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Fr Kieran is new Kerry Handball President

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4 years ago

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By Con Dennehy

Kerry handball has a new president, Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O’Brien, who was unanimously elected to fill the vacant post.

Fr Kieran was elected at the Kerry handball AGM in Ballymacelligott, the first held since 2019.

The Tralee native was ordained in Killarney Cathedral on June 13, 1993 and celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination in 2018. Almost half his ministry has been based in Killarney, initially as a curate from 1993 to 1999 before later returning to take up the demanding role of Administrator in 2012. He also served in St John’s Parish and in West Kerry. In 2012, Fr O’Brien officiated at the Requiem Mass in Ventry for his great friend, Kerry GAA football legend Paid Ó Se.

“We were delighted and deeply honoured that Fr Kieran is our new president. It is a fitting acknowledgement for all his selfless work with Kerry handball both as a player and official,” Christy Moriarty, chairman of the Kerry Handball Board, said.

“Fr Kieran was actively involved in the An Gaeltacht Handball Club when he served in West Kerry. Over the past few years he has also been involved with the progressive Spa/Killarney Club.”

The new president replaces Paddy Downey, a member of the famous Jones-Fitzgerald Club in Tralee.

Paddy, a known handball legend, passed away in April 2020, in his 90th year.

“Paddy won the All-Ireland Senior Softball Singles in 1958 and 1961 and the Senior Hardball Singles in 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1962. He also won 11 senior doubles titles, 10 with Jimmy O’Brien (seven in softball) and one with former Tipperary player Joe Haslett in hardball. Downey’s first breakthrough was when he won junior softball honours with club mate Tim Commune in 1951, the same year he won the junior hardball singles title.”

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Hugh O’Flaherty Centenary Exhibition extended at Library

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11 hours ago

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16 January 2026

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The Hugh O’Flaherty Centenary Exhibition at Killarney Library has been extended for an additional two weeks.


Originally scheduled to conclude this Saturday, (January 17), the display will now remain open to the public until Saturday, January 31.

The exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of the Monsignor’s ordination and covers four distinct periods of his life: his education in Ireland and early travels, his journey to the priesthood, the operations of the Rome Escape Line during World War II, and his post-war retirement and legacy.


Visitors can view several personal artefacts from his time in Rome, some of which are being publicly exhibited for the first time.

These items include one of his golf clubs, his personal Breviary and Roman Missal, and his Rome guidebook used for assisting pilgrims.


Organizers are particularly encouraging local schools and students to visit before the new closing date at the end of the month.

The exhibition highlights the humanitarian work of the “Vatican Pimpernel” and his colleagues, who provided refuge to Allied POWs, Anti-Fascist Resistance members, and Jewish people regardless of nationality or creed, following his motto: “God Has No Country.”


The exhibition is available to view during normal library opening hours at the Rock Road branch.

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Charity drama and music night at The Fáilte

The West End Players are set to take over The Fáilte Hotel on College Street next Thursday, (January 22), for a night of local theatre and live music in aid […]

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12 hours ago

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16 January 2026

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The West End Players are set to take over The Fáilte Hotel on College Street next Thursday, (January 22), for a night of local theatre and live music in aid of Palliative Care.

The evening kicks off at 8:00pm with a double bill of one-act plays.
Audiences will first see ‘The Flesh Game’, a piece written by Rae Shirley, followed by ‘The Fag’, written by local thespian Brian Bowler.
Once the dramas concludes, the entertainment will continue with live music from popular local duo Bugzee & Eddie starting at 9:30pm.
The event is free to attend and no advance booking is required.
The Fáilte Hotel will be providing food on the night and hosting a raffle with various prizes. While there is no cover charge, all voluntary contributions and proceeds from the raffle will go directly to support Palliative Care services.

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