News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

What's going on around Ireland

KERRY

One of the country’s premier hotels, the five-star Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, County Kerry, is to be sold in a deal worth about $6.6 million.

Staff has been told of the change of ownership and the sale is expected to be signed shortly.

It follows the $13 million purchase of another top “Ring of Kerry” hotel, Parknasilla, which was acquired last month by international buyers headed by Swiss-Lebanese billionaire Jacqui Safra. He owns a private island next to Parknasilla’s 400 acres.

As investors continue to eye up Irish trophy hotels — many at bargain prices — Sheen Falls is the latest to be snapped up by U.K. buyers.
[Source: Irish Examiner]

KILDARE

The Civil Defence has been called in to provide emergency cover at a number of schools throughout the county as school wardens have fallen victim to the influenza virus that has been rampant over the holiday period.

Kildare Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh said every effort is being made to have cover in as many places as possible but up to 10 schools may not have a full service over the last two weeks.

“But it is not as simple as putting a lay person out onto the road to direct traffic and school children across the road, because of implications such as insurance, legislation and training,” he said.
[Source: Kildare Nationalist]

KILKENNY

Kilkenny People journalist Tess Felder is returning home to the good old U.S. of A and taking up a senior management post at the New York Times.

Ms. Felder, who has worked with the Kilkenny People as a senior journalist for seven years, takes a new path on her career as she returns to her home state of Florida to become a leading editor in the production of one of the world’s top newspaper titles.

Her popularity with the people of Kilkenny – particularly among the arts community, local councilors and the business world – means that she will be sorely missed by the newspaper and her colleagues.
[Source: Kilkenny People]

LAOIS

A three-month-old lurcher puppy is in recovery after being found with his throat slashed in Portlaoise. The puppy, who was named Taylor, was found trapped between two high walls with his throat slashed several times from ear to ear near a housing estate in Portlaoise.

It is still unknown if Taylor will make a full recovery; however, Lorraine McEvoy from Cara Resue said that he is looking very bright since his operation.

Cara Rescue, a volunteer-run not-for-profit animal charity based in Portlaoise, responded to a phone call on Friday afternoon, January 4, about the dog trapped between the walls. They took him to Vetcare in Portlaoise where, on initial examination, it appeared his injuries were too severe to treat, with so many muscles severed.

However, his major throat artery, the jugular, was possibly the only thing the culprits had not managed to cut, so he was treated for shock, dehydration, pain and infection overnight and was operated on the following morning.
[Source: Leinster Express]

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Nster.com