News
Killarney photographer front and centre of Presidential visit
By Michelle Crean
A Killarney photographer was one of the first in the country to capture American President Joe Biden as he stepped onto Irish soil on Wednesday afternoon.
Julien Behal pictured in front of Air Force One after it landed in Dublin Airport on Wednesday.
UP CLOSE: Photographer Julien Behal from Woodlawn was within touching distance of United States President Joe Biden as he met with members of the public at Dublin Airport on Wednesday.
Julien Behal pictured in front of Air Force One after it landed in Dublin Airport on Wednesday.
UP CLOSE: Photographer Julien Behal from Woodlawn was within touching distance of United States President Joe Biden as he met with members of the public at Dublin Airport on Wednesday.
Julien Behal from Woodlawn was front and centre of the action as he was the official photographer during the Irish leg of the Presidential visit.
The 46th President of the United States of America arrived to Belfast on Tuesday as part of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
On Wednesday he travelled to Dublin Airport where he was greeted by family and friends of US Embassy staff at the Fire Station, by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, Ambassador of the United States to Ireland H.E. Claire Cronin, and Ambassador of Ireland to the United States H.E. Geraldine Byrne Nason.
But it was Julien who got the first glimpse as the president descended Air Force One.
Julien, who now lives in Dublin, runs Julien Behal Photography and regularly works for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
With a team of six they covered the three-day visit to Ireland with Julien covering the airport and then sorting through thousands of images taken by the photographers each day before sending them to world media agencies such as Reuters.
And it's not his first time photographing Biden as Julien was hired as the official photographer during his visit to Ireland in 2015 when he was Vice President.
"It's such an honour, a good privilege to be asked," Julien told the Killarney Advertiser this week.
"I was at the airport on an elevated stand and it was lashing. It was just like the movies. They come off the back of the plane and they all stand in different directions around the plane. Then there's a big motorcade. It's blink and you miss it."
Next Julien was in the fire station where the US President greeted waiting guests.
"I got very close to him, I could have put my hand out and touched him, but I wouldn't have done that."
In March 2020 Julien's company got the Royal seal of approval when it was also chosen as the only agency to officially photograph the Royal visit and were subsequently distributed to Sky News, the BBC, ITV and other news outlets.
Couples across the parish of Kilcummin gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a special celebration Mass honouring milestone wedding anniversaries.
The special service, celebrated by Fr Pat O’Donnell, brought together local couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 years of marriage. Each couple received a commemorative certificate in recognition of their decades of commitment and companionship.
Following the ceremony, the parish committee hosted a reception in the parish hall, where attendees enjoyed tea, home baking, and an opportunity to catch up with neighbours and family members.
Organisers extended their gratitude to Fr O’Donnell, the church committee, photographer Anne Holland, and all who helped arrange the celebratory event.
ANNIVERSARY MASS: Pictured at the Kilcummin wedding anniversary mass are (front row, left to right) Michael and Mary Dorrigan, Michael and Mary Moynihan, Marion and Timmy O’Keeffe, and Clare and Sean Moynihan; (second row) Robert and Ann Marie Keane, Paudie and Kate Cahill, Hann and Denny Donnelly, Sheila and Charlie O’Neill, and Maureen and Francis O’Doherty; (third row) Maura and Cornelius Brosnan, Joan and Jeremiah Desmond, Breda and Timmy O’Leary, Noreen and Patie Nagle, and Barry and Breda Duggan; with (back row) Willie and Breda Fleming, Mary and Noel Cronin, and Fr Pat O’Donnell. Photo: Anne Holland.
PEARL ANNIVERSARY: Clare and Sean Moynihan celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
GOLDEN JUBILEE: Marion and Timmy O’Keeffe marking 50 years of marriage during the parish anniversary celebrations in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
RUBY CELEBRATION: Timmy and Breda O’Leary celebrating 40 years of marriage in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
SAPPHIRE MILESTONE: Joan and Jeremiah Desmond celebrating 45 years of marriage at the anniversary Mass in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
CORAL ANNIVERSARY: Robert and Anne Marie Keane marking 35 years of marriage at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
Killarney Plaza wins top golf hotel award
Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa has been named IGTOA Large Golf Hotel of the Year at the 29th National Golf Tourism Conference and Gala Irish Golf Awards.
Organised by the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association, the annual conference brings together golf operators, hotels, clubs, and industry partners from across Ireland. The awards ceremony took place during a black-tie gala evening at Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, hosted by broadcaster Des Cahill.
The category winner was selected through votes cast by IGTOA tour operator members. Established in 1996, the association promotes Ireland as an international golfing destination.
Hotel management expressed gratitude to the tour operators, regional partners, and guests who supported the venue throughout the year. The hotel operates as part of the local O’Donoghue Ring Collection.
GOLF AWARD: Representing the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, part of the O’Donoghue Ring Collection, Seán Howley (Group Business Development Manager), Brian Lawlor (Group General Manager), and Tomás O’Gorman (Guest Relations Manager) at the National Golf Tourism Conference
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