Bridgestone author John McKenna forced to eat his words

A TRAVEL writer and food critic who sparked an outrage 11 years ago when he said Killarney was a town best seen through a rear-view mirror has now conceded that the Kerry holiday hotspot has improved enormously and is the undisputed capital of Irish tourism.

Bridgestone Guide author John McKenna caused a storm of controversy in 2000 when he slated Killarney in a review but he returned to the town this week to assure local captains of industry that they have done a good job in the interim.

Mr McKenna was the keynote speaker at a public meeting organised by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce following the bombshell closure of several well-established local businesses in a matter of weeks.