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Locals revisit abandoned Coltsmann’s Castle

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It has been abandoned and off-limits since the 1940s but locals recently got a rare opportunity to see the inside the walls of Coltsmann’s Castle. The doors of the famous but mysterious landmark were thrown open last week as part of the inaugural Architecture Kerry Weekend and visitors were treated to an insightful tour of the protected structure.

The O’Reilly family purchased the property in 2005 and significant works have already been carried out on the site. Organisers of the tour also revealed that plans are in place to completely renovate the building, which is located near Mill Road and is also known locally as Flesk Castle.

Architect Karol O’Mahony, historian John Knightly and Victoria McCarthy Conservation Officer Kerry County Council welcomed visitors to the recorded monument last weekend.

“Some locals are now hugely surprised that it still exists,” Karol O’Mahony said, “and more surprised that someone plans to renovate it, with the general consensus being, ‘Not in my lifetime!’”

Redevelopment is well underway, however, and O’Mahony has prepared an outline design and feasibility studies for renovation of the building as a family home.

The focus of the inaugural Architecture Kerry Festival was the county’s architectural heritage and the event, which will showcase and celebrate the best of the county’s architectural heritage, will take place from 28 to 30 September, and will feature talks, free guided tours, exhibitions, workshops and family events.

The aim of the new festival, which is part of the Creative Ireland Programme, is to highlight the wide diversity of the architectural landscape in Kerry and to make some of the best-known sites of architectural significance in the county accessible to all ages.

 

 

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Joey Sheehan wins historic sixth Dr Crokes Captain’s Prize

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Accomplished golfer Joey Sheehan scooped the Dr Crokes GAA Club Golf Society Captain’s Prize for the sixth time following the outing at The Killeen Course at Killarney Golf Club on Friday.

Society Captain Niall Botty O’Callaghan and his mother Eileen O’Callaghan hosted the prizegiving function in The Failte Hotel, where Joey was presented with a painting of the fourth hole at Killeen by local artist and Dr Crokes member Paul Downey.


Joey Sheehan won his first Dr Crokes Captain’s prize back in 1997, which was the start of an historic four-in-a-row.

He collected his fifth Captain’s prize in 2006 before adding his sixth with the 2026 title last Friday.

Over the years, he has also won two Dr Crokes Presidents prizes, numerous other society outings, and the Eddie Barry Memorial Cup three times as player of the year.


The prize giving function in The Failte featured speeches from society officer Brendan Keogh, Captain Niall Botty O’Callaghan, and overall winner Joey Sheehan.

During the speeches, a number of recently deceased local people and others from recent years associated with the Dr Crokes Golf Society were remembered.

Among those fondly remembered were Brian O’Regan, John O’Mahony, Ewan MacIndoe, Gerry Collins, Paudie O’Callaghan, Malachy Walsh, and Seani McCarthy.


The Dr Crokes Captains Prize was once again sponsored by Mike Buckley of Kerry Coaches. Following overall winner Joey Sheehan, the full list of prize winners included John Lynch in second, Finian Moran in third, and Liam Hartnett in fourth. Sean Brosnan took fifth place, followed by Maurice O’Donoghue in sixth, John O’Leary in seventh, Paudie Sheahan in eighth, Colm Galvin in ninth, and Eamonn Fitzgerald in tenth.

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Discussion on Irish-American literary voices

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The second series of talks for the new ‘Summer in Killarney’ festival took place at Killarney House in Killarney National Park, focusing on the lives and work of literary figures F. Scott Fitzgerald and Mary Lavin.

The event, titled ‘The Great Irish-American Voices of F. Scott Fitzgerald & Mary Lavin’, featured presentations by authors Gráinne Hurley, writer of Gratefully and Affectionately: Mary Lavin and The New Yorker, and Killarney native Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, author of Gatsby: Death of an Irishman.

Following their presentations, both authors joined Irish Times journalist Ronan McGreevy for a panel conversation exploring the impact of both writers on American literature.

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