News
Killarney welcomes the world for Irish Dancing Championships
The Gleneagle Arena is set to become a global hub of culture and competition this Easter as it hosts the An Chomhdháil World Irish Dancing Championships.
The prestigious event brings a vibrant mix of music and international talent to the town, with local dancers ready to step onto the world stage in their own backyard.
This year, Killarney is proudly represented by a dedicated troop from the Hegarty Irish Dance Academy.
Dancers Abbey O’Leary, Maria Blennerhasset, Klara Morczewska, Máire Lynch, and Isabelle Hindle have spent countless hours preparing for the tournament.
Under the expert guidance of teachers Maureen and Lisa Hegarty, these dancers now have the opportunity to compete at the highest level before an international audience.
Beyond the cultural spectacle, the championships provide a massive boost to the local economy. More than 2,500 dancers, along with their families and supporters, will travel to Killarney for the event.
Killarney talent bound for Isle of Man
The busy Easter schedule continues for the Hegarty Irish Dance Academy as they prepare for an international cultural exchange.
At the end of this week, a group of 25 dancers and musicians travelled to the Isle of Man.
The group will represent Ireland at the Shennaghys Jiu Celtic Festival, a celebration of music, dance, and folklore from the Celtic nations.
The travelling party will showcase the best of Killarney’s traditional arts, further strengthening the town's international sporting and cultural links.
Gneeveguilla apprentice wins national stonemasonry title
Darragh O’Sullivan from Gneeveguilla won the overall prize in the Architectural Stonemasonry category at the WorldSkills Ireland competition held recently at the RDS in Dublin.
An apprentice stonecutter and stonemason with the Office of Public Works (OPW) based in Mallow, O’Sullivan secured gold for his technical accuracy and craftsmanship during the three-day event.
The state agency relies on traditional trade skills to manage, conserve, and restore national monuments, public buildings, and heritage sites across the country.
O’Sullivan’s success reflects the training provided by his OPW mentors and team, highlighting the importance of apprentice development in preserving traditional heritage crafts for future generations.
Picture Caption: CRAFT CHAMPION: Tom Little (Kerry ETB), Terri Sweeney Meade (OPW), category winner Darragh O’Sullivan (OPW), and Donal Keys (WorldSkills Ireland) at the RDS in Dublin.
Jessica Cronin donates hair for children’s charity
Ten-year-old Killarney resident Jessica Cronin is set to cut and donate 12 inches of her hair to support young cancer patients, alongside a fundraising campaign for LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.
The hair donation will go directly to the Little Princess Trust, a charity providing real hair wigs free of charge to children and young people who have lost their own hair through medical treatment.
Alongside her hair donation, Jessica is collecting financial contributions for LauraLynn through the Locks of Love campaign.
“I want to help somebody that doesn’t have something that I have, hair,” Jessica said.
Her family expressed their pride in her decision to support both organisations.
“We are all so proud of her,” her mother, Grace O’Shea-Cronin, said. “Any donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.”
Donations to support Jessica’s fundraiser can be made online at
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