Killarney took pride of place in both the film and literary categories of this year’s ‘Hot Press’ Readers’ Poll, with local connections winning two of the main national awards.

The Best Film award went to Hamnet , starring Killarney actress Jessie Buckley. Buckley’s performance as Agnes Shakespeare in the feature adaptation has been a major success, and Hot Press readers have now voted it their favourite movie of the year.

Meanwhile, author Joseph O’Connor won the Best Book category with his latest novel, The Ghosts of Rome.

O’Connor has a strong historical link to the area, as his recent books are based on Killarney humanitarian Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and his wartime exploits in Rome.

O’Connor has long championed the legacy of the Killarney native, whose memorial statue stands in the town centre.

Killarney resident Noel McGlynn was named Graduate of the Year at the 2026 UCD Sports Awards in Dublin last week.

McGlynn, who lives on Loreto Road, received the prestigious accolade in recognition of his outstanding voluntary contribution to UCD Cycling Club spanning nearly three decades.

A former Intervarsity champion and club captain, he co-founded the university’s cycling club in 1998 and played a central role in its early development.

Over the last 28 years, he has continued to volunteer his time as a coach, mentor, team manager, and event organiser for major national and international cycling events.

His dedication to the sport has helped develop numerous elite riders, including Irish Olympian Lara Gillespie.