Local effort brings historic manuscript back to Ireland

A dedicated effort led by three Killarney figures were responsible for securing the return of the Annals of Inisfallen to Irish soil, bringing the 1,000-year-old medieval manuscript to University College Cork for public display.

The campaign began in March 2023 when Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Tourism member Finbarr Kennelly and local history enthusiast James Knoblauch initiated contact with Oxford University, where the priceless artefact has been housed for the past 250 years.
Working alongside Martin Kaufmann at Oxford University , discussions quickly gathered momentum.
Due to the extreme rarity and value of the manuscript, finding a secure venue capable of hosting such an artefact became paramount. University College Cork was identified as the ideal location, leading to a formal loan agreement supported by prominent local businessman and Fexco founder Brian McCarthy, alongside UCC’s Professor Pádraig Ó Macháin and John Fitzgerald.
The manuscript is now on public display in the Glucksman building on the UCC campus until 1 November, marking its first return to Ireland since a brief exhibition in Killarney in 1983.
Meanwhile, Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District, Councillor Brendan Cronin, and Kerry County Council Director of Services James Nolan attended the official opening of the exhibition at UCC.
The manuscript, which spans 57 vellum calfskin leaves written in a blend of Irish and Latin, records early Irish history from pre-Christian times through to the medieval era. Featuring over 2,500 entries compiled between AD 433 and AD 1450, it provides a year-by-year chronicle of political events, ecclesiastical history, Viking raids on Skellig Michael, the arrival of Ireland’s first Jewish travellers, and extreme weather phenomena.
Brought to West Munster in the 12th century, the volume was preserved and expanded at the monastery on Inisfallen Island on Lough Leane, where the ruins of the abbey still stand. Contributions from a succession of 30 scribes between the late 11th and 14th centuries make it a unique contemporary record of the period, with further entries added up to the 15th century.
“It was a tremendous honour to represent Killarney Municipal District and Kerry County Council at this historic exhibition,” Cllr Cronin stated. “I would encourage anyone who can do so to visit the exhibition at UCC, which is a wonderful celebration of this hugely significant manuscript with such important connections to Killarney.”
The exhibition remains open to the public at University College Cork until 1 November.

Killarney’s love affair of derelict public buildings set to continue

The future of several prominent disused public properties in Killarney took centre stage at Wednesday’s meeting of the Killarney Municipal District, with local councillors demanding detailed updates on long-standing vacant structures across the town.

Áras Phádraig

Elected members pressed council officials regarding ongoing project delays and the overall direction of the Áras Phádraig site which has been idle since the Franciscan Friars donated it to the people of Killarney in 2009.
Councillor Brendan Cronin submitted a motion asking: “Has Killarney MD ever carried out a detailed assessment and cost breakdown of a complete revamp of the existing Áras Pádraig building. If so, what was the total estimated cost and is there a possibility of sourcing funding similar to the major funding that is available nationally for the complete successful revamp of derelict buildings.”
Councillor John O’Donoghue also questioned the structural viability of the premises, asking: “Have the Council examined the feasibility of availing of some of the retrofitting grants for the Áras Pádraig? Is the building structurally sound enough and would these grants be sufficient to make it viable again?”
Additionally, Councillor Niall Kelleher requested a comprehensive update on the redevelopment project, asking the executive to outline funding secured to date, additional capital required, and anticipated construction dates.
In response, Kerry County Council confirmed: “Kerry County Council has engaged an Architect-Led Design Team to assess two options: 1. Deliver the theatre and plaza as designed, without impacting the existing car park. 2. Refurbish the existing building in its current form, including the associated site infrastructure. The assessment underway is focused on design and estimated costs of the project. The review will focus on the full lifecycle of the project including capital, operational, maintenance and associated costs. Kerry County Council continues to engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the Áras Phádraig and is actively pursuing funding opportunities to enable the project to progress.”

District Hospitals

The future of Killarney’s former healthcare facilities was also brought before the chamber following recent patient transfers to the new community hospital facility.
Councillor Maura Healy-Rae submitted a motion asking Kerry County Council to write on behalf of the members to the HSE seeking an immediate update on future plans for both the District Hospital and St Columbanus.
Local authority officials noted that the request to write directly to the health executive is a matter for resolution by the elected members themselves.

Conroy Hall

The potential municipal acquisition of Conroy Hall on Park Road was raised by two elected members following previous discussions with trade union representatives.
Councillor John O’Donoghue urged the local authority to acquire the premises, stating: “To ask that the Council would purchase Conroy Hall on Park Road Killarney. It is in a prime location and could serve a multitude of uses were it in the hands of Kerry County Council.”
Councillor Martin Moloney also requested an update following a previous meeting between council executives and SIPTU regarding the potential community purchase.
Responding to both motions, Kerry County Council formally ruled out acquiring the site, stating: “Kerry County Council have reviewed this property in the context of potential uses and possible funding for potential uses. The Council has decided that it will not proceed further with a potential acquisition.”