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Three local competitors to watch in this weekend’s Rally of the Lakes

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3 years ago

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RALLY: Conor Deasy (Managing Director at Assess Ireland) and Jim O'Brien (Consulting Forensic Engineer at Assess Ireland) at the Rally of the Lakes launch at the Gleneagle Hotel on Saturday evening. Photo: Digimac Photography

Three local competitors will start the 2023 Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes in state-of-the-art rally cars capable of winning the event.

RALLY CARS: Cecelia Lynch (Administrative Quality Assurance Coordinator at Assess Ireland) Paula Buckley (Graphic Design and Marketing Coordinator at Codepak Solutions) Erin Cosgrove (Director of Customer Relations at Assess Ireland) at the launch of the Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes on Saturday evening. Photo: Digimac Photography

RALLY LAUNCH: Paula Buckley (Graphic Design and Marketing Coordinator at Codepak Solutions) Erin Cosgrove (Director of Customer Relations at Assess Ireland) Cecelia Lynch (Administrative Quality Assurance Coordinator) and Conor Deasy (Managing Director at Assess Ireland) at the Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes launch on Saturday. Photo: Digimac Photography

UNDER COVER: Rally fans take advantage of the free umbrellas handed out by Assess Ireland at the Rally of the Lakes launch on Saturday evening. Photo: Digimac Photography

CREW: Members of Killarney and District Motor Club and Assess Ireland staff at the launch of the Rally of the Lakes on Saturday. Photo: Digimac Photography

TEAM: Members of Killarney and District Motor Club and Assess Ireland staff at the launch of the Rally of the Lakes on Saturday from left to right; Tom Randles Gavin Lynne Michael Hickey Jim O’Brien Conor Deasy Dermot Healy and Cormac Casey. Photo: Digimac Photography

CROWD: A large group of rally fans attended the Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes launch on Saturday evening. Photo: Digimac Photography

PARTY: A hen party gate-crashed the launch of the Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes on Saturday. Photo: Digimac Photography

Defending champion Callum Devine will start at number one and he will have Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan in a Volkswagen Polo Rally2 alongside.

They dramatically won the rally last year after chief rival Alistair Fisher crashed out in the final stage.

Two more local Volkswagens will start the rally in the hands of Rob Duggan and Alan Ring.

“It is an honour to carry number one on the doors,” said O’Sullivan. “The club have put on an incredible route, and it is great to see the two boys out in Polos. There is a very strong entry, and we will do our best to get a good result.”

Duggan is the defending modified category champion but has made a surprise step up to the top class.

“It has always been a dream since I was four or five-years-old to go up The Gap in a top machine,” he said.

“I have no idea what to expect, I will only see the car on Thursday morning, I have only done the rally in a modified car, so I guess this car won’t be as tail happy.”

He will be co-driven, as usual, by Ger Conway.

Duggan’s car will be run by Welsh outfit, Melvyn Evans Motorsport, the same team that will run Alan Ring who makes a welcome return to top-flight rallying after a few years contesting events in the historic category.

“The weekend should be good,” he said. “Myself and Rob will be teammates and it will be nice to have a proper car for the event.”

The rally gets underway with a ceremonial start in Killarney town centre on Friday evening before two action-packed days across 16 stages.

The Saturday run returns to the challenging Beara Peninsula while Sunday morning’s action takes place in South Kerry ahead of the grand finale on East Kerry roads on Sunday evening.

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Drivers warned as deer rutting season begins

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17 hours ago

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12 October 2026

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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.

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Kerry Airport CEO addresses chamber luncheon

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1 day ago

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11 October 2026

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Kerry Airport chief executive Adrian Neilan addressed local business leaders at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce luncheon at the Killarney Heights Hotel.

Mr Neilan outlined the airport’s strategy, focusing on regional connectivity, customer experience, safety, and financial strength.

He noted that regional road, rail, and air links remain vital for residents, local businesses, and the tourism sector.


Addressing route development, Mr Neilan explained that airlines look closely at load factor alongside overall passenger volume.

In July, select Kerry routes achieved load factors of up to 99 per cent.

The airport currently has six confirmed meetings scheduled with prospective carriers to discuss further expansion.


Kerry Airport recorded its busiest year on record in 2025, handling 440,000 passengers.

Mr Neilan highlighted the importance of domestic and European connectivity for business, education, healthcare, and family travel, noting that attracting new services requires a collective effort between local hoteliers, transport operators, and regional businesses.


The luncheon also featured an address by Cllr Niall Kelleher, chairperson of Christmas in Killarney, who introduced the launch and updated branding for this year’s festival, urging the local community and trade sector to rally behind the event.
Photos: Eamonn Keogh

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