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Dates announced for new run of ‘Ballymacandy’ play

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Due to phenomenal interest in the theatrical portrayal of a War of Independence ambush which happened in mid-Kerry in 1921, a series of new dates for a highly acclaimed stage play, which tells the dramatic story of the incident, have been announced this week.

Ballymacandy, which is based on the bestselling book by author and historian Owen O’Shea, will return to the stage at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown for three nights in January.

Following a sell-out run in November, Ballymacandy will be staged again on January 19, 20 and 21 and demand for tickets is expected to be extremely high.

The play, which is written by Owen O’Shea and directed by Mike O’Halloran, has already been seen by over 800 people during a six-night run last month.

“The interest in the story and in the play has exceeded all our expectations and since our run in November, there has been huge demand for another run to ensure that more people get the opportunity to see the play,” said Owen.

“The cast and production crew have pulled out all the stops to perform again on the third weekend in January and we are sure that it will be another fantastic success."

Tickets for Ballymacandy will go on sale on Sunday (December 11) at the Christmas Market at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown between 11am and 4pm. The tickets for the sell-out play will make the ideal Christmas present and are priced just €15.

Ballymacandy involves a cast of 25 locals, all of whom live near the location where five RIC and Black and Tans were killed on June 1, 1921 just six weeks before the end of the War of Independence.

“The demand for tickets shows a widespread interest in and appreciation of local history. The entire community has been talking about the ambush since the play opened and we have had people attending from all over the county and all over the country,” added Owen.

“I am immensely grateful to an exceptional cast and a team of volunteers who have made this production such a huge success. It is all based on real events and the cast of actors have done a very professional job in bringing the story to the stage."

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Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

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O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.

O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June


A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.


Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.

Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”



The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.

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