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Local journalist releases latest book online

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NEW BOOK: Local journalist and writer Breda Joy has released her new book ‘Under a Skellig Sky’ online on Amazon. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

 

A talented fiction writer from Killarney has released a humorous new novel, 'Under a Skellig Sky' centred around an imaginary valley overlooking the Skellig Islands.

Due to the lockdown, Breda Joy's latest work can only be released on Amazon and will hit bookshops early next year.

The local journalist tells the funny story of Carol O’Connell who returns to Kerry to recover from a broken relationship and discovers that the sleepy valley of her youth has woken up to a busier reality.

Carol’s plans for a new life before she turns 40 are disrupted by an old lover, a troubled friend, a bingo-loving Fáilte Ireland inspector and sinister outsiders.

This is the second novel from Breda, who has a three-book contract with Poolbeg Books. Her debut novel, ‘Eat the Moon’, was released in 2018. Her previous works include 'Hidden Kerry', 'The Wit & Wisdom of Kerry' and a biography of MEP Brian Crowley.

"Releasing my second novel as an ebook is just one more learning curve in these days of Coronavirus," Breda told the Killarney Advertiser.

"For instance, my friend suggested we go to the Shire Cafe for a cup of coffee outdoors to mark its arrival, so I turned that into a virtual launch with the massive attendance of three friends and the dog!"

In theses times she said that you need a sense of humour to see you through it.

"Just as well it's a romantic comedy, albeit one with an edge or a bite. I touch on rural crime and State neglect of areas such as South Kerry in between the humour."

However, currently the only way to order the paperback or Kindle version is online on Amazon, she added.

"The publisher, Poolbeg, wants to put it in the shops early next year, but you don't know what will happen. So, Amazon it is for now."

She added that she's been promoting it a lot online herself, and is getting great reaction on Facebook from people who have bought it already.

"Poolbeg is concentrating a lot of its marketing on Irish-Americans which is kind of timely because they can take a virtual trip to Kerry on the magic carpet of 'Under a Skellig Sky' while actual travel is restricted."

Her book is available from www.amazon.co.uk/Under-Skellig-Sky-Breda-Joy-ebook/dp/B088FTSX1K.

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Musical Society announces ‘Sister Act’ as 2027 production

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Killarney Musical Society has announced that its 2027 musical production will be the comedy Sister Act.

The show will run at the Gleneagle Arena from Tuesday, March 2nd to Thursday, March 4th, 2027.

Based on the film, the musical tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a nightclub singer placed in protective custody in a convent after witnessing a crime. While there, she helps transform the parish choir.


Society Chairperson Derek O’Leary expressed excitement about the selection. “It is a show that combines humour, heart, spectacular music and an inspiring story, making it a perfect fit for Killarney Musical Society and our audiences,”

O’Leary said. He also confirmed that award-winning director Oliver Hurley and musical director Jimmy Brockie will return for the production.


The society, which draws performers, musicians, and backstage volunteers from across Kerry and neighbouring counties, will release details regarding auditions and production updates in the coming months.

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Killarney retains top ten position in national litter rankings

Killarney has maintained its position in the top ten of the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey, securing 9th place out of 40 towns and cities surveyed nationwide. The […]

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Killarney has maintained its position in the top ten of the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey, securing 9th place out of 40 towns and cities surveyed nationwide. The town was officially deemed to be ‘Cleaner than European Norms’.

The accompanying report by An Taisce praised Killarney for delivering a solid performance, noting that there were no heavily littered sites found within the town boundaries.
Several local areas received top marks for maintenance and presentation. Main Street was highlighted as exceptionally well-presented, while Park Road, Muckross Road, and the Knockreer Playground and environs were also singled out for praise. The report noted that the playground area was in very good order across all elements.
However, the inspectors did highlight some areas for improvement. The JYSK site showed slight progress compared to the previous survey but remained classified as moderately littered. The report warned that care must be taken to prevent the location from deteriorating further.
On a national level, IBAL representative Conor Horgan noted that entering the peak tourist season, the country has fewer littered areas than at any time in the past 25 years.
Despite the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), the survey highlighted a national rise in specific waste items. Plastic bottles were found in 19% of all surveyed sites across the country, and drinks cans were present in 22%. The prevalence of coffee cups also reached its highest level since 2023, alongside an increase in cigarette butt litter.

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