News
Death of talented actor sends shock throughout Killarney and beyond
The untimely passing of talented actor, renowned drama coach, playwright, producer, director and performer, Donal 'Donie' Courtney, has sent shockwaves through the town and beyond.
Donie in full flow in St Mary’s Church in June 2019. Photo courtesy of Don MacMonagle
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Donie in full flow in St Mary’s Church in June 2019. Photo courtesy of Don MacMonagle
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The married father of two passed away on Saturday following a short illness.
The Ardshanavooley man, son of former town councillor Michael and his wife Sheila Courtney, was most well known for his one man show 'God Has No Country' as part of the Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty Society. Most recently he had set up the West End House School of Arts in Killarney, a professional acting school with his close friend and Hollywood actor Michael Fassbender.
Donie graduated from Dublin’s Gaiety School of Acting in 1991 and acquired an MA in Theatre Practice from the University of Maynooth. Acting credits include 'The Importance of Being Earnest', 'Philadelphia, here I come!', 'The Man from Clare', 'The Crazy Wall', 'The Chastitute', 'In High Germany', 'Homefront', 'Antigone', and 'Waiting for Godot' and TV work such as 'The Tudors', 'Fair City', 'Acceptable Risk', 'Cutting Grass' and 'Marú'.
"It was with great shock and sadness that we heard of the untimely passing of our dear friend Donie Courtney," Gerry O'Grady from the Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty Society said.
"In late 2012, Donie, the son of our founding Chairman the late Cllr Michael Courtney, contacted the O’Flaherty Society to advise us of his intentions to write, produce and perform a “one man play” on the life of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. From our archives and through the O’Flaherty family contacts, we assisted Donie with whatever background information we could source. It was his intention to have the play ready for its Killarney premiere during the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Week in late October 2013, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Monsignor’s death and the unveiling of the Memorial on Mission Road. The title of the play would be the Monsignor’s motto of “God Has No Country”. True to his word, Donie performed his play for a three-night run in the Mangerton Room theatre at the Great Southern Hotel. It was a remarkable piece of writing and acting, attracting high praise from all who saw it."
Donal went on to perform 'God Has No Country' around Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA. This included a very special performance in Rome at the invitation of the Irish Ambassador to the Holy See. In February 2019, the play had its 100th performance during a short run at the INEC in Killarney.
"Prior to that performance, we presented Donie with one of Monsignor O’Flaherty’s golf clubs. He made extensive use of a golf club throughout the play and from then on, he could do so with one used by the Monsignor during his golfing exploits in Rome and Kerry.
"Donie’s last performance for us was during the June 2019 Memorial weekend when we presented the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award to members of the Irish UN peacekeepers. The centrepiece of the ceremony in St Mary’s Church of Ireland was 'God Has No Country', performed before Government Ministers and Officials, Defence Force Senior Staff Officers, UN Veterans and several foreign Ambassadors.
Before the onset of COVID-19 we were in regular contact with Donie, discussing his plans to extend the touring programme. Through his play, he has dramatically extended the reach of the Hugh O’Flaherty story, in particular throughout the student population of Ireland.
The members of the Memorial Society will greatly miss Donie – a true friend of the Society, using his great creative talent to help us spread awareness in a most unique way. To his wife Adeline and his two young children and to his siblings and the wider Courtney family, we extend our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences. A master dramatist has left us, but his legacy remains.
Codladh Samh Donie, - May You Rest in Peace."
New Dutch flights to connect Groningen and Kerry Airport
Tourism across Kerry is set for a boost following the announcement of direct charter flights from the Netherlands to Kerry Airport for the 2027 summer season.
Dutch tour operator BBI Travel will introduce weekly flights from Groningen Airport Eelde to Farranfore every Thursday from April 29 to September 6, 2027. The service will be operated by regional carrier Sky Alps using its fleet of aircraft.
The announcement comes following strong passenger growth at Kerry Airport, which handled 440,367 passengers in 2025 before recording a further 12 per cent increase during the first six months of 2026. The new European link will provide direct access for Dutch tourists visiting Killarney National Park, Muckross House, and the wider Wild Atlantic Way route.
BBI Travel, which has specialised in Irish travel packages since 1963, will offer combined flight, accommodation, and car hire packages. The service will run alongside the operator’s existing Monday flights to Ireland West Airport Knock, allowing open-jaw itineraries across the west coast.
Welcoming the new route, Kerry Airport Customer Service Manager Evelyn Crowley said:
“We are delighted that BBI Travel has chosen Kerry Airport as its new destination for 2027. BBI Travel has an excellent track record and more than 60 years’ experience in bringing visitors to Ireland, so this new partnership is a significant vote of confidence in Kerry and the wider south-west as a destination for Dutch holidaymakers.
“The great advantage for passengers is that they arrive right in the heart of Ireland’s tourism capital. Kerry Airport is just 15 minutes from Killarney and Tralee, on the doorstep of the spectacular Ring of Kerry and within 50 minutes of Dingle and the Wild Atlantic Way.
“Our new state-of-the-art Arrivals Hall, with modern baggage handling and passport control facilities and our staff will provide a warm and efficient welcome from the moment passengers land in Kerry.
“That convenience continues on the journey home, with a short and efficient trip through security into our spacious and comfortable Departures Lounge. Passengers can enjoy a local tipple in Peig Sayers Bar or a snack in the Sky Bar before boarding their direct flight back to Groningen.
“We look forward to working with BBI Travel and welcoming their passengers to Kerry in 2027.”
Packages and flights for the 2027 summer schedule are expected to go on sale through BBI Travel in the coming months.
Eoin Cashman named Kerry’s sole Naughton Scholar
Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luacha student Eoin Cashman has been honoured as County Kerry’s sole recipient of the prestigious Naughton Scholarship for 2026.
Eoin received the award at an official ceremony held at Trinity College Business School on Saturday, October 17.
The Naughton Scholarships recognise outstanding students entering third-level education in STEM subjects, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Eoin was accompanied at the Dublin presentation by his parents, Marian and Pat Cashman, alongside SPSL Principal Mairéad Lucey.
The scholarship follows an exceptional Leaving Certificate performance where Eoin achieved seven H1 grades. His passion for STEM extended well beyond the classroom, having reached the SciFest 2025 National Final as overall runner-up and winning the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Award to represent Ireland in Phoenix, Arizona.
The funding will support Eoin in his current studies at University College Cork, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astrophysics.
As part of the award, Eoin will travel to Kylemore Abbey in March 2027 for a special gathering bringing together past and present Naughton Scholars from across Ireland.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD congratulated the scholars, encouraging them to maintain critical thinking and independent thought throughout their third-level journeys. Mrs Carmel Naughton also addressed the gathering, expressing immense pride in the class of 2026.
SPSL Principal Mairéad Lucey commended the Rathmore student on his achievement:
“Eoin’s academic achievements are a source of immense pride for the entire SPSL school community. His Naughton Scholarship follows an exceptional Leaving Certificate performance in 2026, when he achieved seven H1 grades as well as his strong commitment to STEM beyond the classroom, reaching the SciFest 2025 National Final and being awarded Overall Runner-Up and also winning the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Award, earning them the right to represent Ireland at the Regeneron ISEF world finals in Phoenix, Arizona.”
The school management and wider Rathmore community extended their congratulations to Eoin and his parents, Marian and Pat, as he continues his academic career in UCC.
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