Connect with us

News

Festival to scale new heights

Published

8 years ago

on

T

THE inaugural Killarney Mountain Festival was launched from its “basecamp” at Killarney House and Gardens.

The Mayor of Killarney Municipal District Cllr Niall Kelleher unveiled details of the event which will run over the weekend of March 9-11 and is supported by Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce and Kerry County Council.

Festival chairperson Maureen Hegarty confirmed the event would be run in close association and with the support of the hugely successful and renowned Kendal Mountain Festival in the UK. “It will celebrate, excite and inspire and will feature a multitude of exciting activities from adventure movies and documentaries, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, competitions, family fun activities, cultural interest, sample and featured hikes, scrambles and climbs, musical entertainment, and inspiring guest speakers,” she said.

Cinema Killarney will be the main screening venue for a programme of mountain and Adventure films and photographic competition is already running on the Killarney Mountain Festival Facebook page, which is open to everyone.

A weekend programme of trekking our county’s magnificent mountains and valleys with Piaras Kelly of Kerry Climbing will also be part of adventure.
Guest speakers will include British mountaineers Stephen Venables and Andy Cave, and Scottish wilderness hiker Cameron McNeish.

Richard Hilliard, Killarney, who was one of the crew that rowed a currach from Derry to Iona in 1963 to mark the 1400th anniversary of St Columba’s same journey, will also give a very interesting presentation and historian and musician Thomas O’Sullivan will be another local speaker.
 

 
Above: Piaras Kelly, Kerry Climbing, Maeve McGrath, Maureen Hegarty, Chairperson, Killarney Mountain Festival, Mary Nash and Paul O’Neill, President, Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce.
Pic: Valerie O'Sullivan

Related Topics:
Advertisement

News

New St author brings Fitzgerald’s story to life

Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong […]

Published

9 hours ago

on

24 June 2025

By

Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong anecdotal evidence that the great American wordsmith had Kerry roots.

There has been suggestions that Fitzgerald’s family can traced to Horse Island off Ballinskelligs and research is ongoing to determine if the famous novelist, essayist and short story writer gave any indication of his Kerry connection during his lifetime.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, formerly of New Street, Killarney and now residing in Beaufort, is the author of Gatsby: Death of an Irishman which was released in March to coincide with the 100th anniversary of publication of Fitzgerald’s most famous work.
O’Sullivan Greene’s research found that Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was initially deeply ashamed of his Irish connection but his views softened when he took an interest in revolutionary politics.
The Killarney man’s book guides the reader through F Scott Fitzgerald’s troubled upbringing, his quest for status, his ambivalence towards his Irish heritage, the socio-political climate of early 20th-century America and the careless jazz era excesses portrayed in The Great Gatsby.
The book peels back the intricate layers of Fitzgerald’s character, revealing the underlying themes of identity and self-rejection in his work, his shifting views of Irish issues and how his personal battles influenced his writing and contributed to his tragic life.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene will deliver what promises to be an engaging talk on the life and times of F Scott Fitzgerald in the ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre in Killarney on Thursday, July 3 at 6.45pm.
Part of the Celebration of Irish and American Friendship programme, the free lecture is titled Revolution, Rejection and Revival and it will mark a celebration of 100 years of The Great Gatsby.
The event will also include a glamorous 1920’s dance spectacular, tuition on how to dance the Charleston and a live performance by Killarney’s own Liberace, Jack Patrick Healy. The master of ceremonies for the event will be Radio Kerry’s Brendan Fuller.
The author will also share the story of how F Scott Fitzgerald’s grandson, Thomas Manhan, came to Ireland to learn Irish following his graduation in 1964.

Continue Reading

News

U2’s The Edge among new Irish Citizens

U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC. The ceremonies took place on Monday and […]

Published

12 hours ago

on

24 June 2025

By

U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC.

The ceremonies took place on Monday and Tuesday this week
Applicants from over 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island of Ireland are making a declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State to become Irish citizens.
Seven ceremonies were held over the two days. Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, is joined by Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, and Minister of State for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, Niall Collins.
“Today’s ceremony was very moving, the room was full of so many people, everyone from different backgrounds, with different stories. It was a privilege to be a part of it and to experience the collective joy as we all became citizens together. I moved to Ireland with my parents as a baby, so it’s not a stretch to say that this is long overdue! I have always felt Irish, Ireland will always be home to me and I’m so grateful for that,” said The Edge.
Ahead of the ceremonies, Minister O’Callaghan said:: “This ceremony marks an important milestone in the lives of those receiving Irish citizenship. For each new citizen it signifies a deep connection to Ireland, its values, and its people. Ireland welcomes our new citizens as full members of society, and their contributions will undoubtedly strengthen the fabric of our nation. I encourage all new citizens to continue to actively engage in their communities so that, together, we can build a thriving society.”
Minister Brophy congratulated the new citizens, adding: “Migration plays an essential role in Ireland’s development. It strengthens our economy, enriches our cultural diversity, and deepens our sense of solidarity. We are proud to welcome each new citizen as valued members of our communities.”
Judge Paddy McMahon was the Presiding Officer for the ceremonies. administered the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State, where new citizens commit to observing Irish laws and respecting its democratic values.
The Citizenship Division has seen a significant increase in applications, processing over 20,000 in 2023 and nearly 31,000 in 2024, up from around 12,000 annually just over two years ago.

Continue Reading

Last News

News9 hours ago

New St author brings Fitzgerald’s story to life

Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great...
News12 hours ago

U2’s The Edge among new Irish Citizens

U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week...
News14 hours ago

“He’s smiling down on me today” – New Mayor of Killarney pays tribute to late father after election

The newly elected Mayor of Killarney has paid a fond tribute to his late father saying: “He’s smiling down on...
News1 day ago

Gneeveguilla woman to cycle Ring of Kerry in honour of father’s Kidney donor

Eithne Murphy, a native of Gneeveguilla, will participate in the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle for the first time on...
News3 days ago

Killarney connectivity issues raised in Dáil

Concerns regarding a proposed footbridge connecting Killarney’s train and bus stations were again raised in Dáil Éireann this week by...

Sport

Sport4 days ago

Injured Kerry quartet return for do-or-die showdown with Cavan

by Adam Moynihan All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Final Kerry v Cavan Saturday 3.30pm Fitzgerald Stadium Key players Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Diarmuid O’Connor...
Sport4 weeks ago

Kerry’s All-Ireland heroes launch new football camp for girls

Legendary Kerry ladies’ player Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh will be inspiring the next generation of superstars at the new Laochra football...
Sport4 weeks ago

St Paul’s sign 6ft American guard Burnham

Having really found their feet in the Women’s Super League in the second half of the season, culminating in a...
Sport3 months ago

Jack O’Connor’s Kerry squad is looking deeper and stronger (but the proof will be in the eating)

As we reach the midway point of the 2025 season, Adam Moynihan takes a close look at Kerry’s strength in...
Sport3 months ago

BREAKING: Two changes for Kerry as Jack O’Connor names team for league final

by Adam Moynihan National League Division 1 Final Kerry v Mayo Sunday 4pm Croke Park, Dublin Live on TG4 Kerry...