Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
WITH the flagship five-day July festival meeting of the year getting underway this Sunday, 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.
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.
The new Racing Manager, Philip O’Brien, is no stranger to the world of horseracing 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.
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. 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.
Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
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.
“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.
Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
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.
A mother of an eight-year-old boy, Joseph, 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.
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