News
Killarney snapper calls time on 47-year career
By Sean Moriarty
After nearly 50 years on the beat, legendary local press photographer Michelle Copper Galvin has finally decided to hang up her camera.
This week marks her final few days as a news photographer and her attendance at last Sunday’s Kerry v Laois Ladies Football match at Fitzgerald Stadium ended an unbroken stint that stretches all the way back to 1977.
She started her career with the Cork Examiner in 1974 and after four years with that publication she returned to Killarney where she has worked as the local media snapper ever since.
Best known for her role with The Kerryman, Michelle has also supplied many of the photographs that have appeared in the Killarney Advertiser over the last 40 years.
Michelle’s beat covered all of East, South and Mid Kerry, but she was best known for her work on the streets of her home town.
“The biggest change for me was the switch to digital,” Michelle told the Killarney Advertiser this week. “It became a simpler process from the camera to the computer and straight on to a page – ending negatives and processing film.”
Her favourite tasks were anything to do with sport and politics and memories include witnessing Munster Rugby defeating the All Blacks in that famous 1978 match in Thomond Park.
She is also a huge Kerry GAA fan but given the choice she would prefer a day out in Thomond Park over Fitzgerald Stadium.
“I have had a great career, I have met some wonderful people and very privileged to go to places that I went,” she said. “I have been blessed to work with some great editors who helped and guided me.”
Michelle is looking forward to spending more time with husband Dermot, who she says is her "number one supporter”, daughters Caoimhe, Grainne and son Diarmuid, their partners and her three grandchildren.
Dermot is currently based in London and Michelle played a crucial role in promoting the activities of the Kerry Association London as a result of her direct connections with the city.
“I will have more time to go to London now,” she added. “My children and grandchildren are all based on the island [of Ireland] so I am looking forward to seeing more of them too.”
She will have more time to attend Munster Rugby matches at home and abroad with no prior commitments that need covering on a local front.
She loves France and will spend more time in her favourite foreign country especially if trips coincide with Munster’s European Rugby Champions Cup games.
Michelle is not giving up on photography totally however, and says she will continue to take photos "of things I love and what interests me”.
Friends and colleagues in the Kerry media honoured her contribution to the industry with a special dinner in Tralee’s Ashe Hotel on last night (Thursday).
The fifth annual Pedal for Grace community fundraiser will take place in Firies on Saturday, September 5, with organisers aiming to push total funds raised past the €90,000 milestone.
Held in honour of local girl Grace O’Sullivan, who lives with Stargardt disease, the event brings together cyclists, walkers, and supporters from across the local community to raise vital funds for Vision Ireland. Over the past four years, the initiative has raised almost €90,000 for the national sight loss charity.
This year’s event offers options for all fitness levels, including a 60km route, shorter spins, and a walking course, with tandem options also available. Following the physical challenges, the day will feature a community barbecue, family fun activities, a raffle, and an evening of music and entertainment.
Grace was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a genetic eye condition that affects central vision and causes progressive sight loss. The annual event was established by her family to raise awareness and support Vision Ireland’s work, which provides practical and emotional support, rehabilitation services, and assistive technology to help people living with visual impairments maintain independence.
Members of the public are invited to register in advance or support the event in Firies on the day. Full details and registration information are available on the Vision Ireland website.
Top golf scores at Mahony’s Point
Ivan Tagney and Aoife Twomey secured top honours at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club as members turned out in large numbers to compete for Captain Tomás Kelliher’s Prize on Mahony’s Point.
In the men’s event, Ivan Tagney claimed the Captain’s Prize with an impressive 42 points. Conor Dillon carded 48 points, returning the lowest score of the weekend, though he was ineligible for the main trophy without an established handicap.
Despite wet weather, the ladies section produced remarkable scoring on Sunday. Aoife Twomey took first place playing off 28 handicap, recording a nett 63. June O’Brien finished runner-up with a 67 nett, followed by Kay O’Connor in third with a 69 nett.
Captain Tomás Kelliher extended his thanks to the committee, staff, and volunteers for organising the flagship competition, praising the course condition and strong turnout across both events.
Results
Men’s Captain’s Prize 1st: Ivan Tagney (42 pts) Best Score: Conor Dillon (48 pts) 3rd: Joseph Sheahan (41 pts) 4th: Michael Cotter (41 pts) 5th: Emmet Scanlon (41 pts) 6th: Ian Sherlock (41 pts) 7th: Cathal O’Connor (40 pts) 8th: Aaron McCann (40 pts) 9th: Dan Quirke (40 pts) 10th: Mark Tuite (40 pts) 11th: Alan O’Meara (40 pts) 12th: Donal Begley (40 pts) Best Gross: Donal Considine (72) Category 1: 1st Kevin Leacy (39 pts), 2nd Ian Cronin (39 pts) Category 2: 1st Adam Carey (40 pts), 2nd Jack Crehan (40 pts) Category 3: 1st John McEnery (40 pts), 2nd Thomas Coleman (39 pts) Category 4: 1st Mike Dreelan (38 pts), 2nd Jason Reen (38 pts) Front Nine: Aaron Coffey (24 pts) Back Nine: Chris Myers (24 pts) Past Captain: Pat Cussen (38 pts) Over 70: Joe Geaney (39 pts) Committee Prize: Shane Horgan (38 pts) Guest Prize: Jack Kelliher
Ladies Captain’s Prize 1st: Aoife Twomey – 63 (28) 2nd: June O’Brien – 67 (20) 3rd: Kay O’Connor – 69 (13) 4th: Louise Langan – 70 (19) 5th: Mary Tobin – 71 (20) 6th: Geraldine Tarrant – 71 (26) 7th: Kathleen O’Keefe – 71 (19) 8th: Noreen O’Callaghan – 72 (18) 9th: Anne Moynihan – 72 (2) 10th: Breda Duggan – 72 (29) Best Gross: Kelly O’Donoghue (76) Front Nine: Kate O’Leary Back Nine: Sarah O’Brien 13-Hole Competition: Maud Malone – 24 pts (28)
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