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The town of Killarney was in a state of mourning this past week following the untimely passing of one of the town’s greatest singers and showmen, Dermot Flynn.

Dermot, who was originally from Currow and lived in Arshanavooley, started out in music with The Radiant Showband alongside his brother Ned, and he was a much-loved star on the local and national scene for decades. In 1970, Dermot produced the popular record Memories of Killarney.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, radio personality and country music legend Dermot Moriarty described the late Dermot Flynn as “one of the best singers ever in the county”.

“Joe Dolan had so much time for Dermot,” he said. “He used to sing Joe’s songs and he did them well. They became great buddies. It was many the night I shared their company in the Green Room at the Gleneagle, with Dermot’s brother Ned there as well. Happy times. Big times.”

Mr Flynn holds the notable distinction of being the first ever person to perform at the INEC. Maurice O’Donoghue, proprietor of the Gleneagle Hotel, intentionally booked Dermot as a support act to Charley Pride so that a local man would take to the big stage first.

Dermot is survived by his wife Kathleen, daughters Ann and Marie, sons Gerard, Alan and Kenneth, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, brother Ned, sister Mary-Bridget, extended family and a great many friends.

Pic: Don MacMonagle