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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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Regatta Queen crowned at annual dance

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The annual Killarney Regatta Dance took place on September 25 as rowers, families and supporters came together to celebrate their successful year.

The racing was cancelled in September due to bad weather.

The Killarney Regatta is one of Ireland’s oldest rowing events, having first begun in 1788.

The dance took place at the Killarney Oaks Hotel where there was a lot of excitement and fun. Six rowing clubs, Fossa, Workman’s, St Brendan’s, Commercials, Flesk Valley, and Muckross, came together to celebrate the community and its shared history.

Amelia Counihan was crowned as the Regatta Queen.

The Queen represents the spirit pride and grace of the rowing community and has been a tradition in the club for generations.

Workman’s Rowing Club congratulated Amelia and described her as a woman who embodies everything that their tradition stands for.

The club said: “Queen is more than a title — it is a celebration of history, community, and the spirit of Killarney rowing.”

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Killarney Looking Good competition celebrates community pride

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The annual Killarney Looking Good competition took place at the Great Southern Hotel on Wednesday night where Kerry GAA captain Gavin White presented the awards to the deserving recipients.

Killarney Park Hotel came out on top with the overall prize being awarded to the newly refurbished five-star hotel.

The judges were impressed by the stylish new entrance and driveway and their spectacular display of flowers and window boxes. Killarney Park won the same award back in 1992.

The best large commercial premises award went to Killarney Racecourse, and the best small commercial premises was awarded to Sheahan’s Pharmacy.

Charlie Foley’s won the best public house; best restaurant was 40 Main and Walsh Bros Shoes was named best retail.

In the residential categories, the best private residence was Tomies View, Ross Road, best large estate went to Countess Grove, and best small estate was won by Coolgreane Park.

The winner of the 2025 Fr Michael Murphy Memorial Pride of Place Award was presented to the Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative while the Yvonne Quill Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award winner went to Margaret Curtin.

The Killarney Looking Good competition is organised by Killarney Municipal District Council and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and sponsored by MD O’Shea’s & Sons and O’Mahony Media.

The competition aims to encourage residents and business owners to keep the town looking well through the use of flowers, hanging baskets, colour schemes.

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