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Plenty of capers in Killarney!

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KENMARE CAPERS: The Kenmare group at the Macra na Feirme Capers semi-finals in the Great Southern Killarney. Seated from left are: Joanne Mac, Damien Price, Helena Rice, Rachel Healy, Seamus Healy and Katie Mac. Standing from left are: Linda Kelleher, Sophie Kehoe, John Michael Fitzgerald and Ciara Price. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

 

By Sean Moriarty

 

From singing and dancing to comedy and drama, there was plenty of capers at the Great Southern Killarney last weekend.

 

It was all part of an entertaining night by the Kerry branch of Macra Na Feirme who hosted one of three national ‘Macra Caper Variety Show’ semi-finals on Saturday, January 11.

 

The competition is designed for Macra clubs nationwide wishing to gain experience in producing and performing a light entertainment variety show.

 

Each year a local county branch hosts one of three regional semi-finals ahead of the national finals which are scheduled for Ovens, County Cork next month.

 

“It was a great night, it ran very smoothly and the hotel staff were so helpful,” Kerry Branch secretary Joanne Lawlor told the Killarney Advertiser.

 

Both Freemount and Whitegate from Cork were declared the regional winners following Saturday night’s variety show that was witnessed by 300 people. Kenmare was the only local group to contest the Killarney semi-final but their bid to progress was unsuccessful this time around.

 

[caption id="attachment_29768" align="alignleft" width="3000"] Kerry Macra officers Sean Joy (Chairman), Robert Lucey (Treasurer), Joanne Lawlor (Secretary) and Gearoid O'Sullivan (Young Farmers Officer) at the Macra na Feirme Capers semi-finals in the Great Southern Killarney on Saturday night. Picture: Eamonn Keogh[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The semi-final locations are decided by an open draw and as a result Killarney contested their semi-final in Mountmellick on Saturday night. Unfortunately they did not made the cut for the final, but Killarney member Conor Brosnan was named as the ‘Best Actor on the Night’.

 

Kerry will host the Macra Na Feirme National Rally for the first time in 30 years in October. The Tralee-based three-day event will include a national awards ceremony, agricultural talks and farm tours. The group hope to include visits to the Killarney Brewing Company and the Liberator Whiskey Distillery in Fossa as its alternative farming tour.

 

“The fact that we were able to run Saturday night’s event without a hitch shows the National Office that are well able to take on the organising of the National Rally,” Joanne added.

 

 

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

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The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

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