Connect with us

News

Publicans are ready to serve again!

Published

on

By Sean Moriarty

Relieved Killarney publicans are looking forward to reopening this coming Monday - but have concerns about how they are going to manage the new regulations.

General Manager of Celtic Whiskey Bar & Larder, Luke Crowley-Holland, Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy

Under new the new regulations agreed by Government this week and signed into law on Wednesday, pubs will have to operate under strict parameters in order to serve food and drink indoors.

Closing time will be set at 11.30pm, and up to six people will be allowed sit at tables that must be kept one metre apart from the next one.

Husband and wife team John and Theresa Cronin will reopen their popular Sportsmans Bar on High St at 10.30am on Monday morning.

Apart from a few short weeks during last summer, when they were obliged to serve a ‘substantial €9 meal’ in order to all sell drinks, the couple have not had customers since March 2020.

They chose not to open in November last year and their decision proved correct as the hospitality sector was forced to close again on December 23.

Under the new regime The Sportsmans Bar has a maximum capacity of around 50. It can usually take over 200.

“I will be at the door and once it's full, it's full,” John told the Killarney Advertiser. He confirmed he won’t be operating a pre-booking service as he fears people won’t turn up.

“It will be mainly locals, so I will know everyone,” he added. “If a stranger comes to the door I will have to take their details for contact tracing. All we can do is open up and take it from there.”

Luke Crowley-Holland is also looking forward to reopening the Celtic Whiskey Bar & Larder on New St.

General Manager of Celtic Whiskey Bar & Larder, Luke Crowley-Holland,

Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy

His biggest fear ahead of reopening was staff retention as constantly changing dates left him worried that staff would take up positions in other sectors that have reopened since June.

“Thankfully that is not the case,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “We have a loyal team in place.”

Managing food and drink orders was another concern. He explained that he got caught by the sudden closures on December 23.

“We were geared up for St Stephen’s night and New Year’s Eve. We had to return stock to suppliers, it was very difficult,” he added. “It was difficult to turn around orders. Food suppliers need a few days lead time and this was only confirmed on Wednesday.”

Advertisement

News

Fossa/Two Mile Comhaltas plans two St Patrick’s Céilithe

Members of the Fossa Two Mile Comhaltas recently gathered at the Fossa Community Centre to mark a significant milestone for their branch while giving back to the community. Catherine Joy, […]

Published

on

Members of the Fossa Two Mile Comhaltas recently gathered at the Fossa Community Centre to mark a significant milestone for their branch while giving back to the community.

Catherine Joy, Tim Kissane, and Therese Kissane were proud to present a cheque for €3,234.00 to Catherine Foley, who accepted the donation on behalf of Children’s Hospital Crumlin and Ronald McDonald House Charities. The funds were the result of a series of successful events held throughout the past year to celebrate the branch’s 20th anniversary.
The journey to this donation began in September 2025 with a special 20-Year Reunion Celebration that brought members past and present together to reflect on two decades of music and culture. This was followed by a vibrant Céilí in December 2025, which was organised with the help of the branch’s dedicated set dancing teacher, Catherine Joy. The combined proceeds from these celebrations highlight the incredible generosity and spirit of the local Fossa community and the ongoing support for the branch’s work.
The celebrations are far from over as the group looks toward a busy spring season. Fans of traditional music and dance can look forward to the Annual Rambling House, which is set to take place on March 14 at the Castlerosse Park Hotel. Shortly after, the group will return to the Fossa Community Centre for another Céilí on Sunday, March 22. These upcoming events offer another chance for the community to come together in celebration of Irish heritage and the branch’s continued success.

Photo Caption: Catherine Joy, Tim and Therese Kissane presenting €3,234 to Catherine Foley on behalf of Fossa Two Mile Comhaltas. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin.

Continue Reading

News

10-minute plays will linger in the memory

Published

on

By

The West End House School of Arts is delighted to take part in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Festival with a special evening of entertaining readings on Friday, March 13 at 7.30pm.

It promises to be a vibrant showcase of five original 10-minute plays written by emerging local playwrights, each of whom has recently completed a playwriting course with Fiona Doyle (pictured).


Diverse in style and subject matter, these beautifully crafted pieces promise an evening of laughter, tears, and powerful storytelling and each reading will be performed by West End House actors from Kerry.


Together, they highlight the remarkable talent of these up-and-coming writers and actors, who are the future of theatre in our community.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport