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New Chairman appointed at Killarney Racecourse

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After six years at the helm of Killarney Racecourse and Ross Golf Course, Gerard Coughlan has stepped down as Chairman of Killarney Race Company.

PRESENTATION: Killarney Racecourse Board of Directors management and staff presented outgoing Chairman Gerard Coughlan (3rd right) and outgoing Secretary Con O'Mahony (1st right) with gifts for their long service of dedication to Killarney Race Company. From left: Terrence Mulcahy Padraig Bruton Pam Treacy Tadgh Kelly Niall Brosnan Philip O'Brien Áine O'Donoghue and Jennifer Pyne. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

He will however remain an active Director on the Board of Management. Leading property consultant, Billy O’Sullivan who has served as Vice Chairman for the duration of Coughlan’s term will take over the role of Chairman.

Gerard has embraced a great deal of change and unprecedented uncertainty. During this period his commitment has been unwavering as he guided Killarney Race Company through testing times and the business has not only survived but thrived as a result.

Incoming Chairman, Billy O’Sullivan has served on the board at Killarney Race Company for 15 years. A keen golfer and horse racing enthusiast, he is eager to hit the ground running in his new role.

“I am very much looking forward to working with the team and my fellow board members to build on the achievements of recent years," he said.

"I would like to thank our outgoing Chairman Gerard Coughlan and former company secretary Con O’Mahony in particular for their sterling work and dedication. In recent years we have expended in excess of €10m on capital development projects to enhance our offering at Killarney Racecourse. In 2022, we hosted 13 quality race days with €1.68m in prize money which encompassed 1,200 runners, over 91 races. We, as a team, are ambitious to build on the quality of our racing, increase prize money and the overall racegoer experience at Killarney.”

Killarney Race Company is a flourishing commercial enterprise. The most recent capital project has been the opening of the impressive new aesthetic entrance to Killarney Racecourse and Ross Golf Course.

“I am delighted to hand the reins over to Billy, it has been a tough few years without crowds at our track for almost two years but we have pulled through the pandemic well and maintained a healthy balance sheet," Gerard said.

"Billy’s family have been steeped in the history of the town, in fact his grandfather Dr Bill O’Sullivan Snr. was one of our founders. Billy and wife Hilary and their grown-up family live in Dublin but spend a great deal of time in Killarney, have a home here which they regularly frequent and they are very much part of the fabric of the local and sporting community here. Billy will be a wonderful asset to Killarney Race Company as Chairman and I look forward to continuing to work with him at board level.”

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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