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Dublin legend Jim Gavin supports local author

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By Sean Moriarty

 

A Killarney man said he was “gobsmacked” to receive a hand-written card from former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin who read his book while on holiday in Dingle.

 

Paddy Osborne, who is also a Dubliner, but is living in Killarney for years, published ‘Baxter’s Boys’ in February of this year.

Based in the north inner city of Dublin, where Paddy grew up, the story traces the lives of a football team as they bond and share life experiences during a previously unheard of run of success for their small soccer squad.

Gavin, who famously led Dublin to five All-Ireland football titles in a row, including defeating Kerry twice, was pictured reading ‘Baxter’s Boys’ in his Dingle holiday home last week.

Gavin is from the Clondalkin area of Dublin, a suburb that faces similar social issues that Osborne covers in his dark comedy.

He won an All-Ireland football medal with Dublin in 1995 but honed his skills as a youngster while participating in the street leagues of Clondalkin and this is another cultural issue that Osborne touches on in his book.

Gavin was so impressed with the local author’s book he took the time to send the Woodlawn man a handwritten card, wishing Paddy the best of luck and closed it with the message ‘Baile Átha Cliath and Ciarraí Abu’.

“I was gobsmacked and delighted to get the photo and card sent to me,” Paddy told the Killarney Advertiser. “I have followed Jim Gavin’s career all my life. I was in Croke Park in 1995 when Dublin won the All-Ireland but I have never seen a photo of Jim relaxing or any sort of snapshot of his private life. He is always seen roaring on a sideline.”

‘Baxter’s Boys’ is available locally in Eason, Main St. The book was well-received at its launch in February with many referring to Osborne as Killarney’s answer to Roddy Doyle.

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Céilí Mór will send ‘em home sweatin’

It will be a case of all around the house but mind the dresser at a traditional Céilí Mór which will be one of the real entertainment highlights of this […]

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It will be a case of all around the house but mind the dresser at a traditional Céilí Mór which will be one of the real entertainment highlights of this year’s St Patrick’s Festival in Killarney.

It will take place on the eve of the big feast day in the Killarney Great Southern and there will be a wonderful party atmosphere guaranteed on the night.
Providing the tunes will be the very highly regarded Uí Bhriaín Céilí Band and they promise to send everybody home sweating after what will be a memorable night for locals and visitors.
The March 16 céilí will commence at 9.00pm and continue right through until midnight and the admission for a wonderful night of pure Irish trad is just €10.00.
Bookings can be made on the festival website or patrons can pay at the door on the night.

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St Brendan’s student Aodhagan O’Sullivan crowned CPR champion

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Aodhagan O’Sullivan, a student at St Brendan’s College, Killarney, has been named the 2026 School CPR Challenge Champion.

The prestigious award was presented on Thursday, 26 February, during a large-scale event at the Gleneagle Hotel, where approximately 300 students from post-primary schools across the county gathered to compete for the title of “who can compress the best.”


Now in its fourth year, the event is organised by the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) Community First Responders.

The KCRU is a volunteer-led group that provides vital emergency response services to Killarney, Beaufort, Killorglin, Firies, Rathmore, and Kenmare.

The challenge focused on “Quality CPR” (QCPR), combining a high-stakes competition with practical life-saving training and the chance for students to engage directly with local emergency and community services.


The competition utilised advanced QCPR technology to measure the depth and rate of compressions, ensuring that students aren’t just learning the motions, but are performing life-saving techniques to a clinical standard.

Beyond the competitive element, the day served as an educational hub, highlighting the “chain of survival” and the importance of immediate bystander intervention in the event of a cardiac arrest.


The 2026 challenge was made possible through the support of the Vodafone Foundation, The Gleneagle Hotel, and First Aid Systems Ltd, alongside a variety of local sponsors. Organisers praised the enthusiasm of the 300 participants, noting that such events are essential for building a “heart-safe” community and equipping the next generation with the skills to save a life.

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