Carlise Caffrey was announced as a Technological University Dublin winner at the inaugural Future Timber Design Awards, a new initiative established by Forest Industries Ireland (FII).

The Future Timber Design Awards were developed by FII to encourage sustainable and innovative timber design and construction. The programme aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application, equipping students with the latest knowledge and skills in using homegrown timber for construction.
Carlise, from Ballyspillane, alongside fellow TU Dublin architecture students Anna Frawley and Henry Sexton from County Dublin, received an Honourable Mention for their joint project. The team focused on designing a small shelter using timber offcuts found in the university’s workshop. Titled ‘Afterlife’, the shelter repurposed timber offcuts and salvaged fabric to create a movable and foldable structure with multiple functions.
“The fold-up shelter was made from offcuts, so the whole project was about sustainability,” Carlise told the Killarney Advertiser. “The design means it can be scaled to any size, which is ideal if you are hosting people outdoors in the summer but want to pack it all away for the winter.”
The competition tasked participants with exploring the potential of homegrown timber as a primary structural and architectural material while responding to real-world design constraints.
Des O’Toole, Head of Marketing and Promotion at Coillte Forests, presented the award to Carlise and said that the competition will expand next year to accept entries from other universities.

Tributes paid following the passing of pioneering Killarney journalist John O’Mahony

Killarney woke on Wednesday morning to the sad news of the passing of John O’Mahony, the highly respected veteran journalist and founder of KillarneyToday.com, following an illness.

John was a central figure in Kerry media for more than four decades. He first stepped into a newsroom in 1983 as a junior reporter with the Now and Then newspaper, a publication that later rebranded as The Kingdom.

His talent and nose for a story saw him rise through the ranks to become editor and eventually managing editor, overseeing massive circulation growth and steering the paper to multiple national industry awards.

In 2011, John and his wife, Geraldine, established O’Mahony Media, combining their strengths to run a highly successful news, public relations, and corporate training agency. Shortly after, with Geraldine managing the administration side of the business, they launched KillarneyToday.com.

Beyond his digital news platform, John was deeply embedded in the civic life of his hometown. He served as the primary press officer for major local events run by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, working behind the scenes to promote the Christmas in Killarney festivals and the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Throughout his long career, his byline appeared in nearly every national publication in Ireland. He acted as the eyes and ears of the county for titles such as The Irish Times, the Irish Independent, the Irish Examiner, and the Sunday World. He was also a highly regarded political commentator on national airwaves, appearing frequently as an analyst on RTÉ Radio’s Vincent Browne Show and the Pat Kenny Show.

While John was a trusted hand during high-stakes election campaigns and referenda, and interviewed international stars, political leaders, and public figures, his true passion lay in finding unique, light-hearted human-interest pieces. He took great pride in tracking down eccentric stories that put Kerry on the map, such as reporting on “Big Bertha,” Ireland’s oldest cow, discovering a cigarette-loving chicken named Henrietta in Killorglin, and finding a newlywed couple who brought their giant pet pot-bellied pig, Cilla, on their Killarney honeymoon, a story that famously made the front page of every major daily newspaper in Ireland and Britain on the same morning.

Leading the local tributes, Mayor of Killarney Martin Grady spoke of the profound loss to the district.

“John was a Killarney man to the core and a journalist of the highest calibre,” Mayor Grady said. “Through Killarney Today, he provided an invaluable service to the people of Killarney and County Kerry, keeping communities informed, connected and engaged with everything that mattered in our town and county.”

“Whether covering sport, politics, community events, breaking news or local developments, John had an unrivalled passion for Killarney and its people. He was always current, always engaged, and always committed to telling the stories that reflected the life and spirit of our community.”

The Mayor added that John’s professionalism and deep love for his hometown ensured that local voices always had a platform.

“Above all else, John was a true gentleman. He treated everyone with respect and kindness, and he earned the admiration and friendship of so many throughout Kerry and beyond. His passing leaves a great void in our community, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him and by the many people who relied on his reporting each day. On behalf of the people of Killarney, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Geraldine, his daughter Molly, his extended family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time. May John O’Mahony rest in peace. His contribution to Killarney will not be forgotten.”