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Take Two: RTÉ shows to feature talented local men

By Sean Moriarty
Killarney viewers will have to do a double take next Wednesday evening as not one - but two - local men are to feature on two separate TV programmes.
The Brehon's Head Chef Chad Byrne, who also owns the Hungry Donkey food truck, is to feature in the first episode of a new six part series called ‘Paul Flynn’s Food Truck Favourites’.
TV chef Flynn kicks off his first food truck adventure with a search for street food featuring lamb and takes a trip to Killarney to meet Chad and check out his business.
“He heard about us during lockdown and made contact,” Chad told the Killarney Advertiser
“We are only doing pop-ups now, but every time we do one we have queues and queues of people. To feature on Paul’s show is a huge endorsement to what we do.”
Separately it'll be lights, camera and action for James Flynn as he will be on ‘Nationwide’ with presenters Anne Cassin and Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh running a feature on his efforts to keep the tradition of manufacturing and restorating Arbutus furniture alive in the region.
In October 2020 the Ross Road man discovered a games table for sale in Boston. The rare piece of handcrafted furniture, that dates from just after the famine era, was returned to Killarney in March last year by Mr Flynn.
The Arbutus Tree, sometimes called the Killarney Strawberry Tree, is more prevalent in Killarney National Park than any other region in the country.
James, a former ESB district supervisor for South Kerry, has, since his retirement, devoted his time to tracing the history of Killarney’s Arbutus furniture industry and restores pieces that he finds in online auctions all over the world.
Wednesday’s ‘Nationwide’ programme will feature handcrafters from all over Ireland and will include around seven minutes with James.
“I took the production crew on a tour of Muckross House, we visited Paddy Connor’s antique shop in Lissivigeen,” James told the Killarney Advertiser.
“I brought them up the Moll’s Gap road, just above the tunnel there is an Arbutus tree, with a protective fence, to keep the deer out.”
'Nationwide' will air at 7pm while 'Food Truck Favourites' will be on at 8pm, both on RTÉ One.
News
Strong connections made at tourism tradeshow
Many significant business deals were signed at this year’s Meitheal – Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry. Held in the INEC, 450 Irish businesses pitched to over 230 international […]

Many significant business deals were signed at this year’s Meitheal – Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry.
Held in the INEC, 450 Irish businesses pitched to over 230 international buyers from 17 countries at Fáilte Ireland’s flagship trade event.
Running since 1975, Meitheal is organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland to provide Irish tourism businesses with the opportunity to sell directly to top international buyers and tour operators.
The best of what is on offer across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way and Dublin, were showcased with the aim of being scheduled on the itineraries of the global tour operators.
Key themes and trends emerging this year are sustainable travel options, immersive outdoor experiences and festivals.
Speaking about the importance of developing a future pipeline of tourism business, Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said that “creating a strong pipeline of future business is key for the recovery of tourism”.
“Seeing the demand for the Irish tourism product with international buyers at Meitheal is fantastic. Each international buyer represents tens of thousands of possible visitors to Ireland, and their business will be hugely important for tourism and hospitality businesses, communities, and destination Ireland as we continue to work towards recovery,” he said.
News
Outdoor dining area officially opens in town
A new outdoor dining space at Kenmare Place was officially opened today (Wednesday). The project, which was supported with €605,000 in funding from Fáilte Ireland under the Local Authority Weatherproofing and […]

A new outdoor dining space at Kenmare Place was officially opened today (Wednesday).
The project, which was supported with €605,000 in funding from Fáilte Ireland under the Local Authority Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Infrastructure Scheme, provides an attractive outdoor dining option for locals and visitors to Killarney.
“This is a really wonderful addition to Killarney’s tourism infrastructure and will prove a great asset throughout the year and particularly during the forthcoming tourist season,” said Cllr Kelleher, Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District, who did the honours.
“One of the effects of the recent pandemic was the need to utilise and maximise outdoor dining options and this infrastructure shows what can be achieved in an imaginative way. It will greatly enhance Killarney’s reputation as a destination for top quality tourism experiences.”
The project has been operational since last October but the official opening was timed to coincide with the Meitheal 2023 tourism industry showcase that was organised by Fáilte Ireland at the INEC this week.
“It is fantastic to see Killarney’s outdoor dining infrastructure being so well received by trade and visitors alike,” Miriam Kennedy, Head of Wild Atlantic Way at Fáilte Ireland, said.
Councillors in the Killarney Municipal District approved planning permission for the infrastructure which was completed by Daniel Canty Construction.