BACK TO BUSINESS

NEW DAWN AS BUSINESSES AND SERVICES TENTATIVELY RE-OPEN IN TIME FOR SUMMER

WHEN the jarveys arrived at the Ha Ha in Killarney on Monday morning to return to work it was like the summer had finally arrived. The sound of horses hooves will hopefully ring out across the town again in the coming days and weeks signalling the tourist season in the town.

Although here are genuine fears for the jarvey industry given its reliance on tourism, many are still glad to be at the jarvey rank and hopeful that some part of the season can be salvaged.

This fear is spread across businesses in Killarney and into south Kerry but, despite the decline in tourism numbers, Killarney and south Kerry are very much open for business and remain optimistic in spite of Covid-19 pandemic.

As many businesses turned the key on the door and re-opened after months of closure, there is joy across the region.

This week saw many restaurants and coffee shops open their doors while other much-waited for services like hairdressers are also back in business and reporting a busy time.

Some créches and gyms, have also re-opened their doors and this return to some semblance of normality is welcomed by the local communities.

South Kerry and Killarney has suffered more than most given their reliance on tourism during

the Covid-19 pandemic and the incoming Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Brendan Cronin, has pledged to do what he can to help get the local municipal district back on its feet.

“I want to ensure that Killarney is portrayed in the best possible light. We have enough doom and gloom... We need to sell our town in the most possible light,” he said

“We are responsible and duty-bound to run Killarney as best as is humanely possible.”

Cooper Galvin Photo by Michelle Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Heights Hotel Killarney staff members welcoming customers to the Hotel as they re-opened on Monday afetr the Covid 19 closure (from left) Leen Qasim, Ivor Woods, Beata Lenard, Helen O’Rahilly, Jason Doyle Manager and Peter Bicskei at the Heights Hotel, Killarney. Carleen O’Shea and Roisin Dunne with Breda Murphy, staff member, doing Catherine Tyndell’s hair in Sean Taaffe’s ST Hair and Beauty which re-opened on Monday, complete with protective fittings.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin ABOVE: Ciara Treacy of the The Lane Bar at the Ross Killarney opening this week after the Covid 19 closure.

Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan BELOW: Geraldine Harrington-Doran, Newstrands, New Street, Killarney, delighted to be opening her hair salon on Monday morning, with HSE restrictions and guidelines in place, even happier to be getting her hair styled is Eileen O’Callaghan of the Fáilte Hotel, Killarney.

Photo Christy Riordan Hairdressers back to work in Cahersiveen: From left: Elena Buckley, Rachael O’Connor Hairdressers; Back Caroline Hennessy owner.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Killarney jarvey’s Johnny Coffey and Paudie Looney with ‘Billy’ back on the Jarvey Stand at the Ha Ha Killarney on Monday. BELOW RIGHT: Sean Murphy and David Foran all ready to open Murphy’s Bar and Squires, College Street, Killarney, on Monday at 5pm after closure due to C-19 restrictions.