News
Pubs cautiously optimistic ahead of Monday’s reopening
REOPENING: Brigitte and Ellie Whelan, John C and Joan O'Shea pictured with Ginny the dog in their new 'cabús' as they prepare to reopen this coming Monday. Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy
EXCLUSIVE
By Sean Moriarty
After six months closure one family run Killarney pub is both excited and apprehensive ahead of finally reopening their bar this coming Monday.
After many false starts, 'Wet Pubs' - those that do not serve food - will finally get the chance to reopen their doors next week.
Bar owners and customers will have to adjust to a new way of operating including having counter service replaced by table service, social distancing rules will have to observed, customers will have to remain seated, and strict closing times will be in operation.
Despite the new rules, implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19, publicans across the town are looking forward to welcoming back customers for the first time since March.
John C O’Shea and his mother Joan are both excited and apprehensive to reopen Jack C’s on the top of High Street.
Joan has been behind the counter of the popular bar for the last 50 years and apart from obvious days like Christmas Day, Good Friday and family funerals, her bar has never been closed.
The O’Shea family took the decision to close their doors on Saturday, March 14, two days before the official Government announcement that closed all public houses at the start of the pandemic’s restrictions.
They have made a few noticeable changes to their bar as they prepare to welcome back their customers and friends.
These include a screen at the bar and sectioning off the seating areas.
Joan – ever the traditionalist – uses the Irish word 'cabús' to describe these new sections.
The word loosely translates into a snug or cubbyhole while the old US-English word caboose is a small train carriage, often used to house engineers and coupled to the rear of a large freight train.
“I can’t wait to meet everyone,” she told the Killarney Advertiser. “I have spent the last six months saluting them on the street.”
John warned that while there are many restrictions facing pub owners, the onus is on the customer to follow the new guidelines too.
“The pubs will do their bit but it is up to customers to obey the rules too,” he said.
However, he said he won’t believe he is actually open until he sees customers on the premises.
Previous Government proposals included potential reopening dates in June, July and August and he remains cautiously optimistic that Monday’s date will remain on schedule.
“We have had the rug pulled from under us too many times in the past,” he said.
News
Killarney stage to feature in new look Rás Mumhan
Cycling By Sean Moriarty Killarney will play a crucial role in the revival of four-day Kerry Group Rás Mumhan cycle race. The event, one of the biggest road races in Ireland. It has not run since 2019 after Killorglin Cycling Club withdrew from organising it.The organisation of Rás Mumhan was transferred to a committee in […]
Cycling
By Sean Moriarty
Killarney will play a crucial role in the revival of four-day Kerry Group Rás Mumhan cycle race.
The event, one of the biggest road races in Ireland. It has not run since 2019 after Killorglin Cycling Club withdrew from organising it.
The organisation of Rás Mumhan was transferred to a committee in County Tipperary but they never got the event off the ground as a result of the pandemic.
A new joint effort between four cycling clubs in Kerry has taken over the running of the event under new race director Daithi Creedon and his committee.
It will be the first major Stage Race on the Irish Cycling Calendar and will take place over the four days of Easter weekend from April 15 to April 18.
Killarney Cycling club will run the second leg of the event – a stage from the town to Sneem via Bealach Oisin Pass on Easter Saturday.
The opening leg will be hosted by Tralee Manor West BC and will start and finish in the county town and run via Annascaul and Castlemaine.
Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club is in charge of day three which takes in Knocknagree, Rathmore and Kishkeam.
The final day is in the hands of Currow Cycling Club and they will run the Knocknagoshel to Headley’s Bridge looped stage.
“This year’s route will allow the riders to race every day, with undulating roads and deliberately staying away from big category 1 climbs, this will open up the race for aggressive racing. Stage four will be a spectator friendly stage and will be a great finale to Rás Mumhan,” said Creedon.
“We wish to acknowledge and thank Killorglin Cycling Club for the fantastic work they have carried out in promoting and running this event in the past.”
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News
Northern lights delight for Aoife and Sinead
By Con Dennehy The continued growth, development and participation of women’s handball in Kerry was rewarded at the weekend when Tyrone hosted ‘She’s Ace’, the prestigious All Ladies Handball championships. Attracting all the leading players in Ireland, it was the Spa/Killarney trio of Aoife Walsh, Sinead Moriarty and Niamh Faulds who shot out the Northern […]
By Con Dennehy
The continued growth, development and participation of women’s handball in Kerry was rewarded at the weekend when Tyrone hosted ‘She’s Ace’, the prestigious All Ladies Handball championships.
Attracting all the leading players in Ireland, it was the Spa/Killarney trio of Aoife Walsh, Sinead Moriarty and Niamh Faulds who shot out the Northern lights with a phenomenal display of handball.
In the Ladies ‘Challenger 1 Wall’ competition Aoife Walsh faced a top-class field.
Following quarter and semi-final wins, she went into the final with the favourites tag.
Walsh again produced a sizzling display of handball to outclass her opponent, Emma O’Neill (Tyrone), to clinch the title on a 15-4 scoreline.
There was further joy for the Spa based club when one of their promising new players, Sinead Moriarty, teamed up with Clare Conway (Tyrone) and Carla Corcoran (Tyrone) in the Mixed Grade team competition.
Twelve teams contested this competition with Moriarty key to their success. In the opening rounds the team scored 25-16 and 25-20 to reach the final where they had an impressive 25-22 victory in a classic game that showcased the finer skills of handball.
The other Killarney competitor, Niamh Faulds added to her growing reputation with some impressive games in the “1 Wall’, ‘4 Wall’ and team competitions, winning one game and narrowly loosing out in the other games despite close 25-18, 21-19, 21-17 score-lines.
“This has been a historic and important weekend for women’s handball in Kerry. Winning titles is a massive boost for the sport and something we can build on in the coming weeks and months,” said Jack O’Shea, P.R.O. of the Kerry Handball Board.
Attachments
Killarney stage to feature in new look Rás Mumhan
Cycling By Sean Moriarty Killarney will play a crucial role in the revival of four-day Kerry Group Rás Mumhan cycle...
Northern lights delight for Aoife and Sinead
By Con Dennehy The continued growth, development and participation of women’s handball in Kerry was rewarded at the weekend when...
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