Kerry Today

A national celebration of youth work and volunteering is taking place in Kerry and across Ireland today, Friday, November 13th. Oíche na hÓige/Youth Night 2026 shines a light on youth organisations and the impact of young people in local communities, with events taking place across Kerry today. Radio Kerry’s Niamh O’Sullivan spoke to young people and volunteers involved in various youth organisations to hear about the positive impact it’s had on their lives. Funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

John Downing of the Irish Independent reviews the week in politics.

Re-turn, along with the National Meals On Wheels Network and Irish Rural Link, is helping people on the Ballyheigue Public Water Supply which has been contaminated by salt water. Five-litre bottled water is available to those affected. Re-turn has provided 11 collection points in the affected areas where people can return the empty bottles. Jerry spoke to Stephen Walsh who’s communications and PR manager with Re-turn.

Yesterday’s national strike by public sector workers was called after the government increased the terms of the pay deal being offered to them. Public sector union members must now vote on whether to accept the offer. However, the second-level teacher unions, the ASTI and the TUI say they haven’t been given a date as to when they will receive the final money owed to them in exchange for agreeing to changes to the senior cycle in schools. This is under a separate collective agreement between the unions and the Department of Education in relation to senior cycle redevelopment. Jerry spoke to Michael Gillespie who is general secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland.

Uisce Éireann’s water treatment operations manager Eoin O’Connell gave an update to Jerry about the Ballyheigue Public Water Supply where over 3,000 customers have been without safe, drinkable tap water since October 7th. This is as a result of the saltwater contamination of the supply.

The Dingle Film Festival runs from this Friday, November 13th to Sunday, November 15th. On Saturday, there will be a showing of The Lost Children of Tuam at the Dingle Skellig Hotel at 5pm. Director Frank Berry will take part in a Q&A after the screening. The film tells the story of Catherine Corless. The historian was researching the Bon Secours mother and baby home in Tuam when she uncovered the possibility that as many as 796 children had been buried in unmarked graves. Jerry spoke to Catherine who is played by Monica Dolan in the film.

Jerry spoke to the backbench Fianna Fáil TD for Kerry.

Jerry spoke to Conor Goulding, digital journalist with the Irish Independent about his investigation into the amount of rent council tenants owe to local authorities.

Yesterday, hundreds of schools across the country including in Kerry received emails containing hoax bomb threats. Jerry spoke to teacher and Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municipal District John O’Donoghue of the Kerry Independent Alliance.

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

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group says Kerry accounts for approximately 43% of all cetaceans recorded live stranded in Ireland so far this year, yet its local responders in West Kerry still don’t have a dedicated rescue trailer. Jerry spoke to Tabitha Overy who lives in Clahane and who’s with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group about the fundraiser that’s been launched. https://gofund.me/84b67fdc1 and https://www.facebook.com/donate/29912018915067591

Vision Ireland, in partnership with Meta, are rolling out, free of charge, 15,000 Meta AI glasses to eligible blind and vision-impaired adults throughout Ireland. You can register your interest on Vision Ireland’s website. Jerry spoke to Cllr Sam Locke, and to David Redmond, who is visually impaired and the host of Vision Ireland’s Talking Technology podcast.

Jerry spoke to Lucy Blackett Godley, about their request for a meeting with the utility. Since October 7th, some 3,333 customers have been without safe, drinkable tap water as a result of saltwater contamination to the Ballyheigue Public Water Supply.

A long-running dispute between criminal aid solicitors and the Minister for Justice over a new payment scheme has been resolved. Jerry spoke to Pat Mann, president of Kerry Law Society.

The strike has been shelved by public sector unions after the Government offered a €5.2 billion deal involved pay increases of 10.75% by the end of March 2029. Jerry spoke to Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley.

Jason Fleming is chair of the Kerry branch of the Irish Farmers’ Association. He was responding to statements from Minister Norma Foley and Deputy Michael Cahill that a second payment had been approved for landowners along the South Kerry Greenway. The politicians say this additional payment will be in addition to any amounts being paid for the land. Kerry County Council used a compulsory purchase order for the 27km greenway between Glenbeigh and Cahersiveen, with 138 individual landowners affected.

Caroline Reidy of NFP HR Solutions, an Aon company, is one of the country’s leading experts in human resources. In this regular feature, she answers your workplace questions relating to your rights and entitlements, whether you are an employee, employer, manager or self-employed. If you’ve a question for Caroline, email, in confidence, kerrytoday@radiokerry.ie

Some families in North Kerry are waiting over two years for the conclusion of inquests into the death of their loved ones. Fine Gael councillor Aoife Kennelly raised the motion at yesterday’s meeting of Listowel Municipal District.

Singer-songwriter Johnny McEvoy has died at the age of 81. Jerry spoke to Billy Donegan, presenter of Radio Kerry’s Sunday show, Timeless & Irish.

Jerry spoke to Christy Walsh, secretary of the Kerry Branch of the Vintners’ Federation, about their proposal of a €1 room levy. They argue this would be a fairer alternative to the recommended commercial rates increase.

The official opening of Killarney Community Nursing Unit took place on November 6th. The number of people aged 65 and over continues to grow. The 2022 census found that this age group increased by 18% to 29,567 in Kerry and by 22% to 776,315 nationally since 2016. Amber Galwey examined the benefits of such units to local communities and if there is a need for this type of residential care as our population continues to age. Funded by the News Reporting Scheme. Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell TD, officially opened the new HSE South West Killarney Community Nursing Unit on 6 November 2026. The purpose-built facility will provide high-quality, person-centred care for older people in the region and has been designed to create a comfortable, supportive home where residents can live with dignity, independence and wellbeing. Photo shows Minister Kieran O’Donnell greeting the first resident to arrive Doreen Tattershall with Maura Flynn, Director of Nursing on left , Minister Norma…

The former comedian and Hollywood actor is to be sentenced today for raping a young woman and sexually assaulting three other women. What does his conviction signal for victims of abusers who use their power to cover up their crimes? Jerry spoke to Kristy McFetridge, CEO of Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre.

Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris’s comments about the long-term unemployed have aroused a strong reaction. Jerry spoke to Paddy Kevane who’s treasurer of St Vincent de Paul for Tralee and West Kerry. Jerry also got the view of Fine Gael’s Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Colm Brophy. Jerry also spoke to Colm Brophy about funding for anti-racism initiatives and the spate of hoax threats and cyberattacks. Finally, People Before Profit- Solidarity TD Paul Murphy also gave a response.

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.

A young Kerryman, Tom (not his real name) told Jerry about his experience. Deputy Michael Cahill and Cllr Tommy Cahill have been raising concerns on behalf of this student and others who may be affected. Cllr Tommy Cahill spoke to Jerry.

John Downing of the Irish Independent reviews the week in politics.

The Smuggler’s Inn in Waterville has been chosen as having the best public loo in the country in a competition run by Dyno-Rod. Jerry spoke to The Smuggler’s Inn chef and owner Henry Hunt and to Paul Crowley who’s operations director with Dyno-Rod.

Jerry spoke to Minister of State with responsibility for older people, Kieran O’Donnell of Fine Gael.

The Laune Mountaineering Club celebrated its 60th anniversary last night with at gathering of past and present members at Faha Court near Killarney. The Mountaineering Club and the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team were established in 1966 after two young people lost their lives on Carrauntoohil. The club was also instrumental in the foundation of Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre and the Kerry Way. Sari Houlihan went along to the celebration to find out more. The Laune Mountaineering Club and the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team were founded by a group of people from Killarney and Killorglin following two fatalities on the MacGillycuddy Reeks during Easter of 1966. Gearóid O’Sullivan from Killorglin was a founding member and secretary of the club which was set up in response to the tragedies. For its first 25 years, the club and mountain rescue were almost synonymous. Members carried out search and rescues and were key to the construction of Ireland’s first purpose-built rescue station in Killorglin. The club also…

Garth Brooks has announced that he will perform 10 concerts in five Irish cities next year – Belfast, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Cork. Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan says when Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium is redeveloped, it will have the potential to host concerts by the likes of Garth Brooks.

Tim Hannigan is the author of ‘The Pathless Land: Finding a Way Across Ireland.’ He argues that greenways aren’t the solution to opening up the countryside. He says the new King Charles III England Coast Path opened recently covering the entire 4,3238km perimeter of England. This project cost £28m (€33m). In contrast, the 27km South Kerry Greenway has cost €72m.

Jerry spoke to Dora McCarthy of Inch Community Council about the sale of Sammy’s.

Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris told Kerry County Council about a situation involving an elderly widow.

Jerry spoke to Nick Henderson who is CEO of the Irish Refugee Council.

Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman says legislation creating a national register of short-term accommodation for towns with populations of more than 20,000 is indicative of a government with no backbone. Deputy O’Gorman described it as a ‘Kilgarvan carveout’ – a reference to Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae who secured a Government commitment that the register would not apply to towns with populations under 20,000. However, Deputy Healy-Rae is not happy either.

Sean Ronayne, Cork-born ornithologist and award-winning author, joined Jerry to talk about his upcoming show at the Gleneagle Club, Killarney on November 21st.

The latest Cantillon Quarter gathering in Tralee focused at cyber security and investment. Jerry spoke to two of the speakers, Pat Lange, co-founder of cybersecurity firm Resilium and Dr Hazel Murray who’s chair of cyber security at MTU.

Jerry spoke to Dr Ann Nolan, who has led research at Trinity College Dublin’s School of Social Work and Social Policy, into the impact housing is having on the health of the Irish language in Corca Dhuibhne.

The proposed legislation will require short-term rental properties to register with Fáilte Ireland and demonstrate planning compliance before they can be advertised on booking platforms. CEO of the Irish Self-Catering Federation Máire Ní Mhurchú spoke to Jerry.

The US mid-term elections have proven to be a resounding rejection of Donald Trump’s policies. The Democrats will take control both houses of Congress. counsel for Democrats Abroad Ireland.

Fossa Climate Action Group is calling for action to address the decline in water quality in Killarney. Killarney town, Killarney National Park and the surrounding areas are located within the Kerry Biosphere Reserve. The reserve is one of only two UNESCO designated sites for nature in Ireland. Fossa Action Group is particularly concerned about water quality on Lough Leane as its status has dropped to moderate, and within Lough Leane, water quality in Ross Bay. The group held a meeting to discuss how water quality can be improved, and says everyone has a role to play – bigí linn. Tomás Swords reports from the meeting which was held in Castlerosse Hotel. Funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

The Irish Times recently featured a story about how a 97-year-old woman faced a €455,000 payment to a bank over a life loan taken out in 2003. Taking out life loans and similar equity release products – what are the best circumstances to enter into such contracts and when are they not a good idea? Lisselton’s Pádraic Kissane of Pádraic Kissane Financial Services offers advice

Castleisland’s Eddie Sheehy is this year’s recipient of the Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award. Eddie is the founder of the Kenya Education Project and, like Monsignor O’Flaherty, lives by the maxim, ‘God has no country’. Jerry first asked him if he ever thought he would be a recipient.

Jerry spoke to senior reporter with The Kerryman, Sinéad Kelleher about the ongoing investigation into the murder of Jamey Carney in Killarney last July

Jerry spoke to local Fine Gael councillor Tommy Griffin.

Jerry spoke to Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, who was in Kerry yesterday. He visited Ballyheigue where a ‘do not consume’ water notice has been in place since October 7th.

John Gibbons is an environmental campaigner and journalist. He believes that the seawater contamination of the Ballyheigue Public Water Supply is further proof of the escalation of climate change.

Long-serving Fine Gael Kerry County Councillor Bobby O’Connell was asked to give his views on a draft motion that may be put to party members at its ardfheis next weekend. A group of Fine Gael members want the party to ‘affirm its centre-right status’ and ‘distinguish itself from the “woke left”.’

Jerry spoke to David Kissane, PRO Kerry Athletics about European 1500m champion and Olympian Ciara Mageean who has died of cancer at the age of 34.

Former Fianna Fáil cabinet minister and MEP Gerry Collins who served as a TD for West Limerick for 30 years has died at the age of 88. Former Fianna Fáil senator Ned O’Sullivan paid tribute.