Connect with us

News

Rally of the Lakes worth €10 million to local economy -Chamber

Published

on

0226529_Rally_Lakes_Launch_2022_31.jpg

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has advised local businesses to prepare for a particularly busy May Bank Holiday weekend with the 41st International Rally of the Lakes ensuring a bumper long weekend in the town.

With a value to the town of in excess of €10 million, the International Rally of the Lakes is right up there in terms of major attractions in Killarney and it creates a hugely exciting sporting spectacle for the long weekend, Chamber President Niall Kelleher said.

He stressed that the town’s tourism industry relies heavily on flagship festivals and gatherings such as the 4th July Festival, Christmas in Killarney, the St Patrick’s Festival and, more recently, the Wander Wild Festival and events like the Rally of the Lakes, the Historic Rally and Bikefest add a wonderful extra dimension and real colour to what the town can offer visitors and locals.

“Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce is fully supportive of the Killarney and District Motor Club and I congratulate Clerk of the Course Darren McCormick and all involved in organising such a finely-tuned and high quality motorsport event, one of the best run of its kind in the country,” Mr Kelleher said.

He noted that Killarney has been synonymous with rallying for decades, which is hardly surprising given the terrific rally terrain it can offer, with the technically demanding stages matched only by the spectacular landscape.

“The Rally of the Lakes is very much a team Killarney effort with Gardaí, Kerry County Council, residents and businesses all playing their part and, in terms of coverage, Killarney and Kerry benefit enormously through TV, media and social media exposure.

“COVID has played spoilsport over the last two years but, on April 30 and May 1 we should forget all about the pandemic and concentrate instead on a feast of top class rallying and fun,” the Chamber President added.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

News

Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways. The recently opened […]

Published

on

0254025_Kerry_Greenways_2.jpg

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways.

The recently opened Kingdom of Kerry Greenways between Tralee and Fenit and between Listowel and Abbeyfeale are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors to Kerry.

Representatives of the tourism Industry, local public representatives, travel writers and influencers gathered in Kerry on Monday to experience the exciting new tourist attractions and welcome the arrival of the longer daylight hours as the clocks changed over to summertime.

Sarah Hanrahan, a social media influencer who posts about Irish travel and has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, described the experience.

“Ireland has some of the most amazing outdoor spaces. For a lot of my followers and other people, connecting with green spaces has become much more important to their overall sense of well-being as well as their health and fitness. It’s been really gorgeous to experience the Tralee to Fenit, and Listowel to Limerick Kingdom of Kerry Greenways; a fantastic trip sampling the warm hospitality of Kerry and a great reminder of the active holiday options that are right on our doorstep.”

The new purpose-built trails provide an accessible and inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.

Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Aoife Thornton, said that the greenways offer an exceptional recreational amenity for everyone to enjoy.

“The greenways are situated in some of Kerry’s most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular and safe off-road facilities for people of all ages to enjoy as the landscape comes into bloom. They also offer warm hospitality at the trail head towns of each route.”

Visit www.kerrygreenways.ie to find out more.

Attachments

Continue Reading

News

St Patrick’s Day parade winners announced

Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney. Delighted […]

Published

on

Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney.

Delighted club representatives were presented with the Seán O’Keeffe Perpetual Trophy – in memory of the former Mayor of Killarney and parade stalwart – at a gala presentation of prizes in the International Hotel, Killarney on Tuesday night.

The award for the Best Interpretation of the Theme, which was Killarney: Experience More, went to the Wander Wild Festival who received the Michael Courtney Perpetual Trophy which is dedicated to the memory of another former mayor of the town who spearheaded the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations for many years.

The John ‘Killer’ O’Callaghan Perpetual Trophy for the Best Sporting Entry was won by Killarney Athletic AFC and the Peter Irwin Memorial Trophy for the Best Marching Group and Cultural/Arts Entry went to Millstreet Pipe Band.

The Best Sports Club was Spa GAA, the Best Children’s Group prize was won by Kilcummin Comhaltas and the Best New Entry was Killarney Rugby Football Club.

There was an international flavour to the Best Musical Entry which was scooped by the Glenridge High School Marching Band from New Jersey.

The prize for the Best Voluntary Group went to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, the Best School Award went to the Fiona Crowley Stage School and the Best Activity Group was deemed to be Scorchers Cheerleading Club.

The Most Entertaining Entry went to the Killarney Tidy Towns group, the prize for the Most Original Entry was won by Liebherr Container Cranes and the Most Imaginative Entry in the parade was the Art House, Killarney.

The Most Stylish Entry prize was awarded to the Ukrainian community whose representative said they were delighted to play a part in Ireland’s national holiday and thanked the people of Killarney for the warm welcome they have received.

Other prizes presented on the night included the Best Window Display which went to Christy Healy’s on New Street who were celebrating 100 years in business on St Patrick’s Day, while the Europe Hotel and Resort won the Best Green-Themed Building prize.

The judges for the parade were Br Pat Lynch, Guardian, Franciscan Friary, Pam Brosnan, Killarney Musical Society and Denis McMahon.

The awards were presented by Killarney St Patrick’s Festival Chairman Paul Sherry, Mayor of Killarney Cllr Niall Kelleher, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive Bridget O’Keeffe, and parade grand marshal Cathal P Walshe.

Continue Reading

Trending