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Dates announced for new run of ‘Ballymacandy’ play

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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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.
Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.
The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.
Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.
Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.
She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.
“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”
In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.
In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.
last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.
During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.
This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.
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Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity
Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.
Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.
This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.
Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.
“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.
“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”