News
Jessie Buckley named Kerry Association Dublin’s 2026 Arts Award winner
Killarney actress Jessie Buckley has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Kerry Association in Dublin Arts Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Arts.
The 36-year-old made history in March 2026 by becoming the first Irish woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Hamnet.
Her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare also earned her a clean sweep of major global accolades this year, including a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a Critics Choice Award, a Screen Actors Guild (Actor) Award, and an IFTA.
The Arts Award, established by the Kerry Association in Dublin to recognise excellence by individuals born or raised in the county, will be formally presented to Buckley in the near future.
Praise from the Kerry Association
Jimmy Deenihan, Chairperson of the Kerry Association in Dublin Arts Sub Committee, stated that the decision to grant the prestigious award to Buckley was unanimous following her historic awards season.
"This monumental achievement by Jessie comes as a major boost for the burgeoning Irish film industry and will inspire a new generation of Irish screen talent," Mr Deenihan said. "In her acceptance speech, Jessie endeared herself to a global audience with her dignified humility and the love and pride she expressed in her family and her county."
Jeremy Twomey, Chairperson of the Kerry Association in Dublin, described Buckley as a sensational, deeply talented woman who serves as an outstanding role model.
"She has done Kerry and Ireland proud," Mr Twomey said. "This deeply talented, sensational woman can act in any capacity, guileless or knowing, reserved or uncontained, transmit glee, ecstasy, dread, fear or confusion. She brings her audiences with her and is an outstanding role model for the younger generation who look at her and aspire to access on the world stage."
Brigid Laffan, President of the Kerry Association, noted the immense pride within the county regarding Buckley's level-headedness throughout her international success, calling her work in Hamnet "nothing short of wonderful."
In accepting the accolade, Jessie Buckley paid tribute to her roots in the Kingdom.
"Growing up in Kerry was a gift in recognising the capacity for beauty and wildness in our own human expression from the nature I grew up around," Buckley said. "Thank you, this is a great honour to accept this award."
Former Killarney Cycling Club rider Stefan Caulfield-Dreier has secured a professional contract with leading Dutch-based outfit Azerion-Villa Valkenburg.
The 23-year-old Beaufort native began his cycling career with Killarney Cycling Club in the under-12 age category. He demonstrated strong potential during his youth career, culminating in a victory at the Under-16 National Time-Trial Championship in 2019.
After progressing through the junior ranks, Caulfield-Dreier began racing on the Continent with a Dutch squad upon entering senior competition. He claimed Senior National Track titles in both the Points and Madison events in 2023 and 2024, and went on to represent Ireland at international track events in the Netherlands and Switzerland across 2024 and 2025.
Announcing the signing, team management at Azerion-Villa Valkenburg highlighted Caulfield-Dreier as a specialist in classics and time trials who excels in demanding race conditions.
Killarney Cycling Club Chairman Kevin Murphy welcomed the announcement, praising the former member’s dedication.
“Stefan has shown enormous persistence and resilience, and we are delighted that he has been recognized and rewarded with this big step-up in his career,” Murphy said.
Caulfield-Dreier’s father, Heiko, runs Killorglin-based firm Aqua Design and has been a long-standing supporter of Killarney Cycling Club.
Stefan Caulfield-Dreier signs professional cycling contract
Former Killarney Cycling Club rider Stefan Caulfield-Dreier has secured a professional contract with leading Dutch-based outfit Azerion-Villa Valkenburg.
The 23-year-old Beaufort native began his cycling career with Killarney Cycling Club in the under-12 age category. He demonstrated strong potential during his youth career, culminating in a victory at the Under-16 National Time-Trial Championship in 2019.
After progressing through the junior ranks, Caulfield-Dreier began racing on the Continent with a Dutch squad upon entering senior competition. He claimed Senior National Track titles in both the Points and Madison events in 2023 and 2024, and went on to represent Ireland at international track events in the Netherlands and Switzerland across 2024 and 2025.
Announcing the signing, team management at Azerion-Villa Valkenburg highlighted Caulfield-Dreier as a specialist in classics and time trials who excels in demanding race conditions.
Killarney Cycling Club Chairman Kevin Murphy welcomed the announcement, praising the former member’s dedication.
“Stefan has shown enormous persistence and resilience, and we are delighted that he has been recognized and rewarded with this big step-up in his career,” Murphy said.
Caulfield-Dreier’s father, Heiko, runs Killorglin-based firm Aqua Design and has been a long-standing supporter of Killarney Cycling Club.
Former Killarney Cycling Club rider Stefan Caulfield-Dreier has secured a professional contract with leading Dutch-based outfit Azerion-Villa Valkenburg.
The 23-year-old Beaufort native began his cycling career with Killarney Cycling Club in the under-12 age category. He demonstrated strong potential during his youth career, culminating in a victory at the Under-16 National Time-Trial Championship in 2019.
After progressing through the junior ranks, Caulfield-Dreier began racing on the Continent with a Dutch squad upon entering senior competition. He claimed Senior National Track titles in both the Points and Madison events in 2023 and 2024, and went on to represent Ireland at international track events in the Netherlands and Switzerland across 2024 and 2025.
Announcing the signing, team management at Azerion-Villa Valkenburg highlighted Caulfield-Dreier as a specialist in classics and time trials who excels in demanding race conditions.
Killarney Cycling Club Chairman Kevin Murphy welcomed the announcement, praising the former member’s dedication.
“Stefan has shown enormous persistence and resilience, and we are delighted that he has been recognized and rewarded with this big step-up in his career,” Murphy said.
Caulfield-Dreier’s father, Heiko, runs Killorglin-based firm Aqua Design and has been a long-standing supporter of Killarney Cycling Club.
Church seeks creative Christmas trees for festival
The Methodist Church in Killarney is inviting local schools, community groups, businesses, and individuals to create and submit decorated Christmas trees for an upcoming festive event on Countess Road.
The Christmas Tree Festival will take place at the church from December 4 to December 6.
Organiser Revd Alison Gallagher explained that the initiative aims to build on the success of the church’s Summer Fête, which raised several thousand euro for church funds and designated charity ADAPT Kerry.
Revd Gallagher previously directed a similar festival in Inishowen, County Donegal, which featured more than 50 unique tree entries from local schools, daycare centres, supermarkets, jewellers, and local services.
Revd Gallagher said: “In August, we had a very successful Summer Fête, and hundreds of people attended. That event raised several thousand euro for the church and our designated charity, ADAPT Kerry. We are now hoping to build on that success with this forthcoming festival, which will hopefully showcase the creativity and talent that exists in the town and surrounding area.”
Anyone interested in submitting a tree for the display can contact Revd Gallagher on 087 263 2906 or by email at alison.gallagher@irishmethodist.org.
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