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New Killarney distillery has roots with Daniel O’Connell

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NEW DISTILLERY: Maurice O’Connell, of Lakeview House on the shores of Lough Lein, the site of a new distillery. Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan

 

A new whiskey distillery – with a direct connection to Daniel O’Connell The Liberator – will open for production in Killarney in the New Year.

 

Wayward Irish Spirits will, initially, finish whiskey from out-sourced barley, at a site in Fossa and this ‘The Liberator Irish Whiskey’ will be for sale in February.

 

Their own product, ‘King of Ireland’ range, will commence distilling onsite in 2023 and be ready for sale by 2024.

 

The company was founded by London-based property tycoon Maurice O’Connell, a great-great-great-grandnephew of The Liberator himself.

 

The 300-year-old house in Fossa, known as Lakeview House, has been owned by the O’Connell family since they switched in to politics and away from their wine and spirits importing business from their original home in Caherdaniel.

 

The new whiskey was launched at Whiskey Live which took place in Dublin on November 22 and 23.

 

Maurice O’Connell believes that the house built by Daniel’s brother James has the perfect climate for distilling whiskey.

“I had not appreciated what we have here in Kerry,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “It is extraordinary. The Gulfstream over the mountain drops in to the water in the lakes, we could have four seasons in a hour here and that interaction will make the whiskey better as it matures.”

As well as opening the distillery, O’Connell hopes to add a visitor centre to the site in the future. Further plans include linking up with established businesses like the Whiskey Larder and make Killarney a whisky hub.

 

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Gary Moynihan wins racecourse style title

Style reigned supreme at Killarney Racecourse as local resident Gary Moynihan and Offaly’s Sylwia Novak captured the top honours at the Canella Lane Best Dressed Day. Moynihan, a local neuromuscular […]

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Style reigned supreme at Killarney Racecourse as local resident Gary Moynihan and Offaly’s Sylwia Novak captured the top honours at the Canella Lane Best Dressed Day.

Moynihan, a local neuromuscular therapist, claimed Best Dressed Gentleman in a made-to-measure six-button burgundy double-breasted suit with a navy check from Saville Menswear in Cork. He completed the winning look with a shirt and paisley tie from Simply Suits Killarney and brown derby shoes from Pavers at the Killarney Outlet Centre.
Best Dressed Lady was awarded to Novak, a hospital personal assistant from Tullamore, who wore a red polka-dot ensemble and custom hat designed by milliner Rita Daly, featuring sustainable jewellery made from recycled plastic.
Canella Lane owner Ciana Aspell praised the high standard of fashion on the day, while Killarney Racecourse Manager Karl McCay thanked the sponsors and racegoers for their support.
With the summer season now wrapped up, the team at Killarney Racecourse is gearing up for the October Festival on October 4 and 5, featuring its first-ever Student Raceday with SPIN South West on the Monday. Early ticket booking is advised.

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Gleneagle Concert Band opens recruitment drive for new members

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The Gleneagle Concert Band is inviting new members of all ages to join the ensemble as it prepares for its new season starting this September.



Open to children, young people, and adults from Killarney and surrounding areas, the band offers specialist instrumental tuition starting from age nine. Beginners can take lessons in clarinet, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba, percussion, and drums before progressing into the main band.

No previous experience is required for adults or children. The band also welcomes adults who already play an instrument or wish to return to music after a break.

“What makes Gleneagle special is that our musicians don’t just rehearse in a room and play the occasional concert,” said Music Development Officer Vincent Condon. “They perform at major events, festivals and community occasions, take part in film productions, travel internationally and, importantly, have fun together as a band. The band is open to everyone. We welcome young people who want to learn an instrument, as well as adults who have previous musical experience and would like to return to playing.”

For information on registration and lessons, contact 087 222 9513 or visit the band’s social media pages.

Busy summer of events


The Gleneagle Concert Band has concluded a busy 12 months featuring public performances, festival appearances, and charity work.

Highlights included the annual summer street concerts in Killarney town, along with performances at Puck Fair, the Rose of Tralee, and the Summer in Killarney Festival. Band members were also involved in the filming of Jimmy, an upcoming Hollywood biographical drama based on actor Jimmy Stewart.

Community fundraising remained a focus over the past year, with the band supporting local causes including the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Sports Club and Recovery Haven Kerry Cancer Support House alongside a sold-out Annual Concert.

Following a tour to Seville in 2025, the band has confirmed its next overseas trip to Bilbao and San Sebastián in northern Spain, scheduled for August 2027.

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