News
The variety of grass
One family of plants which you would think will grow better than any here in Kerry, would be grasses…
However growing grass which is not indigenous can be tricky. Most grass such as Pennisetums, those of the ‘cat tail’ flowers, enjoy warm, sunny weather, with well drained, light soil. I find that many of the showy Pennisetum, such as P. rubrum, (reddish foliage with purple flowers), Hameln, (green foliage, creamy flowers) or ‘Buttons’, (grey foliage, purple button shaped flowers) really need a long, sunny summer to produce good numbers of flowers and attractive foliage.
Autumn colour also depends on light condition.
Any Pennisetum I have grown in my garden has not really survived the winter, however, those I grow in pots along a south facing wall do very well. I think they are particularly effective if used as a seasonal plant mixed with bedding.
Festuca is a more resilient grass, doing a little better in our wet winters. Festuca also abhors waterlogged soil, and prefers a site in full sun. Festuca glauca is a steely blue, achieving its best colour in a very sunny spot.
Stipa is a good grass for most gardens, Stipa’s ‘pony tails’ has pretty curled foliage and masses of fluffy flowers. Stipa gigantica has elegant flowers which can reach up to 2m, though the foliage only grows to 60cm.
Hakonechloa macra is also very tolerant of wet winters. It is a low growing grass which is evergreen, with a lovely fresh, limegreen colour.
All grasses prefer well drained soil, and most like the sun. Many look attractive in the winter, even as they go brown, and are much used by insects to hibernate in. Clumps can be cut back severely – I am always in conflict when is the best time.
On the one hand, the skeletal fronds look beautiful in the winter sun, so I like to leave to leave the cutting until spring.
On the other hand, water can lodge in the base of the plant, causing the whole thing to rot. It would be ideal if we could predict the winter weather – if wet, cut back, if dry and frosty, leave til spring!
One grass I would recommend highly for Irish weather is Miscanthus. There are many varieties, from very tall to about 60cm. They all spread, so you will need space. Their flower heads are particularly liked by greenfinches in the winter, so they are the last grasses in our garden to be pruned!
KWD Recycling shortlisted for national environmental awards
Killarney-based KWD Recycling has been announced as a finalist in the 2026 Repak Resource Awards, securing a spot on the national shortlist for environmental achievement.
The local waste management company has been nominated in the Best Recovery Operator Innovation category, sponsored by DNV, for its state-of-the-art residual waste recovery system.
The Killarney facility utilizes optical sorting, screening, and mechanical processing to extract recyclable plastics and organic material from municipal waste. In its first year of operation, the technology recovered more than 10 per cent of plastic packaging from residual waste for recycling and diverted almost 50 per cent of organic material toward composting.
KWD Recycling will compete alongside Dublin operators Panda and Thorntons Recycling for the category title.
Repak CEO Zoe Kavanagh commended the Kerry firm for demonstrating environmental leadership and bringing local ambition to the national awards.
Category winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony at the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday, October 23, where each winner will also compete for the Overall Repak Resource Award.
Local businesses have a strong track record at the national event, with Killarney town venue The Killarney Park and The Ross previously taking home the overall title in 2023.
Drivers warned as deer rutting season begins
Motorists in Killarney are being urged to exercise extreme caution as the annual deer rutting season gets underway, causing animals to stray far beyond their usual habitats inside Killarney National Park.
The autumn mating season sees deer becoming highly active and unpredictable, leading to increased sightings and collisions on local roads outside traditional park boundaries.
Two separate incidents highlighted the growing hazard on local routes this week. A reader contacted the Killarney Advertiser to warn drivers after spotting a deer roaming near Tiernaboul towards the school on Sunday afternoon around 7.30pm.
Later that same night, in the early hours of Monday morning, a local driver collided with a deer near Kerry Airport around 1am while returning home from an event.
Despite attempting evasive action, the motorist struck the animal, which died at the scene and temporarily blocked the road before local Gardaí were alerted to clear the obstruction.
The driver sustained substantial vehicle damage, requiring repairs to the bumper, headlamp, and internal components, leaving her facing significant garage costs and time off the road.
Gardaí and road safety advocates advise motorists travelLing during early morning and late evening and remain vigilant along tree-lined routes.
KWD Recycling shortlisted for national environmental awards
KWD Recycling shortlisted for national environmental awards Killarney-based KWD Recycling has been announced as a finalist in the 2026 Repak...
Drivers warned as deer rutting season begins
Drivers warned as deer rutting season begins Motorists in Killarney are being urged to exercise extreme caution as the annual...
Kerry Airport CEO addresses chamber luncheon
Kerry Airport chief executive Adrian Neilan addressed local business leaders at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce luncheon at...
The Brehon raises €2,850 for Jack and Jill Foundation
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Five local postmen retire with 185 years service
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Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
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On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
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LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
