News
Traffic increase on back roads to evade checkpoints
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EXCLUSIVE
By Sean Moriarty
Motorists are increasingly using back roads to avoid Garda checkpoints on the main Cork to Killarney road it was revealed at a Council meeting this week. Gardai have been monitoring the movement of people under current Level 5 restrictions and often set up roadblocks at Lissivigeen National School at the junction of the N22 Killarney to Cork road and the N72 Mallow.
As a result of this traffic build up, frustrated motorists have instead used a narrow back road in Upper Lissivigeen known locally as Tadgh Ryan’s Road that links Lissivigeen with the Mallow Road and bypasses the checkpoint.
The roads have since fallen into disrepair and local residents raised concerns with councillors who brought up the issue at last Wednesday’s online meeting of Killarney Municipal District.
It was there that the additional issue of checkpoint evasion was revealed.
Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan was the first to raise it and called for the Council to erect traffic calming signs, as an interim solution to the problem "for the duration of COVID".
His elected colleague Cllr Michael Gleeson added that the road was being used for “evasion purposes”.
Killarney Gardai are aware of the issue.
“We will continue to operate checkpoints at Lissivigeen and the times will vary,” a Killarney Garda spokesperson told the Killarney Advertiser.
Meanwhile, a similar issue is being reported at St Margaret’s Road.
Frustrated motorists stuck in a backlog of traffic heading towards the Tralee Road are using the residential street as a cut through to Hans Liebherr Road.
€1m EuroMillions win at Centra The Reeks
Anthony O’Connor, Ciaran Culloty, Conor Healy, Elizabeth Nagle, and representatives from the National Lottery
Celebrations are underway in Killarney after Centra at The Reeks Gateway on Tralee Road sold a EuroMillions ticket worth €1,005,000 in the Friday, August 21 draw.
The lucky winner secured the life-changing sum through the special Ireland Only Raffle event after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw.
Store owner John Bowler, who has operated the shop for over 20 years, expressed his delight after receiving the news from the National Lottery.
“There’s a great buzz around the store and we’re absolutely delighted,” Bowler said. “We have a mix of local customers and visitors coming through our doors every day, so the winner could be anyone. While we’ve sold fantastic prizes over the years, this is by far the biggest. It’s wonderful news for Killarney.”
National Lottery spokesperson Emma Monaghan urged anyone who bought a ticket at the store on Friday to check their numbers carefully. The ticket holder is advised to sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe, and contact the National Lottery prize claims team to arrange collection.
All photos: Eamonn Keogh
Pig’s Lane crowned Bar of the Year
Killarney’s subterranean venue Pig’s Lane emerged as a triple winner at the Bar of the Year 2026 Awards in Dublin on Monday night.
The College Street venue was named overall Bar of the Year, alongside taking Gold for both Cocktail Bar of the Year and Best Designed Bar / Inside Space. The announcements were made at a gala ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road.
Operating under the family-run O’Donoghue Ring Collection, the underground cocktail bar and whiskey parlour opened in 2023. The venue previously secured Innovative Bar of the Year in 2024 and Best Designed Bar in 2025 before taking the top national prize this year.
Judges praised the venue for its “unmatched excellence across the board”. The broader O’Donoghue Ring Collection earned eight finalist nominations across three properties, including Café du Parc and The Kenmare Rooms.
“We are so proud to be crowned Ireland’s Bar of the Year 2026,” said founder Gemma Ring. “A huge amount of work, creativity, and passion goes into everything we do”.
Pig’s Lane derives its name from the historic 1800s designation for the thoroughfare connecting College Street to Railway Road. On September 11, the bar will host a collaborative evening featuring Michelin Bib Gourmand tapas from Dingle’s Solas paired with bespoke cocktails.
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