News
Double good news for Killarney filmmakers

It might be Oscars week in Hollywood but grassroots filmmaking in Killarney has a strong future too.
This week, three different filmmakers from the locality won awards in two different competitions.
Rachel Griffin has won the First Cut Film Festival award for 'Best Music Video'.
Rachel composed the song ‘Two Fools, One Lie’ as well as performing in and directing the video. Featuring a group of her friends, it stars the talented Sinead Marie and Dylan Shortt in lead roles.
Made in Killarney last spring, it involved a lot of collaboration and organisation with other local film fanatics.
Patrick O’Connor-Mason from Kenmare filmed and edited the video and his film ‘Dyslexia and Me’ was also screened at First Cut.
Rachel and many of her friends are members of Killarney-based youth film group SONAR (Scannánóirí Óga Na Ríochta) which is directed by Kerry County Council Filmmaker in Residence Mieke Vanmechelen and based at ANAM Cultural Centre.
Many of the group are also part of Prom Queen, a Jukebox Musical which was staged at the INEC and is managed by Katrin Maria Pietzonka. Both groups are ambitious and garnering attention nationally, highlighting the positive impact of creative youth engagement and the benefits of mentorship.
"Rachel is a major driving force within our group SONAR," Mieke said. "She is so talented and radiates positivity and generosity, this is a well-deserved win."
Rachel’s award was presented to her by festival director Mary McGrath at The Regal Cinema in Youghal.
SONAR’s films will be on the big screen at Fresh International Film Festival taking place from March 27 to April 1 at the Belltable Arts Centre in Limerick.
Meanwhile, another film by young Killarney filmmaker Glen Bowler will also be shown at the Fresh International Film Festival.
His short film, ‘The Legend of Patrick Greenwood’ will go through to the 2023 Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year award at Fresh on March 30.
The final will be broadcast on RTÉ in April.
Luke Courtney, who was recently on work experience at the Killarney Advertiser, also received good news along with other students from Transition Year in St Brendan’s College.
They were awarded the audience award in the Virtual Regional Final of the Fresh Film competition for their film ‘When the Chapel Glows’.
Luke who also acted in ‘The Legend of Patrick Greenwood’ attended the premiere of ‘When the Chapel Glows’ at the Belltable Arts Centre in Limerick this week when the film was also shortlisted in the Munster section of the regional finals ahead of the main event later this month.
News
Killarney twinned with Italian town
By Sean Moriarty It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney. The idea to twin the picturesque town near […]

By Sean Moriarty
It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney.
The idea to twin the picturesque town near Rome was first mooted by the old Killarney Town Council.
However, when town councils were discontinued in 2014 the task was handed over to Killarney Town Twining Association and was supported by the elected Killarney Municipal District members of Kerry County Council.
A delegation from the association and the council visited Casperia in 2019 to sign the Italian side of the twining agreement.
The pandemic further delayed the process but on Thursday last Killarney Mayor Niall Kelleher and Casperia Mayor Marco Cusso met to formally sign the charter in Killarney.
“This was honouring a commitment made by the former town council to establish a twinning under European guidelines back in 2014,” said association chairman Sean Counihan.
“Unfortunately the town councils were abolished and Killarney Town Twinning Association pursued the matter.
“We are delighted that the municipal authority saw fit to move the beautiful town of Casperia near Rome from association status to full twinning with Killarney.
“We deeply appreciate the members’ positivity in honouring the former Town Council’s decision.”
The signing between the two mayors took place over the St Patrick’s Festival weekend when Killarney Town Twining Association also welcomed groups from other towns like Pleindfeld in Germany and Concord, North Carolina, USA.
News
Music and fun at Fossa Rambling House
By Sean Moriarty The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night. Their return to the stage […]

By Sean Moriarty
The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night.
Their return to the stage was timed to coincide with the St Patrick’s weekend celebration and also marked the first big event at the Castlerosse Park Resort since it re-opened on Thursday night following its winter break.
As well as a feat of Irish music, dance and poetry, Fossa-based Ukrainians gave performances in their native language too.
“What a great night we had at our CCÉ Rambling House last Saturday night,” Chairman Tim Kissane said.
“There are so many people to thank that we apologise in advance if we miss anybody out. Firstly, to the management and staff Castlerosse Park Resort for hosting our event and the wonderful service they provided.
“To our very talented stalwart musicians Mike Jack, Noreen and Maura who entertained us all so well from start to finish.
“To all our guest performers, from The Racing Pigeons to the Biddy Group and all the singers, musicians and storytellers in between go raibh mile maith agaibh. Special mention to our Ukrainian singers who performed two songs in their native language for us on the night. Thank you to all our members and supporters and to Fear an Tí, Mick Myers agus Bean an Tí, Theresa Kissane who kept the night flowing. Our fireplace display was kindly lent to us by the Beaufort Pioneers and adorned with ‘things of old’ from Brendan O’Sullivan.”
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