News
Pat retires after 43 years’ service
Kerry National Ambulance Service has congratulated a long term employee on his retirement after 43 years of excellent service to the people of Kerry.
Pat O’Callaghan retired as Operations Manager for Kerry National Ambulance Service. He joined the ambulance service on March 12, 1979 and worked in multiple Ambulance Stations throughout the county.
Mr O’Callaghan was promoted to the position of Ambulance Controller on April 27 1984, when St Catherine’s Hospital closed, and Tralee General Hospital (now known as University Hospital Kerry) opened. He had the privilege to transfer the last patient from St Catherine’s Hospital and close the door for the last time.
In 2010, Mr O’Callaghan was promoted to the office of Manager of the Ambulance Service for Kerry. The service has changed and evolved over the years since he first joined in 1979, from what was basically a transport service with just one person for ambulance service, to current highly trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Paramedics and Advance Paramedics.
“I enjoyed every minute of my 43 years of service and while it was a challenging role it was most rewarding with a great sense of satisfaction. The service provided the best possible care that a patient requires in the pre-hospital setting, supported by the most up to date equipment, telecommunication and ambulance fleet," Pat said.
Spa GAA has finalised a deal with Cork-based renewable firm ePower to install two electric vehicle (EV) charging points at its club grounds in Killarney.
The move makes the club one of the very first GAA organisations in County Kerry to provide dedicated, on-site charging infrastructure for drivers.
The dual-socket units will be situated directly within the club’s main car park, offering charging accessibility to members, visiting supporters, and patrons.
The new ePower facilities are designed to support local EV drivers and visitors traveling to the club’s various sporting events throughout the season.
Ukrainian Olympian joins parkrun for annual Chestnut Run
It is not every day an Olympian joins the Killarney parkrun, but participants had exactly that experience last Saturday, when two-time Ukrainian Olympic skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych joined the event at Killarney House and Gardens.
Heraskevych completed the 5km route alongside members of both the local and Ukrainian communities as part of the annual Ukrainian Chestnut Run. The charity tradition originated in Kyiv 33 years ago and has been organised locally by the Killarney Ukrainian community for the past four years.
The athlete previously captured global attention at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina with his “Helmet of Memory” tribute to fallen athletes.
His appearance in Killarney was part of a week-long tour of athletic and educational centres across south-west Ireland. He spent Friday night in Tralee ahead of the Saturday morning run. During his stay in the region, Heraskevych visited the MTU Tralee campus to meet with students, researchers, and local representatives to discuss sports diplomacy, sustainability, and inclusive sports.
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Spa GAA has finalised a deal with Cork-based renewable firm ePower to install two electric vehicle (EV) charging points at its club...
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