Kerry Today

Killarney man, James Cahill, who says he owes his life to Kerry Mountain Rescue Team following an horrendous fall on Bothar na Gíge (the Zig Zags) while descending Carrauntoohil in July 2016. James was treated at the scene by KMRT and airlifted to University Hospital Kerry by Rescue 115. James sustained horrific injuries that left him paralysed on his right side. That followed several months of treatment at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, with constant support from his wife Carmel and their families.  He’s organising a fundraiser for KMRT on Saturday, December 27th

Former Cork TD, Senator, and councillor, Máirín Quill, who was born and raised in Kilgarvan, has passed away at age 89. Independent councillor in Kenmare Dan McCarthy paid tribute to her

The Rosary Wheel has been taking the market by storm. This is a steering wheel cover designed to guide users through praying the Rosary while driving safely. Helen Drumm is selling The Rosary Wheel in Sound Quality in Monaghan

The Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF) has been responding to recent developments in European short-term rental (STR) regulation. CEO of the ISCF Maire Ní Mhurchú spoke to Jerry about the developments and explained what they mean

John Downing is back for this week’s Call from the Dáil to discuss all that happened in Dáil Éireann.

Irish Farmers' Association Kerry chair Jason Fleming spoke to Jerry about the Mercosur Deal and he wants MEPS and the Government to lobby strongly against the Mercosur Deal.

Jerry spoke to Fianna Fáil councillor Norma Moriarty about the opening of the South Kerry Greenway this weekend.

How the billionaire’s battle with the US-based construction magnate Maurice Regan from North Kerry resulted in John Magnier losing a High Court case over the sale of a large country estate in Tipperary. Jerry spoke to Mark Tighe, journalist of the Sunday Independent.

Road safety groups are condemning the reversal of the Government’s plans to scrap the Road Safety Authority. Jerry spoke to Dr Vinnie Wall, Cork Cycling Campaign.

Every Wednesday, Tony gives his perspective on listeners’ dilemmas.

Ashling was 23-years-old when she was murdered in January 2022 while out on the Grand Canal bank near Tullamore. Her murder shocked the country. But Ashling should be remembered for how she lived – a teacher who loved her work and was a gifted musician who had a great passion for the Irish language. Ashling’s family set up the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund to raise money for causes she believed in. The Gaeltacht scholarship funds the attendance of second-level students at Coláiste Chamuis, Co Galway. Jerry spoke to Laura Murray, Ashling’s friend and PRO of the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund. https://www.facebook.com/p/Ashling-Murphy-Memorial-Fund-100088692537891/

Fianna Fáil’s report into its disastrous presidential campaign was published yesterday followed by the party’s special meeting to discuss its findings and the role of its leader, Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the debacle. Jerry spoke to Fianna Fáil councillor Mikey Sheehy, to party deputy for Kerry Michael Cahill, and to Fianna Fáil’s other Kerry TD Norma Foley. He also spoke to Norma Foley in her capacity as Minister for Children about the action plans for the early learning and care and also childcare for school-age children.

Jerry spoke to Sinn Féin councillor Robert Brosnan who represents the Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District.

Fianna Fáil MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú is calling for a Christmas crackdown on drug drivers as numbers in our district court system soar nationally. Jerry also asked her about the tension in her party over the likely imminent publication into Fianna Fáil’s disastrous presidential campaign.

Next month, the Government was due to withdraw funding for medication blister packs issued by pharmacies. However, this withdrawal has now been delayed. Jerry spoke to Sheila Nolan from Knocknagoshel, who relies on her pharmacist preparing the packs for her medication.

Robert Pierse from Listowel is the grand-nephew of Michael Collins. He wrote a letter of support and solidarity to President Zelenskyy and his wife Olena. Robert suggests everyone should send a letter or Christmas card to the Zelenskyys. Jerry also spoke to Maureen Finnegan from Newcastle West who arranges for non-perishable food and other items to be sent to Ukraine. People can drop off items to Castleisland Community Museum on the town’s Main Street. http://www.mainevalleypost.com/2025/07/19/castleisland-community-museum-a-drop-off-point-in-ukraine-war-appeal/

Electricity users will face price increases next year of up to €1.75 per month on bills to pay for a major upgrade to the national grid, which could cost almost €19bn. Jerry spoke to Dr. Paul Deane, who is a senior lecturer in clean energy futures at University College Cork (UCC) and a researcher at the MaREI Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine.

That’s the title of an event taking place this evening at 8 o’clock at the River Island Hotel, Castleisland. A Christmas Compendium is organised by Castleisland District Heritage. One of the speakers is Professor Bill Storey whose great-grandfather was murdered during the War of Independence while stationed as an RIC officer in Castleisland. The American academic has published a new book about the British imperialist Cecil Rhodes. Jerry spoke to Professor Storey and to Johnnie Roche of Castleisland District Heritage.

Fianna Fáil councillor Breandán Fitzgerald has made the plea at a recent meeting of the Castleisland-Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District for Kerry County Council to install commemorative manhole covers in West Kerry.

Valentia Coast Guard and Rescue Helicopter 115 were on the scene at Binn Bán beach near Dingle Lighthouse after a fishing boat got into difficulty yesterday. Jerry spoke to John Draper, divisional controller of the Irish Coast Guard, Frank Heidkte, officer-in-charge with Dingle Coast Guard, and Nuala Moore, who witnessed the rescue.

Treasa spoke to Catherine Carty, who is the newly-appointed Chair of the Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership.

Last night in Edenderry, a vigil was held for four-year-old Tadgh Farrell and his grand-aunt Mary Holt, who were tragically killed when their home was the subject of an arson attack over the weekend. Treasa spoke to Liam White of Midlands 103, who attended the vigil.

Over 90% of respondents to a survey who gave birth at UHK had a good to very good overall experience of maternity care, according to the results of a new survey by the Health Information and Quality Authority. Treasa spoke to Conor Foley, HIQA’s Programme Manager of the National Care Experience Programme.

Treasa spoke to Ireland South MEP, Kilcummin man Sean Kelly about the US government's plan to require five years of social media data for US visa applicants. The plan has gone out to public consultation in the US.

Kerry County Council road safety officer, Declan Keogh, has won a special recognition award at the Road Safety Awards for the Safer Roads Road Safety Conference, which took place in Killarney earlier this year. He spoke to Treasa.

The Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation will hold a lunch-time protest at Valentia Community Hospital today, Thursday 11th December 2025, over a pay dispute for nurses in the care facility. Treasa spoke to INMO official for Valentia Community Hospital, Kathryn Courtney.

Every Wednesday, Tony gives his perspective on listeners’ dilemmas.

FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) held their annual justice lecture at King’s Inns this week. The event also marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell. Colm Ó Cinnéide, who’s professor of constitutional and human rights law at University College London, delivered this year’s lecture which was preceded by a reading from O’Connell’s speeches by the actor Stephen Rea.

People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger spoke to Jerry about her bill to ban fox-hunting.

Kerry Local Community Safety Partnership, the organisation which has replaced the joint policing committee for Kerry, has announced that Cllr Niall Kelleher is its new chairperson.

Jerry spoke to Fianna Fáil councillor Fionnán Fitzgerald about why he is opposed to the upcoming Dáil vote to ban fox hunting.

Jerry spoke to Shane Scanlan, CEO of The Alliance - Supporting Nursing Homes, about the reopening of Ocean View Nursing Home in Camp.

Jerry spoke to Tony Lowes of Friends of the Irish Environment and to the Mayor of Tralee Terry O’Brien.

Killarney woman Jessie Buckley has received a Golden Globe nomination. The Oscar-nominated actor stars in Hamnet with Paul Mescal who’s also nominated for a Golden Globe. Jerry spoke to Jessie’s father Tim.

Jerry spoke to communications officer with Kerry County Council Owen O’Shea, about the levels of precautions we must take during Storm Bram. If you need to report storm damage that may cause danger such as debris on roads, you may call Kerry County Council on 066 7183588.

What a weekend for Kerry GAA with Ballymacelligott, An Ghaeltacht, and Dingle winning the junior, intermediate and senior Munster club finals. Jerry spoke to Radio Kerry GAA commentator Tim Moynihan who is presenting Terrace Talk this Monday evening from 6 o’clock where there’ll be more analysis and discussion.

11-year-old Ryan Mangan from Knocknagoshel was one of the stars of Friday night’s Late Late Toy Show with his barnstorming performance of the most popular song in Ireland this year, Killeagh by Kingfishr. Ryan and his mother Gemma spoke to Jerry.

Jerry spoke to author Alice Taylor, Agnes O’Sullivan from Kells, and former Kerry County Councillor Johnnie Wall.

Jerry spoke to Dr Gary Stack of SouthDoc, the out-of-hours GP service for Kerry and Cork.

Jerry broadcast a very special Kerry Today from The Square in the heart of Tralee this morning. If you’re looking for value and great deals, as well as supporting Kerry jobs – then look no further than shopping in Tralee and Kerry this season. Tralee Chamber Alliance president Sandra Rusk and Mary McQunn of The Ashe Hotel spoke to Jerry about the unique experience and atmosphere you’ll find shopping in Tralee this Christmas. Tralee Chamber Alliance and Kerry County Council are backing the revival of the tradition of Christmas shopping on December 8th – the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Catholic Church. Author Alice Taylor, former councillor Johnnie Wall, and Agnes O’Sullivan from Kells shared their memories of December 8th. Brendan Culloty of Hugh Culloty’s Home Entertainment and Music, The Mall, Tralee and Dermot O’Sullivan of Der O’Sullivans, also of The Mall – joined Jerry from the outside broadcast. Johnny McGuire, president of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, spoke about the great commercial links between Kerry’s two largest towns. Kevin McCarthy, managing director of The Garvey Group which operates Garvey SuperValus throughout Kerry including Rock Street, Tralee also spoke to Jerry. CEO of Tralee Chamber Alliance Collette O’Connor and Peter Harty of CH Tralee spoke about the importance of supporting businesses locally this Christmas and the wide array of gifts you can buy in Tralee. Tralee Chamber Alliance says shops and businesses are incredibly grateful for the support they get all year from the people of Tralee and Kerry.

Tomorrow, Saturday, December 6th marks the centenary of the birth of the great writer Con Houlihan from Castle Island. It was always Castle Island to Con, not Castleisland. Jerry speaks to Ian O’Riordan, a sports writer with The Irish Times, to Frank Greally who’s editor of Irish Running magazine, and to former Kerry footballer and minister Jimmy Deenihan. Radio Kerry’s David Nelligan reads extract of Con’s response to the 1978 All-Ireland Football Final. Appropriately, David is from Castle Island/ Castleisland and a son of Charlie Nelligan who was part of that great Kerry team.

On the first Friday of the month, David O’Sullivan of DC Energy Solutions answers your home heating and energy conservation questions. The feature is sponsored by Boyles of Killorglin.

Yesterday RTÉ announced that it was pulling out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after Israel was cleared to take part. Jerry spoke to Johnny O’Mahony who has been to more than 20 Eurovision finals and to Seamus O’Neill of I’m Sorry Zero Points Eurovision podcast.