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Cinematographer wins award in the USA

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By Michelle Crean

A local filmmaker and award-winning cinematographer has scored a major award in the USA.

AWARD: Dennis Earlie made a short film ‘Lost Souls' featuring local actors some from Michael Fassbender's West End House School of Arts.

Dennis Earlie made a short film ‘Lost Souls' featuring local actors based on a poem of the same name by Kevin McManus who was inspired by the recollections of his father.

Kevin's father immigrated to England in the late 1950s and worked in construction. He often spoke about how some of the young Irish men he worked with gradually spent more and more time in the pubs due to loneliness and homesickness, and would drink to ease the pain. This meant that eventually they got sacked, had no place to go and ended up homeless. These young men were essentially, 'Lost Souls'.

Dennis is an award-winning cinematographer, director and voiceover artist. Like Kevin, his father left for England to find work three months before Dennis was born. He first met his father when he was 18 years of age on a railway station in Stockport Manchester, when he too moved to England as a young trainee. He did meet his father on a further three occasions.

The last one was to give a formal identification in a morgue in London. To Dennis, Kevin’s poem epitomises what his father’s life was like as was so many men and woman, who left for England.

"Once I read and narrated the poem for Kevin’s audiobook, I knew I wanted to adapt it to screen," Dennis, a listed member of IMdB whose work has been viewed in over 60 countries worldwide including Sky, BBC and French Television, told the Killarney Advertiser.

"I had a fantastic crew and cast, and I can’t thank Padrig O’Connor, Anne Browne, Elaine Shine and our assistant director Kyla Shine-Leane enough, and a special thank you to the K-Town Bar and Restaurant for allowing us to film there."

The film was screened at the Blissfest333 and Nortopia Films awards in the Cottonwood Centre for the Arts Colorado Springs Colorado, USA. 'Lost Souls' was also shortlisted for the Drumshanbo International Poetry Film Festival, the O’Bhael International Festival and the London Lift-Off Film Festival. It has been released on media platforms including YouTube.

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Kerry coaches firm honoured with All-Ireland title

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Kerry Coaches named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025

Killarney-based Kerry Coaches has been named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition also marks Kerry Coaches’ second Business All-Star Accreditation, having received its first accolade in 2024.

Founded in 1957, Kerry Coaches has established itself as a leader in the Irish transport industry, known for its exceptional service and commitment to quality.  With a fleet of over 100 modern chauffeur vehicles, mini-buses and coaches the company provides a wide range of transport services, including corporate travel, executive golf transportation and bespoke tours throughout Ireland and Scotland.

 Speaking on the achievement, Mike Buckley, Director of Kerry Coaches, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. It’s a true reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every member of our team. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional travel experiences, and this award reaffirms our position as a leader in the industry.”

Announcing the news of Kerry Coaches’ achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: “It is my pleasure to commend Kerry Coaches for its outstanding performance in achieving the Business All-Star accreditation. After a thorough review, the firm has been honoured with All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company Of The Year 2025. Kerry Coaches is distinguished not only for its superior fleet but also for its exceptional team, some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. This seasoned team brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every client experience is exceptional.”         

Managing   Director   of   the   All-Ireland   Business   Foundation, Kapil   Khanna, said:  “The accreditation, which is now held by over 700 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.”

He   added: “We   evaluate   a   company’s   background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

About The All-Ireland Business Foundation

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class Irish businesses.

As the accreditation body for the Business All-Star mark, the AIBF recognises Best-In-Class Irish 

businesses.   Companies   that   merit   recognition   based   on   an   independent   audit   of   their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

Business All-Star Accreditation Is The Nation’s Symbol Of Trust. Currently, there are over 700 

companies that are accredited by AIBF. Since 2014, over 5000 companies have participated in their programmes.

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Trainee Blacksmith forging a career at Muckross Traditional Farms

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Phillip Pestor-Young, a trainee blacksmith from County Kildare, is currently gaining experience under Master Blacksmith Tom Allison at Muckross Traditional Farms.

Pestor-Young is enrolled in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. This programme is a cross-border educational initiative by the King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, and the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland. 

Prior to moving to Ireland in 2019, Phillip trained as an engineer and fabricator in the UK. He is now developing his blacksmithing skills in Kerry.

For more information on the program, visit https://kings-foundation.org/study/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme/.

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