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Killarney to host Kerry International Film Festival

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LAUNCH: Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Michael Gleeson was on hand to launch the Kerry International Film Festival in Killarney House and Gardens on Friday night last. Photo: Michael G Kenny

 

By Michelle Crean

 

There’ll be a unique film festival atmosphere in Killarney next week as the Kerry International Film Festival is ready to take to local screens.

Taking place from October 17 to 20 there’ll be screenings in Killarney Cinema and St Mary’s Church, with industry events in Killarney House and the Plaza Hotel.

And for its 20th anniversary, KIFF is debuting a brand-new look - having undergone an exciting rebrand by the festival’s creative partner Richard Dee Branding and Design.

Feature films, documentaries, animation, short film programmes and industry events, will all be part of the three-day event with the festival showcasing new work from Ireland and around the globe.

 

Some of the highlights include the Irish Premiere of ‘Rare Beasts’, the directing debut of actress Billie Piper.

KIFF will also feature the Irish premiere of ‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’, a touching film with a modern-day spin on Mark Twain’s ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’. This heart-warming future-classic opens the festival on Thursday next at 6.30pm.

Closer to home KIFF will also present the world premiere of Terry McMahon's news film, ‘The Prize Fighter’, which promises to be a sell-out event as Gary ‘Spike’ O'Sullivan (the Irish professional boxer who has formerly held the WBO International and Irish middleweight titles), Paschal Collins (renowned coach and manager) and director Terry McMahon, will attend the screening and an extended Q&A afterwards on Friday night next, at 8.30pm.

The festival will also share the work from the many talented local filmmakers in ‘Kerry Focus’, including The Kerry Connections shorts programme on Friday, from 6.30pm.

On Saturday,’Kilimanjaro Mama’, the story of Kerry woman Louise Quill and her amazing work in her Tanzanian Orphanage will be screened, while Seanie Sugrue’s us screening of his laugh a minute feature film ‘Misty Buttons’ takes place on Sunday.

Festival Programmer, Eibh Collins, said that she’s delighted to present her first programme for the Kerry International Film Festival.

“It’s been an incredible effort from the dedicated team to get this selection of films ready for our wonderful audiences, and I can’t wait for them to see what we have put together for them. We have put together a programme that covers the diverse landscape of contemporary world cinema and are delighted to showcase it here in Killarney.”

To celebrate the festivals 20th birthday there will be a host of free films screening in St Marys church daily of fan-favourites from 1999, the year of the first Kerry Film Festival and including 20th anniversary screenings of classics like ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ and ‘The Matrix’. 

For details on these screenings and more, check out www.kerryfilmfestival.com.

 

 

 

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A Celebration of Culture, Community and Talent at St Brigid’s Presentation

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St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School was alive with music, song and celebration at their recent Trad Night 2026, a wonderful evening that showcased the rich cultural talent within their school and wider community.This special event was a joint fundraiser organised by their Gaelbhratach committee, promoting the Irish language and culture; their Yellow Flag committee, celebrating diversity and inclusion; and their dedicated Music Department. The night reflected the spirit of unity in the school, bringing together students from all year groups in a vibrant celebration of heritage through music, storytelling and dance. The programme featured an impressive lineup of performances including the brush dance, junior and senior set dancers representing local clubs such as Kilcummin and Spa, and a spectacular performance from Irish dancing World Champion Caoimhe O’Halloran. Thri junior and senior traditional groups performed beautifully, alongside the hugely talented Glenflesk Ballad Group, multiple All-Ireland award winners, who brought the audience to their feet. The evening was made all the more special with the generous sponsorship of tea and traditional brack from O’Sullivan’s Bakery, which was warmly enjoyed by all in attendance. The night concluded with a memorable performance from Deputy Principal, Liam McGill, who entertained the audience on guitar and vocals, accompanied by well-known local music teacher Rosie Healy and Aine McCann. St Brigid’s are immensely proud of all students who performed and contributed to making the night such a resounding success. Trad Night 2026 highlighted the extraordinary talent within the school and the strong sense of community that defines St Brigid’s Presentation.

A Celebration of Culture, Community and Talent at St Brigid’s Presentation

St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School was alive with music, song and celebration at their recent Trad Night 2026, a wonderful evening that showcased the rich cultural talent within their school and wider community.This special event was a joint fundraiser organised by their Gaelbhratach committee, promoting the Irish language and culture; their Yellow Flag committee, celebrating diversity and inclusion; and their dedicated Music Department. The night reflected the spirit of unity in the school, bringing together students from all year groups in a vibrant celebration of heritage through music, storytelling and dance. The programme featured an impressive lineup of performances including the brush dance, junior and senior set dancers representing local clubs such as Kilcummin and Spa, and a spectacular performance from Irish dancing World Champion Caoimhe O’Halloran. Thri junior and senior traditional groups performed beautifully, alongside the hugely talented Glenflesk Ballad Group, multiple All-Ireland award winners, who brought the audience to their feet. The evening was made all the more special with the generous sponsorship of tea and traditional brack from O’Sullivan’s Bakery, which was warmly enjoyed by all in attendance. The night concluded with a memorable performance from Deputy Principal, Liam McGill, who entertained the audience on guitar and vocals, accompanied by well-known local music teacher Rosie Healy and Aine McCann. St Brigid’s are immensely proud of all students who performed and contributed to making the night such a resounding success. Trad Night 2026 highlighted the extraordinary talent within the school and the strong sense of community that defines St Brigid’s Presentation.

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European title for Killarney handball star

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By Con Dennehy

Killarney handball star Owen Brosnan answered Ireland’s call at the weekend with a breathtaking display at the European One Wall Tour in London.

Currow native and Spa Killarney Handballer, Brosnan took on the best players in England, Wales, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, France and Israel and thanks to a superb display returned back to Kerry with a European gold medal following his phenomenal success in the Men’s C Plate competition.
Played at the Westway Sports Complex in London, more than 150 players took part in the competition on six indoor courts with Brosnan and his Killarney team colleague Tim Cronin playing 15 games over the two days. Following earlier round victories, Brosnan was paired with Tim Cronin in a Kerry dominated semifinal clash. This was an exciting high-octane game with both players producing a classic display of handball. Aces were hard fought with just one point separating both players at the end of a pulsating game. Brosnan advanced to the final on a 21-20 scoreline. “I was thrilled with my semifinal game. It was a hard-fought contest with all the training at the Spa GAA Hall helping me edge out a win. We train together and know each other strengths and weaknesses which added to the excitement of the occasion. We both teamed up in the Men’s B Plate Doubles competition reaching the semifinal where we were defeated by Matt Flapan and Gleb Spiridon, a USA/Israel combination,” said Owen.
Brosnan produced a superb display of fast paced handball in the Men’s C Plate final where his opponent was the highly fancied Josh Thomas from Wales. Using the court to his full advantage, the Killarney player produced a brilliant all-round performance to record a 21-18 victory and in the process his first major title.
“Naturally, I was delighted with the success. Both Tim and I started the sport by accident over 12 months ago when we attended an Open Family Day at Spa GAA Club. Brendan O’Donoghue, one of the founders of Spa Killarney Handball Club, was giving a demonstration of handball and invited us to try it out. We both enjoyed the experience and have been playing ever since. We are looking forward to the various domestic competitions over the coming months and really enjoy the training and fun element to the sport in the club.”

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