News
Surprise retirement party for tour giant

By Sean Moriarty
A travel agent who was responsible for bringing hundreds of thousands visitors to Ireland celebrated his retirement from the industry with a surprise party in Killeen House on Wednesday night.
Dubliner Brian Moore ran Brian Moore International Travel (BMIT) in Rhode Island for close to 40 years. His career in the travel industry goes back over 50 years, his first job in the US as a Shannon Travel rep in Boston before going out on his own.
One of his biggest contracts was bringing American football to Dublin. Back in 1989 BMIT was the sole travel agent for the Boston College v Army Black Knights game played in Lansdowne Road. BMIT brought 10,000 people to Ireland on that occasion and the majority of them included Killarney on their schedule.
Throughout his career his local affairs were handled by his sister Stella O’Shea from Rock Road. Coaches with the BMIT livery were a familiar sight on the roads of Kerry for decades.
“I handled all of his on the ground work, like meeting and greeting,” she told the Killarney Advertiser. “There was never a cross word between us.”
The formidable team always included both Galway and Killarney on their tours.
“He would say that "I made the promises and Stella kept them",” she added.
During his distinguished career he brought thousands of visitors to Kerry. His achievements included being inducted into the Order of Innisfallen in 2015. This award is presented to people from outside the locality who have made massive contributions to Killarney life.
He sold BMIT to a larger travel agency in 2000 but continued in the travel industry working for outfits like CIE International and Brendan Vacations.
Senior tourism figures organised a surprise retirement party for Brian at Killeen House this week. He thought he was accompanying 11 US visitors on an evening meal but when he arrived he was greeted by guests like Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Marie Moloney, and Niall Kelleher in his role as the President of Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
“He rang me during the day just for a chat, it was very hard not to tell him what was going on but I couldn’t do it as it would have ruined it for everyone,” added Stella.
News
Street Orienteering added to Wander Wild programme
By Sean Moriarty A new event has been added to the extensive Wander Wild Festival next weekend. Kerry Orienteers will run a family-friendly Urban Orienteering event as part of the […]

By Sean Moriarty
A new event has been added to the extensive Wander Wild Festival next weekend.
Kerry Orienteers will run a family-friendly Urban Orienteering event as part of the festival on March 25.
Participants can start at the Killarney Plaza Hotel Basecamp anytime from 2-4pm on Saturday.
Orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport which involves walking or running whilst navigating around a course using a detailed map and sometimes a compass. And the Wander Wild Street Orienteering will have courses suitable for all ages and abilities.
“The aim is to navigate in sequence between a set of control points and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. It does not matter how young, old or fit you are, as you can run, walk or jog the course and progress at your own pace. If you need any help or tips members of Kerry Orienteering Club will be available to assist during the day,” said organiser Brendan O’Brien.
Two routes are available: ‘Wander’ – 2km (easy, wheelchair and buggy accessible) and Wild – 4km (moderate), and bookings can be made via: https://t.ly/jHm2R.
News
Quiz helps to fund Easter pilgrimage
A popular annual table quiz, which raises funds to send Kerry children and young adults with special needs to Lourdes, will be held in Killarney next week. The Tim Moore […]

A popular annual table quiz, which raises funds to send Kerry children and young adults with special needs to Lourdes, will be held in Killarney next week.
The Tim Moore Memorial Table Quiz will be held in the Gleneagle Hotel at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 29.
The entry fee for tables of four is €40 and it is €20 for teams of four schoolchildren with great prizes up for grabs on the night.
All proceeds will go to the Irish Pilgrimage Trust which organises trips to Lourdes every Easter for children and young adults with additional needs.
They will be brought on the pilgrimage on Easter Sunday and all the volunteer helpers and medical staff that will accompany them will cover for their own travel costs.
The annual quiz, which is running for close on 30 years, is dedicated to the memory of the late Killarney accountant Tim Moore who was a tireless campaigner for the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. He passed away, suddenly, in 2002 and his friends have continued the quiz as a tribute to his legacy and to ensure the charity continues to be supported.
It hasn’t been held for the past two years due to the pandemic but all involved are thrilled that it is back for 2023.
Kieran Coffey, the retired principal of Fossa National School, is one of those who spearhead the Kerry pilgrimage to Lourdes and he has appealed to the public to support the very important fundraiser which helps offset some of the costs involved.
“We are delighted to be in a position to continue Tim’s great work and to dedicate the quiz to him. The event is always so well supported by the people of the greater Killarney area and we greatly appreciate that generosity,” said Kieran.