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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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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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