The 2026 Killarney Rally of the Lakes is set to introduce several major changes to the prestigious May Bank Holiday motorsport event.

The weekend will kick off with the ceremonial start ramp in Killarney town centre on Friday evening.

This high-energy event remains a fan favourite, drawing thousands of spectators to the town to see the crews and machinery up close before the competitive action begins on Saturday morning.

The opening day features a blend of legendary stages and fresh territory. While the route includes the iconic run over Moll’s Gap, a significant departure for 2026 sees the rally move towards Millstreet for much of the Saturday loop.

This involves the use of newer or lesser-used roads in the vicinity, providing a fresh challenge for drivers. In line with this shift, the service park for Saturday will be located at the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet.

Sunday’s action returns to the traditional heartland of South Kerry, featuring staples such as the Beallaghbeama Pass.

The organisers have introduced a twist on the Shanera stage, extending the route by approximately 4km over roads never used in this specific configuration.

In a major scheduling shift, the Junior contenders will now run their full eight-stage event on Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday slot.

Furthermore, following the success of the Rally Masters at Killarney Racecourse, a dedicated World Rally Car class will run exclusively on Sunday.

This class features iconic 2.0-litre machines from the early 2000s, including Subaru Imprezas and Ford Focus WRCs.

While these cars are no longer eligible for overall championship honours, they remain huge fan favourites and will provide a nostalgic soundtrack to the final day.

The event serves as a crucial counting round for the NAPA Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Southern 4 Rally Championship, and the Moriarty’s Central Car Sales Kingdom of Kerry Rally Championship.

Tracy Coyne elected Vice President of Irish Hotels Federation

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has announced the election of hospitality executive Tracy Coyne as Vice President of the Federation.

She joins IHF President Matt O’Connor in representing over 900 hotels and guesthouses, a sector that employs more than 69,000 people nationwide.
A long-standing and active member of the IHF, Ms Coyne brings extensive experience to the national role. She has previously served on the IHF’s National Council and Management Committee and currently holds a senior executive position in Kerry. Her professional background spans financial services, corporate finance, and hotel asset management.
Commenting on her election, Ms Coyne who continues in her role running the International Hotel said it was a tremendous privilege to represent a sector that makes such a significant contribution to the economy and that she looks forward to engaging with Government and industry partners to support key policy priorities, particularly regarding cost competitiveness, sustainability, and people development.
IHF President Matt O’Connor congratulated Ms Coyne on her election, saying that her commitment to the sector and professional experience are great assets to the IHF as it continues to advocate for members at the highest levels of Government.