By Sean Moriarty

A Killarney furniture restorer’s work will feature on RTE’s ‘Nationwide’ tonight for the second time.

MASTER CRAFTSMAN: James Flynn who restores Killarney-made Arbutus furniture will feature on RTÉ tonight (Friday).

Since James Flynn retired from the ESB, he has devoted his time to tracing the history of Killarney’s Arbutus furniture industry.

He restores pieces that he finds in online auctions all over the world.

The Arbutus Tree, sometimes called the Killarney Strawberry Tree, is more prevalent in Killarney National Park than any other region in the country.

In October 2020, the Ross Road man discovered a games table for sale in Boston. The rare piece of handcrafted furniture that dates from just after the famine era, was returned to Killarney in March 2021 by Mr Flynn.

In June last year Mr Flynn and his furniture collection featured on Nationwide and tonight (Friday) his segment on the Arbutus furniture industry will get a second airing.

“RTÉ Nationwide contacted me to say they are giving the Nationwide programme on the Killarney Arbutus Furniture a repeat showing,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.

“It really highlights the world famous industry that was in 1800s and up to 1952.”

The programme will be broadcast at 7pm tonight, and will feature handcrafters from all over Ireland. This will include around seven minutes with James."