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New book highlights Killarney’s faction fighting history

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BOOK LAUNCH: Seán Moraghan is launching his new book 'Days of the Blackthorn: Faction Fighters of Kerry' tomorrow (Thursday) in Killarney Library. Photo: Michelle Crean    

 

By Michelle Crean

 

 

Killarney and its environs feature heavily in new book ‘Days of the Blackthorn: Faction Fighters of Kerry’.

Author and folklore researcher Seán Moraghan, who previously worked as a tour guide at Muckross House, will launch his latest work in Killarney Library tomorrow evening (Thursday), at 6.30pm.

 

The 320 page paperback, published by Mercier Press, will be on sale for €13 on the night, and is available afterwards for €16.99 from Eason. There’s also an online ebook version and two free chapters available on Google Books.

“This is a chapter by chapter account of faction fighting in Kerry with stories from the Killarney area,” Sean told the Killarney Advertiser.

 

During the nineteenth century, gangs of men fought each other at country-fairs, wielding hardened sticks of oak, ash, or blackthorn.

“The book explains what faction fighting is. Every strong farmer has a strong gang behind him. Tens or even hundreds might take part. Fights were commenced after the exchange of insults; after prompting by a man who might drag his coat along the ground, demanding, “Who will tread on the tails of my coat?”; or by the practice of “wheeling” – twirling a fighting stick overhead and shouting for the other party to come on.”

He explained that in Killarney, faction fighting may have gone on since the 1600s. “During the late 1700s, the greatest fighter was Daniel O’Donoghue, known as the O’Donoghue of the Glens, who regularly brought his faction into Killarney from Glenflesk, where he had an estate. On every fair and market day they marched through it, shouting, hallooing, and offering five pounds for the head of any man that would dare oppose them."

‘Days of the Blackthorn’ used newspaper accounts from the nineteenth century and oral history collected during the 1930s to reveal who the factions were, where they fought in each district of Kerry, and who some of their famous fighters were, he added.

 

 

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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