News
Kilcummin and Glenflesk GAA Clubs OsKaR fundraiser returns after five years

A flurry of excitement can be felt throughout the parishes of Kilcummin and Glenflesk with the news that the neighbouring clubs are joining forces for a second time to present the ‘A Night at the OsKars’ on December 7 in the INEC.
It is five years since the two clubs first came together to undertake this type of fundraiser, the first time it had been done in Munster. It was a resounding success with a capacity crowd attending on the night and a fantastic buzz around the two parishes throughout the rehearsals and filming.
“There has been a huge interest in the communities to do the OsKaRs again’, says Derry Healy of Glenflesk, “Anyone who took part last time just loved it.”
This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than the last event and it is hoped to involve even more actors.
Seven brand new films will be produced this time around, the titles of which will be revealed at the Launch Night in mid-June. While the rehearsals and filming won’t take place until the autumn, plans are well under way at this stage by the organising committee which involves members of both clubs.
An Information night will take place on Monday (May 29) at 8.30pm in the Killarney Heights Hotel and all are welcome to attend.
This will give anyone interested in taking part a chance to find out what is involved to hear from Kevin Rowe, the events company helping with the fundraiser and chat to people who took part previously.
Following on from this the casting night will take place on June 12.
Those who wish to take part must be over 16 and anyone under 18 will need to have a parent present for rehearsals and filming.
Participants don’t need to be members of the clubs, this is an opportunity for people in the Kilcummin, Glenflesk and surrounding areas to see themselves on the Big Screen.
“When we did the OsKaRs in 2018, we had no idea what a huge success it would be. It went far beyond raising funds for both clubs, it lifted the spirits of both parishes in a way that we could never have foreseen. That is why we have decided to do it all over again and we look forward to an exciting six months ahead,” explained Niamh Dwyer, Kilcummin GAA.
For more information contact Niamh on 087-9801105 or Derry on 087-2707899.
News
Fire warning in National Park
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Housing has appealed to the public not to light fires or barbecues in public places […]

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Housing has appealed to the public not to light fires or barbecues in public places this summer.
As they appeal to the public to exercise renewed care and responsibility when outdoors the National Parks and Wildlife Service has increased ground crews on fire patrol and has ramped up aerial monitoring with helicopters and drones.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD said:
“If you notice a fire, please call the emergency services on 112 immediately. NPWS teams are upping their patrols to identify potential fire incidents and act quickly should one break out. However as we know, prevention is better than cure, and we’re asking all members of the public to avoid lighting fires in open areas.”
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD commented further:
“Our National Parks and Nature Reserves, coastal sand dunes, mountains and upland areas, forests, meadows and urban parks are all places where we enjoy spending time in nature, but they are also home to our precious wildlife and their vulnerable young. This is a really important time of year for wildlife, especially vulnerable ground-nesting birds and mammals who are now rearing their young. We all want to get out and enjoy the good weather but let’s do it responsibly – without putting nature at risk.”
The Director General of the NPWS, Niall O Donnchú, has also asked for everybody’s cooperation to protect nature and said:
“While NPWS has increased ground crews and monitoring from the air this week, we still need to enlist your help to protect nature at this high risk time. We ask that members of the public not light fires or barbecues in any National Parks or Nature Reserves, or indeed in nature generally. We are also asking that the public be vigilant and report any fire activity without delay.”
News
Killarney Looking Good Competition returns
Over three decades after it was first initiated, to help improve the aesthetic values of the town, the Killarney Looking Good Competition is back with a vengeance with a new […]

Over three decades after it was first initiated, to help improve the aesthetic values of the town, the Killarney Looking Good Competition is back with a vengeance with a new committee, new categories, new sponsors and a whole new approach.
When the project was first launched in 1991 it was a relatively low-key community event but it grew in importance with each passing year, culminating in some style when Killarney won the prestigious overall award in the national tidy towns competition in 2011.
After an enforced three-year absence since 2019, due to the pandemic, the competition has now been given a whole new lease of life and the 2023 version was officially launched this week by Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Niall Kelleher.
Awards will be presented in 26 different categories and high achievers in the business and residential community will be honoured at a gala prizegiving ceremony at the close of the tourist season.
This year two new categories are being introduced in memory of two remarkable people who played massive roles in keeping Killarney looking its best down through the years.
Yvonne Quill, who passed away last October, was the driving force behind the Killarney tidy towns campaign for several years and she was at the helm when the sought-after overall award was secured 12 years ago.
This year the Yvonne Quill Memorial Award will be presented to the volunteer of the year – a person who the adjudicators consider to be a standout contributor – in the overall effort to keep Killarney tidy.
Up to the time of his death in January 2020, Fr Michael Murphy was the public face of tidy towns and he played a huge part in Killarney, Kenmare and Sneem winning the overall national award in 2011, 2000 and 1987 respectively. Affectionately known as Fr Tidy, this year the Killarney Looking Good Competition will honour his memory with a special Pride of Place award.
In the business community, there will be awards for the best large and small commercial premises, best newly painted premises, best signage and the best retail award with prizes also for the most impressive hotel, public house, restaurant, café, guesthouse and best public building as well as the most improved premises.
In the residential categories awards will go to the best large and small estates, best private residence, best roadside garden, best floral display and best friendly planting award.
Other categories include a green hospitality award, a corporate special responsibility award, a restoration award, best school and a special biodiversity award.
Several highly commended awards will also be up for grabs and the winner of the prestigious overall award will be announced at the prizegiving ceremony.
The Killarney Looking Good Competition is organised by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and Killarney Municipal District Council and the new committee comprises Sandra Dunlea – a daughter of the late Yvonne Quill – Kathleen Foley, John O’Mahony and Johnny McGuire who is spearheading the project.
MD O’Shea & Sons are the new overall sponsors of the competition and O’Mahony Media Ltd is the media sponsor.
The competition will run throughout the tourist season and businesses and residential areas will be monitored on an ongoing basis.