News
Killarney native claims Grammy success
Killarney is celebrating a major international achievement this week as local native Ruairí O’Flaherty secured top honours at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
The senior mastering engineer, who works at the world-renowned Sterling Sound studio in the United States, was part of the technical team behind Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s "Luther," which won the prestigious Record of the Year award on Sunday night.
Mayor of Killarney Councillor Martin Grady extended warm congratulations to O’Flaherty following the ceremony.
"There was tremendous Kerry pride at the Grammy Awards last night as we watched Ruairí O’Flaherty play a key role in winning the prestigious Record of the Year award," Mayor Grady said. "This is an outstanding achievement and a testament to Ruairí’s exceptional talent, dedication, and hard work. He has made his family and his hometown extremely proud."
The Mayor added that O’Flaherty’s success serves as an inspiration to young people in Killarney and Kerry, proving that local talent can reach the highest levels of the global music industry.
O’Flaherty’s work was credited across four nominations in several of the night’s most prominent categories.
In addition to the win for Record of the Year, he received credits for Album of the Year nominations for Kendrick Lamar’s GNX and Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend.
This year’s success follows previous Grammy recognition for O’Flaherty.
Last year, he was nominated for his work on a Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet and St. Vincent’s All Born Screaming.
Local Roots
Before his career took him to San Francisco and eventually to the top tier of the American recording industry, O’Flaherty was a well-known figure in the Killarney music scene.
He worked at Variety Sounds music shop on College Street and performed alongside his brothers in the popular local folk group Gliondar during the early 2000s.
Local hospitality nominated for Good Food Ireland awards
Several Killarney hotels and restaurants have been shortlisted for the Good Food Ireland 20th Anniversary Awards 2026.
The annual awards recognise businesses that feature Irish food and drink as part of their visitor service.
In the luxury accommodation categories, Muckross Park Hotel and The Europe Hotel and Resort have both received nominations for 5 Star Irish Hospitality Experience of the Year and Hotel Restaurant Experience of the Year.
In the town centre, The Mad Monk has been shortlisted for Best Irish Seafood Experience.
The Brehon Hotel has been named a finalist in the Wild Atlantic Way category.
And the Kerry Creamery Experience has also been nominated for the Irish Culinary Tourism Innovation Award for its work showcasing local dairy heritage.
The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the InterContinental Dublin on Monday, November 16
Holy Cross Mercy announces return of Memory Tree initiative
Holy Cross Mercy National School has announced details for its 2026 Killarney Memory Tree, the annual Christmas fundraising hosted at the New Road school.
The initiative offers local residents the opportunity to purchase lights on the tree to commemorate loved ones over the festive season.
The official switch-on ceremony takes place at the school on Wednesday, December 9 at 7pm. Fr Seán Murphy will lead prayers, accompanied by festive carols by candlelight.
A special mass for all those commemorated on the tree will be celebrated in St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday, December 17 at 1pm. The service will be open to the public and streamed online via the Killarney Parish website.
The Memory Tree will remain lit each evening until January 6, the feast of the Epiphany.
Lights can be purchased directly from the pupils, staff, or the school office at Holy Cross Mercy National School on New Road, with all proceeds going towards school development.
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