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UK specialists train fire crews to prevent future Park devastation

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A specialist UK company spent the week training local fire staff to help prevent a repeat of the 2021 devastating fire in Killarney National Park.

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Killarney National Park staff began specialist wildfire training this week. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Training will ensure that Kerry County Council Fire Services will be able to respond and prevent a repeat of the 2021 fire. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Staff within Killarney National Park began training with Rob Gazzard who is a chartered forester and surveyor with international experience in forestry, contingency planning, incident management and wildfires.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) purchased vehicles fitted with water pumps, and with the latest technology including thermal surveillance, drone operator and helicopter on standby, it will ensure the response from emergency crews is immediate.

In April 2021, fires tore through Killarney National Park causing extensive damage.

Up to one third of the Park - approx. 2,500 hectares – was scorched with flora and fauna wiped out.

Some fires came as close as 10 metres to a church and school in the Black Valley area.

Fire crews from five different districts concentrated on the area which also saw properties under threat.

Fires also became a real threat for The Oak Woods but fire fighters managed to avert danger.

Firefighters and the Emergency Services as well as volunteers went to heroic efforts to bring the blaze under control.

The Park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1982 and forms part of a Special Area of Conservation. There were 1.7m visitors to Killarney National Park in 2022, with 306,000 visiting Killarney House and Gardens, 106,000 of whom were cyclists.

It is of high ecological value because of the quality, diversity, and extensiveness of many of its habitats and the wide variety of species that they accommodate. It also has the most extensive covering of native forest remaining in Ireland.

“We are liaising with four international groups on best practices, early smoke and fire detection appliances capable of spotting a fire outbreak, will ensure our staff and Kerry County Council Fire Services will be able to respond and prevent a repeat of the 2021 devastation in the Park, when over 2,500 hectares were destroyed," said Regional Manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Southern Division, Eamonn Meskell.

"NPWS management and staff meet regularly with the fire services and a detailed safety plan of the Park is ready.

“A helicopter company is on retainer, in the event of another fire it will carry specialised Bambi buckets, capable of delivering water for aerial firefighting.”

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Caoimhe Murray set for lead role in Musical Society’s 40th anniversary show

Killarney Musical Society is preparing to stage ‘All Shook Up’ this February to mark its 40th anniversary. As the countdown to the production begins, the society is introducing its lead […]

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Killarney Musical Society is preparing to stage ‘All Shook Up’ this February to mark its 40th anniversary. As the countdown to the production begins, the society is introducing its lead cast members, including local performer Caoimhe Murray.

Caoimhe takes on the role of Lorraine, a fun-loving and spirited character who falls in love with the mayor’s son, Dean Hyde.
The production is a significant family milestone for Caoimhe, who has been a member of the society for nine years.
She is the daughter of Amanda Murray and the granddaughter of Phil Spillane, both of whom are also long-standing members and part of this year’s cast.
This production marks Caoimhe’s fifth show with the society. Her previous experience includes playing Brigitta Von Trapp in ‘The Sound of Music’ in 2018, as well as lead roles such as Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and Cosette in ‘Les Miserables’ with her stage school. She also recently played Sophie in her school production of ‘Mamma Mia’.
Caoimhe has built an extensive background in performing arts through years of training.
She has been a student of Fiona Crowley’s Stage School since the age of five and has attended the West End House School of Arts for acting.
Her musical training includes singing lessons with Sorcha O’Connor and piano with Catriona Cahillane, alongside completing the AIMS Youth Summer School Programme last year.
‘All Shook Up’ will run at the Gleneagle Arena on February 10, 11, and 12. The show features the music of Elvis Presley and tickets are currently available through the Gleneagle Box Office or via Ticketmaster.

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Beaufort man collects 18th car from Randles Bros

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Beaufort resident Paddy O’Sullivan has marked 40 years of loyalty to Randles Bros by collecting his 18th vehicle from the dealership.

Paddy recently met with David Randles at Randles Bros Tralee to take delivery of his latest car, a new Nissan Qashqai.


The O’Sullivan family’s relationship with the garage dates back four decades to when Randles Bros operated as an Austin Morris dealer.

Paddy’s first purchase was a Morris Marina, one of the top-selling models of the 1970s.
As the dealership evolved, so did Paddy’s choice of vehicles.

When the garage took on the Datsun franchise, he moved into a Datsun 140 J, also known as the Datsun Violet.

Following the brand’s transition to Nissan in the 1980s, he became a frequent owner of the Nissan Bluebird. This was followed by a stint owning five different Nissan Primeras throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s.


In recent years, he has transitioned to the Nissan Qashqai, with this latest ‘261’ registration marking his 18th time driving a new car out of the Randles Bros showroom.


David Randles thanked the Beaufort man for his continued business over the generations. “We want to thank Paddy and his family for being such a great customer to Randles Bros for so long,” he said. “Congratulations on your purchase Paddy, and safe travels.”

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