News
Rally of the Lakes to be launched on Sunday
Killarney and District Motor Club will launch the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at the Gleneagle Hotel on Sunday afternoon.
The 42nd running of the biggest rally in Kerry will take place on April 29 and 30.
So far over 220 crews have entered, setting an all-time record for the event and beyond doubt proving the rally’s popularity. Along with a high volume of entries, there is strong representation across all the categories, including the Juniors and Historics who will run separately from the main field, allowing for an extra 50 cars to take part in the event.
The club plans to have over 200 cars at the start line trying to ensure that all who have entered will be able to enjoy the iconic stages.
Rally fans can expect an action-packed weekend, beginning with the now-traditional ceremonial start on Main Street on Friday night.
The rally returns to the Beara Peninsula on Saturday for the first time since 2019 and the route will include the favourites like Cod’s Head, Ardgroom and the Healy Pass.
Sunday’s route also features some new roads, and after two runs over Moll’s Gap and Ballaghbeama the rally heads to east Kerry.
The sting in the tail includes two runs over Gortnagane and a stage that has not been used for rallying since the 1983 Circuit of Ireland – the last time the famed five-day event visited Kerry.
“We will have a couple of special announcements regarding the town centre at the launch,” said Clerk of the Course Dermot Healy.
With entries set to close on Friday, April 14, the club will be in a position to reveal some of the big names that will tackle the rally in just over two weeks’ time.
New for 2023 is title sponsors Assess Ireland - front runners when it comes to providing automotive and engineering inspection services. It provides a nationwide service through its network of engineers.
Established in 1999, Assess Ireland currently employs a team of more than 80 highly skilled people throughout Ireland including engineers, finance, customer support and logistics teams. With headquarters based in Tralee, the firm has been undoubtedly a longstanding supporter of the local economy.
Assess Ireland offers a range of motor services to the corporate insurance sector as well as providing engineering/work equipment inspections to a wide range of businesses both locally and nationally.
“Given our involvement in the automotive and engineering sectors, the sponsorship of the Rally of the Lakes is an ideal event for our company to be associated with. We are delighted to be supporting one of the most famous annual motorsport events. It is our intention to continue as the main sponsor for a minimum of three years,” Conor Deasy, Managing Director of Assess Ireland, said.
Sunday’s launch gets underway at 3.30pm and there will be a static display of some of the competing cars.
Local drivers, including Muckross man, defending champion and recent Circuit of Ireland Rally winner Noel O’Sullivan will be on hand to answer queries about the rally.
The event also marks former World Rally Championship co-driver Paul Nagle’s switch to rally organisation and he has been appointed Assistant Clerk of the Course with specific responsibility for the event’s safety tracker devices.
Sunday’s launch is open to the public and all are welcome to attend and hear about the 2023 rally.
New Dutch flights to connect Groningen and Kerry Airport
Tourism across Kerry is set for a boost following the announcement of direct charter flights from the Netherlands to Kerry Airport for the 2027 summer season.
Dutch tour operator BBI Travel will introduce weekly flights from Groningen Airport Eelde to Farranfore every Thursday from April 29 to September 6, 2027. The service will be operated by regional carrier Sky Alps using its fleet of aircraft.
The announcement comes following strong passenger growth at Kerry Airport, which handled 440,367 passengers in 2025 before recording a further 12 per cent increase during the first six months of 2026. The new European link will provide direct access for Dutch tourists visiting Killarney National Park, Muckross House, and the wider Wild Atlantic Way route.
BBI Travel, which has specialised in Irish travel packages since 1963, will offer combined flight, accommodation, and car hire packages. The service will run alongside the operator’s existing Monday flights to Ireland West Airport Knock, allowing open-jaw itineraries across the west coast.
Welcoming the new route, Kerry Airport Customer Service Manager Evelyn Crowley said:
“We are delighted that BBI Travel has chosen Kerry Airport as its new destination for 2027. BBI Travel has an excellent track record and more than 60 years’ experience in bringing visitors to Ireland, so this new partnership is a significant vote of confidence in Kerry and the wider south-west as a destination for Dutch holidaymakers.
“The great advantage for passengers is that they arrive right in the heart of Ireland’s tourism capital. Kerry Airport is just 15 minutes from Killarney and Tralee, on the doorstep of the spectacular Ring of Kerry and within 50 minutes of Dingle and the Wild Atlantic Way.
“Our new state-of-the-art Arrivals Hall, with modern baggage handling and passport control facilities and our staff will provide a warm and efficient welcome from the moment passengers land in Kerry.
“That convenience continues on the journey home, with a short and efficient trip through security into our spacious and comfortable Departures Lounge. Passengers can enjoy a local tipple in Peig Sayers Bar or a snack in the Sky Bar before boarding their direct flight back to Groningen.
“We look forward to working with BBI Travel and welcoming their passengers to Kerry in 2027.”
Packages and flights for the 2027 summer schedule are expected to go on sale through BBI Travel in the coming months.
Eoin Cashman named Kerry’s sole Naughton Scholar
Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luacha student Eoin Cashman has been honoured as County Kerry’s sole recipient of the prestigious Naughton Scholarship for 2026.
Eoin received the award at an official ceremony held at Trinity College Business School on Saturday, October 17.
The Naughton Scholarships recognise outstanding students entering third-level education in STEM subjects, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Eoin was accompanied at the Dublin presentation by his parents, Marian and Pat Cashman, alongside SPSL Principal Mairéad Lucey.
The scholarship follows an exceptional Leaving Certificate performance where Eoin achieved seven H1 grades. His passion for STEM extended well beyond the classroom, having reached the SciFest 2025 National Final as overall runner-up and winning the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Award to represent Ireland in Phoenix, Arizona.
The funding will support Eoin in his current studies at University College Cork, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astrophysics.
As part of the award, Eoin will travel to Kylemore Abbey in March 2027 for a special gathering bringing together past and present Naughton Scholars from across Ireland.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD congratulated the scholars, encouraging them to maintain critical thinking and independent thought throughout their third-level journeys. Mrs Carmel Naughton also addressed the gathering, expressing immense pride in the class of 2026.
SPSL Principal Mairéad Lucey commended the Rathmore student on his achievement:
“Eoin’s academic achievements are a source of immense pride for the entire SPSL school community. His Naughton Scholarship follows an exceptional Leaving Certificate performance in 2026, when he achieved seven H1 grades as well as his strong commitment to STEM beyond the classroom, reaching the SciFest 2025 National Final and being awarded Overall Runner-Up and also winning the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Award, earning them the right to represent Ireland at the Regeneron ISEF world finals in Phoenix, Arizona.”
The school management and wider Rathmore community extended their congratulations to Eoin and his parents, Marian and Pat, as he continues his academic career in UCC.
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