Local Businesses & Services

A comprehensive directory of local businesses and services, supporting the local economy.

A building with a sign that reads 'Eddie Walsh's' on the front, decorated with Irish flags and bunting. The building has two floors with windows and flower boxes, a bay window, a white bench outside, and a picnic table on the sidewalk.

Walshs Bar, Knocknagoshel

Walshs is one of the much-loved traditional pubs in Knocknagoshel, known locally as a welcoming social hub and gathering place at the heart of village life. Family-run and deeply rooted in local history, it has long been a staple of the community — a place where generations have met after work, caught up with neighbours, enjoyed a lively evening, or simply shared stories over a drink.
The Walsh family name has strong historical ties in Knocknagoshel. In the mid-20th century, Eddie Walsh, originally from Abbeyforney, was both a celebrated local figure and proprietor of a village pub before passing the business on to his son, Eamon Walsh. Eddie was well known throughout Kerry not only for his connection to the bar but also as a former Kerry footballer, having won multiple All-Ireland medals in the late 1930s and early 1940s. This connection between family, sport and hospitality gives Walshs a special place in the local memory, a pub where friendships and traditions have been shared across decades.
Locals and visitors alike describe Walshs as having a warm, friendly atmosphere typical of traditional Irish pubs. It is a place where everyone is welcome, conversations flow easily and the sense of belonging is strong, whether people are meeting after a match, gathering around a community event, or simply popping in for a pint with friends. Ideally located on the main road through Knocknagoshel, Walsh’s provides a comfortable spot for both everyday socialising and special occasions.

Three men standing together outside a restaurant at night, with smiling faces. The restaurant sign above them reads 'D' and 'COCON', with the full name possibly obscured. The building has a stone facade and a blue door with windows, and the group appears happy, possibly after an event or gathering.

O'Connors Bar, Knocknagoshel

O’Connor’s Bar holds a special place in the social and cultural life of Knocknagoshel. Each November, it proudly hosts the annual Neilus O’Connor Music Festival, a celebration of the life and legacy of Neilus O’Connor, a nationally renowned accordion player. The festival draws musicians and music lovers from across the country for a vibrant weekend of traditional music, with lively seisiúin filling the pub from start to finish.
Today, the bar is run by Neilus’s son, Cormac, himself a talented and respected musician, who continues the family’s strong musical tradition.
Throughout the year, O’Connor’s remains a hub for live music. During the winter months, a traditional Friday night session keeps the spirit of Irish music alive, while in the summer, Sunday “Summer Sessions” showcase a variety of bands and singer-songwriters, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.

Bite Tonight

Bite Tonight takeway is situated at 'Walshs' Corner, just behind the pub. It is open most week nights and offers good value fast food.

Contact Number is 087 449 8110

A newly built single-story house with a gray roof and light-colored exterior, situated in a rural area with lush green hills and fields in the background.

Knocknagoshel Community Gym

Knocknagoshel Community Gym is the local fitness hub for people of all ages and abilities in Knocknagoshel and the surrounding area. Situated beside the GAA grounds, the gym has been an important part of community life for more than two decades, offering a welcoming and supportive space for health, fitness and social connection. It reopened in early 2025 after a short period of closure, with local members warmly welcomed back with an open evening and renewed enthusiasm for community health.
The gym is equipped with a variety of cardio, strength and resistance training machines, including treadmills, bikes, resistance trainers, free weights and benches. Personal training and small group classes are also available, often tailored to members of all fitness levels, providing extra motivation and guidance to help members train safely and confidently.
Membership options include flexible plans for individuals, couples, students and seniors, making the gym accessible and affordable for the broader community. Beyond fitness, it is a social space where friendships are made and people encourage one another day after day. Whether you are just starting your fitness journey or are a regular gym user, Knocknagoshel Community Gym remains a valued local resource, supporting health, wellbeing and community connection right here in the parish.

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Meals on Wheels

Established in 1994, Knocknagoshel Meals on Wheels grew from a local senior citizens survey into a vital six-day-a-week lifeline. Operating out of the Knocknagoshel Community Centre, the service now deploys five vans to deliver hundreds of meals daily across North Kerry, West Limerick, and North West Cork.
The service originated from a 1994 survey on the needs of older citizens in the Sliabh Luachra region. These findings laid the foundation for the 'Over 55 Club'. Originally serving just a few people, the program expanded massively over the decades, most notably scaling up during the COVID-19 pandemic to reach over 270 individuals and supply hot meals to primary schools.
Today, the team operates six days a week. Beyond meal delivery, the drivers provide a critical daily welfare check for those living alone, occasionally alerting families if a senior requires medical or physical assistance.
- Coverage Area: Services encompass Knocknagoshel, Lyreacrompane, Duagh, Abbeyfeale, Brosna, Cordal, and parts of Castleisland.
- Pricing: A hot main course is €5, or a three-course meal for €7.
- Meal Contents: Deliveries feature a hot main course, soup, desserts, and home-baked goods.
- Support: The initiative is supported by local organizations, including Tesco Ireland in Abbeyfeale and various governmental enhancement programs.

Knocknagoshel Community Centre

For over four decades, the Knocknagoshel Community Centre has stood as the proud beating heart of our parish. While today it serves as a modern hub for youth activities, the Over 55s Social Club, and vibrant local meetings, its story begins with an incredible act of community spirit and determination.
A Centre Built by the People, for the People
In the late 1970s, our community faced a challenge: we needed a proper social outlet and gathering space, but funding was scarce. Refusing to wait for government grants, the people of Knocknagoshel took matters into their own hands.
Through relentless door-to-door fundraising, parish raffles, and tireless volunteer labor, the community rallied together. By 1980, the dream became a reality when the doors of the Knocknagoshel Community Centre officially opened.
A cherished photograph from that opening year captures the 1980 Carnival Committee standing proudly right outside the newly completed hall. These local heroes didn't stop once the bricks were laid; they ran massive summer festivals and carnivals to completely clear the building's debts and ensure its future. That photograph stands as a timeless testament to what our parish can achieve when we work hand in hand.
The immense effort paid off instantly. The hall quickly earned a reputation for its fantastic capacity and warm atmosphere. This culminated in 1988 when the centre hosted the legendary 19-night run of the pageant Massabielle. Produced by Fr. Pat Ahern and featuring a cast of over 70 locals, the production drew audiences from all over Ireland and even featured on RTÉ television news.
A new era of community leadership began when the Knocknagoshel Community Centre Committee formally incorporated on May 29, 2008, ushering in decades of expanded programming and modernization. Today, the centre stays bustling day and night with an impressive variety of cultural and wellness activities:
- Drama & Stage Production: The hall proudly rings out with rehearsals as the Knocknagoshel Spike Players drama group prepare for their major stage plays. The centre also partners with the Fiona Crowley Stage School to deliver drama classes and live youth performances.
- The Over 55s & Women’s Group: The dedicated Knocknagoshel Over 55s Social Club and Women’s Group operates a vital Day Club on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. They provide local meals-on-wheels, day trips, and social meetups, backed by local fundraisers like "Share the Bucket".
- Concerts & Festivals: Thanks to recent upgrades from the Dromadda Beg Wind Farm fund, the building boasts state-of-the-art sound equipment that hosts live musical events, historical book launches, and the annual Body and Mind: Philosophy Festival organized by Tidy Towns.
- Youth & Sports: The venue hosts local Foróige Youth Club nights and fitness programs such as Pilates, alongside indoor sports featuring custom-installed soccer and badminton posts.

Rural industrial area with storage buildings, large black pipes stored outdoors, and rolling green hills in the background under cloudy sky.

Irish Shooting Sports: Shooting Range in Knocknagoshel

Just outside Knocknagoshel, behind the local GAA pitch, is Irish Shooting Sports — a premier shooting ground and sporting facility bringing clay pigeon, rifle, pistol and archery shooting to the heart of North Kerry. Qualified instructors with international experience are on hand to provide safety briefings and coaching, meaning beginners and experienced shooters alike can try new disciplines with confidence. The grounds are set across a 40-acre site and include multiple all-weather layouts accommodating a variety of clay target disciplines, including Down The Line, Ball Trap, Olympic Trap, Skeet and Sporting shooting.
The facility includes covered clay target shooting ranges with floodlights for year-round use, Ireland's largest indoor pistol and rifle range with automatic target retrieval systems, archery layouts catering for new and seasoned archers, and spacious car parking, a clubhouse and gun room for visitors. Whether it's a fun day out with friends, a corporate event, a stag or hen party, or simply a chance to try something different, the shooting ground offers an exciting, safe and well-managed experience in the countryside.
Located just off the N21 between Castleisland and Abbeyfeale, Irish Shooting Sports has become a notable local attraction for both residents and visitors to the region. Its reputation for professionalism and friendly service makes it a valued part of Knocknagoshel's sporting landscape.