News
Sweet acoustic sound surprises locals
MUSIC TO THEIR EARS: Talented acoustic guitarist Gareth Carey has been amazing locals and visitors in town with his music. Photo: Michelle Crean
Passersby have stopped in their tracks in the heart of Killarney town in recent weeks as one very talented busker has been playing melodic, uplifting and refreshing songs on his acoustic guitar.
Michelle Crean talked to the man behind the strings, 40-year-old Gareth Carey, who is planning to make Killarney his new home.
And, during our ‘In Conversation’ he revealed that he has had a huge music career touring with Jeff Martin's 'Armada' in Australia, supporting acts like Public Enemy, Gomez, The Wailers and had a meeting to discuss some songs with none other than The Temptations at the Royal Albert Hall.
He also toured Australia extensively and played for the Swing Dance Champion of the East Coast of America.
Gareth grew up in Malvern, England before moving to Clonakilty, Ireland aged 12 in 1992 and began to learn the guitar. When he was 16 he studied under the tutelage of Kevyn Gammond who played guitar with The Band of Joy with Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) on vocals and then collaborated on many albums and live shows Robert Plant went on to record and perform in his solo career. Gareth also attended Kidderminster College where he studied Music Management and Sound.
In the years that followed Gareth has been session playing with emerging bands from the Irish and English music scene.
His music influences include Nick Drake, Roy Harper, John Martyn and Bob Dylan and although he’s looking to get signed as a solo artist, he says that the music industry is going through a tough decade.
“Obviously it’s been a tough year with the year that’s in it,” he explained to the Killarney Advertiser.
He says that he supported Mick Flannery seven or eight years ago and recorded his first album with ’70s and ‘80s folk legend Roy Harper who has over 50 albums under his belt. Since then he’s been session playing but work is becoming increasingly hard to come by especially this year due to the pandemic and restrictions on gigs.
“The last 10 years has been the toughest for the music industry as it’s all free online now. It makes it more difficult to make a living from music now. I want to bring music back, I think it’s been lost a bit. It’s like art suddenly has no work. There’s no way around it.”
Not only has the last decade set him on harder times, the talented guitarist also recently smashed both his ankles in an accident, which has set him back even further.
“I smashed both ankles in Mercier in Spain on May 15 in an accident when I jumped into the water, not realising there were rocks beneath my feet.”
Metal pins were put in and it will take a few months to fully heal, he explained.
He says he’s ready to make a new album and hopes to get a record deal, especially since experiencing the positive reaction of the people in Killarney town.
“I’ve been a bit down on my own ability the last few years but now I’ve just got a new lease of life. I love Kerry especially Killarney, it's the best town and the people are really nice. I plan to settle here. I want to get a record deal ASAP. I really want to do something special. I’ll sit outside Universal Records if I have to. I want to absolutely focus on my music and get my songs out there.”
To hear Gareth’s music have a listen on soundcloud.com/garethcareymusic.
There is a reason Killarney is so tidy
By Eamonn Fitzgerald
Killarney won the overall national award as Ireland’s Tidiest town in 2011 and, since then, has consistently won gold medals and several category titles. In 2023, Killarney was Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town.
The 2024 overall winner was Ballincollig on 386 marks, followed by Killarney on 384. We need a two-pointer, so let’s all pull together for that orange flag, as the judges are on the circuit for the 2026 awards.
Winning an All-Ireland title takes a lot of planning, commitment, dedication, and continuous work. That was needed to win the Sam Maguire in 2025. Now the race is on for Sam’s return. Killarney would also cherish winning the overall Tidiest Town in Ireland.
It is a huge challenge for Killarney with so many visitors swelling the resident population of 14,351. Recently, there was Bike Fest, two big games at Fitzgerald Stadium- the Munster football final, with an attendance of close to 33,000, and the Donegal game, which attracted over 22,000. If even 50 % of the people dropped one piece of litter, a wrapping, paper coffee cup, or plastic water bottle, the accumulated litter would be enormous. It is my custom to walk around Killarney, especially on the morning after a big event, but by 10.00 am on Monday mornings, the town is spic and span. All litter disappeared overnight. Magic?
No. Noel O’Leary had his Killarney Town Council staff working from dawn, complemented by Mick Gleeson’s volunteers from Killarney Looking Good. Such cooperation between the statutory body and volunteers is very rare indeed. We should not take it for granted but appreciate this cooperative effort to maintain Killarney as the Town we love so well, just like Phil Coulter appreciates his native Derry. Let us all row in, bring home your own litter or use the bins provided, and if you see a stray piece of litter, put it in the nearest bin. Teams win All-Irelands, not individuals. Let’s all do our bit: it will make a difference. Ní neart go cur le chéile.
HIQA registration delays opening of new hospital
Confusion surrounds the opening date of the new 130-bed Killarney Community Nursing Unit, with a Dáil debate revealing that a previous end-of-June opening target is now dependent on resolving outstanding registration issues with the health watchdog, HIQA.
Speaking in the Dáil this week, Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae criticised the ongoing delays, stating that Kerry TDs were assured by local HSE management on May 29 that the facility would open before the end of June. However, county councillors at a HSE SouthWest Forum were informed a week later that this target would not be met.
“Who is calling the shots? Is it the HSE at national level? Is it the Minister?” Deputy Healy-Rae asked. “The lights have been on in the building since before Christmas and it was cleared to go. We are begging for this on our knees.”
He highlighted that the delay impacts 30 planned dementia-specific beds, as well as broader plans for a minor injuries unit and a primary care centre at the St Columbanus’s site.
Responding on behalf of the government, Deputy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor maintained that the HSE still expects the unit to open before the end of June, but confirmed the timeline depends entirely on HIQA registration.
“The HSE is engaging with HIQA regarding a small number of outstanding issues,” she said. “Once HIQA registration is granted, the HSE will set a date and move forward with the transfer of residents.”
Deputy Healy-Rae countered that the response was identical to information provided by the government a month ago. He questioned why staffing agreements and HIQA certifications were not finalised sooner, given the building was structurally completed last December.
INMO serves notice of industrial action
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has served notice of industrial action on HSE South West over proposed staffing levels at the new facility.
The union stated that its members are deeply dissatisfied with the proposed rosters, which they claim fall short of the staffing required to deliver safe care on day and night duties.
INMO Industrial Relations Executive Kathryn Courtney said there is a significant staffing gap compared to similar facilities, leaving members with no choice but to take action.
There is a reason Killarney is so tidy
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