Killarney filmmaker Ellen McSweeney has been named as one of just eight emerging talents selected for the prestigious Fresh Film HotHouse 2025/2026 programme.

The news comes as her experimental short film, ‘Watching the Washing Machine’, prepares for its world premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) on Friday, February 27.

The film is described as a meditation on memory and nostalgia. It follows a young woman traversing time through the repetitive lull of a washing machine, using the rhythmic nature of laundry as a portal into her character’s past. The production features local acting talent, including Kyla Shine-Leane.

Originally from Killarney and currently a film student in Dublin, McSweeney was chosen from a competitive pool of entrants in the Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year competition. Her selection for the HotHouse programme, which is supported by Screen Ireland, RTÉ, and the Arts Council, provided her with €1,000 in funding and professional mentorship to bring the project to completion.

Following its premiere at DIFF, the film will reach a national audience immediately. It is scheduled for a digital release on the RTÉ Player on February 27, where it will be featured in the “Fresh Screens” section.

A busy link road connecting Coolcorcoran to Cleeney via the Derreen housing estate is no longer fit for purpose according to the Mayor of Killarney.

The route, which is frequently used by motorists as a “rat run” to avoid traffic on the bypass, has seen a significant deterioration in its surface and safety standards in recent months.
The roadway serves as a vital access point for residents and hundreds of members of Killarney Legion GAA and Killarney Celtic FC.
Concerns are now mounting that the situation will become critical once construction is completed on the new multi-million euro sports centre at Derreen, which is expected to draw even larger volumes of traffic to the narrow stretch.
Mayor Martin Grady has formally called on the Killarney Municipal District to carry out emergency works to protect the safety of those using the route.
“I propose that Killarney Municipal District carry out necessary works on the road at Derreen, which is taking high volumes of traffic in the interest of the safety of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians,” Cllr Grady said. “There is currently no footpath and the roadway is not fit for purpose for two-way traffic.”
In response to the Mayor’s proposal, Kerry County Council acknowledged that a patchwork fix would not be enough to handle the long-term demands of the area. The Council confirmed it is currently developing a large-scale road improvement project to improve access through Derreen.
A Council spokesperson stated that the project is being developed in accordance with National Project Management Guidelines and is currently in “Phase 1,” which involves the Concept and Feasibility stage.