Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.

Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.

Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”



The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.

Local stars sweep honours at Kerry Sports Awards

Muckross rally co-driver Noel O’Sullivan was named the Supreme Sports Star for 2025 as the Kerry Sports Awards made a major return to the social calendar last Saturday night.

Over 250 winners and guests attended the gala event at the Rose Hotel in Tralee, marking the end of a six-year hiatus for the ceremony.
Established by Ken O’Day in 2013, the awards recognise excellence across a wide range of disciplines, from elite international competition to local club volunteerism.
O’Sullivan was a popular recipient of the overall top prize following his success in the Iirsh Tarmac Rally Championship and his record run of four Rally of the Lakes wins in a row.
He led a strong contingent of Killarney winners, including Olympic hopeful Sarah Leahy, who took the athletics award after a season that saw her set a new Irish indoor record. Young boxing star Pa Casey and ‘Kingdom Warrior’ Kevin Cronin were also among those celebrated for their recent achievements in the ring.
GAA and multi-sport success
David Clifford was again named the top footballer, while Siofra O’Shea received the Ladies’ Football award. O’Shea, a prominent basketballer with Utility Trust St Paul’s, was the only Kerry player to make the 2025 TG4 All-Star team.
Damien Fleming of Deerpark accepted the pitch and putt award following his national championship wins and his role in Ireland’s European Team Championship victory. Dale McCarthy was honoured for his success in darts, while world-class jockey Oisín Murphy took the horse racing accolade.
Club and community recognition
The local impact of Killarney clubs was a recurring theme throughout the evening. Fossa and Kilcummin were both finalists for the Club Team of the Year award following their respective All-Ireland titles.
The night concluded with a standing ovation for Gneeveguilla’s Paddy O’Donoghue, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The honour recognised his decades of service as an athletics administrator and promoter in the Sliabh Luachra area.