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Calls to honour the McShain family who gifted Killarney House

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By Sean Moriarty

The family that gifted Killarney House to the people of Ireland could be remembered by having a Killarney street named after them.

American millionaire John McShain owned the stately home from 1906 until his death in 1998. On his passing he left the house to the Irish State and the house and gardens are now one of the town’s top tourist attractions.

​​​​​​​Cllr Michael Gleeson, at Wednesday’s Killarney Municipal District meeting, called for the eastern portion of the present Mission Road, from Beech Road as far as the Golden Gates, to be renamed in honour of the McShain family “to acknowledge the huge debt of gratitude due to the McShain family for the wonderfully generous transfer of Killarney House and adjacent lands to the Irish nation”.

Mr Gleeson acknowledged that Mission Road was named for Killarney people who have devoted their lives to religious and missionary services and that the renaming of a portion of Mission Road would not undermine that.

“John McShain’s wife Mary, was a Lady of the Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre and a Dame of Malta and awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross by the Vatican, the highest honour for a laywoman,” he added.
His daughter, Sr Pauline McShain who died last year, was a nun with the Society of the Holy Christ Jesus Order adding to the religious history of both the family and Mission Road.

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Picture This add extra Killarney date to ‘Home for Christmas’ tour

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Due to phenomenal demand, Picture This have added an extra Killarney date to their Home for Christmas tour.

The band will now perform at the Gleneagle Arena on Saturday, 20 December 2025, in addition to their previously announced run of sold-out arena shows.
The band’s stage production features a pub, its garden and a car park, combining the atmosphere of a lock-in with the intimacy of a trad session while showcasing songs from their four albums.
The announcement comes on the back of their new single Heart over Head, a collaboration with German artist Joris and a reworking of his hit Herz über Kopf. The track blends Picture This’s anthemic sound with Joris’ folk-pop style. The accompanying video, filmed in Dublin, has just been released.
Since forming in 2015, Picture This have sold out arenas at home and abroad and built a global fanbase.
Tickets, priced at €67.70/€72.70 plus Ticketmaster service charge (max €10.50), are on sale now at ticketmaster.ie

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Bottle caps used to create portrait of Liam O’Connor

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A well-known Killarney musician has been honoured in a striking new artwork made entirely from recycled bottle caps.


Local artist Elhaji Conde has created a mosaic portrait of his friend Liam O’Connor, the celebrated musician and performer.
The piece, titled “The Art of Performing”, shows Liam with his accordion and is made from 5,482 bottle caps collected locally.
“At first glance it’s the colours and textures that catch your eye, but when you look closer each cap feels like it has its own story to tell, much like Liam’s music,” said Elhaji. “This artwork doesn’t just show Liam’s face, it captures his spirit. It’s a reminder that great music doesn’t simply disappear when the last tune is over. It carries on, inspiring people, sparking memories, and even turning up in unexpected forms like this mosaic portrait.”
Liam O’Connor said he was “blown away” by the work.

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