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Reeks District launches new branding and website

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Kerry’s Reeks District – selected as one of the top places in the world to visit by Rough Guides in 2019 – has launched its next step for increasing visitor numbers to the region with new branding, a new website and new photography.

The website is much expanded from the region’s previous online presence and showcases the Reeks District’s amazing natural amenities from MacGillycuddy’s Reeks to the Blue Flag beaches of Inch and Rossbeigh, as well as amazing things to see and do in the region.

It also gives local businesses the tools to market themselves to a wider audience under the umbrella of the ultimate Reeks District guide. The web solution is based on a new trend in the tourism industry where travel booking engines are bypassed by locals coming together to create booking and enquiry systems with great functionality and a sleek user interface, but without fees being paid to a third, private party.

Photography for the project was undertaken by a group of landscape, architecture, interior and fashion photographers. The shoot took place over more than 30 locations across 10 days and the photographers were briefed to show the Reeks District exactly as it is, in its full glory, regardless of rainy days and stormy winds. ‘Models’ for the shoot were local enthusiasts, passionate about the activities they partake in.

The launch, which also sees a rebranding of the Reeks District’s Visitor Centre in Killorglin’s Library Place and a new visitor map, is part of a three-year project that began in 2021 and is aimed at radically increasing the Reeks District’s tourism market share and providing long-term sustainable growth, particular in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn.

As a not-for-profit organisation, funding for the three-year improved marketing drive has come from a number of sources, including membership subscriptions. In 2021, 20-plus local business owners came together to help the programme, providing investment that will total some €500,000 by the end of this initial three-year project in 2024. Funding from other sources, including the Department of Rural and Community Development, LEADER, Kerry County Council and Failte Ireland have also been secured.The project is also supported by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and sponsored by Killorglin Community Council.

Tourism is seen as a valuable area of growth for the Reeks District. Like many other regions, visitor numbers suffered during the Covid-19 crisis and the new marketing efforts will help build on the pre-pandemic success of the region following its 2018 re-brand from Mid Kerry.

“The new branding and website provide the next chapter in Reeks District’s development and is aimed at solidifying and improving our position as an emerging destination and one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets, providing sustainable tourism growth particularly in the shoulder seasons," Chair of the Reeks District, Jens Bachem, said.

“With phase one of our three-year plan now reaching completion, we can move onto our second and third phases that include further product development, search engine optimisation, event activation, communications and additional content. Internally our aims are to foster increased cooperation between our members via sharing of resources, knowledge and best practice, so we can continue to improve tourism revenue over the coming years.”

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Killarney and District Motor Club members honoured by Motorsport Ireland

By Cormac Casey Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday. The highlight of the event is the […]

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By Cormac Casey

Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday.

The highlight of the event is the announcement of the sport’s top awards.

Kilkenny’s Jack Brennan (19) was named Young Rally Driver of the Year, while Wexford native Jack Byrne was named Young Racing Driver of the Year and the International Driver of the Year award went to recently crowned FIA Junior World Rally Champion, William Creighton.

Muckross-based co-driver Noel O’Sullivan was presented with his Irish Tarmac Rally Championship winning trophy.

This year saw the introduction of the Motorsport Ireland President’s Awards which celebrate the achievements of  clubs and organisations.

Killarney and District Motor Club won in the innovation category for their work with their KDMC 2 initiative thanks to the efforts of the club’s vice chairman Mike O’Shea.

Rally Rescue teams were also recognised and the club’s Mike Cleary picked up an award for his role he played in what was a difficult year for rescue crew operators.

Tom O’Riordan, who looks after ambulance procurement on the club’s events, was presented with an FIA Volunteer Pin by Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper.

Killarney Advertiser Journalist Sean Moriarty was presented with an award for best use of of PR and media in 2023.

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Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest ‘thank you’ event at Brehon

Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar […]

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Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar events again in 2024.

Feedback from more than 100 people who attended this year’s Fest events from 7th to 14th October was positive with 91% stating they were satisfied.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest is held annually over the course of a week to highlight World Mental Health Day on October 10.
It aims to raise awareness of the available supports and services in Kerry as well as empower people to engage with the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ through offering a dynamic and interactive programme of events.
99% percent of respondents, most of whom identified as female, said they would recommend the Fest to friends next year. Some key notes for improvement included a request for more events with wider variety throughout the county.
The Chair of the Interagency Steering Group, John Drummey from Kerry Mental Health Association, said: “We wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to event organisers, community groups, businesses, funders and partners that facilitated the Fest’s dynamic and interactive programme of events in 2023. We are encouraged to see such growth in numbers attending the Fest events with a 50% increase from 2022. We are already making plans for the Fest from 5 to 12t October 2024 and we are looking forward to building on this year’s successes. That said, there is always room for improvement and we would welcome suggestions for new events and activities.”
Many of the event organisers attended a ‘thank-you’ event at the Brehon Hotel, Killarney, courtesy of the Kerry Volunteer Centre to coincide with the annual International Volunteer Day, December 5.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest was organised by an interagency steering group made up of local agencies that support wellbeing in our community.
The organising committee is a collaboration between Connecting for Life Kerry, Healthy Kerry, Kerry County Council, Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership, the HSE, NEWKD, SKDP, Kerry Mental Health Association, Jigsaw Kerry, Munster Technological University/Kerry, KDYS, Kerry Volunteer Centre and Family Resource Centres throughout the county.

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