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Killarney film could draw in world’s best filmmakers

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BY ADAM MOYNIHAN

 

Acclaimed Killarney film ‘Tradition’ will be shown at a major US film festival in the New Year - and director Damian O’Callaghan is hopeful it will draw some of the world’s best filmmakers to the town.

 

‘Tradition’, which was filmed entirely in the Killarney area, has been selected for the prestigious Chicago Irish Film Festival in February.

And O’Callaghan says his hometown is a “dream” for any filmmaker.

“It’s a big positive for the town,” he told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

“People from the film world are going to see Killarney at this festival and they might say, ‘Maybe we can bring another film here?’. Hopefully it’ll impact on tourism and help bring more visitors over as well.”

He added that Killarney town has all the resources and the infrastructure to facilitate the making of any movie, especially with the scenery and the hotels here.

“The politicians, the council, the gardaí, the fire brigade. Everyone is so helpful. The people of Killarney are one of a kind. We have a town that no one else has.”

O’Callaghan added that he was delighted ‘Tradition’ had been chosen for such a big festival and he was also full of praise for the people of Killarney who helped with OC Production’s second feature-length film.

 

“The quality of the film is what got us there, and that’s a testament to all the teamwork that went into the project,” he said.

 

“It’s not just an OC Productions film – I will stress that – this is very much a Killarney film because if it wasn’t for the people of Killarney, we wouldn’t have had a film. That goes for all the hotels, all the politicians, and all the people who put the shoulder to the wheel and kept it going forward.

 

The Chicago Irish Film Festival specialises in US premieres and films that go on to screen in Sundance, Tribeca and Toronto Film Festivals. Previous films shown at the festival include ‘Calvary’ starring Brendan Gleeson, Ger Barrett’s ‘Glassland’ and Oscar-nominated film ‘The Breadwinner’.

 

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Community College TY students become qualified baristas

School Dayz Transition Year students at Killarney Community College spent last Tuesday learning the skills to become baristas. They completed a full-day training course and are now qualified to make […]

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Transition Year students at Killarney Community College spent last Tuesday learning the skills to become baristas.

They completed a full-day training course and are now qualified to make coffee, which could make them very employable in local cafes and restaurants this summer.
Their teachers, who are described as the school’s “resident coffee experts,” were impressed with the students’ hard work and enjoyed the lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos the students made throughout the day.
In addition to their barista training, the TY students also took a trip to Mallow. There, they learned about the rules of the road, practiced the driver theory test, and many got behind the wheel of a car for the first time. They also learned about the dangers of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

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Rising stars Amano and Lillie Foley to share stage in ANAM

Two of Killarney’s rising musical talents, Amano and Lillie Foley, are set to perform their first ever joint headline concert at the ANAM Cultural Centre. Singer-songwriter and sean nós singer […]

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Two of Killarney’s rising musical talents, Amano and Lillie Foley, are set to perform their first ever joint headline concert at the ANAM Cultural Centre.

Singer-songwriter and sean nós singer Amano will bring her ‘Mythilligocial Meitheal Tour’ home for a special live performance of both her contemporary and traditional music.

Joining her on the night is local rising star Lillie Foley, making it a special event to celebrate two young Killarney songwriters making their mark on the Irish music scene. The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office.

Amano, described by Hot Press in 2024 as an “idiosyncratic talent” is comfortable performing in both English and Irish, draws influences from alt-folk, R&B, and traditional sean-nós singing.

Her project THREAD was nominated for Irish language Album and Song of the year at the Gradaim Nós in 2024.

Her recent singles, ‘Burn’ and ‘The Birthing House’, have received airplay on RTÉ Radio 1, Radio Kerry, and Raidió na Life.

Lillie Foley, a 22-year-old singer who recently graduated from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance with a BA in Voice, has released two debut singles in 2025, ‘Someday’ and ‘That’s Life’, which blend pop, soul, and folk genres.

The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office.

The concert will take place on May 23, at the ANAM Cultural Centre in Killarney, starting at 7:00pm. Tickets are available from €15 plus a booking fee on Ticketpass.org.

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