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Advertiser couch makes national news
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The Killarney Advertiser couch made waves nationally this past week following a very special edition of the Chatroom.
Our intrepid interviewer Kieran Healy braved the elements and hauled the famous couch up Carrauntoohil for a chat with Maureen Hegarty and Piaras Kelly, organisers of the inaugural Killarney Mountain Festival which takes place on March 9, 10 and 11.
Local legend Geoffrey O’Connor and his new gleaming tractor carried the couch and its passengers up through the snow-capped Reeks and photographer extraordinaire Valerie O’Sullivan captured some incredible photos of the curious scenes.
Those photos were subsequently shared on our Facebook page and picked up by the national media with the Irish Examiner and the Irish Times both publishing the amazing shots.
“The morning of the interview, Piaras from kerryclimbing.ie said conditions on the mountains were perfect,” Kieran explained. “He asked if we could do the interview up there.”
So off they went, couch in tow - in spite of the freezing cold weather up Ireland’s highest peaks. “It was VERY cold,” Kieran said. “My fingers have never experienced cold like it.”
It was all worth it, though, as the reaction to the unique interview has been overwhelming. The video has around 8,000 views on Facebook and, more importantly, it has helped to give the Kerry Mountain Festival the exposure it deserves.
FESTIVAL HIT: Local accordion virtuoso Liam O’Connor pictured performing alongside his family band members, daughter Saoirse on vocals and keyboards, and sons Oisín on guitar and Cillian on drums, during their high-energy set on the Salty Dog Stage at Electric Picnic in Stradbally last weekend. Photos: Paul Dargan
Camera Club exhibition opens at Killarney House
Killarney Camera Club’s 25th anniversary exhibition is open to the public at Killarney House until Sunday, October 4.
Mayor of Killarney Councillor John O’Donoghue officially opened the event, which features a wide range of work from local photographers capturing landscapes, people, and moments from home and abroad.
Speaking at the opening, Mayor O’Donoghue highlighted the rich natural surroundings available to local photographers. “We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world, with dramatic mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and a vibrant town centre, as well as beaches and open sea just a short distance away,” he said.
In a lighthearted admission, the Mayor admitted to storing hundreds of photos on his phone, adding that seeing the standard of work on display inspired him “to finally print some of my own photographs for posterity.”
The club was founded in 2001 as the Photographic Society of Killarney at the Park Place Hotel before adopting its current name in 2006. Founding member Seamus Long recalled starting with just eight members, contrasting it with today’s membership of over 30 photographers who meet at the ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre.
“There is nothing better than seeing your images in print, mounted and framed and hanging on a wall,” Mr Long said, referencing the club’s shift from traditional darkrooms to modern digital photography.
To mark the anniversary, the club has published a commemorative booklet featuring 25 select images from members past and present. The limited-edition booklet is available at Eason’s and directly from the club.
The exhibition runs daily at Killarney House until October 4. Admission is free and all are welcome.
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