Connect with us

News

New Ryanair chief operations officer to get Killarney talking about tourism

Published

on

T

THE man handed the responsibility of steering Ryanair out of its current difficulties and plotting a successful future for the low-cost carrier has been lined up as one of the keynote speakers at a major tourism conference planned for Killarney.

Peter Bellew, who has just been appointed to the high-profile position of chief operations officer with the airline, will be one of the guest speakers at the second annual Let’s Talk Tourism forum on Friday and Saturday, November 10/11.

He is leaving his post as chief executive of Malaysia Airlines to join Michael O’Leary in an airline he has worked for in the past. “I am excited to return home to Ryanair and take up the challenge to grow the operation sustainably,” he said.

Mr Bellew, 52, a native of Meath and a graduate of Trinity College, has been living in Fossa, Killarney for several years. He is married to Grainne and they have four children.

He previously worked with Kerry Airport as marketing manager and airport manager and later became director of flight operations with Ryanair before being headhunted by Malaysia Airlines.

Other key speakers at the one-day forum in the Brehon Hotel will include Fáilte Ireland chief executive
Paul Kelly, Mark Henry of Tourism Ireland, Fiona Monaghan, head of the Wild Atlantic Way project at Fáilte Ireland, Guinness Storehouse boss Paul Carty, Minister of State for Tourism Brendan Griffin and Kerry County Council CEO Moira Murrell.

Also on the panel will be John McGrillen, CEO of Tourism Northern Ireland, Shannon Group CEO Matthew Thomas, John Brennan of the Park Hotel, Kenmare, B+B Ireland CEO Helena Healy, travel and food writers Eoghan Corry and Pól Ó Conghaile and Solas chief Paul O’Toole.

Let’s Talk Tourism is a forum for the grassroots of all sectors within tourism to discuss and debate the industry going forward. Issues to be addressed include regionalisation and seasonality, access, skills and manpower and digital trends.

The forum moderator will be broadcaster Olivia O’Leary and the event chairperson is Killarney-based Margaret Cahill who previously headed up operations for Bord Fáilte and, later, Tourism Ireland in North America, Canada and the UK. “This event will have appeal to a cross section of senior professionals. This a not-for-profit event as it is simply an attempt to create a vibrant and meaningful debate on some current aspects of travel and tourism,” Ms Cahill said.

To attend the conference or for further information contact 064-7767181 or email: bookings@ntf.ie
 


 
Above: At the launch of the National Tourism Forum/Let's Talk Tourism Conference which takes place in The Brehon Hotel, Killarney, on November 10 and 11 were front from left, Emer Corridan, IHF, Sean Healy, AIB and Margaret Cahill, Chairperson, NTF. At back, Ciara O'Grady, NTF, Paul O'Neill, President, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, and Joan McCarthy, Kerry County Council. Pic: Don MacMonagle

Advertisement

News

Deerpark Retail Park placed on market for fifteen million euro

Published

on

By

Deerpark Retail Park in Killarney has officially been placed on the market with a guide price in excess of 15.4 million euro, excluding VAT.

International real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed as the sole sales agent to handle the high-profile commercial property sale on behalf of its current owner, Investcorp.

Investcorp, a global investment management firm headquartered in Bahrain, had previously acquired the prominent shopping complex.


The sale represents one of the largest commercial property offerings to launch in County Kerry this year.

Located roughly 1.3 kilometres west of Killarney town centre, the scheme enjoys strong regional connectivity and sits adjacent to independently owned operations including a Tesco Extra store, a Tesco petrol filling station, JYSK, and Aldi.


Constructed in 2006, the development extends across approximately 10,482 square metres, or 112,835 square feet.

The scheme comprises a mix of modern retail warehouse units and a complementary neighbourhood centre, offering 13 individual units in total with Part Open and Part Bulky Use planning permission.

The units range in size from 94.6 square metres up to 1,994.9 square metres. Visitors have access to approximately 248 customer parking spaces across the commercial grounds.

The park is currently 100 per cent occupied by a strong line-up of established national and international brands.

Key retail tenants include Marks & Spencer, Boots, DID Electrical, Maxi Zoo, and Mountain Warehouse.

The neighbourhood centre element accommodates service and convenience operators such as Costa Coffee, Card Factory, and Salon B.

The first-floor accommodation is fully let to Peak Performance Academy, which provides additional rental diversification.

Additionally, the scheme benefits from an agreement with Tesla to operate eight electric vehicle charging bays within the customer car park.


Commercial figures show that the property generates a total current rental income of 1,326,458 euro per annum, with a weighted average unexpired lease term of 4.45 years to break options and 6.46 years to lease expiry.

Cushman & Wakefield noted that the quoted guide price of 15.4 million euro reflects a net initial yield of 7.83 per cent, assuming standard purchaser costs of 9.96 per cent.

The selling agents highlighted that the fully occupied asset offers investors an attractive income profile alongside scope for additional income generation through parking commercialisation.

Attachments

Continue Reading

News

Killarney Racecourse to host first professional festive pantomime

Published

on

By

Killarney Racecourse to host first professional festive pantomime

A classic fairytale is set to receive a distinct Kerry makeover this festive season as Killarney Racecourse hosts the town’s first professional pantomime, Cinderella.

Running across 12 performances over four weekends in November and December, the production weaves iconic local landmarks directly into the story. In this festive adaptation, Cinderella dreams of escaping her chores inside Ross Castle before receiving news of a royal ball hosted at Muckross House. Her journey is guided by Molls, a fairy godmother arriving from beyond the Gap of Dunloe, while the adventure takes audiences straight through the enchanted woods of Killarney National Park.
Directed by Lily MacMonagle of The MACademy Performing Arts and choreographed by Katrina Galvin of Sparrow Dance Academy, the production features a cast of local talent bringing the story to life.
Speaking about the upcoming debut production, Karl McCay, General Manager of Killarney Racecourse, expressed his excitement for the launch.
“We are thrilled to announce our first-ever Christmas Show at Killarney Racecourse. Killarney already sets the standard for festive celebrations with its magical parades, Santa’s grotto, Christmas markets, and Killarney on Ice. We are delighted to build on this tradition with our debut production of Cinderella. Directed by Lily MacMonagle and featuring a wonderfully talented local cast, we can’t wait to welcome you to this exciting new holiday experience.”
Director Lily MacMonagle emphasised the broad appeal of the festive show for families across the region.
“We are so delighted to bring the first professional panto to Killarney for families to enjoy this Christmas. The team and cast involved are incredible, and we cannot wait to sprinkle Christmas panto magic all over Killarney and Kerry this year. The laughs are like no other – it’s made for your child and your granny, with a joke and a dance for everyone. On a personal note, it’s fantastic to offer a pre-Christmas show where families can come together and really get into the festive spirit.”
Tickets go on sale today (Friday, October 9), at 9am via the Killarney Racecourse website, priced at €17 for children, €20 for adults, and €66 for a family ticket.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport