Farmleigh-style move to get Kerry expats create jobs at home

KERRY natives successful in businesses overseas are to be invited to a Farmleigh-type meeting in the county next May with a view to creating jobs at home.

Among those expected to attend is New York-based stockbroker Denis Kelleher who runs Wall Street Access.

The meeting will coincide with celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of St Brendan’s College, Killarney.

Mr Kelleher, a native of Gneeveguilla, Co Kerry, is one of many past pupils expected to attend the college’s celebrations and the investment meeting.

Kerry North Fine Gael TD Jimmy Deenihan, who is organising what he described as a Farmleigh-type meeting, said it was hoped to get expatriates to give advice and provide funding to set up companies in the county.

“Scores of Kerry people are hugely successful in business in many other countries and I believe they have a lot to offer as we try to work our way out of the economic crisis,” Mr Deenihan said.

“I know they are more than willing to help and this will also be an opportunity for people living in Kerry who have ideas for job-creating enterprises.”

The meeting will be held in the Malton Hotel, Killarney.

Meanwhile, south Kerry is leading the way in relation to green tourism, boasting the largest cluster of green-accredited businesses in Ireland.

Fáilte Ireland and South Kerry Development Partnership have confirmed 60 such businesses have been certified in the area.

Fiona Buckley, head of operations for Fáilte Ireland in the south-west, said greener Kerry businesses were reducing their energy and water consumption, improving waste management and sourcing fresh seasonal produce from local suppliers.

“All of these measures help ensure that they carefully manage our natural environment without compromising on the high quality experience that is delivered to visitors,” she added.

A new brochure promoting the greener side of the Ring of Kerry, translated into German, French, Italian and Spanish, has been launched.