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Skal Club present Eckhard Gogsch award

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The Skal Club of Kerry in co-operation with the Irish Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at IT Tralee recently presented Michelle O’Sullivan, a first year Higher Certificate in Arts and Hotel Operations student, the 2018 Eckhard Gogsch Service and Skills Award.

Eckhard was a hugely popular personality in the local tourism trade having spent his entire life working at different levels in the industry. He was born and reared near the spectacular Lake Constance in Germany and moved to Killarney in 1968 to take up a position in the Hotel Europe as waiter. He also worked in sister hotel, The Dunloe Castle, and has lived in Killarney since then.

In the mid 1980’s, Eckhard took up a position with Fáilte Ireland, the state agency Cert and was centre manager in many of their training schools at the former Torc Great Southern Hotel, Rosslare Great Southern, Dromhall Hotel and Kenmare Bay. It was in these schools that students were prepared for careers in the tourism industry.

Students acquired a range of skills, food preparation, restaurant service, accommodation service, bar and front office as well as business operations and communications. Eckhard always stressed to students that working in the hospitality industry was rewarding and there were ample opportunities for career progression.

In addition to formal training and practical experience, Eckhard had the ability to inspire and motivate and demonstrate excellent customer skills to the students. He always used to say that a satisfied customer tells at least three people whereas an angry customer tells 3,000.

He later started a freelance tour company with his wife Patricia, bringing visitors from all over the world to Ireland and leading them on great adventures throughout the country.

Eckhard was a very active member of the Kerry Skal Club since its inception 21 years ago and the decision was made to present this fantastic award in his memory. Speaking at the ceremony, club members also expressed their hopes that his wife Patricia would be taking up the mantel.

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Ballyspillane Community and Family Resource Centre launch Ageless roadshow

  Ballyspillane Community and Family Resource Centre is putting on a series of meetings and talks to offer older members of the community a chance to meet people from organisations […]

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Ballyspillane Community and Family Resource Centre is putting on a series of meetings and talks to offer older members of the community a chance to meet people from organisations that will enhance their lives.

The first talk will take place on October 3 at the Ballyspillane Community Resource Centre and will continue thereafter on a regular basis.

Thomas Doyle from SpecSavers will give the first talk and other groups like the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Alone, Family Carers Ireland, the Health and Safety Executive, Heartbeat Killarney, Be Active Be Well and the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland will join at future dates.

“We felt there was a need to bring all the organisations that can give older people the opportunity to come and meet organisations to offer support, services and activities that align with the life they wish to live,” said Sophie Haighway of the Ballyspillane Community Resource.

“The Ageless road show is a combination of organisations to help older people in the community. The groups that have committed to attend are the on alternative months. There will a guest speaker each month,”

The roadshow will be held in Ballyspillane CFRC the first Tuesday of every month from 12.30 pm-2 pm.

Further details from Sophie on 085 7723723.

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O’Sullivan chases National Rally glory in Clare on Sunday

It is hard to believe that it is four years since the Triton Showers-backed Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship last visited Clare. Between the pandemic and the new event rotation […]

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It is hard to believe that it is four years since the Triton Showers-backed Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship last visited Clare.

Between the pandemic and the new event rotation system, the last time the Liam Cleary Autoworld Clare Rally ran was in September 2019.

But it has been well worth the wait as organisers Clare Motor Club have attracted a stellar entry that has both strength and depth.

The Triton Showers National Rally Championship enters the home straight this weekend and all of the title protagonists will be in Ennis for the penultimate round of the eight-round championship.

Leading the fray after six rounds are defending champions, Josh Moffett and Keith Moriarty.

The Hyundai i20 Rally2 crew have a 20-point advantage over Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan from Muckross.

However, the Derry/Kerry crew has won the last two rounds in Sligo and Meath and when dropped scores come into play, they have started one less round than Moffett and Moriarty which suggests, mathematically, the advantage is maybe with the Volkswagen Polo Gti crew.

But anything can happen in rallying and it looks certain that the championship will go to the wire at the Fastnet Rally in late October.

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