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Local DJ’s relief to be back behind the decks

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By Michelle Crean

It hasn't been the easiest 19 months for most industries - and for one local man it's pure relief to finally be getting behind the decks.

DJ Cian Shiels from Pinewood, who runs Funktion Events is finally looking forward to his first gig back in almost two years.

He has been booked to run his own event night at this year's K-FEST in Killorglin which takes place on Saturday (October 23).

At the K-FEST gig he will headline the show in O'Sheas Bar, Killorglin and will team up with Killarney's George Heelan, and Jonno Brien and Karl Seery from Tralee, for a night of techno and house music which is expected to last four and a half hours. It begins at 7pm and entry is free.

"I've been out of work due to COVID-19, and this will be my first gig back in almost two years," Cian told the Killarney Advertiser.

"I'm nervous because it's so long since I did a gig. It's like starting all over again."

Cian is no stranger in town as he helps set up the stages for gigs in the INEC and Europe Hotel. He was also working as backstage crew for the recent ANSEO gigs who hosted the first gigs for many singers and bands since the shutdown began.

He set up Funktion Events in 2017 and past guest DJs included Rebuke from Letterkenny, Mark Reeve from Germany, Ejeca from Antrim and Harvey McKay from Glasgow. The shutdown happened so suddenly, but Cian thought he'd be back to business within weeks.

"The last gig was set up in McSorleys but we didn't go ahead with it. I left the gear in there and said we'd run it in a week or two."

It was months later before he collected the equipment.

"It's great to be back working again," he said.

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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

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Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.

The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.

Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.

Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.

She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.

“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”

In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.

In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.

last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.

During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.

This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.

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Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]

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Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.

Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.

This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.

Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.

“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.

“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”

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