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Why shouldn’t Killarney become a financial hub?

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IN A FEW weeks’ time, expressions of interest will be sought in relation to the future use of the Pretty Polly site in Killarney. It got us thinking – what about establishing it as a centre for a financial hub in the town?

Brexit is pushing Dublin up in global financial hub rankings. But why should the capital be the only centre to benefit?

Since the UK voted to leave the European Union, Britain’s many financial firms have explored moving headquarters or setting up new subsidiaries elsewhere to keep a foothold in the EU’s single market.

Why shouldn’t Killarney present itself as a contender in the battle between European cities to lure banks, insurers and other finance-related industries?
Dublin is well positioned to attract Brexit-related relocations for several reasons, including that it’s a short flight from London, shares the same language, and levies some of the lowest tax rates in the Europe.

Yet with a bit of foresight Killarney should surely be just as enviable a location.
We have one of the best conference locations in Ireland and in addition, we are an hour from Cork Airport, and hour and a half’s drive from Shannon Airport and just fifteen minutes from Kerry Airport.

And while we complain about our property prices, they are far, far less expensive than those in Dublin or London.
So why shouldn’t Killarney entice some of the financial service companies post-Brexit? Killarney has the transport routes, conference facilities and accommodation to service international services industries.

So, come on, and let’s think big. Why not put together a professional working group to target sectors such as these? We need a single-minded independent commission-based project to drive this forward.
 


 
Above: London's financial district.

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Chamber pays tribute to late Dick Henggeler

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee. Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at […]

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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee.

Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at his home in Baltimore, USA surrounded by his Aghadoe-born wife Eibhlin (née Moriarty), their son Franz, and other family members.
Dick and Eibhlin purchased The Rose Hotel in 2015 in tribute to their late daughter Dorothy, who represented Washington DC in the 2011 Rose of Tralee Festival.
The Chamber said Mr Henggeler would be remembered for his warmth, good nature and positive approach, as well as for being a forward-thinking and knowledgeable businessman.
“He knew how to run a good hotel and that was and still is very obvious at The Rose Hotel, which is a great success story,” the Chamber said.
It added that continuity of ownership will remain in place, with Eibhlin, Franz, daughter-in-law Amber, and grandchildren Conrad and Rowan continuing to honour Dick’s legacy and vision for the hotel.
“Dick took enormous personal pride in Tralee and all of Kerry and he was always available to generously support any community initiative or endeavour undertaken in Killarney,” the Chamber said.
“He will be greatly missed by all that knew him but he leaves a wonderful legacy.”

He will repose at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney, on Friday (October 17), from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. The funeral will arrive at St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday morning at 10:00am for Requiem Mass at 10:30am, with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Cemetery. The Requiem Mass will be live streamed at https://www.churchservices.tv/killarneycathedral.

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Beaufort Film Night returns with French drama-comedy

Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band. The film tells the story of Thibaut, […]

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Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band.

The film tells the story of Thibaut, a successful conductor recently diagnosed with leukaemia. A search for a bone marrow donor reveals that he was adopted and has a brother, Jimmy, a cafeteria worker.
The two meet, discover a shared love of music, and form a strong bond through an unexpected collaboration with Jimmy’s workplace band.
The Marching Band (French title En Fanfare) will screen at 8.30pm. Admission is €7, cash only, and will cover the motion picture licence fee.
The film has a 12A rating and is in French with English subtitles.
Beaufort Film Night is a non-profit community group that screens cultural English and international films that usually do not receive general release in Kerry.
The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office and Access Cinema. Cullina National School is providing the venue.
Further details are available on Beaufort Film Night’s Facebook page @BeaufortFilmNight.

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