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Rare Padre Pio relic to go on display in Friary

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By Sean Moriarty

A rare relic of Padre Pio - owned by a Kilcummin man - will go on display at the Franciscan Friary during the annual St Padre Pio Triduum this week.

PADRE PIO: Michael O'Connor will display his 'First Class Relic' of Padre Pio at the annual St Padre Pio Triduum next week. Fr Eamonn O'Driscoll will lead the three-day devotion. Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy

The three-day Triduum to the modern-day saint will take place from September 21 to 23 and will be led by Fr. Eamonn O’Driscoll, OFM.

There will be daily masses at 10am and 7pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and  Thursday this week.

The ‘First Class Relic’ - a bandage with the Saint’s blood on it - will go on display at the Friary for each of the two daily Masses over the three days.

The relic is owned by Kilcummin man Michael O’Connor who has been devoted to Padre Pio after he claims the saint appeared to him at his home in 2010.

Following the appearance, Michael decided to visit San Giovanni Rotondo, the Saint’s home from July 1916 until his death in 1968.

During one of his many visits, which included asking a local wood-carver to make a life-size solid-oak statue of the saint, he got to know many of the priests in the town.

They presented him with the bandage in February 2011 and this is the relic that will go on display.

“I have taken it on display in Galway, Mayo, many parishes all over the country,” Michael told the Killarney Advertiser.

“It has been to Kilcummin and here at the Friary too before. I have met many people who have told me they have been cured by it, that all their pains were gone, but this is the work of Padre Pio and Jesus and I am just the channel.”

Fr Eamonn is looking forward to welcoming parishioners back to the Friary after months of restrictions. The church will remain at 50 percent capacity during the two daily Masses. In June the Friary was forced to run six Masses a day on the Feast of St Anthony.

“There is a lot of devotion to Padre Pio here in Ireland. He is in living memory for some people,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “It is a ‘First Class Relic’ and to see it public is unusual.”

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Kerry coaches firm honoured with All-Ireland title

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Kerry Coaches named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025

Killarney-based Kerry Coaches has been named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition also marks Kerry Coaches’ second Business All-Star Accreditation, having received its first accolade in 2024.

Founded in 1957, Kerry Coaches has established itself as a leader in the Irish transport industry, known for its exceptional service and commitment to quality.  With a fleet of over 100 modern chauffeur vehicles, mini-buses and coaches the company provides a wide range of transport services, including corporate travel, executive golf transportation and bespoke tours throughout Ireland and Scotland.

 Speaking on the achievement, Mike Buckley, Director of Kerry Coaches, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. It’s a true reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every member of our team. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional travel experiences, and this award reaffirms our position as a leader in the industry.”

Announcing the news of Kerry Coaches’ achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: “It is my pleasure to commend Kerry Coaches for its outstanding performance in achieving the Business All-Star accreditation. After a thorough review, the firm has been honoured with All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company Of The Year 2025. Kerry Coaches is distinguished not only for its superior fleet but also for its exceptional team, some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. This seasoned team brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every client experience is exceptional.”         

Managing   Director   of   the   All-Ireland   Business   Foundation, Kapil   Khanna, said:  “The accreditation, which is now held by over 700 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.”

He   added: “We   evaluate   a   company’s   background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

About The All-Ireland Business Foundation

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class Irish businesses.

As the accreditation body for the Business All-Star mark, the AIBF recognises Best-In-Class Irish 

businesses.   Companies   that   merit   recognition   based   on   an   independent   audit   of   their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

Business All-Star Accreditation Is The Nation’s Symbol Of Trust. Currently, there are over 700 

companies that are accredited by AIBF. Since 2014, over 5000 companies have participated in their programmes.

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Trainee Blacksmith forging a career at Muckross Traditional Farms

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Phillip Pestor-Young, a trainee blacksmith from County Kildare, is currently gaining experience under Master Blacksmith Tom Allison at Muckross Traditional Farms.

Pestor-Young is enrolled in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. This programme is a cross-border educational initiative by the King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, and the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland. 

Prior to moving to Ireland in 2019, Phillip trained as an engineer and fabricator in the UK. He is now developing his blacksmithing skills in Kerry.

For more information on the program, visit https://kings-foundation.org/study/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme/.

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