News
Modern day musical to spark conversation on topical issues
By Michelle Crean
Teens are hoping to spark conversation by focusing on daunting during their musical performance on the INEC stage next month.
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'Prom Queen: The Jukebox Musical’ was written, created and stars 15-year-old Sinéad Greene, who is a Third Year student at Killarney Community College.
Her school friend Rachel Griffin (17) is co-director, executive producer and also a lead actor.
The cast and crew include many local students and also students from outside Killarney such as Rathmore, Tralee and even as far as Cork and Limerick.
This youth project aims to raise awareness around the importance of mental health and the girls advise that viewer discretion is advised as it's rated 12+ due to explicit language, and focusing on themes such as bullying, domestic abuse, references to suicide and LGBTQ+ representation.
"The show hopes to shine a light on these topics and spark conversations about the many different stories portrayed in the plot of this production," Sinéad told the Killarney Advertiser.
"There is a witty approach to the daunting questions of the modern day, with a catchy soundtrack which has many great, recognisable hits!"
Sinead started writing Prom Queen when she was 11-years-old.
"It has been a huge part of my life since then."
LAUNCH
'Prom Queen' was officially launched on social media on June 15, 2021. Its official premiere took place in the form of a virtual concert on August 27, the same year.
"We gathered a group of 12 girls attending Killarney Community College, St. Brigid’s Secondary School and Intermediate School Killorglin."
Next stop is the INEC - something she only dreamed of when she first put pen to paper.
"Now we're here, a year after the official launch, and we're planning a fully staged production on the INEC stage in Killarney on November 21 and a show for schools on November 22."
Just two weeks ago, the cast had the amazing opportunity to perform at the Stories of Change Festival held in conjunction with Iveragh Learning Landscapes in Waterville.
"We are working in conjunction with MACademy, a local theatre organisation that provide the pupils with masterclasses and guidance."
“We performed a selection of songs from the show, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. It was amazing to see the cast in costume and see everything coming together and we are now more excited than ever for November 21,” Rachel said.
They have also set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds to cover the costs of venue hire, lighting, props, costumes, sound and stage design amongst many other things.
However, they are still urgently looking for local businesses to donate to their raffle.
"Any prizes, big or small, would be greatly appreciated!"
Tickets for the show are now available on eventbrite. For further information please visit promqueenthemusical.wordpress.com.
Killarney hotels achieve top global rankings in Readers’ Choice Awards
Two leading Killarney hotels are celebrating major international accolades following the publication of the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Killarney Royal Townhouse was named the No. 2 Hotel in Ireland in the US edition of the global awards, securing top placement among the country’s finest properties based entirely on votes cast by international travellers.
Pat McGrath, General Manager of Killarney Royal Townhouse, expressed his pride in the achievement:
“We are absolutely delighted to be recognised as the No. 2 Hotel in Ireland in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. To receive this recognition directly from travellers makes it particularly special, and we are immensely proud of our team, whose genuine care, warm welcome and attention to detail shape the guest experience every day.”
Meanwhile, sister property The Killarney Park achieved a double success in this year’s voting, earning inclusion across both Atlantic editions of the prestigious travel guide. The family-owned venue was ranked No. 8 in the US Readers’ Choice Awards and No. 5 in the UK Readers’ Choice Awards.
The annual awards represent one of the travel industry’s longest-running honors, with almost 800,000 readers submitting votes to rate their favorite global travel experiences.
Marcus Treacy, Managing Director of The Killarney Park, welcomed the dual honors:
“Recognition such as this means a great deal to us because it comes directly from the people who have spent their time with us. As a family-owned hotel, knowing that what we have created here in Killarney continues to resonate with guests travelling from around the world is something we are enormously proud of.”
The strong showing by both local venues underlines Killarney’s standing as a world-class hospitality hub for international visitors.
Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s
World renowned Paralympian and world record holder Jason Smyth paid a visit to St Brendan’s College on Wednesday afternoon as part of a high profile visit to Killarney.
The six time Paralympic gold medallist spoke to second year students from St Brendan’s College, alongside students from neighbouring schools St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School and Killarney Community College.
The interactive talk and interview took place ahead of World Sight Day, with the legendary sprinter sharing his personal journey with Stargardt disease, a genetic eye condition that left him legally blind at eight years old.
The Derry native, who holds the world record as the fastest Paralympian on earth over 100 metres, offered inspiring insights into overcoming physical adversity and achieving success at the highest level of world sport.
The school visit formed the opening leg of his Killarney schedule before he took centre stage later on Wednesday evening at The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa.
Smyth headlined An Evening with Paralympian Jason Smyth, an event organised by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce as part of its winter schedule, sponsored by AIB.
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