Killarney Legion GAA grounds will officially be renamed “Johnny Culloty Park” during a major festival of sport and community fun over the weekend of June 5 and 6.

The celebrations will kick off on Friday with the Johnny Culloty Golf Classic. On Saturday morning, the focus shifts to the pitch for a juvenile football competition, which will be followed by the official ground-naming ceremony.

The event will host significant guests of honour, including GAA President Jarlath Burns and Kerry footballing legend Mick O’Connell.

The ceremony is open to the entire community and the public is highly encouraged to attend.

The formal proceedings will be followed by an evening of live music, entertainment, and a community barbecue.

The renaming serves as a permanent tribute to the Killarney icon, who passed away in February 2025.

Culloty was a lifelong driving force for Legion both on and off the field, serving as a chairman, coach, and vital member of the club’s development committee that built the modern facilities at Derreen.

Renowned traditional folk singer Mary Black was received a special presentation by the Gleneagle Group last weekend to mark her final Killarney performance as part of her farewell tour, ‘The Slán Tour’.

Before taking to the stage at the INEC, Gleneagle Group CEO Patrick O’Donoghue and the INEC’s Fiona O’Connor made the presentation to honour her decades of performances in the town.

Mary Black has consistently been one of the most popular sell-out artists at both the Gleneagle Hotel and later the INEC over the last forty years.

The singer recently confirmed her decision to retire from full-time touring after more than 45 years on the road.

“I’ve been thinking long and hard about retiring and have finally decided that the time has come for me to step away from life on the road,” she said. “This next Irish tour will be my last: The Slán Tour. It’s been an incredible journey over the past 45+ years, full of highs, some challenges, and many unforgettable moments. While it’s not easy to say goodbye, I know the time is right to close this chapter.”

She also paid tribute to her long-standing backing band, Bill Shanley, Pat Crowley, Richie Buckley, Nick Scott, and Liam Bradley, noting that their talents and friendship enriched her touring life.

By the time the Killarney Advertiser went to press, just four concerts remained on her final Irish tour, with upcoming dates scheduled for Wexford, Derry, Dublin, and Cork.