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Killarney’s answer to Roddy Doyle as Paddy Osborne launches book

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BOOK LAUNCH: Paddy Osborne with his wife Liz and daughter Rebecca at the launch of his new book 'Baxter's Boys' in Killarney Brewery on Wednesday night. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

 

By Sean Moriarty

 

Dublin native Paddy Osborne - a well-known figure in Killarney Legion and Killarney Celtic FC circles – has penned a novel about the a mismatched football team that enjoys an unprecedented cup run.

The dark comedy called ‘Baxter’s Boys’ was launched at the Killarney Brewery on Wednesday night.

Based in the north inner city of Dublin, where Paddy grew up, the story traces the lives of team members as they bond and share life experiences during a previously unheard of run of success for their small soccer team.

The book explores socials issues like loneliness, drink and drug addiction and single parent-hood.

Paddy, who is a member of a local drama group and has penned short ten-minute plays, put the idea to the BBC as a screenplay 17 years ago. When that failed to get over the final hurdle he parked the idea until three years ago and when he decided to turn it into a novel.

His ten-minute plays include what he described as the Irish version of ‘The Hangover’ which tells the story of two Irish men waking up one morning in possession of the Sam Maguire Cup and having no idea how they ended up with it. The play as been performed at Courtney’s Bar in Killarney.

“There is no doubt I drew inspiration for the book from my time growing up in the north inner city,” Paddy told the Killarney Advertiser. “Sport is the bond that brings people together, the Kerry man in it is the cute fellow, but it explores social issues, the most-educated man in the story is also the man who ends up homeless.”

Paddy also drew on his vast sporting knowledge to create the characters in the book.

He is a Legion GAA committee member, a former Killarney Celtic FC committee member a role he had to rescind when he became an FAI registered referee. His son Robert plays League of Ireland football with Cobh Ramblers and his father Paddy Snr is a former All-Ireland boxing champion.

Paddy lives near the Ross Road in Killarney, is married to Liz O’Sullivan and is a horticulturist with Kerry County Council in Tralee, where amongst other things, he looks after the famous Rose Garden in Tralee Town Park.

The book is available from Eason in Killarney.

 

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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