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Killarney exhibition and lecture on foundations of Fianna Fáil

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A widely acclaimed exhibition on the origins and early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry will opened at Killarney Library on Tuesday for a three-week period and will coincide with a free public lecture on the subject at the library on March 26.

This year marks the centenary of the foundation of the party in 1926 and the exhibition, presented by historian Owen O’Shea, focuses on how the party developed and grew in Kerry in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

The exhibition is called “Soldiers of Destiny, Fianna Fáil in Kerry 1926-1933” and is supported by a Commemorations Bursary from the Royal Irish Academy.

It was officially opened by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin recently at Tralee Library. Mr Martin said the exhibition “has provided a deep insight into the foundations and rapid growth of one of democratic Europe’s most successful political parties.”

Owen will deliver a talk on the same subject on Thursday, 26 March at Killarney Library at 7pm as part of the programme of lectures from the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society. The lecture is free and open to members of the public.

“The foundation of Fianna Fáil 100 years ago was a transformative moment in Irish politics and represented a new phase of Civil War politics in Ireland.

In this, its centenary year, I am presenting the story of the party in Kerry where its organisational and electoral successes were without parallel in this period,” said Owen O’Shea.

“Éamon de Valera’s party set about establishing a network of branches in Kerry with enormous speed and the Fianna Fáil vote in the constituency grew rapidly from 33% in 1927 to 68% in 1933.”

The seven TDs who represented Kerry during those years were Denis Daly, Fred Crowley, Tom McEllistrim, William O’Leary, Thomas O’Reilly and Jack Flynn.

Their stories are being shared for the first time as are many of the election posters and political material from the time.

“I am very grateful to the Royal Irish Academy for funding this exhibition and I hope it will attract anyone with an interest in Irish history and politics,” he added. It will be open at Killarney Library during library opening hours until March 31.

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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