News
Family rivalry tested to its limit
RIVALRY: There are divided loyalties in the Osborne household in Killarney in advance of the All-Ireland football final between Kerry and Dublin this Sunday. Dubliner Paddy Osborne and his Kerry born wife Liz are supporting their native counties while their 17-year-old twins David (Dublin) and Rebecca (Kerry) are also on opposite sides. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
By Sean Moriarty
Husband against wife, sister against brother, son against mother, daughter against father.
Sounds like an incredibly complex plot in an American soap opera - but this is exactly the dilemma facing one Killarney family this weekend.
The Osborne household in Muckross is divided in two ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland football final between Kerry and Dublin.
Dubliner Paddy Osborne and his Kerry born wife Liz are supporting their native counties while their 17-year-old twins David (Dublin) and Rebecca (Kerry) are also on opposite sides.
The couple, who met while Liz was working as a nurse in Dublin, have another son who plays soccer for Cobh Ramblers.
Their situation is further complicated as Paddy, who is originally from Cabra, is a long-time member of Killarney Legion.
“There is a good buzz in our house,” Paddy told the Killarney Advertiser.
“But I must be the only Dub that does not think this is a foregone conclusion. I see too much local football. I was there (in Croke Park) in 2009 when Kerry hammered Dublin and that was supposed to our year and the game was over in 10 minutes. I would be wary of these young Kerry teams – look at 1975.”
Paddy and his family are travelling to the match on Saturday and are looking forward to the pre-match banter on Sunday morning.
“We just love football,” he added. “I will meet a lot of Kerry people I know in Dublin and it will be good craic. I don’t mind who wins it as long as it’s a good game and not won or lost by someone’s mistake. We have lots of Legion players on the team. I know James O’Donoghue’s father Diarmuid very well. Robert played alongside David Clifford in The Sem before he followed the soccer path, so I know David very well too.”
Shrewd management is key according to Paddy.
“Jim Gavin is the most important man for Dublin, even looking back to Heffo’s day, he is another Micko,” he said. “I know Peter Keane too, he managed the Legion senior team for a while and if I know Peter he will launch a curveball.”
ANAM Centre launches packed summer cultural programme for locals and visitors
Kerry County Council’s Arts Service, in association with the Killarney Arts Working Group, has officially launched the 2026 ANAM Summer Arts Programme (ASAP).
The dedicated arts and cultural space on East Avenue Road is set to host a vibrant mix of live music, theatre, film, and youth competitions designed to appeal to both local residents and tourists throughout the peak holiday season.
The summer lineup aims to provide artists with critical platforms to showcase their work while giving audiences accessible opportunities to experience live art. Councillor Martin O’Grady noted that the programme includes a multitude of performances, offering an important platform for all ages to enjoy the arts. Mary Murphy of the Killarney Arts Working Group added that utilizing the ANAM space successfully draws new audiences to the Killarney arts scene.
Featured events include “Bog Jazz,” an innovative project by musicians Eoin ‘Stan’ O’Sullivan and Shane Murphy that reworks traditional Sliabh Luachra fiddle music using electric guitar and drums. Additionally, Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence Aidan Connolly will lead a two-night concert series in late July alongside Bryan O’Leary, Colm Guilfoyle, and Charlie O’Brien, exploring the unique history, songs, and folklore of the region.
The programme also features “The Anam Sessions,” a series of five free bi-weekly evening concerts directed by Tim O’Shea. These sessions will showcase emerging local talent across Irish folk, singer-songwriter, and Afro-Irish genres. For younger musicians, the popular “Battle of the Bands” competition returns in August. Organised in partnership with Music Generation Kerry, it will feature separate junior and senior categories to highlight local youth talent.
The summer performance series is fully sponsored by the Kerry Arts Service. For further queries, the public can contact arts@kerrycoco.ie or call 066 7183541.
ANAM Summer Arts Event Calendar
Traditional and Folk Music (The Anam Sessions with Tim O’Shea) Dates: ; Wednesday, July 15; Wednesday, July 29; Wednesday, August 12; Wednesday, August 26 Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Sliabh Luachra Traditional Music Concert Series (Aidan Connolly and Guests) Dates: Wednesday, July 29; Thursday, July 30 Time: 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Battle of the Bands (Senior Competition) Dates: Friday, August 7; Friday, August 14; Friday, August 21; Friday, August 28 Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Battle of the Bands (Junior Competition) Dates: Sunday, August 9; Sunday, August 16; Sunday, August 23; Sunday, August 30 Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Bog Jazz Performance (Eoin O’Sullivan & Shane Murphy) Date: Thursday, August 20 Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
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