Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

The newly elected Mayor of Killarney has paid a fond tribute to his late father saying: “He’s smiling down on me today,” following his appointment.

The new Cathaoirligh and Leas-Cathaoirligh for the Municipal Districts in Kerry were elected at the respective Annual Meetings held at Áras an Chontae on Monday morning.

Cllr Martin O’Grady has become the third generation and fourth member of his family to hold the title of Mayor of Killarney, a role he described as both humbling and a blessing.
His grandfather John O’Grady, uncle Seán, and father Donal all served on the council before him, continuing a proud family legacy of public service.
Cllr Grady was nominated by Cllr Niall Botty O’Callaghan, which was seconded by Cllr Brendan Cronin.
Cllr Grady outlined several key priorities for his term as Mayor. These include increasing the availability of social and affordable housing for young families, reducing planning restrictions for those seeking to build on family land, and advancing Phase 1 of the Derreen Sports Complex project.
Fellow councillors congratulated Cllr Grady on his appointment and wished him every success in his new role.
Outgoing Mayor, Independent Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, described the position as both a huge achievement and honour. She said while it’s a busy and demanding role she expressed full confidence that Cllr Grady would rise to the challenge, adding that his late father would be “charmed to see him in the chair.”
Cllr John O’Donoghue was elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District. He was nominated by Cllr Brendan Cronin, with the nomination seconded by Cllr Maura Healy-Rae.

Advertisement

News

Joey Sheehan wins historic sixth Dr Crokes Captain’s Prize

Published

on

By

Accomplished golfer Joey Sheehan scooped the Dr Crokes GAA Club Golf Society Captain’s Prize for the sixth time following the outing at The Killeen Course at Killarney Golf Club on Friday.

Society Captain Niall Botty O’Callaghan and his mother Eileen O’Callaghan hosted the prizegiving function in The Failte Hotel, where Joey was presented with a painting of the fourth hole at Killeen by local artist and Dr Crokes member Paul Downey.


Joey Sheehan won his first Dr Crokes Captain’s prize back in 1997, which was the start of an historic four-in-a-row.

He collected his fifth Captain’s prize in 2006 before adding his sixth with the 2026 title last Friday.

Over the years, he has also won two Dr Crokes Presidents prizes, numerous other society outings, and the Eddie Barry Memorial Cup three times as player of the year.


The prize giving function in The Failte featured speeches from society officer Brendan Keogh, Captain Niall Botty O’Callaghan, and overall winner Joey Sheehan.

During the speeches, a number of recently deceased local people and others from recent years associated with the Dr Crokes Golf Society were remembered.

Among those fondly remembered were Brian O’Regan, John O’Mahony, Ewan MacIndoe, Gerry Collins, Paudie O’Callaghan, Malachy Walsh, and Seani McCarthy.


The Dr Crokes Captains Prize was once again sponsored by Mike Buckley of Kerry Coaches. Following overall winner Joey Sheehan, the full list of prize winners included John Lynch in second, Finian Moran in third, and Liam Hartnett in fourth. Sean Brosnan took fifth place, followed by Maurice O’Donoghue in sixth, John O’Leary in seventh, Paudie Sheahan in eighth, Colm Galvin in ninth, and Eamonn Fitzgerald in tenth.

Continue Reading

News

Discussion on Irish-American literary voices

Published

on

By

The second series of talks for the new ‘Summer in Killarney’ festival took place at Killarney House in Killarney National Park, focusing on the lives and work of literary figures F. Scott Fitzgerald and Mary Lavin.

The event, titled ‘The Great Irish-American Voices of F. Scott Fitzgerald & Mary Lavin’, featured presentations by authors Gráinne Hurley, writer of Gratefully and Affectionately: Mary Lavin and The New Yorker, and Killarney native Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, author of Gatsby: Death of an Irishman.

Following their presentations, both authors joined Irish Times journalist Ronan McGreevy for a panel conversation exploring the impact of both writers on American literature.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport