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Ian helps launch Puck Fair 2018

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With just over a month to go before Ireland’s oldest festival kicks off for another year, the Puck Fair committee officially launched the 2018 programme during an exciting event that was held at Sheahan’s Bar last Saturday at 8pm. This year’s event was particularly special not only for the Killorglin community but also for the county as a whole, as a well-known and inspirational young Kerry man was on hand to officially launch the age-old event.

Fresh from a recent appearance on The Late Late Show during which he spoke with admirable positivity about his continuing recovery following last year’s cycling tragedy that left him paralysed from the neck down, Ian O’Connell from Killarney took time from his schedule to launch Puck Fair 2018, beginning the celebrations with the enthusiasm he is known for. His inspiring motto, “If you can’t stand up, stand out,” even attracted the attention of his idol Conor McGregor, who paid tribute to the determined teen on Instagram.

Another VIP in attendance on the night was none other than King Puck himself, who this year made an early appearance in a very unique form. Looking bigger and brighter than ever (in spite of his 400+ years), King Puck now reigns permanently over the town of Killorglin thanks to the creativity and vision of artist Dan Leo, who painted a mural of the famous folklore figure on the wall of the CYMS Hall in the town centre.

Speaking ahead of the event, Declan Mangan, President of the Puck Fair committee, said: “It’s an exciting time to host the launch of Puck Fair, with the fabulous mural adding new vibrancy to the town. We’re also delighted to welcome Ian O’Connell this year as our special guest. This inspirational young man represents exactly what Puck Fair is all about; individuality, a strong sense of identity and most importantly, resilience. We may be another year older, but Puck Fair continues to keep us young at heart!”

While King Puck is currently the focus of attention in the town centre, his spotlight will soon be stolen by another very famous figure, who is gearing up to take to the stage as the eagerly-awaited headline act of Puck Fair 2018. Singer Jake Carter, the reigning champion of RTÉ’s Dancing with the Stars and brother of the equally famous Nathan Carter, will perform on the main festival stage on Sunday, August 12, bringing the festival to a stylish and energetic close.

This year’s festival will also feature live music from The Swing Cats (Friday, August 10) and The Cosmic Funk Band (Saturday, August 11), as well as acrobatics from Wobbly Circus Street Show; puppet shows by Kidspartyclub Kerry; children’s entertainment provided by Kingdom Party Pals; Fancy Dress and Bonny Baby Competitions; performances by Afro Trad Ireland and much more. The opening day of Puck Fair on Friday, August 10 will be marked with the annual Coronation Parade and Ceremony, while the Dethronement festivities and subsequent fireworks on the final day of the festival (Sunday, August 12) will provide the perfect ending to Ireland’s most famous yearly event.

For pictures and live updates, check out facebook.com/puckfair or twitter @puck_fair and visit YouTube to view puckfairofficial videos.

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Parnell commemorated in Beaufort on 125th Anniversary of Land League meeting

A special ceremony was held in Beaufort to mark the 125th anniversary of Charles Stewart Parnell’s historic visit to the village in 1880, when the Irish nationalist leader addressed thousands […]

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A special ceremony was held in Beaufort to mark the 125th anniversary of Charles Stewart Parnell’s historic visit to the village in 1880, when the Irish nationalist leader addressed thousands at a pivotal land reform meeting.

The commemoration, which took place beside the Beaufort Bar, honoured the legacy of the former MP and founder of the Irish National Land League.
The original meeting was held in a field belonging to Patrick O’Sullivan and attracted a crowd of approximately 3,000, defying the orders of local landlord ‘The O’Mahony’ of Dunloe Castle, who had threatened eviction to any tenant who supported the gathering.
Padruig O’Sullivan, proprietor of the Beaufort Bar and a direct descendant of Patrick O’Sullivan, addressed attendees at the unveiling of a new monument to mark the occasion.
The stone was designed by renowned uilleann piper and artist Tomás O’Sullivan, who also composed a special piece of music titled Parnell’s Blackbird to honour the occasion.
The original 1880 meeting was reported in publications such as the ‘Dundalk Democrat’, which gave a vivid account of the powerful speeches delivered that day.

Extract from the Dundalk Democrat – May 1880

The meeting, held on Sunday, May 16, 1880 in Patrick O’Sullivan’s field south of the Beaufort Hotel, was arranged in defiance of local landlord ‘The O’Mahony,’ who warned tenants they would be evicted for taking part. Nevertheless, the turnout was overwhelming.
Parnell arrived by special train and travelled by carriage from Killarney with fellow MP ‘The O’Donoghue’. The two were met by a band and a large welcoming crowd. Police and a Government reporter were present, but the atmosphere remained peaceful and spirited.
Speakers rallied against the unjust land laws of the time. ‘The O’Donoghue’ praised Parnell as the “shining star” of Irish nationalism and stated that “Kerry desired that her meeting should partake of a national character.”
When Parnell spoke, he described it as “the largest land meeting he had attended since County Mayo” and declared the movement to reclaim Irish land as one of the greatest undertakings in Irish history. He condemned the laws that allowed landlords to evict tenants and seize food as rent payment, noting that 600,000 farmers were subject to the whims of just 10,000 landlords.
He called for legislative reform, including the suspension of evictions and Government-backed tenant purchase schemes, warning that if Parliament failed to act, “the people will do for themselves what the Legislature refuses to do for them.”
He concluded by proposing the first resolution.
“That in the opinion of this meeting, the eviction of occupiers of land for non-payment of rent arbitrarily fixed by the landlord is unjust, subversive of the true interests of the country and calls for the emphatic condemnation of all lovers of justice.”

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St Pauls sign American Maisie Burnham

Killarney’s Utility Trust St Pauls women’s basketball team has announced the signing of American player Maisie Burnham for the upcoming 2025/2026 season. The club, who performed strongly in the latter […]

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Killarney’s Utility Trust St Pauls women’s basketball team has announced the signing of American player Maisie Burnham for the upcoming 2025/2026 season.

The club, who performed strongly in the latter part of the recent season and reached the league final, is looking to build on that success.
Maisie Burnham, a 24-year-old, six-foot-tall guard from Spangle City, Washington, comes to Killarney with a strong playing record. During her time at Liberty High School, where she also played volleyball, she was a high-scoring player.
She then went to Eastern Washington University, where in the 2020/2021 season, she led the team in scoring with over 14 points per game, a record for a freshman player at the university.
Burnham later moved to the University of Portland, where her scoring average continued to improve, reaching a peak of 16.3 points per game in the 2024/2025 season.
Utility Trust St Pauls say they are looking forward to welcoming Maisie to Killarney well in advance of the new season.

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