News
Restricting short-term lets “Detrimental” to Tourism Industry, says Cahill
Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill has warned that moves to restrict short-term lets will have a damaging effect on the local tourism economy.
Speaking this week, the Deputy argued that a diverse mix of accommodation is essential for the county’s success.
“We need Long and Short Term Lets, there’s no doubt about that. We need all sorts of accommodation types to fill the needs of the people. Restricting any type, for instance Short Term Lets, is a detrimental move and we should encourage more of all types,” said Deputy Cahill.
The Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Tourism claimed that because Kerry is the premier tourist county in Ireland, local business owners should have been consulted before any legislative changes were introduced. He noted that the wide choice of accommodatio, including hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, and AirBnBs, is a primary reason visitors choose the area.
“Without this mix and flexibility, many people would stay away, despite our fabulous food and stunning scenery offerings,” he said. “As I stated previously, we need to be very careful that we do not ‘kill the Golden Goose’ by legislating Tourism Accommodation Providers out of the market.”
Addressing the housing crisis, Deputy Cahill stated his belief that the shortage can be solved through the reclamation of vacant and derelict premises and an increase in new planning permissions, rather than by targeting the tourism sector.
“I firmly believe that with the reclamation of Vacant & Derelict premises and a marked increase in new Planning Permissions, for both One Off Housing and Group Housing, which I have been constantly pushing for at the highest level of this Fianna Fáil led Government, with the expected investment in Constructed Wetlands in villages across the county, something that I have been consistently calling for since being elected a TD for Kerry 12 months ago, we will solve that shortage in the medium term,” he stated.
Deputy Cahill also criticised the new Short Term Letting Register managed by Fáilte Ireland, stating it lacks universal support in Killarney.
“The fact that this new Register is to focus on just one type of letting, i.e. Short Term, has brought it into disrepute with those offering such a service. Many of them believe that it is discriminatory towards Short Term Letting and that they are being held responsible for the shortage in Long Term lettings and the Housing Crisis,” he said.
The Rossbeigh-based TD highlighted that many in the AirBnB sector have no intention of moving into long-term letting. “They have found their niche, they say, they pay their taxes and they feel they should not be forced out of business. Legitimate businesses should be allowed to carry on and other tactics need to be employed to encourage and attract people to offering Long Term Letting. We need not use a sledge hammer to crack a nut,” he added.
Concluding his remarks, Deputy Cahill repeated his call for a waiver for those who have been operating short-term lets for three years or longer.
“I will again raise this serious matter in the Dáil, with the Taoiseach and Senior Government Ministers. This issue is more important now than ever before as is evident over the past 2 weeks with the opening of the first completed section of the South Kerry Greenway and the very obvious shortage of accommodation,” he said.
News
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.
O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.
Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June
A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.
Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.
Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”
The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June
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