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Value of Rally of the Lakes “cannot be measured” – Mayor

The value that the Rally of the Lakes brings to Killarney “cannot be measured” according to town Mayor Marie Moloney.
She was speaking at the official launch of the 2022 rally at the Gleneagle Hotel yesterday afternoon (Sunday).
This year’s rally will take place on the weekend of April 29 to May 1 and has already attracted an entry of over 200 cars.
Killarney and District Motor Club (KDMC), organisers of the upcoming 2022 International Rally of the Lakes, have announced details of the event.
Clerk of the Course Darren McCormick, who is the first-ever second-generation clerk of the rally, has announced a compact, centralised route with stages in close proximity to Killarney town.
Saturday will feature two runs over Kilsarcon, Banard and Gortnagane while Sunday will feature a double run over the iconic Molls Gap, Ballaghbeama, Shanera and Caragh Lake.
“The two-day International event is sure to attract a large number of spectators to the area in what is set to be the start of the tourism season in Killarney,” he said.
It is the first time that the rally will run since 2019.
“If you pardon the pun, it's great to see the rally back on the road,” Mayor Moloney told the assembled audience at the launch. “The coverage nationally and internationally that the rally brings to Killarney cannot be measured. It is fantastic how this event portrays Killarney.”
The rally will open with a ceremonial start on Main St on Friday evening (April 29).
“This family-friendly event is a great chance to see the cars and drivers up close in a safe controlled environment,” said event PRO Ivan Hurley.
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LAUNCH: Declan Casey John White Denis Walsh Edwin Walsh and Sean White at the launch of the Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh -
RALLY COMPETITORS: Ronald Riordan Rob Duggan and Diarmuid Lynch at the Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh -
FUN: Dylan McCarthy Pat Cashman and Joe McCarthy at the launch of the Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh -
LOCALS: Paul Ahern (Aherns Motor Group) John Cronin and Alan Ring at the Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh -
FOUNDERS: Killarney and District Motor Club founding members Mike Marshall Dessie O'Neill Mike Buckley Noreen Marshall Fintan Foley and Kenneth O'Neill at the launch of the Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel on Sunday Photo: Eamonn Keogh -
FRIENDS: Dessie O'Neill Michael O'Mahoney (Rentokil Initial) and Kenneth O'Neill at the launch of the Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel on Sunday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh -
SILVERWARE: At the launch of the Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel on Sunday seated from left were: Michael O'Mahoney (Rentokil Initial) Cllr Marie Moloney (Mayor of Killarney) Paul Ahern (Aherns Motor Group) and Patrick O'Donoghue (Gleneagle Hotel). Standing from left were: Brian McArdle (OSI) Dan Keane (Killarney and District Motor Club Chairman) Darren McCormick (Clerk of the course) and Martin Farrell. Photo: Eamonn Keogh -
RALLY FANS: Owen Foley Jack Kelleher Kevin O'Donoghue and Deputy Michael Healy Rae TD at the launch of the Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel on Sunday. Photo Eamonn Keogh
News
Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.
Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.
The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.
Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.
Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.
She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.
“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”
In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.
In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.
last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.
During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.
This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.
News
Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity
Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.
Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.
This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.
Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.
“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.
“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”