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Thousands of volunteers take part in 11th annual County Clean-Up

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The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr John Francis Flynn has thanked the 3,500 volunteers who took part in the County Clean-Up across Kerry on Saturday.

Cillian Coleman pictured collecting bags on the County Bounds during the annual County Clean-Up Day on Saturday. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

FULL STEAM AHEAD: Nora Batty' (left) and her sister 'Sheila Batty' leading out the annual County Clean-Up Day Kerry’s biggest annual mobilisation of community groups Tidy Towns committees sporting organisations individual residents and families across the county. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Sean Murphy and his son Luke Murphy of KWD Recycling taking part in the annual County Clean-Up Day. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Conchubhair Ó Luasa (left) and Luke O'Liathain from Baile Mhuire taking part in the annual County Clean-Up Day organised by Kerry County Council and facilitated by KWD Recycling. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Pádraig O'Donoghue Breda Daly and Peg Coffey from Muckross taking part in the annual County Clean-Up Day organised by Kerry County Council and facilitated by KWD Recycling. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Anna Papa Murphy taking part in the annual County Clean-Up Day. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Dr Patricia Mangan and John Healy on the Kenmare Road taking part in the annual County Clean-Up Day. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Kerry County Clean-up ambassador Colm Cooper leading out the annual County Clean-Up Day with Jack O'Connor (left) Paul Neary (Acting Director of Services at Kerry County Council) and Paulette O'Shea. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

‘Nora Batty’ (left) and her sister 'Sheila Batty' leading out the annual County Clean-Up Day with Jack O'Connor (left) Paul Neary (Acting Director of Services at Kerry County Council) and Paulette O'Shea. The County Clean-Up-Day now in its 11th year is organised by Kerry County Council and facilitated by KWD Recycling. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

BREAK FOR THE BORDER: At the County Bounds the competition between Jack Lynch (left) from Cork and Kevin Foran from Kerry was tense at the County Clean-Up Day on Saturday. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Noel O'Reilly (KWD Recycling) and crew taking part in the annual County Clean-Up Day. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Catherine McGuire and Roan Daly taking part in the annual County Clean-Up Day. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Thousands of bags of litter were collected from the roadsides and towns and villages during the annual clean-up which was organised by KWD Recycling and Kerry County Council.

"This was another fantastic turnout for the County Clean-Up and shows how civic-minded many of our citizens are when it comes to keeping the county neat and tidy. Despite the rain showers, people of all ages rolled up their sleeves and got involved from early morning," Cllr Flynn said.

"It would be great to harness the involvement of members of the public on Saturday by getting more people to sign up with their local Tidy Towns group or start a group in their own area and to get people out and about collecting litter more often."

Cllr Flynn thanked KWD Recycling and their team for helping to distribute gloves and bags ahead of the clean-up and for arranging to dispose of the bags of rubbish collected.

Noel O’Reilly of KWD Recycling said they were delighted with the turnout and the positive attitude of all the participants. He thanked and congratulated local volunteer groups for their involvement.

336 bags of rubbish was collected.

Molls Gap to Muckross - 62 bags
Cleeney Roundabout to Farranfore - 51 bags
Kerry Airport to Castleisland - 33 bags
Ballydowney to Halfway to Killorglin - 55 bags
Golden Nugget/Miltown Road/Aghadoe -35 bags
County Bounds to Ballyvourney - 100 bags

"Thank you, to all the fantastic volunteers that helped with the KWD County Wide Clean up on Saturday," Bridget O’Keeffe, Senior Executive with Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, said.

"Overall, this was a great effort."

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Kerry coaches firm honoured with All-Ireland title

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Kerry Coaches named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025

Killarney-based Kerry Coaches has been named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition also marks Kerry Coaches’ second Business All-Star Accreditation, having received its first accolade in 2024.

Founded in 1957, Kerry Coaches has established itself as a leader in the Irish transport industry, known for its exceptional service and commitment to quality.  With a fleet of over 100 modern chauffeur vehicles, mini-buses and coaches the company provides a wide range of transport services, including corporate travel, executive golf transportation and bespoke tours throughout Ireland and Scotland.

 Speaking on the achievement, Mike Buckley, Director of Kerry Coaches, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. It’s a true reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every member of our team. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional travel experiences, and this award reaffirms our position as a leader in the industry.”

Announcing the news of Kerry Coaches’ achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: “It is my pleasure to commend Kerry Coaches for its outstanding performance in achieving the Business All-Star accreditation. After a thorough review, the firm has been honoured with All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company Of The Year 2025. Kerry Coaches is distinguished not only for its superior fleet but also for its exceptional team, some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. This seasoned team brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every client experience is exceptional.”         

Managing   Director   of   the   All-Ireland   Business   Foundation, Kapil   Khanna, said:  “The accreditation, which is now held by over 700 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.”

He   added: “We   evaluate   a   company’s   background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

About The All-Ireland Business Foundation

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class Irish businesses.

As the accreditation body for the Business All-Star mark, the AIBF recognises Best-In-Class Irish 

businesses.   Companies   that   merit   recognition   based   on   an   independent   audit   of   their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

Business All-Star Accreditation Is The Nation’s Symbol Of Trust. Currently, there are over 700 

companies that are accredited by AIBF. Since 2014, over 5000 companies have participated in their programmes.

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Trainee Blacksmith forging a career at Muckross Traditional Farms

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Phillip Pestor-Young, a trainee blacksmith from County Kildare, is currently gaining experience under Master Blacksmith Tom Allison at Muckross Traditional Farms.

Pestor-Young is enrolled in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. This programme is a cross-border educational initiative by the King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, and the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland. 

Prior to moving to Ireland in 2019, Phillip trained as an engineer and fabricator in the UK. He is now developing his blacksmithing skills in Kerry.

For more information on the program, visit https://kings-foundation.org/study/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme/.

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