Homecoming honours two-time European champion Pa Casey

Kerry Community Youth Service hosted a special homecoming celebration on Friday, October 30 to mark the achievements of two-time European Under-15 boxing champion Pa Casey.

The event brought together family, friends, fellow boxers, and local community members at the youth centre on Fair Hill.
Attendees included Mayor of Killarney John O’Donoghue, Councillor Niall O’Callaghan, Kerry County Boxing Board Chair Jennifer O’Sullivan Coffey, strength and conditioning coach Bobby Enright, and KCYS Chief Executive Officer Seamus Whitty.
Speaking at the celebration, KCYS CEO Seamus Whitty said: “It was a real privilege to welcome Pa, his family and friends to KCYS. When you watch Pa box, you see a young person on fire for something he loves. Whether it’s sport, music, art or anything else, there’s something wonderful about seeing young people discover what they’re capable of. That’s very much what we’re here to support at KCYS. We hear plenty of negative things said about young people, but Pa is a reminder of just how extraordinary they can be. His achievements are remarkable, and it’s really lovely to see his family, coaches and wider community gathered around him. When young people are encouraged, believed in and supported by the people around them, they’re unstoppable. That’s something worth celebrating and supporting.”

300 years of Kenmare House highlighted at National Park talk

The history and legacy of Kenmare House were explored on Thursday evening as part of the ongoing Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series.

Rachel Kavanagh of Killarney House delivered the presentation, titled ‘Shadows of Splendour: 300 years of Kenmare House’, which was live-streamed to the public on the Killarney National Park Facebook page.
The talk detailed the arrival of the Browne family, Earls of Kenmare, and their lasting influence on the local landscape. Kavanagh traced their historical timeline from their initial residence at Ross Castle to the grand mansion at Kenmare House, and later to Knockreer House and Killarney House.
The presentation followed another successful event in the autumn series last week, when UCC Professor of Modern Irish Pádraig Ó Macháin drew record numbers for his lecture on the Annals of Inisfallen. Ó Macháin discussed the medieval manuscript, compiled by the monks of Inisfallen Island, which remains one of Ireland’s most important surviving historical records.
The Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series continues weekly, featuring lectures on local history, heritage, and natural conservation.