Killarney and District Motor Club members are out in force for this weekend’s Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes, with several local names expected to challenge for top honours across all categories.

At the head of the field, Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine are chasing an unprecedented fifth consecutive win in Killarney. The Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 crew leads the entry list and aims to reclaim the championship lead. Other local interest in the top ten includes Rockfield co-driver Shane Buckley, navigating for David Kelly, and Milltown co-driver Ger Conway, who joins Daniel Cronin in the hunt for a podium finish.
The modified section features a heavy local presence. Robert Duggan returns in his Ford Escort Mk2 for his first outing since October, setting up a highly anticipated battle with the returning Conor Murphy. Further down the order, Glenflesk-based crews Denis Hickey and Eoin O’Leary, along with Dave Slattery and Denis Coffey, return to their home international event.
Family ties remain central to the local entry list. Charlie Hickey is joined by his son Cathal, who makes his debut as a co-driver, while John and Michelle Hickey form a father-daughter team in their Mitsubishi E9. Pat and Tara Looney are also competing as a father-daughter duo in their Ford Escort.
Experience and new machinery are both on display this weekend. Noel O’Sullivan and Nicholas Burke represent the longest-serving crew with over 30 starts each. Meanwhile, Tadhg O’Sullivan and Kevin O’Donoghue bring high-powered machinery to Class 14.
David Randles will also be fighting for class honours in a Peugeot 208 R4.
In the Historic category, Fergus O’Meara faces a race against time to have his BMW M3 ready following an engine rebuild. He will compete against former winner Mark Falvey in a Ford Escort RS1600 and Paul Ahern in another BMW M3. The Junior rally features two Kerry crews, with Jaden Leane and Padraig Devane leading the charge in a Honda Civic, while Conor Horgan and Aaron O’Halloran compete in their second-ever rally

A Kerry TD has warned that the county’s economy is under threat as international aviation challenges and rising fuel costs begin to impact overseas visitor numbers.

Speaking in the Dáil this week, Deputy Michael Cahill (FF) told the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment that “nervousness” is growing across the sector. He warned that global instability, particularly in the Middle East, is driving flight cuts and surcharges that could leave peripheral regions like Kerry “exposed.”

“Tourism in Kerry is the lifeblood of our local economy,” Deputy Cahill said. “From Killarney to Dingle, thousands of jobs depend on a stable flow of overseas visitors. That stability is now under threat.”

The Deputy highlighted that the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) has already signalled that earlier growth projections of 5% to 7% for this year are unlikely to be met. He noted that Lufthansa has already announced 20,000 flight cuts globally, while Aer Lingus has seen reductions.

Regional Vulnerability
Minister Peter Burke (FG) acknowledged the challenges, noting that 90% of Ireland’s inbound connectivity depends on air access. However, he pointed to a new tourism policy, A New Era for Irish Tourism, and a €400 million capital plan over the next five years designed to enhance the “value proposition” for visitors.

“We have had strong growth this year,” Minister Burke said, “but we recognise that geopolitical instability can have implications. We are working with airlines to ensure they don’t just consolidate routes.”

Calls for Kerry Airport expansion
Deputy Cahill argued that a “one-size-fits-all” approach would not work for the South West, noting that international visitors to Killarney and Kenmare cannot be fully replaced by domestic tourism.

He specifically urged the Minister to prioritise regional air access and called for the introduction of new flight routes to Kerry Airport from Belfast, Barcelona, and Amsterdam to offset potential losses from other markets.

“Kerry is a premium destination but also a peripheral one,” Cahill said. “If flights become more expensive, visitors often choose alternative destinations entirely. We need proactive measures to protect our regional airports.”

Minister Burke confirmed that new viability mechanisms and VAT supports will kick in on July 1, alongside “strategic air activation schemes” to market new flights as they become available. He committed to working with Kerry representatives to ensure the “Kingdom” benefits from the €400 million investment fund.

Michael Cahill TD with former Kerry Airport CEO John Mulhern