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Killarney volunteers hit movie screens around the world

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Killarney Mountain Meitheal volunteers profiled in the short documentary film ‘Hatchets & Hope’ are featuring on cinema screens around the world.

VOLUNTEER: Maureen Hegarty of Killarney Mountain Meitheal uses the stem treatment method to eradicate Rhododendron.

The five-minute film introduces the Killarney Mountain Meitheal, an intergenerational group of volunteers in Killarney and has been shortlisted for a number of high-profile film festivals.

Each week they hike out to protect some of Ireland’s last surviving woodland forests and rare ecosystems from the alarming spread of the invasive plant Rhododendron ponticum.

Despite its beautiful purple flower, the infestation of this strain of rhododendron is lethal to the local biodiversity.

With the spectacular backdrop of the mountains of south Kerry, the film shows the community working to eradicate these exotic plants and stop their advance.

This inspiring film is about camaraderie, commitment, and the astounding results a small group of passionate nature lovers have achieved.

Aoibheann O’Sullivan, whose parents are from Killarney, is an award-winning film-maker who lives in Kenya.
She found herself stuck in Killarney at the start of the pandemic, and joined the ‘Meithal’ group who clear rhododendron in Killarney National Park.

"It is wonderful to see the important work of the Killarney Mountain Meitheal getting worldwide attention. It shows the profound impact a small group of committed people can make. We need more inspiring stories like this to show that action instead of anxiety is going to fix our relationship with nature,” she told the Killarney Advertiser.

Last October the film had its premiere at the 2021 Kerry International Film Festival and is now screening at some well-regarded film festivals such as the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival in New York, Sustainable Stories Film Fest in Texas, and the Irish Film Festival London.

The film was made possible with the support of the South Kerry Development Partnership (SKDP) and EU LEADER funding.

If you would like to join the Killarney Mountain Meitheal, or find out more, please contact them on info@killarneymountainmeitheal.com.

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10-minute plays will linger in the memory

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The West End House School of Arts is delighted to take part in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Festival with a special evening of entertaining readings on Friday, March 13 at 7.30pm.

It promises to be a vibrant showcase of five original 10-minute plays written by emerging local playwrights, each of whom has recently completed a playwriting course with Fiona Doyle (pictured).


Diverse in style and subject matter, these beautifully crafted pieces promise an evening of laughter, tears, and powerful storytelling and each reading will be performed by West End House actors from Kerry.


Together, they highlight the remarkable talent of these up-and-coming writers and actors, who are the future of theatre in our community.

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Get your scrap together

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Following the success of the first ever Killarney Lions Club scrap metal collection in 2025, the Club will again run the event this year in partnership with KWD Recycling on March 28, at Killarney Racecourse.

Similar to 2025, money raised through recycling the metal will go towards improving facilities for families attending the children’s cancer unit in Cork University Hospital, as part of an overall fundraising drive being coordinated by Lions Clubs all over Munster.

The Club is asking people to bring non-ferrous scrap metals such as aluminium, copper, brass, zinc and stainless steel (no white goods such as fridges/cookers washing machines). Volunteers will be on hand from 9am until 4pm to take donations of scrap and work with KWD Recycling to remove it for processing.

“Although Lions Clubs in Munster have already raised some funds for CUH, more is still needed, so we’re delighted that KWD Recycling is working with us again to support this very worthwhile cause”, said Jason Higgins, President of Killarney Lions Club. “We’re asking anyone who has scrap metal at home, at work or on the farm now or in the next few weeks to please bring it to the Racecourse on the day because everything we collect will make a difference.”

Tadhg Healy, Sales Manager at KWD Recycling added that “We will recycle any high quality scrap metal that we collect – it can be quite valuable and of course it’s better for the environment if it’s recycled instead of being dumped. On top of that, the main thing with this collection is to help families of children with cancer, so hopefully we’ll get a good response from everyone and raise as much money as possible through this event”.

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