News
Mass to remember those lost in the War of Independence
To remember the past and the sacrifices made by the ordinary people of Ireland, a Mass of Commemoration for all those who died during the War of Independence will take place tomorrow (Sunday).
All are welcome to attend the service in Kilcummin Parish Church at 11.30am, followed by a short ceremony nearby at the Mass Rock in Rathanane, which is being organised by Kilcummin Historical Group.
"As we draw near the end of 2021 let us take the time to reflect on the War of Independence," Conor Doolan, one of the organisers and author of ‘Kilcummin Folk, Land and Liberty: A Local History’, told the Killarney Advertiser.
After the 1916 rebellion a swell of nationalist sentiment swept across the nation and as early 1917 Sinn Féin clubs appeared in Kilcummin. Due to the size of the parish it is divided into eastern and western jurisdictions, he added.
"Around this time the Irish tricolour was raised at Anabla National School, a great act of defiance at the time. Pipe and Drum bands were popular and the Anabla Volunteers organised their own band and are cited as accompanying political demonstrations in Killarney town."
1919 Onwards
Likewise, Old IRA Company’s representing Kilcummin in the west and Anabla to the east were established, he explained.
"The same can be said for the two Cumann na mBan branches in the parish. Marguerite Fleming from Milleen went on to be a significant national figure in Cumann na mBan but her contribution to Irish freedom has been largely forgotten. By 1919 the British Army had commandeered the Great Southern Hotel thus transforming it into a barracks. It was predominantly occupied by the East Lancashire Regiment, Manchester Regiment and the Royal Fusiliers. Prior to that of course, the Royal Irish Constabulary were housed in a castle-like structure that stood where the Áras Phádraig is located today. New RIC recruits known as the ‘Black and Tans’ and ‘the Auxies’ arrived in 1920 wreaking havoc across the country."
Forgotten
Volunteer Patrick McCarthy from College Street Killarney was accidentally wounded and died while on active service in Kilcummin.
"It's also worth mentioning that Killarney man Sean O’Leary of Ballydribeen was a volunteer in the Tipperary IRA. Unarmed, O’Leary was killed by ‘the Auxies’ near Moneygall. What most people refer to as Flesk Bridge is in fact the ‘McCarthy-O’Leary’ Bridge, renamed by Kerry County Council in 1968. Two young English soldiers named Private Motley and Private Steer were killed near Anabla before the Truce in 1921. They were repatriated to Lancashire in 1927."
Hannah Carey was the last person killed in the Irish War of Independence. On July 11, 1921 The RIC & Black and Tans were firing indiscriminately as they drove down College Street. Carey was struck by a stray bullet. She was going about her day's work at the Imperial Hotel, now known as the Killarney Towers Hotel.
Get Involved in Culture Night 2026
The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Mikey Sheehy, is encouraging people across the town to get out, get involved and experience Culture Night 2026 on Friday, September 18.
The local programme includes exhibitions, workshops, theatre, concerts, film, dance, and street spectacle across Killarney, running from afternoon into late evening.
Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is brought to you by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, in partnership with local authorities and cultural organisations across Ireland. In Kerry, the Arts Office of Kerry County Council coordinates the programme and provides funding towards participating events.
Cllr Sheehy said: “Culture Night is a great night for the Kingdom because it shows just how much creativity we have in every corner of Kerry. Our artists, musicians, performers, makers and communities bring it to life, and for one evening we get a chance to celebrate all of that together.”
Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer with Kerry County Council, said: “Culture Night is one of those evenings when Kerry feels full of possibility. What gives the Kerry programme its energy is that it comes from the ground up. Local people have the ideas and make the events happen in their own communities. The Arts Office is delighted to support that work through funding, coordination and promotion, and to help bring all of that activity together for one night across the county.”
All events are free, though some require advance booking.
Culture Night 2026: Killarney Event Highlights
Clay Culture Tiles with Me and The Moon
Venue: Muckross Garden Restaurant, Muckross Traditional Farms
Time: 16:00 – 19:00
Details: Kids create their own tile for the ‘Culture Wall’ celebrating diverse identities.
Dancemania with Katrina Galvin
Venue: Killarney Heights Hotel
Time: 16:30 – 20:00
Details: A fun general dance class for children, followed by a student performance showcase.
30 Years of Kerry Travellers Health & Community Development Project
Venue: Anam Arts and Cultural Centre
Time: 18:30 – 21:00
Details: A special celebratory exhibition marking 30 years of community development and health initiatives.
Betty Rohan Art Exhibition
Venue: Dromhall Hotel
Time: 19:00 – 22:00
Details: A showcase dedicated to breathtaking landscapes by Kerry-born artist Betty Rohan. Accessible and neurodivergent/ASD friendly.
Film Screening – TRAD (Kerry International Film Festival)
Venue: Cinema Killarney
Time: 20:00 – 22:00
Details: A free KIFF Film Club presentation celebrating traditional culture on screen
Funding sought for Bohereen na Goun link road
The compulsory land acquisition process for the proposed Bohereen na Goun link road has advanced, but construction remains dependent on securing capital funding.
At Wednesday’s meeting of the Killarney Municipal District, Councillor Niall Kelleher raised the timeframe for the project, asking: “What is the update on Bohereen na Goun? When will this link road be open?”
In a formal response, Kerry County Council confirmed that statutory land acquisition procedures are moving forward alongside initial site preparation.
Local authority officials stated: “The compulsory acquisition/land-access process has formally progressed via Notice to Treat, and Kerry County Council is now co-ordinating with affected property owners while preparing the initial works. Progression to the construction phase of the project is subject to securing an appropriate funding stream. Kerry County Council is actively pursuing all available funding opportunities to enable the project to proceed.”
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