It’s certainly a case of winner alright at Killarney Race Company where a top class new team has been appointed to spearhead on track and off course developments into the future.
New Appointments
The progressive board of directors, under chairman Gerard Coughlan, has announced the appointment of a new racing manager, a new financial controller and a new conference and events manager to build on the facility’s strengths and to implement a number of exciting new developments to maximise the potential of the scenic course.
“Our new team will bring real focus going forward and we have very high expectations. It is a very exciting time for all involved,” Mr Coughlan said.
Rode at Cheltenham and Aintree
The new Racing Manager, Philip O’Brien, is no stranger to the world of horse-racing as he has enjoyed a very successful career as an amateur and professional jockey.
A native of Rathkeale, Co Limerick, he received his jockey’s licence at the age of 16 and rode well over 100 winners in a career in the saddle that saw him compete in the 2002 Aintree Grand National and at Cheltenham on a number of occasions.
Team at Ross Road
An Equine Science graduate from the University of Limerick and an established horse trainer, Philip insists there isn’t a racecourse in the world that can match the natural beauty of Killarney and he said the team at the Ross Road facility has worked tirelessly to ensure the course is in pristine condition for the July and August racing festivals.
“The potential for future development is absolutely enormous and there is plenty of scope to move forward,” he said.
New Heights
“The Board of Directors has put great faith in the new team and we will certainly work hard to bring Killarney Racecourse to new heights,” Philip said.
The new Financial Controller, Jennifer Pyne, also brings great experience to the racecourse following a very successful career in high-level finance.
A Commerce and Spanish graduate from University College Cork, she spent four years with Curran and Moore Accountants in Killarney and the past nine years with Monex Financial Services in Killarney.
A Wonderful Challenge
“Working with Killarney Race Company is a wonderful challenge and it’s great to be part of a new team with some very exciting plans in the pipeline,” said Jennifer, a native of Killarney who is married to Derek. They have two children, Ollie (3) and one-year-old Alice.
Megan Daly Tyrell, the newly appointed Conference and Events Manager, has been at the cutting edge of the industry for many years and she has spent the past seven years managing key accounts for the INEC and Killarney Convention Centre.
Won Citizenship Ceremony
Megan was responsible for submitting the successful tender for the Irish citizenship ceremony which attracted thousands of people to Killarney last May and, in fact, that contract is for two ceremonies a year for two years.
Involved in the hospitality industry since she was 14 years of age, she previously worked in the former Malton Hotel – now the Great Southern Killarney – and The Brehon Hotel and her speciality is attracting high-end conference and events business to town.
Huge Further Potential
Megan said there is huge potential to further develop the facilities and the offering at Killarney Racecourse and the possibilities for the short and long-term future are limitless.
“The backdrop is just spectacular and the whole place is under-ultilsed. My intention is to make it the go-to destination in Killarney for events and conferences,” she said.
Find out more on the Killarney Race Company with a click on the link here: http://killarneyraces.ie/
The Maine Valley Post has, is and always will be a free resource for the people of the locality and its wider diaspora.
When we started in 2013, the intention was to be a weekly, online newsletter. Over time, the site has evolved into a much different beast with multiple updates on a daily basis.
Because of its nature as a digital publication, it brings with it certain expenses: computers and cameras that require updating and maintenance; internet hosting and access; to say nothing of the time and hard work that goes into the site. It all adds up…
Our online community has always been our greatest asset and a vocal supporter of the Maine Valley Post since day one.
Please take a moment to click on the link below to see how you can directly contribute to our continued growth and success. Thank you for taking the time……..John Reidy. Email: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com / Tel: 087 23 59 467.
