News
Local man prepares to celebrate 100th birthday
100 YEARS OLD: John Coffey from Lewis Road will celebrate his 100 birthday this weekend. Photo: Michelle Crean
“There are so many changes I’ve seen - it’d take you a month to write it all down.”
By Michelle Crean
EXCLUSIVE
It’s not many who can say they’ve reached the 100-year milestone - but for Killarney’s John Coffey who still drives independently around town - this weekend will be very special.
Tomorrow (Saturday), John from Lewis Road – who will be classed as a Centenarian - will be joined by family from all over Ireland, Australia and America for an enormous party in Killarney Golf and Fishing Club.
Then on Monday - the official day he turns 100 - neighbours and friends have organised a Mass for him at the Croke’s Clubhouse where Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Michael Gleeson, will present the President’s cheque to him.
John is the last of 12 children born to Jeremiah and Nora Coffey (nee O’Connell) in Carnahone, Beaufort on August 26, 1919.
He took over the role as a Cottage Rent Collector from his father from 1939 to 1948, cycling from Beaufort back to west Kerry on a daily basis - which he now attributes to his good health and long life.
He then took a job in Killarney Town Council as a Community Welfare Officer and built the family home on Lewis Road with his wife Kitty O’Shea from Brandon, who he met on his travels. They had five children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
John, who is blessed with a pin sharp memory and good health said that he has witnessed many changes over the years – not all of them positive.
He has memories of the Civil War in 1923, remembers the old battered roads, the introduction of electricity, met Pope John Paul II, and has witnessed the changes modern life has brought.
He also puts his good health down to family genes as his father died aged 99 and his mother aged 97, as well as the active lifestyle he had as young man cycling to west Kerry and building the family home block by block with local man Batty O’Connor.
He has also been through some harder days with the loss of Kitty in 1996, his son Denis who died suddenly eight years ago and son John Joe who died aged 13.
And he has requested no presents this year for his birthday but has instead asked if anyone wants to give something, they can make a donation to Down Syndrome Kerry.
“What do I want presents for!” he told the Killarney Advertiser.
He said that there are so many changes he’s seen - it’d take you a month to write it all down.
“The changes are unreal. People have more comfort now than years ago. God almighty, it was real hardship back then. There was no electricity and no tar on the roads. The sense of community is gone completely now. There was no knocking on the door, you’d just walk right in.”
And when it comes to modern technology, although he has a mobile phone – he doesn’t use it. He knows about smartphones and tablets but says he got by all these years without using them and warned that soon children “won’t be able to add two and two together”.
“In one sense technology is good,” he said.
“It can go to the extremes too – but there has to be moderation with everything. You must go with the times - you can’t stop progress.”
And some traditions he keeps, like baking a Madeira cake everyday – something his loving wife Kitty did everyday of their marriage.
ANAM Centre launches packed summer cultural programme for locals and visitors
Kerry County Council’s Arts Service, in association with the Killarney Arts Working Group, has officially launched the 2026 ANAM Summer Arts Programme (ASAP).
The dedicated arts and cultural space on East Avenue Road is set to host a vibrant mix of live music, theatre, film, and youth competitions designed to appeal to both local residents and tourists throughout the peak holiday season.
The summer lineup aims to provide artists with critical platforms to showcase their work while giving audiences accessible opportunities to experience live art. Councillor Martin O’Grady noted that the programme includes a multitude of performances, offering an important platform for all ages to enjoy the arts. Mary Murphy of the Killarney Arts Working Group added that utilizing the ANAM space successfully draws new audiences to the Killarney arts scene.
Featured events include “Bog Jazz,” an innovative project by musicians Eoin ‘Stan’ O’Sullivan and Shane Murphy that reworks traditional Sliabh Luachra fiddle music using electric guitar and drums. Additionally, Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence Aidan Connolly will lead a two-night concert series in late July alongside Bryan O’Leary, Colm Guilfoyle, and Charlie O’Brien, exploring the unique history, songs, and folklore of the region.
The programme also features “The Anam Sessions,” a series of five free bi-weekly evening concerts directed by Tim O’Shea. These sessions will showcase emerging local talent across Irish folk, singer-songwriter, and Afro-Irish genres. For younger musicians, the popular “Battle of the Bands” competition returns in August. Organised in partnership with Music Generation Kerry, it will feature separate junior and senior categories to highlight local youth talent.
The summer performance series is fully sponsored by the Kerry Arts Service. For further queries, the public can contact arts@kerrycoco.ie or call 066 7183541.
ANAM Summer Arts Event Calendar
Traditional and Folk Music (The Anam Sessions with Tim O’Shea) Dates: ; Wednesday, July 15; Wednesday, July 29; Wednesday, August 12; Wednesday, August 26 Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Sliabh Luachra Traditional Music Concert Series (Aidan Connolly and Guests) Dates: Wednesday, July 29; Thursday, July 30 Time: 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Battle of the Bands (Senior Competition) Dates: Friday, August 7; Friday, August 14; Friday, August 21; Friday, August 28 Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Battle of the Bands (Junior Competition) Dates: Sunday, August 9; Sunday, August 16; Sunday, August 23; Sunday, August 30 Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Bog Jazz Performance (Eoin O’Sullivan & Shane Murphy) Date: Thursday, August 20 Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
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