’s name would be mentioned. He had a sideways style of driving that kept every spectator entertained.
As much a flamboyant competitor behind the wheel of his Datsun, his ability to tell a good story was equally entertaining.
As a young motorsport enthusiast, I waited with anticipation each week as Dermot called to the ‘Advertiser’ office in Woodlawn to placing his weekly advert, to hear his animated description of his exploits on the rallying stages. As time went on, the stories never faded, and I always enjoyed our encounters.
Dermot establishing a successful chainsaw and lawnmower business in the 1970’s, down Pawn Office Lane, off High Street, Killarney. In true entrepreneurial spirit he saw a gap in the market, soon after establishing O’Sullivan’s Cycles as one of the first to introduce bike rental to Killarney, a business venture that is still successful today under the guidance of the current O’Sullivan generations.
A true character and an absolute gentleman. May he rest in peace.
Our sincere condolences to wife, Mary, sons Paul, Derry and David, daughters-in-law Barbara, Denise and Fiona, grandchildren Megan, Luke, Kate and Ciara and his great granddaughter Ava, his sisters Breda and Maureen and brother John, brother-in-law Bill, sister-in-law Ann, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, and many great friends.
News
Kerry’s youth celebrated at the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards
This year’s overall winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement is Ryan Griffin from Waterville who was nominated by Mairead O’Sullivan from Killorglin Family Resource Centre. Ryan Griffin […]

This year’s overall winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement is Ryan Griffin from Waterville who was nominated by Mairead O’Sullivan from Killorglin Family Resource Centre.
Ryan Griffin is a member of the Skellig Stars and was chosen to represent Kerry at the Special Olympics.
Ryan’s biggest hurdle is communication and he had to overcome this during his trip to Berlin for the big event.
Ryan has overcome his disabilities by focusing on all the great abilities he has. Ryan attends mainstream school in Coláiste na Sceilge where he is a very respected member of the School Community. He is a member of Kerry Stars and also Downs Syndrome Kerry.
Ryan has always had a keen interest in sport and even played with the local team in Waterville, but now Ryan thinks it’s too fast for him so he prefers to cheer them on from the side-lines.
Ryan has always been involved with the Community and they have never left him out. Ryan started out his athletics career with Skellig Stars and without them he would have gone to the Special Olympics and he has never forgotten when he came from.
Ryan and his family are very grateful to the local community in Waterville and the surrounding area for all the support they have given them over the years and especially now with the Special Olympics coming closer.
The whole community from Waterville to Mid-Kerry got behind Ryan, raising funds to help his family go to Berlin for 2 weeks. Ryan is now an inspiration to others to overcome difficulties and “go for gold”.
Ryan was the only representative from Kerry on this years Irish Special Olympics Team and in fact one of the Youngest Athletes on Team Ireland at only 16yrs of age, which was a great honour for him.
This in itself is a great achievement but it also shows his friends at Skellig Stars, Downs Syndrome Kerry and in the wider community that dreams do come true.
It took a lot of hard work and determination on Ryan’s behalf to make these dreams come true, not least the long journey he had to make from South Kerry to Dublin once a month since last January to train for the Special Olympics. He also trained weekly with the Skellig Stars.
At the 2023 Special Olympics in Berlin Ryan took part in the 100m run and the relay but his biggest achievement was winning the Silver Medal in the mini javelin. This showed others that overcoming difficulties can be possible and you can achieve your goals with hard work and determination, which Ryan has in abundance.
Local Merit Awards
Aliza Gul, Killarney
Joey McCarthy, Killarney
John O’Connor, Killarney
Nattagun Ryan, Killarney
Samuel Behal, Killarney
St Brendan’s Choir, Killarney