Lecture to honour martyr Fr Francis O’Sullivan at Friary

The Kerry branch of Cumann na Sagart is inviting the local community to a special bilingual lecture on Monday, November 9 to mark the life and legacy of South Kerry martyr Fr Francis O’Sullivan O.F.M. (1591–1653).

The event will take place at 8pm at his shrine inside the Franciscan Friary on Martyrs’ Hill (Cnoc na Mairtíreach) in Killarney. Fr Billy Hoyne O.F.M. will lead the evening, which will feature local lore, music, and history.
Born in Waterville (An Coireán), Fr O’Sullivan was executed during the Penal Laws for continuing his priestly ministry in defiance of Cromwellian banishment orders. While taking refuge on Scarriff Island (An Scairbh) off the Iveragh (Uíbh Ráthach) coast, he was tracked down by soldiers and killed while celebrating Mass.
His skull was preserved for generations by the O’Connell family of Derrynane (Doire Fhíonáin) and is currently on display inside the Friary church in Killarney. Local fishermen along the South Kerry coast have long invoked his memory with the traditional prayer, “Let us pray to almighty God and to the red-haired friar of Scarriff.”
The gathering is open to all members of the public. Further details are available from Fr Tomás on 087 2213799.

Cinderella arrives at Racecourse for panto

Killarney Racecourse will be transformed into an enchanted kingdom as The Kerry Panto debuts its inaugural production of Cinderella.

Running through November and December, the world’s most beloved fairytale is getting a local makeover filled with songs, dance numbers, and side-splitting comedy for the whole family. The production this week announced their cast whose diverse experience spans national television, West End stages, journalism, and lifelong panto heritage.

Stepping into the title role of Cinderella is Abby Cronin, a 19-year-old performer from Glenflesk, Killarney, who has had a love of performing from a young age. A longtime member of the Fiona Crowley Stage School, Abby has taken to the stage in productions including Mamma Mia and Jesus Christ Superstar, and earlier this year performed the role of Elphaba in the stage school’s production of Wicked. Last year, she had the opportunity to play Dorothy in Siamsa Tíre’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Abby has also performed with the Killarney Musical Society in shows such as Michael Collins and Evita.

Playing her stepmother Malaria is Brenda Dennehy, a prominent media producer, journalist, and social media personality known online as @brendasbits. Originally from Ballydesmond on the Cork and Kerry border, Brenda brings a wealth of broadcast experience from her work with the BBC, Sky, and local radio. As the host of The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy, a podcast dedicated to mental health awareness, addiction recovery, and resilience, she is celebrated for her candid voice and now turns her natural charisma to portraying the ultimate panto baddie.

STELLAR CAST

The duo of Ugly Sisters features two comedic talents. Playing Lottie is Tim Landers, a Tralee-based actor and director whose stage career began in 1990. Landers boasts an impressive resume including West End performances in Seven Drunken Nights at London’s Dominion Theatre, international tours of Fairytale of New York, and appearances on screen in Game of Thrones, Fair City, Ros na Rún, and Netflix features.

No stranger to pantomime, the director and actor previously portrayed roles such as Abanazar in Aladdin and Fleshcreep in Jack and the Beanstalk.
Joining him as Ugly Sister Dottie is Ciara Carroll, an actor who was born and bred in Killarney.

Graduating from The Conservatory of Music and Drama at TU Dublin in 2021, she has had the pleasure of working alongside some of Ireland’s most talented artists, including Blindboy Boatclub, Robert Sheehan, Bernard Casey, James Cotter, Pat Shortt, and the late Brendan Grace.
She currently teaches at Michael Fassbender’s West End House School of Arts and Lily MacMonagle’s MACademy Performing Arts School and is thrilled to be home, working with the best of what Killarney has to offer in The Kerry Panto’s production of Cinderella.

LOCAL TALENT

Playing the character Molls is Eabha Healy. Born into a musical family, with both her parents meeting on stage at the Rathmore Pantomime, panto is in her blood. Having been part of Rathmore Panto since she could walk, the stage has always felt like a second home. She has also taken to the stage with Killarney Musical Society in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and now shares her love of dance and performance as a dance teacher at The MACademy Performing Arts School.

Dressing up in royal attire as Prince Harold is Denis O’Sullivan, a versatile vocalist and seasoned theatrical actor. Well known to local audiences as the lead singer of bands Home For the Weekend and Back West, Denis made his musical theatre debut with MIDAS in Beauty and the Beast before taking on lead roles in Les Misérables, Starlight Express, and Godspell. A familiar favourite with the Killarney Musical Society (Evita, All Shook Up), he brings commanding vocal strength and leading-man charm to the search for his princess.

Rounding out the principal cast as Cinderella’s cheerful, joke-cracking best friend Tickles is 19-year-old Colm O’Brien. Raised in Killarney and nurtured by the Fiona Crowley Stage School since the age of six, Colm represents the future of local musical theatre. He has already built a rich stage portfolio, having recently starred as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, the Scarecrow in Siamsa Tíre’s 2025 Summer Musical The Wizard of Oz, and Sam in The Clockmaker’s Daughter.